Part Vingt et Un

A/N: This is a double update- so make sure to read Chapter 20 first!

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She got home from school that afternoon with Flynn, they had stopped at Flynn's house to grab her a bag of stuff, of course she was sleeping over with Julie and Carlos that night. Making their way inside, they found Willie and Carlos watching some cooking challenge show, with Alex occasionally asking them questions. Reggie and Luke were in the kitchen.

"Uh, what are you two up to?" Flynn had heard about Reggie cooking, but had yet to see it, or taste it herself.

"We're making dinner." Luke was beaming proudly. "It's Chicken Cordon Bleu, with Asparagus in Lemon Butter Sauce, and Whipped Cheesy Mashed Potatoes."

"Whoa." Flynn turned to Julie, "I feel like I keep saying this, but I was so wrong. Who cares if they're ghosts?! They can cook!"

Julies dissolved in giggles, she had been looking forward to Flynn's reaction, and the boys deciding on something pretty fancy for tonight was perfect. Flynn was a bit of a foodie, so there had been no doubt she would love this. "Not crazy for making them part of my family anymore, am I?"

"No, not at all…. is that, did you guys make the Lemon Butter Sauce from scratch?!"

Reggie laughed, "Well, of course! I'm so glad Ray has a lemon zester!"

He and Flynn fell into a detailed conversation about cooking, and Luke washed his hands quickly and moved over to stand by Julie. "How was your day? I missed you."

"I missed you too, I also realized that once you go to meet my dad tonight, I won't see you guys for a whole 24 hours or something. That's longer than any time since you showed up in the studio. It's so strange to think about."

Luke slid his arm around her shoulders, "Yeah, but when we get back we'll exist again on paper, and we can start really working on making all of our dreams come true."

"Like a recording deal?"

"Sure, and eventually, someday, maybe other things we couldn't even imagine hoping for before." His eyes met hers, and there was something there in his gaze that she couldn't quite identify, but it was warm, and soft, and intense in a way that made her heart pound in the best way.

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They all had dinner together, sincere compliments being given about the food, and plenty of laughing and joking. It was always fun having Flynn around with her sassy sarcasm and wit to play against the guys.

All too soon, though, Julie's phone rang. Silence fell over the room and she answered it, grateful for Luke slipping his hand into her free one and tangling their fingers, before squeezing reassuringly.

"Papi? …. Yes….. Reggie and Luke cooked, Chicken Cordon Bleu. … Of course it was delicious! ….. We got her stuff, she's here and staying over. …. The Marriott? ….. Okay. When's the flight back tomorrow? ….. Wait, what? But… ….. I see. I'll ask her, but I'm sure she will. ….. I love you too. I'll tell them. Okay, bye Dad."

Six faces stared at her in anticipation and inquiry. "He said they're at The Marriott in Vancouver by the airport. He also said the flight back will actually be Sunday morning, so he asked if you could stay another night here Flynn."

"Of course! You don't even need to ask!"

"Are you okay Jules?" Luke quietly asked in her ear, both still sitting at the table. Everyone else had stood to clean up, they knew Ray and Bobby would be expecting them.

She lay her head on his shoulder and tilted it up to look into his eyes, "You're going to be gone another night. I'm going to miss you so much."

He kissed her forehead and then smiled at her, "You are going to have a crazy fun time with Flynn, you probably won't even think about us tomorrow. Go have a 'Bestie Day' or something. It's going to be fine."

"I always think about you."

A glimpse of that something from earlier flashed through his eyes again, and her heart sped up in response, but then it was gone, and he just pecked her softly on the cheek and stood up, tugging her with him. "Let's help clean up, and then we guys better go."

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It only took about twenty minutes to get everything done with all of them working together, and now it was time. They all shared tight hugs and whispers of good luck, and then…

"We'll be back soon, see you!" Alex and Willie popped away, holding hands, and Reggie waved as he disappeared right after them.

Flynn cleared her throat, "Good luck with everything, Luke. Now, Carlos, why don't you show me your new Playstation game?" She carefully herded him up towards his room, giving Julie a meaningful look from behind Luke as they walked away.

His hand went up to scratch his neck, the familiar action causing Julie to smile, even as she fought back tears of worry over this trip. "I have a good feeling about this, but I wish I didn't have to leave you here, Jules. I want you to know, though, that no matter what I will be back on Sunday. Nothing could stop me from coming back to you."

"I know. Thank you Luke."

He opened his arms and she stepped into them, they held each other close for a long, long, moment. Reluctantly they let go and he cupped her cheek, wiping a tear with his thumb, and leaned down to kiss her, pouring his feelings into it, hoping she understood. Then he stepped back and with a flash of her smile, was gone.

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The boys reappeared in the hotel suite without a hitch, and Ray was waiting to fill them in on an extra part of the plan that hadn't been shared until now.

"So, I know it might seem odd that we changed the flight home, but Bobby and I realized that we need luggage for you, and also that you might need more clothes anyway. If you're going to embrace living again, you might want to update your styles some."

"Shouldn't Julie and Flynn be part of that? Wouldn't they be good at telling us what's in style now?" Alex was a bit puzzled by Ray's reasoning.

"I'm sure they do know more about current styles. However, I think the '90s flannels and stuff have actually come back a little, anyway, or did a few years ago? I don't know. I just think you guys should each find your new style, you need to be comfortable in it. Bobby is picking up food now, but he was at the bank earlier this week and he set up accounts for each of you. BEFORE you get upset, he's doing it because he believes you deserve some of the money from the songs you didn't get credit on, and you will not change his mind, he was adamant about doing this. So, tomorrow we are going to hit the mall and get you everything you need, that way the luggage we have for you will be full of clothes and everything will look normal."

"I wasn't part of the band, there's no way he should be giving me anything, not after you already got me paperwork." Willie was a bit overwhelmed.

"He isn't worried about a little detail like that Willie. Just go with it." Ray put his hand out, grasping Willie's shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze of reassurance and support. "We're all family now, even if we aren't related, okay?"

"O-okay." Alex pulled him into a side hug, letting him know he was there. Willie had been alone as a ghost for awhile, and the close, caring atmosphere of these people, this family, his family? It was sometimes hard to fathom, that it actually was real, but he loved it.

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Julie had gone up to find Flynn and Carlos after Luke left. They spent some time playing games on the Playstation, but neither Julie nor Carlos had slept well the night before, too keyed up about things. They were both yawning early, and Flynn went ahead and took charge. "Go brush your teeth and get ready for bed Carlos, you too Julie. We'll grab some blankets and pillows and set up for a movie in the living room, that way you can just fall asleep when you need to, and we can all be together."

"That sounds cool!" Carlos jumped up to do as she suggested, glad they were willing to include him.

The girls also went to get ready, heading to Julie's bedroom to change into pajamas and start grabbing the pillows and blankets.

"Flynn, thank you. I know things have been busy and we haven't had much time to hang out just me and you, but Tia Victoria is coming to pick up Carlos in the morning, he has baseball practice. Luke suggested we do a 'Bestie Day' and I think that sounds perfect. We can go get pedicures and go to the mall, maybe see a movie, you in?"

"Duh. And I'm glad Luke gets us. Can't be upset with your boyfriend when he clearly just wants you to be happy. The part where this makes me happy too is a good bonus." Flynn had been busy that week with some homework, so she didn't specifically miss Julie just yet, since she had been spending more time with Luke and the guys. But, it was nice to know that she wouldn't be pushed aside, and especially that Luke was actively aware and had thought about her feelings. She may have been against him before, what with the ghost thing, but he and the others were basically alive again, so she was willing to let that go now.

"I love him." Julie said it softly, but it wasn't a question in any way, it was just the truth.

"He quite obviously loves you too. I'm happy for you, bestie." Flynn squeezed Julie in a quick hug, and then they continued getting ready for bed and gathering stuff for their movie night.