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Sam Puckett

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My Taco family

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Max and Alex

Max and Justin

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Icons for My Heart Was Always Yours

Easter Weekend Disaster

By Kristina Marie

~*~*~

It’s Easter weekend and the home family is getting together at Joe and MS’ house. She tries to make everything perfect, but everything goes wrong. Can she deal with it or make it worse?

~*~*~

Characters:

Joe and MS- married with 4 kids and 2 dogs

Kids: Twins- Shane and Mitchie age 11, Lily age 9, Kiera age 6

Dogs- Winston and Sheryl

Shane and Ris- married with 4 kids and 2 dogs, 3 bunnies

Kids: Twins Al and Chris age 12, Nicky age 8, Jordan age 6

Dogs- Dina and Dingo

Bunnies- Hewey, Dewey, Louie

Nick, Nate and Kristy- married with 4 kids and 2 dogs

Kids: Nathan age 10, Cory and Joey age 7, Selena age 5

Dogs- Elvis and Penelope

~*~*~

“Come on, kids, time for breakfast,” MS shouted up the stairs.

It was Easter Weekend and the whole Jonas family was getting together for their annual Easter Week.

Every years a Jonas family holds the party at their house and organizes everything. Last years it was Nick, Nate and Kristy’s family and everyone had fun, but this year it was Joe and MS’ turn to organize.

MS had given everyone a job. She wanted everything to be perfect, but she’s about to find out that not everything is perfect.

It was a sunny Friday morning and everyone was still asleep, everyone, but MS. She was hard at work making breakfast for the family.

They had a busy day and needed to start off with a good, healthy breakfast. As she made the most important mean of the day, she thought about everything that needed to be done for the Easter weekend family festivities.

Lets see I need to get Joe to go to the store and get some tents. Oh, and a karaoke machines and the light and… she thought.

But her thoughts were interrupted by the phone ringing. She picked it up, not knowing who was on the other line.

“Hello?” she asked as she scrambled the eggs.

As soon as she heard the voice on the other end, she grinned. She was hoping this person would call her sooner or later.

“Hey, Kristy, what’s up?” she asked while flipping the pancakes.

Kristina smiled as cooked breakfast for her own family. “Hey, MS, how’s everything going? Dino said you were going a bit crazy.”

MS couldn’t help laughing at that once she heard what her sisters said and shook her head. Joe thinks I’m going crazy? I am not.

“That’s not true. I just want everything to be perfect.”

Kristina knew that already. Out of all of her sisters, MS was the perfectionist everything had to be perfect or she would have a fit.

There was one time when it took her 8 hrs to get ready for a dinner date and it was even that big of a deal, and another time when she went over board on Christmas decorations. 

“Just don’t get crazy like you did at last years Christmas party and don’t get me started on Valentine’s Day.”

After promising she wouldn’t go over board, MS hung up and called down the troops.

You would think you were watching ‘The Brady Bunch’ as they kids came down like they always did in the show and even the movies.

Mitchie stopped at the bottom step causing Shane, Lily and Kiera to bump into each other.

Shane mumbled as he glared at his twin, ” Mitchie, why’d you stop like that?”

The others jumped in as well.

“Every single day. What’s with you, sis?”

“Ow. I hate when you do that.”

When MS heard them arguing she came right in and whistled at them to get their attention. “What’s going on?”

The kids all started talking at the same time causing the dogs to start barking and soon Joe came down and yelled at them all.

“Everybody, quiet!”

They all turned to him, even the dogs as he nodded his head. “Good. Now what’s all the noise?”

When the kids started talking at the same time again, Joe whistled and pointed to Lily who told him. 

“Well, let’s all go eat breakfast now. We have a lot to do today.” MS said as she pointed toward the kitchen.

They all ate breakfast and talked about what needed to be done for the day. All the kids were given jobs while Joe would run errands and MS  watched the kids.

After breakfast, they all helped clean the kitchen before they went off to work. Joe gave MS a kiss once the kids left and got ready to leave.

“I’ll be back later,” he told her between kisses.

MS kissed him, wrapping her arms around him and moaned when he started teasing her by kissing her neck.

“Joe, cut it out,” she whispered as she pulled Joe’s hand off her backside, “one of the kids might come in.”

Finally, Joe left after one last kiss and a slap to her butt. He winked at her as he left. “I’ll be back later and try not to get too carried away. Call me or anyone else if you need help.”

MS gave him a nod as she went to check on the kids.

Meanwhile at Nick, Nate and Kristy’s house, everyone was awake and had just finished eating breakfast themselves. The kids went outside to play while the adults cleaned up.

Nick turned to them from the sink with a smile on his face. “Do you think everything’s okay with MS?”

The other to stopped what they were doing to look at him before shaking their heads.

“Oh please, my sister doesn’t ask for help, even when she needs it. she so determined to do things on her own,” Kristina said as she fed Elvis and Penelope.

Even Nate agreed with her. “That is true. She always goes crazy trying to get everything to be perfect.”

They all nodded at that until Nick came up with an idea. “Maybe we can help her without actually helping her.”

Nate and Kristina had no idea what he was talking about, but they were scared. They knew as well as everyone else that when it came to the brothers, Kevin comes up with the idea, Nick plans everything out and Joe executes the plans and carries them out.

“Normally, Kevin comes up with the plans, not you,” Nate said, shaking his head.

Kristina was worried about something else than who came up with the idea. “Are you sure it’s gonna work?”

Before answering Nick grabbed the phone and called Kevin and Danielle before dialing Shane and Marissa.  He hung up the phone after talking to them and left the kitchen with a smile.

An hour later, everyone was sitting in the living room going over the plan while all the kids played in the backyard. They decided to keep an eye on MS just to make sure every went okay.

As for Joe, he was enjoying being out of the house. Sure he loved his wife, but lately she has been on a perfection kick. Everything had to be perfect and when things were out of place she would flip out and start yelling and panicking.

He had no clue how she went from the sweet girl he dated into a control freak. She had already called him 5 times  from the time he left til the time he got to the store.

When his phone started ringing he only guessed it was her. He answered it, but was surprised when he heard a different voice.

“Yes, dear, what else do you need?” he said as he put the stuff he needed in the cart.

“Dino, it’s me. How’s it going?”

Joe sighed in relief as he told her what was going on. He was glad that it was Kristina and not MS. He loved her, but she was going batty at the moment.

“Hey, Pebbles. I’m good. Just getting some last minute things for tomorrow. MS has gone nuts. I love her, but I can’t take all the craziness.”

Kristina chuckled as she listened to him talk. Maybe the news will make him feel better.

“Nick came up with an idea. He…”

Joe interrupted her as soon as she said ‘Nick’ and ‘idea’ in the same sentence.

“Wait, Nick came up with an idea? Are you sure?”

They both laughed as she told him the idea and he actually thought about it and smiled to himself as he continued checking things off the list he had.

“Wow, that’s crazy, so crazy, it just might work.”

Shaking her head, Kristina laughed and said, “You’ve been watching ‘The Master of Disguise’ again, haven’t you?”

“Shut up.”

He hung up with her after saying good bye and good luck. Once he put his phone back in his pocket, he finished getting the stuff they needed and when he said, ‘we’, he really meant MS.

Back at the house, MS was hanging decorations and working on the food courses and refreshments for the day and the rest of the weekend.

By the time it was 1pm., the house was almost decorated. MS kept working even after the kids took a nap. She decided that it was time to call Joe to see how he was doing.

As she waited for him to answer, she finished writing down the menus she needed. She heard his voice and smiled to herself.

I am so lucky I have him, she thought as she listened to him talk.

“Great. I have the foods and decorations all ready, the kids are asleep and everything is perfect.”

“That’s great, babe, I’ll be home soon. Love you.” 

She smiled as she heard what he said. “I love you too.”

When she hung up, she went back to work when the doorbell rang. She answered it and found her sister standing there. “Hey, Ris, what’s up?

Marissa smiled as MS let her in.  She turned to her sister as they walked into the living room. “Hey, how’s it go… ing…”

She stopped when she saw the house decorated. She was surprised at all the streamers and balloons and bunnies and baskets and spring stuff around.

“Wow, you went all out for this,” Marissa murmured as she looked around.

MS nodded as she sat down on the couch. “I want this to be the best Easter family week ever. Everything needs to be perfect. I sent Joe to get more eggs to hide.”

Marissa listened to her sister and blinked wide as she listened to her sister talk about everything she was doing.

Wow, she is going over board, she thought as she listened to her sister.

 They talked for a bit longer until the kids woke up and Marissa had to leave. When he did come back he had some bad news.

“What? Are you serious? You didn’t get the chocolate eggs? How could you forget those! Joe!”

The rest of the family watched as she grumbled and paced the room. Joe turned to the kids and told them to go play with their cousins while he calmed her down.

“I can’t believe he forgot. I knew I should have went and got the stuff myself…” she mumbled before stopping in her tracks.

“Baby, calm down, we still have time before everyone comes over,” Joe said as he put his arms around her and kissed her neck.

She tried to keep complaining until he pressed his lips to hers. She final quit talking as Joe picked her up and carried her upstairs. The got to their room and clothes were suddenly ripped off as Joe attacked her with his body.

“Oh, baby, I missed you and I couldn’t think of anything else, but this right here,” Joe whispered between kisses.

MS wrapped her legs around him and he dived into her. They were both moaning and kissing and so into each other they didn’t care about anything else.

Joe thrusted into her harder and he kissed her more. MS shut her eyes and moaned as he kept moving inside of her.

By the time they both had come for the fifth time, it was party time. They took a shower together, which led to more sex.

The door bell rang as they walked downstairs. They smiled and opened to find Nick, Nate, Kristy and the kids.

After saying hi, the kids ran off to see their cousins who were playing in the backyard. MS and Joe hugged them as they came in and headed to the backyard just as Shane, Rise and their family walked up.

They all said hi as they too headed to the backyard. The only ones left were Kevin, Danielle and their kids.

It wasn’t until after everyone arrived that MS forgot about the eggs and started to panic again.

“Relax, sweetheart,  Nick, Nate, Kristy, Shane, Ris, Kevin, Danielle, Jason and Hannah got extra eggs, candy and toys for the kids. They came by and hid them while we were upstairs.”

“They did? Why?” She asked as they headed to the backyard.

“Because they know you. Relax, babe, everything is fine. This is gonna be the best Easter weekend.”

Joe was right it was the best weekend and even MS stopped worrying. Although, there were a few times she freaked out, but everything went well.

MS learned that it’s ok when things aren’t perfect, but that it was just them being all together that mattered.

So the weekend wasn’t a disaster like she thought it would be and since the kids were staying over at their cousins, they had the whole house to themselves.

“Alone at last.” Joe smiled at her while kissing her neck.

They began with a chocolate dessert, but Joe ended with something better than chocolate. He ended up with his baby in his arms…

“I love you.”

MS smiled as she kissed him back. “I love you with all my heart.”

My Heart Was Always Yours

Sneak Peek…

Chapter 12- My Heart Is Yours

They were both out of breath by the end of the second event.  The score was close, but Nick had taken the lead. If Justin loses this next event, he’ll not only lose AJ, but his friendship with her as well.

He knew he couldn’t lose this, a lot was riding on him winning. His eyes searched the arena and sought out hers.

Their eyes met as she made her way to him. If they could hear each other’s thoughts, they would be thinking the same.

I can’t lose you.

When AJ finally stood in front of him, she couldn’t help throwing her arms around him.

Justin couldn’t do much, but pull her into his arms and hold her tight. He didn’t want to let go of her and ended up squeezing her a little bit. He let his eyes close as he held her in his arms.

 A few tear drops fell from her eyes to collect on his shirt. She was just as sad as he was and didn’t want to let him go either.

Without causing a scene, he pulled her through the crowd and whispered in her ear.

“Follow me.”

AJ did as Justin said and followed him. When the coast was clear, Justin flashed them out. He needed to talk to her alone and knew of one place that AJ loved going to.

“You can open your eyes now, princess, we’re here,” he said as he put his wand in his back pocket.

Opening her eyes, she found them in the museum. She absolutely loved the museum, but of course Justin knew that. He brought her to a bench and the two of them sat down.

AJ watched him as he leaned forward a bit and let out a sigh. She was worried about the competition, but she was more worried about him.

“Justin,” she asked as she put a hand on his shoulder, “you okay?”

Pulling his gaze toward her, he straightened his back and sat up, giving her a smile. “I’m fine, Jerry.”

They both started laughing when he said that. The first time he called her ‘Jerry’ was when they went to the zoo. They heard about one of the giraffes giving birth and wanted to see the new addition.

“I still remember the day we named the baby giraffe.” 

Justin sent a smile her way and shook his head. “Ya, I still can’t believe you thought I was calling you ‘Jerry’ and not the giraffe.”

Both of them chuckled, giving the other a light shove until things got serious again. They only had a few more minutes left before the next event. 

Their eyes met each other as his hand met hers in an embrace, fingers lacing together. Justin had to say something, but his mouth felt dry and his muscles ached.

“I will win this,” he said as he gave her hand a squeeze.

AJ had faith in him and gave him a nod. “Good luck, Justin.”

Not letting his eyes leave hers, Justin had one last thing to say. “AJ, you already have my heart, no matter what.”

She couldn’t take much more of this and wrapped her arms around him, but not without saying, “And you have mine.”

Putting their heads together, Justin leaned in and kissed her one last time before he grabbed his wand.

“We should be getting back now. I have a competition to win.”

With that said, the young wizard flashed them both out.

My Heart Was Always Yours

Sneak Peek…

Chapter 11- And So It Begins

“Come in,” AJ said when she heard a knock on her door.

She was just tying up her shoe when Justin poked his head in. He gave her a small smile as he slowly opened the door more and stepped inside.

The way he moved told her something was up. She pulled herself up and shifted her feet as she watched him get closer and closer.

“Hey, J, you ready?” he casually asked, hoping that she was.

This was the last day they would spend together before the tournament and AJ wanted to spend it with him. She hated how they were both fighting over her, but she knew there was no point in trying to stop it.

Both Justin and Nick were dead set in their ways and very stubborn. The only thing she could do was let them do this, but it isn’t like she hadn’t tried.

After putting on her heart shaped necklace, AJ nodded at him and grabbed his hand.

“I’m ready, Justin.”

They both headed to his car and before long were off on their adventure. He drove them to his house and from there, he was taking her someplace special.

Since AJ loves carnivals and fairs, Justin decided to take her to a wizard fair. This would be her first time in the wizard world and he couldn’t wait to show her.

“You’re gonna love the wizard fair. It’s just like the normal one, but only with,” he chuckles. “uh, wizards. They even have a elf stacking contest. It’s really cool.”

AJ smiled as she listened to him. She never thought she would ever hang out with a wizard before and now that she has been, it’s the coolest thing ever.

“Sounds great. I can’t wait!”

When they got to the Sub Station, they walked in holding hands and headed upstairs. Justin went to ask Max and Alex if they wanted to go too, but secretly he hoped not, he wanted it to be just the two of them.

“I’ll ask them,” he said as they came up the stairs.

He was doing this for AJ because she didn’t want to leave the others out. They found Alex and Max there and asked them.

“Hey, I’m taking AJ to the wizard fair, care to join us?” he asked.

Max looked over his shoulder at them and was about to answer when Alex put her hand over his mouth.

“Sounds like fun, but Max and I are busy right now. Why don’t you go without us?” she smiled sweetly.

Max gave his sister a glare as she pulled her hand away. He didn’t like the fact that Alex spoke for him.

“Actually, I’d…”

He was interrupted by Alex pulling him up by his shirt and leading him into the kitchen where she got really close to him.

AJ and Justin turned to each other with a shrug before focusing on Max and Alex.

“What did you do that for, Alex?” Max whispered yelled at her, before looking over his shoulder with a nervous chuckle.

Alex glared at Max before she pulled his attention back to her. “Isn’t it obvious, Max?” 

She realized she was talking to Max and shook her head before sighing. “Look, Justin really doesn’t want us to go.”

Max, being  his usual confused self, asked her why he invited them.

“That doesn’t make any sense, Alex, why would he invite us, but not really want us to go?”

Slapping her forehead, she answered her queer little brother’s question.

“Because, Max, he was just being courteous. You know asking for the sake of asking… to be nice. Can’t you see he wants time alone with her?”

They both turned to see Justin and AJ smiling at each other. He was whispering things to her and she was nodding at him.

Finally, Max got it. He turned to the other two and shouted, “It’s okay. You two go ahead. It’s obvious you don’t really want us there! Ow!

Max turned as soon as Alex smacked him on the shoulder. “What was that for?”

“You…” she started, but never finished until she saw Max’s confused face. “Never mind. You two have fun.”

Looking at her with a nervous chuckle, Justin flashed them both out. They ended up at the fair, but AJ had her eyes shut. She wasn’t used to popping places yet.

However, when she did open her eyes, she first, pulled away from Justin when she noticed she was holding on for dear life. 

The second thing AJ noticed was the fair itself. There were tents, booths and rides, but instead of people like herself, there were wizards like Justin’s family, witches, ogres, giants, and even…

“Whoa, is that a centaur?” AJ asked as she saw half a horse and the body of a girl.

Justin laughed as AJ looked around. He had so much to show her and decided to go on a few rides first.

After spending time riding on the rides, as well as a few more than once, AJ wanted to play games at the booth.

By the end of the last game, AJ was exhausted, but had tons of prizes, some she won and some Justin won for her.

“Wow, this has been amazing, Justin, thank you.”

AJ gave him a kiss on the cheek causing him to blush as he grabbed her hand. He had one more place to take her and it was hard for him to go there.

“You okay, Justin?” AJ asked when she saw a haunted expression on his face.

Justin looked at her with sadness in his eyes. He’s told AJ about his girlfriend, Juliet, and all the great times they had together. He even told her about the times he lost her as well.

“I’ll let you know when we get there,” he said as he held her close and flashed out.

When AJ opened her eyes this time, they were in Transylvania in a castle court yard. She looked around and noticed the place was deserted.

“Wow, this place is huge.”

Things got quiet as she turned back to Justin. He was standing in one spot, staring out into the distance. He didn’t even notice when AJ called his name. It was like he was caught in a past memory.

“It was right here,” he began speaking, once he found his voice.

“Mason and Juliet fought each other. I watched them while Alex and Max went looking for the necklace she threw away.”

AJ stood next to him as he continued talking. She looked toward where Justin was as she was pulled into Justin’s memory.

“I remember grabbing Alex’s arm and telling her that she was coming with me, but Mason grabbed her other arm.”

“No, she’s not going anywhere.”

Alex, being pulled by both of them shouted because she was in the middle of a tug-of-war battle.

“I’m not leaving without my sister!”

Mason growled, turning into a full werewolf and angrily stared at them. “I said she’s not going anywhere!”

Justin tried again to get Alex to leave, but she wouldn’t.

“No! I have to find the necklace!”

While she and Max looked around, Justin stood up to Mason and got knocked down. Juliet came and let out her wings to defend herself as she battled with Mason.

Justin turned to Alex and watched as Alex tried to get the necklace down by throwing things at it. 

He then turned around to see Mason and Juliet and went to help her when she got scratched and Mason got bit. 

After that, it was over.

“I was standing right here as I watched her turn from a beautiful girl into an older lady.”

AJ watched as Justin walked away and sat on the steps. She turned and sat beside him on his left.

“I’m sorry,” she said when a few minutes of silence passed by.

Justin looked at her and knew she genuinely meant it. He gave her a smile as he put his arm around her.

“It’s okay. Yes, I loved her, but I’ve moved on now,” he said with a smile, “I’m in a good place.”

It got quiet after that as they both listened to the night time orchestra. Soon the silence got to her again and she had to say something, anything.

“So I guess this is it, the last day.” 

Her eyes traveled up to Justin’s and he stared right back into hers. He gave a nod as she let her head rest on his shoulder.

“Ya, I guess it is,” he said as he let out a sigh and rested his head on hers.

“I’m scared, Justin.”

He heard how soft and shaky her voice was and knew that she was scared and now that he’s thinking about it…

“I am too, AJ.”

They sat there for a little bit before they headed back. Justin drove her back home and they stood on the porch trying to soak in their last moments together.

‘I better go, she said as she looked up at Justin’s face. “I had a really good time.”

“Ya, me too.” He gave a sad nod as he leaned in and kissed her. “Sleep well, princess.”

As soon as she was inside, Justin walked down the pathway to his car. He opened his door and got in, but instead of driving off, he hit his head against the steering wheel.

Tomorrow was a big day and they would both need their rest.

My Heart Was Always Yours

Sneak Peek…

Chapter 10- This Means War

Nick sighed as he looked out his window. His bedroom window just so happened to face AJ’s. Sometimes he watches her play the guitar, or when both their windows are open, he’d listen to her sing.

To him, she sang as well as a songbird in the spring. He loved to sit and  listen to her sing. It not only made him happy, but it made him love her even more.

Right now, she was on the phone as she paced her room. He saw a smile on her face and wondered who she was talking to.

“Bird watching again?” a voice asked.

Nick knew that voice and turned to see his older brother, Joe, behind him.

Joe leaned against the door frame and smirked at him. All three of Nick’s brothers knew about his love for AJ.

Ever since he came back from his trip to the Caribbean, he has been depressed. No one really knows what happened over there, but it wasn’t good.

“Very funny, Joe,” Nick sighed as he turned back to the window and noticed that AJ was gone. He looked down and saw her running to…

“Aw, man there they go again with the hugging,” he mumbled, pulling his gaze away.

Joe stepped into the room and walked over to the window. He saw AJ hugging Justin.

Before turning back to his brother, he pulled the shade down.

Nick felt his heart leap into his throat at the sight of them together.

Feeling sorry for his brother, Joe sat on Nick’s bed and gave him some brotherly advice.

“I know it hurts to see them together, but look at your options.”

Nick had no clue what his brother was talking about. “What options, Joe?”

“It’s simple really. One option is to back off and let her be with him,” he started off while flipping through a guitar magazine.

By the wide eyes look on Nick’s face, and the way his head shook vigorously, that wasn’t the best option. 

“No, I can’t Joe.”

“Or,” Joe said, “you fight back. Challenge him like they did back in the past when two guys fought over the same girl. A duel.”

Suddenly, Nick jumped at his brother and threw his arms around him before running out of the room.

Joe shook his head as he watched him. “You’re welcome!” he shouted, but it was too late, Nick was already gone.

Nick ran passed his other brothers, Kevin and Frankie, as he dashed for the front door.

They watched him and shouted, “Hey, Nick, where’s the fire?”

Nick, who was in a hurry, didn’t hear them. He shot out the door and stood in his front your. His eyes fell on AJ and Justin sitting on the ground in front of her house. Both of them were laughing.

Great, he mumbled to himself, Now what do I do? I can’t just go over there a demand a duel. Can I? 

As he stood there thinking, AJ shouted at him. She was trying to get his attention, but it wasn’t working.

Finally, after another failed attempt, she jumped up and walked over to him. She could tell he was out of it.

“Nick? You alright?” she asked, waving a hand in his face.

With a snap of her finger, Nick shook his head and came face to face with…

“AJ, hey.” He smiled. “How are you?”

AJ tilted her head to the right and sent a bright smile in his direction. She always gave him a smile that made him feel warm and loved.

“I’m good, Nick, just hanging out with Justin. We were gonna see a movie. Did you wanna come?”

The only thing Nick got out that conversation was ‘Nick’ ‘gonna see a movie’ and ‘wanna come’. He failed to hear the important part until it hit him.

She said she was going to a movie with Justin? he thought as he watched her talk.

“So do you wanna hang with us?”

Nick had to think. He wanted to hang with her, but not when Justin was around. What was he going to do?

Not wanting to leave her hanging he finally spoke up. “Thanks for the offer, but I already have plans with my brother.”

AJ was a little disappointed, but didn’t let it show. She sent him a smile anyway and gave a nod.

“Well, if you change your mind we’re gonna be at the Chinese restaurant, Won Tan Ni, if you want to hang out later.”

With that said, she pulled him into a hug and walked back to Justin. He out his arm around her as they walked over to his car and got in.

Nick watched as Justin gave him a sneer as he drove away. That did it. Nick was furious. He had to do something.

Grinning to himself, he decided to come up with a brilliant plan.

My Heart Was Always Yours

Sneak Peek…

Chapter 9- Secret Treasure

It’s only been a couple of days since the incident at the karaoke club, but it was still fresh in AJ’s mind. She never expected to have feelings for both guys or for both of them to share those feelings.

Not being able to deal with them right now, she hasn’t seen or spoken to either one of them since then. It was way too hard being around them, especially since she was conflicted. AJ didn’t know what to do and not even Jake could cheer her up.

“Are you sure, AJ? I hate seeing you like this,” Jake sighed as he watched her drag her body up the stairs.

When she told him about what happened he wasn’t shocked at all. He knew sooner or later one of them would fall for her, but he hadn’t expected them to do it at the same time.

Ever since both Justin and Nick declared that they wanted to be more than just friends, she has been stuck in the house. Jake kept taking messages for her. She wouldn’t talk to anyone and everyone was worried about her including himself.

Well, Jake couldn’t stand seeing her like this and decided to try to get her out of the house. Confidently, with a stride in his step, he marched up to her room and knocked on her door.

“AJ, how about we spend the afternoon together, just the two of us? I have a bit of time before I have to leave,” he said as he stood outside her door.

Inside, AJ was laying on her bed rubbing Penelope’s head. She let out an almost frustrated growl.

“No, thanks, Jake. I’m just not in the mood right now,” she mumbled as she laid her head back down and shut her eyes.

She knew he was trying to cheer her up, but it wasn’t working. Nothing came to her mind on how to fix this and she was slowly starting to give up.

Jake decided to let it go, but left her with some parting words.

“Fine, but try to get out of the house. Go hang with your friends to take your mind off your troubles.”

As she sucked in air and breathed it out, she found herself agreeing to get out the house.

The sound of the car door slamming caused her to get up and look out her window as her brother pulled out of the driveway. She watched him drive away and looked out at the neighborhood.

With a deep sigh, she flopped back on her bed and turned to Penelope. Her dog watched her until AJ told her to go play. Penelope, who knew it was time to leave, hopped off the bed and used her paw to open the door.

That made AJ smile. She remembered the time she taught Penelope to do tricks and one of them was pushing down on the door handle to open it.

While remembering that, other things came to the front of her mind. Her mind came back to the day she met Justin and all the good times they had together. She then realized how she had been avoiding him since he told her how he really felt.

“I don’t know what to do,” she thought as she picked up the stuffed giraffe he won for her.

Deciding she had been coped up for too long, AJ grabbed her phone and dialed a number.

“Hello,” a voice said as they picked up.

“Hey, Alex, it’s me, AJ,” she sighed as she walked around her room. She could tell Alex was surprised to hear from her.

“AJ? Wow, it’s been a couple days since me, Justin and Max have heard from you. You okay?” Alex asked with concern hidden in her voice.

AJ told her she was okay and then asked if Justin was there.

“No, he’s out with Zeke doing some geek thing. Why?”

Taking a deep breath, she told Alex what was up. 

“I need your help.” she said while pacing back and forth.

“Come on over.”

Later when AJ got to the Sub Station, she met Alex and they headed up to the Russo’s home. The two of them sat on the couch as they talked. AJ told her what happened and how it caused so many problems.

“Wow, that is tough,” Alex nodded as she turned to her stressed out friend.

AJ sighed as she stared out in front of her. Alex watched her and came up with a plan. It wasn’t going to be easy, but she just had to do something. She saw how miserable her brother was without AJ around. The only other time he was that depressed was when he lost Juliet not once, not twice, but three times.

“I can help you,” she smiled as AJ turned to her.

“Why would you help me?” AJ asked her. From the things Justin has told her about his sister, it was a surprise that Alex would actually offer to help. Of course, it happens, but it’s a rare thing.

Alex made AJ look at her as she spoke. “Because you make Justin happy. He really cares for you and you two are good together,” Alex smiled as she placed her hand on AJ’s shoulder.

“Okay, what’s your plan?” she asked as she faced Alex.

Alex started telling her the idea she came up with, but neither of them noticed someone else in the room as they talked until…

“AJ? Alex? What’s going on? the voice from behind them bellowed.

They both turned around to see Justin standing there with his hands on his hips. As soon as Justin and AJ’s eyes met each others, they couldn’t stop staring. It took Alex hitting AJ with a pillow for her gaze to be shifted to the offending pillow Alex was holding.

Justin shook his head and looked between his sister and his friend. He knew something was up and he just had to know what it was.

“What are you guys doing?” he asked as he came around the couch to face them both.

“I, uh, was helping AJ with something,”  Alex started. When Justin raised an eyebrow, she continued on. “Okay, fine, I want you two to be happy, so I came up with this idea, but first off we need to get something.”

“And what’s that?” Justin asked. He was even more curious as to what they were up to.

“We need the Stone of Dreams.”

Justin’s jaw hit the floor when Alex spoke of the stone. He remembered that summer when they went in search for it. He knew he couldn’t let them go alone.

“I wanna help. It was dangerous last time. I’m coming with you,” he nodded his head as he reached his hand out to AJ.

AJ took it and he pulled her up. The three of them headed down to the lair. They passed Max on the way. He asked what was going on and insisted on coming too when he heard.

The four of them made a plan and decided that tomorrow they would go on their quest.

“This could work,” Alex smiled as she looked at the others.