Not a minute earlier

Back on the dry land Jenny was heading towards Prism Mansion when Elizabeth's message came in on their group chat. They had reached another Christmas, meaning another visit to Jason's grandparent. Though she didn't mind going over, she was feeling a bit worried that this news would make Jason's grandmother to give her the same wink-faced remark from last year. She had just finished this thought and her reply to Nick and Lizzy, when it appeared the news had reached her parents-in-law as well through Violet. Who had chosen to inform those that she assumed would find out sooner or later through their own children, meaning the parents of their friend group.

When they arrived at the family home, the news had reached Jason's grandparents as well. So, when Jenny's eyes met Jason's grandmother's, she got the kind of question she was dreading. "So, when can we expect a little bun in your oven dear?" Though her question was followed by a wink and a smile to make it seem like a joke. Jenny had a feeling there was more truth to that question than she was willing to let on. While this year Jenny hadn't let it bother her too much, at least visibly, internally she was starting to feel a certain pressure. Even though her mother-in-law had stopped the teasing right away and had tried to comfort her by saying, "Oh stop teasing the poor girl mother. Both she and Jason are still very young. Though I am happy for Lizzy, I don't expect Jenny to put herself in that struggle of being a mom and a student, just to give us grand- and great-grandchildren sooner." Jenny said nothing and just gave a polite smile as she made her way to where the other guests had gathered and distracted the attention on herself by talking to them.

Jason saw the worry on Jenny's face, even through the smile she had plastered on her smile and even after she had started chatting and laughing with his family members. Though he wanted to talk to her about it, this wasn't a very suitable moment for either of them. So, instead he sent her a message to test the waters and see whether he was just overly sensitive or that there had indeed been something there that needed to be discussed between the two of them.

This year the mansion had been more crowded than last year as a few of those that had been removed from their position at the head quarters had shown their faces at the festive gathering. They were feeling a bit awkward but everyone made sure to welcome them with open arms. With each next family gathering Jenny was sure that more and more of them would join in. Time would show that this prediction was right and that before long most of those that had been pulled into the bad behaviour by the generations before them would turn their ways around. They would come to decide to cut their loses at the financial part and not let them lose out on the feeling of a family as well. Though that would cause Prism mansion to be at full capacity for the sleepover of the family members till second Christmas day, that would be a worry for the future. A worry that would most likely make Jason's grandparents quite happy, especially Jason's grandmother, to have everyone back under her wing. For now she would have to make due with the three people that had taken the first step at this year's celebration.

Luckily, with the large number of people gathered at the elder couple's home, the news of Elizabeth's pregnancy was soon replaced with other topics of conversation. Allowing Jenny to breathe more easily. It was only now, almost an hour after they had arrived, that Jenny saw Jason's message causing her to smile from the heart. The message read, "Don't let my grandmother's words get to you. We will only have a family when we are ready. Not a minute earlier." There was nothing she could hide from him. Even if she didn't tell him, he was able to know what was on her mind. She looked around for him and when their eyes met, she gave him a smile that reached her eyes. Though her message had reached him loud and clear, she also replied at his message with a short "Thank you. I will try to put her words out of my mind." After that, both of them turned their attention back at Jason's grandparents who were giving instructions for the first game of the day.

After all the games were played and everyone had stuffed themselves to the rim during another grand Christmas dinner, everyone that wanted to stay was assigned a room for the night. When Jenny and Jason entered theirs and closed the door behind them, Jenny let herself fall on the bed from exhaustion and Jason dropped down on the small sofa by the bed. "What a day hm? I am pooped and so full. I can't eat another bite. How will I be able to sleep with all this food that I am keeping inside with all my might? One roll over to my stomach and I will start spilling my contents like a piñata." Jenny chuckled as she was trying to release some pressure on her overly stuffed stomach by opening the button of her jeans. "Those are the struggles of a person with abs. They are less flexible than the layer of love that covers my tummy." Though Jenny barely had anything to call a layer of love, other than the skin she was born with, her current state would make you believe otherwise. A perfectly round protruding belly of food, making her look like that which Jason's grandmother hoped she was. Like a mother to be!