Work Text:
The first night…
Helen and Jake danced alongside her brother and Gigi. She couldn’t keep the smile off her face or her eyes off of Jake, but she noticed that he was in the same predicament. As the song came to a close, Helen once again thought about how much she loved this song, though now it was for a much different reason.
The next few songs were fast and fun, and uncharacteristically, Helen remained on the dance floor, unable to hide her joy as she danced in and out of Jake’s arms. It took her back to the days of the college bar Jake had brought up on the trip. It felt good to feel happy and free like that again.
“I believe the bar is calling my name,” Duncan smiled as he leaned over. “As much as I hate to intrude on this wonderfully unexpected turn of events.” He smiled knowingly at his best friend. “Do you guys want anything?”
“Yeah, I could go for a beer.” Jake brushed Helen’s arm lightly. “Want to take a breather, party animal?”
In this moment, Helen wanted to be wherever Jake was. She nodded, slipping her hand into his as she followed him. She laughed to herself at the move, something she would have never done in the past. She looked back at Gigi, but in typical Gigi fashion, she had already wandered into a different group with Ricky.
Duncan plopped into a bar seat, leaning his arms on the bar to chat with the bartender.
Jake stood allowing Helen to take the other open seat. Such a gentleman.
The bartender moved away to get their drinks and Duncan swiveled towards the happy new couple. “Well this has been a day for surprises.”
Helen punched his arm playfully. “You don’t seem particularly surprised.” She smiled widely. “How did Jake happen upon this birthday book club anyway?”
“He’s a member.” Duncan shrugged.
Jake nodded solemnly. “I like books and birthday parties.”
The bartender returned with a beer for Jake, a cocktail for Duncan, and an iced tea for Helen. She looked at her brother. “We don’t want you falling asleep.” He winked at her.
Helen looked up at Jake who had the beer bottle up to his lips. “How did you get here anyway?”
“He hiked. You guys do that now.” Duncan chuckled to himself as he took a drink.
Jake set his bottle down on the bar. “Uber.”
Helen’s eyes widened. “You ubered from Pittsburgh?”
Duncan laughed “It’s a modern-day fairytale.”
“I was on my way home from the hotel when Duncan called me.” Jake chuckled. “He may have mentioned your transformation. I didn’t like the way we left things last night. I wanted to see you, so I went to Gigi’s. You’d already left and since it was getting dark, I called an uber.”
Helen stood up and kissed him again, wrapping her arms around his waist.
“So this is going to be a thing now.” Duncan smiled, knowing exactly how long his best friend had waited for this moment.
“Speaking of things,” Helen sat back down, “I believe I heard tell of a girlfriend named Molly.”
Duncan threw his head back, laughing. “This new era of Helen is going to be a trip.”
“Wait til you hear her battle cry.” Jake picked his beer back up and smiled as he brought it to his lips.
Helen stood up. “Appreciate everything.” She yelled in a tough girl voice, pumping her arms in the air in a muscle man pose.
“Wow.” Duncan took a long drink. “This is a vibe I’m digging.”
“I stole it.” Helen smiled slyly. “But I do mean it.”
“My favorite people,” Gigi glided over to stand between Duncan and Jake linking arms with them. “You make a beautiful sight, you really do.” She looked up at Jake, squeezing his arm. “I hope you are coming back to my place?”
“Gigi!” Helen feigned shock, “are you trying to steal my new boyfriend?”
Jake couldn’t help but grin; he loved the sound of that.
Gigi nodded, taking Jake’s arm as Helen threw her head back and laughed.
“Honestly though,” Gigi smiled, “you are and have always been welcome.”
Jake nodded. “Thanks, Gigi.”
“Gigi,” a voice called from across the bar. She turned to see Ricky waving at her. “I believe it’s time to pick a new book,” she said in sing-song, backing away. “Join me, Duncy.”
Duncan laughed at the not-so-subtle invite, standing up from his chair and grabbing his drink.
Helen watched as her grandmother floated away. “Do they actually read books?” she called after her brother, but he just shook his head and laughed, following behind.
“I hope that’s ok.” Jake slid into Duncan’s chair, resting his arms on the bar. “Me coming back? I can always stay at my mom’s.”
“I was going to take you back to Gigi’s anyway.” Helen placed a hand on top of his. “I want to talk about”, she paused for a moment to decide, “well, everything.”
“Me too.” Jake brushed her hand with his thumb. “If I’m being honest, I didn’t know what to expect when I showed up here tonight.”
Helen smiled. “I would have found you eventually.” They exchanged another long gaze. Helen hoped Jake would always look at her that way, at least as long as he could. She brushed away the intrusive, sad thought. “You know, you’re going to give me a complex.” She smiled again, as she had been doing a lot since her return.
Jake seemed to blush a little. “I guess I’m still in disbelief a bit.”
“That makes two of us.” She laughed. “You know why I left last night?” She watched Jake slowly shake his head before continuing. “Well, Mason told me that Windy was upset because you told her you had someone back home.”
“Whisper down the lane.” He smiled, taking a drink.
Helen nodded. “When I got home and read the poem, and realized that I was the someone…”
She was about to continue when she saw the birthday parade approach, led by Duncan holding a giant cake aglow with many candles. Gigi was at his side, but reached over to grab Jake and Helen’s arms for them to join in for the “Happy Birthday” serenade.
After the candles were blown out, Jake and Helen headed back to the bar.
“What are you crazy kids up to?” Duncan sauntered over shortly after them with a goofy grin on his face. “I love, love.”. He handed each a piece of cake.
Helen resisted the urge to roll her eyes as she took the cake and thanked him. “Has the book club attended to their business?”
Duncan swallowed a mouthful of cake. “I’m starting to think the book club is actually a front for other shenanigans and hijinks. And I approve.”
“Well, Gigi is involved.” Helen laughed as she took a bite of cake.
“I will never take cake for granted again.” Jake stole the words right out of Helen's mouth.
Duncan laughed as he watched both of them shove another big forkful into their mouths. “So, sleepover at Gigi’s? Maybe some nail painting and hair braiding? A little popcorn and pseudo-scary movies?” Duncan was on a roll. “Oh wait, maybe some camping in the backyard?”
Helen shoved her brother’s arm, laughing.
Duncan rubbed his arm, pretending to be hurt. “No, no, you’re right, you are probably all camped out.”
“At least for the foreseeable future, yes.” Helen looked over at Jake who once again had a mouthful of cake, but nodded in agreement. She pointed her fork at him. “You know, I wouldn’t have taken you for a cake guy.”
Jake swallowed. “Currently, I am an any non-dehydrated food guy.”
“I once saw this man shove his face into an entire cake,” Duncan chimed in.
“Let me guess, truth or dare.” Helen laughed at the look Jake shot her.
Jake rolled his eyes. “Such a pleasure hanging out with the both of you. Really glad I came here tonight.”
Duncan clapped a hand on his back. “Welcome to the party.”
***
Helen, Jake, and Duncan walked through Gigi’s front door some time after midnight.
“Wow, this feels like old times,” Jake looked around the house he practically grew up in.
“Gigi still doesn’t appreciate sledding down the stairs.” Duncan laughed as they all headed into the kitchen.
“At least Jake made it through the door.” Helen sat on a stool at the kitchen island. “You took out her favorite vase on the way out.”
“Yeah, thanks for pointing that out to Gigi, by the way.” Duncan gave Helen a playful shove before sitting in the stool next to her.
“Good thing I walked home that day, or she would have probably told my mom too.” Jake ducked out of the way as Helen swatted at him.
“We are embracing the new Helen today.” She looked back and forth between the guys. “New Helen could really go for some pizza right now.”
“Say no more.” Duncan pulled his phone from his back pocket and walked into the other room.
“Midnight pizza is his specialty.” Jake leaned on the counter across from Helen.
“Don’t forget the ranch.” Helen called after him, before sharing a smile with Jake. “I'm happy you're here. When Duncan got here earlier today and knocked on the door, I thought maybe it might be you.”
Jake chuckled. “I slept in longer than usual. I guess hiking took its toll.”
Helen raised an eyebrow. “Hiking or partying with hikers?”
“I wasn’t in much of a partying mood after you left.” Helen reached across the counter to hold his hand. “Beckett wasn't wrong though, you missed some interesting karaoke...”
Helen wanted to say more, but once again, Duncan was right on cue.
“We’re still all riding the pineapple wave, right? If not, more for me.” Duncan returned to the kitchen, sliding his phone back into his pocket. “Is it weird that we are home while our eighty year old grandmother is still out on the town?”
“Gigi knows how to party.” Helen smiled, releasing Jake's hand. “When we left, she told me not to wait up.”
“Enough said.” Duncan laughed as he opened Gigi’s fridge and pulled out three beers. He routed around the drawer in the island, grabbing a bottle opener and opening the bottles before passing them around. He raised his bottle. “To a wild night and an even wilder future.” They all clinked bottles. Duncan turned to his sister. “You don’t even know the patience this man has.”
“I mean, he’s been your best friend for over twenty years, I have some idea.” She laughed. “Sorry, I couldn’t resist.”
Duncan smiled. “Fair enough.”
Jake took a long pull of his beer. “I clearly have my hands full.”
“Hey,” the siblings yelled in unison.
“I’m going to grab a shower before the pizza gets here. I’ll leave you two lovebirds to it.” Duncan winked at them before heading to the stairs.
Helen turned back to Jake. “I have to admit, I never would have guessed before I left for the trip that this is where I would be.” She put a hand back on Jake’s, which were folded on the counter.
He squeezed it gently. “Definitely better than your whole get out of my face the day before the hike.”
Embarrassed, Helen covered her mouth with her free hand as she laughed. “It’s a good thing I needed the designated EMT.”
Jake shrugged. “I wasn’t planning to stay out of your face forever. I waited a long time for this chance.”
She leaned forward and he met her with a kiss. “Old Helen didn't see you, not like this.”
“Well, lucky for me, new Helen is here;” he cocked his head, “minus the spitting and peeing.”
“Yeah.” Helen nodded in agreement. “Before we left for the hike, like literally the night I arrived at the hotel, Mike called me. He told me he was ready to be married now.”
Jake was steadfast as usual, giving her time to go on.
“I can’t even remember why we got married in the first place, except that I was thirty-four and felt like I should be married. When we met, he was fun and carefree, and I was not. Though to be fair, he was usually intoxicated. When he called me that night, he said he wasn’t really in the marriage back then, which was obvious to everyone, but at the time, I felt like I had to make it work.”
Jake nodded, not wanting to interrupt.
“When he cheated on me, he told me the next day.”
Jake knew Mike was an idiot. “That’s when you separated?”
Helen nodded. “He moved out. Well, I told him to. I knew it was over then, I had put up with his shit for so long, and for him to do that on top of it? We hadn’t been happy for awhile, but I just had this vision for my life, and it was hard to let that go.”
“Well, it’s his loss.” Jake moved around the counter to take her in his arms. “I’m sorry that you had to go through it, but I’m not sorry that we’re here now.
She looked up at him. “Me either.” She kissed him as he pulled her closer.
“Pizza’s here,” Duncan called from the hallway. “That’s your warning that I'm approaching so you can stop doing anything I shouldn't be seeing.”
Jake and Helen smiled at each other as they separated.
Duncan walked in setting the pizza box on the counter, a wide grin spread across his face. He waved a hand between Helen and Jake. “Did I mention how much I'm loving this?”
Helen walked to the cabinet to grab plates. “Just eat your pizza.”
***
“Follow me.” Helen took Jake’s hand and led him out back.
After everyone had devoured two slices, Duncan grabbed the remote and sprawled on the couch in the living room, murmuring don't mind me, go about your business. Helen and Jake shared a smile, knowing he'd be out cold in no time.
They walked across the backyard to the cozy sitting area Gigi had created and sat down. Helen leaned back into the pillows to look up at the sky.
“This brings back some not so old times.” Jake chuckled as he laid back on the pillows next to Helen.
Helen reached over and took Jake’s hand as they gazed up at the stars. “Oh,” she leaned up on an elbow to look him in the eye, “I have to tell you, I told Duncan he was my person.”
“You did?” Jake seemed more pleased than surprised.
She nodded. “What you said in the tent that night…you were right. I just didn’t see it. It’s always been me and Duncan.”
Jake squeezed her hand. “I’m glad. You guys are lucky to have each other.”
“And you.” She leaned forward and kissed him. “We’re lucky to have you.” She kissed him again before laying back down.
“So,” Jake bumped her arm gently with his elbow. “What now?”
“You tell me.” Helen bumped his arm in return. “Hey, are you really going to Baja?”
Jake narrowed his eyes at Helen, “I’ve heard it was insane, but yes.”
She exhaled deeply. “Ok, me too.”
“Really?” Jake raised up on his elbow to stare down at her. “You want to go to Baja to study whales?”
“And seals.” She laughed. “This is new Helen, remember?”
She did not get a chance to say more as Jake’s lips crashed into hers. He pulled her against him, kissing her deeply. After several minutes, they parted leaving her breathless. Jake laid back down on the pillows.
Helen smiled. “New Helen could get used to this.”
Jake laughed. “You really don’t have to go, you don’t seem to be a fan of sea-life, but it means a lot.”
“Hey,” she slapped his shoulder playfully. “I like sea-life just fine. One of the perks of being a teacher; winter break, spring break, summers off.” She shrugged. “Plus I want to stay open to new experiences.”
“OK, so we are doing this. Our first trip,” he paused remembering the camping trip they just returned from, “our first official trip where everyone knows the other one is going.”
Helen laughed loudly. Jake loved that sound; he always had.
She propped up on an elbow again. “Speaking of, when did you actually sign up to go camping? Hugh said something about you signing up right before the trip.”
“I did.” Jake’s cheeks flushed. “I obviously didn’t want to tell you that at the time,” he turned his head to look her right in the eyes, “seemed a little stalker-like.”
Helen smiled widely. Jake loved that too, and he smiled as he continued, “but when Duncan told me where you were going, I figured I didn’t have anything to lose.”
Helen kissed him again. She was surprised at how easy it was to do. “I’m glad you did.”
“Me too.” He reached up and stroked her face. “Besides, it was good for me too, I don’t want to take any opportunity for granted.”
“I get that.” She laid back down and reached over to rub his arm. “But like I said in the woods, I’m here.” She looked over at him intently. “For all of it.”
Jake gazed back at her. He would continue to do that until he couldn’t anymore. He wanted to commit her face to memory, not that it wasn’t already. Fortunately, she didn’t seem to mind.
“Breakfast,” she stated like a fact out of nowhere.
Jake raised an eyebrow. “Like you want to eat it or we’re listing meal times?”
“That’s our what now.” Helen turned her head to look at him again. “We will go to breakfast. Probably with Duncan, but nothing new there.”
“Ok,” Jake said slowly. “I like breakfast.” He smiled. “By the way, just for the record, I don’t have an opinion on seeded bread, one way or the other.”
Helen’s laughter rang out into the night sky. “Noted.”
“That’s the laugh.” Jake propped up on his elbow once again. “That’s been burned into my brain forever. It’s the first thought I always had of you.”
“What will you think of now?” Helen shifted a little closer to him.
Jake leaned down, kissing her deeply. “Probably the look on your face at our first hiking meeting when Beckett told you that you were the problem.”
Helen laughed again, it came out so easily now. “Sounds like someone is not getting invited to breakfast after all.”
Jake bumped her elbow gently. “I will think about how you took my hand in the woods when I was lost in the dark.”
She snuggled into his side. “Can I tell you something that might be considered a little old Helen?”
He wrapped his arms around her. “Absolutely.”
Helen loved the feeling of being in Jake’s arms. It felt natural. “I ordered a book on retinitis pigmentosa.”
Jake looked down at her. “When?”
She shrugged. “Umm, it was a two a.m. Amazon purchase last night. After I read the poem.”
“I told you, you can borrow my whale book anytime.”
Helen pinched his arm lightly. “That’s what you have to say to that?”
Jake kissed the top of her head. “I can’t believe I’m laying out here with you like this, let alone you wanting to learn more about my condition.
“See…I considered it before you even asked me to.” Helen looked up at him. “Not that it was a reservation at all, I just wanted to learn more. On the trip, I was not always the nicest to you…”
“You weren’t?” Jake smirked.
“Ha ha, very funny. But you really did help me work through some stuff. And I’m going to be here for you for whatever comes next. Breakfast, whale hunting…”
Jake scrunched his face. “You don’t actually hunt the whales. It’s illegal and morally wrong.”
“You know what I mean,” Helen giggled. They lay together staring up at the night sky.
“You weren’t not nice, maybe just annoyed and disgruntled”, he jerked away when she swatted at him, “like I said before I was acting like a jealous boyfriend. When I was first diagnosed,” Jake paused, searching for the words. “It’s so easy to focus on the negative.”
Helen sighed. “Tell me about it.”
Jake pulled his arms behind his head to stare up at the sky. “I was just like waiting around to see how bad my vision was going to get. Duncan told me I was being an idiot, not exactly in those words.” Jake chuckled. “But he was right. I realized I needed to take a page out of Windy’s book. Appreciate everything, and just take it day by day. I’m trying to stop worrying about what’s going to happen, but also prepare for it at the same time.” He exhaled deeply. “It’s complicated.”
Helen rolled towards him, leaning her arms on his chest and reaching her head up to place a kiss on his cheek. She rested her chin on her arms and looked up at him. They had time to talk about that later. “So, sheep dogs, waffle fries, sailing, and wine.”
Jake’s laugh rumbled in his chest. “What were you hiding in the brush?”
“Kaley mentioned it when expressing your deep connection with Windy.” She couldn’t help rolling her eyes. “You were quite popular on that trip.”
“What can I say?” Jake smiled as he looked down at her, grateful at her attempt to lighten the mood. “I don’t even know how any of that came up. Just talking about random things, I guess.”
Helen thought for a minute, preparing her own list. “I like tacos.”
“Nice.” He moved a hand down to run along her back gently. “Me too.”
“Old movies.”
“Good one.” Jake nodded in approval. “Especially at drive-ins.”
“Yes!” Helen was happily surprised. “Coffee. Specifically that first sip of coffee in the morning.” She bit her lip trying to think of something else. “Oh!” She gestured up to the sky with her head. “Star gazing. Gigi and I used to lay out here all the time.
Jake reached over and tucked a stray hair behind her ear. “Gigi loves her astrology.”
“Mmm hmm,” Helen was so moved by his touch she didn’t have words. They stared at each other for awhile. Helen would never take those gazes for granted, and she knew Jake wouldn’t either.
“We probably should head in.” Jake patted her back and Helen slowly pushed herself up.
She turned to look at Jake. “Do you want to?”
Jake shifted himself up, leaning back on his hands. “Not really, no.”
“Me either.” She sank back into the pillows.
“Rebel.” Jake laid back down and Helen snuggled into his side again.
“So you’re not really doing the doctor thing anymore, what does that mean? What are you doing?”
“Wow, tacos to life’s purpose in less than a minute.” Jake chuckled. “You don’t mess around.”
“I never joke about tacos.” Helen squeezed his arm gently. “We don’t have to talk about that though, it just popped into my head.”
Jake shook his head. “No, it’s fine. I haven’t been seeing patients for awhile now, but I’m still at the hospital.”
“You were general practice, right?”
Jake nodded. “I’ve been doing a lot of paperwork.” He sighed. “I wanted to be a doctor to help people.”
“You still can.” Helen knew this wasn’t a pleasant topic, but she wasn’t one to shy away from uncomfortable conversations, at least not anymore.
Jake nodded. “Yeah, I just have to figure out how. I don’t know how bad my vision will be or how quickly it will get there.” He exhaled slowly. “I’ve thought about a few things, maybe I could take some classes to become a psychologist, maybe I would work more behind the scenes, like securing funding for hospital programs.
She looked up at him. “Well, you don’t have to know everything right now.”
Jake’s eye widened in surprise. “New Helen strikes again.”
Helen smiled. “I guess we’re both resetting.”
“I guess we are.” He played with the ends of her hair. “Together.”
“Together.” Helen reached her head up and kissed him lightly. “I feel like we just made a pact.”
Jake smiled. “Do we need a secret handshake?”
Helen giggled. “You mean like the one you and Duncan had in high school?”
“Your have the memory of an elephant.” Jake had no idea Helen had taken any notice of him back then.
“An elephant never forgets.” Helen poked him in the ribs. “And that will be the last time you compare me to an elephant.”
Jake grinned. “That was more of a greeting than a secret handshake anyway.”
“How many greetings involve a snap and a point?” Helen mimicked the move.
Jake grabbed her hand playfully, pulling it into his chest. He held it there and they both paused.
“So close that your hand on my chest is my hand…” Helen couldn’t resist.
“So close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.” Jake finished quietly. He had gone back to that poem so much over the years it was a part of his soul now.
“You know what else I bought on Amazon?” She ran her hand along his forearm.
Jake shook his head.
“A frame.”
“Of course you did.” Jake laughed. “I’m surprised you didn’t already have one ready for your certificate.”
She laughed as she leaned up to kiss him. “This is way better than a certificate.”