Chapter 38
Angela’s little feet stomped down the hallway, her excitement making her steps erratic and fast. Her wide, curious eyes were locked on her mother, who was sitting on the couch, talking with her new daddy. Her tiny fingers gripped the edge of the door frame, peeking around the corner.
“What’s going on?” Angela asked, her voice high and eager, as she suddenly popped into the room with the sort of enthusiasm only a four-year-old could have. Her face lit up as she bounced up and down in place, a stuffed elephant under one arm and her favorite kangaroo under the other.
Helen smiled at her daughter, her heart swelling. “Come here, sweetie,” she said, patting the couch next to her. “We have some news to share with you.”
Angela hopped onto the couch in one dramatic leap, her pigtails flying behind her as she landed with a soft thud. “News? What news?” She looked between her mother and father, as if trying to read the answer on their faces.
Raj, with a grin on his face, nudged her gently. “Well, you see, we’ve been talking, and we’ve decided something very exciting…”
“Are we going to Disneyland?!” Angela blurted out, her voice rising in hope. She was already picturing princesses, castles, and a parade with Mickey Mouse.
Raj chuckled, shaking his head. “Not Disneyland, sweetie, but something almost as exciting.”
“Something more exciting than Disneyland?” Angela’s eyes went even wider, her little mouth forming an O as she thought about the possibilities. “What is it? What is it?”
Helen and Raj exchanged a glance, and Helen’s heart skipped. This was it. She reached for Raj’s hand, squeezing it gently. “We’re getting married, Angela,” she said, her voice warm but full of joy.
Angela blinked. Then she blinked again, as if she had to process this new and incredibly important information. Her brows furrowed, and she leaned back against the couch as though she were considering the idea deeply. Then, with all the gravity a four-year-old could muster, she declared, “You mean... like a princess wedding?! With cake and flowers?”
Helen and Raj laughed, nodding. “Exactly like that,” Helen said, her voice filled with love and amusement.
Angela jumped to her feet, throwing her arms out dramatically as if she were about to address a royal court. “I’ll be the flower girl!” she announced proudly. “I’m good at throwing flowers! I’ll throw them everywhere !” She spun in circles, her tiny arms outstretched, as though she could actually feel herself in the middle of a wedding procession.
“Everywhere, huh?” Raj asked, raising an eyebrow playfully. “Are you sure about that?”
Angela paused mid-spin and gave him a serious look. “Well, yeah! I’ll throw them so high that everyone can see them! And then we’ll all dance, and Mommy and Daddy will kiss, and then we can have a cake!”
Helen laughed at her daughter’s excitement, her heart swelling even more. “You’re right, sweetie. There will be cake.” She winked at Raj. “And maybe we’ll even let you eat some before dinner.”
“Yesss!” Angela cheered, raising her hands in triumph. Then she stopped, looking up at her mother and Raj with a thoughtful expression. “Can I wear a green dress? Just like Fiona?” she demanded, looking at both of her parents. “And does this mean that I get to stay with my daddy forever? He won’t leave me?”
Raj looked at Helen with a warm, affectionate smile. “That’s exactly what it means.”
Angela, looking extremely satisfied with her own deductive skills, then tightened her arms over her stuffed animals. “That’s so good! I love it!” She ran over and, dropping her stuffed friends to the floor with four-year-old casualness, hugged both of them tightly, her tiny arms barely wrapping around their waists. “Best wedding ever!”
Helen smiled through her laughter, kissing the top of Angela’s head. “We think so too, sweetie.”
Raj leaned in, his voice soft as he looked into Helen’s eyes. “I love you,” he said, his words full of quiet intensity.
Helen’s heart fluttered, and she kissed him gently on the lips, pulling back with a smile. “I love you too,” she whispered, her hand resting on his.
Angela, still holding onto their legs, beamed up at them. “See? I knew it. You guys are the best!” She leaned back with a thoughtful look on her face, tapping her chin. “Now... about that cake...”