Unleashing the Truth: Chapter 14
Note: Jo is taking her boards but I'm not actually writing it up because I don't do medical terms that well but you'll get an idea on how it went.
Jo had taken the chance to get much needed rest on the bus ride to San Francisco, with all the traveling the last week, then staying up studying she figured she needed the sleep. Ben had sat next to her with some flashcards to do some extra studying. " Didn't you study enough?" She found herself mumbling in frustration.
" You can never study enough, it's our boards we need to be prepared." The resident commented nudging his friend's shoulder.
" Just keep it quiet I'm trying to sleep." She mumbled. Shifting her eyes shut, she kept her mouth shut. Jo wasn't feeling the best, but the resident didn't think much of it she figured it was only nerves getting the best of her. With that the two residents didn't say much more as Jo finally let herself drift off to sleep.
It was a few hours later when the group of residents were walking into the hotel they'd be staying at. With her bag in her grasp as she rolled the suitcase in, hearing the clicking upon the floors they waited for them all to be checked in before heading up to her room for the next night.
To say Alex felt good after their goodbye was an understatement. Jo was his home, that was the bottom line. He'd go anywhere as long as he had her. It would be quite sad considering he did just buy a house for them, but he was positive they'd make it work.
He had headed back into the hospital to go deal with his patients, it was more so to keep himself busy. He was currently at the nurse's desk looking over a chart when Jackson came up behind him.
" Tonight, it's guy's night minus Ben, since we're all off. " Jackson figured he needed some breathing space from April, she had already told him she was taking their daughter to hang out with Arizona, that night, and he happened to know most of the guys were off. It was rare they all hung out.
" Where?" Alex had nothing better to do with Jo away so he figured why not.
" Mine, Owen is bringing the beer, also Deluca is coming are you two cool?" He wanted to make sure with everything that happened in the past.
" Yeah, I promise not to hurt him, although if he ever makes move on Jo again, I can't make promises..." Of course, Alex was only joking when he said the words. But based on his friend's face he wasn't so sure. " I'm kidding. Relax, I've learned my lesson."
Jackson let out a laugh before he turned on his foot heading down the narrow halls.
Guys night, this should be fun right? The male shook his head as he turned to step into his patient's room. A good distraction was needed in the end.
The day went by in a blur, patient after patient eventually Alex found himself over at Jackson's. He had just gotten there settling himself down in one of the chairs with Jackson in the kitchen finishing cooking. Owen had just arrived a few minutes before him with the beer, now they seemed to only be waiting on Deluca. It was nice to get out and hang out with the guys here and there. He had texted Jo before he came to check in to see how she was doing, but he didn't expect to hear anything back.
Awhile later all the guys were settled down chatting about something stupid. Jackson was asking for advice about April, he guessed something happened recently. Something about Montana, of course Alex was only listening to parts. Then there was Owen who was complaining about Amelia, which he already knew that story after living with the women for months.
" Maybe both of you should stop complaining and actually, do something. It's the only way your relationships are goanna get sorted." Which was true. If Alex had sat back and kept questioning the right and wrong he knew he and Jo would still be circling each other.
" Says you, the one that's happy right?" Jackson in the frustration of his situation couldn't help but comment back.
" Well... If we're talking, yes unlike you guys who seem completely unhappy I couldn't be happier." Alex found pride in how happy he was. Who would've thought out of all of them he'd be the only one in a happy relationship.
Jackson only shook his head as he lifted himself up to walk back into the kitchen to get another beer.
" You and Wilson have been together for years, despite the little break up right? " When Owen got a nod from his friend he decided to continue on. " Is that all you want is to live together? Do you plan on locking it in, proposing?" Owen was sure they all were curious since Karev was telling them how happy he was.
" It's complicated." Alex spoke sharing a small look with Deluca seeing as they both knew the reason why he couldn't marry Jo. " Don't get me wrong I want to, but it's complicated. I just know I want to spend the rest of my life with her." He soon hoped that was enough although he didn't have to justify anything to the other doctors.
After that they all seemed to nod and move on to work discussion. While the guys were talking Deluca had patted his shoulder and nodded to head to the kitchen to talk. Of course, this left Alex confused considering the pair weren't friends. Placing his beer down on the table he slowly lifted himself up to his feet. With small strides he made his way to the kitchen where the resident was waiting. " Listen I know this might be weird, but what's weirder is you wanting to talk to me alone." Of course, Alex was trying to make a joke in order to lighten the mood between them.
" I know, but what I'm about to say I can't exactly say in front of them. Jo loves you, you love her that's all that matters. You and I both know it's complicated but you have to know if it were up to Jo she'd marry you in a heartbeat. Obviously, it can't be legal with her already marriage, but if you show her your commitment, that's all that will matter." Of course, this may have been a shock coming from him, but he knew how much Jo loved Alex and after hearing Alex talk he felt like he could help somehow.
To say Alex was taken back was an understatement. Never did he think Deluca of all people would be telling him this. Although it did give him an idea, but it wasn't like he hadn't been thinking about it for some time. " Thank you. I know we've had our ups and downs, but I am sorry about everything. You're a good guy." Both males shared a nod before they headed back to their spots. With that the night went without a hitch.
Jo had finally gotten her stomach to calm down a few minutes before she had to walk inside through the doors to her fate. Nervous was an understatement, but after she walked back out meeting Ben he looked confident and so was she. Everything seemed to fall into place until she felt her sickness all over again. In one swift step she nearly ran to the trash can that was in the hall leaning her upper frame over the can she found herself throwing up yet again.
" Hey, are you okay? You'd think now your nerves would go away." Ben leaned himself beside his friend his hands taking her hair to hold back while she continued to throw up.
Jo waited until she was done to speak. " I'm fine, just nervous about the results." Lifting herself up she straighten herself out before starting to the door to leave. " Come on, we have to get our stuff and meet Webber outside at the busses." Jo just wasn't feeling the best, but she was positive it was only nerves. A while later the resident was walking through the hotel lobby with Ben, her hand tightens around the handle of the suitcase. It was weird when Jo felt like someone was watching her, her eyes would dart at the different angles of the lobby, but nothing out of normal. Maybe it was just her off feeling, she tried not to dwell on the thought as she piled onto the bus.
Elsewhere in the lobby...
Paul had been doing conferences around LA for the past few weeks, but since he was in town he had gotten a call a few days ago being asked to fill in for an examiner. He figured why not. He didn't realize until he got here his answer would be there. For a while after his wife left he wondered where she disappeared to, maybe dead even which wouldn't have been the worst thing for him. But as he held the sheet of paper listing the names of residents, and hospitals they belonged to.
Of course, he didn't see his wife's name, but from the corner of his eye he noticed her. Maybe a different hair color, but the face was clear as day. If only he knew where she was attending. But as he hid behind the wall in the corner he heard some guy refer to her as Jo. " Jo" he whispered to himself as his eyes scanned over the sheet. He wasn't an idiot obviously he couldn't make a move now, that's why he needed to know where she was from. At least this way he'd know where'd to look. Seattle, Grey-Sloan Hospital. Interesting he thought as he watched the brunette walk along with her friend. He watched her look around the lobby, so innocent. If only Jo would realize what was coming her way.
After the night at Jackson's the very next day Alex had put a plan in motion. He had worked his shift that morning at the hospital before he ended up getting what he needed.
When he arrived to the house, he had set the box of powdered donuts on the counter. Inside on each donut there was a letter that spelled out " Marry me". Of course, he knew Jo well enough to know that she'd question why he'd ask again when he knew she couldn't say yes. But this wasn't like the other proposals he offered her. In the end all he needed was her, all that mattered was the love the pair had for each other. That's when he heard the door opening and closing.
The bus ride was nothing special, Jo was still feeling like someone had been watching her at the hotel. But she tried to push those thoughts aside. She was focused on getting the results of her boards, and getting to see Alex. If everything was going to go according to plan, the two would be happy, no matter where they lived. Jo had decided not to make a decision on her future until the results came back.
Once the bus pulled up to the hospital, the brunette knew Alex had already gone home, so she asked Ben if he could give her a lift to the house. It wasn't far; of course, Ben agreed. It wasn't long before she had arrived back to the house, her bag in toe. Closing the door behind her, she placed her suitcase in the corner.
" Hey, looks like you held the fort down while I was away." Of course, Jo was only teasing her boyfriend as she walked over to where he was behind the counter in the kitchen. She slipped her arms right around his torso.
" Did you think I was goanna destroy the place?" He added with a smile as he placed his hands over hers.
" Maybe" Jo whispered to her boyfriend as she pressed a few small kisses to his neck.
With that the pair had lost themselves in just holding one another. With all the traveling Jo had been doing the last week to Alex it seemed like forever since they've just been together. But he decided to wait for Jo to see the donuts, he didn't want to make it obvious he was up to something.
Once Jo untangled her arms from around the male her eyes landed on the box of donuts from their favorite place. " You got donuts?" She raised a questioning brow toward the male.
" Yes, speaking of which can you grab me one?" He added causally, as he finished cleaning the remaining dishes that were in the dish. He'd glance over his shoulder just to make sure she went over to the box. He waited for her to start to open the box before he cleaned his hands off from all the soap, and water in order to take the little black box from his pocket flickering the top open to reveal the engagement ring he had bought a year or two back when he first asked Jo to marry him.
Shrugging her shoulders Jo didn't think much of the question, considering Alex could be lazy sometimes. She walked over to the box of donuts, her fingers pealed the box open. A grasp escaped her lips when she noticed the letters on each donut spelled " Marry Me." She didn't know why Alex would ask, when he already knew the answer.
" Alex..." She whispered darting her eyes up only to see him holding the ring out to her. " I want to, you have to know that. But you know I can't say yes"
He was expecting this, but he wasn't letting it stop him from going on. Slowly stepping forward until he was standing in front the brunette. " Jo... I know we can't get marry like any other couple. But I love you, and I know you love me. I once told you all I needed was you, I meant it. I don't want any big thing, all I need is you. This is me showing my commitment to you, me telling you I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I know things can be complicated, but no matter what happens we'll have each other. Say yes." At this point he was basically pleading with her to leap in here.
He did his part, now he just hoped she'd say yes.