Gen 2 Ch 4

Amber rushed into the house to check on Kay and baby Nate.

"Are you alright?"

"We were so lucky. The only damage is to the deck furniture."

Amber and Kay were both so shook up, they decided to put the renovation on an indefinite hold.

Next Amber went to check on her car. There was nothing left but piles of scrap. She collected some of the more interesting pieces. She had a few ideas for some metal sculptures. Then she called a taxi and headed home in the middle of the day, something of a first for her since Leah and Jasper had started high school. She made a bee-line for her bedroom to change out of her sooty clothes...

... and was shocked speechless to see Leah and Jackie in her bed.

"Mom! What are you doing home?" Leah squeaked.

"I'm really sorry, Ms. M. I'd best be going now. This was all my fault."

"I somehow doubt that. But your mother will hear about this, I promise you."

"As for you, young lady, I am disappointed in you. You should know better. You are grounded. And I will be home at 2pm every day for the next few weeks until you graduate."

"I can't wait until I can graduate and get married. You've never even had a boyfriend, you just don't understand!"

Amber didn't understand, and Leah's words hurt her to the quick. She turned away so Leah wouldn't see the tears in her eyes.

It was an excruciatingly long three weeks, for both Amber and Leah, but finally Leah's big day arrived, and Jackie showed up bright and early.

"So what do you think?"

"Oh, Jackie, it's beautiful!"

"Let's get married as soon as possible. I can't wait to start our family. I know the perfect venue, the little gazebo at the beach. What do you think?"

"Sounds good, love. I'm sure whatever you plan will be great."

Unfortunately, when the time arrived, Leah was feeling a little under the weather, and didn't think she could make it through a party at the beach. She was adamant about not postponing the event, however, so Amber hastily placed a collection of potted plants in the back yard.

Jackie looked a little nervous at having to say his vows in front of a crowd, but Leah simply radiated with joy.

Jasper had begged his mom to invite Chiquita, and was overjoyed when she actually decided to come. He kept glancing her way as the ceremony came to a close.

Leah made a mad dash for the bathroom as soon as the final kiss was over.

Amber followed to check on her.

"Are you alright, dear?"

"Ya, I'm fine mom. ..aughhh"

"Maybe we should take you to the doctor."

"No need, already been. Don't say anything, but the doc thinks I might be pregnant. It's too early to be sure though, I need to go back tomorrow. Don't worry, we have a cute little place already picked out, with a nursery and all. We'll be out of your hair right after the party."

Amber just sighed and shook her head. That's not what she was worried about.

"So Jasp, I broke up with Jeffry. I gotta warn you, he's not happy with you. You should watch your back." Chiquita winked at him coyly.

"Okay, I will."

But her words went in on ear and out the other. His heart was pounding as he looked into her eyes, and the only thought in his head was how beautiful she was when she smiled at him. He never noticed Jada in the background, staring with a forced smile on her face.

Jada continued to stare, even as she danced with her mom. Jasper was oblivious to everything but Chiquita's arms around him and her lips on his.

But the very next day, Jada showed up right after school, uninvited.

"Don't you know that girl is bad news? She is nothing but a flirt. She will break your heart, Jasper."

"Don't talk that way about my girlfriend, Jada. You don't know her like I do."

"Grrr... I give up! But don't say I didn't warn you."

Jasper couldn't stay mad at her though, and soon she was cheering him on as he kicked some gridiron butt.

"Touchdown!"

Leah was indeed in a family way, and Amber was actually starting to get excited about having a grandchild. Jackie and Leah had found a cute little house, and of course they asked Amber to decorate for them.

"You are such a great mom, sweetie. And Brandi is a beautiful baby."

Now that she could set her own hours, Amber enjoyed taking an afternoon off here and there to play with Brandi at the park.

Meanwhile, things we not going so well with Jasper. He was hanging out at Quita's, and who should show up but her ex-boyfriend Jeffry.

Jeffry was not pleased. "Hey, what are you doin' with my girl?"

"Last I heard, she is not your girl anymore!"

"Well, I think you musta heard wrong then."

"Quita? What's with this guy? I thought you said you broke up with him."

"Excuse me boys, I think I need a snack."

Chiquita just walked right on past to the kitchen.

Jasper followed, and tried to put his arm around her.

"Stop it, Jasp."

"What's up, Quita? I thought..."

"You thought wrong. Jeff and I had a big fight right before your sister's wedding, but we're back together now."

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you. I think you should go now."

All he wanted to do was burst into tears and run home, but he managed to compose himself enough to walk stoically out the door, and across the two backyards that connected their houses. He slammed the door to his room, and lay on his bed staring blankly at the ceiling until he fell asleep.

The next day was Saturday, and he planned to spend the day moping in his room. He had completely forgotten it was his mom's birthday, and Leah and Kay had gotten together and planned a big party. Leah came knocking on his bedroom door.

"It's party time, Jasper! You have to come out now. I even invited Chiquita. She's at the door now!"

Jasper groaned out loud. "You have got to be kidding me."

But he dragged himself out, and faked a smile for his mom as she blew out her candles.

Chiquita totally ignored him, even pulling out her homework when she saw him approaching. So he decided to flirt a little with Jada, hoping to make Quita jealous.

Jada just rolled her eyes at him.

Jada and Quita joined Amber at the table for cake. Jasper found a seat as far away from them all as he could. He couldn't believe all three of them sitting there chatting away like they were best friends.

When he went to bed, the two girls were still out on the front porch. They hung out there till the wee hours of the morning, and he just knew they were talking about him.