New families

Tell him together

The next morning Fletch had to go in to work, mainly to tie loose ends up so he could take a couple of days off and clear Jac's electives for the week he was forcing her to take off. The kids were all at school/nursery and so it left Jac and Emily to get to know one another better
"More tea?" Emily asked filling the kettle again
Jac laughed "I know you're missing real tea but you're going to turn into a teapot"
They chatted easily, Emily telling Jac various stories about young Fletch doing stupid things, having questionable haircuts and awful girlfriends.
"You know I don't think I've ever seen him happier or more settled than he is with you"
Jac blushed "well I'm sure he was happy with Nat"
"Mmm well obviously not so much, he did make a real mess of that marriage"
"Yeah he told me"
"They were probably too young but with you he's completely committed and you clearly love each other so when is the wedding?"
Jac fiddled with her engagement ring "well with Luc and everything we haven't actually set a date"
Emily sighed "it needs to be soon Jac, preferably before I go home?"
"I'm sorry?" Jac said confused as to what the rush was
"I'm dying Jac and I want to see my oldest friend happily married before I do"
Jac looked at the apparently healthy woman sat in front of her
"This is a joke right? He's put you up to it to make us set a date"
Emily shook her head sadly "it's true Jac. I have a brain tumour, it's inoperable and pretty soon it's going to start affecting how I walk, talk, go to the toilet. I did want to visit my mum's old places but I also paid a shit load of cash and got a second opinion from the leading guy in the world on my particularly rare and incurable tumour. Trust me to be pretty much unique" she laughed softly
"Oh Emily I'm so sorry" Jac reached for her hand "and Fletch doesn't know?"
"With the shooting, losing his friend, nearly losing you, finally getting together with you. Oh babe I got e mails nearly every day" she said seeing Jac's surprised look. "You know I made him keep me secret because I wanted to turn up saying he was my husband. It's the kind of silly prank we are so well known for. I don't think he ever thought I would actually turn up"
Emily poured the tea and took a sip
"I'm reassured now that he has someone who loves him as much as I do that will help him through this"
"Of course" Jac croaked holding back tears
"And I want you to tell him"
"What? No. You need to be the one to tell him"
"He will be go mad at me for not telling him sooner so it will be better coming from you and then by the time I see him he will have calmed down?"
"You think? I thought you knew him he's going to go crazy. We could do it together or at least you could be there if you insist it's me that tells him"
"Ok" Emily agreed reluctantly "we'll do it together"