After all this time...A FLAC story

Chapter 12

Over the next two weeks Jac and Fletch continued in their routine. They had fully built the outdoor furniture and play frame and were very proud of that they had achieved. Over this time they had both experienced more 'moments' with each other, contact with each other lasting longer than it should, intense eye contact, hugs...

Neither Jac or Fletch had plucked up the courage to address the elephant in the room. Both too scared in case it ruined what they were both enjoying right now. Both scared that the other didn't feel the same.

One Wednesday during their fifth week of staying together both came home from what could quite possibly be their worst shift at so far. Holby had lost more patients today to Covid, they were running low on PPE and staff morale was at an all time low.

Neither of them thought twice about opening the first bottle of wine. They both had the next two days of work and it couldn't have come at a better time after the day they had both had. 'Pizza ordered.' Fletch said as Jac poured two rather full glasses of wine in front of him. After a quick sip of wine Jac explained she was heading for a shower, wash the day away before pizza. Fletch agreed this was a great idea, he swiftly followed her upstairs, both retreating to their own bathrooms.

Feeling the hot water scald her skin as she let it rain over her, Jac couldn't help but think that the only thing that could make today better would be being close to him. Ever since she had got the message from Kian, she had been thinking a lot about what he had said. She was finally at a point in her life where she wanted, maybe even needed to be with someone who made her truly happy. She knew that for her that was only one person. But HE was with Ange, so it couldn't happen. She was usually so good at hiding what she was feeling, but she knew they more time they spent together it was getting harder and harder to pretend. In those moments they had shared in recent weeks, she was sure she had seen him react. Seen his breath hitch, his breathing quicken. Maybe it was wishful thinking she mused.

Ten minutes later they were both back in the living room and back to the wine glasses that were quickly emptying. Jac couldn't help but steal glances at Fletch, studying the way he looked. She could see he looked exhausted. There was something else, she couldn't put her finger on what it was. Whatever it was she wanted to make it better. The doorbell rang, breaking her chain of thoughts, before she could put her wine glass down, Fletch had jumped up and raced to the front door to collect their dinner.

They both polished of their pizzas and wine in relative silence. Fletch was making no effort to make conversation tonight, which Jac found odd as usually the conversation and batter would flow when they were both home. She kept glancing at the man she cared deeply for, seeing the strain on his face, she couldn't take it anymore.

'I'm here to talk if you want to.'

Even Jac knew the irony of it being her who wanted to talk. Over the years, she had lost count of how many times Fletch had given her a we need to talk ultimatum. The irony wasn't lost on him either. He raised a small smile towards Jac and managed to mutter the word thanks. Although Jac wasn't sure if she could detect a slight hint of sarcasm. They stayed sat in the same silence. Jac knew not to push him in to talking. It just wasn't her.

'Ange and me...we broke up.' Fletch announced breaking the silence in the room. Jac was taken by surprise. She couldn't help but feel a flutter in her stomach. She looked up at Fletch, wanting to ask more, but not quite knowing how. She looked up to see Fletch looking at her, expecting her to say something. Jac repeated what she had said just a few minutes earlier. Giving Fletch the opportunity to talk more if he wanted. His eyes locked with Jacs.

'My heart just wasn't in it anymore. After everything with Essie...we just weren't on the same page anymore. This year...This year...I didn't think it could get any worse than how it started. But I'm not going to let myself waste whats left of it. It wasn't right for either of us. I just want to happy, to wake up every day and just be happy. Is that too much to ask?'

Jac didn't take her eyes off him as he spoke. She watched as his voice cracked with emotion, as his eyes glistened, as if tears were threatening to fall. Without thinking she asked the only thing she wanted to know the answer to.

'What would make you happy Fletch?'

She felt herself holding her breath waiting for an answer. She didn't really know what she wanted him to say. She knew if he asked her the same question that this would be her one chance to tell him. She had missed so many opportunities in the past, she had brushed him off, pushed him away, denied her feelings for so long. She knew that if she got the chance to tell him again she would. She had to.