Secret Survivor

Chapter 18: Bossy Wife

          Finally, Palmer is at the homestretch of her pregnancy. Coming in at eight months, she is shocked she has not gone into early labor with them moving. It's been about two weeks since moving back to the states as they are finally finishing unpacking their necessities in the guest house. Their furniture in storage units till their own home is built and ready to move into. Jason has done most the unpacking, a little help from Palmer when she can. She's been getting comfortable with yelling at Jason even if his parents are around—blaming it on being stressed, bloated and in pain.

          "Jason?!" He hears his name, the vibration coming off the wall.

          Shooting up off the couch, he makes his way up the stairs—two at a time. "Yeah? Are you okay?"

          "Where's my tea?" she demands. "I asked for it ten minutes ago," Palmer looking annoyed.

          "I'll go get it is there anything else?"

           "Can you please get me some cookies? Not the shit kind without the nuts and chocolate, make sure it has lots of hazelnuts."

          Nodding his head, "yes ma'am," before walking back downstairs. After a few minutes, passing by the nursery where Kristin is putting the finishing touches on Jason steps into the bedroom.

          "Here you go bossy," setting her tea down and handing her a plate of cookies.

          "Will you make sure your sister is okay? I forgot to check on her," Palmer asks, taking the cookies.

          After kissing her forehead, following his demanding wife's orders, he walks down the hall.

          "You okay Kristin?" asking his sister.

          "Wow Palmer's cranky huh? Do you like what I've done with the room? She wanted a feature wall. I painted giraffes. How cute are they?"

          And they were just that, cute.

          "They look perfect," Jason says pleased, hands on his hips. "And  yeah she's a bit bossy."

          "Good I'm glad you like it."

          "Oh my god! It's beautiful! Thank you, darling, you did such a great job!" Palmer walks in hugging Kristin, "Thank you. I know I've been a bit annoying."

          "Yeah you have," Jason puts in his two cents.

          "You made me as fat and bloated as I am, you don't get an opinion," Palmer says to her husband.

          "You're not fat. You're pregnant there's a difference," kissing her forehead.

          "Mhm," Palmer smiles. "Oh Kristin you did a brilliant job thank you again," she praises her sister-in-law after Jason walks out.

          "It's no big deal you're welcome."

          "I'm so nervous about having to push a ten-pound baby through my area," Palmer blurts out.

          "Why do you think he's going to be ten pounds?"

           "Because look at me, all I've been doing since I got pregnant is eat. He's going to be so fat."

          "Not necessarily," Kristin smiles.

          "Will you give birth with me?"

          "What?" Kristin laughs.

           "I mean obviously, Jason will be there, but will you be my, what's it called a birthing partner? Not sure what you guys call that over here but England it's what we call the people you choose to be there when you give birth."

          "Of course that would be awesome," hugging Palmer.

          "Thank you."

          The girls come downstairs about an hour later, Jason lounging on the sectional watching TV—remote on his chest.

          "Baby I asked Kristin to be at the hospital when I give birth."

          "Oh yeah?" Jason smiles. "So it's going to be Kristin and me?"

          "Yeah, I figured you might not even be there so if you can't make it I'll have her with me."

           "What do you mean?" Jason asks. "Of course I'm going to be there."

          "Well, yes but you might have emergency surgery or something."

          "Don't think like that," Jason sighs. "I'm sure I'll be fine," he winks at her.

          Ignoring Jason's comment, she turns to Kristin, "Kris why don't you bring your boyfriend around for dinner?"

           "You want to meet him don't you?" Kristin beams, asking her sister-in-law.

          Nodding, "I've got to make sure he's good enough for you since your brother doesn't seem to care."

          "Because I don't," Jason smiles, hand on the TV remote.

           "I don't know why you don't care babe for all we know he could be an ass," Palmer kisses her husband's cheek.

          "Then that's Kristin's fault for getting with a guy that is an ass."

          "Good then it's settled, we will be expecting you guys for dinner tomorrow."

           "She's ruthless," Kristin laughs.

          "Sorry I'm pregnant and hormonal and home alone all day, I get bored," smiles Palmer.

          Rolling her eyes playfully, Kristin goes upstairs leaving Palmer and Jason. Jason's eyes still glued to the TV.

          "She's got a point, you're moody," winking at his wife.

          "I'm sorry you try being fat and pregnant and bloated for nine months!" she snaps.

          "Palmer Elaine Careins..." Jason looks at her, pulling out the whole name. "You are not fat...stop," leaning in and kissing her softly. Palmer pouts but kisses her frustrating husband back.

          After a few minutes, Jason hears his mother clear her throat, standing at the doorway. "Oh hello Tammy come on in," Palmer smiles.

           She walks in.  

          "Can I get you anything?" Palmer smiles. "Where's Ronnie? I was hoping maybe he would visit."

          "He's still at work. I was just wondering if you guys were settling in alright," Tammy smiles.

          "Oh, this house is so beautiful and comfortable. Thank you so much for lending it to us."

          "You're welcome," Tammy smiles. "It looks like you guys got your necessities in here. Did you find a storage unit for your furniture?"

          Jason nods his head, eyes still glued to the television. "Do you have a hard time keeping his eyes off that thing too?" Tammy asks her daughter-in-law.

          "Yes, he's always glued to it."

           Jason smiles.