Josie's Fella

Genre: Family, Romance, FUTURE FIC

Pairings: Johnnie and Josie, Greg and Molly, Greer and Sam, background

Main characters: Johnnie and Josie

John Lestrade, having had a good shift with his EMS unit, took the time to go home to change before meeting up with Josie at The Weathered Oak.

Josie, for her part, had finished her own shift with a light heart and an easy smile for her customers. A few of her regulars noticed the shine in her eyes and the glow in her cheeks.

"Have a fella now, do ya lass?" a Scotland Yard Police Sergeant asked. "Ah, you've got that glow. The one that says you're in love. I see it in my own wife when I come home. Bloody blessed bloke I am." Josie simply smiled bashfully at him in response, before asking if he needed another round.

"Even prettier than usual, love," the pediatric nurse commented. "You've always a smile for us but lately lass, you're radiant." At him, again, Josie simply smiled, blushing.

"That's him, is it?" one of the last customers of her shift commented with a smile and a wink, as she nodded towards John, headed towards The Nook. This one was a grandmotherly type, a retired veterinarian, always came in for a pint first then a cup of their very best coffee. "I know, I'm a contradiction. Just can't beat the service here though," she had said with a smile.

Josie couldn't deny it. "Yeah," she said shyly, as she swiped the bar with a cleaning cloth. "That's my fella."

"Well he's a right bloody fox," the older woman had said. "Well done dear. We should all be as lucky as I was with my Stan. And you are with your young lad."

"Well Beth," Josie said, "You're my last customer of shift. I'll be joining him in a few."

"A gal couldn't even call him handsome, Josie," Beth said, nearly whispering in the busy pub. "He's past that, he's actually beautiful. That's rare in a man, let me say."

Josie giggled. "Yeah. Well believe it or not, he's an identical twin, and they both look exactly like their dad. If he's any indication, they won't lose a bit of it with age."

Beth honestly gasped. "THREE of them, then? Sod it, Jo, I was born far too early!"

Josie grinned with mischief. "Probably," she said, as John caught her eyes.

When she had officially clocked out, with a smile and a hug to Beth, Josie had picked up her own drink – a glass of merlot, and one for John, a pint of imported amber ale, and joined her beloved in The Nook.

John greeted her by standing up, as a true gentleman should, and kissing her as much as he dared in that very public setting.

"Good shift, then?" Josie asked him, sighing happily as her feet thanked her for the first time in eight hours.

"Better than average," John said, smiling. "One emergency childbirth in the back of the ambulance, a gorgeous healthy little boy and a really surprised mum," he laughed. "Strong one, she was. Hardly blinked twice. Just popped him out casual as you please! Then there was a cardiac arrest we managed to bring back en route. Near as I know he's stablilized in hospital."

"I can tell, you know," Josie said, snuggling up to him and smiling to herself as his arm found its way around her. "That you've had a good shift."

"Oh?" John asked, giving her a squeeze and a leisurely peck to her temple.

"Yeah," Josie said. "For one thing, you took the time to go home and change. For another you're drinking amber ale, and you only do that to treat yourself when you've had a really good day. You're like Scott, darling. Your order reflects your mood."

"YOU reflect my mood," John said, looking her in the eyes. "No matter what, knowing I get to finish a day with you is enough to end it on a good note."

"Well still," she said, giggling softly, "I can tell."

"Yeah," John admitted. "I reckon you can. So, my beautiful girl," he said. "Plans are for the usual Lestrade Family Debriefing this evening, and probably wedding plans with mum and Greer. I know you're a bridesmaid but I'm sure you won't miss much just yet," he said, sneaking a leisurely kiss. "Scott knows we may not be in attendance. You know, Love," he said, as he pulled away, gazing at her adoringly with a gleam in his dark brown eyes, "Scott and Greer here at the Oak with mum and dad means the flat is to ourselves, if we wish."

"Are you asking if we wish?" Josie said mischievously.

"I suppose I am, yeah," John said, studying his glass with deliberate attention, before turning back to her with a crooked smile.

"Well then, I think we wish," she said, stretching her neck up to meet his kiss. "As for the debriefing… I suspect we can text that in. I doubt we'll be missed."

"Pretty sure they'll all understand, and approve," John whispered, as he kissed her back.