Afterwards

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Wow, I doubt anyone is actually reading this, but if you are, tell me what you think. Some of you might be asking: “Where’s the adult part?” Well, there will be some stuff later on (Jenny/Julian?? Stay tuned!) but it won’t be too incredibly racy. Or maybe it will. Keep reading to find out.
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Audrey

The sun shined golden through the blinds in Jenny’s kitchen. Butterflies played tag in the yard in front of their white house. Everything about the place was white and shiny and brand-new, they had just moved in a year ago.

The doorbell rang. Chimed actually, it was a lovely, tingling melody that Jenny had picked out herself. It was Audrey at the door, as usual. They always stopped by each other’s houses to have chats in the afternoon.

Eyes the color of cypress trees. The words kept bouncing around in Jenny’s brain.

She couldn’t really concentrate on the conversation. Something about Audrey redecorating her living room, although Jenny didn’t see why it needed to be redecorated. They had only moved in a year ago, hadn’t they? But Jenny just sat there and nodded her head, inserting automated answers in their appropriate places. Yes. No. Of course, that would look lovely, Audrey.

Audrey knew that Jenny was usually quite vacant, but after a few minutes it was apparent that she was just flat out not paying attention. She changed the subject. Gently, she placed Jenny’s hand on her nicely rounded stomach. “The baby’s started to kick, you know. Can you feel it?”

Jenny was amazed to feel what must have been little feet kicking her hand. In a way, it was almost overwhelming. She felt she should say something, but the only thing that came to mind was “Is there really a little person in there?”

Audrey’s laugh was like music. “Of course, silly! Isn’t it wonderful?” Tenderly, Audrey grasped Jenny’s hands in her own. “If it’s a girl, I want to name it after you. That is alright, isit? it? You and Tom are going to be the godparents, after all.”

Jenny was taken aback. She’d always figured she wasn’t a very important part of people’s lives. It always left her breathless when somebody let her know that they really, truly cared and thought about her often. It let her know she was alive. Suddenly very emotional, she choked and tears came out of her eyes.

“Jenny, did I say something wrong?”

“No, it’s . . . I’m just . . . I’m just so happy. Of course you can name the baby after me. If it’s a girl, that is.”

Audrey grinned. Her reddish colored hair was done up in a stylish sort of bun, but a few stray tendrils had escaped, curling softly. She turned her head slightly and they lit up, catching the light coming from the living room window. It was like fire opals on gold. Jenny’s mother had been right, pregnant women did glow.

***

“Do you ever think about him, Audrey?”

Audrey’s face fell. “What? Who do you mean?”

Say his name Jenny, just say his name! But she couldn’t. “The man with the blue eyes and white hair.” Sapphire eyes. Hair the color of ash.

Audrey’s mouth hung open and her eyes widened a fraction. Dread was a look that Jenny had not seen on her face for a long time. “R-really? What made you think of that?”

“I was just wondering.”

“No, I never think about it. In fact, I wasn’t sure it ever happened until right now.”

“Oh, I see.” Up until that very moment, Jenny hadn’t been sure it happened either.

Silence.

“What are you going to name the baby? If it’s a boy, that is.”

Audrey’s face snapped out of it, as if Jenny had never mentioned it, as if everything was back to normal. “Blaine of course. Very cunning, don’t you think? Sort of edgy.”

“Of course