The Price Legacy - Generation One - Chapter Eleven (Part Two)

[pastryqueen]

Part One!




Marci knew parenthood was going to change her life, but one of their earliest doctor’s appointments smacked her in the face with the harsh reality.

Dr. Copur: “The good news is, the mother and the babies are very healthy! Everything is developing normally so far, and I’m pleased to hear you don’t have a history of diabetes or anemia. We’re going to have to keep an eye on your blood pressure as you enter the second trimester, as you’re at a higher risk for developing gestational--”



Marci: “Wait a second, doc. You said ‘babies’, as in plural. You just meant the singular form, right? As in, one baby?”



Dr. Copur: “Oh no, dear! I meant what I said. My apologies. I thought my medical intern informed you about her findings on the ultrasound.”

The medical intern, indeed, had not mentioned a damn thing.



Marci and Joshua were having twins. In the second trimester, they learned they were having a boy and a girl.



The news came as a shock. Planning their lives around one baby was stressful enough. Although they weren’t hurting for money, welcoming two new additions to the family was proving to be more expensive than Marci realized. They used their savings to expand the basement and prepare a nursery. She was sad that their honeymoon was put on hold, but at least they didn’t have to try and squeeze the cribs into their bedroom, or stick them in the laundry room.

When Dina offered to help Joshua paint and decorate the room, Marci didn’t put up a fight, as carrying twins sapped her of energy to do it herself. Turns out, the woman had a good eye for interior decorating.



Still, everything in the space was just so...nauseatingly cute.



Couldn’t they have thrown in a decapitated bunny or flames on the walls for Marci’s sake?



Pregnancy came with its highs and lows. In the beginning, it wasn’t so bad. The doctor warned her to stay off her feet as much as possible in the second and third trimesters, as carrying twins came with their own risks for both the babies and the mother. Although she wouldn’t receive family leave until the third trimester, Joshua worked from home as much as possible, giving Marci the opportunity to rest and let her body do its work.

She spent much of her time sitting on the couch, binge-watching shows or reading books, and eating. Mainly, she partook in many sweets, especially ice cream.



Of course, she paid for it dearly every time.

Joshua: “Remember what the doctor told you about consuming too much ice cream right now? Your heartburn isn’t going to clear up until you take it easy on the junk food.”

Marci: “What else am I supposed to do, though? These cravings are killing me! Nothing else I eat is satisfying them, or it just turns my stomach and makes me throw up again. Still, this goddamn heartburn...who even knows which is worse anymore?”

Joshua: “We could try some smoothie recipes with some soy milk and see if that helps with your appetite and nausea. When Katherine was pregnant with Louis--”



Marci: “Oh. My. Gawd. That’s just what I want to hear while I’m carrying your child! Katherine this, Katherine that! She did yoga, she cut out dairy, she listened to classical music! Well, guess what? I’m not Katherine and the things she did and didn’t do? That’s not helping me right now!”

Joshua: “I - I can't argue with that. I have been bringing her up too much, haven’t I? I’m sorry, I’ll stop. I just don’t have much else to go off of here. I only went through this once, with Louis.”

Marci: “No, no, I...I’m really sorry, Josh. I’m the one who’s being a colossal evil bitch and ignoring your advice and biting your head off. Hell, nobody’s answering my texts because I’ve been snapping at everyone all week and they’re annoyed and don’t want to be my friend anymore. I’m a cranky fat pregnant whale with diarrhea and gas and stretch marks and no friends.”

Joshua: “Honey, that’s not true. I’m sure they’re just busy. You’ve been home and stuck on this couch all day, so you’re obsessing and stressing out over little things.”



Joshua: “Here, how about we go for a walk? You need to stretch your legs, and it might take your mind off things. We can take Louis to the park if you can manage the trip.”

Marci: “Yeah, maybe. I think I can. Okay. Help me up?”



When Marci wasn’t chewing her friends and loved ones out, she was ringing them up at all hours in the morning and evening and asking them for help.

Marci: “Thanks for coming over. I know it’s late.”

Dina: “It’s okay! What’s wrong?”

Marci: “I… I think something’s wrong with the babies. My stomach feels so fucking weird right now. I wanted to call Josh but he’s stuck at work, and fuck, Dina, what if I’m having a miscarriage and it freaks him out and--”



Dina: “Calm down, Marci! Breathe! We’ll get you checked out by a doctor. Where are your shoes? I’ll help you put them on. Tell me what’s going on. Are you in pain? Are you bleeding?”



Marci: “No, I wouldn’t call it pain, and there’s no blood so far. The muscles in my abdomen just won’t stop twitching, and I’ve had butterflies in my stomach all day--”

Dina stopped searching for Marci’s shoes.

Dina: “Wait. Hold still.”

She approached Marci and placed both hands on her stomach.



Her face lit up.

Dina: “Oh, sweetie...there’s nothing wrong with your babies. Far from it. They’re kicking.”

Marci: “Wha… really?”

Dina: “Yes! Put your hand here. Did you feel that? I bet that’s your little girl. You said the ultrasound found her on your left-hand side, right? Oh! There she is again! Oh my gosh, this is so exciting!”



Marci felt it, too. Her relief was instantaneous.

Marci: “Wow...I can’t believe it...they really are in there.”

Dina: “Like they weren’t before?”

Marci:“It just feels more real now, I guess? If that makes any sense? I knew they were in there, but this is...how did you even know to look for this, Dina?”



Dina: “It didn’t occur to me when you told me over the phone, but it just came back to me, when you mentioned the butterflies. My mother described the sensation to me once. The first time it happened to her, she freaked out too, but nobody figured out what was really going on until she was in the hospital waiting room. Good thing I spared ourselves that embarrassment!”



Marci: “I’m glad it isn’t just me, then. I’m sorry for rushing you out of the house for no reason.”

Dina: “No, it’s okay! I told you, I’m around the corner if you ever need me, and that includes calming you down from a freakout. And I’m super flattered you called me before anyone else.”



When Marci reached her third trimester, she had no choice but to stay home on doctor’s orders. As twins were usually premature births, it was vital for the mother to live as stressful as possible in the final home stretch. She didn’t mind all the free time at home, but with Joshua busy painting, Louis in school, and her friends going about their lives, she was usually bored out of her mind.

Marci: “I bet I can make this happen...come on…”



Marci: “There! How cool. I wonder how long I can keep this on my stomach...”



The babies’ movements got more pronounced as well.

Marci: “Ah! No!”

They say your children break your heart, but she didn’t think it would happen so soon. They really were her babies.



Marci: “Don. Donnie. My dreadfully handsome best friend. My loyal partner in crime. The Ripp Grunt to my Ophelia Nigmos-”

Don: “Marci, no.”



Marci: “You don’t even know what I’m gonna say!”

Don: “Yeah, I do. I’m not making you another slushy. You already had two today. I literally just dropped the last one off half an hour ago.”

Marci: “No, I didn’t! I’m asking for a refill! I spilled the second one!”



Don: “Take that as divine intervention, babe. Eat something else instead - hold on, are you seriously crying right now?”

Marci: “NO, I’m not crying! YOU’RE gonna cry when I can kick your ass again for being such a dick in my time of need!”



More often than not, Don gave in to her cravings more easily than Joshua.

Don: “Hey Supriya. Get me a vanilla cupcake.”

Supriya: “Uh oh. Is your lady mad at you again?”

Don: “For the last time, Marci’s not my lady, but she did pull out the hormonal waterworks on me. What can I say? I can’t stand hearing a girl cry.”



Supriya: “Whatever that girl is to you, she’s got you whipped. Never thought I would see the day.”

Don: “You know, just for that attitude, I’m not covering your shift tomorrow morning.”

Supriya: “Hah! Like you were ever gonna. Say hi to Marci for me, would you?”



Marci: “Hah. Supriya is right, though. You are so whipped. I didn’t even have to take a boob out to earn this cupcake.”

Don: “Keep laughing, and that’s the last one you’re going to see from me.”

Marci: “I knew you would come around to my side eventually, but I thought you said you weren’t going to be held responsible for my impending diabetes. What gives?”



Joshua: “Yes, Don. What gives?”

Marci: “Uh oh. We’re in trouble.”

Joshua: “Marci, did you even eat real food today?”

Marci: “As opposed to what, imaginary food?”

Joshua: “You know what I mean. You heard what the doctor told us. You’re supposed to eat a more balanced diet, especially in the third trimester. Whatever you eat, the babies get, and it needs more nutrients than sugar and fat.”



Don: “So Marci eats a couple more sweets for a few weeks. Who’s it hurting? She’s the human incubator here. As long as she isn’t sticking dynamite in her esophagus or drinking bleach, I’m Team ‘Whatever Mama Wants’.”



Joshua: “Of course you are. You’re not the one who has to hear her complain about indigestion in the middle of the night. Marci, I am begging you, just eat some sort of vegetable today, okay?”



They waited until Joshua was out of the room before snickering - and for Don to ask a very pointed question about that conversation.

Don: “Damn, your husband can’t stand me, huh?”

Marci: “What are you talking about? Josh doesn’t hate you! Hell, he doesn’t hate anyone! That’s the most irritating thing about him, actually. Did you know he gave Nancy Landgraab an autograph when they ran into each other at a gallery and convinced her to make a donation towards an art program for underprivileged students? I would’ve rather eaten my own ass than breathe the same air as her.”

Don: “You forget, Nancy wasn’t in your guys’ personal space like I am. I saw that look in his eye. He wanted to take one of those knives behind him and stab me in the head for corrupting you with sugary processed desserts.”



Marci: “Eh, he’ll get over it. I promise it has nothing to do with you. He’s just being a serious mother hen right now. Besides, he knew our deal when he married me.”

Don: “Our deal? We have a deal?”

Marci: “I don’t know when the joke started, but we call the two of us, you and me, a package deal. You can’t have Marci without Don not too far behind - and vice versa.”

Don: “Yeah...I guess there’s an ounce of truth in that.”

Marci: “I mean, I literally can’t get away from you even if I wanted to. We’re neighbors. And I have to keep you around for the treats.”



Marci was just joking about Don supplying her with treats, but he took that responsibility a little more seriously than she expected.



Marci: “You got me a whole platter of cupcakes? What gives? You realize I was kidding, right? Do you have a death wish? Josh is going to kill you when he finds these in the fridge.”

Don: “That’s why I’m cutting out of here before he gets home. Besides, this should get you off my ass for, let’s see...a day and a half?”

Marci: “Nice wishful thinking there. Try tomorrow morning. You forget a child lives under this roof, too.”

Don: “You mean aside from yourself?”

Marci: “Oh, screw you!”



Don: “So, how’s…that going for you today?”

Marci: “You mean the babies? They’re restless. I thought they were going wild when they started kicking a few months ago, but this is a whole new level. Sometimes you can even see them kick through my shirts if I stay still. Here, they’re moving right now. Put your hands on my stomach.”

Don: “I don’t know…”

Marci: “Oh, come on! They won’t bite.”



It was the first time Don put his hands on her swollen stomach. He pointedly avoided the whole affair since she announced her pregnancy, as anything to do with babies and children terrified him. Not that she could blame him. A year ago, if a pregnant woman asked her to feel their stomach, she would’ve refused on the same grounds.

Don: “Huh, you really do feel them kicking.”

Marci: “You can watch them kicking now, too. If I were to lift my sweater right now, you can see my stomach expand right where they’re kicking, and since there’s two of them...”



That information made Don jump back.

Don: “Ugh! Damn it, woman! Why did you tell me that shit?!”

Marci: “How do you think I feel? I’ve got to sit back and experience the nightmare fuel up close and personal. It’s like that sci-fi movie we watched, where the alien bursts through the guy’s stomach? I keep expecting that to happen, the two of them to chew and claw their way out of my--”

Don: “Couldyoupleasenot? I couldn’t sleep that whole night!”



Marci: “Don, you are being such a pussy right now. Not to mention a major buzzkill.”

Don: “Sorry, I just...can’t wrap my head around an actual person being in there.”

Marci: “Try wrapping your head around twins. I can actually tell you which brat is moving. All the doctors tell me it’s impossible, but I swear, my daughter’s dead set on making me miserable already, and she’s not even physically out here to torture me yet. At least my son loves me and stays as still as possible during the night. He’s been on my right side since day one and hasn’t really moved, though he loses his shit whenever Josh and I eat ramen. I hope he doesn’t turn out to be a dork ass weeaboo.”



Don: “I have to admit, you’ve taken to this whole situation better than I expected.”

Marci: “What, pregnancy? Spoken like a true man, Don. You try dealing with the morning sickness, the raging hormones, and carrying around an extra thirty pounds around your midsection for months and see how you handle it. God help you if you get abducted and impregnated by aliens.”

Don: “Not the pregnancy. Motherhood, I guess? I know this is going to make me sound like a jerk, but I had a hard time picturing you as a parent. What the hell do I know, right?”

Marci: “No, I…I get it. I had a hard time picturing it, too. When I found out I was pregnant, I was on the fence about the idea. It’s still fucking weird, even after all this time.”

Don: “I bet. How do you feel? Any different yet?”



Truth be told?

She didn’t feel anything.



In the beginning, she was excited about the pregnancy, but now, in her third trimester...



Was it normal to feel so terrified?



She thought making a final decision would ease her anxiety and banish all doubts from her mind, but those same questions kept coming back. What if she wasn’t a good mother? What if she screwed her family up beyond repair? What if raising twins was going to be too much for her and Joshua to handle? What if...



What if she felt nothing for her babies?

She told herself it was ridiculous, that she already cared about their well-being and that loved Louis despite the fact he wasn’t actually her son...but what if she had no choice in the matter, that she simply wasn’t conditioned to love them? God knows she had plenty of reasons to turn out that way...

Even without her own baggage to contend with, she considered Joshua’s first marriage and what happened with Katherine: how she terminated her parental rights without warning. She left her son behind without a word or an explanation. No phone calls, no letters...nothing for Louis to offer any closure.



Katherine left Louis, the most clever, the most playful, and the most thoughtful child that Marci ever met.



Louis, who went the extra mile for her and finished his chores without prompting. He even did the laundry, a task that she never assigned to him, because he didn’t want her to lift heavy clothes by herself anymore.



If that woman could abandon a child like this, without guilt...



What was to stop Marci from making the same decision several years from now? Or worse?



Despite her crippling fears, Marci didn’t dare speak them aloud to Joshua. He was so excited about being a new father all over again, and she didn’t want to overburden him with her morose thoughts and diminish his enthusiasm.

Joshua: “How are you feeling? Have these two been giving you trouble?”

Marci: “Like you wouldn’t believe. Your kids are ready to come out.”

Joshua: “Oh, they’re my kids now, huh?”



Marci: “I got to blame someone for having to take a piss every couple of minutes in the middle of the night, and that person is you. One of them parked on my bladder. I blame the boy. He shifted, I just know it. And my back...it’s killing me right now.”

Joshua: “Well, you are getting closer to the due date, and the doctor warned us about the possibility of premature birth.”

Marci: “I hope these kids hurry up soon, then. I can only take so much more of this shit. Hey, while we’re on the subject, we better talk about their damn names.”



Early on, they came to an agreement: Joshua would name their daughter, while Marci would name their son. It was a fun exercise, and over the last several weeks they pitched and tried different names in conversations. So far nothing has left a lasting impression, but not for the lack of effort. As her due date approached, however, the race was on, and they were more desperate to narrow down their choices.

Marci: “Did you come up with anything?”

Joshua: “I have. I’m actually leaning towards Lea.”



Joshua: “What?”

Marci: “Lea? I…I don’t know how I feel about that, Josh.”

Joshua: “What’s wrong with it? It was my grandmother’s name.”



Fuck, I’m screwed. He loved his grandmother.

Marci: “Um, nothing’s wrong with it. A little plain but not bad, I guess. I just wasn’t expecting you to pick that one.”



Joshua: “It’s not official. I’ve got a couple more names to consider. I’ll run them all by you. Have you come up with any boy names?”

Marci: “Even better! I want to name our boy after my favorite fictional hero: Holden.”



Marci: “What’s with your face?”

Joshua: “You… want to name our son after Holden Caulfield?”

Marci: “Hey! What’s wrong with that?”

Joshua: “Nothing, if you like a whiny rich boy who calls everyone a phony through eighty percent of the book.”



Marci: “Have we read the same book? Holden Caulfield is a goddamn icon! He saw right through people’s bullshit, and he’s the epitome of existential angst and rebellion! Who does that remind you of? Oh, that’s right: me! It just makes sense! And oh my god, he wasn’t whiny! He was just going through a lot! His brother died and shit. Do you blame him? Why are you looking at me like that?”

Joshua: “I just never saw you get so fired up over a book. It’s cute. Though I still don’t know how I feel about naming our child after a book creation. What if he gets teased? Half of Louis' class are named after anime characters.”



Marci: “Trust me, I took this task very seriously, and I wouldn’t pick a name if I wasn’t happy with it, or if I thought it was super lame. This means a lot to me, and it just sounds so cool when you say it. Holden Price. Or Holden Hay? How is this even going to work?”



Joshua: “Well, normally the children take the father’s surname...but I’m not particularly attached to mine. If I hadn’t gained name recognition in my field with it, I would’ve just taken yours.”



Marci pictured it: Holden Price and Lea Price - or whatever Joshua decided to name their daughter.

Her husband could’ve easily swayed the other way, and it would’ve made sense, letting the children take his name, as he was the widely known artist in the family. He was more than willing to give up that privilege, for her sake.

Price wasn’t her name, and yet, the idea of her two children--a piece of her--carrying on her legacy…

She liked it.



Then a surge of pain shot through her midsection, towards the lower end of her stomach and abdomen. She pressed her hands onto her stomach and took a deep breath.

Joshua: “What’s wrong?”

Marci: “I...I don’t know, I feel weird.”

Joshua: “What do you mean, you feel weird? What exactly are you feeling?”

Marci: “Just these weird cramps. They started this morning, on and off for a few hours now, and they keep getting worse. My lower back is killing me even more now, too.”



Joshua: “Marci, I...I think you’re going into labor!”



Marci: “What? Don’t be silly, my water didn’t break or anything! It’s just the breakfast burrito betraying me, or -- oooooooooohfuckfuckfuck! Ow! Okay! I take that back! It’s definitely not the burrito!”

***



Marci arrived at the hospital expecting a quick delivery, but she and Joshua were stuck in the hospital overnight and saw little to no progress. She was rushed into surgery in the morning.

Dr. Parker: “It’s lovely to meet you! My name is Dr. Parker, and I will be performing the surgery. I read that you’re a first-time mother! Are you ready to meet your babies?”

Marci: “Oh, I was ready yesterday, but these two had other plans. They were in no hurry to get out. Hey, I thought my doctor was supposed to perform the procedure? Where is she?”



Dr. Parker: “I’m very sorry, but Dr. Copur has been pulled into emergency surgery and won’t be able to attend. I assure you, she left you in good hands, Mrs. Hay.”



Marci: “No, not Hay. It’s Price. Marci Price.”

Dr. Parker: “Oh, my mistake! I apologize. Well, let’s get started.”

Marci was already feeling anxious about the surgery, and that wasn’t considering the new doctor referring to her by the wrong surname. All night, she couldn’t sleep, though it wasn’t for the lack of trying. In between the labor pains and discomfort, all her fears and anxieties consumed her waking thoughts. It was impossible to feel excited about the impending arrival of her babies.



Though she was excited about being able to see her feet again.



Marci: “Josh, are you still here?”

Joshua: “I am.”



Marci: “Good. Can you go and see if the other doctor is available yet?”

Joshua: “Marci, you heard what the other doctor just told you. She’s in the middle of an emergency.”

Marci: “I heard, but...you remember how much I hate doctors! I felt comfortable with Dr. Copur, and it took over half a year for me to reach that point. We don’t know anything about this woman, and she clearly doesn’t know anything about me; she even got my name wrong, for crying out loud! What if she hurts the babies?”



Joshua: “Honey, be reasonable. She’s filling in on the short notice. It’s impossible for doctors to bounce from patient to patient and keep everyone’s names straight. And I’m sure this hospital wouldn’t let anyone just waltz in and perform surgery on you if they weren’t qualified. Dr. Parker is a licensed professional, no different than our regular doctor.”



Dr. Parker: “Ah, I understand emotions are running high, but please don’t stress yourselves our any more than necessary! I am perfectly capable of handling the task at hand! You don’t spend years in medical school if you weren’t serious or passionate about the job, or genuinely care about your patient’s well-being. Give it another week, and I’ll have finally finished my internship and started my residency more or less once I choose my specialty.”

Joshua: “See, Marci, I told you that she--”



Joshua: “Wait, did… did you just say you’re an intern?”

Dr. Parker: “Yes, sir. Fresh out of medical school.”

Joshua: “How many of these procedures have you performed? Aren’t you supposed to have a resident oversee your work? Please tell me you know what you’re doing. I don’t think I feel comfortable with an intern operating on my wife if you don’t have that much experience.”



Dr. Parker: “Oh, what a stressed Papa Bear! I assure you, I know exactly what I am doing. I’ve performed this procedure dozens of times under the watchful eye of my supervisors, and they deemed me competent enough to perform solo with my senior nurses ready to assist me. Now, you just sit back, relax, and wait for me to pluck these little lovelies out of--uh oh.”

Marci: “What’s wrong? Why does my husband look like he’s ready to pass out?”

Dr. Parker: “I...I accidentally grabbed your heart instead. These machines can be so touchy sometimes. No worries! I put it right back! No harm was done! Just, um...let me know if you start feeling a stabbing sensation in your chest, Mrs. Price. I suspect you won’t!”



Despite the hiccup, the first twin was delivered with little to no compliments on the machine's end.

When the doctor announced her son was out, Marci was struck by the nurses hurrying towards the bassinet and quickly attending to him. She was going to ask why everyone flocked to him if only one nurse needed to clean him off until the dreadful silence in the room screamed the answer at her.



Holden wasn’t crying.

In fact, he wasn’t making any sound.



Even inexperienced Marci Price sensed something was wrong. Babies always cried straight after delivery, didn’t they? Was her son just shy? Was he scared? Was he hurt or sick? Was he alive at all?

She struggled to get out of the machine to no avail.

Marci: “No no no no no! Let me out of this damn thing!”

Joshua: “Marci, the doctor’s still trying to get our daughter out! The nurses are giving him what he needs now--”

Marci: “To hell they are! Go and get him! He needs us! He needs me! He needs to know I’m still here! Please, he’ll cry for me! Just let me hold him, for fuck’s sake--”



Then she heard it:

It was their son, crying.

It was the most beautiful sound in the world.

And the relief, the joy, the intense love for her child washing over her...it was unlike anything she ever felt in her whole life.

Joshua: “Well…I guess Holden heard you.”

Marci: “That’s him. It’s really him. I can’t believe it.”



And then their daughter arrived.

Unlike her brother, she wasted no time in greeting her parents with a screech.

Marci: “Oh God. Lea’s a screamer, isn’t she? We’ve got our work cut out for us.”

Joshua: “Did...did you just call her Lea? I thought you didn’t like that name.”

Marci: “Well, you heard me out about Holden and agreed to go with it. And the name grew on me.”



When the surgery was over, and they were busy cleaning Lea off, Marci wasted no time. Against the doctor’s advice to rest, she got up from the table, stumbled over to the nearest bassinet…



And she picked up her son.

No different than her first day in Oasis Springs, she was something new entirely, all over again...but this time, her new identity was hardly a loss or take away from her old life. This time, she was a mother by her own choice.

Nothing and no one would ever take this away from her.

***



Several days later, Marci and Joshua were home, both on family leave, and slowly falling into a new life and schedule. They worked around the clock to ensure the babies were fed on time and that their other needs were being met.



Holden remained the quiet twin, though he had his moments. He was noticeably clingy with Marci already, which used to be cute until he could only settle down in his mother’s arms. Though Marci still thought newborn infants resembled aliens more so than actual sims, she already saw the resemblance between Holden and his father. He had Joshua’s brown hair, brown eyes, and his nose. The rest, they would just have to wait and see how he grew into his features.



Just as Joshua predicted, Lea was already just like Marci: not only was she the louder and more demanding twin, but she inherited her eye shape, her little chin, and her natural blonde hair. She wouldn’t call her daughter an exact clone, however: she noticed both her children inherited their father’s nose.



Both parents adored their babies, but they were already feeling burnt out and pushed to their limits.

Joshua: “Marci...do you remember when we used to get eight hours of sleep every night? I took those days for granted. Never again.”



Marci: “Eight hours? I would trade anything in the world to get four hours, completely uninterrupted. Fuck, why did we think this was a good idea again?”



Joshua: “Don’t tell me that you’re having second thoughts. We’re past that.”

Marci: “Oh trust me, I got the stretch marks to prove it. And the baby puke on our laundry. I think some of our daughter’s vomit is still in my hair. Lea’s already an overachiever like her father, huh?”

Joshua: “I’m serious, Marci.”

Marci: “So am I! Why would you even say something like that?”

Joshua: “I...I don’t know. You’re right. It was silly. Ignore me. It’s just my own anxiety talking.”



Marci approached her husband and reached for his hands.

Marci: “Josh, listen to me...I’m not Katherine.”

Joshua: “I know you’re not.”

Marci: “Still, you clearly need to hear it. And that’s okay. How many times did you have to sit through all my goddamn messes and emotional meltdowns?”



Marci: “You don’t have to worry about my commitment. I won’t lie, for a while...I really didn’t think I could do this. I was so scared to meet them, but now that they’re here, and we’re doing this together? I wouldn’t trade this for anything or anyone else. I love them. I’m never leaving them - or Louis, for that matter! All you guys are stuck with me now, one way or another.”



Marci: “And if there were any lingering doubt that I possessed a working heart, that quack sure proved us wrong when she ripped it out of me, huh?”

Marci hoped the joke would break the tension, but she hadn’t expected him to clearly fail at holding back his laughter.

Joshua: “Marci, that’s awful.”



Marci: “You’re laughing, though! Come on! You wondered, too! Be honest with me. When she plucked my heart right out of my ribcage, did it look as small as you expected? Was it as dark as eyeliner, or did it have more of a warm grey undertone? Who knows? Maybe there’s hope for me yet, huh?”



Joshua: “You know, really ought to stop calling yourself evil and heartless, Marci.”

Marci: “Why? It’s true. Ask my friends. Hell, ask the Feng woman I chased out of the neighborhood apparently. They’d all concur.”

Joshua: “I don’t care what they say. I know you, and you’re the most loving person I know. You have a...funny and strangely aggressive way of expressing it sometimes, but you undersell yourself by walking around and thinking you’re not a good person. You’re good just as you are now.”



Good.

He called her good.



She kissed him on the cheek.

Marci: “Thanks. You’re not too bad yourself.”

Deep down, the truth settled uncomfortably in her: that goodness didn’t come naturally to her, and even if it had, it wasn’t going to change why she moved out to Oasis Springs in the first place.



Being called the most loving person he knew, though? And hearing that he never doubted her devotion to him and their family? Perhaps transformation wasn’t so beyond her depth or capability. If nothing else…



She could depart the world a better person than she entered it, and leave behind a far better legacy for her children to inherit. That would be good enough for her.