A/N: First off—I hate that we can't use the dashes now for scene breaks. Grrr. I'll fix chapter 2 so it's easier to read later today. Second—I've never been to England so if it's stupid then please forgive me. Until next time—ya'll are the best—PCGirl.
Jack walked down the basement steps and over to the bar, pouring himself up a drink before slinking down into one of the chairs. He'd made sure Jasmine was sound asleep, and he knew Noah would be ok in his room for a bit before he'd start looking for one of his parents. He picked up the cordless phone and dialed Livvie's number, "Hey," he grinned as he heard her voice on the other end.
"Hey Jack," smiled Livvie. "How is everything?"
"It's—uhm, going pretty good. Are Leslie and Lizzie excited about the trip?"
"Yeah—but I'll warn you, you and Jasmine are going to have two very typical teenagers."
Jack laughed, "Just what I need."
"So how is Jasmine? She's usually the one that calls—not you."
"She's doing ok--," he trailed off, there had to be some way he could get Caleb on the phone without Livvie getting suspicious.
"Liar."
"Excuse me?"
"Jack Ramsey—I've known you for over twenty years now, and since day one I have been able to tell when you are lying, so spill it."
"It's nothing really—is Caleb there?"
"No, he's not so why don't you tell me what it is and I'll relay the message? Is it something about the girls—did Jasmine see something?"
Jack sighed, "That's just it—it's been happening for a few months now, she'll get this humming in her ears, but when she tries to see anything all she sees is black."
"Well, has she talked to her sister—Cassandra?"
"No, Myra won't let her. Myra knows what's going on, and that's what is scaring Jasmine the most of all. She's always felt she has to be the protector of all of us."
"You think she's going to run again?" said Livvie before she realized how that sounded, "Sorry—I didn't mean it like that."
"I doubt she will—it's just scaring her is all."
"Well, I'll tell Caleb this and have him call you afterwards," said Livvie as she hung up the phone and began to wonder if this new development might have the girls coming home sooner than originally planned.
Daniel walked into the living room to see Christina making dinner, "Hey—why haven't you started packing your art supplies yet? That always takes the longest."
"I know—I just decided to not bring them this time is all."
Daniel looked at her surprised, "Can I ask why?"
"I want to enjoy this trip—I don't want to be looking at everything and thinking about painting. If I start painting them I'm never going to stop and I'd really like to see the sights of Ireland. Especially Loch Ness," she said as Daniel began trying to suppress a laugh, "What?"
Daniel stopped grinned for a moment then bit his bottom lip, "Loch Ness is in Scotland."
She felt her face begin to turn read, "I knew that—I really did."
"I'm sure you did—and you are going to get to enjoy it all whether you bring your art supplies with you or not. I just know that if you don't bring them that when we get there we'll have to drive all the way to Dublin or somewhere else to buy more for you."
"You think you know me that well?"
"Yeah, I do," he said as he came over and wrapped his arms around her waist, "So will you go pack your supplies and just make me happy?"
"I'll do anything to make you happy," she said giving him a short kiss before handing over the reins of dinner preparation and went off to the bedroom.
"You've already made me happier than I could have ever imagined," he said softly—wondering if the girls had got the ring in the mail yet.
He ran a hand through his soft brown hair as he stood in line for a cup of coffee—the sky, as always in London, was threatening to rain. His thoughts were only one thing right now—what was Marius doing here? Marius had been lying low for months now—rarely leaving his home in Tubingin, and then all of a sudden last week he flew to London where he slipped back underground before Andrew had even arrived at Heathrow.
Andrew cleared his head of thoughts as the cashier asked him once again what he wanted, "Coffee—black," he said quietly and then having to repeat himself. He pulled out his wallet and handed off his money. He turned and began drinking—hoping the caffeine would clear his head so he could figure out what Marius was up to. When he got outside into the open air he felt something and stopped to figure out where it was coming from. A second later half of his coffee was spread between his shirt, shoes, and the ground.
"Oh my God, I am so sorry—are you ok?" asked the blonde with her hand on his shoulder, "You have to excuse my friend here—she doesn't always watch where she's walking," she said as she looked at her brunette friend next to her. Her eyes were the first thing Andrew noticed about her—they were this soft shade of blue, sweet and caring—trustworthy.
"Kate--," said Tara, now trying to keep from laughing.
"I'm fine—don't worry about me," he said as he took a napkin and wiped off his shirt sleeve of the excess coffee that had spilled. He gave a quick smile before walking off—mumbling about being an idiot.
Tara stopped talking and looked to see Kate still had her eyes on him, "Hey—Kate—anyone home?" she said waving her hand in Kate's face.
"Huh? What—did you say something?"
"Yeah—I said we better get to the Post Office."
"Post Office?"
Tara laughed, "Christina's engagement ring—a favor for Danny—is any of this ringing a bell?"
"Oh yeah—did you notice anything odd about him?"
"Him who—oh the guy that randomly stops in the middle of the sidewalk—no, not really."
"Oh—I guess it was just me then."
"Yeah, it was just you," she laughed as she shoved Kate forward before they ended up getting run over by pedestrians.
