Chapter 445

"Oh, you're making that up, Juniper," I sigh, flicking through the magazine myself now with a happy sigh. "My baby Mark doesn't have a p**n collection – he's just a little baby. Plus, p**n is all on computers these days anyway."

June shrugs. "He likes it vintage."

"Are you okay with this?" I ask Jacks, peering up at him as he stares down at the cover of the magazine, I think still a little baffled by it. His blush has faded now and honestly he looks a little pale.

Jackson takes a moment and then looks over at me. “I don't know, should I be upset?"

I slowly shake my head. "I wouldn't be, if I were you," I say quietly. "I mean - we're in the public eye, tabloids run stuff like this all the time. If you keep hanging out around us it's bound to happen."

Jackson nods slowly, considering it.

"Yeah, don't worry about it Jacks," Juniper says, stepping close and putting a hand on his arm. "Last year they ran a whole issue on whether I was sent to a boarding school to have a secret Atalaxian baby."

He looks over at her in surprise, and then drops his eyes down to her stomach.

Juniper bursts out laughing and smacks him hard on the chest. "I mean, I didn't!"

Jackson blushes again and apologizes, making us all laugh, but we're interrupted when mom and dad come over to the helicopter with us.

"All right," dad says, gesturing towards our mode of transport. "Everybody on. Except you, Junepiper." He gathers her close and gives her a little kiss that she pretends to hate before sending her off, back into the palace and downstairs to catch a ride with Mark to Aunt Cora and Uncle Roger's. Everyone else starts to move towards the helicopter but I stand very still, shocked. "Wait!" I call.

Everyone turns to look at me, dad with a frown on his face. He looks at me curiously, waiting for an explanation.

"Why...why are we getting in now?" I ask, a little frantic, gesturing back towards the door to the palace. "Luca isn't here yet!"

Rafe grimaces awkwardly and Jesse quickly turns to the helicopter, taking Jackson with him in a clear indication that this is family business. Dad turns to looks at me with pity in his eyes.noveldrama

"What!?" I breathe, appalled.

“Ari, sweetie,” mom says, coming to put her hands on my shoulders, shooting dad a look that clearly reads that she'll handle this. Dad sighs and climbs into the helicopter while Rafe comes to stand with me, offering his silent support.

"Mom!" I protest, shaking her hands off my shoulders. "Luca's not coming!? Is he - what -"

"He's taking the train, baby," mom says, soft and calm, "with all the other cadets."

"Why!?" I exclaim, starting to get mad about it. Livid, if I'm being honest.

"Well, why wouldn't he!?" mom says, throwing her hands out a little. "You're not upset about Ben and Daphne taking the train -"

"They're coming from much further away! Luca is right here in the city! Mom!" I cross my arms and glare at her, seriously angry now. "It would have taken fifteen minutes for Luca to get to the palace - just as long as it's going to take him to get to the train station. He's only not here because you didn't invite him!"

"Fine," mom sighs, crossing her arms and glancing anxiously towards the helicopter. "Your dad is...still mad. About that little act Luca pulled the morning after his boxing match."

"But Luca apologized, a lot! And...gave dad whatever was in that envelope that you won't tell me about!"

"Your father gets over his anger in his own time in his own way, Ariel," mom replies, calm but standing strong in her position. "There's no rushing him, you know that. Luca is doing everything he can to make amends and your father will get over it - he's just not there yet."

I narrow my eyes. "Really? You're just going to let dad take the blame for this, when we all know you're the one who makes all of our family's travel arrangements?"

"There were six seats, Ariel," mom says, blinking innocently at me. "What can I say. Chopper was full."

"You're playing favorites," I growl, taking a step forward to glare at my mother.