What Should Have Been

Part 32

Grace wandered along the footpath between Connie and Sam, holding their hands as she skipped. They got the door heading inside, Grace immediately slinking behind Sam's legs. Connie smiled to the nursery worker before bending down to Grace's level. "Come on sweetie, you have to go today..."

She shook her head from behind Sam causing Connie to sigh in exasperation. Sam smiled down at Connie before kneeling down before Grace. "Hey..." She looked to him, holding her soft toy up to her mouth. "There's lots of other children here too Grace, and your friends will be here. You can play with the bikes outside, or read some books in the corner like your nerdy Mum does." "Hey." Connie jabbed him in the side causing a giggle to escape the younger Beauchamp's lips.

"Or you can run about with your friends... Sweetie it'll be lots of fun in there. Better than walking around all the boring shops with your Mummy." Grace nodded looking to Sam who was gently rubbing her arms. "And what if I promise me and your Mummy will be back to pick you up later, sound good?" Grace nodded enthusiastically before stepping into his arms.

Connie watched as Grace held onto him tightly before turning to her. "Come here baby..." She hugged Grace before standing up and watching her run off into the room happily. Sam smiled waving to her through the window before wandering back down the drive with Connie. "She's just nervous Con, she'll be fine-" "I know, I know... But I couldn't have convinced her it would all be okay like you did."

Sam laced his fingers through hers wandering out to the car before getting inside. "So... Shopping and lunch?" Connie smirked driving along the road as he settled his hand on her thigh. "I think I could stretch to that." Sam smiled focusing on the road as they headed towards the shopping centre.

Connie had needed to buy something for the consultants ball in a few months so was in and out of shops in search of a dress. "You know you worry way too much right?" She looked up from the rack before her as Sam watched her. "You'll look beautiful in any of the dresses you've seen so far." She smirked picking one up before wandering around to the other side. "So you'd say no to me trying a few on and needing your opinion then?" "No I would not!"

She selected a few dresses before heading into the fitting room. Sam sat down on one of the cushioned stools outside her room while she went in to try the first one on. It was a black floor length dress, halter neck and fairly simple but flattering. Sam popped his head around the curtain leaning against the wall. "Wow..." "Hmm-" "Hmm what?" Connie shrugged looking into the mirror at the dress from different angles. "It's too, boring-" "Boring?" She nodded pushing him out of the cubicle gently while she got changed into another.

This one was something Sam had pointed out that she only tried on to appease him. It was a cream colour dress with a split going up one side to her thigh. She rolled her eye seeing why he had picked it out now before fastening it properly. The dress dipped down at the front showing enough but not too much. She had to admit it was a flattering dress, she was just annoyed Sam had picked it.

"Ready?" "One second..." Connie messed about for a further few minutes before Sam came inside anyway. He didn't say anything at first causing Connie to look up at him. "You don't like it?" "No, Connie it looks amazing. You look amazing, really, really amazing." She smiled looking back to the mirror again, seeing him in the reflection. "You know you need a suit right?" "But I'm not going-" "Like hell your not. You're a consultant and my boyfriend so you're going."

Sam frowned with a smile looking to her. "Your boyfriend am I?" Connie realised what she'd said now he pointed it out. "Yeah I guess..." Sam laughed shaking his head. "Get changed Connie." He placed a kiss to her cheek before wandering out while she finished.

When she was done, they paid for the dress before wandering to a nearby café. "Happy?" He looked to the glowing smile she had after buying the things she had come to get. "Very... What I said before, did it bother you? It's just you seemed funny." Sam was reluctant to answer but Connie reached forwards for his hand. "Talk to me Sam, please."

He resigned letting her hold his hand. "It's just... I might not be able to do everything I wanted to anymore. If this treatment programme increases... I..." "If this treatment programme increases, we will get through it, me and you Sam. We always do." He smiled, caressing the back of her hand with his thumb. "Just hearing you call me your... It made me think that I might not be able to do everything, you know... I don't want to tie you down to something you never asked for."

Connie sighed watching him carefully. The tension between them the last few weeks had been growing but they were both holding back for different reasons. "Sam I'm always going to want you, I don't care if you're sleeping all the time I'll still be beside you." He smiled at how that could be their reality yet she didn't seem fazed. "I mean it would sure as hell stop you winding me up." "Ha ha Connie."

They finished their drinks quietly but Connie could tell Sam was still bothered by their situation. "Come on, lets go home before we get Grace this afternoon. There's something I need your help with at home anyway." He smiled nodding before taking the bags from Connie, freeing her hand so she could hold his.

The drive home was silent as Connie made her way along the busy roads until they were stopped outside hers. Before she got out she sat there, turning to Sam who was watching her.

Without a word she leant closer, her hand placed to his cheek as she kissed him. He was taken off guard by her forwardness but gently responded to her, feeling the need to be with her grow. "Connie-" "Sam don't..." She looked to him, not moving back from him as their eyes met. Their lips met again in a deeper kiss this time needing the contact from the other.