What Should Have Been

Part 64

A few days later and Grace was making a full recovery with Sam and Connie taking the time out to look after her. The consultant had tried reasoning that Grace would be best off in hospital for a few nights but Connie argued that having two doctors at home would be just as good.

Connie had been called into the ED due to staff shortages much to her disappointment. "Are you sure because I don't have to go-" "Connie, we will be fine. I promise I won't take my eyes from her all day." Sam noticed her gaze on Grace before he placed a hand to her cheek.

"She's okay Connie, you need to give her a chance again." "I know, but I can't help worry you know-" "I know and I understand, but she will be okay." Connie nodded as Sam stepped closer placing a kiss to her lips gently. "Have a good day won't you?" She nodded with a gentle smile before he kissed her again.

Connie walked back out into the kitchen to get her things together while Sam returned to Grace. She was laid across the sofa with her duvet tucked across her. Sam wandered up to her sliding onto the sofa beside Grace. She giggled as Sam moved underneath the covers wrapping his arm around her.

Grace cuddled into his chest with a smile as she got comfortable with him. "We're good aren't we princess?" "Yes Daddy, can you read me a book?" Sam tutted as he looked around with a smile. "Well I am sure I can manage that pumpkin..." He took the book from her hands beginning to read it as they both lay comfortably with one another.

Connie walked out of the kitchen, a smile coming to her face at the sight before her. Grace wore a grin as she listened to Sam reading a story. Connie held back her laughter as he began speaking in different voices for the characters. "Daddy that's silly he's the nice character, that's the wrong voice-" "Sorry sweetheart, I'll try again."

Another giggle escaped Grace's lips as she listened to Sam continue reading. Connie pushed away from the doorframe wandering from the room heading to the ED.

After reading the book Grace was thoroughly entertained with the way he had read it. "Daddy can we watch a film now?" "If that's what you want sweetheart." She nodded with a yawn before Sam moved from the sofa to get the TV controls and pop the DVD in.

Soon after they were laying together again with some popcorn and drinks. "Daddy shhh, you're not supposed to talk during films." "Sorry sweetheart." Grace smiled hugging him once again before sighing as she relaxed into him.

Within an hour Grace was fast asleep in his arms leaving Sam laying on the sofa watching her sleep. "You baby, are my precious little girl... I will always love you more than you will ever know sweetheart, and even when you're a big sister, you'll always be really important to me." Sam ran a hand through her curls with a smile.

"I might have missed so much of your life, but one thing I'm sure of, is that I will never miss things that important again. You're my world Grace Strachan and I promise I will always love you like I should have done from the day you were born..."

He leant over placing a kiss to her forehead causing her to curl into him with a smile. Her tired voice and breathless response came. "Daddy?" "Mmm..." "I- I- I love you." She stuttered as she yawned struggling to hide the exhaustion from her voice. "I know you do sweetheart, get some rest. I'll be here when you wake up."

Grace nodded burying her head further into Sam's chest as he kept a firm arm around her, running through her hair. He himself felt his eyes drifting shut as they lay together in peace. The TV now off as the film had ended some time ago.

The house was in a blissful silence much to Connie's delight as she arrived home. Pushing the door open she made sure to push it shut gently so as to not disrupt anyone inside.

Wandering into the kitchen, everything was still spotless. Turning back, that's when she noticed them. Grace was fast asleep tucked up tightly into Sam's chest as they both slept. A smile came to her face as she looked to them together, but happy.

Moving forwards, Connie stopped beside the sofa to kneel beside them. She lifted a hand, running it along his cheek causing him to flinch before waking slowly. "Hey you-" "Hey, when'd you get back?" "Just now... She been like this all day?"

Sam nodded with a smile before Connie leant up to meet his lips. It started gentle, as Sam moved a hand to the back of her neck holding her close. When they broke apart Sam smirked at the flushed colour in Connie's cheeks. "If our daughter wasn't here right now-" "Then we'd both be at work."

Sam rolled his eyes shaking his head as Connie got up to walk away. "You're no fun Beauchamp." She smirked getting out two mugs while Sam carefully moved himself from the sofa where he lay entangled with Grace.

Connie began making coffee before being taken by surprise as two strong arms appeared around her waist. His lips quickly pressing to her neck taking her breath away. "Sam..." She moaned gently feeling her legs turn to jelly as his hands maintained their hold on her waist. "I love you." His lips were barely lifted from her skin causing her to shiver when he spoke.

Turning around in his arms she lifted hers round his neck taking a step closer so that she was pressed against his chest. A sly, devilish smirk on her face as he looked to her.

Before she could say anything else his laps crashed down onto hers causing a deep moan to be forced from her lips. He pushed her backwards until she reached the kitchen side where he lifted her up to sit on it.

Sam ran his hands over her bare thighs and underneath her dress causing her breath to hitch before responding fully to the kiss again. Connie ran her hands down his chest and back up again before beginning to work at his buttons.

Connie felt his hands move from her legs to her stomach. He gently pressed against the bump which was beginning to form. She felt him smile against her lips as they broke away. Sam's eyes searched hers as she matched his smile. "You're happy aren't you?"

He dropped his head with a laugh before nodding. "I missed out on so much with Grace that I feel like this is my chance to be a proper father-" "You already are, Grace adores you and she knows you'd do anything for her." Connie's hand was on his cheek as he moved to hold her hand. "I know... I love you-" "I love you too, so does this one."

He laughed again looking down to her stomach before wrapping his arms around Connie pulling her into a hug. They remained like that for a while before Sam helped her from the side then returned to Grace, laying with her once again.