Through it all

Insecurities

She came downstairs the following morning to see him in the kitchen. She slipped her arms around his waist and cuddled into his chest and he kissed her hair gently,

"Shall we take the girls and Dotty out for a walk?" He asked, kissing her forehead and then her lips as she looked up at him,

"It's been a while since you got the chance to walk with us," she smiled, and he caught her hand as she went to walk away,

"I really love you, you know that don't you?" He asked her and she slipped her hands up his chest,

"I should do, you tell me often enough,"

He smiled, "I just..."

"Talk to me," she asked, "this isn't like you,"

"Get your coat, let's get some air and then I'll talk."

He snapped a picture of Connie as she crouched down in front of Dotty and enveloped her into her arms, placing a kiss on her head,

She smiled up at him, "I'm so glad she took to the girls," she admitted, "she keeps me company when you're working and the girls are napping,"

He took her hand and pulled her onto his lap. The smiled as the girls napped peacefully and Dotty sat beside them.

"I love our girls," he smiled, "and I..." He shrugged, "I want to be the best dad... And with our girls I can try... But with Ellie..." She ran her fingertips back and forth across his neck, "I didn't even know she existed Con... She's nine years old and I don't even know her... Anna's staying around for a while... She asked if I wanted to see Ellie tomorrow? I've asked for a paternity test but..."

"She looks so similar to you," Connie finished for him,

"I..." He ran his hands underneath her blouse, "I had no idea,"

"I know," she breathed quietly, "why did you break up with her... Anna?" She looked up at him, "she's beautiful and..."

"We broke up because it wasn't working, I didn't make time for her and I didn't love her enough," he admitted. She kissed him softly, trying desperately not to let tears fall from her eyes. She was tired and whilst she didn't object to his newfound daughter, she was scared. 

He noticed her change in mood immediately and pushed her hair behind her ears, "what is it Con?"

"I think I'm just tired," she admitted and he shook his head, "I can see straight through you," he smiled, 

She sighed, "it's stupid... I'm happy you have a daughter," she smiled, "and she's sweet and of course I'll welcome her into our home..but I guess I'm just sad I'm not the first woman to be the mother to your children,"

He cuddled her gently, "I'm sad about that too," he told her, and she looked up at him,

"Tell me what you're thinking sweetheart?"

"me and the girls.. We're not going to lose you are we?" She asked him, her eyes uncharacteristically filling with tears as he pulled her up to stand before him, "I just couldn't bare it if we lost you to someone else,"

"Connie," he smiled gently, "This love I feel for the three of you is like nothing else I've ever known and you... I love you... I love you so much it hurts... I can't stand being away from you and I never stop thinking about you... You and the girls mean the world to me... I'd be stupid to give this up,"

He took her hands, "every time I watch you with the girls, or when you smile at me, when you come In after running with Dotty I..." He took her hands in his own, "I've never felt so lucky... You're so beautiful and intelligent and I..." He shrugged, "sometimes I find myself wondering why you would want me when you can have anyone in the world."

She rolled her eyes as Grace woke and began to cry. She placed her hand on his cheek, "let's get Charlie to babysit one night this week and I'll let you know every reason I love you."

He squeezed her hand, "will you meet her tomorrow with me? With the girls... I want you there,"

She nodded, "of course I will... I'd do anything you asked me to do,"

"Even learn to cook?"

She laughed, "there's no hope on that account Masters."