Remember Your Worth | Jackson Avery

bonus chapter: sixteen

"I know you're feeling good with the blonde hair but lets not get too cocky on the road."

Jackson chuckled, looking to his speedometer thirty miles over the highway's limit.

"I'm glad you think I'd be so cavalier with our lives."

His phone vibrated for the thousandth time in my lap. I picked it up, looking at the screen.

"Catherine is calling."

"Babe, no." Jackson declined.

"Why not?"

"You gonna sit there and answer all her questions?"

I thought about his question..

"You have a point, my love."

When we got to the cabin, the kids quickly picked their place to sleep and got comfortable.

"Alright, you guys get settled. I'm gonna head to the diner.." Jackson said.

"Already? Is he even there?" I asked.

"We'll see."

"Please tell me you're cooking pasta." Kai begged, coming up to me.

"You have to make burgers. Your burgers are amazing, Mom." JJ continued.

"Ignore them. You're making shrimp fried rice because I love Chinese food." Rae added.

I looked at Jackson who laughed.

"Actually, your father is cooking."

Their excitement quickly went away.

"I think we should order a pizza." Sky suggested, the others agreeing.

Jackson held his chest, gasping.

"Out of everyone, I never thought it would be you. My own flesh and blood. You don't even know what I would make if I was actually cooking."

"We don't need to. There are only a few dishes you can make right and we don't like them." Rae confessed.

"Oh, it's like that?"

"Sorry, Dad, it's like that." JJ shrugged.

"For the record, I love your cooking." I said, kissing his lips then moving past them.

My movement stopped when I heard multiple footsteps behind me; the kids were on my tail.

"Yes?"

"Nothing. We're just wondering what and when you're cooking."

"We just got here guys. I'm sure your mom is tired." Jackson said.

"And that is why your dad is making chicken tacos."

Their eyes lit up at the words.

"I'm making chicken tacos for me and my wife. I don't know you people." He pushed through them, engulfing me in a hug.

"Mom, that's not fair." Sky complained.

I shook my head, going to the bathroom. After my shower, the kids and I went to the store to get a few items for dinner.

While I sorted the ingredients on the counter, Sky ran into the kitchen with my phone.

"Grandma says she wants to talk to you.. about- she said we're wrong."

"Oh, kill me.." I whispered, taking the phone.

"You're all down right wrong! What on earth are you doing in Montana? Is this about Robert? I heard things didn't go well the last he visited. Why is my baby boy not answering the phone? Someone tell me what's going on!"

"Catherine, look. First, stop being dramatic-"

"Who do you think you're talking to?"

"I'm talking to you. What you won't do is call my phone on a rampage. If you want your answers, you better start asking those questions nicely. Jackson is a grown man and our family trips aren't really any of your business. Don't take this the wrong way but this is me being respectful. Now, is there anything I can help you with?"

Catherine huffed then groaned. She mumbled something under her breath before speaking.

"No. That is all."

"Goodnight."

As soon as Sky grabbed the phone, she ended the call and ran off. Once we ate dinner, they argued for an hour over what movie to watch.

After they decided, it wasn't long until they were asleep. I took the time to the clean up the mess we'd made.

As I picked up the pillows all over the place, my head turned to Jackson coming through the door.

"Hey."

"How'd it go, and what happened to your hand?" I asked, looking at the layered gauze.

"Situation with my dad's meat slicer and that is a long story that I am too tired to get into."

"Call your mother. She called my phone being disrespectful. I'd advise you talk to her."

"Yeah, I'll do it tomorrow."

"Okay. Well, food is over there and the kids are sleep so I am sleep."

"Actually." Jackson called, stopping me before I could get far.

"He couldn’t step up or step into his own, and I can. I want to take over the foundation."

"What?"

He shrugged, digging into the food.

"You know, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to keep things simpler. Yeah, I think about that a lot. Actually, I think, you know, I could get a small place in the woods, maybe open a private practice, do things I really care about." He winked at me.

"Explore the great outdoors with the kids. We all deserve to live our lives however we want."

"Okay, I'll bite. You’re considering running the foundation. What does that have to do with me?" I questioned.

"Babe, I don't even know why you're asking that question. And that’s the thing — I’m not just considering it. I’m doing it. Running the foundation means I got to move to Boston."

"Oh... Oh so you want to move our entire family across the county.. on a whim?"

"No, it’s not on a whim, okay? It was a realization. I needed clarity, and I went and talked to Robert, and I got it."

"You know what I got? A house full of kids. If it was just us, yes, but we have four kids, Jack."

"Babe, I know."

"Do you?"