College Life: Freshman Year

27

Normani's POV

"I have a delivery for Normani Jauregui."

"That's me," I tell the delivery man as he hands me the flowers. "Thank you."

"Lauren, did you get me flowers?" I ask.

Lauren looks confused. "No, why would I?"

I read the card. Happy first Mother's Day, Mrs. Jauregui. I love you. Your wife, Lauren.

"You little liar," I tell Lauren as I start to kiss her. "These are absolutely beautiful."

"Happy Mother's Day, Normani."

"I'm not a mother yet, Lo."

"Yes, you are. You're carrying Baby Jauregui. He or she is growing inside you right now and depending on you. Plus, we've already bonded with this baby."

I wrap my arms around Lauren. "You're going to be a mommy too."

"I am. It's so unreal. I still can't believe you're my wife now, Normani."

"I almost wasn't when I found out about that little stunt you pulled at the mixer last week. Having sex for beads, Lauren? That's crazy."

"It wasn't for beads, it was for glory. I thought we were past this already."

"Well, was it glorious?" I tease.

"When the girls congratulated me, it was, but while he was doing me, I kept trying not to puke. The only way I was able to bear it is because I kept imagining it was you with a strap-on."

"Did it work?"

"No, because he wouldn't shut up. Ugh! And afterwards, he wanted to hold me. Can you believe that?"

"The nerve of him for not treating you like the cheap whore that you are," I tease.

"Are we past it?" she asks.

"Would I have married you if we weren't?"

"You're a very understanding wife, Normani."

"I know I am. But if you do anything like this after pledging is over, I'm divorcing your ass. Understood?" Lauren just nods. I still can't get over how cute she looks in her pledge pin.

I became Normani Jauregui three days ago. I wish there was a romantic story about how it happened but there isn't. We got into my car after class on Thursday afternoon and drove to City Hall so we could sign paperwork for our domestic partnership since same-sex marriage isn't legal in California. There were no white dresses, no bridesmaids, and no honeymoon. Just paperwork for our domestic partnership and for my name to be changed from Hamilton to Jauregui.

I've always wanted a big wedding, but I guess what matters more is that Lauren and I are married. I didn't want us to be one of those couples that plans for their wedding but not for their marriage. Lauren and I have a baby on the way and a lot of decisions to make about where we're going to live next year. That's way more important than a wedding.

"How are you feeling today, baby?" Lauren asks.

"Fat," I answer.

"You look beautiful," Lauren tells me.

"No, I don't. I'm wearing size 8 jeans now. I used to be a 6."

"Normani, sweetie, you're three months pregnant. It's normal to gain weight. And if you're three months pregnant and a size 8 and you feel fat, what does that make my size 8 ass?"

"I'm sorry, baby," I tell her. "I didn't meant it like that." I love Lauren's body. I really do. I'm glad she's back to a size 8 and not that lanky 0 she was when she dated Marissa.