What Should Have Been

Part 3

Why she had come she wasn't sure. Socialising wasn't her thing...Being here was something she shouldn't have bothered with. Staff were gathered around in small groups, talking and laughing with one another as she stood there alone. Nobody dared put a foot in place to move towards her, she was feared, disliked even, by most.

However coming wasn't for the simple reason of getting drunk and partying the night away. She had to come because it was the only time she could speak to him without much being thought about it. After all it was their mistake, not just hers. Why should she have to live with it on her own?

But what she'd just heard halted all of that. So much for being the one with news that needed telling tonight, oh no his trumped hers. "Did you know that, Sam's handed in his notice?" "Since when?" Connie looked towards Ric as he stood in front of her saying something she never thought that would be the height of discussion tonight. She didn't realise how obvious the shock in her voice had been until seeing Ric's face.

The high spirited Christmas music played on in the background, not that she was feeling in the festive spirit anymore... How was she supposed to celebrate when she'd just been told the father of her unborn child was moving halfway across the world. She watched as he stood opposite his son, his back to her meaning she could watch unnoticed.

When he turned away he strolled across the room without turning a blind eye to her. Connie was fed up of this avoidance as he passed her. Reaching out she held onto his hand causing him to turn and face her. "So umm... You were gonna run off without telling me?" Her voice shook surprising them both as he shook his head. "No, I wanted it all set in concrete first."

She pushed her tongue into her cheek with a single nod not really wanting to admit this was happening, even if she didn't like him that much. At least not on the surface, but what was hidden beneath remained a mystery to everyone. "And um... Us?" He smirked looking away. "Like there was ever an 'us'-" "You know what I mean."

Sam couldn't help but smile despite the feeling in the pit of his stomach that was telling him not to do this... Not to go. "I'll be the registrar you've always wanted... Someone a few thousand miles away." Connie scoffed rolling her eyes, although she couldn't blame him. All her actions up until this point had spelled that out to him.

Connie nodded silently unsure of where to go from there. "Don't um... Don't forget our birthday's." It was a stupid comment and she kicked herself for coming out with something like that but right now it was all she could manage. Sam could feel how uneasy she was before him, and it surprised him. He had expected anything but this, but then again she always had been unpredictable. "And the rest..."

Their hands still close, Sam caught hold of hers discreetly as he carefully laced his fingers through hers. Connie lifted her eyes to meet his regretting the decision almost instantly. "You know what?" She couldn't find the voice to respond so waited for him to carry on. "I'll miss you..."

Connie bit the inside of her lip nodding solemnly hearing his voice break with his words. Without any kind of warning he stepped in leaning closer to her until his lips pressed to hers. He made no attempt to deepen it, but she still responded to it. The tears that had been threatening rolling down her cheek as he parted from her lips.

He looked at her once more before stepping backwards, letting go of her hand. Connie was left standing, quickly wiping her cheek to remove the tears that had fallen. She watched him walk away into the crowd of people as she carefully backed away to the side of the wall where she could observe without being watched.

Soon she heard his voice come over the speakers. "Erm, ladies and gentleman, boys and girls... I think word might have gotten out that I'm leaving. It's all happened very quickly, urm, so I haven't bought any of you a present..." A few laughs were heard from around the room as Sam awkwardly stood on stage.

His eyes scanned the room for her but never seemed to be able to find her. He continued to talk before stopping awkwardly as he found her standing to the side. He made sure to look around the room again finishing what he was saying. "I'm gonna miss everyone here..." With his eyes focused on her, realising she was looking back he took a breath. "I'll never forget you."

Sam gritted his teeth as people around began to cheer, although all his attention was on Connie whose tears were freely falling once again. This time though, she made no attempt to hide them from him. He could see just how much this was paining her, yet he couldn't understand why. Yes he'd always held a flame for her but it hadn't been reciprocated, or so he'd thought. But maybe, just maybe he had been wrong about that.

It was too late for speculation now, everything was in motion and he was set to leave in a few weeks. Whatever might have been between them would have to remain that way.