Norma Jean

Epilogue



Norma



While child birth is beautiful, it hurts like f*cking hell. I was pretty doped up during the actual birth, but the contractions were horrible. I never want to relive that pain! It felt like someone was trying to rip me in half. Plus the six stitches I needed to fix my vagina were painful. I don’t think I peed right for two months.

Though the look on Chance’s face when he first saw our daughter is something I will never forget. It was like he had just seen the world for the first time or something. His beautiful hazel eyes were bright with tears and happiness. I guess I will have to pop out a few more, because I want to see that look on his face again.

Audrey Chambers Duncan was born at 3:30 am on a Monday morning. She weighed six pounds and seven ounces. She had a full head of auburn hair and hazel eyes just like her daddy. I couldn’t be happier. And yes I stuck to tradition and named her after Audrey Hepburn. Blair Waldorf would be proud.

I wanted to give her my grandmother’s name for a middle name but Irene is really a weird name, so I went with her last name. My mom was a little disappointed. She wanted Diana, after Princess Diana. While she was famous, I wanted to stay with the old school actresses like all the women in our family. Chance was just happy I didn’t go with Irene.

Now Audrey is three months old and here I sit nursing and rocking her back to sleep. In my brand new house. Much to my father’s disappointment I didn’t go back to school. I do plan on going back but life wanted me to have this beautiful girl in my arms. Chance graduated last spring and got a really good job at an accounting firm here in Fayetteville.

So we bought a little three bedroom house in the suburbs. Apparently my Grammy was a secret millionaire. Mom had no explanation for that one. We received letters in the mail about what she left to each of us. All of it was money. Chance thinks it black mail money. He’s probably right.

Marley got married last month to a nice girl down in Duke. It was a small ceremony and I think Aunt Grace was proud. We never thought he would settle down. I talked to him yesterday and they are expecting their first baby next winter.

Mom and dad are living together up in his cabin off the lake. While I doubt they will ever get married, I’m glad they are together and happy. While it’s seriously weird that they are together after being apart my entire life. If that is what they want, so be it.

I heard from Regina a couple of months back. I went to get my stuff out of the dorm soon after I found out I was pregnant but she never showed while I was there. She was in rehab. She had hooked up with David and started doing drugs. It got so bad she was kicked out of school and arrested for possession, rehab was the end of the line. That or prison.

The cops investigated Creed’s death for a couple of weeks before it was ruled self-defense. They couldn’t very well charge a pregnant woman who was physically and mentally abused by the victim. Plus he shot first. And kidnapped me.

I’m still dealing with what I had to do. Well I know I didn’t have to do it, but really can I say that? Would I have let him get away with killing me and then praying on another innocent woman? Because that is what he would have done. These types of people don’t stop doing what they do. They get a sick sense of satisfaction for hurting others. It makes them feel in control. And I guess Creed never really felt in control. His life was a complete mess.

Creed’s mother died five months ago from an overdose. I guess he was the only one who could keep her alive. I think Dean tried but then again he had his own mother to keep alive. Mrs. Donovan could have stayed away from the bad stuff. She just didn’t want too. Maybe Creed and she will be reunited in the afterlife.

“Is she not asleep yet?” Chance asks walking into our living room. He’s wearing boxer shorts and scratching his head.

I smile up at him. “Yeah. I just like to stare at her though.” I scrunch up my brow. “That’s not weird is it?”

He chuckles squatting down beside the rocking chair. “No. I think all new loving parents want to stare at new babies. It’s hard to believe that we made something so beautiful.” He whispers in awe looking at Audrey.

I smooth back his wild hair and my heart clenches at the love in his voice and eyes. “I love you so much big foot.”

“I love you too smalls.” he says looking up at me. He looks back at Audrey before saying, “I never thought I would love someone as much as you, but I do. God thank you for this beautiful gift.”

“No thank you. I never knew I wanted what I have until you gave it to me. I couldn’t be happier.” I smile softly at him, slowly rocking.

“I beg to differ.” He winks at me before getting up and walking off to the bedroom. He returns after a minute hiding something behind his back. I clutch Audrey closer to me and he gets down on one knee and pulls out a little black box, Tiffany’s written on the top. “Do me the greatest honor and marry me. The only thing that could make our lives any better is if you have my last name.”



Chance

My life has taken a complete 180 since Norma Jean walked back in to my life. I never thought I could be this incredibly happy. One tiny woman and a baby later, I feel next to bursting with it. I don’t even care if I sound like a woman right now. I’m that happy.

I don’t know why it took me so long to pop the question to Norma. I’ve had the ring in my underwear drawer for months. I guess seeing how completely happy she was made me realize it was time. And when she said yes, that feeling still hasn’t gone away.

We called her mom first thing that morning and the woman was here before lunch. They have been planning this day for weeks and it’s finally here. Her dad even paid for it. I guess he thought he hasn’t done enough for her, and wanted to give her this. I honestly couldn’t thank the man enough for creating such an amazing creature.

I look out over the crowd of people sitting here watching us get married. My mom stands out, her new boyfriend sitting next to her. I haven’t really spent any time with the man, but he seems okay. He doesn’t yell at her or hit her, so he’s fine with me.

Macy is growing up so fast I can hardly believe it. I remember when she was Audrey’s size and now she is a wild five year old. She will be starting kindergarten this fall. I can’t even figure out where the time went. Before I know it she will be getting married herself.

Cassie and I are closer than ever. I’m seriously proud of her. She has stayed clean and is being the best mom she can be. The day she told me the truth about Creed, I almost lost it. I couldn’t believe that she told everyone he raped her just to save face. I wouldn’t have cared if she had just admitted the truth. I didn’t talk to her for weeks after that. Norma was incredibly pissed off that the journals she found were fake. Cassie’s only excuse was to say she “had a lot of issues.” I slowly got over it with the help of Norma. I wouldn’t be anywhere without Norma in my life.

My dad and Mary Beth got divorced which wasn’t a surprise to any of us. He is currently engaged to an even younger woman. I don’t understand it. The man isn’t that rich or good looking. Not that you could call him good looking to begin with.

Next to me stands Caden. I was disappointed with him for a while but things have come to light that no one could have guessed. I couldn’t stand by and watch him hurt. What kind of person would that make me? Considering some of the things I have done in my life, his sins aren’t nearly as bad. I just hope it works out for him and Grace. I don’t think life could be that cruel. Two people who love each other like they do, well let’s just say they shouldn’t be separated.

Teagan and Declan are still going strong. But who didn’t see that coming? They would do anything for each other. Teagan and Norma are planning their wedding for next summer. I guess they don’t have to rush it considering they don’t have kids of their own yet. I just know one day I’ll have to stand up next to Declan like he is now and watch him marry the woman of his dreams. I couldn’t be happier for them.

I look out over the crowd and smile so wide I think my face might crack. Norma wanted an outside wedding complete with an arbor to say our vows under. The guest are sitting on wooden benches and there is a white rug laid down between them. There are violets and lilies all over the place. I love the color scheme because it brings to mind Norma wearing nothing but skin on my white sheets with those violet eyes looking up at me.

The music starts to play and I literally want to roll my eyes. “She seriously picked this song?” Caden leans over and mumbles in my ear. I try not to laugh but it doesn’t work. Norma picked A Thousand Years by Christina Perri as our wedding song. She said it described us perfectly. I’m a dude so I have no idea. I just know it’s pretty.

“Caden shut up!” Elizabeth exclaims on the front row. Caden and I both laugh at her as I watch Macy dance down the aisle throwing flower petals everywhere.

“Seriously though. This song?” Declan smacks him on the back of the head this time and Elizabeth smiles at him.

Shelby, Marley’s wife walks out then wearing a lovely violet gown. The short brunette walks slowly and smiles nervously. Norma being Norma refuses to have many female friends. So she asked her new cousin who wouldn’t dream of turning her down.

Teagan comes next also wearing a floor length violet gown. Her raven hair is pulled on top of her head and she looks stunning. She gives Declan a secret smile when she reaches us and goes off to her side.

The music changes to the wedding march and out comes Norma holding our baby girl, her father by her side. Her dress makes me want to find a private place so I can strip her out of it. It’s pure white and strapless. It falls to an inch above her knees and it has black chiffon puffed out on the skirt. A total reverse of her prom dress. Her hair is down and there’s a veil pinned to the back.

She walks slowly the whole way and never loses eye contact with me. It’s like she wants me to know she is serious, but she doesn’t have to worry. I know she wants this just as much as I do.

I take her hand from Mr. Davis and then Audrey from her arms. Like any other time I pick up my daughter the entire world feels at peace. She is sleeping while sucking on her index finger. Figures.

I link my free hand with Norma’s and we face the preacher. He goes through the motions and we say what we are supposed to when asked. We finally say “I do” and my life is complete.

And when I finally kiss my wife, it feels like I have finally come home.

The End