Six months later Jac and Emma had pretty much moved into Fletch's but she was working on a surprise - Elliott had visited Holby for a medical conference and he and Jac met at his house one night
"Thank you for tidying the place up and keeping an eye on things Jac"
"My pleasure Elliott"
"Now about that long story - I have heard snippets as I'm sure you know that Frieda came to work with me recently"
"Oh of course" Jac filled in any bits that Elliott didn't know.
"You certainly look and sound happy Jac. It's the real thing I think?"
"I think it is too" she said taking a sip of red wine "how are things with you professor hope?"
"Well that's another reason why I wanted to see you. I've laid down roots in Pakistan. I don't really have any real connections to Holby anymore and I was wondering if you might want to buy this place. At a knock down price of course. I wondered if you and the Fletcher's might consider renting for 6 months and then thinking about buying it? Bit of a built in insurance policy before you commit to this old place"
Jac was momentarily lost for words.
"Elliott are you sure? That's an amazing offer"
"Well discuss things with Fletch and let me know"
"I definitely will. I love this house"
A week later Elliott had gone back to Pakistan but had had a solicitor draw up the necessary paperwork.
He had sent it to work, Jac was just settling down to read it when Fletch knocked on her office door. She quickly hid the envelope under a patient's file.
"You disturbing me again Mr Fle..." Jac stopped, taking in his face "What's wrong ?"
Fletch flopped on the sofa
"Abigail's trial - have they contacted you?"
"No" she quickly joined him on the sofa "I take it they've contacted you" she said placing her hand on his knee "Yeah. Hopefully they'll keep you out of it babe"
"What's happening then?"
"I think she's pleading guilty but with diminished responsibility. She'll be sacked from here and probably struck off. I feel guilty like I led her on, made her believe there was more to it"
"Fletch, you know that's not what happened. You were very clear. She was clearly a bit obsessed with you"
He laughed humourlessly "god knows why, I mean look at me"
"I am looking at you" Jac forced him to face her "and I can totally see her point" she smiled
He squeezed the hand that was still on his leg and gave a weak smile.
"I just want to forget it and move on"
"listen Fletch, it happened we can't change that. Us and our families became closer quicker because of her. That's something isn't it?"
"I s'pose you're right"
Jac stood up and retrieved the solicitors envelope from her desk
"I was going to save this as a surprise but you need to know that the future's looking good for us"
Fletch took the envelope and began reading the contents - contracts for rent and option to buy papers. Jac had indicated to Elliott to put everything in joint names. She looked at him nervously
"Sorry it's a bit full on. I mean Emma and I are pretty much living with you now but there's nothing official or anything. I just hoped you might want to, you know sign your life away attached to me"
Fletch slowly put the envelope down. He took Jac in his arms
"This is amazing Jac. You're amazing" he whispered in her ear
"You're ok with it then?"
"Are you joking, of course I'm ok with it. It's bloody brilliant and the kids are gonna be so excited to be living in that fabulous old house."
"Elliott is letting us have it for very small rent and a knock down price. We can easily afford it if we both sell our places but that's it then, no going back. That's why he wanted us to try 6 months first"
"I suppose that makes sense but I know I want to spend the rest of my life with you so I have no reservations at all" he said
Jac choked back a sob
"Hey what is it" Fletch said noticing the tears fall silently down Jac's face
She laughed, embarrassed " nothing, nothing, they're happy tears, I love you"
"I love you more" he replied
"Not possible"
"Always competitive Naylor. Let's call it a draw"
"Ok"
Jac felt settled, wanted and loved. She had done from the moment they admitted their feelings to each other. She knew this was it, she would always feel like that with him
The End
