Consequences

Chapter 24

Authors note: gonna be a bit more Connie and Grace time before she goes back to school and then they'll be more Jacob involved when she's back at work.

The next morning, Connie awoke and saw the post-it note from Charlie: 'came by but you were asleep; i'll call by tomorrow (or today if its the morning) and see you. Charlie'. Smiling, she looked over at her daughter who was slowly waking; she kissed her hair as Grace snuggled closer.

"Morning sweetheart"

"Morning mom"

"How did you sleep? Any nightmares?"

"No"

"Good, i'm glad; how about pancakes?"

"You should be resting"

"Are you saying no to pancakes?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No but...you should...can i make them?"

"Will it make you happy if i was to watch and not do anything?"

"Yes; Aunt Zoe said you have to take it easy.  Yesterday was too much"

"Okay but...i will help you cook them; i'm not letting my 12 year old loose on a cooker"

"Deal" Grace smiled as she leapt out of the bed.

In the kitchen, Connie told Grace exactly what to do before helping her with cooking; twenty minutes later, they were sat eating as the front door opened and closed and Charlie walked in, loaded with bags.

"Hi Charlie" Connie smiled.

"You look a lot brighter this morning" he noted, setting the bags onto the kitchen counter.

"I had a good sleep and a good nurse looking after me" she smiled at Grace.

"I'm glad" he replied, pouring himself a mug of coffee.

"What's with the bags Uncle Charlie?" Grace asked.

"Some food supplies for you both and there might just be a little something for you too" he answered, putting the food items away.

"You got me a present?"

"Maybe; eat your breakfast and you'll find out"

Smiling at Connie, he carried on with his task before handing Grace the bag containing a new dance game for her console and a couple of new movies; as Grace set her game up and started playing, Connie and Charlie sat up to the table with their drinks.

"You didnt have to do that" Connie said.

"She's a great kid...and she's been a real trooper this last week, putting you first"

"Yeah...she has; we had a really good talk last night. We haven't talked about everything yet but...we made good progress i think"

"About her comments before you want away?"

"Partly; she told me she didnt mean it and i believe her; she was hurt and angry and fed up. Then we started talking about my job..."

"And...?"

"I havent made a definate decision yet but...we're deciding...together"

"Mom, come and watch me?" Grace called from the other room.

"Coming darling"

"I should leave you to it..." Charlie offered.

"Oh no, you brought her the game; you can stop and entertain her" Connie warned before taking her drink and going into the other room.

Charlie chuckled and followed her; Graced danced for the next hour, making Charlie and Connie laugh until it triggered her coughing spasm and then decided to put on one of the films Charlie had brought as she sat inbetween them.

After lunch, Charlie had finally managed to escape so Grace and Connie were lying on her bed, her arms wrapped around her daughter.

"Sweetheart, how you feeling about going back to school? I know you had some reservations before you broke up"

"I dont know..."

"You have seen any of your friends either; have to spoke to any of them?"

"What friends?" She retorted.

"You must have at least one friend darling?"

"I told you, i'm the school freak"

"Dont say that" she gasped. "You are beautiful and clever and an amazing young girl and i'm proud you're my daughter"

"You have to say that; you're my mom"

"True but it's also the truth; Grace, anyone would be lucky to have you as a friend and if they're not interested, then that's there lost. I dont want you to be upset before you even go back; i want you to go in there and do the best you can which i know you will and if someone wants to be your friend, they will. You have all your new stuff and shoes and coat and you'll be awesome; you can do your sports again..."

"I dont care"

"You loved doing them; what's changed?" She asked, brushing her hair back.

"Nothing" she shrugged.

"Hey, we're talking whether you like it or not; you opened up yesterday and i need you to do it today too."

"I'm scared" she sighed.

"Of what?"

"Been left out again"

"Left out of what?"

"Everything; i'm always been picked last so i feel like they dont even want me in their teams"

"Do they ever say things to you? Or about you that you can hear?" She asked, concerned that her daughter was been bullied.

"No...not that hear them but...they always look and laugh or stop talking when i walk past"

"Sweetheart, they are not worth getting upset over; they'll soon realise you are an intelligent, amazing person and they'll want to be your friend. All you can do is be yourself and show them that you dont care what they say or do because you're the better person..."

"But i do care; why dont they like me mom?"

"I dont know; what i do know, is that you are my best friend and i dont know what i would do without you. You have been amazing this past week, looking after me and making me feel better; even when i know you've been frustrated and upset that we cant go out" she said, brushing her daughter's tears away as Grace looked at her.

"You're my mom; we have to look after each other"

"We do...but not in the way you did; you havent left my side and made sure i had everything i need and i wont forget that" she coughed.

"You should sleep" Grace said as she handed Connie the bottle of water.

"What are you going to do?" She asked, taking a sip and putting it on the side table before lying down.

"Going to sleep too" she answered, snuggling against her mom as she pulled the covers over her.