Jack and Isla

TEN

Isla was starting to panic, it was Thursday and she still had not found anything to wear for the dance. She hadn't had much chance to see Jack all week as they seem to keep missing each other having worked opposite to each other, and when he was done in the evenings, he seemed to have some other project that he wanted to concentrate on. When they did see each other they didn't really get much privacy. All he managed between them was a big cheesy grin, which Isla couldn't help but giggle at.

In all her worry, she found the courage to confess to Sarah that she had not been to a dance since high school with her ex-husband. Luckily Sarah didn't ask too many questions and she didn't have to go into detail with the fact that there wasn't even dancing at her wedding to Stu.

Sarah calmed her down though and with the help of Emily in between nursing the baby, they had taken her to a couple of shops in town and managed to find her a dress. One, that was completely out of her comfort zone, but she almost felt she was more nervous about getting dressed up for someone. Izzy also came along with her mum and helped her with a dress.

"She should pick a yellow mummy, like honeysuckle, then she'd be a real Honeysuckle Princess." Isla laughed this off, thinking this Honeysuckle Princess must be her favourite character from a book, knowing she had mentioned this before.

By Saturday afternoon, Sarah was round and helping her with her make-up and hair. Isla found her looking at her in the mirror and seemed to have a tear in her eye.

"Are you ok Sarah?" Isla looked worried, she never thought to ask if this was an issue going with her brother. "If this is too strange me and your brother then-"

"Hush, now, who do you think told him to ask you. I didn't think he was ever going to do it. I was just thinking Mum would have really liked you," she paused, "I am glad Jack found you. I hated him being in the army, the thought that I could lose him," Sarah fought back the start of tears, "and even though he has been out for a few years now, he never really settled when he was home. Was always on the move. But now, now you're here, I feel like you have brought him home for real this time. I will always thank you for that."

Isla beamed back at Sarah for her kind hearted words, "No pressure then," she joked, "wish me luck."

"I think he fell in love with you long before you needed any luck." Sarah gave her a kiss on the cheek and then left Isla to get dressed. Her words resonated with her for a minute. 'Fell in love.'. No, Jack didn't love her. Did he? She certainly knew she had never felt like this before for someone, but for him to feel it back. And to call it love.

Sarah went and rushed the boys along as she was going to take them in her care. Just before they left the boys came in and said goodbye to Isla.

"Mum, you look beautiful." Freddie was always the sweetest with the compliments and then left just as quick.

"He's right mum, you look beautiful." Bradley gave a quick peck on the cheek and then went to leave.

Isla caught his hand quickly, "Bradders, you would say if this is an issue wouldn't you? I mean if you say in this instance that you don't want me to go with Jack, I will stay and get changed without a thought."

"Mum, it's ok, really, I can't think of anyone else that deserves you more. Jack's a great guy. We both really like him."

Isla's heart swelled as Bradley gave her one more peck on the cheek and said he'd see her later.

-x-

Jack pulled up just as Sarah and the boys were leaving. Sarah gave him a wink as she got in her car and as Bradley came down the porch he looked at Jack. Jack was hesitant for a moment. Again he did not want to get in the middle of their family as they had been through so much together and he respected these boys too much to do that.