The sun had properly risen by the time we got back home. Uncle Lucas was reading the morning paper while Judie still slept. It was Saturday after all.
"So where did you go? I was sad to find my bed empty in the morning. Especially when no note was left behind." Uncle Lucas said as we entered the kitchen.
"Yeah, I'm sorry. We just went out for a spin." She answered.
"Mom. Pancakes please! Chocolate chip!" I begged like a five year old.
She just giggled before getting out the utensils to make them.
"Thanks Maa. You're the best." I replied.
"Why don't you go take a shower and wake Jude up while I get these ready. We can all sit and have breakfast together. And how about we go out for dinner. You can pick whatever you want. Unless of course you have plans, its Saturday night. I'm sure you kids will find some party to go wild at." She said in her warm motherly voice. I just loved my mom's voice. It was so soft and lovely. I felt that I could hear her talk all day.
Grabbing a glass and some juice, I sat on the bar stool to enjoy it.
"Yeah. Sienna has a party. She wants me to come. But I can always cancel and we can go out." I offered.
"Its upto you darling. We are here. It is upto you to pick what you want to do." She replied.
"Luke, wake Jude up please. I feel like I haven't met him at all!" Mom exaggerated. "I miss my baby boy."
"Pretty Girl, you do know that Jude isn't a baby boy any more, right?" Uncle Luke said with air quotes around baby boy.
"Yeah, yeah. Call me a sappy boring mother!" She whined.
I couldn't help but laugh. Mom had this energy inside of her. She was smart, funny, witty and could make everybody laugh like there was no tomorrow.
"Just be happy I don't get dramatic in public. Atleast I don't embarrass my children!" She laughed.
"Yeah yeah cool mom! Now give me my pancakes before Jude eats all of mine."
"Give me a minute." She chuckled before flipping the batter on the pan.
"Judieeeee!" She exclaimed happily when she saw him enter the kitchen. He was rubbing his eyes and moms shrill cry had seriously startled him, but he was too sleepy to care.
"How the hell are you a morning person? Nobody is a morning person!" He whined as he flopped himself on the stool beside me and laid his head on the table.
"Get up babe, foods ready. Here." She shoved a plate stacked with chocolate chip pankcakes in front of him with the bottle of maple syrup.
"Heyyy! Thats my plate. I've been waiting forever. He's dead anyway." I grumbled before going over his form and grabbing the plate.
Just as I was about to set them, Jude tickled me on my side and I burst out laughing. The pancakes flew in the air as I couldn't control myself!
"Jude! Stop! Pleaseee!" I laugh cried. "Mom! Help!"
"Sure honey." And then I knew the mistake I had made. She joined Jude on the other side as I almost fell off my chair.
Once we were all settled, mom made us a fresh batch of pancakes and we cleared the mess made.
"So, I have some surprises for you guys. Sophia, today you and I are having a spa day! I already booked everything and we are going to have a great time! This will be followed by a shopping trip!" She said.
My eyes started twinkling like a kid on Christmas morning.
"Omg! Thanks mom!" I yelled in glee.
"And Jude, tomorrow you and I are going to Charolette to see the game between the Charolette Bobcats and the New York Knicks! You like it?" She asked him.
"Are you serious mom!" He smiled in delight. "I love it."
"This is happening provided that Sophia, you study for your finals on Sunday and Jude, you are hitting the books today. Sophia, you are going to go to Haley on Monday and make up for the test you missed on your day off. I will let you know if you are punished for that or not. But for now, you are forgive. Also, Lucas and I have planned a little surprise for you guys once school gets done next week! But for now, full concentration. Is that a deal?" She offered.
"Deal!" We both said simultaneously.
"But mom, surprise! Pleaseee!" I begged. "You know how terrible I am when you tell me you have a surprise! I can't wait! Please tell me now!"
"Yeah mom. What is it?" Jude chimed in.
Mom looked at Uncle Luke and kinked her brow. Uncle Luke just smiled and nodded his head in approval.
"Okay! We are going on a family trip... To Fiji!"