Novocain

Chapter Forty Five

Marceline Anne dressed seductive for the first day of senior year. She was trying to have her last first day be a splash. She wore a bubblegum pink fitted sweater with tight short blue jean shorts and black all-star converses with gold understated jewelry.

She left her hair curly and made sure she had enough glitter on.

Malcolm drooled as they dropped Norah off at school.

Marceline Anne smiled to herself. She accomplished her big mission so here came the one she'd told people about. "School please."

He drove but kept sneaking peeks at his wife.

They got to school and she wrapped around his arm to go inside. You couldn't hit him in the butt with an apple.

N-

As it neared October, things got considerably cooler. In more ways than one.

N-

"How's the tumor look?" Mercedes Catherine asked.

Marceline Anne looked down at the ultrasound of her stomach. "It's gotten bigger."

"I'm so sorry."

"Don't cry, sister. You'll see me again."

"You're not gone yet!" Mercedes Catherine blubbered.

"Well I won Homecoming Queen. If that's not a good send off, I don't know what is."

Mercedes Catherine giggled. "I'm going to miss how you make me laugh when nothing's funny."

"Hey. You can laugh at my funeral."

"You don't want a funeral."

"Just making sure. I'll haunt you."

Mercedes Catherine bubbled up in giggles again. "What's the plan for this weekend?"

"I'm going to the hospital Sunday night so Saturday is a giant party."

"You're having a party?"

"I wish. That way I could invite whomever I want but it's for school. They made up some dance so that every girl can feel like a princess and blah blah blah blah blah."

"Where'd your hormones go?"

Marceline Anne set aside the sonogram. "Still here but I will always hate dances."

"Here here. What are you wearing though?"

N-

Malcolm the First checked his watch as he sat on the sofa in his sitting room. "Baby?! Come on! We're gonna be late!"

"Okay!" Marceline Anne hurried to leave the closet.

He nearly fell over. "You look gorgeous."

She blushed prettily. "Thank you."

"I hope you win."

"Win what?" She grinned.

"Anything they wanna give you."

"You're just saying that cuz you're feeling yourself after laying down three tracks for your album."

"Hey, that was hard."

"You just want sex."

"Not just."

"Come on here!"

He lit up.

"To the car!"

He grumped.

N-

Kurt, Santana and Lucille were in attendance with their men and sat around a large table with Marceline Anne, Malcolm the First, Karen, Chase, Tiana and her girlfriend, Karou and Arnold.

They were having a lovely time at this mismatch dance while random couples were presented with awards and strange titles.

Everything was voted on but clearly it was a popularity vote for some. But thankfully nothing was mean-spirited.

Principal Adams waved everyone quiet for the next award, Perfect Couple. "Malcolm and Marceline Anne Chang!"

"Aww hell!" Marceline Anne didn't want to go up.

Karen burst out laughing. "You are the perfect couple!"

Marceline Anne pinched her before letting Malcolm drag her on stage.

Principal Adams placed a fake tiara on her head and gave her a sash and pin. "Speech?"

"No."

"Baby!" Malcolm laughed.

"Fine." Marceline Anne went to the microphone and opened her mouth to say "thank you" and leave. "My water broke."

N-

Malcolm the First could faint. He remembered the last time his wife was doing this and it gave him the shakes.

But Marceline Anne was fine. It hurt like the dickens whenever a pang hit but she was mostly fine.

Their friends crowded around the room along with their family.

Marceline Anne crooked a finger at Lucille and whispered in her ear.

"What?!" The blonde alarmed everyone.

"Please stop looking at me."

They all averted their faces but listened closely.

Lucille gulped and whispered back, "Are you sure?"

Marceline Anne nodded.

Lucille would honor her request.

N-

Three hours later, Marceline Anne couldn't stand the pain. She'd held out as long as she could but she didn't like this. It felt like the last time and that scared her.

Malcolm the First felt a change in her. "Are you alright?"

"No. Get that damn doctor."

He didn't know how to take that at first but realized she was serious. So he left for the doctor.

She kicked everyone else out save Jeanette and Mercedes Catherine.

Malcolm came back with the doctor and his nurses. "You're fully dilated."

"I know that!" She spat.

He understood she was in pain and let it roll off his back like water off a duck. He hurried to get to work.

N-

Marceline Anne pulled Riley Faye Alanna Chang from her own body and spilled her onto her chest.

Everyone was in awe.

Malcolm had a rebroken hand and hurt feelings but she looked good. Red, sweaty and angry but alive. Maybe they could beat this thing?

"Pressure's dropping." A nurse called out quietly.

Malcolm almost cursed aloud.

"We'll get you the best possible care you can receive." The doctor promised. "We will not give up on you."

Marceline Anne was so tired. She just wanted to close her eyes. She caught her husband's hands and sung him their song before she did close her eyes.

He tried not to panic and kissed her lips before leaving with his mother and sister-in-law.

N-

It'd been hours since Riley Faye was born. There was no word on Marceline Anne.

People paced, people ate, people slept fitfully. It was a hard time.

Suddenly the oncologist walked in slowly. Everyone popped up and went to him. "Dr. Chang?"

Malcolm the First stood in front of Dr. Klein, hoping to hear good news.

Dr. Klein opened his mouth.