Just after 12 Fletch entered Jac's room again.
"Chicken salad for you" he grinned
"Heart attack on a plate for me"
"Fletch I said no disgusting sandwiches"
"Relax I got a healthy chicken salad sandwich - no mayo. Aww you worried about my health"
"No. I'm just worried about keeping my own l
food down. Are you actually going to kiss me this lunchtime or not?"
"Sorry - think I sometimes forget I can do that I spent so many months suppressing the urge"
He leant forward and kissed her "this sandwich fascism is exactly as it's always been"
She laughed "oh shut up Fletcher" they sat in companionable silence for a while
"So"Jac began "Roxanna says I can go home tomorrow"
"Ah that's brilliant Jac"
"There's a but"
"Oh?" He raised a questioning eyebrow
"She says I need support at first. So I was wondering how my favourite director of nursing was fixed?" She stared into her salad, unable to look at him. She was blushing furiously. Jac Naylor did not ask for help.
Fletch recognised how uncomfortable she was asking for help
"Let me just check things with mum. Going to ask her to stay at mine and then I can stay with you and Emma?"
"Are you sure Fletch"
He put his sandwich down and covered her hands with his own "I told you that you can't shake me off that easily Ms Naylor. I will sort something out" he brought her hands to his lips "now, I saw Sacha earlier. He has Emma so finish your lunch and we'll collect her and take her outside"
"I need to make myself presentable. Don't want to scare her"
"You look beautif......"
Jac rolling her eyes at him stopped him mid sentence.
"Alright have it your own way but you do"
"I'm going to try and walk down"
"Has Roxy agreed that?" Fletch said,worried that Jac was pushing herself too much
"It was Roxanna's idea. If I can't do this, I can't go home"
It was good to be up on her own two feet. Fletch was surprised at how steady and quick she was.
"Hey you'll be back at work in no time"
She flashed the Naylor full beam smile. It was a rare sight. Fletch was treated to it more than most.
"That's the plan. God knows what state you've let my ward get into"
Fletch huffed "maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised. I'm not completely incompetent"
She laughed "Fletch - I'm joking"
He looked at her suspiciously and lightly punched her on the arm "watch it Naylor"
"Mummy" Emma came running towards them from the coffee shop. Jac tensed up worried that Emma was going to crash into her but quick as a flash, Fletch scooped Emma up into his arms " Hey scamp. Where's my hello?"
"Fletch" Emma put her arms round his neck. She liked Mummy's friend from work who made her laugh with his silly songs. He was Theo's Daddy. "Mummy talks about you all the time" Emma rolled her eyes just like her mother
"Busted" exclaimed Jac who had been observing the exchange between Emma and Fletch and was almost overwhelmed with love.
"Now where's my hug?" Jac knelt down and felt her daughter's small arms reach round her neck. Jac wrapped her in her arms and kissed the top of her head
"I hope you've been a good girl for uncle Sacha"
Sacha reached them chuckling "we've had a great hot chocolate and brownies haven't we?"
"What do you say to Sacha?"
"Thank you uncle Sacha"
"You're welcome mini Naylor" Sacha smiled "Emma, why do you go and play outside with Fletch, I just need a quick word with Mummy"
Without hesitation Fletch took Emma's hand and led her out to the peace garden. Jac didn't realise that she was smiling soppily after him
"Jonny wasn't making it up then. You and Fletch? It's about time Jac"
"What?!"
"Oh I'm sorry hun but it's been so obvious over the past few months"
Jac linked arms with her friend beginning to walk through the hospital entrance "well you could have told me"
Sacha laughed "you are joking? I can just imagine how that would have gone down"
Jac smirked "fair comment Levy"
"So how are you?"
"Going home tomorrow"
"Brilliant. You ready for that?"
"Well I'm going to have a bit of support at first" she nodded towards the door that Fletch and Emma had just walked through
Sacha smiled "I see - he's one of the good guys Jac"
She rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling despite herself "I know"
