I hate to admit it, but I think I might be coming down with a cold. But, even though I’m not feeling great, I still help Phillip’s mom clean up after dinner. I’m ready to sit on the couch and watch football, but when I walk in the room, the guys all hold their empty beer bottles up at me.
A not-so-subtle hint to bring them more.
I purposely sniffle loudly, so Phillip will feel sorry for me, but he doesn’t seem to notice.
When I walk back into the kitchen, there’s an intense conversation going on between Ash and her mom. I really don’t wanna get involved.
I just wanna go sit down, but I get dragged into the conversation when Mrs. Mac says, “So, JJ, when are you and Phillip going to have children?”
And maybe it’s the fact that I don’t feel good.
Or maybe it’s the fact that I’m not married yet.
Or maybe it’s the fact that Phillip and I haven’t even discussed it.
Or maybe it’s the fact that the idea of me being pregnant is just plain laughable.
I can’t even help it.
I laugh out loud.
Sorry, but I do.
Ha!
I even let out a little snort.
She doesn’t look very pleased. She says, “I’m serious.”
I rub my hand across my temple. Think, Jadyn. Say something noncommittal, but something that will appease her. Or better yet, make her forget about you and babies.
“Um … gosh, I’d say we’ll figure that out after the wedding.” She gets a sad look on her face, which makes me feel bad, so I add, “But it’ll probably be fairly soon.”
She smiles at me. It’s a touching, heartfelt smile that makes me feel worse. I’m probably going to hell for lying to my future mother-in-law about her dream grandbabies.
But, technically, it’s not exactly a lie. I just think her idea of fairly soon and mine are quite a few years apart.
I tilt my head at her. “Isn’t that a question more appropriate for your already-married daughter?”
Let’s put some pressure on Ashley for a change. Put her in the hot seat.
Mrs. Mac waves her hand. “I don’t think they’re even trying. Maybe not even having sex.”
“Mom! We’ll have children when we’re ready! And we have sex. I mean, some sex,” Ash says.
She looks kinda sad. Like maybe some is code for not so much.
“So, when will you be ready?” I ask.
“When I decide if I’m going to keep him.”
“What?” I exclaim.
“Oh, I’m just teasing,” Ash says.
But, the way she’s looking at Cooper, who’s now sprawled across the couch, shoving chips in his mouth, I wonder if maybe she’s not.
I wonder if she’s glad she got married. I mean, Lori and Danny are happy, but Katie and Eric are having a rough time. And, now, I wonder if maybe Ashley is having a hard time, too. Although Katie says the best thing about fighting is the make-up sex. She also says, sometimes, she picks a fight just so they can make up. Sounds a little twisted to me, but it’s not my marriage, so I just laugh along.
I look at Cooper. I like Coop. He’s a cool, relaxed guy. And Ashley can be pretty overbearing. You’d have to be pretty chill to deal with her. But I hardly ever see them all gooey anymore, like they were when they were dating. Maybe Mrs. Mac is right, and they really aren’t doing it.
That’s a scary thought.
What if Phillip gets tired of me?
What if, someday, he doesn’t want me anymore?
Phillip’s mom keeps discussing babies, and she’s going on and on about how lucky the Diamonds are that Danny and Lori are expecting.
I think she’s got grandma envy.
“Just chill, Mom,” Ashley says in a snotty voice.
That is a mistake because I can tell Mrs. Mac is about to tell her a thing or two about chilling.
I quickly hold up the beers I just got out of the fridge and offer a wry smile, so they’ll understand it’s imperative that I get back to the family room and deliver them to the menfolk while they’re still cold.
I go in the family room and hand them to the guys.
I sniffle again as Phillip pulls me onto his lap.
“You’re sniffling. You need to see the doctor.”
“It’s just a cold. I’m fine.”
He whispers in my ear, “Did I mention that I’m gonna be the doctor?”
My face instantly feels flushed. I whisper back, “In that case, I might need a very thorough examination. We’d better get home.”
