Who really killed Wanda Day! - Wedding Bells (DAY! Series Book 2)

Chapter 19 - A Burglary, A Boss Battle, And Babbling About Babies

Frederick Eugene Marcel Leonard Tiberius Parvelle, the unfortunate victim of his parents' questionable taste in names, entered this world on April 12, 1980, in the bustling city of Boise, Idaho. When his father, a staunch Catholic, laid eyes on his firstborn son for the very first time, a shiver ran down his spine, leaving him utterly perplexed. Just four hours after the blessed event, the father, overcome with a sudden bout of paranoia, rushed to the nearest church and confessed to the priest that he was convinced his son was the spawn of Satan himself, sent to torment him for his sins.

The priest, chalking up Frank's outlandish claim to the typical jitters of a new father, promptly dismissed the notion. However, Frank, being a man of unwavering faith, refused to let the matter rest. Doubts soon crept back in, like a pesky relative who just won't leave, because little Freddy seemed to be possessed by a demon. But the poor baby just suffered from colics, unleashing a cacophony of screams that would make a banshee proud.

As Freddy transitioned from a screaming infant to a toddler, the excessive crying miraculously subsided, and he transformed into a relaxed and contented child, much to the relief of his parents. Frank, too, began to unclench, but there was always a lingering remnant of mistrust. He found himself constantly on the lookout for any signs of demonic possession, jumping at the slightest hint of mischief or tantrums, convinced that the devil was simply biding his time before making a grand reappearance.

As Frederick entered his tumultuous teenage years, he stumbled upon a group of 'cool kids.' It became a regular occurrence for the police to bring him home, like a revolving door of trouble, as he indulged in drunken escapades and flirted with the world of drugs. His parents, feeling utterly helpless, tried to pray away the bad behavior with the help of their priest, but unfortunately, this only works in theory. The priest, sensing their desperation, suggested that Frederick be sent to a Christian summer camp, where he could find Jesus and hopefully lose his diabolic attitude. The parents, grasping at straws, promptly packed him off, hoping for a miracle akin to turning water into wine.

But the 'Super Summer Christian Fun Camp for the Next Generation' turned out to be a veritable pool of sins, a real-life version of Sodom and Gomorrah. The caregivers had no clue about the shenanigans taking place in the woods in the evenings, where the young people got drunk and had their first sexual experiences. They would then return to camp during the day, read the Bible, and giggle quietly to themselves. When Frederick returned home in the fall, his parents quickly discovered that he had changed, but they had no idea just how much.

At school, Freddy quickly became known as the Casanova of the campus, and he slept with almost every girl in his class. In a twist of irony that would make even the devil chuckle, he accidentally impregnated Emanuelle, the headmistress' daughter, proving that even the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.

The aftermath sent Frederick to the wrong side of the school gates. His parents, in a desperate attempt to save face, summoned every priest within a 50-mile radius while simultaneously trying to keep the juicy gossip from spreading like wildfire. But the damage was done, and Frederick became a proud papa at the age of seventeen years, four months, and three days. His daughter Magdalena turned Frederick's world upside down. It was like she had a built-in reset button, and with one adorable yawn, he did a complete 180 on his life choices.

The very next day after his girlfriend Emanuelle blew out the candles on her 18th birthday cake, the two lovebirds tied the knot. And no one knew that Emanuelle was already six weeks along with their second offspring.

At first, it was smooth sailing for the young family. Frederick added two more mini-mes to his growing collection - first, the sassy Sarah, and then, just 12 short months later, little Caleb joined the party. Frederick was living the dream - a beautiful wife, three kids (and counting), a gig at the local print shop, and a cozy little love nest to call home.