Consequences

Chapter 30

A week later, Grace was more than settled with Jane and had excelled on all her schoolwork; Connie was happy to leave her daughter for short amount of times and had popped to the corner shop a couple of times. Today, however, she had her check up with Zoe and Jane was unavailable for the day due to an emergency appointment so she had to take Grace with her; Connie was hoping to get the all clear to return to work, even on an administrative duties. She would work it out with Grace somehow; arriving in the department, dressed in jeans, her black and grey jumper and leather jacket with her signature heels, she held Grace's hand tight.

"Nice to see you looking a lot better Mrs Beauchamp" Alicia greeted as she noticed the Clinical Lead, having been involved in her care temporarily.

"Thank you Alicia"

"Doctor Hanna is in Charlie's office Mrs Beauchamp" Noel announced from behind his desk.

"Thank you Noel"

As Alicia got back to work, the two Beauchamp girls headed to Charlie's office and knocked as they entered through the open door.

"Is this a bad time?" Connie asked.

"Course not; why dont you come with me Grace?" Charlie suggested, leading Grace out of the room as Zoe shut the door behind them.

"You're looking a lot better" Zoe commented as she listened to Connie's chest. "And sounding much better too"

"I think i have a potential doctor in Grace; she is constantly looking after me and making me rest"

"Your body obviously needed it; how's it going with her tutor?" She asked as she sat next to her, her stethoscope now on Charlie's desk.

"Really well; she's a lot happier. And Jane is lovely, firm but dedicated; Grace has really taken to her."

"And if i sign you fit for administrative duties? What will you do?"

"Honestly? I have no idea; Jane does three days a week with Grace but she tutors someone else too so she has to do specific days"

"What if we can work the rota so you work when i'm not so either me or Max or Charlie can have her; turn it into learning days or something?" She offered.

"Thanks but...that's not very fair or practical; i have an idea, i just...have to get Grace to agree"

"Okay well, why dont i hold off for now so you can speak to Grace and you can let me know what you want to do?"

"Thanks; how are things going here?"

"Busy; i really dont know how you can deal with Henrik so much"

"I tune him out..."

"Not that i'm regretting getting you the sabbatical or anything; you and Grace needed the time to sort things out"

"Doctor Hanna, i was wondering..." Henrik started to say as he entered the office without knocking. "Ah Mrs Beauchamp, nice to see you back; any idea when you'll be back to work?"

"Not for another week at least; she's still suffering from some of the after effects from the Pneumonia" Zoe answered before Connie had a chance to.

"I must say this is rather an inconvenience"

"Tough, her health is her priority; in the meantime, deal with me. Did you want anything else?" Zoe asked.

"The reports i asked for...?"

"Will be on your desk at the end of the day as you requested; if you dont mind..." she said, showing him to the open door.

As Henrik left, Zoe shut the door behind him and resumed her seat next to Connie on the sofa.

"Is he pushing you to get me back quicker?" Connie asked.

"Nothing i cant handle; we need you 100% healthy to come back and in a weeks time, you will be"

"Are you sure? I can come back tomorrow?"

"No, doctors orders; you need to talk to Grace and rest. The infection might've cleared but you've still got a cough which, although i admit is a hundred times better, i dont want to have to sign you off on sick leave as soon as you come back"

"Okay" she sighed, letting out a cough.

"Take this and go and find Grace; i'll speak to you in a couple of days" she said as she passed her a bottle of water from Charlie's fridge.

"Thanks"

Leaving the office, she found Grace and Charlie in the staff room laughing; upon seeing her mom entering the room, she ran over and hugged her.

"Time to go baby; Charlie, would you like to come for dinner tonight?" Connie asked.

"I'd love to"

"Great; see you tonight"

"Bye uncle Charlie"

As they got into the car and got their seatbelts on, Connie turned to her daughter.

"How about we stop at the shops and get something nice for tonight? Maybe have a look around too?"

"Are you sure you're up to it? You look tired mom?"

"I'm fine darling; it's the not doing a lot that's making me tired when i am doing something. Let's just have an hour out before we head back; i know you still have a bit of schoolwork to do for Jane"

"I finished it last night"

"Ok"

An hour and half later, they were in Connie's room, lying on her bed as they both rested; she had set the alarm on her phone to start dinner incase they did fall asleep.

"Sweetheart...you know you asked me last week about going back to work?"

"Yeah"

"Well, Aunt Zoe will be signing me fit for work for next week "

"What will happen with me?"

"We have two choices; either...i become a normal consultant and only work 9-3 so i can work on the days Jane is here but it would mean me doing one shift over the weekend"

"You love your job though mom" Grace protested.

"Not as much as i love you"

"What's the other option?"

"We get a live in House-keeper/nanny"

"I dont need babysitting mom" she groaned.

"I know darling but i cant leave you alone either; if you want me to keep my job...it's the only way"

"Can i help to choose?" She asked, looking at her.

"If it's what you want? I want you to be happy; they wouldnt be babysitting you, just be here if you needed anything or make sure you do your schoolwork"

"Okay"

"We'll start looking tomorrow after Jane leaves, okay?"

Grace nodded and snuggled against Connie as they both drifted off.