Flicker of hope
Part 1 - The wishing tree
Pairing: Jack Abbot x female reader
Summary: Jack is so close to having you back in his arms, but is luck ever on his side?
I really want this all to be a surprise so i'm not writing a proper summary!! But its a happy ending <3
Word count: 5.8k
Notes: i'm blown away by how much engagement the fic had!! thank you so so much it means the world to me! I stayed up late and woke up early to write this. Not very well proof read.
I enjoyed it so much and didn't want it to end!!
@xxemmarldxx @hotwithautism @ibleednavyandorange @themoviefangirl-blog @thehockeynerd30 @icelittletriptotheforest @theariespov @bethexo07 @butarealgoodtime @stillinraccooncity @mysticrisingroses @mongoosemagazine @all-my-faves-here @peeekabo0 @lacy1986 @itsmycorneroftheinternet @rufles2 @evergreen9083 @congratsloserr @silovicbaird @thefemininemystiquee @nicelittletriptotheforest @veiled-moonlight @yiiiikesmish @hotwithautism @eatingtheworldsoffanfiction
“Bug’s asking for you, mumbling something about a wishing tree.”
“Robby what are you saying?” Luck was never on Jack’s side, so to think he got this lucky? He refuses to believe it.
“I’m saying you need get to the ICU right this second.”
“Are you sure-“
“Abbot. It’s her. It’s been confirmed.” Jack is about to get his happy ending after all.
Jack ran down the stairs to the ICU, ignoring the stabbing pain in his leg because pain did not matter anymore. Knowing that you are here, alive, with him, is all that mattered. He held onto that flicker of hope in his heart like a lifeline.
He doesn’t catch his breath as he charges into the ICU but he’s met with at least four security guards. “It’s best if you leave”, the guard says.
“I need to see her!”
“One more step and you’ll get arrested.”
“There’s been a mistake!” He begs, “that’s not Meg that’s the love of my life in there, I need to see her!”
“Dr Abbot” one of the ICU nurses steps out behind the guards. “The family has put in a request for you to be nowhere near her.”
“No” Jack is so close to having you in his arms, “no, they can’t do that! There’s been a mistake!”
“Dr Abbot don’t make this any harder than it needs to be. You’re not next of kin and you have no right.”
“What did she say! She- she asked for me! She wants me!”
“She’s been put back to sleep." The nurse can see the hurt in his eyes, but there is nothing she can do. She takes a few steps toward him and whispers, “She was confused and agitated so she’s being moved home; the family arranged for home care. I’d suggest keeping the peace and leaving right this second.”
"Please can I just see her one last time." Jack doesn't care that he's crying and pleading in front of the entire unit.
"I'm sorry."
Maybe Jack wasn’t so lucky after all.
The plan
“Abbot where the hell have you been!” Robby, along with the team were waiting anxiously after Jack not picked up anyone’s call after going to the ICU.
“Clearing my head.” Coming up with a plan. “They wouldn’t let me see her. The bastards are moving her!”
“I know, I called Sharon at ICU; they said you lost your shit!”
“At Meg I did! And now they’re saying it’s not Meg. What the hell, Robby!”
“Let’s all talk in the family room”
“I’m going back to the ICU, I’m breaking her out of there.”
Jack does not wait any longer until he sees you. His emotions are all over the place; was he happy? excited? sad? He is confused. Jack is a confused man, but one who is madly in love.
“Family Room. Now!” Robby’s yells were loud enough for everyone to stop what they were doing and look over at the two men. One was angry, and the other was crying.
In the family room, gathered Jack, Robby, Trinity and Parker.
Jack paced around the room, limping with every step, but the pain in his heart was much worse.
“The family is threatening to sue the hospital because of the error the lab did.” Robby states. “So she’s being moved to home care at their manor.”
“The hell they are!”
“Dr Abbot, calm the hell down right this second.” Trinity cuts in firmly, and Jack immediately stops pacing. “We came up with a plan.”
“What’s this plan then?”
“Sharon is the charge nurse upstairs, said that she was incredibly agitated and yelling, so they’ve put her back to sleep. Once she's awake again, they need to do their checks and clear her for discharge.” Robby says calmly, “If the accident has not affected her capacity, then she can legally consent to do whatever she wants.”
“There’s a but coming” Jack’s patience has run out, ages ago.
“But they are threatening to sue the hospital, so they might have to let her go, whether she likes it or not.”
“No! Absolutely the fuck n-“
“Jack, I swear to God if you don’t calm down right this second we’re gonna have an issue.” Robby cuts in firmly. “The funeral is in three days. So we’re hoping that in three days’ time, she’s going to be awake, with capacity to make her own decision. At home as per her parents’ wishes.”
“Why three days?”
“Because that’s when we’re gonna break her out,” Parker adds.
Jack refuses to feel any more flickers of hope until you’re with him. “How do you plan on doing that? The manor has locked gates; there will be nurses and carers. Plus the family.”
“The family’s all gonna be at the funeral. That’s when we go in.”
“Again, how?”
“It’s a good thing we’re all doctors. One thing the nurses won’t question is a home visit.”
Another flicker of hope that Jack ignores. “I’m going with you.”
“Oh boy, he’s not gonna like this,” Santos mutters under her breath, and Jack shoots her a look. “You’re going to the funeral.”
“Why the hell would I do that for?”
“The family isn’t stupid, Jack. Your picture is probably plastered all over the manor with a warning label. So while you're at the funeral, acting sad, we'll be at the manor."
“You guys would do this for us?” Jack’s tears haven’t stopped since leaving the ICU. He looks more broken than when he thought you were dead.
“I’d do anything for you, brother.”
“Even kidnapping?” Jack asks.
“Not kidnapping if she consents to it.” Parker adds with a big smile. “Let’s get planning!”
Home care - day one
“Can you eat something, please?” Your mom asks you, holding a plate of mashed-up food.
“I want Jack” you mutter weakly.
“Eat and then maybe we’ll call him.”
“I want Jack” you repeat. “I want to speak to him.”
"He's at work, we'll call him later this evening?"
“I want Jack, I want Jack, I want Jack, I want Jack" you repeat to yourself. She leaves the room, leaving you dealing with a broken heart. If only you were able to move, you’d run to him.
Hours later, she returns and asks the nurses, “How has she been?”
“She’s refusing meds and food. She keeps asking for Jack.”
“She won’t be speaking to that man ever again. Administer the sedating meds.”
“But-“
“Give the meds or I swear you’ll never practice nursing again.”
“Yes ma’am.” The nurse stutters.
Another few hours pass, another check in.
“Hey sweetheart, you’re awake.”
“Screw you” you spit out “Let me out of here.”
“You can’t move baby. Where will you go?”
“Back to Jack! Let me out, let me out, let me out!” you scream at her until your throat burns and your voice breaks.
“How about we give you some more meds, hmm?”
“No, no more meds no more meds!” You yell at the nurse, “I have capacity and I’m saying no!”
The nurse mutters a sorry as she approaches you. If only you had the energy to fight her.
You repeat Jack’s name quitely to yourself as you fall back to sleep.
Home care - day two
“Shall we try and eat something today?” Your mom sat by your bed with yet another plate of mashed-up food.
“I want Jack. I keep telling you I want Jack,” you cry quietly.
“I promise we’ll give him a call, only if you eat something.”
“And I’m telling you, I want him and only him.”
“She said some hurtful things to you when you were in the ICU.” She says softly, “he was almost arrested-“
“No” you cut in.
“He yelled at you, baby”
“I’m not your baby!” How dare she.
“The hospital said he was aggressive-”
“No no no no no-
“- He blames you for Megan’s death.” She lies.
“no no- what?” Jack, your Jack, would never blame you. Your heart refuses to believe it, despite her hurtful words.
“He lost the love of his life, who do you think he was going to blame?”
“You’re lying! He wouldn’t do that!”
“The entire hospital knows. You were driving, after all.”
“You’re lying! I want to speak to him, Mom, please!”
“Your sister is dead, and all you care about is that piece of shit-“
“Fuck you! Fuck all of you for what you did to him!” Your heart thumped in your chest so aggressively, you could hear the machine near your bed blare across the room. You knew the next step would be administering meds against your wishes. If only you had the energy to strangle her right this second.
“We’ll try food in a few hours. Meds please.” Your mom says calmly before leaving the room.
“Please, I’m begging you, no.” Your arm reaches slowly over to the nurse's hand. “Please, I have capacity, and I am telling you no.”
“She threatened me....”
“I promise i’ll pretend to sleep. But please no more meds.”
“I-I can’t i’m sorry.”
“No please, I beg you” you cry out, “please, I’ll be good. I promise you please, i'll behave”
“You promise?”
“I promise.” You say calmly.
Maybe acting like a good girl would get you reunited with Jack.
Home care - day three
“Hey sweetheart, we’re going to the funeral.”
“Okay mom.” You thought to yourself, have fun, you bitch. But being the good girl you are, you opted for, “i’ll be thinking of you all today.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, baby.” She says softly, one hand resting on your bruised-up and bandaged cheeks. “I’ll light a candle for her, from you.”
“That would be lovely.” You hoped they would all burn in hell. “When will you be back?”
“Later this evening baby.” She presses a soft kiss to your head that makes your stomach turn. “Lucy here will take care of you.”
You force a small, sad smile. “Say hi to grandad for me.”
The moment she leaves the room, you beg Lucy, the nurse, to give you her phone so you can make a phone call. You don't tell her it's Jack you are calling. After so much crying and begging, she eventually agrees. She dials the number for you and puts it on loudspeaker, but Jack’s phone is switched off.
“Try again, please.” You’re so close to hearing his voice. So close.
“Off.”
“Please again.”
She tries again, and again, and again, but his phone is switched off.
You wonder if Jack indeed hates you after what you did to Meg.
The Funeral
Jack opted for a seat at the back of the church, nowhere near the family. Robby insisted that he should act sad and heartbroken, which Jack felt but not for Meg’s death.
It had been almost 72 hours of pure hell and evil. Knowing that you are alive, after he had lost you for days and not been able to reach you, was the most evil type of torture.
He said a prayer, not for Meg or anyone else to find peace after what they had gone through. But for Robby’s plan to work. If it works, Jack will be coming home to you this evening. Because if it works, then Jack is never letting you out of his reach ever again.
Maybe he should now hold onto that flicker of hope that lingered in his chest.
The Escape
Robby parked up outside the manor entrance with Trinity in the car. “Have you said a prayer?”
“Me? Robinavitch? No I didn’t.”
“We need faith on our side, kid.”
“You have me and my brilliant mind.” She chuckles, “Let’s go, Dr Robinson.”
They get out of the car and ring the bell, and are greeted by one of the housekeepers.
“Good morning.” Robby smiles, “I’m Dr Robinson, and this is my assistant, Dr Smith. We’re here for a home visit.”
“I’m not expecting you…”
“Oh, have they not told you?” Robby frowns. “It’s protocol for us to come visit 72 hours after discharge.”
“I’m gonna need to check with the family…” She doesn’t let them in and asks them to wait outside.
“We’re screwed,” Robby mutters.
“Have some faith. Robinavitch. Who’s going to answer their phone at a funeral?”
Minutes pass, and with every clock tick, Robby was sweating more and more. The door opens, and he stiffens. “They’re not answering.”
“It’s Megan’s funeral today, isn’t it?” Santos says softly, “What a sad, sad day. It’d be a shame if the other twin doesn’t get checked and something happens to her…”
The housekeeper freezes for a second, thinking about it. “You have 10 minutes.”
“Sure, we’ll be as quick as we can.” Trinity pushes past her and wastes no time. She takes them to a room located on the ground floor, luckily not too far from the entrance. She goes inside first, and informs you that there are two doctors here to speak with you.
"Tell them no." You blurt out, if it's not a name you know then there's no chance on earth they're coming anywhere near you, "No more doctors. I only care about one person."
The housekeeper informs them that you're refusing any more medical treatment.
"No problem", Trinity replies, and Robby shoots her a confused look.
You can hear mumbling outside and chatter, but what caught your attention was one of the doctors mentioning bringing you the wishing tree book you asked for. There is no book labelled The Wishing Tree. The housekeeper walks back, and you instantly blurt out, "Let them in. I changed my mind."
The moment you saw Robby step into that room, accompanied by one happy Trinity Santos, was the moment you could finally breathe. You thought your heart was about to give out at how happily it beat. You remained composed as they introduced themselves with alias names, and you let Robby carry out his fake checks.
"Hey, Lucy?" You turn over to her with a soft smile. "I feel like having some food. Do you think you can make me some of Mom's famous mashed-up food?"
"Sure. I won't be long."
You wait until the door clicks shut behind her, and you burst into tears. Robby takes you into his arms, hugging you so tightly you thought he was going to shatter your already broken bones.
"Robby-" you choke out, "Robby is Jack with you!"
"No, sweetheart, he isn't. He's at the funeral. Listen, we don't have time, we're here to-"
"Kidnap you!" Trinity claps her hands. "We're here to kidnap you! Is that okay!"
"Yes yes, please!!" you try and shift on the bed but your bandages and broken bones don't allow it. "But how?"
"We need a distraction." Robby says, "Something to occupy them while we take you to the car."
"Start a fire." You say quickly, "start a fucking fire."
For all the pain they caused you, a fire is nothing compared to what they deserve. Burn this entire manor down, along with everyone in it. A small part of you wonders if the universe would be upset with you over how angry you are at them. But what they have done to you was much worse.
"A-a fire?" Robby stutters.
"Fuck yeah!" Trinity adds, "kitchen?"
"Trin, how do you feel about microwaving a spoon?"
"Physics was never my strong point anyway." She blows you a kiss before running to the kitchen.
The reunion
"This is gonna hurt so much, I'm sorry.." Robby whispers as he carries you into the wheelchair. But your physical pain was nothing compared to the pain in your heart.
"Robby I called Jack so many times and... mom said he hates me."
"No offence kid, but your mom is a bitch and a liar."
You didn't think you were going to laugh this soon after going through so much trauma, but you found yourself hysterically laughing and crying.
"I owe you my life."
"You owe me nothing kid. Jack can't wait to see you."
And that's when you finally let yourself hold onto that small flicker of hope. Seeing Jack and finally telling him how you feel. Because if facing death taught you one thing, it's to never take advantage of time. Time is precious, and you have lost enough of it without being with the man you love so much.
The escape plan worked, thanks to Trinity skipping physics class, and just as you drove away, you saw the fire brigade drive in the opposite direction. They drove you back to your apartment, and with every minute that passed, the excitement in your chest grew bigger and bigger. They wheeled you into the lounge, which was now changed. A hospital bed sat in the middle of the room, alongside monitors and equipment laid out neatly around it.
You are greeted by one happy very happy Parker and Mateo. "Oh my God!"
"You still need home care, kid." Robby says softly. "We're all taking turns to help."
"You guys... I don't know what to say."
"Save your words until Abbot gets here." Parker chuckles, slipping her arms under your back, while Robby takes your legs to move you to the bed. "He'll be here any minute."
"He's not here yet?" You have no more patience left.
"He was at the wake when we left but he should be here any minute. Told him not to drive fast."
"We don't want any more car accidents." Trinity jokes and for a second, no one laughs at the joke. Until you start hysterically laughing again and they all join in.
The front door burst wide open, and one very anxious Jack stood by the entrance.
That flicker of hope he was scared to hold onto? It burst in his chest like a firework. But now that he's here, standing in front of you, he chokes up on his words and freezes.
"Let's leave you two for a minute." Robby says quietly, ushering for everyone to leave the apartment.
"Is he gonna move or..." Trinity adds sarcastically but Robby holds onto her arm and drags her out.
"Hey, bunny." You say softly, "I'm back from the dead."
"Not funny..." Jack takes a small step toward you. He's too scared to move any faster, in case this was all a dream. Because if it is, he wants it to last as long as possible. "Hi, Bug."
"Your wish worked."
"I should have never doubted it." Jack blurts out before running over to the bed and taking you into his arms. "I never should have doubted that stupid tree."
The feeling of his warm and strong body against yours was everything you had ever wished for, the last 72 hours more than any other days.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry about everything." Jack murmurs, his voice shaky and broken, "i'm sorry for not doing more and for no-"
"Jack, shut up," you push him off you gently, "just shut up and-"
His lips crash on top of yours before you even get the chance to finish your sentence. You felt his desperation in the way he kissed you -- like a man who had been starved of love. His hands never moved away from your face, holding it tightly as if you were about to disappear again.
When he finally pulled back for a breath, his eyes were glossy and tired, like he hadn't stopped crying.
Jack hasn't stopped crying, and he doesn't think he ever will.
"I'm here, it's me," you blurt out.
Jack nods shakily before pressing his lips against yours again, a bit more gently this time. He takes in every touch and feeling, holding onto it as much as possible. He pulls back just slightly this time, leaving his lips just inches away. "I have so much to tell you."
"And we have all the time in the world," you mumble, one bandaged hand gently resting on his cheek.
"But first we have to do something.." Jack rasps out, "we have to call your parents."
The aftermath
Everyone was now back in the apartment, Jack sitting on a stool next to your bed, both hands holding yours.
"So now that you've been 'kidnapped'..." Robby attempts to air-quote, and Trinity snorts out loud, "The police will be informed."
"And they might be coming here." Jack adds, "But.. if we call your parents then that will save everyone the trouble."
"Call them." You say quickly, gesturing for someone to give you a phone. "Call the fuckers I have things to say."
Years of being treated terribly by them, being the spare child, the forgotten child, the mistreated child... it all came out the moment your mom picked up the phone. You don't even let her speak. She can't hurt you now; actually, no one can. Because as long as you're in this room, with Jack, then no one can.
"Shut up and let me talk." You interrupt her, yelling, "I never ever want to see you again. I never want to hear your voice or dad's. Do you understand what i'm saying?"
She continues yelling, but you cut in once more, "Congratulations, Mom. You lost both of your daughters. Enjoy living in guilt for the rest of your lonely and miserable life."
And with that you hang up the phone, closing a chapter of your life you never want to see again.
Loving you
"Do you want to go to sleep? Or stay up and watch a movie?" Jack's lying next to you on the hospital bed in your apartment, one hand draped over your stomach. He hasn't left your side since everyone left the apartment.
"I don't want to go to sleep... I've had enough of that, Jack. But I do want one thing."
"Anything" Jack murmurs, "I'd do anything for you."
"Please, can you move me to my bed? I've had enough of hospital beds and-"
"You don't need to explain yourself to me." Jack shifts on the bed, pressing a kiss to your temple. "Anything you need."
"Oh, and one more thing." You turn your head to face him, "I need you to never leave me, Jack."
Jack smiles softly, whispering against your lips, "I promise to never leave your side. I promise to always be there for you. And I promise you one more thing... you might think i'm crazy..."
"We're all a little bit crazy.."
"I love you, bug. I’m sorry it took me so long to realise it. I’m sorry it took losing you for me to finally understand what’s been in my heart this whole time. And I’m crazy for saying this now and here and somewhere more romantic but..”
“I love you too Jack,” you whisper back, not taking your eyes off him for a minute. You take in all his features, and that sparkle in his eyes that was lost? It was back. Your Jack was back.
"I'm proud of you for fighting to stay here, especially with me."
"When they told me that I was allowed to see you... I don't ever want to go through that again."
"And you never will have to. Because as long as I'm here, you are too."
"There's no breaking us now."
"Exactly, Bug. Exactly."
The wishing tree once again did not fail you.
Three months later
You woke up to the sound of music, playing from the kitchen, and you could’ve sworn Jack was singing. You move slowly out of bed, joints still protesting movements, and bones still recovering from the fractures, and eventually stand up on your own. Slowly and carefully, you make it over to the kitchen and stand silently watching Jack sing to himself as he made breakfast. He has joggers on with no T-shirt, and a kitchen towel draped over one shoulder. What a beautiful sight to wake up to, you thought. He looks happy, matching that same feeling you’ve had in your chest these past few months.
“Morning sunshine.” You say, startling Jack mid dance move.
His face lights up the moment he sees you, a big smile breaking across his face. “Morning, my love. Sorry, was the music too loud?”
“Never.” If facing death taught you another thing, is that happiness can never be too loud. “Need a hand?”
Jack smirks as he approaches you, eyes scanning you from head to toe. Without a warning, he picks you up with both hands and walks you over to the counter. “You can sit and supervise.”
“But-“
“No buts, sweetheart, no buts.”
“But I wanted to dance…”
“We are going dancing. Later tonight, actually.” Jack had a date planned for the two of you, but he refused to spoil any details, despite your begging.
“You still won’t tell me where we’re going!”
“It’s called a surprise.”
“I love surprises…”
“You’re terrible at waiting for them though. No questions!”
“But-“ His lips find yours, a quick and efficient way of keeping you quiet. It worked; it always worked. Every day, his touch doesn’t fail to amaze you. You haven’t felt love like this before, or have known love to be this electric or exciting. “I’m gonna keep asking.”
“And I’m gonna keep kissing.”
“Exactly” you giggle, “more protesting means more kissing.”
“Sneaky.” He murmurs.
“I’d say clever.”
“That you are, baby. Hungry?”
“Is that a euphemism?” You tease.
“I meant food, but I have all day so…” his kiss is hungry, and certainly not for food.
Later that day, as promised, Jack was going to take you dancing. But first, he doesn’t let you leave the house because he can’t keep his hands to himself.
“Jack stop” you giggle as you push him off, “can you help me with shoes please?”
“I’ll get down there, sure.” He smirks, moving away from your neck slowly, which is red and wet from the way he had devoured it like a dessert.
“Not like that!”
“We have time…”
“You’ve been satisfied plenty.”
He moves back to your neck, whispers slowly against your skin, “but I can’t get enough.”
“Jack we’re gonna miss the reservation!”
“Fine, but I’m picking up where we left off when we come home tonight.” He kisses your neck once more, before finally moving to help you out shoes on, “Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?”
“I don’t think you did…” you tease him.
He’s down on one knee, slipping your shoes on, he murmurs “you are what dreams are made of..”
You giggle, “you look like you’re about to propose.”
“What?” Jack looks up at you, colour draining from his face immediately. Like he had seen a ghost.
An awkward pause, then Jack shifts his attention back to the shoes, and you frown at his reaction. “It’s a joke, Jack…” you mutter under your breath.
The car ride to the secret date location was painfully quiet, and despite your pestering about what was wrong with him, he insisted he was fine. Maybe joking about getting married, this close to what he had gone through, was not the best idea.
He pulled up outside a small house, not a restaurant like you expected, and you sat in the car for a minute.
Another awkward stretch of silence follows.
"Shall we get out of the car or....?"
"Uh- yeah sure." Jack clears his throat before unclipping the seat belt and getting out of the car. You watch him as he puffs his cheeks out and shakes his head as he walks around the car to your side.
Yeah, mentioning marriage was definitely not a clever idea.
He carefully helps you out of the car and walks you over to the door. "Whose is this?" You ask him.
"It's uh... let's take a look inside. Then you can tell me what you think."
He pulls out keys from his pocket and walks in first, flicking the light switch on.
"This is beautiful." The house is the complete opposite of the manor. "Jack, did you-"
"Yeah, I did. I got it for us." Jack says nervously. "It's small but I figured.. a smaller house is much nicer than a manor."
"Oh Jack..." Your hands hover over your mouth in surprise at how simple and cosy the house felt. You're speechless at how well he had pulled this off. And absolutely blown away by how much love he has for you. "Does it have a garden?"
"A beautiful one, actually." He pulls out an eye mask from his pocket. "Let's see the garden first, then we'll go upstairs."
He gestures for you to turn around so he can put the eye mask on.
“Are you kidnapping me again?”
“Been there done that. And I’d do it all again if I have to.”
"Do I have to put it on?"
"It's part of the surprise." He stands behind you, carefully helping you put it on. His hands wrap around your waist, puling you flush against him. He trails kisses down your neck and shoulder, his beard stubble tickling your bare skin, sending an electrifying shiver down your spine.
You melt at his touch, at the way he always takes his time kissing your neck. How he doesn't suck too hard, but enough for you to moan something in response. "Ready, bug?"
"Always," you whisper weakly, still recovering from his kisses.
He guides you somewhere slowly, telling you to be careful of steps and turns until you're standing still. As he takes the blindfold off, the violin starts playing.
You are standing under a big tree, with the grounds covered in candles and white roses, and fairy lights hanging down from the tree and all around the house. A man sits on a chair, playing Can’t Help Calling in Love with You. “Oh my God” you whisper. “You’re-“
“Please just this once.. let me do the talking?” Jack whispers back.
He takes his hands in yours, and softly says, “My whole life I’ve searched for what it means to be loved, and be in love. It has taken me a very long time — a lot of grey hairs in fact, and so many tears to find it. But I’m so happy I finally did.”
“My love for you grows with every beat of my heart and every second that passes. I’m crazy about you, but I’m also crazy in general." He jokes, and you nervously giggle in response. "I love you with every fibre of my being."
“I promise to love you every day for the rest of my earthly life, and for whatever comes after. I promise to never leave your side, and to always worship the ground you walk on. Because you deserve it, bug. You deserve all the happiness and love in the world, if you let me show you. I promise to find you in every lifetime, and love you more and more each time.
He carefully gets down on one knee, "Please make me the happiest man in this universe and marry me?"
A screech escapes you, and you immediately drop down to your knees, "Yes, Jack, yes yes yes!!"
6 months later
Jack's sitting on the kitchen barstool, holding onto a piece of paper from his doctor that he never thought he'd see. A life-changing result. He hears you approach and quickly tucks it into his scrub pocket, deciding he will tell you about it after your shift tonight.
"Ready to go Dr Abbot?" he asks you.
"Still not used to the name," you giggle. "But i'm so happy I never have to use my own name again."
"I'm happy you're happy." Jack murmurs, "That's all I ever wanted."
"And that's all you'll ever get."
He holds onto that promise, along with a small flicker of hope he hadn't felt since your accident.
Hours later at PTMC, you start to feel unwell. It could have been the long hours, or the long recovery from your accident, or a million other things, but you brush it off and carry on with the night. Until you're in the room with a patient, mumbling gibberish at them, gripping onto their bedside to stop you from falling to the ground. The patient, who lucky was mobile, manages to get hold of you before falling to the ground and yells for help.
The moment Jack sees you slumped over, he's convinced he's about to lose you again.
"Hey Dr Abbot?" Parker asks you the moment you're laid onto a bed in one of the rooms, "wanna tell me what's going on?"
"The... world is spinning Parker." you whisper, "I feel so sick."
Jack's in shock, standing in the corner of the room watching Parker do the assessment. He has been down this road before, and he literally lost you and had you again. He's convinced someone's gonna come through the doors and steal you away.
"When did it start?"
"Dunno... keeps coming and going." you sob at how ill you feel, "J-jack?"
"He's in shock; give him a minute." Parker forces a smile; Mateo's on the other side, taking your bloods. "Any other symptoms?"
"I feel sick, like i'm about to vomit."
"How long for?"
"Again comes and goes...Please, can you just check on Jack"
Parker doesn't ask about pregnancy, given that everyone's aware of Jack's history with infertility. Instead, she says, "Dr Abbot, wanna hold your wife's hand?" Jack doesn't respond. Instead, he's seeing flashbacks of you in the ICU bed. He's back in that room, and this time, people are yelling at him instead of him yelling at the body on the bed. What was real and what was not? Are you really here? Is someone about to kidnap you? Is this all a dream? "Guess not."
"Jack please-" you cry out for him but he still doesn't move.
Parker abruptly stops what she's doing and walks over to him. Without a word, she slaps him, loud enough for it to make a noise that echoes, hard enough to wake him out of his flashback.
"S-sorry" Jack blinks a few times, looking around the room, "did- uh- did- shit."
"Hold her hand now. Otherwise i'm slapping you again."
He nods shakily and walks over to your side, "sorry baby just uh- it's um."
"I know Jack, but we're here. I'm safe and no one can get to us now."
He manages a nod, takes your hand in his hands, resting it just in front of his chin, kissing it gently.
"Stats are fine, BP a bit low but it could be for many reasons. Let's wait for bloods. In the meantime, stay here."
"Uh, Parker, what about pregnancy?" Jack asks.
You look at Parker in surprise, matching her same exact reaction. "I didn't ask because you know..."
"Jack, I'm not Meg - I would never-!" Your eyes are immediately tearing up; he thinks you'd cheat on him? "I promise you I would never cheat-"
Jack cuts in, "it's me."
You immediately pull your hand away from him, eyes glancing over to Parker, who has the look of rage on her face, "You fucking cheated?!!?"
"What! No-no I didn't! The pregnancy I uh-" Jack reaches into his scrub pocket and pulls out the piece of paper. "This came in the mail this morning."
Parker snatches it out of his hand, saving you the heartbreak of whatever is in the piece of paper. She reads through it quickly, then smirks, "Oh damn. Dr Abbot is one happy and healthy man."
"Can someone tell me what the fuck is going on right this second!!" you snap at them.
"Girl I think you're pregnant." Parker chuckles.
"Again I did not cheat-"
"It's Jack. His sperm count is in the millions."
"What...?"
Jack nervously chuckles, "I uh... saw my doctor last week. I wanted to retest... just to be sure. It turns out all I needed was to be happy for the little guys to get to work... "
"I'm pregnant?" you ask both of them in rage, "get me a fucking machine right now!"
"Oh I don't need to scan you, the pregnancy rage is all over your face, girl."
"Dr Ellis I swear-" you start to yell, then stop. Oh fuck. That explains the mood swings. The nausea. Why eggs tasted like snot all of a sudden.
A few minutes later, Parker's scanning your lower abdomen, Jack watching your face instead of the screen, admiring the woman he loves so much.
"Jack" you whisper, lips parting slightly in surprise at the little blob on the screen, "Jack, look!"
"It's a tiny baby" he chokes out after finally looking at the screen, "it's our baby."
"Oh, the wishing tree strikes again."
