I'm going to continue. I may be sad right now and not in the best place but the comment I received tonight made me feel a little better, so...thank you, APrivateTrap. Sending all the love I can your way :) - MJ123 XO

They were perched up in bed. Norma leaning on Alex's shoulder as his fingers lathered gently over her flat belly. He was amazed that even though her skin was still at the same sight as a grassy plain, there was still something being built inside. Soon, her stomach would budge with the sight and homecoming of their baby.

"What do you want?" he asked, one free hand reaching up to sleep idly in her curls. Her hair was always so soft, it was the scent of the garden his mother planted when he was a kid. Every scent on her reminded him of home and comfort.

She looked up at him, confused, "Mm? What do you mean?"

"Our baby. What do you want?" he repeated, this time taking advantage of her perched up forehead and kissing the skin softly, swiftly.

"Anything that's healthy," she laughed, her hand falling to his, "I just want the baby to be healthy and grow up happy with us as its parents. That's what I've always wanted for my kids, y'know? And know that I'm with you...I can have that."

He grinned, affectionate towards her for the appreciation. Alex was beyond thrilled that she felt safe and comfortable. "Thank you. I wanna be a good dad and all. To whatever gender it is."

"You're gonna be fantastic at this. I promise, this kid is going to be so loved by us," she chuckled, "And if you want the truth...I really am praying for something."

"And what's that?" he questioned, prayer standing out the most. He didn't know she was religious. His mother was, and she always tried to instill that in him. Norma was the one sign that their was a god and he did want the best for him.

"A little girl. I know I said I don't care much but...I have two boys. And I love them with all my heart, I really do. But I can't help but want a girl," she smiled, it almost looked like she was already set up for disappointment. Like she expected a boy.

Alex's hand dropped from her hair to her shoulder. "Maybe that's what we'll get then," his voice was a sweet whisper, her lips perked up a bit at the tone of it.

"That'd be okay with you? If I really wanted to have a girl?" she asked, sounding shocked, like she assumed that he would get upset.

"Of course, baby. What? Do you think because I'm a guy I want a son?" he laughed, thinking about it. At this point, Alex wasn't gonna get picky. He didn't care. If it was a girl, that'd be fantastic and with a boy he'd feel the same way.

"Well yeah. I mean, you're a tough guy. A cop and everything...I figured you'd want a boy so you could teach it how to be like you," she said, eyes grazing the side of his clean shaven face.

He shook his head, "Nope. Wouldn't mind either way. Besides, if it's a girl, I could still teach her the ways of a cop. How to be tough. I want her to be a warrior or a superhero, you know what I mean?"

"I wouldn't want her to get hurt," she said, hands already grabbing at her belly as if that could stop time and prevent her from learning to stand up for herself. The world was a scary place, and whatever gender their child was, it would learn how to fight against all evil things.

"She wouldn't. Anything that would come in her way...especially a boy, I'd kick his ass," he said, tugging his wife a little closer.

"Oh," she gasped humorously, "Not even here yet and her daddy's already prepared to hurt boys who hurt her. Are you gonna be one of those shotgun dads?"

He tugged back a bit, "Explain."

"Like...y'know, those dads who threaten to shoot any boy that comes in the way of their daughter. I mean, I'd be fine with it. I just think our little girl will be a heartbreaker and those are a lot of bodies to bury."

"You're cute," he said, hoping that she wouldn't be so promiscuous around teen boys or girls...the world was a new place. "And how do you know she won't like girls?"

She nodded, "You're right. She'd be totally accepted by me if she liked girls. Id love her the same no matter how she's born."

"Me too, I just want her to always feel loved and secure. I don't want her to ever think that we won't love her or that our adoration for her will ever die down," he added, dropping his nose to her head and taking an inhale.

"God, look at us," she scoffed, "Already mapping out a future for this baby and it's not even born yet. We don't even know if it's a girl."

"Now you got my hopes up," he grinned.

X

Next door, Norman could hear every word. The oohs and ahs about their "precious baby" and the thing wasn't even born yet. He knew from right now, right where he was standing he'd never get a good night sleep in the blasted house again. Always a baby wailing or his

beloved mother rocking her bed with the Sheriff.

Everyone was so thrilled about this stupid baby. His brother already tried convincing him it was a good and exciting thing and that it was "great to see Norma happy about something again". He wanted to gag on a brick. And Emma was 10 times worse, giggling and hoping that she'd be able to help baby sit the nasty mistake.

Norman had his fill already, he wanted his mother to abort it or miscarry or something so he'd never have to hear of the idea again. He was the one who deserved all of her love anyway. They were the two with the chord between their hearts, right? That's what they both promised one another.

And this mother kept bringing useless people into their lives, Alex, George, Katie, Steven, and now she was having a little shit of her own. Norman knew he'd be forced to love the abdominal little creature and treat it as his own sibling. In reality, he'd rather chew his own arm off then make it feel welcomed and involved in he and his mothers world. Even though that was now shattered.

He felt sick whenever he thought of his mothers departure from him for some other guy. They'd never get their relationship back unless he got rid of...

Yes. Perfect. Get rid of the Sheriff and their baby. Then he'd get it all. A torn up, depressed mother who'd need all the love she could get from her beloved son Norman. It was the best scheme he'd ever thought up. Slowly, he started to believe that this was what was for the best.

He and his mother all the time. Norman got out a booklet and planned their demises. How he would do it, when, and of course how he'd cover all of it up.

Surely enough, things would return back to the way they were originally. Just he and his beloved mother. That was all.

- Thanks everyone, for staying with me. MJ