I'm sorry for the wait, life has been very busy right now. But have no fear, school will be out soon for me and I'll have tons of new chapters ready to go. Hope you guys like this chapter. Review if enjoyed! Happy reading - MJ123 :)
Once Ella was settled and well into her morning nap session, Norma and Katie sat in Room 11. It was awkward, having to sit with the teenage girl from Arizona who blossomed into someone so much older with an obvious burden. Norma tried to cut the tension by clearing her throat, she knew it was time to speak.
"So...has Steven contacted you at all?" she questioned, her eyes shifting in various areas of the room.
Katie sighed and shook head, "No. The last time we spoke was before he left for this place. He called me and said he was leaving for East Jesus nowhere Oregon to rekindle some kind of relationship with you."
She was confused then, her head popping up, "What?", it came out like a hushed whisper, this was a total shock. Steven wanted her back. That's why he bothered coming to White Pine Bay.
"Yeah, he said you two had been talking for a few months and decided it was only right to get back together," she explained. Her tone stayed blunt and weary, making Norma feel like a piece of shit. Steven had most likely driven this poor girl through hell and back.
"But...Katie, none of that is true. I promise you. We haven't spoken since Norman and I moved out of Phoenix. And he told me you two were happy and settled into family life."
The girl shook her head and let a sarcastic laugh out, "No. I assure you, it's nothing that glamorous. It's actually pretty fucked up."
She looked at Katie with concern in her eyes and motioned to her, "Please, keep going."
"Well, Steven came into my workplace and started hitting on me. I said no...I actually turned him down a lot. But um, one night I decided to go to this bar near my house to get out for a bit. He was there, watching me the entire time-"
"I'm sorry," Norma interrupted, "That wasn't planned at all?".
"Oh no, no, god no. He just showed up at the bar and basically stalked me. Anyway, I guess I had a few too many and I ended up sleeping with him. It was a huge mistake. I actually couldn't believe I was stupid enough to let it happen," she sighed, trying not to reflect back on it too much.
"Wait a sec," she said, looking to the side, "So Ella..."
Katie just nodded, "Yep. She was result. But don't get the wrong idea, please. I love her with all my heart. She's such a good baby, it's just...I hate Steven. He took complete advantage of me."
"So, what happened after you found out you were pregnant with Ella. I mean, what did Steven do?" she asked.
"Oh, him?," she started, her voice drenched in sarcasm, "He was thrilled. I mean it, he was dancing around and shouting for happiness while I sat on the couch crying."
"Jesus," Norma sighed, shaking her head, "Honey, I'm so sorry. I am, I know how he can be."
"So, you two did have something going on?".
She nodded with an exasperated sigh, "Yeah, we had a year long affair. And if we're being honest, I was in love with him to a certain degree. He helped me when Sam was awful and abusive. He actually-"
Norma stopped herself before she could say the one thing she'd really regret.
"What? Actually what?" Katie asked, intent on finding out more.
She sighed and waved her off, "No, I really, I shouldn't-"
"Go ahead, Norma. You can say what you need. Your secrets are 100% safe with me," the girl promised.
"I got pregnant. With his child. I um...I lost it about three months in," Norma admitted, slightly on the verge of tears. It was one of the most painful things that could have happened in her life. Through everything else, the abuse, the rapes, none of it transferred when her miscarriage came into play. The thought of something happening to any of her children truly killed her.
She looked at her in disbelief for a few moments that reached out to place a hand on her arm, "I'm sorry. That is awful. Did he ever know?".
Norma nodded, "Yeah he found out the day after I lost the baby. It really crushed him."
"I think that might play a major component as to why he want's you back, Norma," she concluded.
"I really don't want him at all. I'm with someone right now and we are content together, I couldn't imagine being with anyone else," just as the words left Norma's lips, she wished Alex could have been there to hear them.
"I think he may have figured that out, alluding to the way he left," she said, standing up and checking on the baby. "I'm just happy to see Ella's okay. To be honest with you, I was sick to my stomach with worry."
"Yeah, that's being a mother. Get used to that feeling," she laughed. "Anyway, um, what are you going to do now?".
"I really couldn't tell you. Ella and I are staying with Steven currently. It's just until I can get my GED and find something good job wise," she sighed, picking the baby up and rocking her gently.
Suddenly, an idea crafted in Norma's mind and she smiled, walking over to Katie and her niece, a hand coming up to rest on the baby's head.
"I'm willing to make you a very good offer if you're interested," she began, looking to the weary girl.
Katie looked at her, signalling her to go on.
"I have five rooms in my home right now. All empty, all furnished. There are two available rooms open right now. What if you stay in one of them and create a small nursery in the other. You can stay for a bit until you get your degree and then you won't have to worry about living with Steven," she offered, watching Katie's rapidly changing emotions.
She was overcome with shock and gratitude as she opened her mouth to speak, "That would be amazing but what about Ella? I can't just leave her there while I go to school."
Norma nodded with a small grin, "You most certainly could. I wouldn't mind watching her one bit, plus Norman manages the motel and I have loads of spare time during the day."
"Oh Norma," she began, tucking the baby into her shoulder, "I could never ask you to do such a thing."
"You didn't ask, I offered," Norma laughed.
"Do your boys even know about Steven or Ella?".
"No," she sighed, forgetting about telling them, "But I'll explain everything to them and they will be fine with it. I promise you, it can work out. So what do you say?".
Katie looked to Ella and smiled, "We accept."
Please leave me some reviews. They simply keep me going. - MJ
