Lost (Book 1 - Cake Series)

Chapter #7

Jackie's Point Of View
We finally managed to wrap up an even bigger penguin for Luke. It looked to be about fifteen feet tall and ten feet wide, and somehow still fit in a ten by twelve foot box.

It took time, but we managed and got it wrapped and sent it off to Ashton's so Adilyn could hold on to it for us.

Calum was off buying something for all three of them for the reunion because I was able to convince him that it was just that. But, of course, it was more.

"Adilyn, has Ingredient Two arrived yet?" I asked over the phone.

"Yes, its arrived and has been hidden from Luke until his birthday. I showed him the video of Calum's expression, but cut out the part where he said that he ruined his present."

"Great, I don't want him to hear that part."

"Anne Marie told me that she got two tickets to America, New York to be exact. She told me about how fun it was going to be. So did Joy, but she called, as did Karen. Liz told me that she told them not to say anything about them to any of the boys."

"That's exactly what I wanted."

"Anne Marie said she needed this vacation, Liz must've told them that was what it was and only what it was, and that it was a surprise vaca. for the boys. I expected that she would've told them what it really was."

"None of them knows what it's really for, not Liz nor Calum. That's the sweet part."

"Pull up Alexandria. Let's have her tell us how Michael is doing on that day. Don't forget to mention that it's on his birthday, okay?"

"Of course." I pulled the phone away and hung up, then quickly dialed Alex's number.

"Hello?" Her voice was scratchy, almost as if she'd been crying.

"What are you doing on November 20?" I asked her, hoping to receive the answer I wanted to hear.

"Well, I don't know about Mikey, but -"

Someone shouted from the background and something slammed against the wall.

"Alex said you were talking about me."

"Michael?" I whispered. This didn't sound like him.

"Yeah, Michael Clifford. What do you want?"

"How, um, are you?"

"Depends on what you want to hear."

"The truth."

"Awful. I miss the boys."

"Okay. How would you like to come down to New York for a surprise? With your mum and dad, with Alex."

"Really? Are you being serious?"

"We're creating a surprise, and we need everyone we can get for it to work. Are you up for it?"

"When do I come down?"

"You come down, um, in a couple months. Seven, actually. I'll be sending the plane tickets down in a few months."

"Add a Note, I might forget."

"Of course! Thank you so much! And, can I have a favor?"

"Yeah, anything!"

"Don't hurt Alex, please."

He paused. "Okay, I won't. I promise."

"Be happy, and help her through anything she's going through. She needs the help and encouragement."

"Daddy, come here!" A girl squealed from the background.

"Hold on Princess. I'm talking to someone."

"Who's that?" I asked.

"That's my daughter. I'm a proud father."

"Bring her down too. I'll send you an extra ticket just for her."

"Thank you so much, Jackie. This means so much to me!"

"It's not a big problem. I'm glad I could help."

"I've got to go help Alex from my abusive, terrible behavior. I'll talk to you later, right?"

"Yeah, of course!"

"Alex wants to talk to you before you leave."

"Hey. This is the happiest he's been in forever. Thank you so much," Alex said.

"It's not a problem. Did I send in this miracle at a good time?"

"Yes. I've been praying for this to happen."

"Good. I'm glad I could help. I'll see you both in seven months, right?"

"Yeah. Bye, Jackie."

"Bye Alex." I hung up and put my phone away. Then I made my way over to where Peyton was.

"How many to add?" She asked me.

"Two. One for his wife and one for his daughter," I replied and smiled.

"I can't believe he's married with a child already."

"He's sweet, but he's changed too. He said he had an abusive behavior. I feel awful for Alex, and I wish she could've called earlier to tell me. I would've helped."

"Never get involved with Marriage, Jackie. You could hurt someone."

"Alright."

"Anyways, Ingredient Four, I suppose, will be sent to the Clifford's by tomorrow. What do you have planned for Ingredient Five?"

"I'm just going to wait and see if I'm needed, but as far as I'm concerned Ingredient Five will be in seven months."

"I really can't wait to see the result."