Their New Beginning (Oh Captain, My Captain 5)

“Jax, hear me out. I don’t mind doing it. I really don’t, and here lately,” I take a deep breath. “My job isn’t fun like it used to be. This promotion is putting a lot of stress on me, and I don’t know if I can do it. But, I know I can take care of you. I mean, you can’t even work your phone. I’m surprised you turned on the laptop.” A giggle leaves me before I know it.

“I’ll learn or I’ll hire someone who can work it. The answer’s no, Avery. I don’t want…” He shakes his head. “It’s not going to happen.”

“You would rather hire a stranger and have me train them because you don’t know how to work anything, instead of hiring me? I know all of this, Jax. I’ve been taking care of your schedule for years. This can work,” I plead with him.

“No, it can’t, Avery. You complained that I treated you like an accountant and an assistant.” His voice is rising, and he’s becoming angrier. “You cheated on me! I’m not hiring you to do the job you were tired of doing. Forget it.”

“I’m aware of what I’ve done to our marriage, but that doesn’t mean I stopped loving you. I’ve thought hard about this. I know you still care about me. I know that you know I can do this. I want to save our marriage and this will let us spend more time together. I’ll be here for you more and you can trust me.”

He stares at me for a moment, and I know that he’s seriously thinking about it. “You’re absolutely sure this is what you want to do?”

“Yes. Please, Jax. Let me do this. I told you that I would do anything for our marriage. I want to do this for us, for our marriage, and for you. Please,” I beg.

“Okay then.”

I clap my hands. This is it. We can find our connection again. I raise my arms to hug his neck, but his look says it all. “Sorry.” I hang my head.

Jax nods and walks away. There’s still a lot of rebuilding to do in our relationship.

~ ~ ~

“Wait. What?” Jasmine’s shakes her

head.

“Yep, I put in my notice. I’m going to work for Jax.”

“You’re quitting? Like for real?”

I nod. I thought about it all night last night while lying in bed. Alone. Jax is still sleeping across the hall, and I know it’s going to take him time.

“What does this mean? Are you and Jax okay?”

I shrug. “This will help. I’ll be with him more, and he’ll know that I want to be part of his hockey life.”

“Wow. Congrats, but... wow. You’ve always wanted to be a nurse, and I thought you loved the promotion.”

“Yes, I wanted to be a nurse, but I want Jax more. I made a massive mistake, and I’m going to do anything and everything to fix it. This is step one. Plus, I don’t want him hiring someone who’s going to have access to all our personal information, you know?”

“Why can’t he do it himself?”

“Jax? No way. He can stick handle like no one’s business, but can barely use his email. Trust me; he needs help in that department.”

“I see your point.” She pouts. “I’m going to miss you.” She hugs me.

“I will still be in Vegas. We can still hang out.”

“Yeah, but who am I going to have lunch with?”

I roll my eyes. “I’m sure there's a single resident doctor who can help you with that.”

She thinks for a second. “You’re right.”

I laugh at her as I go and clean out my locker. It’s bittersweet, but I know that this is what’s best for us. I want Jax and our marriage, and this is right.

~ ~ ~

I tap my pen on the table, reading the emails. Some are from crazy fans, that’s normal and come more and more often. Most want Jax to make appearances and be a keynote. Jax isn’t the greatest public speaker. He’s fine when it comes to hockey-talk, but a keynote? Not Jax. I go through his schedule and send the standard, thank you but he’s not able to attend, letters.