The next morning, Nora still hadn't heard from Linnie. It was as if he suddenly vanished out of thin air and while Nora didn't mind the peace and quiet, she was also starting to get both worried about his safety and angry that he hadn't been back yet. She didn't remember him saying anything about going on a trip. He had merely said he was going shopping. He should've been back by now.
Nora groaned as she got up and got ready for work, quietly cursing Linnie out for all he was worth. After all she's done for him, after giving him the child he wanted, Linnie still wanted to act ungrateful. At this point, she wasn't even sure why she bought that stupid engagent ring in the first place. She put up with flaky men for too long, and she knew she didn't want to marry another. Nora decided not to propose to Linnie until he proved that she was his number 1 priority.
On her way out, she saw a small cardboard box sitting on her porch, containing the ring she had ordered weeks ago. Taking the ring out of the box, she stuffed it into her pocket (not having much time to go back inside), and poofed to the Fairy Academy, getting ready to teach the class as she always did.
Willow, for once, looked like she was somewhat paying attention but to Nora, it seemed like it was the wrong thing. Instead of looking at the board, Willow kept glaring at Nora, rolling her eyes whenever she spoke, and whispered to several of her classmates that she was, "a bitch in sheep's clothing." Who does this girl think she is? Nora thought it was a privilege to be in her class rather than doing extensive drills with Jorgen for punishment. Doesn't this girl know how to be grateful?
The end of the day also felt like the same to Nora, with the students leaving while she gathered her papers to grade and mock. Though as soon as she picked her head back up to leave the building, a slap suddenly shot across Nora's face, coming from the angry, pink-haired fairy that had been studying Nora all day.
"Miss Peachcreek! What in the holy universe was that for? Don't you realize I can promote your probation level just by doing that?", Nora shouted, earning another eye roll from Willow.
"I don't care. It's not like I'm going to be here for too much longer anyway.", Willow said, "I know what you did, Nora."
"Did what? Fail your last exam? To be fair, most of your answers were quite stupid. Really Willow."
"Aw, save it! I don't care about the exam. I know what you did to Arthur,", Willow growled, "I came home a bit earlier than I had expected, and I saw you run out of the backdoor while Arthur's eyes were all pink and googly. What the hell's the matter with you, Nora? Don't you realize you can do to jail for nonconsensual sex? What you did was essentially rape, you monster!"
"How is that rape? I asked him what he wanted and he said yes. Obviously, he's staring to realize that he was wrong for leaving me, and that you're a waste of his time and resourced."
"Oh my gosh, I have no idea how you can possibly be any dumber but here we are. You FORCED him, and because of that, we're leaving. Somewhere you can't hurt him!", Willow yelled, "As soon as I turn my license in, I'm outta here. Have fun with your miserable little life. Maybe you can convince your NEW boyfriend to have sex with you, considering you've already done it."
As angry as she was with Willow at that moment, it did remind Nora to stop by the daycare to see if Linnie ever made it back. Ignoring her phone vibrating in her pocket, she flew towards the daycare and knocked on the door.
"Linnie! Where the hell are you?! We need to talk! I need to vent! Do you know what one of my students said to me today?", Nora yelled, only for Pixel to respond instead of Linnie, "Hey, what gives? Where the hell's Linnie? Didn't he have work today, or is he skipping town entirely?"
"He went on paternity leave, remember? He should be back in a few weeks. Didn't he tell you this?", Pixel questioned.
"No! He just got up and left. He told me he was "going to the store for baby things" but he hadn't come back! That motherfucker! If he ever shows his face back, I'll.."
"Nora! Did it ever occur to you that maybe Linnie's water broke while he was shopping.", Pixel asked, frowning and crossing his arms, "I seriously doubt Linnie would be able to go far if he was near labor. Besides, I got a call from him last night and said he had given birth to a boy, your son. His name is Darren. He's at home now resting as he has just gotten out of the hospital."
"Well, why didn't he tell me?"
"I don't know Nora. It's not like him to do that, yes, but yelling and screaming at him is not gonna help.", Pixel said, "Now if you're done disrespecting me, I'm going to clean up and head home. I hope your night gets better, Miss Nora."
Absolutely done with everyone disrespecting her today, Nora huffed and she poofed herself back home, noticing that the door was unlocked and that there was a sound of a baby crying coming from their room.
"Oh honey please don't cry. It's ok. Daddy's here now. Shhh..Shh,,you're ok sweetheart.", she heard Linnie's soft voice whisper, just barely audible above the crying. Nora cleared her throat harshly, catching Linnie's attention.
"Where the hell were you? I was worried sick!", Nora yelled, receiving a frown and a slight glare from Linnie. Oh boy,,here we go. Someone else who wants to attack me.
"Nowhere Nora. Just went to give birth to your son, that's all. Nothing that you should be concerned about.", Linnie said, rocking and stroking the baby's back to calm him.
"Oh my god, do you ever not have an attitude? I just asked you a simple question!"
"And I gave you an answer, Nora. Now, I have a question for you.", Linnie said, before kissing the child and putting him down in his bassinet, "Goodnight Sweetheart. Daddy loves you."
As soon as the baby feel asleep, Linnie led Nora into the living room, sitting her down at the couch with a still somewhat annoyed and angered look on both of their faces.
"Now Nora.", Linnie started, "I know and you've told me time and time again that you did not want anything to do with the baby. That's fine and I'm not concerned with it anymore since it seems like talking to you is like talking to a brick, but I have one question for you. You love me right?"
"Uh..I guess so. Why?"
"Then why weren't you there for me, when I was in the hospital?"
"I-I didn't know you were giving birth, Linnie!"
"The doctors had tried to call you multiple times and not once, did you pick up! You couldn't even be bothered to pick the phone up! What were you doing that was so important, that you couldn't hold my hand during labor? I hate to be selfish, Nora, but sometimes, I feel like you don't support me as much as you claim, and I'm starting to get tired of it. You know, I agreed to go out with you because I thought you would treat me like a decent person, but so far, all you've shown me is that you don't care about me. All you want is someone to lust after, not love. You don't love me Nora. You lust me."
"I-I do love you, Linnie! Y-You're hormones are all out of wack right now. I don't think you realize what you're saying.", Nora laughed, "If I didn't love you, do you think I would allow you to live in MY house, and eat up MY food. You know, I could easily have you and that child kicked to the curb if I wanted to, but I don't. Because I LOVE you."
"Then why don't you show it more often?", Linnie asked, "What happened to when we first met? You were assertive but it at least seemed like you cared."
"Oh, so you don't think I care, hmm?", Nora said, grabbing her wand out of her pocket. It seemed like that spell was starting to go away after about a month, "Well here, I'll give you a reminder."
As she had done before with Arthur (and Linnie one already), the pink mist came out of her want and swirled around Linnie, turning his eyes pink and his expression softening on his face. A smile started to form on his face, while Nora smirked, Linnie's body now resting on Nora.
"Oh Nora. I-I don't know what I was saying. I'm so sorry. Can you forgive me?"
"Well, if you make me my favorite dinner tonight, I might just consider it.", Nora said, "I've had a rough day, Linnie, so I would appreciate it."
"Oh of course, darling. Here, why don't you relax while I start to cook. Maybe tell me about what happened?"
"It would be your pleasure, haha.", Nora laughed, as Linnie got up from the couch and went to make dinner, "Well it all started when Willow slapped me.."