Seeking Solace

Chapter Four

The next morning Jackson rolled over, looking at the clock. 9:30. She sighed. That's the best night sleep she had in a long time. Jackson furrowed her brow at the smell wafting through the air. A grin tugged at the corners of her lips, her eyes widened in excitement. "Bacon." She threw her covers back and walked downstairs in the oversized shirt and shorts Drake had given her to sleep in. She peeked around the corner, seeing her dad standing at the stove cooking. She watched as Drake absentmindedly tossed a piece of bacon over his shoulder as Bob jumped up grabbing it midair.

On the counter was a plate full of bacon. A full pot of coffee sat beside Drake. Jackson crept over sneaking a slice of bacon. "I know you took that." Drake turned eyeing Jackson with a grin. "How'd you sleep?" She nodded, chomping on a piece of bacon. "Actually I slept great. Best I have in a long time." "Good" he grinned. She studied the coffee pot. "Can I snag a cup of that?" She pointed. "Are you old enough to drink coffee?" Drake questioned. "I'm eighteen" she laughed. "I've been drinking coffee since I was sixteen."

He nodded, grabbing a mug and pouring her a cup. "I don't have any of that flavored creamer, like your mom liked." Jackson scrunched her nose up in disgust. "Good. Why would anyone ruin a perfectly good cup of coffee by pouring that sweet crap into it?" Drake smirked as he watched her take a gulp of the coffee. "Black, huh?" She nodded. "The way God intended." Drake chuckled, tipping his cup of black coffee towards her. "You take after your dad." He grinned as he felt the hot liquid coating his throat and warming him from the inside.

"So, Jack," he spoke as he began dividing the scrambled eggs onto two plates, followed by bacon and toast. "You never told me how long you're here for." They stood at the counter eating, when Drake realized his mistake. "Oh, I'm sorry, we should sit." Drake moved toward the table. Jackson chuckled. "It's alright. I never sit down to eat. Always drove my mom and Uncle Danny crazy." She giggled. "Um. I'm not really sure how long. I was so focused on getting here and finding you, I didn't really get that far."

Drake grunted as he chewed his food. He washed it down with a gulp of coffee. "Listen, I was thinking maybe you would want to check out of that hotel. Stay here instead?" He questioned. A smile tugged on her lips. "Yeah. That would be really great, dad." He nodded, grinning. "You know, I've already missed out on so much. There's no rush to go back, if you don't want to, I mean. You're welcome to stay here, with me, as long as you want." She nodded. "But for now", he put his plate into the sink. "after we get your stuff from the hotel, what would you like to do? I want to hear more about you, what things were like growing up. But I also want to get to know this you. Grown up Jackson. Spend some time with her."

Jackson laughed, taking a sip of coffee. "I was thinking the same thing. I want to learn about you. What you like to do, your friends..." Drake nodded, chewing on his lip. "So you want to meet people, eh?" She shrugged. "Sure, if there's anyone important to you. In the journal my mom mentioned Liam and Maxwell?" Drake nodded, thinking to himself. "You know, you have family here." Her eyes widened. "I do?" He nodded. "Wait...your sister. Um..Savannah, right?"

"Good memory. She's your aunt. And her husband, Bertrand, he's your uncle. Maxwell is not technically your uncle but he's family, since Bertrand is his brother, and he's gonna make you call him uncle anyhow, so might as well go with it." Jackson was grinning widely, her eyes opened wide. "Oh, and Bartie, your cousin. He's twenty. Lily, Bartie's sister, she's pretty close to your age actually, she's seventeen." Jackson's eyes were misty as she jumped up and down.

"I can't believe it. I..I have a whole family?" Drake laughed. "Why do I suddenly feel like chopped liver?" He shook his head as she excitedly wrapped her arms around Drake hugging him. He froze for a moment, uncertain of what to do. It was the first time they had hugged. He exhaled, closing his eyes as he wrapped his arms warmly around his daughter.