What Should Have Been

Part 52

Driving towards Holby Connie asked no questions, just decided to let whatever he planned unfold. She glanced sideways at him as he slowed coming to a small hotel. He lifted his eyes to hers before laughing at her expression. "Come on..."

She did as he said, taking his hand as he helped her across the gravely path. They went around the side of the building towards a small gate instead. Connie laced her fingers through his as she saw the gentle lights glowing helping to illuminate the path towards a large white tent at the other end of the footpath.

As they got closer Connie heard some music and chatter from inside. Wandering in everyone turned with cheers as they saw her. "Happy birthday Connie!" She leant into Sam's embrace feeling him beside her still. Turning to face him she looked up at him. "You did all this tonight, just to surprise me?" "Something like that."

"Mummy!" Connie watched as Grace came running towards them throwing her arms around her mother. "Hey baby..." Sam smiled looking down at the two of them before smiling over at Elliot who nodded to him.

Half of the ED were here including the few friends and family from outside Holby. Sam had his hands in his pockets running over the velvet material there. Pulling his hands from his pockets he walked across the room talking to people while Connie thanked everyone.

As the evening drifted on Sam watched Connie laughing and smiling with everyone. When her eyes met his he smiled warmly seeing her coming towards him. "Why do I feel like there's something you're not telling me?" He sighed standing up. "Come with me?" She watched him as he took her hand leading her out of the tent and back along the path.

They took a seat on the wall as he looked over at her. "I got my results back from my final scan last week-" "Sam why didn't you tell me?" He smiled at how defensive and worried she became at the mention. "Connie stop, everything's okay... I'm okay." Her eyes found his as he stood up from the wall moving in front of her. "You mean, you're really okay-" "It worked Con, treatment worked."

He stepped back slightly as she wrapped her arms around his neck holding onto him. Releasing a breath he had been holding he placed his lips to her shoulder. Connie sniffed, blinking rapidly to try and hold back the tears that threatened to fall. "It all made me think, you know... Getting sick, Emma coming back, you supporting me through it all... Life really is too short to not take any risks."

Connie let go, standing to watch him as he took her hands. "I love you, more than anything in the world. You've been my rock through out all this Connie and I don't think I could have got past it all without you. Everything you've done for me, for Grace when I wasn't there... You're nothing short of amazing."

Sam let go of one of her hands replacing it into his pocket again. Swallowing past the lump in his throat and ignoring the nerves he dropped her other hand, stepping backwards. Connie watched as he moved away from her taking something from his pocket.

He stared at the box for a moment before looking back to Connie. "You and Grace are my entire world... You're my family and I want you to know just how much I love you Connie. I promise I'll never leave you. I promise I'll never hurt you, and I'll be the father you've always wanted for our daughter."

Connie's eye were slowly filling with tears as she listened to his words, pretty sure of where this was going but struggling to accept it. "Everything these past few days, I've been building for this..." Miss Chase, it makes sense now. Connie lifted her eyes from the small black box back to meet his. He smiled knowing that she had worked everything out, no longer seeing the confusion in her eyes.

Sam sighed bending down, placing one knee to the floor as he held the box out to her. "Miss Chase, do me the honour of becoming my wife." She released a heavy breath as he said the words she'd been waiting for him to say since she'd figured out what all this was. Connie had been oblivious to a few people from inside gathering, watching on.

Connie was transfixed before feeling someone tugging at her dress. "Mummy say yes..." Her eyes fell to her daughter beside her as she smiled with a laugh. Sam smirked dropping his head as Grace spoke before Connie looked to him nodding. "Yes... Yes Sam I'll marry you." His eyes found hers again as he stood up, their lips crashing together almost immediately as his arms encased her.

Elliot and Charlie stood a short distance away watching as people began to whistle and cheer. Connie broke away from his lips feeling his hand holding onto hers as he slipped the silver ring onto her finger. "I love you Connie-" "I think its safe to say I love you too Strachan." He enveloped her into a hug again as he closed his eyes holding her. The whole moment feeling surreal.