Jake watched his clock, waiting. It was a habit. Something he had come to expect.
2:30 am
As soon as the numbers changed, his door opened. Jake flipped over and tried not to laugh as Toby stumbled into his room, narrowly missing crashing into the door.
"I'mma sleep with you." He said drowsily as he climbed into the bed. Jake scooted over and lifted up the covers. Toby snuggled down and murmured sleepily, "This is the last time."
Jake smiled and rested his head against the pillow, knowing that this was not the last time. And being more than okay with it. He loved Toby. And Jamie. He especially loved being a big brother.
Jake closed his eyes and listened to the steady sound of Toby's breathing, until he eventually fell asleep.
He woke up smelling pancakes.
Not a good sign.
More times than not, a nice breakfast was only given when bad news was to follow. That, or Jordan woke up early.
Jake felt to the other side of the bed and it was cold. He smiled at the routine Toby had. Always leaving before daylight. Why? Jake had no clue.
Sighing he dragged himself out of the bed and to a mirror. He ran a comb through his hair and then made his way downstairs.
"Morning sleepyhead. How'd you sleep?" Prue asked as soon as he flopped down in the chair.
"Like a rock. So on a scale from one to ten, how bad is this?"
Prue poured him a cup of orange juice and slid it in front of him, "What makes you think anything bad is happening?"
"We're having chocolate chip pancakes and scrambled eggs. With bacon. And juice."
"'Bout an eight. And you're too smart for your own good."
Jake whistled. An eight? That bad?
Cole came up to the table and Jake's mind when crazy noticing all the little details and facial expressions.
His hand shook lightly. Not a good sign. He was a little pale. Bad sign. And he looked like he hadn't slept in weeks. Very bad sign.
"Listen guys, there's been some...issues. I've told you the story about Jake and the people who took him... Remember?"
Everyone nodded and Jake felt a flash of fear. Why was he bringing this up?
"Well the elders have summoned me to a judgement... To see if I deserve to keep this plane."
No one said anything. Jake turned to Prue, eyes wide.
An eight?! This is a freakin' twelve! He sent to her mind and only then did he notice she'd been shaking too.
Didn't want to worry you. Besides... If he does lose the plane you and your siblings will go up to the surface.
The surface...
Cole cleared his throat, "Anyways. While this is going on me and Prue have to be up there with them. And you have to go up to the surface."
Stunned silence.
"For how long?" Jamie asked. Typical Jamie. Always thinking ahead. Even though she was only five, Jake sword she had the maturity of an adult.
"If we don't lose the plane... Only temporarily. If we do... Permanently."