Consequences

Chapter 21

The next afternoon, Connie was discharged but under strict instructions to rest completely; not entirely sure if she'd keep to it, Zoe had insisted someone stayed with her for a few days and Charlie had volunteered. By the time Connie had walked from the car and sat on the sofa, she was exhausted and coughing again; when she'd finally stopped, she dragged herself upstairs with a bottle of water and went to sleep until Grace woke her up.

"Hey baby" she whispered. "You okay?"

Grace nodded and laid next to her, feeling Connie's arms wrapped around her body and fingers running through her hair.

"Where's Charlie?"

"Cooking"

"Sorry i messed up our plans"

"It's not your fault mom; we can still watch films and stuff. I miss you"

"I havent gone anywhere sweetheart" she coughed. "I know the last three days have been horrible...for both of us but i'm home now and Uncle Charlie is staying for a few days and Zoe will take you to your appointment next week"

"But Aunt Zoe said i shouldnt let you talk too much and you need to rest your voice and save your energy"

"Sweetheart, it might take me longer to talk to you but there is nothing that is going to stop me from talking to you; and even if i cant talk much, it doesnt mean i wont listen to you" she said, kissing her forehead.

She knew Zoe was just looking out for her and, even though she would never admit it to Grace, the little talking she had done had left her feeling exhausted. So it was no surprise that within minutes, Connie was asleep again; Grace sighed and headed back down to the kitchen where she sat up to the table and rested her head on her folded arms.

"What's the matter Grace?" Charlie asked from his position by the cooker.

"Mom fell asleep on me again"

"She doesnt mean to darling; her body is very weak at the moment and she needs to rest. A couple of days and she'll be feeling more awake, i promise"

"It's not fair though; she took the summer off work to spend time with me and now she can't; we cant even go shopping for back to school stuff like we normally do" she moaned.

"And i'm sure she's just as disappointed as you are Grace but it's very important she rests; if she doesnt, she could end up back in hospital for a lot longer" he explained, plating up their food and sitting up to the table with her.

Grace sighed and reluctantly ate before grabbing her shower and lying in the bed next to Connie; watching with tear-filled eyes as her mom woke up and looked at her.

"Sweetheart, what's wrong?" She asked, wiping her tears away and holding her close.

"Nothing" she whispered.

"Dont lie to me Gracie; talk to me"

"I miss you"

"I'm still here"

"I know but you're not...not really; and i know it's not your fault and i have to wait and be patient but it's not fair mommy" she cried.

"Oh Grace" she whispered, holding her close. "I wish i was well enough to take you out like we planned; i wish i could just push through it but...i cant baby. Maybe next week we can go out with Aunt Zoe and...i'll manage somehow but for now...we just have to do stuff here"

"You have to sleep, Aunt Zoe said"

"Doesnt mean we cant watch films or play games on the tablet; or...we can talk. You still havent told me everything you're feeling right now and we need to do it before you go back to school"

"I'm fine"

"I know you're not baby; whatever you're feeling, i need you to tell me. Even if you think it will upset me, i dont care; what are you feeling?"

"Scared"

"Of what?" She asked, stroking her hair back as she let out another cough.

"You been sick"

"I'm fine; the medicine is working and you and Uncle Charlie and Aunt Zoe are taking care of me. Honestly Grace, right now i'm incredibly exhausted but i'm getting better; if i sleep now, in a couple of days i'll be able go move around a bit so we can sit in the garden. And we can still do shopping online for your school stuff; it'll have more variety too and if we do it online, we'll get better deals so you can get more"

"Promise?" She asked, looking at her.

"I promise, why dont you go and get your tablet and we can watch a film? You can stay in here tonight, yeah?" Connie suggested.

Grace nodded and left the room as Charlie entered and handed her the antibiotics, pain relief and honey and lemon drink with a mug of soup.

"Thanks" she said, taking her tablets.

"I'll be in the guest room; get Grace to come and get me if you need anything"

"I will"

"And take your sedative too; it'll help more than you think"

"I will" she answered as Grace came back and snuggled against her.

Whilst they watched a film, Connie ate her soup before taking the sedative and.falling asleep; her daughter safely in her arms.