They walked into Albies holding hands . It just didn't feel weird anymore. Sacha and Essie were already sitting down
"Hey Fletch didn't know you were coming mate" he was treated to a legendary Sacha hug
"It's a nice surprise" said Essie kissing him on the cheek
"Right, if you've finished with the Adrian Fletcher fan club. It's my round" said Jac
She returned to the table with two glasses of wine and two pints.
"Thanks" Essie said as she put them down "bloody hell is that what I think it is" Essie exclaimed looking st Jac's left hand
"Yes it is" Jac beamed. A rare sight
"congratulations " said Sacha taking a minute to catch on "when did this happen?"
"Erm about a month ago?" Fletch looked at Jac for confirmation
"Yeah just when he came home after the accident"
"I never thought I'd live to see the day"Sacha commented " Jac Naylor settled down. A married woman"
"I know" she batted Fletch's arm "blame him, he wore me down" she laughed as he grabbed her wrist gently
" that's not quite how it happened now was it" he laughed
" how did it happen"said Essie excitedly. " who asked who? Was it all romantic and special" Essie needed some happiness to feed on after Raf
They both chuckled "well officially he actually popped the question but we kind of asked each other before that" said Jac
"It was all very glamorous . " I had my leg in a cast, she had some very fetching snoopy pyjamas on. No fancy restaurants just our living room "
" I think that sounds perfect" Sacha said
"It was" agreed Fletch
"Anyway" said Jac "Sacha I wanted to ask you if you would give me away?"
"Jac I would be honoured" Sacha replied with tears in his eyes. He hugged her tight
She laughed " you really could sell those. Thank you"
Essie was smiling at the scene "Essie" Fletch reached for her hand. " you know who I'd be asking to be best man if I could right?" She nodded, eyes shining with tears
He squeezed her hand. "If you would be one of our witnesses it would be in a small way like he was there. What do you think?"
"I'd like that" Essie said quietly. Fletch moved in and held her tight. "Thanks" he whispered in her ear
"This calls for champagne" Sacha announced
"I'll give you a hand" Fletch said releasing Essie
They waited to be served at the bar
"Never thought I'd be buying champagne to celebrate Jac Naylor getting engaged" said Sacha
"I never thought that it would be me that she would say yes to" Fletch grinned
"Oh come on Fletch you're the whole package. Ready made family. It's all she ever wanted you know a family"
Fletch looked thoughtful "yep I certainly offered that"
The evening passed all too quickly, the four got through a couple of bottles of champagne and were all teary and emotional by the end of the night.
"Right we'd better be off" said Jac
"Love you, you big teddy bear " she said offering her arms out to receive a Sacha hug and after a moment said to Essie "you get in here too"
Sacha looked over a Fletch who rolled his eyes
"Come on Naylor you're drunk mate"
The four went their separate ways and Fletch and Jac began walking home. They had to stop every so often as this was the furthest that Fletch had walked on his ankle. They took a breather on a bench not far from home. Fletch was unusually quiet
