Planning Something Special [Marcus]

[Jackson Poe]

30th June 2009

Jackson had just come from the last rehearsal with the new band he was in - C-PAX - and they sounded good, if he did say so himself. Jackson was a perfectionist when it came to his music, and always made sure that what he had just recorded vocally sounded right. He always walked out of the sound booth, and would go out to the guy mixing it, and listen. If he didn't like something, he would tell them that he was going to go back in and redo it. That was how much he loved what he did.

He had messaged Marcus that morning, asking him he was up for that little meeting with him, to plan a certain someone's Twenty-First birthday party. Of cause he was, and Jackson was glad. He knew it was still a month away, but he wanted everything to be just right. Jackson had spoken to their parents, and told them what he had in mind, and they were fine with it. To Jackson, they sounded distracted, but it might have been because they were constantly making sure that Emma was okay at home, and taking her when they could to her physio appointments. Jackson had been trying to help when he could, but lately had been busy with working with the new band.

Jackson walked up to the cafe in the middle of town, and walked in. Sitting down at a nearby table, near the door, Jackson pulled out a notebook, and pen. A waiter came over, and Jackson ordered a cappacino. He was alone again, and just began to scribble down some ideas he had over the last few weeks.

[marcus]

Marcus had received a text earlier from Jackson, he wanted to know if Marcus was up for discussing Emma's twenty first, and of course Marcus was up for that. He was in fact, up for anything which involved his kid sister. Yeah that's how he referred to her now in his own mind. His kid sister, because even if she was turning twenty one, she was still very much a kid to him, after all, he was eleven years older than her, at thirty two himself. So, naturally he text Jackson back, saying that he would love to help with the plans and he'd be there as soon as possible.

Marcus was now living at the Woods' and of course doing what he could to help Emma and her recovery. Craig was still working away in Australia and had contacted by phone, saying he couldn't really get away, but he hoped that everything was going alright with his sister's recovery and that he promised to get back one day to meet Marcus.

When Marcus had taken her to her physio one day, when their parents were too busy, Emma had said that she wanted to get her independence back, because she had been enjoying living in her own apartment, and of course, that wasn't the case now, while she recovered. Marcus had told her, if she continued the way she was going, she'd be back in her own apartment again before she knew it. He was very proud of his sister and how much she had achieved since she got out of the hospital.

Emma's parents were paying the rent on her apartment for her, so she wouldn't lose it. Marcus was of course doing his bit too, he had managed to get himself a job as a trainer for young boxers, and it was paying well. So he sometimes paid for the rent himself. And he hoped once Emma was back on her feet properly, he would get his own apartment too. So lost in his thoughts, he didn't even realise how near he was to where Jackson had said to meet him.

He walked in the door and saw him immediately. "Alright, Jackson me good man?" He said in a clear voice as he walked in and sat down at the table Jackson was at. He could see, that he had a notebook and pen at the ready. He was certainly into this idea of giving Emma the best for her twenty first, and it made Marcus smile. "So, where do ye want to start?" He asked, and then ordered himself a latte when the waitress came over to him.

[Jackson Poe]

Jackson saw Marcus enter the cafe, and smiled. "Hey Marcus. How's it goin'?" He watched Marcus sit down, asking him where he wanted to start. Then the waitress came over, and took Marcus' order. Looking down at his notebook, Jackson decided to start from the beginning.

"I know that Emma is still recovering, even by the time her Twenty-First comes around. I know it is still a month away, but I want to be prepared for anything. So I have a few ideas of what I want to do for the party." Jackson looked at the first few points he had down. "Okay. Not sure if this is possible yet, as I don't know our schedule as yet, but I hoping that the band I am now with, C-PAX, might be able to play. Though if that was the case, I am hoping that most of the time they might be able to play, so I can spend as much time as possible with Emma as I can during the course of the night."

"Also I know that Emma loves pastel colours, especially pink. So would have to look into some metalic balloons in those colours. I don't want to go overboard with decorations, but I think flowers on the tables, where the guest will sit down for the meal, would be a nice touch. And also in similiar colours to the balloons if we can." Jackson then remembered the flowers he had given Emma that night they celebrated their 2 months together. "Also have to get those Japanese Paper Flowers, like the ones I gave her a while ago."

Jackson hoped that he wasn't giving too much information out at the one time, but Jackson had been thinking about it all for a while. He wanted it all to be just perfect for her, what with the circumstances being what they were. Just then he had to add. "Where we have the gathering will have to been somewhere where there are no stairs, obviously." Just then, as Jackson made a note of that little detail, their drinks came.

[marcus]

Marcus smiled at Jackson, "Yeah, it's going alright Jackson me good man." Marcus said as Jackson asked how he was doing. Marcus then looked down at the notebook in front of Jackson, wondering how much he had got written down so far. And wondering how much more planning they would have to do. Marcus was of the same opinion as Jackson, with everything Emma had been through, they had to give her the best twenty first party ever.

So Marcus listened to what Jackson had taken a note of so far, and smiled and nodded his head in relevant places, not wanting to interrupt him as such. So when it looked like Jackson had taken his first break of talking, Marcus decided to reply to him.

"Aye, we got to do something real special for Emma, what with everything she's been through, she deserves to have as good a time as she can have, what with the physio she is going through." Marcus agreed nodding his head, and smiling at Jackson and then he decided to comment on the band playing.

"Oh, aye Jackson, if ye could get yer band to play I reckon that be real good. And I'm sure they'd be alright with ye spending time with Emma." Marcus said with regards to the idea of the band playing at the party. Marcus knew how much Emma loved Jackson's music and how proud she was of him, so naturally, having his band play at her twenty first would be a great idea.

He then stopped to listen to Jackson continue with ideas on colours and decoration. Again, nodding his head and smiling in relevant places, waiting for Jackson to take a break so he could respond to him. "The colour scheme sounds fantastic, aye, she loves pastel shades, especially pink, flowers on the table sound great too. And those Japanese Paper Flowers, she loved them, I know she did. I think ye've done well with planning Jackson, so far." Marcus said and grinned at him.

When Jackson mentioned holding it somewhere where there were no stairs, Marcus nodded. "Aye, cause even if she does get back on her feet, she wont want to be climbing any stairs for a bit yet. Good point Jackson." He replied, wondering what place they could book for the party. Thinking back, Marcus was sure he saw a place not too far away from their house which seemed to be all on the one level. He was sure the name of the place was called Carnegie's.

"Well, I'm not sure if it be any use to ye, but I remember walking past a place called Carnegie's, quite near to our folks house, and it looked like it was all on one level. In fact it was a function suite, I remember it now, it was called Carnegie's Function Suite. Maybe try that?" Marcus suggested, giving Jackson a smile, feeling quite good to have actually managed to suggest something, as looking at how well Jackson had planned this already, he wasn't sure if he'd be of any help to add anything more useful.

[Jackson Poe]

Jackson was glad that Marcus and himself were on the same page, in regard to giving Emma the best party she deserved. When Marcus said that it would be great for the band to play, Jackson nodded, and smiled. It would be great to have them there, especially for support, even though they had only known each other for a couple of weeks. Jackson felt that he was becoming friends with them, especially with Bradley.

Jackson beamed at Marcus, when Marcus said that he had done well with planning so far. "Thanks Marcus, that means a lot. I didn't want to go overboard, and I didn't want to crush any plans that your folks had for her party as well. I know that they probably had plans for it as well. So we should run any ideas that we come up with past them, as they are your guys parents. I wouldn't like to step on any toes." That was a fact. Jackson remembered his own Twenty-First, where his parents planned the whole thing, and didn't take in any of his own ideas. That was the worst day of his life.

"I just want Emma's birthday go to well, as I know my own didn't eight years ago." Jackson's eyes looked down at his notebook. Shaking off that bad feeling, he looked up. He mentioned about the place where it would be held would need to be on one level for Emma to acceess, and Marcus mentioned that that was a good point. Then Marcus told Jackson of a place called Carnegie's Function Suite. "That would be great. I will have to check it out one day. I have been to your parent's place so many times now, you would think I would remember that." Jackson had to laugh. Sometimes his observation skills were not that crash hot. But when it came to Emma, they always kicked in.

Jackson wrote down the place in his notebook, and then looked at Marcus. "Okay, here is what we have so far:

• Try and get C-PAX to play at the party
  
• Buy pastel balloons, especially pink
  
• Buy flowers in the same shades, and also Japanese Paper Flowers
  
• Ring up, or visit the people at the Carnegie's Function Suite
  

How does that sound so far?"

[marcus]

Marcus could only grin when he saw how happy Jackson was when he'd told him he'd done well with plans already. When he had asked their parents about a surprise party for Emma, they had agreed, and gave him several blank cheques, telling him to get what ever he felt was necessary for the event. Their parents were a little busy with their work schedules to really participate in the plans much and were more than happy for the boys to do the planning.

Back in England, the Woods had run a family farm, but when they decided on a new life in the States, they both went into finance, and they are now both bank managers in Bank of America in two different branches, which was why they didn't have much time to organise the party, and why they had the money to give Marcus blank cheques. "I know what yer saying Jackson, but me mam and dad wanted for us to organise the party, because they don't really have the time, you know? They gave me some blank cheques, so we're just to do what we can for Emma." Marcus explained to Jackson giving him a grin.

"Aye, well don't worry yerself Jackson, with us in charge, we'll make sure Emma has a day she doesn't forget." Marcus himself didn't have much of an eighteenth or twenty first, 'his parents' couldn't afford it. But then, at the time, Marcus had been so understanding, well, because he loved them. It's a shame he's so bitter toward them now, but if they'd told him the truth like they were supposed to, he'd be able to mourn their deaths properly.

Marcus laughed a little, when Jackson commented about not having seen the place even though he'd been to his folks quite a lot. "Jackson, don't sweat it me good man, it's in a side street off the main road, I only noticed it cause I went snooping one day to see what was around the place." He explained, so hopefully, Jackson wouldn't feel so bad about not having seen the place himself on his many trips to his folks.

Jackson then began to read what he had written on the list so far, and Marcus nodded his head and smiled, so far it sounded good. He wondered if there was anything else they should get organised. "Sounds good so far Jackson, we should also add that we have to get a cake organised, oh and buffet food, I know mam's a good cook and baker, but she hasn't got the time, and well, we've got the money to hire people." Marcus was also going to go and see if he could find a big teddy bear with a twenty one on it. He had been in Emma's room often enough to know she was a sucker for soft toys, especially those Me To You Bears.

[Jackson Poe]

Jackson's eyes widened when Marcus told him that his parents had given him blank cheques to use in order to organise the party. "Wow. That is really generous of them. But I understand about them being busy. So am glad that they think us guys can handle the organisation of it all." Jackson had to laugh at that. Normally it is the women who do all of this, but now the shoes were on the other foot.

When Marcus made a comment about them being in charge, and that they will give her a day that she won't forget. Jackson listened to that last part. It sure will be a day she will never forget, if he had anything to do about it. All Jackson could do was smile, "I hope so Marcus. I hope so." Then Jackson looked around, and began to think about what he was wanting to plan for the party, but knew that if he told anyone, it would just get back to Emma. And he didn't want that.

Jackson didn't feel so bad about not knowing the place, when Marcus said he didn't know about it until he went snooping around. "Well, I hope that they are free for the first of August. Not sure of anywhere else it could be held, besides your parent's place. It can't be my place, as it is not suitable." That was true. The bathroom was up stairs, and that was no good for Emma at all.

When Jackson read out what was on the list, Marcus smiled and nodded. A good sign then. Then he commented, saying it sounded good so far. Then Marcus said the most obvious points which Jackson didn't even think of. "Of cause. How could I forget the cake. That is the most important thing, besides the food, of cause." Jackson wondered what sort of cake they should get. "I know that she loves chocolate, so why not order a chocolate cake? Also maybe have edible flowers on there as well, attempting to match the ones we will get for the party." It sounded good to Jackson, and then he had another thought. "We will also have to figure out what we want to be written on top. Just 'Happy 21st Emma'? Or maybe something else."

Jackson wrote down this point, and the little thoughts he had about it. "Now onto the catering. I wonder if there are any places in the area we could ring up?" Jackson knew that their mum was a good cook, but again understood about her being busy. "You never know Marcus. Your mum might just surprise you with something she made. Who knows."

Jackson added all these details to the end of the list he had.

• Try and get C-PAX to play at the party
  
• Buy pastel balloons, especially pink
  
• Buy flowers in the same shades, and also Japanese Paper Flowers
  
• Ring up, or visit the people at the Carnegie's Function Suite
  
• Order a chocolate cake, with wording on it [discuss this further]
  
• Check out catering places for the party
  

Jackson looked down at the list, and wondered what else there was to do. Now he knew. "We must make sure that Emma is ready for the big day as well. I know her physio is taking up a lot of her time, but she seemed to be doing well with it. I wonder if she should maybe skip a session the day before, so she isn't so tired from it all, even though the party won't be till night time at least."

Jackson had remember the last few nights, when he had come over to visit her. He had obviously stayed for dinner, and then helped her to her temporary room, as her room was up stairs in her parents house. They would often just lay there and watch tv, and/or just chat. Majority of the time she would fall asleep in his arms, which led to most of the time Jackson just staying like that with her all night, and eventually fall asleep himself.

[marcus]

Marcus had to smile when Jackson said wow and how it was generous of his and Emma's parents to give him blank cheques for organising the party for Emma due to them being so busy. Marcus couldn't believe it himself either, especially the trusting him and Jackson to organise it, but they had just said that he and Jackson obviously loved Emma very much and that she and Marcus had bonded very well over the short time, so in their eyes, they were the best candidates to get what Emma wanted.

"Aye, it was real generous of them Jackson, especially trusting as to organise it, but they reckon we know what Emma loves. Ye and I must be like a miracle in the party organising world, when have ye ever known guys to do this kind of thing and get it right?" Marcus said and laughed out loud, shaking his head slightly, but then had to say, "Although, don't think we're doing too bad a job, aye?"

When Jackson said he hoped they would give her a day she wouldn't forget, Marcus just gave him a reassuring smile. He had been around in their company long enough now, to know how much Jackson loved Emma, so he knew in his heart he would do a damn good job of it. All Marcus was doing was helping, throwing in a few suggestions, and filling out the cheque amounts.

After Marcus told him about Carnegie's Function Suite, and Jackson commented that he hoped they were free on August first, Marcus nodded his head. "Aye, let's hope so, but I don't see why not. Sure looks like a place specifically for private functions, ye know? Hopefully there wont be many people looking to hire the place on the first August." If the place turned out to be booked that night, Marcus would hunt high and low until he found a place suitable for Emma's party. He wanted his sister to have the best day of her life, and he would make sure that's what she got.

After Marcus mentioned about a cake and a buffet for the party, Jackson spoke of a chocolate cake with edible flowers matching the flowers. Marcus grinned, "Sounds good to me Jackson me man." He then went on to mention what to put on the top of the cake. Marcus wasn't sure. He thought Happy 21st Ice Princess would have been a nice touch, but given that she might not be able to compete again, that might hit home too hard. "Happy 21st Emma might be best, aye." Marcus agreed, nodding his head and giving him a smile. He wasn't even going to make the suggestion which had been running through his head, because it sounded stupid the more he thought about it.

"Don't know about catering places unfortunately Jackson, might just have to do a bit of phoning around. I guess if we get stuck, mam might be able to do it, if it's all she needs to do, ye know?" Marcus said, wondering if they would indeed have to resort to getting their mam to do it after all. Marcus knew of Carnegie's simply by snooping, but he wasn't familiar with New York yet to know about catering places and such.

When Jackson mentioned about Emma not having physio the day before the party, to she wouldn't be so tired, Marcus agreed that was a good idea. "Aye Jackson, sure to be sure, I'll make sure they keep her away from physio the day before." Emma was doing so well with her physio, Marcus wondered if she would be able to surprise everyone and walk at the party, but he figured he might be getting ahead of himself thinking that far ahead.

[Jackson Poe]

Jackson listened to Marcus' comment about the function suite. "Well maybe, seeing it is hid away, it might not be a place many people know about. Hopefully." If there was a chance of it being booked, Jackson thought about maybe looking around where he lived to see if there was anywhere they could hold it. But fingers crossed he wouldn't have to do that at all.

Jackson nodded when Marcus mentioned that the writing he suggested would be fine. So he crossed out the brackets he had written down, and put in it's place 'Happy 21st Emma'. "There. And I will put a point down for the writing to be piped on in pink." So Jackson wrote that down as welll, so not to forget. Like he would forget, Emma liked pink. What girl didn't. Well, he did have that one friend in high school who didn't, but she is an exception.

Nodding at what Marcus said about the catering. "I am sure that we can find something between us. Don't want your mum to have to go to all that trouble if she doesn't have the time. But if it was the case, my mum might like to help. She is pretty good in the kitchen as well." Jackson knew this, and so did Emma. She had helped quite a bit with the little surprise Jackson had put on for Emma for their 2 month anniversary.

Looking down at the list again, Jackson thought that might be a start.

• Try and get C-PAX to play at the party
  
• Buy pastel balloons, especially pink
  
• Buy flowers in the same shades, and also Japanese Paper Flowers
  
• Ring up, or visit the people at the Carnegie's Function Suite
  
• Order a chocolate cake, with wording on it [discuss this further] 'Happy 21^st Emma'
  
• Check out catering places for the party [If all else fails, the mums can help]
  

"So Marcus, do you think that might give us stuff to work on for a few days. I don't want to leave it too late to send out invites and all. I think we need to definately see the function suite, and go from there. We have to let the guests know where and when to meet first." Jackson wondered if he could find someone to do the invitations. But then he knew that he knew a little about doing graphics. "I will see what I can do in regards to the invites. but if they don't turn out the way I want them, then I will check out some places for that also."

[marcus]

Marcus nodded his head in agreement when Jackson spoke about the function suite being a bit hidden away that not many people may know about it. That was a high possibility. "Hopefully ye're right Jackson, maybe that's something we should sort out first, aye?" Marcus said, he could check it out on his way home after this meeting with Jackson, then phone him and let him know the outcome of his visit to the place.

Marcus smiled when he saw Jackson write down what they were going to get put on the cake, they were doing good so far he thought, Emma was sure to have a fantastic twenty first. He grinned when Jackson mentioned getting the words piped on in pink. "Aye, for sure. I just know she'll love it."

"Actually, that's not such a bad idea, maybe your mam and me mam could get together for the catering. If mam reckons she's got help, she might not feel so pressured ye know?" Marcus said giving Jackson a bright smile. Plus it would save them having to try and find a decent caterers to do the buffet, and this way, they could make simple things people would love, and none of this weird stuff places like caterers can put together. "Besides, some of these caterers tastes can be a bit off, ye know?" Not that they needed to save money, after all, they had blank cheques there, but if Jackson's mam was happy to help, then Marcus couldn't see the harm in both their mams doing the food between them.

Soon Jackson was looking at the list again and asking Marcus if he felt that was giving them enough to go on for now. He looked down at it, and nodded his head. "Well I was just thinking before Jackson, that I could go into the function suite on my way home from here, and then call ye and let ye know how I got on, aye?" Marcus offered, trying to do as much as he could for this party Jackson was organising for his sister.

When Jackson spoke of the invites, Marcus smiled, it sounded like a great idea to make the invites himself. "I'm sure ye'll do a grand job Jackson." Marcus said and gave him a nod of the head. Emma's twenty first was just over a month away, and already he was excited about the prospect of the party, and being able to see the look on Emma's face when she sees everything.

[Jackson Poe]

Jackson smiled at Marcus when he commented about the colour of the writing that should be on the cake. They all knew she liked pink, so it was only fitting. "I know she will too. I hope that she loves all of it when she sees it on her birthday. I can't wait to see her face." Then Jackson thought about what he wanted to do that night as well. With that thought, he smiled.

The more Jackson thought about both of them mums doing the catering, the more it sounded like a good idea. "Well then Marcus. Maybe they should do it in the end. And I know what you are saying about Caterers. We had one yesterday as we were rehearsing, and it was kind of average, if I must say myself." So maybe it was a good idea that the food was coming in home made.

After Jackson wondered if they had enough stuff to do for the party, Marcus mentioned that he might go to the function suite on the way home. "That would be great Marcus. Definately let me know how you go. I hope that they are available." If they didn't have this place to have the party, Jackson knew that they would be searching high and low for a place that would accommodate Emma's needs.

Jackson was glad for the encouragement on the invite. "When I finish it, you will be the first person to see it. I know that I will be making it pink, and want to add a picture of Emma on there somewhere as well." Jackson lightly laughed. He would definately look at the pictures he had of her, choosing the right one for the invites. Of cause she would get a special something when she arrived, using the same background. Something to remember the night. Well one thing anyway.

"Well I think that is it for now for planning. But maybe just one thing to do before we finish. We will have to look at who will be coming? Besides the immediate family. I am sure that there will be friends out that that Emma has that we might not know about. But I was thinking that we should infact invite Peter and Becca, as they invites us to their wedding." Jackson wrote down those two names.

[marcus]

"Aye Jackson, neither can I. I'm sure she's going to love it, no matter what we organise." Marcus replied referring to the look on Emma's face when she sees what they've done for the party. Marcus was going to spoil her like she's never been spoiled before, he was sure of that. Well, Jackson had probably spoiled her in many ways, but he'd get to do it as her brother and he hadn't quite spoiled her since he'd come into her life, because of the way he had come into her life.

"Alright, well I'll talk to me mam about it later, and if you want to do the same thing with your mam, we can both let each other know what their answer is, aye? I can't see me mam saying no, mind." Marcus said, when Jackson agreed that getting their mum's to do the catering might be a good idea. Marcus knew his folks were busy, but a couple of nights before the big event with all hands on deck would likely get it all done with no problem. Marcus wasn't much of a cook, but he'd sure give a helping hand.

"Aye, no worries Jackson, I'll be sure to let ye know how I get on. I really can't see it being a problem." It wasn't like it was an actual public bar, it was a proper function suite. Although, they must be popular enough, as he'd passed a few times at night, and could hear music coming from it. But hopefully they'd luck out. He wanted to luck out on it, because chances were that they'd find it very difficult to find somewhere else where Emma could get around easily.

"That sounds grand Jackson, me man." Marcus replied referring to the description of the invitation he was going to make for Emma's twenty first birthday party. It was going to be so difficult to keep this from Emma, Marcus thought, because he took her to her physio the most. Being a trainer at the local boxing arena, which was his current job, made it easy for him to get the time to take Emma. The bosses had been brilliant with him and he was still getting his full pay as well. Marcus couldn't really fault them.

Marcus nodded his head in agreement when Jackson mentioned that it looked like they could wrap up the plans for now. Then he mentioned the guest list. That was a point. He nodded his head again, "Immediate family, of course, goes without saying, naturally." Marcus replied and laughing a little, "I agree, Peter and Becca should definitely be invited since they invited us to their wedding. I'm not sure of friends of Emma, but I'm sure she must have some. I could try and get a hold of her address book, aye?"

{ooc - Emma has no friends that she's rpg'd with - but I guess we can just say she has some friends there. I'd say Debbie, Brendan and everybody - but since they're all rpg'd by me and I'm going to have Emma and Marcus in the thread as it is, and Peter - I think I might be pushing myself to bring in more. Haha.}

[Jackson Poe]

Jackson nodded in agreement when Marcus commented about talking to both of their respective mum's about catering. Hopefully they would work on that, instead of them both trying to find someone suitable to cater Emma's birthday party. It would be nice to have a home grown touch on the event for her.

Jackson listened to what Marcus said in regards to the guests. He, himself, had never met any of her friends, so wondered about them. Listening, and hearing that immediate family was of cause on the cards, Jackson nodded. Then he was glad that Marcus also thought it was a good idea that Peter and Becca should be invited as well. "I might check out the guests that came to their wedding, but off hand I can think of a couple." With that Jackson wrote down some names:

• Emma and Marcus' parents and brother
  
• Jackson's parents and Lance
  
• Peter
  
• Becca
  
• Harris: Debbie + 1, Brendan + 1
  

"I am sure we can talk about the guest list over the next week. It will give me time to work on the invites more as well, what with in between rehearsals and so forth." Jackson knew that he would have a busy month ahead, but at the end of it all, he knew that there was a celebration to look forward to. He couldn't wait to see Emma's face when she saw the whole set up.

Looking at his watch, Jackson looked at Marcus. "I had better go. I have a few things to do before I go and see Emma at your place. If you think of anything else, you know you can just texted it through or call." With that Jackson finished off the last of his drink, and stood up.

[marcus]

Marcus smiled as Jackson spoke about checking out the guests who attended Becca and Peter's wedding, but that he could only think of a couple. He watched as Jackson wrote the names down on the list he had been working on. Marcus then put his head to the side, to read what he had written.

"Aye, well that's certainly a good start Jackson, if I can go through Emma's address book, I'm sure I'll find some friends we can invite." Someone like Emma had to have friends, it would be very sad if she didn't, because she was such a sweet, loving and caring young woman, it would be difficult to believe anything different.

Marcus nodded his head as Jackson said they could talk more about the guest list over the next week, giving himself time to get the invitations ready. "Sounds good to me, and definitely we can speak about it some more in the next week." Marcus agreed, he was grinning, because he knew that Emma was going to have the best twenty first birthday ever, and he would be there to help her celebrate it, which was just brilliant.

Then Jackson said that he had to go, saying he had a few things to do before he went to see Emma later. "Aye, sure Jackson me man, and sure if I think of anything I'll text ye or call ye." Marcus then finished the remainder of his drink and stood up also, he was thinking he might make tracks to where Jo worked and find out what shift she was doing that day, so he could wait for her to finish.