What Should Have Been

Part 36

In the last few months Connie had begun to see the physical effects the chemotherapy was having on Sam. They'd been splitting time between the two houses, with Sam needing more and more time alone to rest. They spent hardly any time alone anymore because whatever time they did have, she wanted Grace to be with him.

Tonight Grace was staying with a friend from playschool leaving Connie alone at home. Sam had been moping about all afternoon alone leaving Connie to worry about him. She finally gave up sitting alone, pulling on a pair of tight jeans and a vest. Her hair was already down in gentle curls so she slipped her heels on heading for Sam's.

He was sitting on the sofa barely paying attention to the TV that played in the background. He was almost oblivious to the knocking on the door. Dragging himself out there, he opened it to see Connie standing with folded arms and a raised brow. "What-" "Get dressed." Sam frowned watching as she moved inside stepping around him. She turned the TV off before throwing the remote down to the sofa.

"Connie what's going on?" "I'm not letting you sit about here feeling sorry for yourself. Get dressed." He rolled his eyes wanting anything but an outing right now. "Con-" "I'm not taking no for an answer. So get dressed and meet me outside in 10 minutes." He watched as she walked back outside leaving him to smile to himself.

He was locking the front door within 10 minutes before meeting her. "Okay bossy, what now?" She smirked taking his hand as they wandered along the footpath away from his house. "Now we enjoy ourselves." It was only then he noticed Grace wasn't about. "I hate to point this out, but where's-" "With a friend. Tonight I'm taking you out because I want you to know that no matter how bad you think life is. We're always going to get through it."

Connie had never been an optimistic or positive person but right now, with Sam, she knew that's what he needed. He held her hand tightly in his as they walked towards Holby. He smiled knowing that there was only one place they'd be going walking in this direction. "Connie, I hate to point it out to you, but going to a hospital isn't my idea of enjoying an evening with you-" "Shut up Sam."

He laughed pulling her into his side as they neared the pub. From down the street he could already see the number of staff from both the ED and Darwin heading in. "Mrs Beauchamp, didn't expect to see you here tonight." Connie took a breath looking up to Cal, Louise, Robyn and Alicia. "What can I say, karaoke is my calling." They laughed walking in ahead of her as Sam paused just inside the door.

"You never said it was karaoke night-" "That's because I'd have talked myself out of coming here." Sam smiled, his hands on her waist as they made their way towards the bar. "Connie... Sam." Elliot smiled from the small table to the left of them. "Hey-" "How are you both?" Connie smiled looking up to Sam who turned to Elliot. "I think we're doing alright." She smiled turning her gaze to the older man who wore a smile. "Good, so... Karaoke Connie?" "No chance." "Just you wait, I'll get you up there at some point."

Connie laughed taking her drink and passing one to Sam. "Please, you'd have to kill me before I ever went on that stage." They wandered to a table where everyone seemed to be gathered. Connie sat down beside Charlie who turned to her with a slightly shocked but happy expression. "Yes okay I'm in the pub, socialising... Can we move past that now please?" Charlie grinned with a nod before looking up to Sam who was already chatting to everyone else.

"You two seemed cosy up there." Connie glanced to Sam talking to Cal with a laugh. "Yeah, I guess we are... I just don't know how to tell him, you know." Charlie smiled placing a hand to her arm. "You'll find the right time." She nodded as Sam came closer to her placing a kiss to her cheek. "Any reason for that?" "Do I need a reason?" Her eyes lifted to Cal and the others before looking back to him with an arched brow. "When their involved, yes." Sam smirked nearing her ear. "Okay maybe I wanted to make myself look good."

The evening quickly went on with many awful songs from the 80s and 90s ruined by the staff of Holby. Connie had even sat back and laughed as Sam stood on stage attempting to sing his way through a song. In all honesty she hadn't seen anything worse, but he was smiling and it was enough for her to enjoy it.

Many drinks had been drank by the ED staff especially, but everyone was having a good night. Connie was walking to the bar as Sam caught hold of her, a hand around her waist while the other held her hand. "Hey-" She was cut off by a gentle kiss. Sam spun her around dancing with her as they enjoyed the music that had taken over in the pub.

Connie wasn't one for dancing, and it didn't go unnoticed by everyone around them. Sam continued to spin her about, holding her close as she laughed. "Thank you-" "What for?" "For making me happy. For telling me everything is going to be okay. For just being you." Connie lifted her hand to his cheek with a genuine smile before leaning in to capture his lips. "You... Are very welcome Mr Strachan."

Sam smiled letting his grip loosen on Connie before she pulled him back to her. Charlie smiled watching from the table before Connie went to the bar leaving Sam to take a seat with him. "Everything seems to be going well?" "You know what... No matter how bad I feel, I can't help but smile around her. I finally have a family, and I couldn't ever picture losing them." Charlie watched him looking to Connie seeing just how much he meant his words. "Well I'm glad she's happy for one, take care of them." "I will." Sam looked back to Charlie giving him his word. He was never going to let them go.