What Should Have Been

Part 77

As the weeks went on Grace's mood seemed to change dramatically. Each morning was a struggle with Connie arguing with her daughter and their relationship was tested with each new conversation.

"Grace, sweetheart can you pick your things up from the table please?" "Yes Mummy." She smiled sweetly as she did as she asked before taking a seat as Sam placed dinner down in front of her. He glanced over smiling towards Connie as they all began eating dinner.

"So how was school today?" Grace shrugged her shoulders remaining quiet as she ate. "Grace?" "I don't want to talk about it." Sam frowned as Connie looked across the table at her. "Gracie if something has happened you need to tell me." "I said, I don't want to talk about it!"

The young girl moved away from the table quickly running upstairs towards her bedroom leaving Connie to rub her hands over her face. "She hates me Sam-" "Hey don't be stupid, she's just growing up Con. It's probably nothing." She shook her head standing up as she took her plate into the kitchen.

Sam watched Connie before standing up and wrapping his arms around her waist. "Please stay calm, it's not good for you or the baby-" "Do you think that's why she's being so off with me?" He shook his head as she turned around in his arms. Moving a strand of hair from her face he smiled across at her. "I'll talk to her, you head up and get some sleep because you're exhausted."

Connie sighed rubbing a hand across her forehead. "Go... You need to rest, we've got all weekend with Grace so we can talk properly then." With another sigh she nodded wandering upstairs.

Pausing at Grace's bedroom she knocked lightly to see her in bed asleep. Stepping in she pressed a kiss to her forehead before running a hand across her cheek. "I love you baby..." Leaving the room she got into her own bed and was asleep within minutes of her head being on the pillow.

In her bedroom, Grace pushed back the covers wiping her cheeks from the few tears that had fallen. Standing by her window she looked out into the garden before pushing it open. There was a small breeze as she leant forwards looking to the ledge.

Jumping back down she ran to her bedroom door closing it properly before moving to her bed where she picked up a pillow and her blanket. Moving towards the window again, she threw them out before sitting onto the window ledge. She moved her legs out of the window first, careful of where she put them before standing on the roof the house.

Laying her pillow down, she sat on it with her blanket firmly around her arms. Looking up at the night sky as more stars became visible in the clear air. She sniffed thinking of how her mother had came in and kissed her goodnight even after she was mean downstairs.

Sam finished cleaning up before wandering up the stairs to check on Connie. Seeing she was fast asleep he smiled crossing the landing to his daughters room where he could hear crying. With a heavy sigh he opened the door, frowning when she was nowhere to be seen. Then he noticed the window.

Crossing the room he saw Grace wrapped up outside. "Sweetheart?" Her head snapped up as she panicked before seeing him carrying the duvet from her bed. He mimicked her actions earlier, climbing out of the window and onto the roof top.

He sat down beside her before pulling her into his side and laying down so that they looked up at the stars together. With the duvet over them both and his arm around his daughter he finally spoke. "Why are you crying princess?" "Mummy hates me because I was horrible." Sam shook his head running a hand through his daughters hair. "She doesn't hate you, she's just worried about you sweetheart. We both are."

Grace sniffed holding onto him. "Has something happened at school? Is that why you argue with Mummy in the mornings." She nodded gently as he sighed pulling her closer. "You can tell me you know... I want my princess to be happy." "It's just... There's this girl... She says that nobody really likes me, because I'm annoying... That even you and Mummy don't like me... That's why you're having another baby... Because I'm annoying."

Sam rolled onto his side to face Grace as he brushed the tears from her cheek. "That is the biggest load of rubbish I have ever heard Grace Strachan. I love you, Mummy loves you and this new baby is going to love you too. Your friends, they love you too Gracie..." "But when you have the new baby you won't want me anymore."

Grace began to cry as he hugged her to his chest. "You'll forget about me Daddy and I'll be all alone." "Hey... I will never forget about you princess. You're my baby, you might grow up but you'll always be my baby girl." She smiled looking up at him. "Really? Forever and ever?" "Forever and ever princess. Your Mummy and I are going to need you to be the best big sister ever. We'll need your help."

She nodded with a smile before laying her head on his chest. Sam wrapped an arm around her as he pulled the duvet over her to keep her warm. "What are you doing out here anyway missy?" "Please don't tell Mummy... I just like looking at the stars sometimes." Sam smiled running a hand through her hair soothingly as they remain sat together.

"I promise I won't tell Mummy, if you promise to let me come sit out here with you..." Grace looked up at Sam with a smile telling him she really was happy with it. "I promise Daddy-" "Then I promise too princess. Maybe, when the baby is born we can come out here together. Just me and you, have some time away from everything else." "I'd like that. I love you Daddy."

"I know you do, I love you too." Grace cuddled into him as they remained out on the roof under the starry night sky for a while before Sam carried her back inside to the warmth of her bedroom. Soundly asleep he kissed her head before slipping into bed beside Connie, happy knowing that his daughter was safe.