Consequences

Chapter 18

Authors note: i seem to be losing views. Are the chapters too long or is there something you would like to see happen? Let me know and i promise next chapter Jacob arrives.

The next evening, having spent the day been lazy, Connie had invited Zoe and Charlie round for a catch up so Grace could show them all her photos and give them her presents; she had just plated up the food when the doorbell rang. She smiled as Grace ran and opened the door, her smile growing as she heard her daughter's laughter and chatter filling the house; something she had missed in the last few months.

"Hi Connie" Zoe and Charlie said as they walked in, Grace standing between them.

"Hi; dinner's ready so help yourself" she answered as they took a seat.

As they ate, Connie stayed quiet and let Grace do the talking, only answered when she was asked a question or to confirm what her daughter had said; when they were finished, Grace went to get her presents whilst the adults sat talking.

"How was your holiday really?" Charlie asked, concerned by her quietness.

"It was good; nice to see Grace smiling the whole time and to see her face when i told her her surprise, it was worth it" Connie answered.

"Why dont i take Grace for the night? Give you a break" he offered.

"You really dont have to" she protested.

"I know, i want, if you'll let me?"

"Okay, if she wants to then she can go"

"Go where?" Grace asked as she bounced back into the room.

"Wanna spend the night at mine? We can watch a movie and eat popcorn?" Charlie suggested.

"Can i mom?" She asked, sitting on Connie's lap as she looked at her.

"If you want to? We're only going the cinema tomorrow night; why dont you go and pack a bag?"

She nodded and handed the presents to Charlie and Zoe before disappearing; when her daughter had left half hour later with Charlie, her and Zoe had moved to the sofa with a glass of wine each.

"Okay. The truth. How are things between you really?" Zoe asked.

"Fine" she answered, taking a sip of her wine.

"Have you talked? She promised me before you went she would try at least"

"I dont know Zoe; i thought having this time off would help. You took a big risk going to Henrik and it not backfiring on us and i'm not so sure it was worth it"

"How do you mean?"

"Last night, she said she felt sad because i'd took her on this awesome holiday when she didnt deserve it; i'm slowly losing my patience with her and i'm gonna snap. I honestly dont know how much more i can take of her going hot and cold all the time; what happens if i give up everything i've worked for and things carry on as they are? We wont be any closer and i'll end up resenting her for it; i'm scared i'm going to lose her...for good" she admitted.

"Connie, that little girl loves you with all her heart and you do too; you dont need to keep spoiling her and spend every day of the holidays buying her stuff. Stuff that are just material things; it's the memories you need to make together. Things like baking a cake or painting a room..."

"I dont know" she sighed, resting an arm on the back of the sofa and leaning her head against her propped up hand.

"What can i do to help?" Zoe offered.

"I dont know" she repeated, exhaustion finally seeping in.

"Okay, i'm gonna get off but dont give up; get some sleep and think about it"