CHAPTER 292: CONTROL TOWERS?

After tucking Josh in for the night, Jamal went to discuss with Tom in his study, while Abigail spent time chatting with Brenda and Bella.

Jamal brought Tom up to speed with all that had happened that day, both Abigail’s meeting and discussion with Callan, as well as Stefan’s phone call.

After Jamal was done, Tom remained silent for a while before speaking. "Our friends in the control towers have been monitoring Ryan’s movement. They went off course initially like they were changing destination, but they are back on course. They’re due in Ludus by noon."

"Control towers? You were monitoring the plane?" Jamal asked, and Tom chuckled.

"We have to. Emily is on the plane after all. Will you be going with Dawn and Callan to see him when he gets here?"

"Yes. I have no plans of letting her meet him alone. Only God knows what else he’d want to do now that he knows we know everything. I won’t put it past him to want to hold her hostage or something," Jamal said, and Tom smirked.

"Don’t worry, that won’t happen. I spoke with Hunter earlier. He said he advised Callan to meet with Ryan before going with Dawn. I agree with him. Callan should talk to him first. Whatever Dawn and Callan decides after meeting him, is what we will do, since this is about them," Tom said, and Jamal nodded in agreement.

"I’m so glad this is all over. Now I can’t wait to just take my wife home and live happily ever after," Jamal said, making Tom chuckle.

"Your wife?"

"Yeah. I’m married to her in my heart already. You’re the ones putting asunder to what God has joined together right now. But seriously, Tom, do you think it’s fair that you’re letting Dawn live here with you instead of with me? I spent all these years apart from her and now that I’ve found her we have to live separately? We both know if the situation was reversed you wouldn’t let Lucy be out of your sight?" Jamal asked with a mild scowl.

Tom chuckled. "Am I supposed to throw her out?"

"The least you can do for me is convince Lucy and grandma Evelyn to let her and Josh move in with me. I promise to bring her here daily so she gets acquainted with the family," he said, and Tom laughed again.

"That’s not up to me. It’s not up to Lucy or my Mom either. It’s up to you and Dawn. She’s an adult. If she decides to leave here and move in with you, no one would stop her," Tom pointed out.

Jamal frowned. "But we both know she wouldn’t want to do that because she wants to please Lucy and you."

"Then how is that my fault? If you can’t beat them, you join them. That’s what I would do if I were in your shoes," Tom said with a grin.

"By join them I’m guessing you mean I should move in here. But it’s so far away from the company," Jamal complained.

Tom smiled. "I guess you’re not ready yet."

Before Jamal could respond, Lucy walked into the study and joined them. "What are you two talking about?" She asked as she took the seat beside Jamal.

"Jamal is complaining that we are keeping Dawn here when she should be living with him," Tom explained.

Lucy smiled. "What’s a couple of weeks or months apart compared to spending a lifetime with her after you’re married?"

"I can’t believe you’re asking me that when even after all these years of being together you both can’t even spend a day apart," Jamal said dryly and both Lucy and Tom smiled at each other.

"That’s different..."

"No. It’s not," Jamal scowled at Tom and both Lucy and Tom laughed.

"Listen, love," Lucy said, reaching for his hand, "The purpose of our decision isn’t to punish you both or keep you apart. Besides, we didn’t make the decision alone. It was a joint decision. Your parents, grandfather, and everyone else was involved. Dawn was raised in a dysfunctional home. We want her to stay with a normal functioning family for a while and then go for therapy before you both kick things off. This is for her sake as well as yours and Josh’s. You’re both adults, yes, but you’re also both part of this large family and that means your relationship can’t go wrong. You might think Dawn is entirely okay right now, but you never can tell the extent of her trauma or when it’s going to rear its head. We don’t want that to happen. So, trust us as you’ve always done. You can sleep over whenever you can, and take them with you on weekends. Josh needs to spend time with you and your family too," Lucy said, and Jamal nodded slowly, understanding better the reason for their decision.

"Alright. But this arrangement won’t exceed a year, right?" He asked, and Lucy shrugged.

"It might not be up to a year..."

"But even if it takes more than a year I’m sure you’d wait however long it takes for her to be emotionally whole. Love can’t heal everything. That’s why we still need therapy," Tom cut in.

Lucy giggled. "Yeah," she agreed.

"I’ve heard you. I’m not spending the night in the guestroom, though. Josh is in his own room, so I’m going to spend the night with Dawn in her room," Jamal said, and both Tom and Lucy exchanged a look and laughed.

"In case you didn’t figure it out already, I prepared a separate room for Josh because I figured you’d want to spend the night sometimes. Instead of sneaking around in the middle of the night, you can share her room. I’m considerate, am I not?" Lucy said with a grin, and color flooded Jamal’s face as he stared at her incredulously.

"Whatever you do, do not impregnate my little aunt under my roof, Uncle Jamal," Tom drawled.

"I’m done talking to you both. Goodnight," Jamal muttered as he rose, and their laughter followed him to the door.

"And remember to keep it down, Jam," Lucy called after him before he could open the door, and Jamal hurried away without turning.

Tom bellowed with laughter as Jamal shut the door behind him. "I can’t believe you just used that line," he said, remembering how Lucy had been embarrassed when his mother had used that line with her years ago.

Lucy grinned. "I’ve been waiting to use it for years. Thought it’d be for Branden’s girlfriend, but I just couldn’t resist teasing Jam with it. He looks so cute when he’s embarrassed," she said, and they both laughed.