This chapter is mostly dialogue. But you got to work with me on this time thing. This chapter kinda goes into the "future" a bit. Not by more than a couple of hours. It is hard to work with both LA and Barcelona at the same time….
To those people who are so cool and review this little story, I thank thee. From the bottom of my heart, I really, really appreciate it.
Thanks so much to my beta! Laura, thanks so much!
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Rosa and Jessica came into the house, and were immediately crowded around by their respective daughters. "*Miss us much?*" Jessica asked Juliana.
"*No, but Tío Luis is making us go to bed.*"
"*It's bed time.*"
"*But you guys let us stay up later sometimes.*"
"*Not on school nights.*" Jessica gently led Juliana to her bedroom, where she helped her get ready for bed.
"*Jessica, a guy stopped by earlier. He wanted you to call him when you got home.*" Luis said. He handed Jessica Vaughn's card.
"Michael C. Vaughn." Jessica read. Rosa looked over her friend's shoulder. "*That name seems familiar.*" She said.
"*Old student?*" Rosa offered.
"*No, it's obviously French.*" Jessica kept looking at the card. "*Vaughn. Vaughn? Vaughn. Where have I heard that name before?*"
"*He said call quickly because he is only in town for a few short days.*"
"*Ok.*" Jessica went up to her room to use the phone up there. She dialed the first 6 numbers and then paused. She took a deep breath before pushing the final number. It rang twice before she heard someone pick up.
"Hello?" A deep voice said.
"*May I speak to Michael Vaughn please?*"
"*Is this Jessica English?*"
"*Yes.*"
"You're talking to him." Jessica was taken aback at the English, but she quickly realized that it made sense. He answered in English.
"I heard you stopped by my house, looking for me."
"Yeah."
"And you wanted me to call you when I got back."
"Yeah."
"I'm calling."
Vaughn didn't know what to say. "I have something important to say, but I need to tell you in person. Perhaps over coffee or something tomorrow?"
Was he asking me out? Jessica asked herself. There was silence as she thought about what to say to him. She didn't know who he really was, but something in his voice, something in his name, something in her heart told her that she could trust him. "Lunch. If you could stop by my office tomorrow, you can tell me what you have to say over some lunch."
"I'll stop by noonish."
"Ok. DO you know where my office is?"
"Yes."
"Ok. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Ok. Bye."
"Bye." Jessica hung up the phone, unsure of what just happened. Did she just set up a date with a complete stranger for lunch tomorrow?
Alexandra waited by the phone for her father to call. The past three nights he had called mid-afternoon because of the time change. He had promised that he would call her every night to sing her to sleep. Or, at least the memory of him calling her to fall asleep to. But he never called her. And Alexandra hadn't forgotten about his promise to her. She sat next to the hall table, looking up at the phone. If it rang, she would jump up and be the first to answer, and only assumed that it was her father. But each call proved to be a disappointment for her. Francie tried to distract the young girl for over two hours with games and other activities. But Alexandra wouldn't pay attention. She was always staring at the phone. It broke Francie's heart to see her sitting by the phone, silent tears falling into her lap, as Alexandra quietly wept. Francie had to struggle to get Alexandra to change into her pajamas. She was finally changed when Francie had promised to let her stay and wait by the phone for a little bit longer.
"Alexandra, I need you to go to bed now." Francie kneeled to get eye level. She put her hand gently on Alexandra's shoulder.
"He never called Aunt Francie." She said, looking up at the older woman.
"I know honey." Alexandra just proceeded to cry harder. "I know."
Francie caught Joe's eye, and signaled him over to where they were sitting on the floor. He didn't need words. He saw his wife's request in her eyes. He picked up Alexandra, and carried her down the hall. Her arms flung around his neck to ease her weight. "Thank you Uncle Joe." She said, as she was gently laid on the bed.
"Goodnight Alexandra." Francie and Joe called.
"I'll get you to school tomorrow." Francie promised. She sat down beside Alexandra and tucked her in. "Sleep tight."
"Thank you. Goodnight Aunt Francie." Alexandra said. Francie smiled at the girl, and turned off the light. She began to shut the door behind her, when a small voice stopped her. "Aunt Francie?"
"What is it sweetie?"
"If Daddy calls, will you wake me up?" She begged.
"Of course." With a smile, her promise was set in stone. Francie shut the door and went into the living room.
"She's pretty upset huh?" Joe said.
"Yeah, promise me this."
"Anything."
"If you ever go out of town, and promise to call, call."
"Why?"
"Because watching Alexandra get all upset about Mike not calling, reminded me of the day that Sydney never called. Mike was about that upset, more so, and he could show it. And Syd never came home that time."
Joe pulled his wife into a warm embrace. "I promise."
Francie had long since been in bed when she heard the phone ring. "My god Mike! Now?" She whined as she leaned over to answer the phone. "Hello?" She weakly said.
"I know it is really late Francie, but last night I was busy all night. I called when I first got up." Vaughn's voice said.
"Do you realize how late it is?"
"One?"
"Bingo. What time is it there?"
"Nine."
"You're just getting up now?"
"No," Vaughn admitted, "But I had some really important things I could do before I could call."
"Fine."
"Can you get me Alexandra please?"
"Yeah." Francie struggled to get out of bed. "She was waiting by the phone since five. When I finally got her to bed, she was pretty upset. It's not like you. Its like the Mike I knew when Sydney died."
"She didn't die. I'm going to have lunch with her today."
Francie stopped dead in her tracks. "You saw her."
"No, but I talked to her on the phone."
"That is really great. Hold on a sec."
From Vaughn's end, he could hear the sound of sheets moving, as Francie woke Alexandra up. "Daddy?"
"Hey Angel. Are you sleeping ok?"
"Yeah. You never called yesterday."
"I know. I'm so sorry."
"When are you coming home Daddy."
"At least two more days."
Alexandra was about to cry. "That is what you said yesterday."
"That is what I thought yesterday."
"Daddy, if you don't come home soon, even Granny will beat you here."
"Oh, that is right, she's coming soon."
"Yeah."
"How about this, if I am forced to stay here and am not able to come back before Granny comes home, you and Granny can stay at our house."
"What? You're not going to come home?"
"No! I will come home. But you got to understand Alexandra, I have to be here for a little longer."
"Ok Daddy."
"Guess what time it is?"
"What?"
"Time for me to sing."
Although he couldn't see it, Vaughn could feel his daughter smiling as he sang their song. "Be good. And sleep tight."
"Ok Daddy. Come home soon."
"I promise Angel. I love you."
"Love you too."
"Ok, can you give me to Aunt Francie?"
"Ok."
"Your mother is coming soon?"
"Yeah, next Monday."
"You will be back by then."
"Hopefully with Sydney."
"Right now, you have a daughter who needs you."
"I'm not doing that again."
"Good. Now let me get some sleep."
"Bye."
"Bye."