Finding our way back

Chapter 13

By the time Jacob was discharge two days later, Connie was officially on leave from the department; despite his protests, she - and Grace - had insisted on him staying with them until he was back on his feet.

Rather quickly, they had all slipped back into their old routine with the exception of Connie been off work; they'd used the time over the summer to make new memories together, as a family and as mother and daughter, and as a result, Connie and Grace's relationship was stronger than ever before.

By the end of the summer, with Grace finally able to walk unaided, she was due to go back to school at the start of the new school year; the work she'd put in during her recovery with her tutor had gotten her caught up.

On a rare day alone, with Grace out with a visiting Zoe and Jacob working, Connie had met up with Charlie for a coffee in town; meeting him at a coffee shop, he gave her a welcoming hug as she approached the table.

"You look good" he smiled as they took a seat, drinks already on the table ready. "The time off has obviously agreed with you"

"It was needed" she agreed. "I needed to spend some proper time with Grace; Sam upping and doing a runner on her really upset her more than she let on"

"How's she doing?"

"Back to school next week for the first time in over a year; she's a little nervous..."

"So are you, i can tell"

She sighed as rubbed her forehead with the back of her hand before propping her head against it as she placed her elbow on the table.

"I...honestly didnt think we would ever get to this point; watching her in the coma...i started to wonder if she would even wake up again" she admitted.

"But she did and she came back fighting, just like someone else i know"

"Some days i wonder if it's worth the fight" she mumbled under her breath, loud enough for Charlie to hear.

"What's going on Connie?" Charlie asked, placing a hand over hers.

"Nothing; how are you and Duffy doing?"

"We're fine, and you are changing the subject"

"I'm fine, a little tired maybe, but fine"

"You do look a bit peaky and pale"

"I'll be fine; Jacob isnt overdoing it is he?"

"He's been on triage and cubicles; keeping himself out of trouble and his head down"

"Good"

After spending the hour and half with Charlie, Connie picked up a few bits for dinner that evening before heading home; as she put the shopping away, the tiredness she'd told Charlie about had hit her with full force. With Sid snuggled next to her, she lay on the bed and fell asleep within minutes of her head hitting the pillow; it was only when she felt the bed dip beside her that she awoke and saw Jacob lying next to her.

"I didnt mean to wake you" he said, kissing her before she snuggled against his chest.

"You didnt; need to start dinner anyway"

"How about i order us take out? Grace is eating out with Zoe and spending the night with her so we can grab an early one?"

"Sounds good"

As they snuggled against each other on the sofa a short while later as they ate, Jacob ran his fingers through her hair.

"How was your coffee with Charlie?" He asked.

"Good"

"You okay? You're quiet..."

"I'm fine" she answered, nibbling at her pizza slice.

"You sure?"

"Yeah"

By the time the film was over, Connie was sleeping soundly once again; switching the tv off, he carefully carried her upstairs and settled her into the bed. Once checking the doors were locked, he slid in next to her; noticing the worry lines and pale complexion she was showing. 

When he woke early the next morning for his shift, she was still sleeping soundly but he noticed the slight wheeze in her snores; sensing she was coming down with something and would likely wake with a headache, he left a bottle of water and some paracetamol on her side table with a note before he left.

When she finally awoke at just before midday, Connie groaned and buried her head back into her pillow; hearing her phone vibrate on her side table, she scrambled for it one handed before squinting at the caller ID: Grace.

"Hi darling" she croaked out, her voice barely able to be heard. "Just a cold; course you can. Do you need any more stuff? Okay, i'll see you in a bit then. I love you"

As she hung up, she sighed and ran her fingers through her hair; forcing down the paracetamol, she headed to her ensuite where, standing under the hot shower, she tried to feel better.

By the time Gracehad arrived back at the house with Zoe trailing behind her, Connie had gotten dressed in her black bottoms with a simple plain tshirt and her chunky cardigan; her head was still throbbing and every part of her ached but she wanted to see her daughter and the person she'd come to know as a friend.

"Mom..." Grace called as she shut the door behind them.

"In here" Connie managed to croak out from the living room.

As they entered, Grace instantly sat next to her mom and snuggled into her; Zoe stood awkwardly by the door.

"Take a seat" Connie offered. "When do you go back to America?"

"I dont...at least, not for a few weeks"

"How come?"

"Seems your replacement isnt working out as well as Henrik had hoped; i'm taking over until you're ready to come back"

"Oh right"

"Is that okay?"

Connie nodded as turned back to Grace, resting her head on her daughters.

"You okay sweetheart?"

"Yeah, love you"

"Love you too, you feeling okay?" She asked, feeling her forehead. "You feel warm"

"Fine"

"You sure? You dont look okay"

When Grace nodded and then coughed, Connie knew her daughter was coming down with the same bug she had;

"Sweetheart, i think you're gonna have to save your sleepover for another night; you need to be in bed"

"But..."

"We can do it another time Gracie, when you're better, i promise" Zoe promised.

When Grace nodded, Connie kissed her forehead as Zoe showed herself out; when Jacob arrived home early that evening, he found bother of his girls fast asleep in the bed.