A beautiful, chubby dirty blonde girl ran out on the patio, followed by an out of breath Justin, who appears to be struggling to keep up with her.
She stops short when she sees us all sitting around staring at her, just as surprise and also blocking her from running further, unto the lawn.
With a look of panic she looks behind her, noticing Justin closing in on her and with a mischievous grin on her chubby cheeks, she bolted to the side of the cabin, which was open space, her chubby arms flinging wide open.
Jer, got up and ran behind her, grabbing her around the waist lifting her in the air, as she starts squealing and giggling in delight.
Justin stands and looks on, his hand on his stomach, breathing heavily.
"And it's only going to get worse, gotta hit the gym." Logan slaps Justin on his shoulder, chuckling as he made his way to where I was sitting.
As happy as I was to see Justin's daughter, I am confused.
Lifting my eyebrows to Logan quizzically but mom beat me to it. "So that's the friend, I should have known" mom chuckles, slurring slightly.
Resting his hand on my shoulder, Logan raises his eyebrows at his father, his eyes dancing in amusement at his mother's demeanor.
His father nods in my direction.
My eyes and mouth flew open in surprise, "oh no, no no, mister" I glared up at my husband, poking him in his waist. "it's all her," I whined turning to look at my mother-in-law, as she hugs dad while laughing at us
Logan smiled down at me, "I didn't say anything" he says in his defense.
Glaring at him, "it's not what you said, it's what you didn't say." I complained as everyone burst into laughter, except Justin and I.
"Sorry sweetheart," Logan sitting on the arm of my chair now, leans and kisses my head.
Always quick to accept his apology, I smiled up at him, "I have an idea." I whispered softly.
Logan frowns down at me, his eyes narrowed cautiously.
Leaning an elbow on his thigh, "you could drink a beer or a glass wine and kiss me," I suggested, staring at him innocently, eyes opened wide.
Logan immediately stands up and glared down at me, "I'm not that sorry." He muttered, while everyone around stopped talking except Justin's baby girl.
Ignoring Logan I turned my attention to Tina, watching her relay something to Jer, who was either actually listening or doing a good job of pretending to listen.
Nodding at Justin, who was sitting close to Jer sipping a beer, while looking on in awe at his daughter, with a softness in his eyes that I have never seen before.
"What's happening here?" Dad asked Logan and I could see he was not just curious, but worried. "You know it's not safe for a child here, now, right?" Dad says to Logan and he just nods and by his expression I can see that he has already thought about the side effects of bringing a young child here, to stay.
"We've got it covered," Logan responded but by now, my mind was reeling in fastforward. Can I do this? Can I have my baby while the problems with Logan's grandfather and my sister are still unresolved?
I can't! We can't!
I can't have my child growing up in this atmosphere.
"Earth to Jamie" Mom sang and I smiled across at her, but my eyes were edged with confusion. Something about the way I looked, sobered mom up in an instant.
Moving away from dad, she comes across and clasped my face in the palm of my hands. "Are you in pain?" Mom enquires, staring into my eyes.
Shaking my head, I looked down at her chest, embarrassed to be needing attention because of my inability to handle my emotions.
"Jamie!" Mom says sternly and I immediately smile up at her.
Shaking my head, "it was just something I remember from my past." I responded quickly, hoping she accepts my explanation because this is a conversation I only intend to have with Logan.
Mrs. Stanley broke the intense atmosphere, "have you guys had lunch yet or maybe you would like something light before dinner?" She asks and I didn't look up to know she was speaking to Logan and Justin.
"I'm good," Logan muttered and I know that he wants answers for the change in my attitude, but not right now, so I avoid making eye contact with him.
I need to be stronger than this and not be a softy.
"Nah, we stopped to get some snacks and burgers on our way back home with Tina," Justin explains and I finally lifted my eyes to Logan, curiously.
With a small nod of confirmation and a smirk, I smiled happily, because Logan never goes to the supermarket and returns without my favorite deserts, snacks and drinks.
Contented, because I have something to occupy my mind until tonight, when I have my big date with my husband.
"So did you get to bring Tina here within the law or outside the law?" I asked Justin and he chuckles, his eyes on Logan.
"Hey, come on now." Logan pretends to be hurt, "I am an excellent lawyer and having Justina here, confirms just how excellent I am." Logan says straightening his shirt collar.
"Justina" I repeated softly.
"Where's Amy?" I asked quickly.
"Alive!" Justin retorted, only to raise his hand in mock surrender when Logan responded to his comment with an angry glare.
"You do not make jokes like that, especially when it's my case," Logan warns Justin, who was actually remorseful at Logan's tone.
When it comes to work, Logan definitely don't mix matters which is something I have learnt in the months Logan and I have been together.
Wow, I suddenly remembered that we're approaching a year since we met, but we must celebrate, in spite of all that has happened since then.