Promises-Laughing Jack

~Chapter 9~

~Jess~

I looked at the clock then rushed upstairs to get ready. I pulled out some extra tape and ran downstairs to finish the decorations. Jack just looked at me in complete confussion. "The Hell are you doing?" he finally asked me as I popped a cake into the oven. "People will start arriving in a few hours and I need this place ready." I explained to him in a rush. Then I zipped past him to hang some baloons on the mailbox. I will have everything ready before people get here if I keep going, but still..."I need a little help JACK!" I shouted, struggling to undo the messy tape roll. Jack came running out of the house with a paper bag on his head. "Jess! Im going to get you!" he shouted playfully. I stood up and quickly stopped him before he ran any further. I groaned and snatched the bag off of his head. "Jack, this isn't a game. I want you to help me so that the party will be ready when the guests arrive." I explained to him. "Party for what? You never explained to me what all of this was for." He tilted his head to the side like a cute puppy. I smiled lightly and explained "The party is for my mom. She's finally coming home from the hospital tonight. That's why I wanted you to invite people. I hope you've done as I asked because I didn't like what I saw when I came in the house earlier." I smiled playfully at him. Jack cleared his throat and looked around. "Uhhhhhh...yeah. I did exactly as you asked. People will be here...hopefully." He muttered 'hopefully' because he didn't want me to hear it. I sighed and handed him the tape. "My oven cooks fast so I'm going to go check on the cake and get dinner started. When you're finished with this mailbox, come inside the living room and start hanging decorations in there. Be neat about it." I kissed his cheek to give him some motivation before I left to go inside.

I quickly waltzed to the kitchen and put on oven mitts. I slid the cake pan out to check on it. "Just half an hour more." I muttered to myself. Then I went to the groceries I brought home and pulled out materials for finger sandwhiches and some large dishes for the meal. That took me at least 30 minutes. By that time, I had already taken the cake out. and Jack was still outside? I growled and went outside to see him wrapped up in tape and surrounded by shredded baloons. "Jack!?" I ran up to help him. He was breathing hard and was very pissed off. "What happened Jack? My god, the job was simple enough! You had 1 job Laughing Jack, 1 job!" I complained as I continued trying to free him. I have to admit that he was kinda cute all wrapped up with a scowl on his face. "My claws wouldn't retract because I was too focused on the task at hand. I popped all the baloons then tried to tape the pieces back together but damn Jess, that's some strong tape." He complained to me. I gave him an 'are you serious' look. He turned his nose up and pouted. I couldn't help but to give him a quick kiss on the cheek before finishing the job by myself. "Come on inside and help with the rest of the food. We can do everything together so maybe the results will be better. If you do a good job, when the party is over I'll give you a kiss on the lips." I smiled halfheartedly. Jack rose excitedly and ran into the living room. I giggled and walked behind him. Afterwards, everything started to fall into place. All that Jack needed was some supervision. Without that, I'm sure everything I asked him to do would falle apart. Eventually We finished and waited for the guests to come. Thank goodness they actually did come considering Jack was the one who invited them. By the time we heard the first doorbell ring, I ushered him upstairs and directed that he stay there for the rest of the night. I didn't want to explain him to the people. He of course obeyed and the party was soon underway. I was surprised at all the people that showed up, and I was surprised that everything was somehow going smoothely. Every so often I would sneak upstairs to check on Jack, and Jack would peek downstairs to see the company. We made a deal that he wouldn't go back in the box unless it was absolutely necessary.

"Jess! Hey what's up?!" I heard a familiar voice. I turned to see Justin smiling widely at me. He pulled me into a big hug and I was comfoted by the smell of his cologne. When he pulled away, I felt a sense of relief. "Listen Justin...I'm sorry about the whole-" He laughed and shook his head. "You really don't need to apologize. I can tell you met someone else that really likes you. I mean, this guy sounded obsessed over the phone. I'm sure you like him back too. I enjoyed our date but we can stay as friends if you want. Who am I to get in the way of how you feel about somebody?" He smiled warmly at me. He was so mature...way more mature than Jack could ever be. However, he didn't hold the same thing that Jack held...my heart. "Awww, Justin you're such a sweetheart. Of course I want to stay friends with you. I don't think I could ever escape that bright smile you have anyways." I joked with him. He chuckled and then straightened up. "Oh, do you have a bathroom?" He asked me. I hesitated for a second. The downstairs bathroom was occupied by my cousin Jarvius. The only other bathroom was the one upstairs, but Jack was lurking around up there. I was unsure if he could keep himself hidden, but I'll put my faith in him. "Umm, yeah theres a bathroom upstairs next to my room. Come on, I'll show you." He smiled and followed close behind me. I hesitated at the door and he chuckled. "I seriously hope you're not going to follow me inside." I quickly shook my head. "Of course not! I'm not a weirdo!!!" He smiled and shook his head before going in. I waited around for a bit in the dimly lit hallway. "You better not act up, or I swear..." I whisphered before heading downstairs. I could only hope that Jack would carry through on being good tonight. Just until everything was set up at least. I would spend time with him later on after everything comes down, and watch a movie with snacks. I sighed and headed back downstairs.