What Should Have Been

Part 75

It wasn't until Connie was sitting in the car with Sam driving that she thought about the morning. They had all gotten ready, Connie helping Grace with her new uniform before smiling down at her. They had proceeded to take photographs of her smiling brightly before being rushed out the door by an excited four year old.

Sam placed a hand to her thigh bringing her out of her daydream as they sat stopped at the lights. She smiled across at him hearing Grace still singing along to the radio. Sam turned it up slightly smiling at Connie before humming along, Grace continuing to sing in the back.

Connie glanced through her phone before they arrived at the school. They got out quietly before Grace was helped out, chattering the entire time. "Anyone would think you were excited for your first day baby-" "I am excited Mummy, I'm going to the big school now and that means I'm a grown up. That means I get a later bed time now."

Sam laughed before seeing Connie glaring at him above Grace. "Don't push your luck sweetheart, come on lets get you up to school." Grace grinned taking her hand as she began to skip along the path between her parents.

They were waiting outside the classroom, Connie taking the time to look around at the other parents who looked back. She felt Sam take a step closer to her, his arm wrapping around her waist as he placed a kiss to her temple. "Stop worrying about what they all think of you." His voice was soft and quiet, she hadn't expected him to say anything.

Connie took a breath releasing it slowly, letting herself relax into him. "You're the perfect mother to my children and I couldn't care for what any of this lot think." She smiled leaning against his chest as he rubbed a warm hand up and down her back.

He watched as Grace ran around with another girl who had just arrived. It was one he recognised as a girl from her play school. Her parents wandered closer looking to the pair with a smile. The classroom doors were opened as teachers made their way forwards to begin welcoming them all inside.

Connie straightened up as Sam called Grace over to them. She watched as he bent down before their daughter, his hands on her shoulders gently. "You ready for your big day Princess?" Grace nodded gently before looking to the gate where the teacher stood, the look on her face changing. "Hey, I thought you were excited about school." "What if the other children don't like me Daddy?"

Sam sighed shaking his head with a smile. "That could never happen Princess, you know why?" He watched her shake her head as he continued to smile at her. "Because you are the kindest, most caring, clever little girl I know. You'll make friends and they'll love you just like me and your Mummy." Grace nodded gently before moving into Sam's arms.

"I love you so much my beautiful girl. You're going to smash it today, and I want to hear about everything you do when we come and get you later." Grace stood up with a smile before turning to Connie. "Come here you." Connie bent down wrapping her arms around Grace who held her tightly. "I can't believe my big girl is in school today, you be good and remember Mummy loves you so much." "I love you too Mummy."

Standing up they watched as Grace wandered towards the door speaking to the teacher. "And what's your name?" "Well my Daddy calls me princess, I don't think he knows my real name is Grace." The teacher smiled laughing gently as Grace spoke quietly to her but loud enough for Connie to overhear. "Well Princess Grace, I think you should head on inside."

She turned back waving once more before running inside towards another girl that Connie recognised from her play group. "Can you believe-" "No... No I can't." Connie lay her head to Sam's shoulder as they stared after her for a few more minutes before wandering back along the path towards the car.

"Our little girl's not so little anymore and I don't really know how to cope with that." Sam laughed as they wandered around the separate sides of the car, climbing inside. "Well, soon enough you'll have a new little baby while having your grown up girl." She smiled moving her hand to his thigh as he started driving towards the hospital, both of them having a full day ahead of them before collecting Grace from school together.