CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY EIGHT

Needing to be more hands on at home because my academic studies are not as fulfilling as I thought it would be, I decided to not be bullied out of kitchen duties anymore.

My mind is forever engrossed in the problems that plague us, me and my unborn child.

Logan wasn't here, but mom can verify that I got a clean bill of health from doctor Morris, except the pain, which can't be helped until the baby is born.

When doctor Morris said he's contemplating a C-section at seven months, I froze.

I've been cutting vegetables, which is all that I'm allowed to do for now, but I will do more as the days go by, I mentally promised myself.

I inhaled mom's favorite perfume before I felt her kiss me on the head.

Thank God my hair is always clean, I thought smiling to myself.

"What's that for?" I looked up into her smiling face, "not that I am complaining though" I was quick to add.

Picking a few pieces of carrots, mom leaned against he kitchen table, "for explaining why I did what I did." Mom smiles, but her eyes darkened with a sad look.

Nodding, "I would have done the same and I make no apologies for that," I explained to mom, watching her pull a chair to take a seat and just as suddenly got up, rushing to the refrigerator.

Mrs. Stanley gave her suspicious look, but I had no idea what to expect and started to laugh when I saw her coming towards the table with two bottles of wine.

Placing it on the table, she nods to Gwen, "four glasses please." Mom orders and Gwen was quick to obey mom. They may not be on best terms yet, but mom is slowly leaning to trust her.

I twisted my face in disgust when I got a glass of non-alcoholic wine along with Gwen while mom, along Mrs. Stanley got the good stuff.

"Oh, don't be sour puss," mom laughs, lifting her glass.

Putting down the knife and potatoe I was holding, I lifted my glass to toast with mom.

"The women of the Daniels household," mom says, a soft smile matching her gaze as she clinked all our glasses.

I looked around lovingly at the small group of women of the male dominated compound and grinned.

Gwen started wiping her hers and Mrs. Stanley leaned across the table to hug mom, wiping her eyes also.

Mrs. Stanley turned to hug me, "you're a good woman, Jamie and you're going to make a great mother." Mrs. Stanley whispers in my ear.

We continued cooking and between mom and Mrs. Stanley, they emptied two bottles of wine, while Gwen and I refused to take another glass of the non-alcoholic wine that was chosen for us.

I miss alcohol!

Dad came from wherever he was to get something to eat and shook his head when his drunken wife threw herself into his arms.

Realizing Mrs. Stanley was also drunkish, he turned to me.

"Can you fix me something light until dinner" dad asks and I nod, excited to do something for someone other than me.

"Sandwich?" I asked hopefully and he nods before helping mom out the kitchen.

"No no," I heard mom saying, "lets go out by the lake." Mom was tell dad.

I got up from the chair and quickly started making sandwiches from the meat left over from lunch.

"You want one?" I asked Gwen and she hesitated, so I ignored her already deciding to make her one and I turned to a smiling Mrs. Stanley, "I'm definitely making you one.

I ended up making a tray full of extra sandwiches and together with Gwen, we joined Logan's parents on the cool patio facing the lake.

I only sent out water and juice because mom and Mrs. Stanley, we had consumed enough alcohol for the afternoon.

Jer and Bob joined us, for sandwiches but had to retrieve cold drink for themselves.

I realize the guys rarely drank alcohol when Logan or Justin is here and I am glad. Even though we may not be in any danger, it's best to be sober and alert.

As I stood up to check the vegetable and food in the over, Mrs. Stanley stood up, "stay put," she says, nodding o Gwen who was making out with Jer, to join her.

Without a moment hesitation, Gwen ran behind a sober looking Mrs. Stanley.

"Where's Logan and Justin?" Dad asked as the women disappeared into the kitchen.

I frowned to see all four pairs of eye on me.

Having no intention of putting Justin's personal business out there, I shrugged.

"A friend ask Logan for some legal advise and he took Justin with him to start helping out the friend." I answered as truthfully as possible.

Dad frowned at me, "a friend?" Dad asked suspiciously.

As I was nodding in agreement, my half drunken mother-in-law, answered for me.

"Oh sush," she chuckle, pointing an index finger at me. "Justin must have pulled some crazy stunt and took Logan along." Mom laughs, leaning her head on dad's shoulder.

"Okay" I agreed, unwilling to prolong this conversation.

Why aren't they back yet?

I hope they haven't gotten into any trouble with Amy's parents or the little girls adoptive mom.

I was unaware that all eyes were on me, until dad spoke.

"Jamie, what aren't you telling us?" Dad asks.

Smiling at dad, "I promise you, I told you what I know." I reassure dad.

"Yes, I think it's the truth, because Logan took three of his law books with him." Mrs. Stanley said as she returned to join us with fresh, cold drinks.

Even though dad accepts Mrs. Stanley's answer, he still give me a suspicious look.

"Hey I'm not the bad guy here." I whined at the others who still didn't believe me. "When Logan returns, you'll see." I threatened, with a huff.

"Tina stop the running and wait for me."