SPOILERS 7x07, as this is my take on why Jake might “need the money” and want to get rid of those Kwazy Kupcakes movie premiere tickets.
Posting this now before my headcanon turns into canon divergence haha.
you’re the place i need to find to remember the light
“Hey. Why did you request I get Friday and the weekend off?”
Jake looks up from his computer as Amy takes a seat at the unoccupied desk in front of him — that same desk that used to be hers for so many years —, the familiar sound of her voice distracting him from his work and the otherwise rather quiet bullpen. He might have last seen her only just a few hours ago, but still his face instantly lits up when he meets her gaze.
She’s staring at him with a curious frown on her forehead, waiting for an answer to her question.
“What are you talking about?” He tries to play the innocent card.
Unfortunately, his wife is able to read right through his bluff and call it right away. She puts a hand on his, squeezing gently as she smiles at him. “Babe.” Her eyes are piercing through his core. The pet name, though highly familiar by now, warms him up inside. “Don’t try to do this. We both know you are a terrible liar. Plus I just come from Terry’s office, and he told me to tell you that your request to get both our weekend off has been approved. So what’s going on?”
Jake lets out a sigh.
This was supposed to be a surprise, but Amy’s right — he is a terrible liar. Well, when it comes to lying to her at least. She’s an amazing sergeant who can easily tell when someone is hiding something, and in particular when he is. She knows him better than anyone else, after all.
“Okay,” he says in defeat. “Remember those VIP tickets I got for the premiere of the Kwazy Kupcake movie?”
“Mmhmm.” Amy nods. “Did you find someone to take them?”
“Yeah. Charles bought them. Apparently he and Terry came to a compromise. He’s gonna go with Nikolaj and the twins or something. Anyway, huh, surprise! I booked us a weekend away in the Berkshires with that extra money.” One of his hands comes scratching the back of his neck in a nervous tic as he looks at her.
This was kind of a last-minute impulsive decision he made, an idea he got the moment he received the tickets and decided to get rid of them. He thought it could do them some good — to get away from the buzzing of New York City for three days and reconnect after the past six stressful, exhausting months they just spent. It’s not like it took a real toll on their relationship — they’re still so in love with each other, ready to face everything together. A very solid team.
But they did somewhat forget about the most romantic parts of their couple along the way, from going on dates and sharing lovely evenings or even being intimate with each other just because they want to instead of seeing it as a tiring ‘chore’ that will allow them to finally get pregnant. They’re already slowly getting back to their rhythm, but Jake thought that changing scenery for a little while couldn’t be bad. He misses spending time with his wife just for the sake of it.
Because they love each other’s company more than anyone else’s.
With such a trip, they will be able to relax and think about something else entirely as they find themselves surrounded by nothing but beautiful natural landscapes (he’s been told that the Berkshires look absolutely gorgeous inthe winter), and god knows they need it after that past crazy half of a year.
“You did?” Amy’s face has now completely softened when she answers him. She’s watching him with big bright eyes that make his heart swoon.
He loves her. So, so much.
Jake places his second hand on top of the two that are already held together on the desk and squeezes gently. “Yeah. I thought it could be good for us after, y’know…” He takes a breath, drawing slow circles on Amy’s skin and feeling his chest tighten as the memory of his hopeless, desperate wife comes back into his mind. There’s nothing he hates more than seeing her in such a state.
Her smile, bright and beautiful and able to lighten up a room by itself, is his absolute favorite in the world. He would give anything if it meant it would remain plastered on her lovely face forever, her happiness never tamed.
She deserves everything and more.
“We could use some time away to be together, just the two of us,” Jake chases the sad images away as he finishes his speech.
He smiles, something sincere and genuine — an expression that is soon to reciprocate on Amy’s features. She’s quick to answer him.
“You’re right.” She nods her approval. “Thank you.” She then leans over to place a quick peck on his cheek, and Jake knows she truly appreciates his idea — the times when Amy kisses him at the office are very rare and precious.
Meaningful.
(Well, except for when they’re both super drunk and decide to get crazy and have sex in one of the supply closets, but it’s not like these are occurrences that happen too often. And it’s still meaningful, in some way.)
After that she stands up, ready to get back to her own desk and work. But before she does, she puts a hand on Jake’s shoulder and whispers to his ear.
“Sorry I ruined the surprise. But for the record… you maybe be a terrible liar, but you’re an amazing husband. I love you.”
“Love you too.” He beams back at her as he watches her leave.
x / x
In the end, this little gateway does do them some good.
It’s three days spent in the loveliest, coziest cabin in the middle of nowhere. It’s lazy mornings with nothing else but the bright sun shining through the curtains to wake them up and staying in bed for as long as it pleases them, making love whenever they want to, without pressuring themselves to make a baby.
It’s eating fondue with wine at overpriced restaurants and quiet walks hand-in-hand, Amy snuggling by Jake’s side to stay warm, followed by cuddles in front of the fireplace. It’s quality time in the hot water of the jacuzzi, under the hot water of the big shower. It’s a lot of love, and a lot of laugh, and a lot of romantic moments, making up for the lack of them during the past months.
In the end, it’s just the two of them. Jake and Amy. Enjoying life and their beautiful family.
(They don’t know it yet, simply living in the moment while they are there, but some time in the future, this cabin with become their go-to place every winter with their children — making a new tradition out of it, with hot chocolates and movie nights and snowpeople and so, so much fun and love.)
