Shaforostop It (2015)

EPILOGUE

3 years later:

"Jane I swear on my life, if you-" the child burst out laughing. "Oh it's a good thing you're cute." James said angrily, picking up his now exactly three year old daughter. It was her birthday. Brandi had just given her a bath, and James dressed her and fed her. The feeding part was the problem. At any point in time she would just suddenly refuse to eat, and hit and lunch every spoon that dared enter her personal space, even when disguised as a plane, or train. She had spilled her lunch all over the table.

"She's never gonna listen." Denis sighed. "Just let her go."

"You've been saying that for three years, cunt. Obviously, letting her eat when she specifically wants to, hasn't worked." James laughed, wiping up the mess.

"Yeah- okay whatever." Denis rolled his eyes, pulling me onto his lap from my place beside him on the couch. We were invited over early to help set up for the party, but we weren't doing much helping. We were doing all the eating. Since quitting gymnastics, I vowed that any exercise I didn't want to do, I would not do. I still worked out and stayed fit, but I actually enjoyed it. Rather than thirteen hours a day, I spent a few hours a night at the gym. Since Denis and I had moved closer to the city for my job - I had since become a makeup artist, special effects - it was easier for me to get to the gym without needing to drive too long, or have one in our basement. After our wedding, we sold the house and moved to an apartment, close to Ben and Ciara's house.

"Do you need help with that?" I sat up expectantly as I asked James.

"Yeah, um, can you just hold her while I clean all this shit up?" He laughed.

"Totally." I stood and took the girl from his arms. She was so cute, with dark brown eyes and hair like her parents. She was a chubby little thing, and though she could perfectly fine, she preferred to be carried around instead of walk. I sat back down beside Denis and he immediately took Jane from my arms. He was absolutely obsessed. Which made me all the more confident about my news. I had already told James and Denis.

"Hi." Denis said excitedly to Jane. She laughed.

"Den Den!" Her nickname for him. Uncle Denis and Aunt Le-La. She shouldn't pronounce Leda yet. Then there was Uncle Bameron, and Aunt Haywey. Uncle Bej and Aunt Cira-ra. And then Auntie Cammy, and Uncle PeePee. She could say Sam just fine, but Auntie Britt was Auntie Bit. I swore the first time Jane said it, she said bitch, but I made a point not to constantly remind everyone. Cameron, whom I'd remained best friends with all these years, was dating CC from Black Veil Brides, with a baby on the way. Jane could easily pronounce CC, but she just chose to call him 'PeePee' instead. CC fit into our little family perfectly. And last but not least Kyle, whom was arriving to the party along with everyone else, was just Kyrle. Her accent was weird though, because it was mostly British, but every word she learned from Denis and I was either with a Ukrainian or American accent.

"I can't believe she's already three." I smiled as I watched Denis play with the girl. They had moved onto the floor for optimal space.

"I know. She's so smart." Denis added. I walked into the kitchen to help Brandi prepare food for the party. About an hour later, James had cleaned up, we had the food ready, Denis had Jane busy, and everyone finally arrived.

"Hey." Cameron smiled and hugged me tightly, still having go bend down to reach me.

"Here." I stepped back onto one of the steps leading upstairs, so I was closer to his level.

"Thats better." He laughed. I stayed there to hug everyone but girl Cameron, CC, and Kyle, as they were closer to my height.

"How are you?" CC asked.