Chapter 24: "I thought they were with you": Isobel and Jubal

Jubal was already filled with dread when he read Sam's text to meet at the mall. He knew it would be a nightmare to go to there during the Christmas rush. The traffic was so horrible that whatever the usual travel time is, it is usually doubled or worse, tripled.

After having to endure traffic, he'd have to face the long line at the mall's entrance. If it weren't for his kids' request for a shopping day, he wouldn't have agreed to this. With his busy schedule, he was looking forward to spending time with them.

He checked Sam's last message again when he got inside. She said that they're waiting for him at the department store, in front of the toys section.

Just when he was questioning how he could find them in this crowd, he spotted her. "Hey, Sam." He turned and gestured around them. "Where are the kids?"

Her eyes widened. "What? I thought they were with you."

Jubal exhaled as he continued to look around. Throngs of people rushing to do some last-minute Christmas shopping.

"I thought they were going to meet you at the entrance." Her voice already shaking.

Jubal patted her arm. "Don't worry, I'm sure they're just here somewhere," he said, trying hard not to think of scenarios that they often encounter in the JOC. "Let's just go to customer service, maybe they can make an announcement or ..."

"Daddy!" They both turned to that voice. Jubal saw Abby running towards them followed by Tyler. Relief coursed through him as he hugged his kids. His daughter excitedly told him, "Look, I found Izzy."

She shyly approached them. Seeing Isobel in casual clothes - black long-sleeves with sweetheart neckline - was a rare and enjoyable treat for Jubal. "Yeah, I was just doing some window shopping when I heard Abby calling me."

"So that's where you went?" Sam asked her daughter.

"No, I saw Maddie and I followed her. After we talked, I looked around but I didn't see you. Instead, I saw Izzy outside a watch store."

Isobel averted her gaze. "I was just looking for a gift for my dad."

Jubal nodded then realized something. "Wait, so you and Ty were not together?"

Tyler just shook his head and Isobel elaborated. "No, when Abby told me that she got separated from Sam, I thought maybe I could look for Tyler first." She smiled at the teenager. "I knew he'd always be in the video games section."

"And she was right," Tyler smiled back.

Jubal was amazed at how well Isobel got along with his children. "Thank you, Isobel."

Sam cleared her throat. "Actually, I have to go. Alan's already waiting outside." She hugged Tyler and Abby. "I'll see you on Monday, okay? Have fun with them," she winked.

After Sam left, Jubal and Isobel started to say something at the same time.
"Maybe, I should go..." "I was wondering if you could..."

They laughed. "You go ahead," she said.

Jubal's hand went to the back of his neck. "Uh, I was just wondering if you could join us. The kids are just going to get some things. I mean, if you're not busy of course."

"Please, Izzy." Abby went to hug her.

"How can I say no to that?" she smiled.

It was after three hours when they finally arrived at Jubal's apartment. "I'm so sorry you had to suffer through all the lines and traffic. I didn't mean to subject you to that," he said to Isobel as they placed the bags on his centertable.

"Well, the company was enjoyable so I didn't mind." He smiled at that.

Abby approached Jubal. "I'm already hungry, daddy."

He chuckled. "I knew we were going to be late so I already prepared my lasagna. We just have to reheat it. Meanwhile, you could have the rolls and gingerbread cookies on the countertop." Tyler and Abby rushed to the kitchen which made the adults laugh.

After dinner, they stayed up as the kids enjoyed their gifts. When they realized it was late, Jubal convinced Isobel to stay the night. "Tyler will be staying with me and you could stay with Abby. I'll just get you some change of clothes."

"Alright, if it's okay," she said. Jubal thought he saw a light blush on her cheeks.

Tyler already went to Jubal's room when Abby fell asleep on the couch. Jubal had to carry her to her room. He then got Isobel a shirt and sweats to change into.

When he gave her the clothes, she said "Good night, Jubal."

"Good night and see you tomorrow, Isobel." They smiled at each other as Isobel slowly closed the guestroom door.

Notes:

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