Consequences

Chapter 39

On New Year's Eve, Connie, Charlie and Jacob had all caught the short straw to work along with Lofty and Robyn; even though she knew it would be a busy shift full of drunk people with avoidable illnesses, Connie was determined to still make it a celebration with Grace and her staff. That morning, they had baked lots of goodies and food to take in with them to leave in the staff room; after her conversation with Zoe, Connie had sat down with her daughter and talked to her and Grace had gave her blessing. After all, she just wanted her mom to be happy; after dropping the food into the staff room, they put their belongings in her office before going to find Charlie in his.

"Room for a little one?" She asked, knocking on the open door.

"Always" he replied with a smile as they entered and sat on the sofa. "Has that puppy of yours got a name yet Grace?"

"Goldie"

"Good choice"

"Can i go and get a drink mom?"

"Theres some in the staff room; straight back"

As Grace nodded and disappeared, Connie turned to Charlie.

"Did you have a nice few days off?" He asked, knowing she'd took the days between Christmas and New Year to spend time with Grace.

"We did; with the craziness of this place, it was nice to spend some quality time with Grace again"

"She doing okay?"

"I think she is; she's excelling at her school work and with dance. She's talking to me a lot more; it's the best our relationship has been in years"

"Mom, look what Jacob got me" Grace smiled as she held a gift bag as she came back into the office, Jacob standing by the doorway.

"I should get to work; i'll come and get you if we get too busy" Charlie said before leaving as Grace sat on Connie's lap.

"What did he get you darling?" She asked, curiously.

"Chocolate and a bear and a gift card; he got you something too" she said, pulling out the small wrapped gift and giving it to her.

Getting a nod from Jacob before he disappeared, she carefully peeled the wrapping away and found a simple silver heart necklace.

"He really likes you, doesnt he mom?" Grace asked as she saw what he had brought.

"I think he does darling" she answered. "You sure you're okay with it?"

"I like him; he got us presents and you havent even been on a date yet. I dont mind...as long as i'm always your favourite?"

"You dont even need to ask that; we're talking a lot more now and spending more time together. Jacob knows you are my number one priority and he's fine with it; if he wasnt, i wouldnt even be considering it, i promise"

"You should say thank you"

"I will darling but for now, can you keep it safe for me?" She asked, placing it back in the bag.

"Promise; i'm gonna have a look on online and see what i can get with my gift card"

"Have a look but dont buy anything yet; we'll go shopping the day after tomorrow before i have work"

"Okay"

"You gonna be okay in my office?" She asked as they headed inside.

"I'll be fine"

"Okay, i'll come and check on you as soon as i can; try and get a nap in if you want to see a fireworks at midnight" she said, grabbing her stethoscope as she saw Charlie nodding her over.

As Grace nodded, Connie kissed her hair before quickly making her way over to Charlie; by the time she'd managed to take five, it was already fifteen minites to midnight and the department had died down, ready for the after midnight casualties. Stepping into her office, she found Grace sleeping soundly on her sofa, tablet on the floor, having dropped from its owner's grasp; gently kissing her hair and pushing her daughter's hair back, she watched as Grace opened her eyes.

"Hey darling, sorry i couldnt get back sooner; ready to see the fireworks?"

"Hey firecracker, how about a piggyback?" Jacob offered from the doorway when he saw the young girl was still half asleep.

"I'm not five" she muttered.

"So you dont want one?"

"I didnt say that" she said as she walked over to him and climbed on his back.

As Connie followed them, she couldn't help but smile at the friendship her daughter had with him; she only hoped she could have the same thing, if not more, with him. Standing outside in their own corner of the peace gardens, Jacob took Connie's hands; she turned towards him as Grace looked on.

"Thank you...for my present and for Gracie's too; you didnt have to"

"I wanted to; i'm in this for the long run...if you'll have both have me?"

"What do you think Gracie?" Connie asked.

Grace nodded.

"Then...let's see where it goes" she grinned, leaning in to kiss him as the fireworks exploded above them.

Authors note: thinking of ending it here and just doing an epilogue or do people want more? Let me know what you guys want.