I would just like to start by saying: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY WRITER BUDDY AND FELLOW QUEEN Anj0921! You must know that I came up with this chapter very early in our PM messages, probably before we hit 100 messages and now look, we're at around 1450 messages! Ah, how time flies. I promised you a funny and cute chapter and that I have provided (I hope).
Photo #65: Craving Cheeseburgers
For some reason, Eadlyn never found an interest in unhealthy food. She's seen the advertisements for various fast-food chains everywhere and has read articles on their success as an industry, but she just never understood why there was such a hype. She just saw them as greasy and unhealthy because that's exactly what they were. Everyone knew how threatening those kinds of food were for their health but that didn't stop them from eating it.
Her mother was naturally a healthy person, minus the occasional pastry (or pastries). The same goes for Eadlyn, her father, and brothers. However, there was this one time when her mother would even succumb to the temptations of fast-food, but it wasn't entirely her fault...or it may be depending on how you would interpret the situation.
Eadlyn, as someone who was present during the situation, blames Osten.
-o-
"What would you like to eat?" Maxon asks her.
During America's pregnancies, Maxon always let her choose what to eat. Due to her cravings, her taste for meals changes a lot. Some days, she would want a garden salad and the next, it could be a filet. Maxon has nothing to complain about (not only because America is carrying his children) since he loves the variety of food each day. Even during her third pregnancy with their fourth child, the rules remain the same.
America looks up at Maxon and hesitates, tapping her fingers on her baby bump. She isn't sure what she wants to eat since it's really all up to her unborn child. He's the one in control of the cravings.
"I want a cheeseburger," America states.
Maxon is surprised for a moment due to the strange request.
"What kind of cheeseburger?" Maxon asks. He isn't even sure if there are different kinds of whatever the hell a cheeseburger is.
"Not one you and your chef can make," America responds bluntly.
Maxon doesn't respond because he's confused. He waits for America to continue talking because commenting on what America says when she's being blunt is the equivalent of walking across a strip of land filled with landmines - both dangerous territories to cross.
"I want a cheeseburger, but not a gourmet one from the chef. I want a greasy one from a fast food joint somewhere in Angeles. One with more cheese than actual burger. I want also French fries." She gasps. "Onion rings as well!"
She claps a little excited, her mouth watering in delight at the food she just mentioned. She looks at Maxon who is standing in shock and a bit of disgust.
"...how about a yogurt instead?" Maxon timidly suggests.
"Dammit, Maxon, if I wanted a yogurt I would've asked for one!" She yells back.
His brain is waving a white flag, telling him to surrender on the dangerous territory he's currently standing on.
"America, you're eating for two," Maxon tries to argue, putting his hands on her baby bump.
America slowly nods. "That's why I ordered onion rings."
Consider Maxon in defeat because he had no way out of doing that. He figures that after three kids, it's better for him to just nod his head when his wife would request something. Besides, during his own Selection, America wanted jeans so he provided. The only difference now is that she wants a cheeseburger and a couple of sides (also something small for the kids, she adds, and himself if he wants - which he doesn't).
Maxon got a maid to order the food over the phone. She was shocked as well but what the queen wants, she will definitely get. Even the delivery dude thought it was a joke when an order came from the palace but lord behold he got an amazing tip. (Not to mention that the Royal family was given more bonus points for their likability from the fast-food fanatics of Illéa).
Maxon approaches America and his three kids with paper bags in his arms. As he hands it to them, America lights up with excitement as she takes the brown bag with some oil stains on it. The kids look at it with fear for the unknown contents in the bag. The only concern Maxon has at the moment is that the odd smell of fast-food will never leave his shirt.
"Maxon Schreave," America says, opening her paper bag and pulling out her cheeseburger. "I love you so much!"
She begins eating it in absolute delight. Maxon is happy, despite him being against what his wife is feeding their unborn child. That just goes to show that the mantra, 'happy wife equals happy life' is absolutely true.
"Daddy, what is this?" Eadlyn asks, looking at her paper bag.
Maxon shrugs. "I'm actually not sure."
"The box inside says chicken nuggets."
Maxon knew that kids got chicken nuggets with a side of fries (which is what the person on the phone recommended when he was ordering it), he just said he didn't know when Eadlyn asked since he had no idea if chicken nuggets actually contained chicken.
"There's a toy in here!" Kaden exclaims excitedly.
He pulls out a toy truck and begins rolling on the table, making motor noises. America laughs to herself a little as she eats a crunchy onion ring.
"These aren't that bad," Ahren says, nibbling on a chicken nugget.
Eadlyn just gives her bag of food to Ahren since she isn't interested in venturing inside of it. Ahren happily takes it. Eadlyn wipes her hands on her jeans before walking away in hopes to find something better to snack on.
Quickly, Maxon takes a picture of America as she's in the middle of biting into her cheeseburger. America looks up at him with glared eyes.
"What was that for?" America asks, expecting a good reason for a photo (which Maxon always seemed to have).
"This is evidence against you for whenever you claim to be super healthy," he replies, throwing those last two words in air quotes.
America frowns at him. "Don't blame me, blame the baby - which in all due respect is your fault."
Maxon would argue that baby-making is a two person progress but like before, that would also result in entering dangerous territory. (Besides, America could use the argument 'yeah, well, are you the one carrying a whole new life in your body and expected to push it out?' To which Maxon would get blown up on dangerous territory).
"Thought so," America states proudly.
She picks up the small box of French fries and holds it out to him. Maxon flinches back as if it was a box of spiders. America rolls her eyes.
"Just try a French fry," America says.
"No," Maxon replies.
"C'mon, just think of this like Amberly trying to get you to eat cauliflower."
"But cauliflower is a vegetable!"
"French fries are potatoes which are vegetables!"
"Those have been fried and salted! They have lost all credit as vegetables! I'm sure those are just fried things with no authentic potatoes."
"Maxon..."
"America..."
"Just one?"
Maxon doesn't want to but succumbs to trying it anyways. Besides, like before, 'happy wife equals happy life.' He takes one fry and eats it, keeping it in his teeth to avoid his tongue so he wouldn't actually have to taste it - but that doesn't work.
America raises an eyebrow with a small smile. "C'mon, you like it."
Maxon doesn't respond with words but with a shake of his head. He will never eat those again.
"Mommy," Ahren says, "Kaden and I were just wondering but is it true that we get to eat all this because you're pregnant?"
"Yes, baby," America replies. "Why do you ask?"
"I like these nuggets," Kaden states, "please get pregnant more often."
Maxon and America have no response for their youngest son. She just rests a hand on her baby bump in exhaustion from the thought of having a fifth child with the fourth one still on the way and Maxon is still trying to fully understand what it is that Kaden said to him and America. Maybe the fast food was giving him hallucinations? Nobody will ever know since fast food itself is a mystery.
Say whatever you want about junk food but I love it.
Anj0921, this idea came from that one time we were talking about McDonalds. I really hope you enjoyed this as much as I did.
Stay Tuned - seeing double? Triple? Quadruple?
