Baby, Baby

Chapter 38

"Where do you want to go eat?" Jackson asked.
"Ask Lex. She can decide tonight." Leah replied.
"Hey Alexa. Where do you want to eat?" He shouted down the hall.
"Somewhere with Italian food sounds pretty good." Alexa shouted back.
"Alright. We're leaving here in about 20 minutes. Be ready."
Leah grabbed the diaper bag and stuffed it full of essentials.
"So i've been thinking babe. You know how my parents have the renter house down the street?" Jackson asked.
"Yes? What about it?" Leah questioned.
"I think the three of us should move in there. I mean, Lacey is almost one now, and we're still just right here with my parents and your mom." He replied.
"Can we afford to do that? I mean I know you're working part time at the clinic, but if med school is still underway for you, there's no way we can make that kind of money right now." She argued.
"Leah, my parents will let us live there for free. They haven't had a tenant in there for years and i don't think the small rent they charge for it would make much difference for them right now anyways." Jackson stated.
"Just as long as your parents are okay with it, it sounds like a great plan." Leah grinned widely.
"Great. I'll talk it over with them later tonight."
           ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Jackson pulled up to the olive garden parking lot and circled around looking for a parking space.
"It's really busy here Lex. Are you sure you don't want to go down the street to macaroni grille or something?" Jackson asked.
"Hey, you said I could pick. I've been craving olive garden for weeks." She replied.
"Babe. Let's just go in. It might not be as bad as you think." Leah reassured.
"Fine. I just have to find a place to park first."He said.
Jackson made one final loop and turned sharply into the last spot.
"Did you bring the stroller?" Leah asked.
"No. I can carry Lacey." Jackson said back.
"If the wait is too long, then we can go down the street to macaroni grille or something."Agreed Alexa.
"Sounds good to me." Leah pitched in.
They walked through the doors and approached the hostess stand.
"How long is the wait for 3 and a high chair?"Jackson asked the small statured woman at the stand.
"Probably about 2 hours. It's prom somewhere i think. Tons of girls in dresses tonight." The woman responded.
"But it's January. Who would be having a prom this early in the year?" Leah replied.
"Beats me. Would you still like that table?" She asked.
"No thank you. I think we'll pass tonight."Jackson politely smiled back and headed for the exit.
"Oh my gosh." Leah gasped. "Is that Jen Kapes?"
"Jen Kapes as in the Jen Kapes who was your friend before you left Goforth?" Jackson asked.
"Well yeah, what other Jen Kapes do you know?" Leah said, before getting interrupted.
"Leah? Leah Jones? Is that you?" Jen put on a fake smile before walking over.
"Yep. That's me. And it's actually Leah Porter now." She muttered.
"You got married?" Jen asked, stunned. "Who is the lucky guy?"
"You're looking at him." Jackson pointed to himself.
"Holy shit. Jackson?" Jen seemed more thrilled to see Jackson than Leah.
"And who's this little one?" She cooed at Lacey.
"This is Lacey." Leah smiled.
"She's adorable. She's your little sister i'm assuming?" Jen smirked.
"Uh, no. She's mine. ours." Leah replied leaning in towards Jackson.
"Oh. Um, well i'm going to go get a table now. Great to see you." Jen awkwardly chuckled then swiftly walked away.
"Well that wasn't awkward at all." Leah sighed.
"Let's just go home. It's getting late and i'm tired. We can go out another night." Alexa said.
"I think we can all agree to that." Jackson responded.
"Then let's roll!" Leah took Lacey from Jacksons arms and proceeded to the car.
"Thank y'all for taking me out tonight. I appreciate it." Alexa hugged Jackson.
"No problem baby sis. Just give us a call anytime and we'll be there."