What Should Have Been

Part 70

It was a little warmer today as they stepped outside. The three of them wandered into the park just before 10 o'clock, ready to be dragged all over the place by the youngest of them. "Where to first princess?"  Grace looked down at the map he held before her as she frowned thinking. "Here." "Fantasyland-" "What?"

Sam glanced up at Connie who was looking down with an arched brow. "Oh come on, what did you expect it to be called?" "Not that, but okay... Let's go." He smiled wrapping his arm around her waist while Grace took his free hand wandering to the top end of the park.

Grace's eyes came to a ride beside them as she began tugging on Sam's hand. "Can we go on this one Daddy? Can we, can we, can we? Pleeeeeaseeeee?" He smirked nodding slowly as Grace jumped up and down. "Coming?" "Uhh, I best wait here with the bags." She gave him a knowing glance before his eyes flitted between her eyes and her stomach. "Okay, we'll meet you back here."

Soon Grace and Sam were running away from Connie who sat herself up on the rocks behind her. She had the perfect view of the ride where Grace was currently queuing. "So who is this Grace?" "This is Dumbo, he's a flying elephant. He isn't that great though." Grace had whispered the last part causing Sam to laugh before wandering up to one of the carriages with his daughter.

He lifted her in, sitting beside her before they spotted Connie some distance away. "Look, wave to Mummy." Grace grinned widely waving as the ride began, her smile only growing further. The day continued in a similar fashion, Connie sitting most of it out but happy to see Grace enjoying herself.

"How about Mummy comes on this with us?" She looked to the ride having expected Sam to rope her into something eventually. "It does nothing but float on water around a slow track." Rolling her eyes she let him hold onto her hands wandering towards it. "You're a pain Strachan-" "And you love me."

Rolling her eyes again she let Sam pull her forwards into the queue with him and Grace. Standing behind her, he wrapped his arms around her waist with his head resting on her shoulder. "Happy?" "Very. Grace is loving this, thank you." Sam smiled placing a kiss to her lips as she looked to him before resting his chin back where it had been.

As they carried on making their way around, Grace had exhausted half the rides in the park. Sam smiled to Connie before nodding forwards towards the castle in the middle of the road ahead. "You want to take her or shall I?" Connie smirked looking down to an oblivious Grace. "Where am I going?"

Sam smiled pointing around a crowd of people before Connie nodded. "Come on sweetheart, I want to show you something." Grace smiled taking her mothers hand skipping off ahead with her. She froze pointing ahead causing Sam to laugh. "Mummy look it's all the Princesses!"

Grace jumped up and down consistently before Connie walked with her towards them. Grace became quiet as she hid slightly behind her mother. Rolling her eyes they kept going leaving Sam to watch them. He smiled as she had several photos, once again finding her confidence and excitement.

Sam stepped up taking the phone from Connie's hands. "Get in-" "What? No-" "Get in." He gave her a gentle nudge to move her from where she stood. Sam gave her no option other than to stand in the picture, smiling alongside Grace. He took a few photos of them, watching as Grace hugged the princesses, skipping away happily towards Sam.

"Daddy! Did you see them all?" "I sure did sweetheart. I think your Mummy loved them." Connie shook her head with a smile as Grace giggled. "Oi you, what's so funny. Huh?" She prodded Grace in the side who squirmed before stepping away. Connie raised her eyebrows before grinning as she began to chase after Grace.

Sam watched them running down the path, avoiding people and statues as they went. "Sorry." He apologised to a few people Grace almost collided with who dismissed him with a smile. He struggled keeping up with them, despite being pregnant Connie moved extremely well.

Hours passed without them even realising. They were in no rush or position to worry about the time. Sam smirked as Connie carried Grace on her back towards the hotel. "So I was thinking I'd grab us some food from downstairs while you settle her?" Connie nodded leaning into his side slightly as he placed a kiss to her temple.

"Right princess Grace, Mummy's going to put you to bed okay?" "Okay Daddy, I love you." She wrapped her arms around his neck as he knelt on the floor in front of her. "I love you so much sweetheart. See you in the morning." Grace nodded as she kissed Sam's cheek before taking Connie's hand wandering towards the lift.

He watched them wander off until the doors had closed. Sam strolled slowly back outside with his hands in his pockets in the direction of the small kitchens. He pulled his phone out seeing a message from Charlie.

The girls look like they're having a wonderful time, I bet she's tiring you both out. I've arranged what you asked me to, it's all set for you. Have a lovely time.

Sam smiled sliding his phone back into his pocket looking up to the sky once again. After getting their food he made his way back to the room quicker than he had walked to get their food. As he closed the door to the room he was greeted by the gentle glow of the light in the corner and a sweet smell.

He scanned his eyes over the room, placing the food down onto the table against the wall. When he turned around Connie stood in the doorway of the bathroom with a breezy smile. "Hey you-" "Hey... Wow, you look... You look incredible." "We've been together all this time, and you still say that-" "Because I can never get over how beautiful you are Connie."

He watched the colour rise in her cheeks as she bit her bottom lip somewhat nervously. He dropped his eyes over the small black nightdress she wore. Her hair fell naturally over her shoulders, and her face was free of the days makeup. "You really are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."

Smirking a little she held onto his hands stepping closer to him. "I guess you're pretty attractive yourself-" "Why thank you." He laughed as she smiled further before he turned grabbing their food. "I bring gifts-" "And you've just become that much more attractive to me." "Shut it Beauchamp or I eat the food."

Connie laughed as she sat on the bed, Sam sitting opposite her. He could do nothing but steal glances at her the entire evening that they spent together. Neither of them feeling tired any longer, but both wanting to just sit up and enjoy each others company so that's what they did.

A few hours drifted by like minutes passed as they talked, and talked. They mentioned everything and nothing, laughing and smiling knowing that nothing had ever been as easy as this was right now. Content in the others company, they remained beside one another until they went quiet, falling asleep wrapped in the others embrace.