Chapter Text
***Sunday 31st December***
***9.04pm***
“Ock! Who’s the daddy?!” Eric cheers, slams his hands together so hard I can hear the clapping noise over the chatter of everyone in the hall.
We … we made it to the New Year. We made it. The world hasn’t ended. I think Will was right about it all just being rumours … I think. It looks that way, at least.
I finally feel like I can breathe again.
“Jay, come here,” Eric calls. He’s pretty hammered already – I dunno how he’s still beating everyone at darts.
We decided not to go to a party, with having Carmen around. So, Eric decided to hold a games night with a disco at the end. Dunno if we’ll be staying for that … don’t really care – I’ve had a lot of fun playing board games. I think Will has too – he won so many rounds of chess!
I chuckle as I see Jay go over to Eric. He’s gonna get his ass slammed.
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***9.18pm***
Carmen makes a little noise. She’s had so much attention tonight, everyone coming up and wanting to hold her. She didn’t seem to mind it though, just stayed still and looked up at all the random people holding her.
She really is a good little girl. We’re proper lucky parents. And she’s doing so well too, is putting on weight bit by bit, is hitting all her milestones. She’s already starting to crawl about a bit, has been having mashed up and soft food alongside her milk.
Another little sound comes from her.
Hmm … I don’t think she’s tired. “Y’ hungry, Carmen?” Putting her on my lap, I pull a little tub of mushy banana outta a cool bag. Will won’t buy those ready-made things, makes it all himself. Bit of a pain, to be fair, because I have to carry this thermal bag everywhere with me.
And I don’t even wanna think about his junk food ban. He hasn’t let me eat any yums in front of her for ages! I have to hide out in the bedroom every time I want a friggin chocolate bar.
Ugh … eating healthier sucks. I –
Ahhh, she is hungry. Can see it written all over her face as she eyes up the tub.
Uh … where did I put that spoon?
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***11.59pm***
Eric sits down at our table, wraps his arm around Al’s neck from behind as he chuckles. “Poor lass just couldn’t take the late night, aye?”
“Na.” Carmen fell asleep about an hour ago, has been fast since then even with all the noise. So well behaved. “She tried her best though.”
“Aye.” He pulls out his phone. “Ack, it’s almost time! Get up! Up!”
We all go over to the nearest big-screen TV, see footage being beamed over from some park in the reaper realm. Heh … reminds me of the time we went to see the fireworks when I first came here, got sloshed on the whiskey Eric gave me.
Eric really does love his whiskey, but he’s super considerate. He’ll only drink around me on special occasions, and when we go out, he’ll wait until I’m dancing before he orders any booze.
I wouldn’t care if he drank around me all the time, because it’s his life, but it’s nice that he thinks of me – ah! Countdown!
I count along.
“3! 2!1!”
I feel Carmen flinch – loud asses woke my poor girl up. “It’s -.”
Someone tugs on my hand, begins to shake it weirdly.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Ah … this song. I get it now.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?
Hah! Eric’s really going for it. He fucking loves this song.
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne.
We’ll tak' a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
I look down at Carmen. She’s staring up at me with those big, curious eyes.
It makes me smile so widely. “Welcome ta y’ second year, Carmen.”
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***Saturday 24th February 2035***
***11.11am***
“Ronald, we really need to -.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know. I – Carmen!” I hurry over to her, scoop her from the floor. “Don’t go rushin’ off, Kiddo.”
“Ronald -.”
“I know!” I carry her over to the kitchen table, plonk my ass down on a chair.
We decided to have our wedding in the summer way back, because we didn’t wanna go on our honeymoon and leave Carmen with my mom when she was super young.
Problem is … it’s only three months away now, and Will’s getting super stressed. I don’t think we’re that far off getting everything sorted, but Will doesn’t agree.
A catalogue is slid in front of me. “You need to pick your suit.”
I flick through the pages with my spare hand to page seventeen. We’ve been over this so many times I know the fucking page number off by heart. I hit the printed image with my finger. “This one.”
“No. I keep telling you -.”
“I -.”
“It is pink, Ronald.”
“I don’t care. Y’ wouldn’t let me wear a dress, so -.”
“Of course I won’t. It’s -.”
“Then I’m wearin’ tha pink suit. End of.”
He grumbles at me. “Fine … fine, pink suit it is ….”
“Thank y’.”
The catalogue is taken away. “Now then … flower arrangements ….”
“Ugh.” I lean back in my seat. Great ….
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***Saturday 17th March***
***1.07pm***
“Wha’ y’ doin’, Carmen, hmm?” I chuckle as she waves her rattle at me. She loves that toy so much, has since she was teeny tiny.
Leaning forward, I hold a hand out. “Can I ‘ave y’ rattle?” I reach out further.
Ohh … that was a dirty look. She smacks the rattle against her chest, turns away from me.
Heh, I’ll take that as a no.
She shuffles away from me on her bum, starts to shake it again.
That’s damn cute.
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***Thursday 31st May***
***7.08pm***
I’m a really proud Mommy right now.
Carmen is doing so well! She’s on mainly solid food now, is trying her best to walk and talk. She’s making all kind of funny sounds. And I swear to God she understands everything I’m saying.
We celebrated her first birthday on the 27th of April, and Will actually let her have a bit of cake – only something for special occasions, obviously, because he always makes sure she eats super healthy. Nothing but fruit and veg, rice, pasta, chicken … boring stuff. I know it’s really good for her, but it must taste bland as hell.
No point arguing with him about it though. It won’t get me anywhere. He still won’t let me eat junk around her.
“What is this, Carmen?” Will smiles as he places a plate down in front of her. It’s a new food! I love seeing her try things for the first time. It’s so exciting to see her reaction!
Heh … I didn’t know sweet potato even existed before today.
She picks a piece up with her chubby little fingers, puts it in her mouth.
“Do y’ like it?” She’s liked everything so far, except peas. She spat that out, and the green fucker hit me in the middle of the forehead. Will tried to tell her off for spitting, but he was too busy laughing.
Peas … man, peas. She likes broccoli … but peas? I just don’t get it.
“Is it nice, Kiddo?”
She smiles. I think she likes it. Daww.
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***Thursday 7th June***
***12.08pm***
Okay … just breathe … just breathe, Ronnie.
“You look very handsome, Darling.”
“Th-thanks.”
Breathe ….
Grell laughs at me. “Oh, don’t look so nervous. You’ve put up with each other for years now. You’ll be just fine.”
“Y-yeah.”
“There’s no need to be scared, really.”
“I … I’m not scared. Jus’ nervous … but excited nervous, y’ know?”
“I know exactly what you mean, Darling.” She leans in close to me, whispers in my ear. “And I can tell you that Willy is a nervous wreck right now.”
That makes me chuckle … imagining Will all sweaty and jittery. It takes the edge off. Ah … thanks, Grell.
“Ah!” Mom comes rushing in – my cheeks are squeezed. I’m pulled into a hug. “Ya look gorgeous, Ronnie! Oh, my lil man’s big day! I can’t believe it’s really ‘ere!”
My heart pounds even harder.
Thanks, Mom ….
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***12.32pm***
We … we’ve just been called. Here … here goes nothing.
I cling to Mom’s arm as we step onto the aisle, walk down it.
I … I feel fucking sick.
My heart’s gonna pop outta my chest, I’m so – we’re here already?! Na, na –
“You look beautiful, Ronald.”
My heart melts, the nerves easing at his sweet words. I smile at him. “Told y’ pink was a good idea.”
“Yes,” he chuckles. “Apologies.”
“Will you ….”
“Yes.”
“Y-yeah!”
“To love each other ….”
The vows are flying past. This is … this is really happening.
My stomach lurches. The moment’s here.
“I do.”
He does! He really loves me. Fuck ….
I … I’m starting to choke up.
“I so do.”
“You may now kiss.”
I fucking do, grab hold of him and snog him with everything I’ve got.
Grell squeals, is totally getting wet over it.
But it doesn’t matter, the noise fading out fast.
This is our moment. Just ours.
And it feels fucking amazing.
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***Friday 8th June***
***9.08am***
The wedding reception was so much fun, all that dancing and prancing about, laughing like idiots.
James was a bit off though, said he felt really sick, but he tried his best to enjoy the night, for me. Dawww.
I’m sure he’ll be fine – it was probably just a tummy bug or something.
“Y’ be good for Grandma, Carmen, okay?”
“Mmm …. Mmmm.”
Mom laughs as she takes Carmen from me. “She’s really trying to say Momma.”
“Yeah, I know,” I beam.
The smile slips away.
“She’ll be fine, ‘oney. Ya just enjoy ya ‘oneymoon, okay?”
“Y-yeah, I know.” I reach out, hold Carmen’s tiny hand. “I’m jus’ really gonna miss her.”
“It’s only five days. You’ll survive.”
Trust James to be blunt as hell.
I turn to look – jeez … he looks ill. “Still not feelin’ good?”
“I feel like shit.”
“James, get back to bed this instant!” Grandma screeches from the next room. “You need rest!”
He rolls his dull, tired looking eyes. “I’m going, I’m going! Bloody nightmare ….”
I chuckle, turn back to –
“I will see ya on Wednesday.”
Hah … point taken.
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***Saturday 9th June***
***11.02am***
This honeymoon in Spain is the best, so relaxing.
We’ve just ported to a beach that’s cut off from everything, everyone. It’s so nice and peaceful here, and warm, really nice and warm, but not too hot thanks to the breeze.
And the sun feels great on your skin. Not that Will would know – he’s all covered up, the freak.
I roll over on the beach towel, my hand running up his chest. “Hey … Will -.”
“No.”
“Aww, come on, no one’s gonna see us. Besides, it’s our honeymoon. Shaggin’ is tha whole point.”
He huffs down my ear. “Fine ….”
“Really?” Heh, he didn’t need much convincing.
He pulls me closer, his lips pressing to mine.
Yup, that’s totally a yes.
Sex on the beach – hot!
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***Wednesday 13th June***
***10.11am***
I race into the living room – fuck, I’ve missed her so much! “There y’ are!” Lunging at Emma, I pluck my little girl from her grip. “Ohhh, Momma’s really missed y’.”
“M … Ma … Ma.”
What ….?
My jaw hits the floor.
“She … she just said -.”
“I know!” I cut Will off. “Oh, Carmen, y’re so clever!”
Sitting down on the sofa next to Emma, I try to take it in. She finally said Momma!
Mom giggles. “We ‘ave some good news too.”
“Oh, yeah!” Emma bounces up and down.
“Really? What’s tha’?”