Afterwards, a boy approached Jax, telling him that he had a lump, but was too scared to get it checked. Jax helped him speak to his parents and even went with him to the hospital.
Luckily, it was nothing serious, but it made Jax realise there was a need for more awareness. After that, he gave interviews, spoke on panels, and between him and the other firemen and women in his crew, raised over a million pounds for charities to help research and treat testicular cancer.
For someone who couldn’t even talk about his experience, it was now something he embraced and was happy to share because he knew it helped other people. He’d even been offered a prosthetic testicle that he turned down because he said he was finally happy with his body just the way it was. Later that night, I’d shown him how happy I was with it by worshiping every inch of it.
“I feel bad for accepting this on my own, as there are so many people who have supported me over the last twelve months. I used to think I had a shameful secret I had to keep to myself, but my friends and family have taught me that I have a story to share. If it can help one boy or man get help sooner, then what I went through was worth it. But, there is one person who I wouldn’t be here without. One woman who made me feel brave and safe and loved, no matter what. And that’s my wife.”
My eyes widened, and I dropped my head, subconsciously rubbing my fingers over my engagement ring and the wedding band that had been next to it for the last ten months.
I said “yes,” to Jax a week after his non-proposal and we got married in Ecuador with Conner, Jasper, and Callum there as witnesses before we had a honeymoon out there followed by a huge party that my friends organised as a surprise when I got back.
“Helen, you are amazing, and I wouldn’t be the man I am without you. Thank you for loving me.” He blew me a kiss before he took a bow and left the stage, making his way through the crowd, back to our table.
“How was I?” He sat next to me, placing the award on the table and his hand on my thigh.
“Perfect, Mr Cartwright. Just like I knew you’d be.”
“Have I told you how stunning you look tonight?”
I glanced down at the deep purple ball gown I had on, laughing quietly. “About seven hundred times, but I’m happy to hear it again.”
“You are stunning.” He leaned in closer so no one could see his lips. “And I can’t wait to see that dress on the hotel floor later.”
A blush spread up my neck as I breathed in, letting the familiar scent of his aftershave wash over me.
“Can’t wait.”
We’d got back to the hotel late last night after the award ceremony and then were up early to be tourists. We’d done the London Eye, afternoon tea at the Ritz, shopping in Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason, and now we were drinking hot chocolate back in our hotel bar, trying to warm up from the cold autumn day.
“It’s official. You’ve broken me.” Jax groaned, dropping another marshmallow into his mug and stirring until it started to melt. “I could sleep for a week. I wish we didn’t have to leave so early in the morning. A Sunday in bed with you sounds about perfect right now.”
A wry smile curled my lips. “Good job I extended our stay until Monday then, isn’t it?”
He lifted his tired eyes, suddenly seeming more energised. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. You’ve been working so hard, so I thought we could order room service, fool around, sleep late, and have breakfast in bed under one of those posh silver cloches.”
“Fool around?” he mouthed, making me laugh.
“Out of all the words I said, that was what you heard.”
“There was talk of food too.”
“Aren’t you getting tired of me yet?” I was joking, but Jax’s eyes darkened and his brows pinched.
“You’re joking, right? I swear, I get more obsessed with you the longer we’re together. I fucking love you, beautiful.”
“Dropping the F-bomb. Must be serious.”
He reached for my left hand, twisting my engagement ring side to side like he did all the time, as he was reminding himself that I was his.
“How tired are you?”
He sat up straighter. “I suddenly have a burst of energy. Why?”
“Get your phone out.” He did, placing it on the table. “Set a timer for thirty-one minutes.”
He cocked his brow. “Specific.”
