Friends & Paradise 2: Forever Doesn't Last Forever

Chapter 14: First Dinner (Natasha's POV)

"You know, Bahamas is definitely not the same without you here." Jason said into the computer screen.

"Do you really mean it?" I asked him, while trying to hide a smile and a blush that crept up to my cheeks the moment he said that.

We were in the middle of one of our weekly Skype conferences. Ever since he went back to Bahamas, we have been talking on Skype regularly. We speak about everything that's been going on in our lives. I talked to him about the new couple emerging between my mom and Richard, a doctor who I've only met back in the hospital after waking up from my comma. I also talked to Jason about the Titanic premiere, and the fact that Danielle and Ralph are no longer together.

He spoke to Ralph before I knew about what had happened, and Ralph told him that he was done trying to work something out with somebody who, according to him, is a very complicated person. Danielle, on the other hand, told me that they broke up because, and quote, "...because he was acting weird again...I just don't understand him, I never did." I guess some couples just aren't meant to be together after all, no matter how much you try.

"Of course I do. You know I mean my word when I say that I love you, right?" He smiled to the camera.

"I do."

"Good. So, tell me, how's school going?"

"Boring." He chuckled at me. "I really can't wait for the summer. You're definitely coming down here for the summer, right?" I asked hopefully.

"...I really want to come, but I don't know if my dad'll let me. I'll have to convince him, though."

"But why wouldn't he want you to come here?"

"It's definitely not that, it's because I'm starting college and he says he wants to spend some time with me. Honestly, I love my dad, but I want to spend more time with you." He smiled an irresistible smile at me through the screen.

Suddenly, my bedroom door opened, and my mom stepped inside. "Nash, honey, I need you to be ready by seven tonight."

I looked up at her, and nodded. "Okay, mom, but why?"

"Well, Richard invited all of us to dinner; he says he wants to meet you and your brother." She said.

"But, he already knows me, he was my doctor back at the hospital."

"I know that, but he wants to get to know you as Richard, not as Dr. Jacobs." She insisted.

I took a deep breath trying to take it all in. My mom was now officially dating a man who says he wants to meet her kids; that just means he wants to take the next step and have a serious relationship with my mom. And she is okay with this. She will happily accept this new man into her life. Just like she's been doing for the past two weeks, her world will only become her job and Richard.

I looked to the computer screen for support from Jason, and saw him waiting patiently for my reaction as to my mom's offer. He smiled gently at me, and whispered, "Give him a chance, trust me."

"Who's there?" My mom asked, as she walked towards my bed and over to the computer screen. Once she saw Jason, she smiled her professional smile, and waved at him. "Hi Jason, how are you?"

"Hi, Christine. I'm great, what about you?" He asked her.

"I'm great, thank you." He said to him. She then turned to me, and faced me with a smile. "So, what do you say?"

"Uhh..." I struggled. I looked from Jason to my mom, then back to Jason who smiled encouragingly at me. "Okay." I tried to smile a little to give her some kind of support coming from her family.