Back to normal

Family?

The next day Fletch knocked on Jac's office door with two of their usual coffees
"Come in Fletch"
"Good morning Ms Naylor"
"Mr Fletcher" she smiled
He put the cups down and did his usual flop down on the sofa
"So did Emma get off ok this morning"
"Yes, barely a backwards glance and no kiss" she paused "that seems to be the order of the day"
She fixed Fletch with a Naylor death stare
Laughing, Fletch got up and approached her behind the desk
"That stare used to scare the shit out of me Naylor" he bent towards her, she pulled him in for a deep lingering kiss. "Missed you last night" she whispered against his neck
"Christ Jac. Don't do that to me" he moaned and moved back to the sofa
Taking a gulp of his coffee Fletch watched Jac do the same
"Missed you too. I enjoyed the family meal"
"Me too. Did I pass the Fletchling test?"
"You did sweetheart course you did. Emma too. Ella is already asking if she can come round and play with her"
"Fletch - you don't think we're rushing this"
"Too late now babe. I love you too much"
"but the kids Fletch"
"Will adapt. Kids do, they take things in their stride"
"You keep me grounded Fletch" she smiled
Fletch just smiled back
"How is someone as beautiful as you so insecure"
Jac raised an eyebrow
"Your words Naylor"
"Fletch I've got a lot of baggage. You are one of the few people who know most of it and you'll find out more if you can bear to stick around"
He got up again, pulled her to her feet and took her in his arms.
"I'm sticking around. Get used to it Naylor"
He kissed her forehead
"I need to get back out on the ward"
"Ok see you later"
Fletch walked out of the office and into pandemonium. Trolleys and porters , and nurses rushing round. Fletch went over to the nurses station
"what the hell is happening?" He asked Frieda
"Roof collapse at a community centre. Pensioners bingo. We have some of the injured who have existing heart conditions and a couple of chest traumas. I assume Jac is in there with you. We need her out here"
"Right"
As he knocked, the door opened abruptly and they bumped into each other.
"I just heard" Jac said moving past Fletch, affectionately squeezing his upper arm
"Have you prioritised theatre cases?" Jac demanded of Frieda
"I think most have been triaged but we need to get in there now. Fletch can you scrub in?"
"No problem"
Jac and Fletch had always conveyed so much between them in theatre just by their eyes. It was the first time they'd worked closely in theatre since getting together.
He anticipated the instruments she needed before she asked and each time he could see the twinkle of her eyes as they met his briefly.
They performed 2 surgeries back to back before taking a break
Sitting in the staff room, Jac looked at the time and started to worry.
"The next case is going to be tricky. I'm worried I won't be out in time to get Emma. Ugh Jonny's such a feckless bastard, who breaks their leg at a children's soft play for god sake"
"I can get her if you like" Fletch said quietly without thinking
"I can't ask you to do that"
"You didn't, I offered. Anyway what other options have you got?"
Jac considered his offer. It was unlikely she'd be done in time. Emma did love Fletch. What choice did she have
"Ok thanks. Just get me a half decent theatre nurse to replace you and I'll ring the school to let them know"
"Ok then. Pick her up from mine when you're done"
"Thanks Fletch"
Jac went to quickly phone the school. They wanted to know Fletch's relationship to Emma. Family friend? No he was more than that. She settled on him being her partner. As she hung up she again got the feeling that things were moving too fast in terms of the kids. Next week her childminder would do the school runs it was just this first week Jac and Jonny were supposed to do it.
Fletch walked into her office without knocking.
"They're ready for the genius and nimble fingers of Ms Naylor" he grinned
"Close the door a second Fletch"
She walked over and hugged him
"Thank you" she said sincerely "you know how difficult I find it to accept help"
He hugged her back "it's not a problem and besides if I kidnap Emma back to mine then I am guaranteed to see you later"
"Aah ulterior motive Fletcher"
"You've discovered my evil plan"
He kissed her briefly
"Come on go and work your magic"
With that he left the office. Maybe things are moving fast thought Jac but it felt natural. It felt right. It felt like family and that scared her a bit but not enough to push him away.
She didn't recognise this woman that she was becoming but she was going to like getting to know her.