EPISODE FIFTY FIVE
THEME: Jaylen returns
MOON STONE FORTRESS
Breathing in the fresh air as he got off the plane, Jaylen shielded his eyes from the glaring sun with his glasses. It almost felt like he belonged around the Fortress. He had put a call through to Lorelei before he got into the plane.
Taping the airplane mode icon off, his phone got back to life and almost as if she had been calling for a while, Rosalyn’s call came through. After getting into the car that was arranged to pick him up, he answered the call.
‘You couldn’t wait a bit more? Do you miss me that much?’ He teased.
‘What if I told you I hadn’t tried calling before until now.’ She laughed.
‘Then you have magic fingers my lady.’ He chuckled.
‘I hope you have gotten home?’ She asked.
‘On my way home.’ He answered.
‘Fair enough. I got a call from Gabriella.’
‘Why did grandma call you?’
‘To say hello.’
‘Nah, she spoke to you days ago while I was there. She definitely had something else in mind when she called.’
‘I thought so too.” Rosalyn giggled. ‘The call was too sudden I could tell she was trying to figure something out.’
‘What did she say?’
‘She asked me to hand the phone over to you, says you haven’t been answering your phone.’
Jaylen burst into a fit of laughter. “I really can’t believe she is trying to know if I have decided to stay back or still intend to return to the pack. She is so sneaky. I have a feeling my mom is in cohorts with her too.’
‘You can’t blame them. They are just concerned about your well-being.’
Jaylen snickered. ‘I think it is more like they are more concerned with me not returning and staying away from them all. But I already made a promise to dad, a promise which I intend to keep.’
‘That’s so thoughtful of you, Jaylen.’ She sighed.
‘Thanks Rosa…’ Another call came from Lorelei. ‘Please can I call you back, Rosa?’ He requested.
‘Sure, take your time.’ Rosa replied before hanging up the call.
Smiling brightly at the phone, Jaylen slide through the answering icon.’How are you baby?’ He cooed.
Lorelei giggled. ‘I thought you would never pick up. Who were you on the phone with?’
‘Rosalyn.’ He answered.
‘Oh. Where are you?’
‘I am heading to the pack house.’
‘Okay!’ She giggled in excitement. ‘I have a surprise for you.’
‘A surprise?’ Jaylen cocked his eyebrows.
‘Hmmmm, Hmmmm. Why do you sound doubtful?’
‘Nah. I am just trying figure out what the surprise could be.’
‘There is no way you would have thought it to be what you would encounter soon.’ Lorelei replied.
Jaylen sat up, his eyes shining with curiosity. ‘Baby, should I be worried or excited?’
‘Let me worry about you liking the surprise or not and you stay excited.’ Lorelei answered.
‘I really can’t wait to get back to the pack house now.’
‘Take your time baby. Take your time…’ Lorelei paused with dramatic effect before hanging up.
He had to check the caller again to be sure, it definitely didn’t seem like a prank call. But it’s not an idea he could put away knowing how naughty she and his sister could be.
However, he hoped she does have a nice surprise waiting for him. He would really love to see what she has in store for him. He tried hard to keep his mind occupied as they neared the pack house and he almost went into a panic mode when the car drove into the premises.
“Home sweet home.” He murmured within himself.
A slight smile spread on his lips as he thought of what Jayden would think if he heard him say that out loud. Jaylen knew he was more like a guest in his own home. And as absurd as it sounds he was completely okay by it. No sort of anger towards anyone.
As soon as he stepped out of the car, he could almost hear the sound of legs through the stairs. Might be his imagination, but he didn’t doubt his hearing when he saw his grandmother and sister panting heavily as they both moved towards him.
Jaylen spread out his arms wide and he held both women by his sides, steadying them like a proud father.
“Don’t tell me you raced grandma down here?” Jaylen chided Claire.
“If I did that, she would be needing CPR right this minute.” Claire responded.
“Shut that sassy mouth of yours young lady.” Gabriella had a mischievous look in her eyes. She had been waiting in the living room all the while and had decided to pull a fast one on Claire when she saw her racing down the stairs to meet her brother.
Jaylen received a quick peck from Claire and a hair massage from his grandmother. Jaylen felt special as they both walked him into the house.
“How are you doing baby?” Gabriella asked.
“I thought you wouldn’t keep to your promise of coming back.” Claire said.
Jaylen laughed. “I’m fine and I already promised I would be back. Can you both let me be free to see mom and dad now?”
“Alright.” The both of them replied at the same time. They let him go but kept up with his stride closely from behind.
“Rosa had told me about your call.” Jaylen tossed at Gabriella.
Gabriella made a funny throaty sound. “I was only saying hi.”
“Can’t even admit you were keeping tabs.” He jested.
“Any caring parent would do so.”
“I have never lied to you Granny.”
“Just this one time you denied bringing a girl home from college while I was away.” She gritted.
Jaylen slapped his forehead. “Do you ever forget?”
“It is not like I can actually help being your daily memory bank.” Gabriella laughed heartily.
“I can’t believe you were actually sneaky.” Claire gave her brother a wink as she laughed.
“It’s not what you think. Grandma is just being dramatic.” Jaylen replied.
Gabriella steadied her legs on the floor as she took a step forward. “He sure was sneaky as hell. It amused me how he never got into a relationship till the very end.”
“He sure is smitten now!” Claire teased.
Jaylen threw his head to the back in laughter. “You both are bird of the same feathers. I don’t like hanging around you both.”
Claire laughed out with Gabriella joining in. Jaylen glanced at the both of them, they made the journey towards his destination slower than usual coupled with the fact that his mind keeps going back to the supposed surprise Lorelei claimed to have for him. He couldn’t wait to be done with all of the formalities and find her.
“You both are always a distraction.” He muttered.
Kissing him on the cheek, Claire smiled cutely. “It’s why you love us so much.”
“Well I am beginning to doubt that feeling.” Jaylen sounded like he would cry. He almost yelled out in victory when they eventually got to his parents chambers.