Chapter 10

The mall

It was Friday and the Trager family was eating an all American dinner, of steak, mash potatoes, green beans and salad. Jessi and Kyle had made a red velvet cake, from the cooking class recipes. Stephen was running late again.

Nicole announced, Jessi we are going to the mall tomorrow to get your own Clothes, I think you have put on enough weight for us to be able to get you properly fitted clothes. Jessi looked extremely excited, she said, I have never gone shopping for clothes before, and I have never been to the mall, that sounds great, thank you so much mom. Kyle said, I want to go too. Me too, I need to help Jessi pick the right clothes; I should also call Hills. Lori said. What about you Josh? Nicole asked. I have to work in the morning. I guess I could meet you over there if Andy wants to go.

Kyle and Jessi were cleaning the table and putting the dishes in the dish washer, as soon as they finished. Jessi said Good night Kyle. I am going to put together a list of what I need. I'll see if Lori wants to help me. Kyle did not like that Jessi had moved to Lori's room. He missed having her sleep on his chest, and feeling her body close to him. He did not understand why that was necessary; after all they were just sleeping. It was just another rule of society that made no sense to him. So reluctantly he said, Good night Jessi, I miss having you with me. Kyle kissed her cheeks and then made his way to her mouth. He kissed her softly at first, and then with his tongue followed the contours of her lips. Jessi understood what he wanted, and opened her lips slightly inviting him in, he slowly inserted his tongue in to her mouth, and Jessi let him explore it. Electricity was circulating between them and then they heard an explosion. The motor of the dish washer had burned. Stephen was walking in and asked what's that noise? Jessi responded it seems like the dish washer motor overheated. Kyle and I will fix it tomorrow. Jessi was much better at lying and making excuses than Kyle, even if she had been out of the pod for a shorter period of time.

Stephen walked in to the kitchen and said Hi where is the rest of the family? Kyle responded, Mom said she was going to go to sleep early. Josh is out with Andy. Lori is in her bedroom. Stephen nodded his head he seemed disappointed, he had hoped to eat dinner with his family, but he could not expect them to wait for him until 9:00pm. Kyle and Jessi noticed his disappointment. Jessi said, Stephen why don't you sit down and I will warm up your dinner. Kyle said, I will sit with you and eat a second piece of cake while you eat. Stephen smiled and sat down. It was definitely nice to have Kyle and Jessi to cheer him up. Then he asked, Kyle and Jessi, why do you call Nicole mom and me Stephen? He sounded hurt. Jessi and Kyle felt bad about it. Jessi walked over to him and gave him a hug. Kyle said, that is because we have not had the chance to ask you if you would allow us to call you dad. Stephen said nothing would make me happier. I love you kids so much. All of them smiled and their eyes were shining with tears. Stephen hugged both of his children and thought he could not have loved them more if they had been born to him and Nicole.

After serving Stephen his dinner, Jessi decided to sit with him and Kyle and have a second piece of cake. The three of them started talking about computers and programing and had a great time. Stephen told them about the project he was working on at Madacorp, it was nice to have part of his family understanding what he was talking about.

Kyle and Jessi got up early to fix the dish washer, they had to take the motor apart, and replace some parts. Fortunately Stephen always kept supplies on hand.

Jessi suggested, let's fix breakfast for the family since we are already up. Sure said Kyle, what are we cooking?

Jessi said, I'll make the French toast, why don't you make the eggs. Kyle responded, that sounds good I think I'll make a cheese omelet. That should go well with the French toast.

The smell of food woke the family up, and they all made their way to the kitchen. Josh said, I like having 2 personal chefs, good job guys. Lori was feeling grumpy and barked a good morning.

Nicole said, Kyle and Jessi you are spoiling us that looks delicious. Stephen said, Nicole is right that sure looks good, and you also have the coffee brewing. I sure can use a cup.

Nicole said, hey Stephen we are going to the mall today, to buy clothes for Jessi. Do you want to come? Stephen responded, I wish I could, but I have to go to Madacorp today, as they want the software ready as soon as possible.

Nicole was disappointed and Stephen noticed and he said, I'll tell you what, I will meet you at the mall at 6:00 we can have dinner together and then catch a movie, what do you say? Nicole brightened up and said that is a deal; call us when you get to the mall.

Nicole, Lori , Jessi, Kyle and Hillary were driving to the mall. Jessi was so excited, she could not stop fidgeting in her seat, and had a big grin on her face. Kyle loved seeing her so happy, he decided to move closer to her and hold her tight in his arms, being closer allowed him to feel her enthusiasm as if it was his, and it also stopped Jessi from fidgeting.

Declan was driving to the mall, he had agreed to meet Kyle there. Foss had asked him to go and to keep him informed. He was also going to take pictures of anything suspicious. Foss did not think there would be any real danger at the mall. He saw it more as a training opportunity for Declan. Foss told him he would be at Barnes and Nobles reading a book and drinking coffee. The bookstore was across the street from the mall.

Declan got out of his SUV, and was walking towards the entrance of the mall. A limousine pulled up, the driver got out to open the door. Out of the Limousine came a woman that looked middle age, with brown wavy hair and mixed Caucasian and Asian features, a teenage boy with the same type of features, and then a young lady that had brown curly hair, deep blue eyes and that had the same features and body type as Jessi? She was followed by a young man with hazel green eyes, he had the same build as Kyle, and when Declan saw his face, it was almost impossible to distinguish him from Kyle.

Declan got his cell phone and discreetly took some pictures, to show to Foss later. He also wondered if maybe he was just imagining things.

Declan met with the Trager's, and said nothing of what he had seen, as he still had problems believing it was true.

Jessi said, mom I made a list of what I need. Nicole said; let me take a look at it. Jessi gave Nicole the list, and Nicole quickly added a few items. Lori said, let's start at Forever 21, and then we can go to American Eagle and to Hollister. Nicole said, that sounds good, we will also be visiting JC Penny and The Burlington Coat Factory.

Kyle generally did not enjoy shopping, but this was different as he had an excited Jessi, pulling him in to the stores and asking his opinion of the clothes she was trying on. She looked stunning; the weight she had put on had turn in to well defined muscles, and all her curves had increased. Definitely this was the best shopping trip on Kyle's list.

Jessi asked, Kyle what do you think about this blouse, do you thinks it would match with this skirt? Kyle said, I think it will look great on you. Jessi went to try the outfit on and to get the final approval from Lori, Hillary and Nicole.

They were at the food court when Jeremiah and his sister approached them. Jeremiah said, Hi Jessi, Hi Kyle, this is my sister Alona, do you mind if we join you for lunch? Kyle said, Hi Jeremiah, nice to meet you Alona. This is my mother Nicole, my sister Lori, her friend Hillary and Declan my best friend. Sure it would be nice to have you join us for lunch. Guys this is Jeremiah our cooking team mate, and his sister Alona. Jessi said, Hi Jeremiah, Hi Alona, I am Jessi. Jeremiah managed to sit next to Hillary, who said, Hi handsome, I did not realize you went to our school. Lori just rolled her eyes, and in a low sarcastic tone said, here we go all over again.

The woman from the limousine was at the food court with her teenage son, she had agreed to meet there with her twins. She started approaching the table where Kyle and Jessi were sitting wondering how her twins knew those people, as they had recently moved to Seattle. However when she got closer, her legs weakened and her son had to catch her to prevent her from falling. Her twins approached and her daughter asked, what's wrong mom? They helped her to sit and she said, there is nothing wrong, I just got a bit light headed, this food court is too crowded, let's go to Morton's for lunch I need a more private environment. She got up and they walked away, she had one of her sons on each side holding her, they adored their mother.

Declan and Kyle offered to take the shopping bags to the car, while the lady's continued shopping. Kyle told Declan, Declan help me find a nice present for Jessi, Valentine's Day is coming and I want to surprise her. They both walked around the mall looking for the perfect present.

It was 5:00 pm and Stephen was getting ready to leave Madacorp. He walked to his car and tried to start it, it would not start. Emily saw Stephen's predicament and walked to his car, she said, having car problems? Stephen answered, yes and I am supposed to meet my wife and children for dinner and a movie.

Emily said, if you need me to help to jump start your car, I will be happy to help. Stephen answered, it is not the battery, seems like there is something wrong with the motor. Emily smiled; her plan was working out perfectly. In a friendly tone she said, if you want I can drive you to the mall, after I pick my daughter up from home, I am planning to take her to the movie, so it would not be a problem. Stephen said, thanks Emily that sounds great.

Stephen called Nicole and explained he had car problems, and that a co-worker would be dropping him off at the mall. He told her not to wait for him for dinner, just to save a spot for him.

The Trager family, Hillary, Declan and Andy were at the Hong Kong Chines Buffett. Kyle and Jessi were working on their 5th dessert, after having gone around serving themselves at least 15 times. Josh was not far behind, he had joined them for dinner and he and Andy were planning to join them for the movie to.

Nicole saw Stephen through the glass windows and an attractive woman walking with him, before Stephen could walk in the woman gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Emily excused herself to Stephen by saying, sorry; I think I got carried away by the moment. Stephen did not understand what moment she was talking about, however he politely said, thanks Emily, I hope you and Paige enjoy your movie.

Stephen walked in to the restaurant and made his way to the table, then leaned and Kiss Nicole. Nicole could smell the perfume from another woman, and noticed a couple of hairs from Emily on Stephen's suit. Emily had sprayed Stephen "accidentally" with her perfume, and when she hugged him, had made sure the hairs ended up in a visible spot.

While Stephen went to get his food, Nicole was thinking, Could this be the reason Stephen is spending so much time at work and is called for so many "emergencies". She did not want to believe that Stephen would be unfaithful to her. Then again the evidence was right in-front of her.

After dinner they went to the Century Link movie and watched a chick flick as the Ladys outnumbered the men. Kyle did not mind at all, as he spent half of the movie looking at Jessi's expressions. Declan fell asleep. Stephen had to put on a heroic effort not to fall asleep, and he tenderly held Nicole's hand. There was no chance of Josh falling asleep, as Andy kept elbowing him every time he closed his eyes.

Stephen, Kyle and Jessi were at Madacorp parking lot trying to see if they could get Stephen car going without having to call a tow truck. Jessi figured out that if they took the motor out they could take it back home, work on it and then comeback once they fixed it.

Nicole had decided to go shopping for some new outfits, as she wanted to look beautiful for Stephen. She did not shop at her usual stores; instead she went to Norton and to Saks Fifth Avenue. On her way back home she stop at Planet fitness and signed up for a membership.

When Nicole came home she found Kyle and Jessi working on the motor of Stephen's car, and Stephen was inside playing G-Force with Josh. Lori was in her room playing the guitar and singing. She was happy to have all her family home.

After dinner, Jessi and Kyle announced that the motor was fixed, and they drove with Stephen back to Madacorp to finish fixing the car. Stephen liked to see Jessi and Kyle working together, they were very efficient and fast, they did not even need verbal communication, they just could work as one unit. They were not fully aware of it, they had been doing it most of their life, and they took it for granted. It just was who they were.

At a Beach front luxury house in Seattle Mrs. Cheng was talking to her head of security. She was saying, Ms. Ortiz, I want you to locate 2 teenagers that look exactly like my twins, except the boy has blue eyes and the girl has green hazel eyes, I estimate them to be between 15 and 17 years, middle class, and here is a picture of their mother.

Ms. Ortiz said, I will find them for you and as many details as possible, give me a week.

I would like to thank my Beta reader JasonZ0654 for the review, and encouragement.

Mcaj, I appreciate your review