Consequences

Chapter 31

The next afternoon, Connie and Grace had decided they would get a housekeeper as opposed to a nanny and Connie would only work on the days Jane was there also, at least to start with; she had called a couple of agencies and they would be sending a couple of applicants over the next day.

"Mom...will you be happy only working 3 days?" Grace asked as they were making cookies that evening.

"Course i will; why did you ask?"

"Because you've always loved working; you used to get bored if you had a day off"

"Sweetheart, things are different now; i'm different now. Yes, i've missed working but i dont regret a second of spending the summer with you; getting ill, it just meant i got to spend longer with you. Whatever happens, you come first; if i have to take a different job or a different position then i will because you are my priority right now."

"But i dont want you to hate me"

"Why would i hate you?" She asked, pausing from washing her hands to look at her daughter.

"Because you'll not be doing what you love all the time"

"I still wouldnt hate you; i need you to understand, whatever decision i make about whatever job position i'm going to take or do, i'm doing it so we can have more time together so we can work on our relationship"

"Do you promise you wont?"

"I pinky promise" she said, holding up her little finger.

Grace smiled before wrapping her own around her moms for a split second; with the cookies in the oven, they sat on the sofa, a film playing in the background.

"Auntie Zoe's asked me if i'd like to spend the weekend with them" Grace said as she checked her phone messages.

"You can if you want to?"

"What will you do?"

"I'm sure i can find something to do; you should go darling. You havent spent time with them properly since you moved back home; it'll do you some good"

"Are you sure?"

"If you dont text her back, i will" she warned, jokingly.

"Okay" Grace laughed, sending the message before resting against Connie. "Are you better now then?"

"I'm getting there; the cough is gonna take a while to disappear completely but as long as i take it easy, i'll be okay"

"I was so scared" she admitted.

"I know you were"

"I've never seen you that bad before; you always carried on and got on with it"

"That's true...this time, i couldnt; and i know you were scared of the machines and seeing me struggling to breathe but...i'm proud of how you handled it all; you made it easier for me"

"Will it happen again?"

"I hope not but if it does...we'll manage, wont we?"

Grace nodded and snuggled against her mom.

A week later, the new housekeeper, a woman named Rachel, had been employed meaning Connie was able to go back to work on a part time basis; leaving Grace at home with Jane and Rachel, she headed to the department where as soon as she stepped out of the car, a familiar face appeared at her side.

"Need a hand there sweetcheeks?"

"Think i can manage; and it's Mrs..."

"Beauchamp, i know" he grinned before walking into the department.

She held back a smile and shook her head as she locked her car up; seeing Charlie walking towards her, she stopped him and led him towards the peace gardens to sit.

"Tell me, what am i walking into?" She asked.

"An Emergency Department" he laughed, causing her smile. "Everything is under control; Zoe really stepped up this time. How you feeling?"

"I dont know...nervous" she admitted.

"Why?"

"The last time i was here properly, everyone saw how vulnerable and scared i was; not exactly the ice queen they all think i am!"

"Connie, except for myself, Jacob, Zoe, Alicia and Max, no one else knew you were ill; as far as everyone else was concerned, you took extra leave"

"What if i'm not ready for this?"

"Then Zoe wouldnt have signed you off last week; you're only on admin anyway, arent you?"

"Yeah but...no doubt Henrik will be on my back all day"

"You'll be fine; give him the famous Beauchamp glare and tell him to do one"

"Not sure that would go down to well" she smirked.

"You'll be fine" he repeated, squeezing her hand before walking away.

Taking a deep breath, she stood up and headed inside; ready to start her shift.