Together

Chapter 20

It was nearing 2 o'clock when Jacob arrived home from the ED. Connie was sitting upstairs with Mia across her chest running a soothing hand down her back. She pressed her lips to the top of her head gently before standing up and placing her down in her cot.

Connie pulled the blanket up over Mia watching as she immediately snuggled into it. She walked back across the room cleaning up the mess they'd made earlier before going downstairs. Jacob was rubbing a hand across his face leaning against the kitchen counter when she saw him.

Quietly she watched him with a small frown before walking further into the kitchen. He looked up as she crossed the room to him fiddling with the teddy she held in her hands. Placing it down she walked up to Jacob seeing a smile forced onto his face. "Hey beautiful-" "What's wrong, and don't lie to me."

Jacob looked at her sighing as he turned around to face her properly. "I had a phone call earlier." He was reluctant to talk which seemed out of character to her. "Jacob?" "It was my Mum, my Dad's sick... He's refusing treatment and they're not sure how much longer what they're doing's gonna help."

Connie moved a hand to his arm as she looked up at him. "Go see him Jacob-" "I can't Connie. I can't go and watch my father die-" "Hey, nobody said anything about him dying Jacob." He pushed away from the side moving into the living room.

"You need to see him Jacob-" "You don't understand Connie." She bit her tongue as tears sprung to her eyes. When she didn't bite and he'd thought about what he said he turned around looking at her. "Connie I'm so sorry, I didn't mean that-" "I know, but I understand perfectly Jacob."

They both sat down on the sofa as Connie leant into his side. Jacob wrapped an arm over her shoulders placing a kiss to the top of her head. "I love you sweet cheeks." Connie smiled sitting up to face him. "I love you too." He kissed her gently before sitting back.

The pair sat quietly together as thoughts ticked over slowly in Jacob's head. "You know... My Dad would love you." Connie cuddled into him further as she placed a hand to his chest. "Grace and Mia, he always wanted to be a grandad."

Jacob sighed heavily as he rubbed a hand up and down her arm. "He always talked about seeing me marry the woman of my dreams, used to tell me about his wedding to Mum. How it was the best day of his life." Connie smiled listening as Jacob continued to speak.

"Jacob?" Connie sat up looking at him as she placed a hand to his cheek. "This weekend, me, you, Grace and Mia are going to go and see your Dad." Jacob frowned as he shook his head. "Con-" "After I've had him transferred to Holby."

Connie moved her hand from his cheek before sitting across his lap. "Hearing you talk today has shown me how upset this has got you. I know you haven't seen your parents much lately and I can't help but feel partly responsible for that but I promise you, that I'm here for you and I will never stand in your way of seeing them."

Jacob smiled taking her hand and lacing his fingers through hers. "Thank you." Connie placed her hands back onto his cheeks wiping the few stray tears that fell down his cheeks. She pressed her lips to his gently kissing him before sitting up.

"I'll get onto the hospital tomorrow, start making arrangements for him. I want my children to grow up knowing at least one of their grandfather's Jacob and that's exactly what I'm going to do. Besides at Holby I can go up with Mia while we wait for your shifts to finish, you can see him on your breaks. Make the most of whatever time we get."

Jacob smiled as he nodded pulling Connie close to his chest again. "You're incredible and I can't wait to marry you." The pair fell quiet once again before they were getting Mia dressed and into her pram to walk to Grace's school.

As they walked in the sunshine the wind blew keeping them cool. Connie pushed the buggy while Jacob had an arm wrapped around her waist. Mia cooed gently every now and then causing them both to break out in huge smiles.

"I've been thinking..." "Mmm, never a good thing babe I've told you that." Jacob rolled his eyes causing Connie to laugh before they continued to walk. "I know we were thinking about the wedding again and considering a date... But I just can't stand the thought of my Dad not being there."

Connie stayed quiet while they kept walking until they reached the school grounds. "It's too soon isn't it?" She pressed her foot to the break on the pram before turning to face him. "You know I love you and cannot wait to marry you... And I want nothing more than for this day to be perfect for us both and that means everyone you want to be there, being there."

Jacob smiled as Connie looked up at him. "You saying we can push it forward a few months?" "I'm saying I'd marry you tomorrow if I could Jacob Masters." He laughed as he bent down pressing a kiss to her lips before hearing a disgusted voice beside them.

"PLEASE MUM, STOP." Connie pulled away to see Grace pulling faces as she walked up to Jacob. She leant into the pram kissing Mia before standing up. "So why's everyone so happy?" Jacob shrugged wrapping an arm around Connie's waist once again as they started walking out of the school. "Can't a guy be happy with his two perfect daughters and wonderful, amazing, beautiful wife to be?"

Grace rolled her eyes as they continued walking before Jacob spoke. "Okay firecracker you had your chance..." Grace laughed beginning to run as Jacob chased after her along the path. "Be careful!" Connie shook her head watching as she carried on walking with Mia. If marrying Jacob sooner was what made him happy then she would do whatever she could to make it happen.