SURPRISE NUMBER ONE

When Jack woke up he was a bit groggy.  Irene claims to say he wasnt able to drive after his unexpected sleep tole. So she took over the wheel while he rests his head.

"Twins." His face was blank and he gnawed his bottom lip. Irene couldnt read his expression at the very moment, so she held his hand and gave it a tight squeeze.

She looked towards the road with an eating grin prying its way to her face, "Were gonna make it," when Jack glanced at Irene he gave a visible smile and pecked her cheek softly, "Were gonna make it."

"I hope we do."

♤

SURPRISE NUMBER TWO

"Surprise?"

Laylani was quiet at first. But after processing the new information she squealed in delight and hugged her friend tightly, "Holy mackerel, Irene you better not be messing with my knickers."

She only laughed at her odd statement and rubbed her belly soothingly, "I'm not. Were gonna have twins."

It only made Laylani yell louder in excitement as she hugged her tightly, lifting her friend off the ground and twirling her around. Many of her coworkers came into the room after hearing the loud commotion.

"What is with all that screaming?"

"Did someone steal Donald's duck collection?"

"Hey!"

"What's the surprise?"

"No. Even better!" Laylani took ahold of Irenes hand to raise it to the air as she yelled in the tip of her tongue, ''Irene is having a baby!"

Irene looked at her fellow coworkers with a crooked smile. All in which have different emotions.

"Oh my.. Irene that's..  that's amazing!" Peni was the first to congratulate the woman as she engulfed her in a hug.

The rest doing the same right after her. Congratulating her in many hugs and hand shakes.

Donald stood by the door, he bit his lips in shock. He couldnt believe it. Laylani squeezed her way over to his side with a semi sad smile.

"Todays the day pal," she patted his back, "Let her go."

Donald didnt reply. The Sterling didnt know what to say. But in the end he knew Laylani was right. It was time to let go. But he thinks she should do the same.

He shook his head and went out the locker room to serve the customers. In the end he didnt bother to say his wishes to Irene.

Laylani only looked ar his departing figure as he made his way out the door, "You just dont know when to stop."

♤

SURPRISE NUMBER THREE

"Is Irene Castello in the building?"

The voice boomed across the Schwabd. Irene took a glimpse of her caller where she was wiping the dirty counter.

A woman who could've been around her fifties, wore a black pencil skirt and a red polka dot button up and not to mention her hair was pulled into a tight bun. She could've swore it damaged her scalp.

And it looks like she keeps a permanent  red chapped line for a mouth.

Irene's nose crunched as after looking at the old woman. She raised her hand as she called, "Right here ma'am?"  

In an instant, her head flashed towards the Irene's location. The fifty year old woman squinted her eyes as she walked away from the door, "I need to talk to you," she looked around her to see the lingering eyes, watching the interaction take place. But it only made the woman scrunched her face in disapproval. Irene thought she could've passed as the counterpart of the grinch, "Alone Mrs. Castello."

Irene pursed her lips hesitantly as she lead the tight bun lady to the locker rooms.

Once she opened the door and stepped aside for the her to enter an immediate distaste covered her features, "Not what I had in mind. But it's better than staying in junk."

Irene fought back an eye roll. She clicked her tongue as she took a sit down on the benches, but the lady stood still in her place, "Erm, you can sit." She pats the seat gently.

She was back to the hard line for a mouth. She stood still as she shook her head in disagreement, "I'm not here to sit on your dirty benches."

While Irene was busy feeling the air grow thick she didnt miss how to woman would look over her.

A glare would even send her to the skies if she kept looking her over like a victim of murder.

"My name is Oprah Fox." Oprah introduced.

Irene's forced a smile upon her face, "Ire–"

"Hush it, I already know your name."

Irene's eyes twitched ever so slightly from the sudden bite.

Oprah pursed her chapped red lips and clicked her tongue, "Not what I had in mind.. but maybe we can fix your body."

Irene gaped as she gawked at the woman in shock, "I'm sorry, what?"

Oprah scoffed, annoyance covering her wrinkly features, "Your such a chatter box. As much as I like your skinny figure you can practically see your bones," she quickly muttered, "not to mention maybe you can also see your ribcage."

She couldnt help it. Her jaw slackened dropping g ever so slightly in a non lady like manner, "I dont think your talking to the right girl."

"Your Irene Castello, aren't you? Your not slim, not like I imagined you to be. You need to fatten up." Oprah sassed snapping her fingers together.

Irene's pupils grew huge in disbelief, "But I'm pre– Im s– I'm not bony!" She protested weakly.

Laughter filled the room. Oprahs obnoxious laughter cried out loudly causing Irene to grow angry.

"Tell me something interesting. If I recruit you I'll fix your bony figure. Especially with a pregnant woman like you. Need a good body to take care of the child."

She wanted Oprah to get to what she needed from her quick. Irene couldnt stand her judgemental words, "What do you want from me."

It was like Oprah kissed the air as she praised the sky, "Thank you so much for finding the voice," she praised as she clapped her hands, "I'm here to make you a star."

♤

SURPRISE NUMBER FOUR

It was late. Oprah left Schwabs with a possible star.

But it wasnt easy, Irene didnt even agree.

Two weeks. Two weeks is all its gonna take for her answer. Was it gonna be easy? Possibly not.

The other employees around her where hustling and bustling to get orders done. Only Irene stayed with Donald possibly slacking off.

Laylani wasnt around to entertain the her. No no, in fact she left early with Urina. Donald said Laylani and Urina could possibly go to the cat house.

Why? Everyone knows they want to have drinks and sex. Possibly?

The bell chimed, signaling another customers entering and leaving Schwabs. Whenever the constant ringing goes off, Irene and Donald would slump down the counters even more.

She turned out most of the store. But when she would listen to Donald when he complains about bills.

"Hey Jack its ready." She chirped.

Curiosity took her head to swipe towards the name only to see Jack in an officer uniform with a colored man by his side.

Jack gave her a small glance before looking away. He didnt want Irene to come over to question the uniform.

Irene decided to eavesdrop on the trio, to see what was the get up Jack was playing around with.

When she leaned over she almost bumped into Donald. Quickly muttering a sorry, she missed their conversation and only took one sentence out.

"I wear it when I'm on

She bit her lips and rolled her eyes, 'plain lie'

When Shirley passed by Irene she leaned over and whispered to her ear, "I didnt know he was an officer."

Irene only huffed, tucking her hands on her skirt pockets, "Blimey I didnt know either."

Jack and the other fellow sat on the stools conversed together. But Irene wasnt able to catch any words among the two.

"I didnt kno–"

"Blimey Donald!" Irene groaned, letting out a frustrating huff . She already knew what her coworker was about to say, "Dont get me started, I didnt know either."

Donald held his hands up in defence, "Okay, wow lady man chill out."

Irene rolled her eyes as she took a peek to where Jack was. He was lighting a cigar for his 'friend'

"Is your husband gay?" Donald questioned.

Irene slapped his chest fast and hard. Donald screeched as he attempted to get away from the small girl.

"If he was why did he marry me?"

He only shrugged in  response, "Your point, not mine."

But he did had a point..

'Is my husband gay?'

It was just a suspicious theory.

♤

SURPRISE NUMBER FIVE

She never questioned Jack, sure it was weird for him to show up with a fake badge. But who was she to judge his sudden passion of putting on fake cop badges?

Once Irene hiked up the steps to her shared home she opened the door and sighed briefly. To her surprise the lights where open and the kitchen was in full view with bright lights and delicious smell.

While she looked for the source she was surprised to see him. Jack was in one of his tshirts with a towel on his shoulder.

"Hello sweetheart." He grinned as he flipped his spatula to meet his hand once more, pointing it to her direction as he winked.

She squinted her eyes suspicion, "What are you doing?" After hesitantly closing the door she looked around to see how livid the room looked.

"Nothing, just cooking dinner for my wife."

Irene looked at Jack as if she was a deer in head lights. It was odd.. but she kinda likes it.

Jack took the plates of the kitchen counter and placed it on the small table, "Hungry?"

After looking and surveying Jack's actions she places her bag on the couch, "How suspicious." She stated slyly crossing her arms together in a tight hold, "What did you do."

"Nothing nothing." He ushered her over taking ahold of her hands bringing her to the table, "Come here, sit down."

"Let's celebrate."

"Celebrating what?" She asked unsure as to why Jack was acting different, more like a gentleman.

He pulled out her chair setting her down gently, "Celebrating you quitting your job!" He stated excitedly kneeling down clasping her hands between his.

Her mouth fell a gaped at his sudden words, "Wha– but I like working at Schwabs–"

"I cant have you on your feet all day," he kissed her hands and tucked his nose within it, "two months along, I dont want you working anymore."

He waved his hand and got up, "Not another word about it," he sat on his chair and pushed it foward, "Let's eat.. Just eat." His smile plastered on his face. He took his napking giving it a harsh wave and set it on his lap.

Irene was just about to do the same as she eyed Jack. But quickly looking at her napkin, she took ahold of the cloth only for a series of green paper to fall to her lap.

Taking ahold of the paper her eyes grew after holding the many dollars, "Oh my.. god." Irene held the money shakily in her hands. Disbelief filled her chest as she looked back to her husband, "Ho– what. How?"

"That's five hundred dollars," Jack grinned as he tucked his hands together, watching his wife's doe eyes.

"How– how did you get this?"

"I've been doing good work in the gas station. Rents already paid, gas and electric too," he pointed at the dollars as a matter of fact, "Now that ain't for spending alright.. that's a download payment.. for a house."

Irene's pupils grew even more in disbelief. She couldnt believe her ears as to what her husband just spoke. Her mouth was dry out of words, "Oh my.. I dont.."

"I thought that's what you wanted." He felt sudden nervousness rack through him.

But it diminished as she started to laugh in joy, "Jack I just cant believe it!"

They both got up as a smile slipped it's way on her face as she hugged him tightly.

"Thank you." She whispered to his ear. She said the words repeatedly.

"Anything for you. Anything for my family."

But to Irene everything was always gonna be alright. Even if it's just her.

It explained everything. Endless days without Jack. He was just bustling his way through work. It all made sense.. but why was there still a bone crushing feeling exhilarating beneath her heart?

Besides Irene, Jack felt guilt crushed his chest as he inhaled sharply. He was feeling it over flowing him now.

♤