Leaving Home
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: All recognizable The Bold Type characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners including, but not limited to Freeform. The original characters and plot are the property of the author of this fan fiction story. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any previously copyrighted material. No financial gain is associated with the publishing of this story. No copyright infringement is intended.
Author's note: This is a rewrite of the ending of the series finale (05x06 "I Expect You to Have Adventures").
Jane stood in the doorway of the editor-in-chief's office admiring the woman who had inhabited that office for as long as Jane had worked for the magazine. There was nothing about this beautiful woman she didn't admire. Her grace, both under pressure and in her daily life outside the walls of Safford, was remarkable. Her talent was something Jane had always envied and pushed herself toward. Her heart. Jacqueline Carlyle never got the recognition she deserved for caring deeply about her people. Yes, she wanted them to succeed at their jobs and encouraged them to do so. But she wanted them to thrive as human beings and she gave so much of herself to every one of them to make that possible.
"A penny for your thoughts?" Her voice was also magnificent.
"You caught me," Jane smiled, entering the office and making her way around the desk to where the blonde sat.
"You looked deep in thought," Jacqueline took the writer's hand as Jane approached.
"I was contemplating how deeply you have cared for every employee that has walked through that door."
"Some more than others," Jacqueline winked at the young woman.
"Do you regret retiring?" the brunette sincerely wondered.
Turning in her chair so she could look straight at Jane, the editor raised an eyebrow and waited for an explanation. With none forthcoming, she turned the tables.
"Are you regretting your decision to leave this place? Kat did say you could do what you want to do while still employed by Scarlet."
"No," Jane was convincing. "Absolutely not. I am looking forward to seeing the world, gaining experience and hopefully challenging my perspective on life."
Jane stepped forward until her legs were pressed against Jacqueline's knees. She gave the hand in hers a squeeze.
"I want to do this with you. I am looking forward to the time together. The thought of not having to hide our relationship because of this place? Don't you find that exhilarating?" she said.
Intertwining their fingers and rubbing the young woman's thumb, Jacqueline let the tears that had been threatening since she walked off the elevator one more time fall unabated. She closed her eyes when Jane navigated the chair and wrapped her arms around her shoulders. Leaning her head against Jane's abdomen and chest, she let herself cry it out.
"It's okay, sweetie," Jane whispered. "Let those tears go."
When she had cried as much as was needed to get through the conversation, she took Jane's hand and placed it on the side of her face, holding it there.
"I do not regret this for a second. Not leaving this magazine, not taking this step with you by my side, not loving you. And maybe it won't always be easy to be who we are wherever we are, but we will weather that together," she released Jane's hand and brought it to her lips for a gentle kiss.
"I love you and I am so proud of you," Jane hummed.
Jacqueline stood from her chair, quite a sight in the gorgeous blue dress Sutton chose for her, and pulled Jane into a long, passionate kiss. It left them both out of breath and fighting the onset of arousal.
"I've wanted to do that in this office for years," Jacqueline rasped.
"God, you never cease to take my breath away. In all the ways. What do you say we get out of here?"
Letting go of one another, the older woman nodded. She was ready to say goodbye to what had been her home for so long. She had been editor for longer than most last in the job. It had taken years from her. Years of her boys' soccer games and school plays, parent-teacher conferences and swimming lessons. She had grown older and wiser in the job, but that wasn't without a cost. Her marriage had collapsed due in no small part to her dedication to the magazine. She had lost touch with friends. The love she once had for writing dulled over time when she didn't nurture her strengths as a writer. Some things she had lost would never return.
However, Scarlet brought much to her life as well. Employees became friends and friends became family. She had traveled the world, met incredible people, lived an extravagant lifestyle. And more than anything, Scarlet is where she found Jane. Her soulmate. The woman who matched her passion for important writing. The woman who fought hard and felt everything deeply. They were so much alike in that way, but different in ways that strengthened their relationship and balanced one another. Though an odd pairing in the eyes of some, once they allowed themselves to love and trust, it didn't matter what anyone else thought; They knew it was meant to be.
"I'm ready," Jacqueline spoke.
Holding hands as they walked through the bullpen, both of them for the last time, they laughed about memories and got choked up talking about things they would miss. Once in the elevator, Jacqueline placed her hand on the small of Jane's back and tilted her head, resting it on Jane's shoulder.
"I love you, too," she whispered, leaving a smile on Jane's face.
The elevator doors opened and there stood Kat, Adena, Sutton and Richard.
"I thought you had gone!" Jane exclaimed at the sight of her friends.
"Ladies," Jacqueline nodded. "And Richard, how wonderful to see you."
Kissing Richard on the cheek, Jacqueline whispered in his ear: "You made the right choice. She is irreplaceable."
He smiled broadly and nodded in agreement.
"What are you doing here?" Jacqueline asked.
While the editor had never spent much time with Adena, she respected her greatly and knew how important she was to Kat. Kat was a better person with Adena by her side. Jacqueline had become very close to Kat and Sutton over the course of her relationship with their friend, roommate and sister. Many hours had been spent together over after work drinks at a local bar or at the end of the night when she delivered Jane home and stayed for a glass of wine. They were Jane's family and thus her own.
"We thought we would walk you out one last time, boss lady," Sutton grinned.
"Jane is great and all, but wouldn't you rather a whole posse?" Kat winked at Jacqueline while linking arms with Sutton.
"I suppose you are right," the blonde was touched. "Lead on, Miss Editor."
Kat shook her head, still in disbelief that she had been given the gig. Adena clearly found her adorable. She, too, linked arms with Kat and they began the walk through the expansive atrium to the exit. Richard took Sutton's hand. Jacqueline looked at Jane who was watching Richard's action and saw the tear fall from her eye. Reaching up, she wiped the tear away. She wrapped her arm around the brunette and followed Kat's lead.
"So, that little slide show your boys put together isn't the only surprise," Kat grinned.
Jacqueline looked at Jane who turned red.
"You knew about this?" she bumped her hip into the younger woman's.
"Maybe?"
As they made their way outside there was a stretch limousine waiting for them.
"Is this?" the blonde looked to Jane again. "You guys are too much."
"We thought you should go to the airport in style," Kat said.
"But home first," Sutton piped up. "That dress better not set foot in JFK."
Jacqueline laughed.
"I am going to miss you all," she stepped forward to hug Sutton tight.
"You will always be family," the stylist said to her mentor and friend.
"Don't forget what I said about being confident in who you are, Sutton. And trust him when he says he chooses you," Jacqueline whispered leaving the young woman with tears in her eyes.
"Adena," Jacqueline said when she had let go of Sutton, gesturing for a hug.
"It's not easy being the partner of the editor-in-chief," Jacqueline said when they parted. "Ask Jane, it takes a great deal of patience and understanding. There are long days, fashion weeks, emergencies and a board to contend with. Just remember Kat loves you and will always come home to you."
The older woman had read the development between the two women correctly.
"And Kat," she stepped in to the hug her successor was already offering. "You are going to be fabulous. You are the perfect person for this job. Treat Scarlet well and the staff even better. Best of luck with Andrew."
They all shared a laugh.
"Thank you, Jacqueline. I am indebted to you."
Shaking her perfectly styled hair, the editor wiped a tear.
"Shall we, Jane?" she looked at her friend, partner and lover.
"We shall," Jane took her hand and stepped toward the limousine where the driver was holding the door for them. "Actually, go ahead."
Returning to Kat and Sutton, she pulled them both in. They laughed, cried and even squealed.
"Bye, babe. Don't have too much fun on vacation. Call us as soon as you are back. We want details," Kat said.
"Maybe not all of the details," Sutton wiggled her eyebrows causing her friend to turn beet red.
"I love you guys," Jane shook her head.
Jane hugged Adena and Richard before stepping into the limo. She waved as the door was closed. The window went down before she was even settled and Jacqueline leaned across her lap.
"Take good care of my baby," Jacqueline instructed.
"Take good care of ours," Sutton said with a wink.
The blonde kissed Jane on the cheek. The car began moving and they waved furiously until they were a block away.
"I can't believe we are really doing this," Jane took Jacqueline's hand in both of hers. "I can't believe I get to have you."
Pressing a gentle kiss to Jane's lips, Jacqueline spoke with such warmth and love that the young woman felt she was floating: "You are everything I have ever wanted and needed, Jane Sloan. For me Scarlet will always be the place where I found you. Closing the door on that chapter of my life and going forward with you as you begin the next chapter in yours is the greatest decision I have ever made. I can't believe I ever fought my feelings for you or attempted to persuade you that we couldn't do this. This is exactly what we should be doing."
Jane had tears on her cheeks and a ball of emotions in her throat. No words would come. Instead, she leaned forward and kissed Jacqueline. They held each other until they reached the loft where they would change before going to the airport. They would be holding each other a lot as they charted the path to their future.
And eventually it would lead back to Scarlet. Scarlet was like family.
-Finis-
