Chapter 40
Jodi was sad to leave Stevie and Claire at Jaz's, They had enjoyed their afternoon together but she knew she should come home. She missed her mom and didn't want to miss out on family dinner with them. She parked the ute and headed into the house. She could hear the family before she saw them.
"Weeee!" Katie shrieked.
"Can I go next?" asked Meggie
Jodi walked into the big house to see Katie on Terry's back. He was on his hands and knees jumping around like a bucking Bronco. Katie was clearly having a great time. Meggie couldn't wait for a chance.
Matt was sitting on the couch drinking a beer. Meg was in the kitchen preparing dinner but came in when she heard Jodi's voice.
"Hey guys. Sorry to bail out on everyone today but it was the right thing to do. Ben and Stevie needed us. Unfortunately, we were not successful in finding that damn championship ring," explained Jodi.
Jodi explained the whole series of events that Stevie went through to find herself in that situation. Retelling the story when she wasn't stuck on her hands and knees searching made her realize just how comical the whole situation was. The rest of the group was roaring with laughter by the time she finished.
"Claire just threw that Penguin joke down without warning or preparation. I'm sorry we didn't find the ring, but it was actually a really fun day."
"Speaking of Claire and Tess. Where are they?" Meg inquired. "I made Tess's favorite, Apricot Chicken," Meg joked. This was a running joke because, while Tess had learned to like it, Apricot chicken was certainly not her favorite dish.
"Tess reckoned that, since she had driven all the way to town, she might as well get dinner at the pub, too. She rang me and said she'd be back later. Jaz invited us all to stay for dinner at Wilgul since we were so devoted to finding Stevie's non-existent contact lense. I passed because I wanted to have dinner with you, but Claire and Stevie took her up on the offer. Jaz will run them home later."
The oven dinged and Meg went back into the kitchen.
"Come eat guys. It's all ready!" announced Meg.
The crew all took their seats in the kitchen.
"Well, it sounds like Jaz will be getting a nice surprise soon." Matt said "It's about time Ben got around to asking her."
"No kidding! They've been a couple for ages. Kelly is already nearly two," Meg added while she served the chicken.
"Well, Stevie told us some more info on that!" Jodi explained. "Apparently, Ben did propose when they found out Jaz was pregnant, but he stuffed it all up, talking about honor and obligations instead of love. Jaz responded that she didn't believe in marriage. Ben took her for her word and didn't ask again." Jodi explained. "but Stevie reckons that Jaz does believe in marriage and might have just said she didn't as an excuse to say no to Ben's proposal. She didn't want to get married just because Ben felt he had a duty to ask since she was pregnant. She also said that Ben is absolutely crazy for her and desperately wants to marry her. Apparently, Ben has almost just spontaneously proposed several times, including last night at dinner. He doesn't trust himself around Jaz anymore and he wants to give her a proper proposal. That's why he had to rush out today to get the ring. He didn't want to propose without a ring. I think it's adorable." said Jodi.
"Ah. Two crazy kids in love." Matt said.
"Kids? Hardly. They're both older than me." Jodi said
"Jaz is older than you, by like a month. and I still think of us as two crazy kids in love, too." replied Matt
Jodi gave him a kiss and smiled at him. "She's still older. A month is a month." she countered.
"Well, I think the whole thing is sweet. I'm glad Ben is going to give proposing another try." Terry said
"Plus a wedding! I love an excuse to frock up and dance!" added Meg.