Consequences

Chapter 9

The next afternoon, Grace was sat on the tablet on the sofa whilst Connie was sat up to the dining room table on her laptop when her mobile rang; reluctantly, Connie answered it and sighed as she hung up, looking over at Grace.

"What's wrong mom?" Grace asked as she walked over to her mom and sat on her lap.

"That was Zoe baby"

"You need to work?"

"There's a big accident; they need all hands on deck but if you dont want me to, then i'll tell her i cant"

"No...you have to go; they need you"

"So do you"

"I have my tablet and my Ipod; i'll be fine in your office and i promise to behave"

"Are you sure?"

Grace nodded and went to get her bag to put her stuff in; Connie sighed and sent a quick text to Zoe to let her know she was on her way before closing the laptop and grabbing her coat and bag. At the hospital, she quickly got Grace settled in the office and made her promise not to leave unless she needed the toilet or something to eat before heading into resus; when she was finally done three hours later, she took the opportunity to check on her daughter and found her fast asleep on the sofa. Carefully, she pulled a blanket over her and kissed her forehead before heading back out to check on cubicles; she was back within the hour and Grace was still asleep so sat down on the floor next to the sofa and stroked her daughters hair back, watching as she slowly roused.

"Hi baby"

"You finished?" Grace asked.

"All done; let's get you home and into bed"

"Love you mom" she murmured, sleepily as Connie helped her into her coat and to rest against her.

When they got home, Connie helped her into bed and sat next to her, stroking her hair as her daughter slept soundly.

"I love you too baby, more than you'll ever know"

Connie sat there all night, watching her daughter; by morning, Connie had fallen asleep next to her daughter and was awoken by the sound of her phone ringing.

"Hello"

"Ah, Mrs Beauchamp, did you forget about our meeting this morning?" Hansen asked on the other end.

Sitting up, Connie glanced at the clock and swore under her breath.

"Mom" Grace said, sleepily.

"It's okay baby, go back to sleep" she said before standing just outside the bedroom. "Henrik, i'm sure you've heard i've taken some emergency leave"

"Still doesnt explain why i'm still waiting for you"

"My daughter was involved in a car accident; she needs me"

"So does this hospital and if you cant be here..."

"Then what? You'll fire me? Go ahead, i've got enough job offers to get another one within the hour; i will be back on Monday morning. Otherwise, talk to Zoe"

She hung up and sighed, running a hand through her hair before going back into her daughter's bedroom, noticing Grace was sleeping soundly again; taking the opportunity, she grabbed a quick shower and got changed into a pair of jeans and top before grabbing a cup of coffee and returning to her daughters side.

"Mom"

"Hey baby; you doing okay?"

"Yeah; why were you here all night?"

"I was just worried about you, that's all; how about...pancakes for breakfast?"

"With chocolate chips?"

"Is there any other kind to have?"

Grace shook her head and followed her mom out of the room; after the pancakes were made and eaten, she sent Grace to get ready before they took a short drive into town.

"Mom, will you lose your job?" Grace asked as she pulled into the car park.

"Why would you think that?"

"I heard you on the phone this morning; you were supposed to have a meeting werent you?"

"You come first, i told you that"

"I dont want you to lose your job because of me though"

"Sweetheart" she started as she pulled into a space and looked at her. "Remember our conversation yesterday?"

Grace nodded.

"You come first, not the job; my boss already knew i was on leave for a week and he thought that if he was to phone i would drop everything and run again, like i did before but i'm not going to, not now. This week, we get you better and in manageable pain so you can go back to school on Monday and then next week...we work it out, together"

"I can go back tomorrow"

"No, i want to keep an eye on that head of yours a little longer; unless you dont want to spend time with your mom?"

"Course i do"

"Come on then; and no more worrying about my job. I will sort things when i go back, not before"

Grace nodded and climbed out the car; she took Connie's hand as they headed towards the shopping centre.