chapter eighteen

 Jessica hummed to herself quietly as she made her way back to the hotel. She had to make things right with Alex if it killed her. She didn’t want something like this ruining everything. She was, though, going to make him call his family. It was only right that they should know. Besides, it had been at least as long since he had spoken to his family as with her. Probably longer. She pulled into the parking lot and hurried up to the room. She felt the small key card in her pocket. She slid it out of her pocket and slipped into the door. A small green light came on and she quietly pulled open the door. Alex’s back was to her, phone in hand. She frowned. Who would he be talking to? Unless…was that too much to hope for?

“Alex?” She couldn’t hide the curiosity in her voice. He turned around, startled. She could see the panic in his eyes.

“Yeah, uh, Dad, I uh, gotta go.” So it was his family! She could see though, how uncomfortable he was with his father. He carefully replaced the phone on the cradle, as if stalling for time.

“Jess,” he said a bit uneasily. “I didn’t know you’d be back so soon.” Jessica sat on the bed, smiling. Everything would be fine now.

“I couldn’t wait to see you another minute.” Alex looked a little confused. Last night, on the phone, she hadn’t seemed to feel that way.

“I know, I know,” Jessie said, “I know exactly what you’re thinking. Forget about all of that.” Alex smiled. He could do that. She kissed him on the cheek.

“Get dressed,” she said, walking over to her suitcase. “We’re going to my mom’s house.” Alex didn’t say a word. Just started to get ready. Jessica smiled to herself as she got ready.

About half an hour later, when both Jessica and Alex were ready, Jessica said, “Wait.” She picked up the phone and dialed the familiar number.

“Mom?” Jessica immediately recognized the gentle voice.

“Yes, honey.”

“Mom, is it okay if me, and a, um, guest come over for lunch?” Jessica bit her lip to keep from smiling as she heard her mother’s excited pause. She knew just what Jessica meant by “guest.”

“Well, sure baby.” Jessica smiled yet again.

“Would it be all right if we came right now?”

“Sure,” Mrs. Hanson said even though she knew that making dinner would take her far longer than the time it would take Jessica and Alex to get there. That was okay. That allowed plenty of talking time.

 ‡‡‡‡‡‡

 Long before the small blue Toyota pulled into the driveway there were impatient brothers and sisters waiting anxiously for the twosome to arrive. When the doorbell finally rang, the entire group (Isaac, Taylor, Zac, Avery, Mackenzie and Zoë) gathered in the living room just looked at each other.

“Will someone get that?” Mrs. Hanson called from the kitchen. When no one moved, Avery rolled her eyes and got up. She opened the door.

“Hi,” she said cheerfully. The sight of her sister and her fiancée didn’t daunt her at all.

“Hi,” Jessica greeted her quietly.

“Mom!” Avery called as Jessica pulled Alex into the house. “They’re here!”

“Okay honey!” Mrs. Hanson called back.

“Don’t mind the blockheads,” Avery whispered quietly as she ushered Jessica and Alex into the house. Jessica giggled quietly and looked at Alex who had trouble holding back a smile.

chapter nineteen

A.N. There, now wasn’t that a lot better?