Blood is Thicker Than Water

Chapter 7

Hello lovelies! Sorry this hasn't been updated, but alas I am here now!

Chapter 7

 Jacqueline opened her grey eyes to see breakfast on the table in front of her, steam was rising off the eggs that looked better than usual. She removed the restricting material from her legs that had somehow ended up over her in the night and stood. Axel's quiet snores demanded her attention, not for long however as she realized her sweet hazel-eyed Axel was turning twelve today.

The seventeen year old ran into the kitchen to yell for Nash when she saw the decorations. They lined the walls messily but in good taste. Jacqueline's breath hitched in her throat as she observed what had been done for her little brother without her knowledge.

"Does it look okay?"

Nash wiped his hands off as he smiled at her. "Dean worked really hard on it." The man of the hour walked in with confetti stuck in his dark hair and falling off his clothes as he disturbed the small glittery circles.

"Where's Axel? I got him a present."

Dean watched Jackie's guarded expression with caution. Her mouth opened and he prepared himself to be lectured. "He's in the living room."

Nash looked to Jackie as Dean went to surprise Axel. "You okay?"

"Did you tell him?" Nash nodded. "Why? Why would he, he doesn't know anything about me or my brother,why would he do that for us?"

Nash moved to stand in front of Jacqueline as to demand her eye contact. "Jackie, he cares. He realizes you're in a tough spot and he wants to help you."

"Why?"

"You should ask him that."

Jacqueline couldn't manage to hide her confusion, but she did have one more question for Nash. "Did you cover Axel and I with the blanket last night?"

"No."

Jackie nodded as Nash patted her shoulder and moved to the table. Jacqueline stood still in her thoughts. Why would he? Why should he? Why did he?

She jumped as she heard banging from the living room and then laughter. A smile graced her lips as she moved into the living room to see Axel trying to hit the ball Dean was tossing to him with the bat. Nash and her watched as Dean threw the ball and Axel swung too late and hit the wall behind him with the plastic stick.

Axel's eyes soon landed on his sister as he dropped the bat and ran to her, "Look what Dean got me!"

Jackie smiled at Axel and laughed with him as he managed to hit the ball also hitting Dean in the triumph. Dean smiled as he saw Jackie happy also. "Okay, who wants cake and ice cream?"

Axel raised his hand and jumped up and down in absolute confirmation. They followed him as he sprinted to the kitchen. Nash volunteered to cut the cake and serve ice cream to the happy eleven year old.

Jackie watched elated Axel was having a good normal birthday for once, but she had to do something.

"Dean can I talk to you?"

Dean nodded and glanced back at Nash who gave him a thumbs up. Dean joined Jackie outside on the patio swing.

"So what did you want to talk about?"

"Thank you."

"What?"

Jackie rolled her eyes as she explained herself. "Thank you, for doing this for Axel. I appreciate it and I know he does, too. So, thank you."

They watched the clouds move in the morning sky for a few savory seconds before Dean disturbed the silence. " I didn't just do it for Axel. I mean the smile on your face was enough for me to want to do it all over again."

Jackie looked at him and smiled softly. "Yeah, that smile. You should do that more often." Dean smiled as her cheeks became tinted with natural blush.

Dean watched her, disappointed that her happiness fled so quickly. Jacqueline knew this moment of happiness couldn't last, Axel and her would have to go back. She would be abused several more times for leaving, not to mention taking her brother with her.

"Jackie," He took her hand even though he knew it would make her uncomfortable. "What happened to your sister?"