"You are still a wonderful Cook. I wonder why you're not considering opening a restaurant." Jaime said with a smile as he took their empty dishes to the sink.
"I'm too lazy to cook. I only willed myself to do this because you were coming home. Now get out of there. I'll do the dishes." Paula said running after him.
"Of course not! You already fed me, carried my heavy luggage from the car inside and now you want me to let you do this? Don't be silly Mom. Get out of here." Jaime said as he kept obstructing her with his body which reminded her that he was far bigger than her now.
'Mom'
Hearing that made her smile. She could still remember that moment years ago when he asked her to pinky swear that she would be his 'mummy'. She had only told him she would be his mummy passively so he wouldn't feel alone since he yearned for a mother but she hadn't thought he would take it seriously. As a 14 years old girl, she had been really skeptical about it, plus she knew the responsibilities that came with accepting that. She hadn't been able to take care of herself more so a little boy?
"What about sister? I can be your big sister." She offered with a smile.
She saw him pout with his little mouth and shook his head. "You don't like me?" He asked in a small voice.
"Of course, I like you." She said immediately when she noticed he was about to cry.
"Okay okay, I will be your mummy okay?"
Little Jaime made it a habit to call her Mummy and whenever he did that, she could see the look of disgust in people's faces but she did not bother herself with it because she grew to like Jaime and whatever he wanted, she tried to give it to him.
Now, they were both mature but he still unconsciously called her mom sometimes which was kind of becoming awkward especially when his friends were around.
"I thought staying away for two days would have taught you to stop calling me 'mom'. I mean, look at you... and look at me."
He turned to give her an embarrassed smile, "I guess it slipped."
"Come on. You need to rest. You drove here for hours." Paula said trying to push him away from the sink and frowned when he didn't budge.
He was really so big now that even her strength was nothing.
"I've been working out a lot. Now get your tiny self out of this kitchen." He said and laughed one more time when she hit him.
"Hurry and take a shower. I'll be going to the department store to get some soaps and shampoos for the both of us. Couldn't get them earlier."
"No! You wait for me, we'll go together."
"Seriously Jaime! You've been on the road for eight hours and still want to move about?"
He turned to look at her and asked, "You think all of this is for show?" He said smugly using his hands to point at his body from up to down.
"Come on, I missed you. Let's hang out together. It's been two years!" He quickly turned around to wash the dishes quickly.
"Do not leave without me. You can go get dressed. I'll join you soon."
She knew it was futile arguing with him so she went to get dressed.
She threw in a polo, jean and brushed her hair before tying it in a ponytail.
She wasn't much of a make up person so she didn't bother to use one.
A few minutes later, she came out of her room and saw Jaime waiting for her in the sitting room.
"You don't age, do you?" He asked looking at her up and down.
It was a fine compliment for a woman her age so she smiled brightly.
"Well, I guess you've been aging for the both of us." She said making them both laugh.
"You better don't think I'd let you drive." She warned before picking up her car keys. She had totally forgotten about the envelop which was still resting on the table.
"Yes ma'am" He said with a salute as he stepped out.
He suddenly remembered something and turned to ask her,
"You didn't by chance tell Jodie I was coming for Christmas right?"
Paula smiled sheepishly before looking down then she used a hand to pull her ear.
"No way!" He gasped. He knew Paula well enough to know she had done just that.
Just then, a lady called loudly as she ran out of the opposite building.
"Oh my world Jaime!"
Jaime glared at Paula who giggled before turning around to force a smile at Jodie.
He good naturedly extended a hand for a handshake but she had other plans.
She jumped on him and hugged him so tightly that he almost choked.
"Oh God I missed you. I can't believe Paula didn't tell me you were already here." She pulled away from the hug and looked at Paula with a sad pout.
"Uhm... We were just going out to grab something so—"
"Yes, I'll join you." Jodie said immediately with a happy nod.
"No.. no.. no.. that's not what I meant." Jaime corrected immediately.
"I haven't seen her in two years." He said looking at Paula.
"We just have to hang out and talk a bit before we return home. We can both catch up some other time." He said trying to keep a smile on his face.
"You promise?" She asked with a grin.
"Yea, sure. I'm here for the next 3 weeks."
Her eyes widened when she heard that. Three weeks? She sure was going to get him into bed before the three weeks was over.
"Wow! great!" She said before hugging him fiercely again.
*********
"Stop laughing." Jaime said to Paula who was still laughing as she drove.
"Why do you hate her so much? She's liked you since high school."
"I do not hate her."
"Then?"
"I just don't like her that way." He said before sighing.
"So who do you like that way? Got a new girlfriend now?" She asked turning to cast him a glance.
"Nah. I don't want any woman now. Just want to focus on my job and taking care of you."
He said with a smile as he brushed some loose strands of her hair away from her face.
"Aren't you so sweet?" She said with a big smile while still keeping her eyes on the road.
"But you know you are supposed to celebrate Christmas with a partner right? To make it more fun."
"I have you." He smiled at her. "Well, except you already have a partner you aren't telling me about." He looked at her suspiciously as he waited for her to answer.
She laughed nervously before shaking her head. "Of course not. You'd be the first to know if I got a partner." She assured him.