Freedom

The next morning Jenny and Jason stayed in bed for a long time. It was almost noon, but they still seemed to have no intention to get out of bed. Both Jason and Jenny were in a lazy mood and they were enjoying their winter break. The cold always made you want to stay in bed a little longer and the two of them were no exception. Besides, January first was a national holiday and everyone was able to sleep in. Especially as new years eve had fallen on a Thursday, meaning that not only did everyone have a day off, but they also had a long weekend. This was exactly the reason why she didn't understand why all her friends had told her that they couldn't come to England to celebrate her birthday. She had even offered to prepare private transportation for them, but they still refused. Her friends that didn't need her to arrange transportation and lived just a few minutes away, all had to be at an important event that so happened to clash with her birthday. Leaving not one of them free.

Even her own family claimed to have made other plans, because they thought she would be spending it alone with Jason. Something which turned into the truth last night. And despite having an additional set of parents now that she was engaged, neither of them would attend her birthday as her in-laws had to apparently go to the same event as her group of friends. It seemed that only Jason was exempt from having to that event as he was able to ask her to celebrate together. Otherwise she would be all alone. But as if that wasn't bad enough, the one person who she thought would be making a big fuss about her birthday and the one person who could apparently make it, Jason, hadn't brought it up until they were lying in bed two days before the actual date. It's not like she cared particularly much about celebrating her birthday or felt like it had to be a big thing, but even so, the people in her life should care more about her birthday than this right?

As she thought this, she looked at Jason who was lying beside her with his eyes still closed. Seeing his peaceful expression and remembering how wonderful his birthday celebration had been, she decided she should have faith and simply look forward to whatever it was they were going to do. She shook her head as she pushed the bad thoughts away. She shouldn't focus on who couldn't make it. It wasn't like they weren't coming on purpose and at least she would be able to celebrate with Jason. Just a romantic evening with the two of them. Knowing Jason, he would be sure to turn it into something wonderful even if it was last moment. With that thought she snuggled closer to Jason, to which he adjusted himself and pulled her even closer.

After another half an hour of dozing off, Jenny's tummy started grumbling. Taking both of them by surprise. Jenny blushed and Jason chuckled. He opened his eyes and as he placed his chin on the crown of Jenny's head he asked, "I guess it is time to get up. That sounds like it can't be contained for much longer." Jenny pinched the side of his stomach, which caused Jason to become ticklish instead of hurt. He squirmed a bit under the covers before pulling Jenny's hands to her sides and looking down to face her. "How did you feel about last night's party?" Jenny's glare softened as she replied while glancing down, "It was okay. It's not bad to have a night like that every once in a while. Though it got a bit exhausting towards the end. Why?" Jason's expression revealed nothing as he continued. "I see. Well do you think it is something you can get used to?". Jenny didn't understand where his questions were coming from, but answered earnestly regardless. "I suppose. Why are you asking me all these questions Jace?" Jason nodded his head. "Good. Because for the past year I haven't brought you to many of these events. Only picking the most important ones to attend, but once I become a contender for the CEO position of Westwood empire, I will have to increase my presence and you will need to be by my side as my female companion and future wife."

Jenny blinked a bit confusedly as she recalled the number of events she had attended the past year. "I see...How many of these events are there?" Jason muffled a chuckle behind a closed fist as he saw her expression. "I guess we attended about a twentieth of the amount we will have to attend in the future." "A twentieth!?" Jenny exclaimed with a shocked expression. "Yeah. There are events almost every day and about two a week request our attendance. So, far I have been holding back on attending because I know you don't like them too much, but I won't be able to keep that up much longer. In fact, this level of freedom will only last till my birthday."

Jenny let that information sink in as she thought about how her in-laws were indeed absent quite often. Be it for dinner or after dinner. Soon, her evenings would be filled like that as well. Though it wasn't all bad, she would miss their lazy evenings on the couch. But I guess this is part of the job. All good things in life come at a price and if wearing a pretty dress and eating some fancy food was her price for all of this and for a wonderful guy like Jason, who revealed more and more each day of how he was keeping her wishes in mind and was protecting her from the darker sides of this world, then it was an easy price to pay and one that was well worth it. So, instead of showing any more worry, she answered with a blank face, "Guess, I am going to need more dresses." Which clearly had Jason caught off guard as he looked at her wide eyed before grabbing his stomach from laughter. He grabbed Jenny close again and kissed her forehead, "Don't worry, I will shower you with more dresses than you could wear in a lifetime!"