"Wait, what's this" brandon said gesturing at our interlinked hands as he sat down.
"Didnt you hear, little judicorn got himself a boyfriend" Mariana said enthusiastically..
Jude could feel the blood running to my face. As his cheecks turned red.
"Oh, congrats" Brandon said as he reached for the syrup to complete his stack of pancakes.
Jesus already digging in.
"So are you guys gonna be public"
Jesus blurted the words out with his mouthful.
"Well.." Connor was cut off"
"We're going to keep it on the DL for now" Jude Said.
"Best to, until we know how people are gonna react"
Connor looked confused. But Jude Squeezed his hand reassuringly. He just wasn't sure what was the best thing to do and needed some time to think.
Callie came down the stairs followed by Stef and Lena.
"Hey mom's" we all said in unison. Minus Connor.
"Oh great, your all here me and mom a have some news"
Jude felt a nought in his stomach begin to form. Everything had been going so good lately and he didn't want anything to mess it up. He prepared himself for the worst as they began to speak.
"So me and mama have been thinking about doing some kind of vacation since we've yet to do a family vacation with Jude and Callie" stef explained.
"Omg were going to New York? Paris? London?" Mariana blurted out with excitement
"Think beaches" stef hinted
"You didn't" Brandon said.
"WE'RE GOING TO HAWAII" Lena bursted, unable to hold it back any longer.
She flaunted the 7 tickets in the air
Judes jaw dropped.
"How'd you afford this" Callie asked admiring the pieces of paper.
"We've been saving up a bit. But grandma also may have pitched in a little" stef said.
"Jesus what's wrong you'be been quiet this whole time, aren't you excited?" Lena asked noticing him.
"No I am, it's just... I can't go".
Jesus sound disappointed.
"I told the recruiter that I'm going... to the boarding school. I leave in 3 days, they wanted me to start immediately".
He looked up from his feet.
"I'm sorry. I was going to tell everyone this morning."
"Oh honey there's nothing to be sorry for" Lena said putting a hand on his shoulder.
"We're hpppy for you."
"Really your not Mad?"
"No of course not love. I just wish these tickets were refundable" stef said reading the fine print on the papers.
When suddenly she froze, and looked up with a smirk. Judes seen this face before. It's stef's 'I've got an idea' face, and usually it ends up not being ideal for Jude. Last time Jude had to mow the lawns while Jesus and the rest of the family went to his wrestling meet.
He could only imagine what the face had in-store for him this time.
"Unless..."
"Connor.. how are you with airplanes?"
***
"Lets go, lets go, lets go" Stef hollered up the stairs.
"I still can't believe your dad let you come. Think he's starting to accept us?" Jude asked as Connor pushed down on the suitcase with all his might and he quickly zipped it shut.
He smile with their accomplishment.
Connor collapsed onto the ground with his arms spread out.
"Honestly I'm not sure. I guess it counts for something right?" Looking up at jude.
He nodded.
"I'm just glad that I'm going to be with you" he gave him a quick kiss. Then they stood up and headed out the door.
***
"1'st call for flight 827, non-stop to Honolulu, Hawaii." The intercom repeated once more.
"That's us" Stef got up followed by the rest of the family.
They started heading towards the boarding gate.
"Oh, Conner and Jude could you take one of Mari's bags. She can't count all of those as carry on's." Lena asked them
"Yeah sure, I pack light" Connor said taking one of the bags Mariana was carrying.
Jude took the other.
"Dang Mariana, how many bricks did you put in here?!" Jude said almost dropping the bag.
"What? That's the light bag. All it has is my makeup".
Stef laughed. "Ya know Mariana, you didn't have to bring everything."
"I didn't! These are just the essentials and there's no way I'm losing any of these valuables to baggage claim"
They all laughed.
"2'nd call for flight 827, non-stop to Honolulu Hawaii" The intercom reminded them all where they were and they rushed to the gate.
***
They all switched tickets so they could sit as they wanted. Lena and Stef. Mariana and Callie. Jude and Connor, and Brandon was left to himself. Sitting next to a older gentlemen who was already fast asleep snoring.
The stuartress approached the group as they were settling in.
"Excuse me ma'am. But one of our first-class passengers won't be attending the flight. Would one of you like to move up?"
"I'll take it!" Mariana eagerly volunteered. She followed the stuartress up front. Meanwhile Brandon took Marianas old spot.
Stef and Lena laughed as she passed them with thumbs up. They interlocked their hands and reclined into their chairs. Preparing themselves for the 6 hour flight.
Connor saw this through the seats and tried to do the same with Jude. He slowly reached over and held his hand. He smiled as their fingers locked together.
Jude shocked by the sudden display of affection. Threw his sweatshirt over their hands. Connor frowned. But he supposed it was good enough for now.
As the plane began to take off. Jude was glad that he was holding his hand. He squeezed his hand tight and shut his eyes.
Connor leaned over and whispered to Jude "it's alright, I'm here". Jude opened his eyes. But he didn't loosen his grip. Connor smiled and looked out the window as they dissapeared into the clouds.
( here's chapter 2. Hope you guys enjoy. I'm going to be going in and out of signal. Lots of summer vacations. I'll try to update whenever I can. I'm enjoying writing this series. Hope you enjoying reading it. Comment & vote if you like)
