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Your life has always been full of unpredictabilities and unsurety. The people in your life had always kept secrets that would leave you hurt in the end.
It had gotten to the point where you were weary of making new friends or getting attached to people. It felt like you’d never have anyone you could trust.
Then you got a nursing job at Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center. It’s where you met your closest friends..
It’s also where you met him.
Jack Abbot.
He was everything you were afraid to have. Afraid to trust. He didn’t seem real. That’s why it took a few months of him pursuing you and wearing you down until you agreed to date him.
It had been the best decision you made and you’ve loved every minute over the last year and a half.
Then one day the bad feelings started coming back.
Something's been up with Jack lately and it’s starting to put you on edge.
It started about two weeks ago.
You and Jack had been laying on the couch watching tv when his phone rang. You go to pick it up and hand it to him, a normal thing you do but before you can sit up he’s rushing up to grab it. “Sorry baby, I gotta take this.”
He walks to the bedroom and closes the door most of the way.
Okay?
Jack had never done that with you.
You worry a little but then let it go. Maybe it was confidential information that he didnt want you to overhear. Maybe it was something personal with family.
The next thing you notice is how much he’s been working lately.
Normally he has a regular night shift schedule and is on for 4-5 days and then off the other days. Recently, he’s been working about six days a week and picking up day shifts too. He claimed it was due to a shortage on day shift but you knew Robby had just filled the empty shifts and the place was fully staffed as of now.
You wanted to ask him about things but were too afraid of the answer. But it was starting to eat away at you and you needed some answers.
Maybe you could talk to Robby. He might know what's been up with your boyfriend.
—
You walk into the pitt for your shift and see Robby at the hub. Looking around, you dont see Jack so you quickly make your way to him.
“Robby?” you ask as you approach the nurses station.
He looks up and smiles “Hey kiddo, what can I do for ya?”
You wring your fingers a little.
“Do you know what's up with Jack lately?”
A look crosses his face that you can't decipher.
“What do you mean? What makes you ask that?” he asks curiously.
You shrug “I just– he’s acting weird and I’m worried”
“Dont sweat it kid” he shakes his head a bit “Bet he’s just been busy with work lately.”
“Yeah, I guess you're right. Thanks Rob.”
He gives you a quick side hug.
“Any time.”
You turn and head towards the ambulance bay doors still not feeling secure about Jack’s recent behavior.
Robby watches you walk off, a small frown on his face.
He pulls out his phone and sends a quick text.
‘𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘴𝘩𝘦'𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘪𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘰𝘯.’
﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌
Today’s your day off and you were oddly feeling okay given the recent events with Jack. He had been working a few day shifts every week to help out, info via Robby, so maybe it really was taking a toll on him.
You thought about what Robby said and decided that if work is what’s bothering him then you could bring him lunch today as a pick me up.
You stopped by his favorite sandwich shop and walked into the pitt.
“Hey doll, I thought you were off today?” Dana smiles as you approach the hub.
You smile back.
“Thought I’d bring the night owl some food since he’s been working so much. Know where I can find him?”
She turns to read the patient board.
“He was last with a patient near room 14. She points to the room and you see a glimpse of grey curls walk past into the next room.
“I see him. Thanks D!”
“No problem! See ya sweetpea!” she waves as you make your way to Jack.
When he sees you his face lights up with a smile.
“Hey honey, thought you were relaxing today?”
You give him a quick kiss.
“Just wanted to bring you something to eat. I know you’re working a lot. Thought you could use something better than a vending machine option”
He chuckles, “Thank you sweetheart, you’re the best.”
Suddenly his phone rings.
He sees the screen and quickly grabs it. “I gotta take this, it’s Robby. He was supposed to get back to me with patient information from earlier. Can you put this in the break room fridge for me?” he says as he hands you back the sandwich.
Your heart sinks a little.
You had wanted to spend a little time with him today.
“Yeah baby, of course” you give him a half smile.
He grabs your hand gently “I’ll see you later tonight okay?”
You nod as you grab the food and head towards the break room. You don’t get very far as you see Robby waves you over from the nurses station. He’s on the phone so you wait for him to finish.
“I know Noelle. Yeah, I know we were supposed to have dinner but stuff came up, look I-“
You stop listening after that.
Noelle?
Wasn’t he on the phone with Jack?
You turn your head back to the room Jack’s in and see him smile as he talks.
Robby clearly isn’t talking to Jack.
So who is?
Your heart sinks and all the feelings you had managed to silence yesterday are on full blast now.
I can’t be here.
You quickly turn and leave the pitt, not waiting to hear what Robby had to say.
The only thought in your head?
What am I going to do?
﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌
You drive around a bit trying to gather your emotions and figure out what to do.
One call to Trinity and you have a place to stay as long as you need. After that’s taken care of, you make it back to Jack's apartment and start packing your stuff.
Jack gets home not too long after you and makes his way to the bedroom where he figures you are.
His smile drops at the sight of you stuffing your clothes in a large duffle bag.
"Sweetheart….what's going on?”
You shake your head as you continue pulling clothes from the dresser.
He moves in front of you to get your attention.
“Hey.. what happened. Baby please talk to me.”
“You already know.”
“Know what? Honey I-“
“Just stop! Stop calling me honey, sweetheart, whatever. You clearly didn’t mean it, any of it.”
Jack starts really worrying because he has no idea what’s happening or where this is coming from.
“If you wanted someone else, you should’ve just said so. Not lie to me and sneak around with whoever the fuck it is you’re talking to.”
“I’m not-“
“You’re not what? Lying about phone calls? Not home as often? Working more day shifts now? I hope she’s worth it.”
You don’t give him a chance to respond as you brush past him and rush out of the door.
He doesn’t miss the tears that start falling.
His heart breaks as you slam the door shut.
Fuck.
You had it all wrong.
﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌
The next day you arrive to the pitt a bit early. You had an appointment with your obgyn for your yearly visit. Normally, you’d go to her practice across town but she had mentioned being at ptmc anyways so you decided to have it done here.
You check your phone and see dozens upon dozens of unread texts, missed calls and voicemails from Jack.
The sadness comes rolling back as you think about it all. He seemed hurt for someone who was likely cheating but you couldn’t bring yourself to hear him out. You didn't want to know why he did it or who it was with.
—-
You're on the exam table with your feet in the stirrups. The ob asks you the standard questions as she preps the things she’ll need for the appointment.
Alright.
“Alright hun, slide your butt down to the edge and then relax your knees and let them drop to the side.
You do so and clasp your hands across your stomach, staring at the ceiling s your mind is plagued with thoughts of Jack.
“Now, I’m going to insert the speculum. It’ll feel a little cold and you’ll feel some pressure. Just relax.”
She inserts the tool and widens it. You feel the slight pressure.
“Next I’ll swa-”
She’s cut off by Jack storming in through the door into the room.
“Excuse me sir!” your ob says taken aback by his entrance.
“It’s doctor Abbot”
“Well Dr. Abbot” she starts “This is a private appointment and you need to leave.”
He huffs out a laugh.
“It’s not very private if it’s in my Google calendar. Also, that’s my girlfriend and I have something important to say.”
Your doctor looks at you, silently letting you know she’ll kick his ass if you don't want him here.
“It’s fine, we’ll be quick.”
She nods and steps out of the room.
You roll your eyes and lean your head to the side to look at him.
“What could you possibly need to say to me right now Jack?”
He takes a few steps forward.
“Sweetheart, I know things looked bad yesterday. I know. But it's not what you think. I’ll tell you everything but I have to do this first.”
He then grabs something from his back pocket and gets down on one knee by the exam table where you can see him.
Holy. Shit.
He is sooo not doing this here, is he?
“Jack, get the fuck up, right now.”
He opens the small velvet box to reveal a gorgeous diamond ring.
“Jack, you are not proposing to me while my vagina is out for all of Pittsburgh to see.”
He shakes his head with an amused smile.
“This isn’t how I planned to do this, trust me. I had the place, the food, a speech, everything. But I don't need all of that. I just need you. You’re the love of my life and I love you infinitely. Will you marry me sweetheart?
You don't realize you’re crying as hot tears hit the paper on the exam table.
“Youre something else Jack Abbot. But yes, of fucking course I’ll marry you” you whisper with a watery smile.
“Thank fuck.” he murmurs as he stands quickly and leans over you on the table and kisses you.
He pulls back and brushes his hand over your cheek, wiping the tears.
“I love you sweetheart. There’s no one else for me.”
You giggle as you wipe another tear.
“I see that now and I'm so sorry. Is this what you’ve been sneaky about lately?”
He nods “Yeah baby. I don't have time for anyone else. Too busy making sure you stay with me forever.”
Then suddenly the sound of clapping pulls you both out of your little bubble.
You look up to see Robby and Dana at the room’s entrance with wide smiles on their faces.
“Okay!” you say loudly as you close your legs together “I love you both to death but please can we not have an audience for my vagina?!”
Dana lets out a cackle as she grabs Robby by the arm.
“Alright alright but congratulations to you both! Love you sweetpea!”
“Love you kiddo!” Robby adds.
When they both leave, you face Jack again and you both break into a fit of laughter.
“I cant believe you just did that J.”
He shakes his head with laughter as he slides the ring onto your finger.
“I’m just glad you still love me and said yes.”
“Again, I'm sorry I insinuated you were cheating. I should've just talked to you.”
He kisses your forehead.
“It’s all good baby, I promise. God, I can't wait to make you my wife.”
“Hmmm” you hum dramatically “I guess Mrs. Abbot has a nice ring to it.”
Jack pinches your side lightly.
“Hey!” you giggle from the ticklish feeling.
“Well,” he begins “Want me to finish your exam?”
“Jack Abbot!”
He winks at you.
“That’s my name, honey. Don't wear it out.”