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Chris dropped Jay back off at the house just after tea time on Sunday.

'Well..... how did the weekend go?' asked Anna excitedly, as Jay ambled tiredly into the kitchen.

'Good yeah, we went walking, swimming, had a bbq, toasted marshmallows, stayed in the hot tub until our fingers went wrinkly.... And loads more that I can't even remember!' Replied Jay happily.

'That's great, but you know fine well that's not what I'm asking you. Now, you're not talking to your mum and dad, you're talking to me, Anna, your favourite sister in law'

'My only sister in law' corrected Jay.

'Technicalities Jayme' said Anna, not giving in to Jay's distraction technique.

'Oh I see, I'm getting my Sunday name am I?' Laughed Jay.

Anna glowered at her. 'Spill'

'Okay, there were a few kisses and we did share a bed. But that's it. Fully clothed at all times, no hanky panky, not even a cheeky bum squeeze'

'Did he try to, you know?' Asked Anna.

'Actually, no. Neither of us did' said Jay.

'Hmm' said Anna.

'What?' asked Jay, confused by the pensive look on Anna's face.

'Well, if I were in bed with twitters favourite "hot Man City translator girl"- who incidentally now has an Instagram account dedicated to her, then I'd want to be in her knickers' laughed Anna.

'Anna! He's just a gentleman. He's clearly waiting for me to give him the green light, and well, I've not really done that yet, have I? But, I have asked him to be my date to the City Christmas party'

'The same City Christmas party that Jack will be at?' Nothing got past Anna.

'Yes, the one Jack will be at with his "fiancée". So either way it's going to be awkward. Me and Chris always have a good time together so it'll be fine'

'If you say so. Listen Jay, I just want you to be happy with who you want to be with, not who you settle for. That's all I'm saying' said Anna, holding her hands up.

*****

On Monday morning, Jay looked at her work diary for the week, there wasn't really anything exciting to look forward to, apart from on Thursday. On Thursday Rachel had drawn a picture of her, Nadia and Jay in fancy dresses for the Christmas party to remind Jay that they were going late night shopping to choose their outfits.

Nadia was a bit hesitant to leave John on his own for the first time since the accident, but he'd eventually convinced her that she would be absolutely fine to go. Truth be told, her constant nursing and fussing was starting to get a bit much for him, even though he knew that she meant well. He was just dying for a simple game of FIFA where he could shout and swear at his mates til his heart was content. Luckily when he'd posted in the boys group chat about it, they'd all been up for it too.

After her first lesson of the day, Jay took a quick walk down to the staff cafe. Of course she'd looked out over the training pitch to make sure Jack was busy first. She still wasn't ready to bump into him yet, especially when she knew in her heart of hearts that she wouldn't be able to congratulate him on his engagement without bursting into tears.

She had just ordered herself a latte when her phone rang. It was Josh. He should be at work. Her blood ran cold, was something wrong with Olly?

'Hello?' She answered as quick as she could.

'Jay, it's Dad, he's heart attack. Mum said we need to get to Edinburgh ASAP. I don't know but it doesn't sound good' she could tell Josh was about to break down.

'I'll get my stuff and I'll be right home' she said, heading straight for her office, not even waiting for the coffee she'd just ordered.

She ran up to the office and grabbed her bag, then ran back downstairs. She was just about to run out the door when she remembered her car keys were in her jacket pocket, still in the office.

'Jay, are you alright?' called Rachel.

'It's my Dad, I need to go home. He's in hospital. My keys are upstairs' she said running back up. She threw on her jacket and made for the stairs again, but Jack was on his way up after her. He'd seen her crying in reception and needed to know she was okay.

'Jay, what's happened?' He asked.

'My dads in hospital, I need to go home' she said, walking past him and hurrying down the stairs, but he followed her.

'Well you're not driving in this state. I'll take you' said Jack firmly.

'Okay' she nodded, knowing herself she was in no fit state.

'Come on' he said, putting his arm around her and leading her out to his Range Rover.

'But Pep...' she said, realising Jacks training session wasn't finished.

'I'll see him later, some things are more important' he reached over and squeezed her hand. 'You are more important'

'So what hospital is he in?' Asked Jack.

'The Royal Infirmary'

'I know that one, hang on' he said, pulling away, and she realised that he'd misunderstood what she was saying.

'No Jack, in Edinburgh. I need to go to Edinburgh, Josh is meeting me at the house, and we're driving up together' she told him. She was managing to control her tears a bit better now.

'No way, I'll take you both' said Jack without hesitation.

'No, honestly, you can't take us to Edinburgh, don't be daft'

'I've got an idea then' said Jack. He pulled over and flicked through his phone and hit dial.

'Yeah, hi, Jack Grealish here. I need a plane from Manchester to Edinburgh asap for two people. Can you do it?

Yeah, yeah. My account

'Okay, see you in an hour. Thanks bye'

He turned to her and wiped a tear from her eye.
'I might not be able to take you, but I've got you a flight, I'll take you home to get your stuff and get Josh, then I'll drop you both at the airport, okay?' His voice was just so calm that it made her feel better.

Normally she would have told him it was too much, that she didn't need private planes and him running after her, but this was her Dad, and she would walk over hot coals just to get to him.

'Okay' she nodded, texting Josh to let him know what was happening and to be ready.

He couldn't have been more grateful to Jack either. Thanking him repeatedly on the way to the airport. After what seemed like forever, Jack pulled up at the airport. Jay and Josh immediately jumped out. Neither of them wanting to waste a single second. Jack wanted to hug her so much, but he knew it wasn't the time.

'Promise me you'll let me know how he is' said Jack, helping her get her bag from the back of the car.

'I will, I promise' she replied, touched beyond belief by how much Jack clearly cared for her and her family.

'I'll be thinking of ya' he called after them.

Jack sat in his car and watched the small plane take off, he just wished he could have done something more to help her.

It was gone midnight before she messaged, and seeing as it was the night before training, he should have been asleep, but he couldn't settle until he had heard from her.

JaymeDee: thank you so so much for today, you don't know how much it means to us both. Dad's alright, but probably going to be in for the rest of the week, so we won't be coming home until the weekend x

J.G.Priv: I'm just glad he's okay and that I could help. Xx

JaymeDee: you kept me calm and you were there when I needed you most. I'll never forget that x

J.G.Priv: I'll always be here for you x

JaymeDee: I'm sorry for the way I treated you x

J.G.Priv: don't worry about that just now x

J.G.Priv: wait, is it Olly's final this week?

JaymeDee: yeah, Tomorrow, but we're going to miss it, I'm gutted x

J.G.Priv: I'll do him a message saying good luck x

JaymeDee: You're the best ❤️ see you when I'm back x

J.G.Priv: bring me back an irn bru, haven't had one in ages. Sleep well Jay x

She wanted to say so much more, she wanted to tell him that she was sorry for being an idiot, that she missed him, but emotionally she just couldn't deal with it at that moment in time.

'Jaaaaaack' called Tasha from the living room, 'you alright? Your phones going mental'

'Yeah, it's all good' he called back to her. It might have taken something awful to happen, but at least they were talking again.

*****

Jack approached Pep first thing, apologising for running out the day before, but Pep shook his head. He already knew what had happened and he totally agreed with what Jack had done.

'Don't be silly Jack. I'm glad you helped Jay'

'Yeah, no, well, the thing is, it's her nephews cup final tonight and she's missing and so's his Dad. Can we do a video wishing the team good luck, it might cheer him up a bit'

'Fantastic idea, come on, we'll do that now' said Pep, patting Jack on the back. He'd seen a big change in Jack the last few weeks, finally the hard work was paying off.

Pep got one of the back room staff to film him and the players saying good luck and Jack forwarded it straight to Jay, but it didn't feel enough. Then he had a brainwave.

'Hey, lads, anyone up for a cup final tonight?' He asked, smiling.

*****

Jack's video had really cheered Olly up, and he felt really important being able to show it to his team mates.

'Wait, the whole Man City first team are wishing us luck? Wow!' gasped Charlie.

'Aunty Jay strikes again' said Chris, touched that even with everything going on, she'd still thought about the team. 'Right boys, time to warm up' he called.

He had just started taking them through their stretches when he had to take a second look at who was approaching.

Jack, Phil, Kyle, Pep and Ferran had all turned up to watch the game.

'Bloody hell!' Gasped the Mum's who had been rude to Jay before.

Anna smiled as Olly ran up to Jack and gave him a fist bump.

'I know your Dad and Aunty Jay couldn't make it, so we thought we'd come along to cheer you on instead. That alright?' asked Jack.

Olly nodded happily. 'Amazing Jack!'

'Right, well you better get on and warm up. Pep's watching us you know, and you know what he's like' said Jack, playfully indicating behind him.

'Thanks Jack. You're the best, I mean still not as good as Ronaldo, but still' laughed Olly, running back to his team mates.

Anna approached Jack and spoke quietly to him

'I know you didn't do this just for Olly, and it will really mean so much to Jay'

'It's no bother. I've not been to a proper good cup final in ages, We're buzzing for this aren't we lads?'

'It's just nice not to be the manager for a change' laughed Pep.

*****

Jay and Josh were in the hospital with their dad when Anna sent her picture of the boys holding the cup with Pep and the team behind them. Then there was another of Olly up on Jacks shoulders and several others of the boys with the team.

'Dad, Josh, look at these' she said, barely able to believe it. She knew instantly that it had to be Jack behind it.

'Bloody hell' said Josh scrolling through the pictures, 'but what does Anna mean? Tell him before it's too late?' He'd come off the the pictures and read the message Anna had sent.

'Tell you later' she scowled, grabbing her phone back. It vibrated again.

Anna: Even a blind man could see this guy loves you as much as you clearly love him x

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