Jump. //Jai Courtney Fanfiction

twenty-seven

Jai

July 16th:

I can feel my agonizing acid reflux creeping up my throat as I grab the last of my bags from mum's car. I've been Tums-free for a few weeks now and all of a sudden it's back with full force starting yesterday. The taste in my mouth is awful. Luckily my bottle of those chalky tablets is in this bag in the car so I can shove at least six of them down as fast as possible.

Coming home early was a legitimate surprise for me. I really thought I'd be working for at least another two weeks but when everyone knows you're getting married soon, they sometimes don't mind changing schedules around. Everyone in set was really supportive about my shots being taken care of first and since my role is very small, there wasn't a whole lot to shoot anyway.

When I found out that I was wrapping up early, I ran to my hotel and emailed Tina, the realtor. She had contacted me a few days prior letting me know that everything was finished with the house and have me a pretty spectacular virtual tour. It's gorgeous. More than I could have hoped for. It's big, but not too big; It has a supremely cozy feel; A kitchen to die for; A bedroom worthy of royalty; To me, it's perfect.

My email to her said that I would be home today and that I wanted it then. I wanted the keys, I wanted to show Ayla as soon as I got home. I don't want to keep this secret anymore. After I had spoke with her, I called my dad and filled him in. To my surprise, he had no idea. My mum hadn't told him anything which was rather surprising. But being someone who has had at least five houses built in his lifetime I needed some input. I wanted his opinion on the pictures I had, in detail, of every inch of the house. I wanted to make sure I made the right choices. That I hadn't screwed myself in anyway. So when I got off the plane, my parents and I met with the realtor for two sets of keys quickly then grabbed some food. It made me feel relieved and proud that my dad's reaction was shock. He was very impressed with me and the house he could barely contain his excitement. What more could a child want?

I had already done all the needed research before I started down this journey and now that it was actually complete and mine I'm feeling all kinds of overwhelmed. I don't even know if that's the right word. I am anxious as hell to get in it and see it, more so to show my girl. I'm getting married in one month. I will no longer be a bachelor. I am going to marry the most amazing person I've ever known and I'm about to give her a one-of-a-kind gift. A house that I bought, with my own money. That I helped design. A huge step down my journey as a man and I couldn't be more proud. This is the most adult thing I've ever done.

I'm nervous now, wondering what Ayla will think. God, if she doesn't love it I don't know what I'll do. I can't have her settle. That's just not an option. If there is even one thing that she isn't sure about, I will replace it. This is my wedding gift to her. A home that we can spend the rest of our lives in, that we can be have a family in one day. I made my mind up a while ago that living in the States was truly what I wanted, but I never expected to be as happy on the East coast as I am today. I feel happier here than I ever did in Australia. I'm sure it's because of Ayla, but that's all the reason I need. Shit, her career is more important than mine. More time consuming than mine altogether. So respectable, prestigious. And I would fucking follow her anywhere.

If tomorrow she was offered a job that she couldn't pass up in North Dakota, I'd go. In a heartbeat. I know she'd do the same for me, but that won't happen. I am staying wherever she wants to be. I've made it work for the past three years, I can do it for a lifetime. Besides, I have no desire to live in LA or in NYC. I'm not a city guy. I prefer enjoying it from the outside. And I found a girl that feels the same.

I bring the rest of my bags in the house, plopping them on the bedroom floor.

"Babe, are you sure you want to go out? I mean, you just got home. We can go tomorrow," Ayla said, sauntering up to me with a spoonful of ice cream out for me to eat.