Wife for Hire

Chapter 13

(Karmen)

Three months. I had three months left with my mother and for some reason I couldn't even bring myself to get out of bed. I didn't want to go anywhere or do anything, I just wanted to lay there and never leave again, but I knew deep down that that wouldn't extend her time with me and I would regret missing out on this time with her more than anything. Other than Joe she was all I had left and I knew that eventually I would find my way out of bed anyway. With that thought I got up and walked into the bathroom going through my usual routine. I changed into some of the clothes that Derek, Annalise, and I went shopping for yesterday and walked down stairs. In the kitchen Ms. Lucinda was cooking something that smelled absolutely delicious, I rounded the corner and walked into the kitchen only to find Jason standing at the stove. I sputtered in surprise.

"Jason?" He turned to look at me, a piece of bacon hanging out of his mouth. He grabbed the strip of bacon with his hand and smiled at me.

"Karmen, you're up? Want anything?" I looked at the array of food that was already cooked, there was so much that I wasn't even sure what to name.

"I made chocolate waffles, eggs benedict, bacon and sausage. I know the eggs benedict might have been overdoing it, but I couldn't deci- What's wrong?" I realized that I was staring at him with my mouth hanging wide open. I closed it quickly and walked over to the coffee pot.

"Karmen?" He said. He was done cooking the bacon and sat the slices on a plate. I looked at him confused. This was the same Jason here with me last night. The one who had managed to distract me long enough to laugh for a bit. I was sure cold Jason would be back this morning. I wonder what had changed.

"I was just expecting Lucinda, you can imagine my surprise when it wasn't a little old hispanic lady in the kitchen." He chuckled.

"Yeah, I get your point. Well are you hungry?" He said motioning to the table full of food. I continued making my coffee. Usually I would be all about getting me a plate of that, but I needed to see my mother and I also didn't want to get too emotional today and end up getting sick in the process.

"No thanks. Thank you though, it looks delicious." I began to walk out of the kitchen, but Jason grabbed my arm. I turned to look at him and he released me quickly.

"Sit down, have breakfast." I looked him over still confused by the change in attitude, but he was being nice. He wasn't pushing that contract in my face so I said okay and met him at the table. We sat down and I pulled a couple of things onto my plate and dug in.

When the chocolate waffle made its way into my mouth I moaned, my eyes rolling back into my head. I looked at Jason a newfound love entering my heart. He eyed me carefully as if judging my reaction.

"Jason, I swear if you had just cooked for me when you asked me to marry you. I would have been yours so long ago." He laughed.

"Good." He said taking a bite off of his own plate. We ate in a comfortable silence that morning. When he got done, I grabbed his plate and took it to the sink. I washed and rinsed, he dried. I wouldn't be upset if this became our everyday routine honestly. I didn't mind sharing this kind of space with him.

Once we were done with the dishes, I rinsed my hands and dried them and then I kind of stood there awkwardly. Jason also looked a little confused as if he didn't know what to say or do.

"Do you-" I started.

"Are yo-" He started at the exact same time. I tugged on one of my curls and motioned for him to finish his sentence.

"Are you busy today?" He asked. I shrugged. I didn't know how to tell him about my mom.

"I have an errand to run and then I'm free after that." I said. Trying not to fidget with my hands. I don't know what made me so fidgety. I don't know if it was the fact that he hadn't transitioned back to cold Jason or if it was the fact that he had said more than two words to me in the last two days.