Chapter Text
He had written to her the day she left, knowing his wait for a reply would be long and painful. But Jack needed to tell her everything that couldn’t be explained in a kiss and a look. He had gotten the address from Dr. MacMillan. He couldn’t just hop on a boat after her even through his heart had flown away with her in that damn plane. There had been many attempts to get his words in order. The rejected drafts still lived in his bedroom, staying where they had been tossed when he became too frustrated. He could recall the words perfectly.
Phryne,
I wish I could fulfill your request. With all my heart, I wish I could board a ship and follow your trail to England. But once again, being an honorable man weighs on my conscience like a lead weight. Duty or love? I hope it does not undo the slow journey we’ve taken so far. But Melbourne’s hold on me seems to be too great to break. So it is with perhaps naïve hope, that my attempt to follow you through these letters will be enough to prove to you of my love and to bring you back to my embrace.
‘A heart to love, and in that heart, Courage, to make’s love known.’
Whatever wonders and temptations the world holds, I hope my words are enough to bring you back to Melbourne, to your family here, to me. I am going to miss getting a whiff of your perfume and hearing your heels come up behind me at a crime scene. Though I know, even half a world away, I’ll be able to hear you in my mind, with theories and suggestions for probable illegal tactics to catch the criminal. My heart feels like it won’t beat properly until your return. The effect you have on my life, and it’s absence, will be torturous but I’ll endure it for you, my dear.
And for the sake of calming my fear of you ending up in a foreign prison, please do not push your father out of that damn plane or do any other equally murderous plots to be rid of him. I know his stubbornness and ego gets on your nerves but please wait until you see your mother to unleash your anger and frustration. As horrible as you find him, your mother does love him. And from what I’ve heard about her, their relationship, and your childhood, she must be a fine strong woman. I’m thankful for what she’s done in her life since it brought you to me. It might be a bit selfish to say but they can have their reunion as long as it’s short enough to not delay your return trip. My heart aches from missing you already, Phryne.
All my love,
Jack
He had kept all of her responses, tied together loosely and hidden in his nightstand. Her latest missive just placed on top of the pile.
Oh Jack,
I am so glad that I can finally write to you and say I’m coming back. My ship is leaving in two days’ time and the voyage will take about 40 days. Perhaps a few sooner if I’m lucky. My parents’ marriage and finances are finally in enough order that I can leave. It took a bit longer than I would have liked and I’ve become a tad bored with the local activities. And there’s only so many times I could avoid my mother’s questions about you. Even since my father hinted to her about a copper in my life and the letters we exchanged, she’s been questioning him and I. Father’s the one that let it slip about the kiss on the airfield, I swear. I’ve had to talk her out of getting her own ticket to come and meet you. I’m sparing you the pain, darling. If I get on your nerves questioning a suspect, just imagine where I learned it from.
I can not wait to be back on Australian soil and in your arms. We have far too much catching up to do but I think that can wait for a night. I’m very eager to show you some things I picked up on my last shopping trip. One hint, just to tide you over, lace.
Until then,
Phryne
Jack had been intrigued as to why the lady detective was returning via ship instead of flying back. But the question had to wait until she was back in his arms. And he would count every heartbeat until then because he wouldn’t feel whole again until then. Theories of whatever lace detailed item she bought had taken over his nights since he got her letter. He had plenty of ideas of ways for them to catch up as well, some that surprised even himself. A quick calculation told Jack that her ship would be arriving some time that week. Until then, imagination and memories would have to suffice.