2.2

 "Ohhh!" Kayo swooned. "I can hardly wait!"

 "Oh, Noel, you won't regret it! No you won't! I can already see it, it's going to be so perfect!"

 "Oh, I'm just so happy for you! And Darian, too, he's such a sweetheart, he really is...."

"I'm sure you'll do a great job, Kayo. You know I wouldn't pick just anyone to decorate this room. My decorating skills aren't quite up to par," I said, nudging her playfully in the arm.

 So you're probably wondering what's got Kayo in super spazz mode. Well, it all started one morning when I was getting ready to zoom off for work, and I wasn't feeling quite right. Not right at all.

 I passed it off as just a stomach bug or something, I mean, what else could it be, right?

Wrong. Before I knew it, my belly was expanding, and I wasn't sure how I felt about it. Were Darian and I even ready for kids? We weren't even married, for plumbob's sake. I knew Kayo would help, of course, she was basically like a sister to me by now. 

Surprisingly, no one else shared my anxiety. Darian was constantly talking to my belly, and Kayo was fascinated with the baby. I think she may even want a child herself now. Good Plumbob. 

Kayo had me reading pregnancy books out my rear as well, which I absolutely hated her for. I had never liked reading, never, but she was bound and determined to get me educated. I guess it's not a bad thing, really, but couldn't I have watched a video or something? I think my eyes are burning...

 Somewhere along the line, Kayo decided she would like to pick up a career in music. Darian took her to the guitar shop, and it wasn't long before she brought home a brand new guitar. She instantly fell in love with it, and was oohing and ahhing with the music Darian was teaching her.

"I should play this song to your belly! Do you think the baby would like that?"

Plumbob, I love that woman.

 I guess I should have seen Kayo and Darian's jam sessions coming a long time ago, but the thought never even crossed my mind. They play pretty much all the time, and even when I try to sleep.

Persistence, I suppose, but geezus.

I guess all that mess was worth it in the end, when I gave birth to not one, but two healthy baby girls. In the exact order that they were born, I give you Annabelle Vegas, who seems to be quite the clumsy lunatic. . .

                                                                                                                            

. . . and Marie Vegas,   my little neurotic  artist. Annabelle looks like she'll grow up to look a lot like me, and my mother.  I'm glad for that, it's a healthy reminder of my lovely mother. Marie obviously has a strong resemblance with Darian, what with her brown hair and deep silver eyes. 

 As I knew she would, Kayo decorated the twin's room marvelously. It was so adorable, I knew it was just perfect for my girls. 

 My girls. They were so beautiful, in each and every way possible. 

 I had the best, sweetest family a girl could ask for. What more could I want?

2.1

The stars lean down to kiss you,

And I lie awake and miss you,

Pour me a heavy dose of atmosphere.

Cuz I'll dose off safe and soundly,

But I'll miss your arms around me,

I'd send a postcard to ya, dear,

Cuz I wish you were here!

Say hello to my cousin, Kayo. Kayo's a bit quirky and fun, I've heard, and I sure hope it's true as I'll be living here with her. I left Bridgeport and my family behind in search for a more quiet life, and even though my mother begged me to continue our legacy where it began, I knew I couldn't stay there any longer.

 This is the lovely apartment complex she lives in. It looks so traditional and cozy, I could see myself living here for a good amount of time. 

 Kayo had decorated the apartment, of course, to her tastes, it being her home. I was in love with what she had done to it, it was so much different from my mother's style. 

She let me decorate my own room, for which I was grateful for. I kept the green I had in my room ever since I could remember, with my music CD's and magazines lying all over the place. It was a big mess, but for me, it was a pretty organized mess. 

 "So," Kayo said enthusiastically, "Have any thoughts on what you wanna do now that you're here?"

 "Not real sure. I think being a cop would be pretty fun."

 "Well, Riverview's a pretty sleepy town," Kayo pointed out. "I know a guy that works there, it shouldn't be hard to get you that job."

 "That'd be great, Kayo. I really appreciate it."

 "You're gonna really love me after you see who I brought over!"

She led me over to the front of the apartment, giggling with excitement. I practically had to run to keep up with her.

 And there, standing right in front of me, of was Darian. I never thought I would see him again, and he looked so much older!  I nearly squealed at the sight of him.

"Oh, I just knew you'd love it! I just knew it!"

And I did. I loved it. He smiled at me and said, "Noel, come here outside, I'd like to talk with you."

 But there was never any talking.

 What Darian had rejected me with all of my teen years, he had finally accepted now.