Unconditional Love

A Familiar Tension

The car journey home was silent. Connie couldn't distract her mind from replaying the kiss she and Jacob shared. Grace, unaware of it, pondered the way in which Jacob would steal her mother's heart again, while admiring the scene they drove by, having not seen much of the outside world for 2 weeks.

As they reached home Connie stepped out in her stiletto heels to the boot of the car, not hearing the quiet call from her phone. However, Grace who had complied with her mother's request, taking more care, was a little slower in removing her seat belt and leaving the vehicle. She stopped for a moment after the ringtone sounded before deciding to check the message.

Sender: Jacob Masters
Hey Connie, just checking you got home safely x

The young girl couldn't help the smile that formed on her lips as she saw just how much he cared for them.

Her fingers danced above the keypad as she evaluated the depth of trouble she'd be in for meddling with her mother's love life. Just as Connie would, Grace decided to take the risk, and control of the situation, knowing Connie would be hesitant to respond to him. She began composing a message attempting to mimic her mother's idiolect closely.

Yes we're home, thank you.
If you're free tonight, would you come over once Grace has settled?
I think we should talk things through.

Grace quickly deleted both messages before walking with a slight bounce in her step towards Connie who had been calling her from the doorway.

"You left your phone." She said simply, handing it over with a smirk.
Connie responded with a confused "Thank you," unsure as to why Grace seemed so pleased with herself.

Grace spent the evening in Connie's arms watching a number of films she handpicked that, much to Connie's dislike, all listed in the horror genre.

"If you have nightmares tonight Grace, you know exactly why."

Grace smirked and continued to lie on her mother's lap who she noticed tensing every time the movie revealed another of their horrifically crafted creatures in the most unsuspecting of moments. It made her giggle and Connie would join in seconds later, when the fear passed and she saw that her 12 year old daughter was holding her nerve, appearing completely unaffected by what was displayed on the screen.

After hours of murdering psychopaths, haunted houses and screams escaping Connie frequently and Grace every so often, the tiredness had overcome Grace and she fell sound asleep, still lying across Connie's lap who struggled to leave the sofa without waking her when the doorbell rang.

It only dawned on her when she reached for the handle that it was past late for someone to be coming round uninvited but before she could question who, he was stood facing her, dripping with wet from the rain.

"Jacob?....What are you doing here?..Erm come in though it's freezing out." Her words stumbled over each other due to her initial shock and confusion of seeing him at her door.

She stepped aside as his tall, muscular frame brushed past her and she sighed, knowing his visit would be emotionally straining for them both, telling by his expression he had not come for a friendly 5 minute chat.

Jacob saw Grace asleep on the sofa when he entered the room as Connie laughed through her words "Yeah, I don't think she's moving from there any time soon."

"Do you want me to...I could take her upstairs if you like. That way she won't wake up with a stiff neck at least." He offered.

"Ermm..yeah ... sure, thanks. I'll show you the way."

He smiled whilst removing his wet jacket so not to soak Grace as he carried her. Connie admired his toned physique, enhanced by the tight vest that clung to his muscles.

Jacob picked Grace up gently and with ease carrying her carefully to her room as he followed Connie's footsteps. Connie shut the door behind her after placing a soft kiss on Grace's forehead and she turned to Jacob who was closer than she'd thought.

A familiar tension graced the air surrounding them as they stood, tightly still, longing to leave the complexities behind and finally give in to their desires.