Worthy

While Jenny started preparing the batter for the pancakes, little James looked around as he was kicking his legs up and down. As she cracked the eggs and started whisking away, James asked her a question. "Sis, where is your prince? Is he not here today?" Jenny didn't turn around and continued her baking as she replied. "Ah my prince. Well he went to bed late last night and is still sleeping in our chambers. Do you want to meet him?" James turned his face away and looked out into the garden. With an uninterested look he said "Well not really, but I need to see if he is worthy of you. Otherwise after I grow up, I will come and marry you." Jenny chuckled after hearing his reason for wanting to see Jason. "How did I manage to steal such a handsome boy's heart. If only you were 15 years older, I would marry you right away." "Really?!" James replied enthusiastically, "Then I will drink lots of milk to grow up faster."

Jenny gently tapped the tip of his nose with her finger and said "Milk will only help you grow taller not make you grow older. I am afraid time will wait and move for no man. I will accept it as my loss this time. For now I will settle for the prince that lives here, because he is the prince in my story, and I have become quite fond of him. You are the prince in someone else's story. If you marry me, what will your princess do?" James nodded with a sad expression on his face for being rejected. While Jenny turned back to flip the pancakes, she heard James say "Yeah, I guess Anne would be quite sad if I didn't marry her." Jenny turned around quite abruptly as she asked, "Anne? Who is Anne?" "She is the girl I am supposed to marry. She goes to my school and is the daughter of my mommy and daddy's friend." Jenny was quite shocked by James's revelation. As she prepared the second batch of pancakes, she thought to herself 'Are you kidding me? Are they engaging these kids so early on? What kind of crazy world have I stepped into.'? Jenny quickly got herself together before she turned around again and smiled at James. "I see. Yes, I imagine that Anne would indeed be quite sad if she lost a good boy like you. So instead of waiting for me, you should treat Anne the way you would want Jason to treat me, okay?" The little boy nodded his head and the little pout on his face combined with that formal looking outfit made him look absolutely precious, making Jenny cuddle him and plant another kiss on his cheek.

After finishing a pile of pancakes that would be enough for the both of them, they returned to the dining room, where she placed James on top of the table instead of on one of the chairs to his great amusement. She was forced to do this as he was too small to be able to reach the table if she were to seat him on a regular chair. Plus, this way she could look at his adorable face as she ate her breakfast. "Tell me James. How come you haven't had breakfast yet? Were you in that big a rush to come see me, hmm?". James fell a bit silent and looked at his plate a bit guiltily. "Well, because mommy wouldn't let me come visit you, I got angry and I said that I wouldn't eat until she brought me to you. So, I didn't eat dinner last night and didn't eat breakfast this morning either." He raised his eyes carefully as he asked, "Are you angry with me?". But when his eyes met Jenny's, he saw nothing but warmth and understanding, which evidently shocked him. Somehow feeling the urge to cry he listened to Jenny's words with reddened eyes. "No, I am not mad. At least not this time, but promise me you won't do that ever again. Your mommy loves you very much, so when you don't eat it hurts her and she becomes very worried about you. You are still growing, so you need all your meals to grow healthy and strong. If you feel trapped or like no one is listening to you, promise you will first talk to me before you do something like that, okay?". Jenny held out the same pinkie she had held out when she made a promise to him. Now it was the boy's turn to make a promise to her and he willingly did. He nodded and wiped whatever beginning tears there were off his face.

They continued their breakfast as they happily chatted with each other and Jenny invited the boy to her plans for today. "I had planned to go shopping today for school supplies. Will you join me James? After that you can meet my friends. I think they would love to meet you." "Really?! I can go with you? I don't have to go home yet? Are you sure I won't be a bother?" Jenny shook her head. "Not if you don't want to. Today you are my guest of honour and you can stay here for as long as you want." A big smile grew on the boy's face as he nodded "Then I want to join you please." He answered politely, warming Jenny's heart once more. "Good. With Jason still sleeping, I could really use some company." Jenny said with a wink. "Now tell me, do you like Anne?". With flushed cheeks he was about to answer Jenny's question, when Jason walked in.

In their excitement they didn't hear Jason, who had woken up by now and had woken up to Jenny missing from the bed. He was calling for Jenny as he was looking for her. He was about to call her on her cellphone when he opened the dining room door and found the both of them at the dining table. "Ah Jason, you finally up, good morning!" He was surprised at the sight of the little boy and pointed at him as he returned Jenny's greeting and asked, "Who might this be?" with an unwelcoming face.