Consequences

Chapter 40

So I decided to carry on with the fic. Sorry it took so long to get an update.

As their shift came to an end on New Year's Day morning, Jacob found Connie sat up to her desk whilst Grace slept on the sofa; seeing him standing in her doorway holding two drinks, she smiled and signalled for him to enter. Getting up to lock the door and close the blinds behind him, she turned round to find him sitting in her seat; hesitating for a split second, she walked over and sat on his lap, allowing her head to rest on his shoulder.

"Glad that shift is over" he said, breaking the silence.

"I've seen worse"

"I'm sure you have sweetcheeks"

"I should get Grace home" she whispered, looking at her daughter as she sipped her coffee.

"She's asleep; how about breakfast?" He asked, kissing her neck, just under her hair.

"Jacob..." she sighed "she could wake up any minute"

"So stop me?" He challenged, kissing her again as his hand rubbed the top of her leg.

"Mommy" Grace said tiredly, causing Jacob to stop.

"I'm here darling" Connie replied, moving to crouch down at the side of the sofa as Grace looked at her. "Shall we go home? Stop for breakfast on the way?"

"Jacob too?"

"If you want firecracker" Jacob answered.

An hour and half later, they'd eaten breakfast and gone their separate ways; with Jacob heading home, Connie drove to theirs where, after both getting into their pyjamas, they snuggled up in her double bed.

"I like Jacob" Grace said, yawning.

"So do I sweetheart; let's try and get a little sleep"

All too quickly, Connie had already drifted into a deep sleep; when she finally awoke and looked at her bedside clock, she sighed and realised she was alone in the bed. Pulled on her robe, she headed downstairs where Grace was sat on the sofa, Goldie snuggled against her, watching a film.

"You okay Gracie?" She asked as she sat next to her, allowed her daughter to snuggle against her.

"I wasn't tired and I didn't want to disturb you"

"You wouldn't have disturbed me; are you hungry?"

"I had a sandwich; I made you one too"

"Thank you, I'll have it later; Rachel is staying with you tonight whilst I'm at work. Then I'll come home and have a sleep before we go shopping, okay?"

"Can't I come with you?"

"It can't be much fun for you darling, sitting in my office all night"

"Don't you want me to be there?" She asked, a pang of sadness hitting her.

"Of course I do; but wouldn't you rather sleep in your own bed?"

"But I'd still be with you"

"Okay, if you really want to come, you can; I'm going to jump in the shower and get ready. Why don't you get a bag ready? I can set you up in the on call room so you can still find me if you need to"

"Okay"

A short while later, Connie returned downstairs to find Grace dozing on the sofa; with a slight smile, she brushed her daughter's fringe out of her eyes and noticed the temperature she was emitting.

"Gracie, darling, are you feeling okay?" She asked as her daughter's eyes flickered open.

"Yes mommy"

"You sure? You feel warm..."

"Tired"

"You had a late one last night, I'm not surprised; even more reason why you should stay here with Rachel and sleep in your own bed"

"But then I won't be with you" she whined.

"I know; while Zoe is away, I have to work what I'm needed. I don't mind you been there during the day shifts but I'd rather know you were safe at home during the night"

"Can't uncle Charlie look after me?"

"He's working as well but tell you what, if you stay here tonight, I promise to ask him if you can have a sleepover soon, deal?"

"Okay" she relented, sadly as she lay back down.

Holding back a sigh, Connie kissed her forehead before going into the kitchen; along with the sandwich Grace had made her, she heated some soup and made a mug of coffee before sitting up to the table to eat it. When she was finished, she put the dishes into the dishwasher and made Grace something to eat; when she didn't appear after been called, Connie found her fast asleep. Checking her temperature again, this time with an in-ear thermometer, she found it higher than previously; grabbing a cooling cloth, she pressed it to her daughter's forehead as her eyes opened once more.

"It's okay darling, go back to sleep" she said, softly.

"Feel sick" she whispered.

"Okay, let's get you upstairs"

Helping her up, she took most of the weight of Grace as she helped her up to her bed room on the first floor; she had just gave her a bowl when Grace started vomiting. Now she had a dilemma, she couldn't call in sick but she couldn't leave her daughter either; luckily, at that exact moment, her phone began to ring.

"Charlie, can i call you back?"

"Everything Okay?"

"Grace is ill"

"Stay with her tonight; we'll call Dylan in along with Jacob and myself"

"Are you sure? I don't want to leave you in the lurch"

"Grace comes first; call me later"

"Thank you"

Hanging up, she placed her phone on the side table and lay next to her daughter, brushing her hair back.

"Mommy's staying right here" she whispered, moving the bowl to the floor as Grace started to drift off.