Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

My Dearest Angel,

Normally when I sit down with a pen in my hand, I know what to write but this is one time that I can’t find the words. It's almost like I have writer's block which is funny for me since I am a writer as well as a journalist. But as I sit here thinking about tomorrow, I get choked up. The thought of watching my little girl getting married to the love of her life, something that I always knew would happen, but didn’t think it would happen this soon, makes me cry tears of joy. It just seems like yesterday when you were born. Born! That is it, that's where I’ll start. I have told you some about your birth but I have never really told you the whole story. I haven't told you about how I got pregnant (well, you know how that happens) but not how I felt about it. But for you to fully understand why I felt the way I did, I would have to go back to my childhood and share something that I have never shared with you before. To be honest, your father is the only one that knew how I felt and I never thought I would tell you but here we are. So without any more interruptions, let's get started.

I was born and raised in Hill Haven, Maryland, to Steven and Stephanie Edwards. We lived on 20 acres of land that my father turned into a ranch. My mother loved horses and riding. Every morning my mother would ride out to her favorite place to watch the sunrise. Father said I got my love for horses from her and I tend to agree with him. We each had our own horse that we rode very often. Father had the house that we lived in built before I was born. The house was a two story that consisted of six bedrooms, three in and a half baths, living room, den, study, wine cellar and all the normal rooms that come with a house. The barn was not far from the house, where our horses and ranch hands lived. It was a beautiful place to live and visit, but you already know this from all the times that we have stayed with father.

What you don't know about your grandfather is that he works for the CIA. Yep, the Central Intelligence Agency and, before you ask, he would be fine with me telling you that. I was unaware of this my whole life till your father and I went to visit him a few years after we were married. Up till then, I just thought that he ran art galleries that I loved to help him work when I was younger. Had I known he worked for the CIA, things might have been different than it already was. You see, growing up it was father, mother and me till I was 10, then it all changed. I'll get into that change in a little bit.

Your grandparents met in a small store in England. Mother was shopping with her mother and he was waiting for his father. They said hello to each other but nothing more than that. Then one cloudless night, they both were walking on the river bank. As I recall it right, mother said they both were dealing with so much in their families that the fresh air was well needed. Without realizing that each other was out there, they bumped into each other. After many apologies to each other, father asked if she wanted to walk with him. Of course she said yes and that is how it all began. They dated for a year, got engaged, and married six months after that. Four months after their wedding, they moved to Maryland to start a new life for themselves. Five years later, I came along and changed their worlds for the better. They raised me to be very proper and lady-like. Mother wouldn't have it any other way.

Father was a strong, kind and soft hearted man. Although he would never tell you that he has a soft heart but he does and I know you have seen it before. He is the business type, get it done and get it done right is what he would always say. He was loved by everyone and hated by few. Well that is what I thought till I found out he worked for the CIA. Working for them, you make more enemies then you do friends. But father always protected mother and me at all costs. We were his number one priority. He taught me to be brave, strong, fearless, and stubborn. I will forever be thankful for that. Okay, maybe not stubborn because that got me into trouble but it has also gotten me out of trouble as well. Mother never liked that side of me. Speaking of my mother, let me tell you about her.

Mother was a kind, sweet and loving soul. She would light up a room by just walking in. Everyone loved her, she knew how to make you smile when you wanted to cry and she was always there for you when you needed her. But at the same time, they knew not to mess with her because she would put them in their place, kindly but she didn't put up with disrespect at all. I took after her in that area, of which you already know. She taught me to be a lady, love every adventure that comes my way and to be sweet. I will forever be grateful for that. She was one of a kind to say the least.

Growing up, both my parents were full of life and showed me how to enjoy life no matter what came my way. Mother made learning fun by making my school work come to life. I believe that I got my imagination for her. She could tell you stories that would keep you on the edge of your seat. I always wanted to tell stories like her one day and I hope I have done so with you. You would have loved her as she would have loved you too. We would travel in the summer like we do with you. Traveling has always been an adventure for me and that will never change.

But one day all of this changed when I was 10. I was getting ready for school and was about to head out the door when I heard, "Young lady." I turned to see mother standing there with her arms open wide. I ran back into her arms, held on for a long moment before looking up at into her beautiful brown eyes. "I love you my sweet child, never forget that," she told me before kissing my forehead. I smiled and told her I loved her too. Then I was off to school like any other ordinary day, or so I thought. I remember sitting in class after lunch reading my history assignment when I heard the door to the classroom open. Ignoring it till I felt a hand on my shoulder. Looking up I saw my teacher with a soft smile, she said, "Get your things, sweetie." I gathered up my belonging, walked out of the classroom only to be met by my father. The look on his face told me something was wrong. He said nothing to me but put his arm around my shoulders and led me out of school. Once in the car, he drove us home without saying a word. Upon arriving at home, I saw more than one car parked in the driveway and wondered why but didn't ask about it. Father helped me out of the car, took my hand and walked into the house. Leading me to his study and closing the door, he led me to his desk and pulled me into his lap.

Holding me close before looking me into the eyes, he said, "Jenny, I want you to listen to me closely." I nodded before he took a deep breath and continued, "Jenny, your mother has had an accident and she has gone away."

I remember feeling the panic in my heart, when I asked him if she was okay or if she was coming back. He told me no, she had passed while I was in school. Sitting on his lap I was numb with shock, I couldn't believe that my mother was gone and wouldn't come back. I started to shake my head no as tears rolled down my cheeks. Stopping but for a moment, I saw the tears roll down my father's cheeks as he pulled me in for a tight hug. Holding on tightly, we both just sat there crying. Time seemed to stop, my whole world just crashed around me and I didn't know what to do anymore. I cried myself to sleep in Father's arms that day.

The next few weeks are a blur to me, even to this day. I know we buried my mother but I don't know what all happened. Father kept me home from school for a month and then I had to catch up on homework but that was fine since I wouldn't have learned anything in school that month anyway. Feeling so alone, lost, confused, hurt and desperate for my mother's touch even though I knew I would never get it again. For the summers, father had me traveling with him and working in his art galleries. Then when school started back up, he had me going to boarding school. Telling me that way he didn't have to send me to live with my aunt and he could keep an eye on me. At the time I hated it but in the end I thanked him.

As the years went on, I became the woman my father dreamed of me being and so much more as he says. But I still missed my mom. I lost her at a time in my life when I needed her the most. I was becoming a young lady when she passed so when I had all those hard questions, I couldn't just go up to her and ask her about them. Instead I learned them at school and talked to teachers. My father helped the best he could but I didn't see him much in the school months unless he was coming to my school because I got into trouble, and I had my share of trouble! But we made it through.

With all that being said, let me get back to you my sweet daughter. I had been under the weather for a few months but just thought it was a bug that I couldn’t get over. Your father convinced me to go to the doctor to get checked out, which I didn’t want to do but I did to please him. But as I sat on the bed looking at the results from my doctor that read I was pregnant. It felt like my whole body was going numb. Suddenly I became very terrified. Terrified how I was going to raise a little one. Growing up, I didn’t have a mother to help raise me in the tough areas in my life. How the heck was I supposed to do it with a child of my own? I also became very scared of what your father would say. You see, your father and I never really talked about having children but we also didn't do anything to prevent me from getting pregnant. I didn't really know how he felt about children and I never asked him. It was one of those subjects that never came up.

I didn’t know how I was going to inform him that we were going to have a child when I couldn’t even get my own mind around it. After sitting there for some time I went down to the kitchen to get some water when I ran into Max. He asked me if I was okay and I told him yes. Your father should be the first to know that we were expecting but I had a sense that Max didn’t believe me. Knowing that your father was out of town for a few days, I had time to wrap my mind around this new development and then I would figure out how to tell your father. When he called that night and asked about my appointment, I told him that I was fine and the doctor said that I needed to rest. He didn’t believe me and I felt bad for not telling him the whole truth. But telling your father over the phone that he was going to be a dad was not ideal.

I can still recall the day that I told him that he was going to be a dad.

Not getting much sleep that night, I was up early sitting on the back porch when I heard my name being called. Turning around, I was very surprised to see your father walking toward me.

“Jonathan.”

Jonathan walked over, pulled me into his arms. “How are you, darling?”

“I’m doing fine,” I replied, relaxing in his arms. “Why did you come back so soon?”

Looking at her, “You didn’t sound like yourself last night on the phone and it had me concerned. So I got Stanley to finish up the meetings for me so I could come home to check on you.”

I laid my head on his chest, “I’m okay, really.”

Jonathan pulled me tighter into his arms, “Darling, I never push you but I know something is wrong. Will you please talk to me?”

I grabbed his hand and led him to swing. After we sat down, I asked him, “What do you think about children?” Feeling him tense up, I held his hand tighter and rubbed my thumb over his hand.

Shaking his head, “I don’t know, darling. I never really thought about having children, with my childhood and all. Nothing I would like to get into right now, but why do you ask?”

Looking him in the eyes, “Because Jonathan, I’m pregnant.”

We both sat there in silence for what seemed like forever. I wished that he would say something but instead all he did was sit there looking down at our hands that were clasped together. The longer that we just sat there in silence, the more fearful I became. I knew how I felt but not knowing how he felt was making me feel sick to my stomach. Then he finally spoke up.

“Are you sure?” he asked.

I nodded, “I have the paperwork to prove it from my doctor.”

I could see the shock starting to wear off as his eyes started to water up. Thinking that those were tears of sadness because our lives were about to change. Not being able to travel as much, it wouldn’t be just the two of us anymore, we wouldn’t be able to just ‘get up and go’ like before. These and more were reasons why I was scared but I also thought he might be scared too. Surprised by your father’s actions, he pulled me into a tight hug and whispered in my ear, “We are going to be parents.”

Holding on tightly to him, I let the tears fall. Feeling him pull me tighter, I said, “I’m scared.”

“Me too,” came his response.

After some time we finally discussed the reasons behind our fears of being parents. Both of us having two different reasons, we knew that raising you was going to be a challenge. Not only for you but for us as well. Then we discussed the changes in our lives, the good and bad ones. Now don’t get me wrong, there were no bad changes but to us at the time it was hard to think that we couldn’t do all the spontaneous things that we have been doing so much since we got married. Both of us are still scared, more me than him, we accepted the fact that we were going to be parents. I smiled really big when he placed his hand on my belly. Putting my hand over his, I leaned over to give him a kiss.

That night over dinner, we told Max that I was expecting. “I knew it, a new adventure has begun,” he replied, with a smile on his face.

An adventure was far from the truth, not just the adventures that we have had since you were born but all the ones while I was carrying you in my womb. Young lady, you gave me so much heck that I will never forget. When we found out that I was carrying you, I was two months along and the following month morning sickness hit. To call it morning sickness is an understatement. I was sick all day long. The only thing I think you would let me keep down was milkshakes, ice cream and chicken. I think it’s funny that the only things you let me keep down were unhealthy foods! Your father was there with me through it all, holding my hand, and making sure that I was as comfortable as possible. The doctor told me that she couldn’t give me anything but just ride it out. Waiting it out was not fun at all to say the least. I’m so thankful that it only lasted for only a few weeks.

The night before we found out if we were having a boy or girl, I didn’t sleep much. As I laid in bed thinking about what gender you were, I was reminded of the conversation that I had with your father who told me that he didn’t mind if we were having a boy or girl as long as the child was healthy. Personally, all I wanted was a child that looked like him and I got that for sure. The next morning on the way to the doctor's office I was so nervous. When they had me lay down, put the gel on my belly and started to check on you, I grabbed your father's hand tightly. Then the moment of truth came, she told us we were having a girl. I started to cry and so did your father. They were tears of joy. Once we got home it hit me that I was having a girl. All the memories of my childhood started coming back to me. I got scared so much that I ended up getting sick. Your father was very worried as I sat on the floor of our bathroom while he held me and I told him what I was feeling. He held me tighter and told me that it would all be okay. That moment I decided that I wouldn’t let you go through what I went through.

The next day, we started working on the nursery. Everything in the room across from ours was moved to the guest house and then we repainted it. I wanted pink but your father wanted more of a neutral color and said that we would let you pick when you got older. I had been telling him that he was not going to spoil our daughter but something in his eyes told me differently. After much talking, we decided to go with the color beige. Then we went shopping to get all the things that I knew we would need. Your crib, changing table, dresser, bookcase and rocking chair were all in dark wood to match the rest of the house. I told your father that we didn’t need a bookcase this early on but he told me that we were going to have a reader on our hands and the sooner we got ready for all the books the better. It took us two weeks to get your room ready.

Your father wouldn’t let me help with putting anything together because he didn’t want me to hurt myself or you. Now that I think about it, he became very protective of me and didn’t want me to do much so I wouldn’t hurt either of us. I thought it was so sweet but a little bit ridiculous at the same time. Then came the time to pick out a name for you, Knowing that the both of us wanted to keep the J going in our family, your father wanted to name you after me but I told him that you needed a name of your own. Both of us liked the name Jeanine but we didn’t know what to put with it just yet. Knowing that we still had a few months, we didn’t put a rush on it.

Thinking back, I can still remember the first time I felt you move. We had just finished putting the nursery together and we were laying in bed. Laying on my back I had my hand on my belly when I thought I felt something. Laying really still I felt you move once again. I hit your father on the arm trying to wake him up, which wasn't that hard to do, grabbing his hand to lay it on my belly, and then you kicked. Looking at your father, I could see the look of surprise on his face. "Is that…?" he asked. Shaking my head, his smile got bigger before he kissed me and then he kissed my belly. Then he laid his head on my belly while I played with his hair. Girl, you didn't stop moving till he moved off of me. Come to think of it, you moved a lot more when you heard your father's voice. A daddy's girl from the very beginning.

When I was 17 weeks pregnant I ended up in the hospital after your father found me lying on our bedroom floor. I remember being in our bathroom and then waking up in the hospital. Turns out that I had passed out because my iron level was low. Once they got it back up, they sent me home with medication to take and put me on bed rest till I was checked out again. Two weeks went by and the doctor told me that I was doing much better, but I still needed to take it easy. I did as the doctor told me but the following week I was taken to the hospital once again for my iron level was low. It took them three days to get it leveled out this time. They started to get worried about me since I wasn't that far along in the pregnancy.

Then around 21 weeks, I started to bleed and ended up back in the hospital again. They thought I was going to lose you and I got really scared. I couldn’t lose you, never. Your father was beside himself at that thought and to be honest, it started to stress me out. Knowing that he wanted this child, I became fearful that I was not going to be able to carry you full term. When I asked what would happen if I had you this early, they told me that you would have to be in an NICU till you were fully grown and ready to go home.

I remember laying in the hospital bed, hand on my belly and crying softly. Sure we weren't ready to have kids and still scared about the whole thing but as time went on, we got excited that we would have someone else to love and care for. Your father woke up and held me close. I knew he was trying to stay strong but I could tell that he was very worried. We couldn't lose you, sweet little one.

They kept me in the hospital for a week to make sure all was well and then sent me home. I did everything that I could to make sure to keep us both safe. Then I got sick again, I thought it was just another wave of morning sickness but it turned out to be way worse than that. Once again I went to the hospital from being dehydrated and malnourished. I was certain that I was going to lose you this time. If I wasn't getting the right amount of food and water then how were you supposed to get it? They kept me for two weeks this time. The longer I stayed, the longer I got scared.

When it came time to go home my doctor told me I could go home but not to be surprised if I had a miscarriage. Between my iron level and getting sick once again, they didn't think you would make it to full term. When I asked if it was possible to even have a miscarriage at 24 weeks and they said it is possible. That devastated me. How was I supposed to live with that? I just laid in bed for weeks hoping that not much moving would be best for both of us. Your father took time off work so he could help take care of me.

Then one night I woke up to go to the bathroom and found that my ankles were swollen more than usual. As I headed back to bed, I became very nauseous, light headed and started having pains in my side. I yelled for your father who rushed me back to the hospital. As the doctors checked me out, I became scared that this was it. I felt like I was going to say goodbye to my little girl whom I haven't even met yet. It turned out that I had Pre-eclampsia and they needed to induce me so I could have you before it was too late. Scared it was too early to have you but the doctor reassured me that I was 37 weeks along and it would be fine. She was more concerned that the longer you stayed in my womb, the higher the risk there would be of losing your life, my life or both of us. So that Monday morning at 1:25am, she induced me so you could meet your parents and we could meet you.

I was expecting to have you that day but that didn't happen. You young lady kept me in labor for four long days and nights. We talked to you, sang to you and even rubbed your bottom to try and get you to come, but nope, you weren't having it. After being in labor for two days, your father bent down and talked to you. He told you that we were ready to meet you and it was time to come out. You want to know what you did? You kicked him! You kicked your father and then stayed for another two days. Right then and there I knew I was going to get a stubborn and bullheaded child. We did.

Then the time came, you were ready. Once the contractions got started, you came in ten minutes. It took four days before you were ready but then only ten minutes to come. I was impressed. Then I heard you make a whimpering noise, the doctor handed you to me and my eyes teared up. Holding you in my arms made having a child of my own feel more real to me than anything. Looking up at your father who had tears in his eyes as well, I said, "Our little angel." Smiling, he said, "That's it, her name shall be Angel Jeanine Hart." Looking back down at you, I stated, "Angel Jeanine Hart." When we said your name, you smiled up at us like you already knew it. With all that we went through and the times we thought were going to lose you, the name suited you. You were our little Angel.

Born Friday, June 14 at 5:44am, weighed in at 6 pounds 7 ounces and 16 inches long. You had dark brown hair like your father and it was curly with a red tent like mine. Blue eyes like your father, mouth and nose like mine. There you lay in my arms, our little Angel Jeanine Hart.

I couldn't be more proud than I was that day you came into our lives. That was the beginning of many adventures of which you already know about. But I wouldn't change it for anything in the world as our lives were complete.

Well, for someone that thought they had writer's block I sure wrote more that I thought I would. But I know you won't mind reading about your birth story. Then again, you have always been interested in stories, especially when it comes to our family. This is a story you can keep to yourself or share with your family in the near future.

Well my sweet girl, I hope you are getting some rest on the night before your wedding but I doubt it. You are probably laying in bed wide awake with nerves and that is normal. I don't think I'll sleep a wink knowing that tomorrow night when your father and I come home, you won't be here but I'm so happy for you.

With that being said, I'm going to bed before I get the paper wet with my tears.

I love you Angel, and I'm very proud of you.

Love,
Your Mother

Chapter Text

Dear Kiddo,

As I sit at my desk writing this letter to you, I’m holding back the tears that are threatening to flow. I may need to break every now and then so I don’t get the paper wet but, knowing you, it wouldn’t bother you one bit. Tomorrow I get the privilege of walking you down the aisle and giving you away. As much as it saddens me, I hope you know that you will always be daddy’s little girl no matter how old you get or wherever you move to. But I am so happy that you found your soulmate and the one that you will be spending the rest of your life with. He is one amazing guy and he is getting one amazing woman. I know I have told you this before but, I approve of this one.

Watching you grow up to become the woman you are today has been a pleasure. It has also been an honor to be your father and I don’t take it lightly. I couldn’t have asked for a better daughter. Well…to be honest with you, I never really asked to be a father but I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. Please don't get me wrong, I don’t regret having you at all and I still remember when your mother told me that she was pregnant. Oh, I felt so numb just thinking about becoming a father. I never pictured myself as a father and I thought I would fail at it from day one. I was so scared but over time it got better. Hearing this might be shocking to you but it is the truth. For you to understand this, let me start from the beginning. Now, some of this story you already know about but most of what I’m going to write is all going to be new to you. I haven’t spoken of it before to you because it is very hard for me to look back over this part of my life. I have worked so hard to forget it but I think you need to know in order to understand why I was scared to become your father. This is not to change your mind on who I am, which I know would never happen, but only to help you. So let’s get started.

Unlike you, I didn’t have parents growing up. I was an orphan. To this day I still don’t know who my family is and I don’t really want to find them in fear that I will find out that they still don’t want me. As far as I know, I was in the orphanage from birth. The older I got, the more I realized that they would train the older children to be self-sufficient so that they could take care of the babies. I’m not upset with them for not spending time with the older children but it didn’t help in times of need. Times like when I would have a nightmare and woke up wanting to be held. When I was scared and wished someone was there to tell me it was going to be okay. When I saw my friends get adopted, I wished I had someone there to help me understand the feeling I would feel. To this day I still don’t understand that feeling nor can I explain it. All I can say about it is that it is the most horrible feeling and I never want to feel that way again. Needing to come to the understanding that the older you get the harder it gets to be adopted. No one wants older children but only babies.

Growing up in an orphanage is really different than growing up in a home. Living in an orphanage leaves a person feeling lonely, scared, abandoned, not wanted and much more. It took me a long time to let go of those feelings and move on with my life. But as much as I hate to admit it, those same feelings still come up from time to time. In those moments I have to remind myself that I have your mother, you and Max. I have a family. I’m no longer alone in this life. Another thing that is different is in a home you get three good meals a day but not in an orphanage. If you got to eat one good meal a day then you were lucky. At age 6, I had already learned how to scavenge for food to live by. Looking for food in trash cans, stealing and pawning for it. None of which I’m proud of but I had to live.

I shared a room with four other boys. They were all older than me and had been there longer than me. When I was younger they picked on me but the older I got they ended up taking me under their wings. I will forever be grateful for them teaching me how to defend myself. I was in my share of fights growing up, not just at the orphanage but also at school. I was what you would call a wild child but looking back I can see why. Not having the proper parenting growing up can lead you in a path that will be less pleasant. For our education, we all went to a school not far from the orphanage. I’m not going to mention the name of the school as it is not important. But I do remember hating it. Okay, well not the school itself but the teaching. I think most of it had to do with the fact that I hated not having a home to go to after I left school.

Seeing all the children being dropped off by their parents made me feel sad as well as angry. It was just another reminder of what I did not have and I resented that. When they had parent days at school, I never wanted to go to those days because a nun would have to come in place of a parent for me. The first time a nun had to come to my school because I hurt myself and they needed to take me to the doctor was when the other children knew I didn’t have a family. It didn’t take long before they started to make fun of me or bully me. I got into so many fights with the bullies and that got me into so much trouble.

Now, what I’m about to tell you I have never told you before. This is a part of my life that has pained me for many years. When I was thirteen I walked into the boys’ restrooms at school only to see four guys in there paying for drugs. They snagged me up, beat me up to the point of almost being unconscious. I was laid up in bed for a week afterwards. When I returned to school the same guys pulled into a room and informed me that if I said anything I would be dead. For the first time in my life, I was scared but this was a different kind of scared. Even though I didn’t have a plan for my life, I sure as heck didn’t want to die. So I did as they told me. I don’t want to get into that right now. Let me just say this, it landed me into more trouble than I could handle. This went on till I was eighteen. I'm saddened to say that they taught me to buy, sell drugs and so much more. One day I lost the money from a drug deal and they beat me up. I owed them the money and they told me if I didn't get the money back then I was going to be turned into the cops. I knew that my life was over, so I did want to pay them back.

Then in my senior year, I only had two weeks left of school and I skipped in order to do their business. When I got done, I was walking down the street when a car pulled up next to me. I didn’t pay much attention till I heard, “Hey, why aren’t you in school?” Thinking it was the cops I started to run. But this person just chased me down. They knocked me down to the ground, turned me on my back and held me there. I was trying to fight the best that I could but this person was way too strong. “Will you stop fighting me?” I heard this man say. I looked up at him and that was when I noticed that this man was not a policeman. Finally laying still, this man sat up and got off me. After sitting up, I took a good look at this man. He was wearing a gray suit, gray vest to match, black shoes and had a cigar hanging out of his mouth. I knew him, I had seen him before but I could place him.

Then he repeated himself, “Why aren’t you in school?” His voice brought back to my memory where I knew him from. I had delivered some money to poker games in the past and seen him there. Not answering his question seemed to make him give a stern look. Also like the looks I had seen some of the fathers give their children at school. Putting on my tough face, I replied, “I don’t need school and what is it to you?” “Hmmm,” came his reply. After standing up, he extended his hand to me. At first I didn’t want his help but the look that I saw in his eyes told me that I better let him help me. I reached out my hand, took his and let him help me up. We walked to the car in silence and then he let me in. He drove me to my school and then turned to me, “Don’t let me catch you out of school again.” Nodding, I got out of his car and walked up the walkway to the school doors. At the time I didn’t realize that man was going to be a big part of my life.

The day after I graduated high school, I got called into the office at the orphanage. When I walked in, I was surprised to see him sitting there. I got told that he was going to take me out of the orphanage and he was going to take me home with him. Standing there stunned by this news, I couldn’t believe that I was going to be taken out of here. Then I became fearful of the thought that the boys that I was working with in school were going to come and hurt him too. After telling them no thank you, I was told that I didn’t have a choice. The man stood up, shook my hand and told me to call him Max. Then he told me that he would help me pack my bags. Walking back to the room I had lived in all my life, I was determined to now show him the fear I was in. Once my bag was packed, we walked to his car and then he drove us to his home. It took me a few months to get into the swing of things. I gave Max so much trouble and he got on to me about it. But with his help, I got my life all together. They put the boys behind bars and I was in the clear. Then I signed up for the Navy and that straightened me out the rest of the way. After 10 years in the Navy, Max gave me some money to help start my own business. That is how Hart Industries got started.

So now my dear Angel, you know my childhood story. With all that I went through I didn’t think that I could be a good father. Not having parents to show me how it was really done, I knew I would fail. Even after I met your mother the conversation of children never came up. Somehow I knew that she didn’t really want to have children because of her childhood. You would have to ask her about that to hear her side of the story. But all of that changed once I knew that your mother was pregnant.

Let me tell you that story, I remember it like it was yesterday. I became really worried about your mother before we found out that she was carrying you. When your mother started feeling under the weather, we thought it was just a bug but she never got over it. I for one was beginning to get worried. Your mother didn’t get sick often and when she did get sick, it wouldn’t last too long because she was so healthy. Begged her about it for a month, I stopped because like you and me, she hated to go to the doctors. Then I had an important meeting that I needed to attend in New York. I didn’t want to go but I couldn’t get out of it. Making your mother promise to make an appointment with her doctor was the only way I was going to go to my meeting. The morning of her appointment I called her to make sure she was still going and wasn’t getting off the phone till I got a yes. All throughout the meeting my mind was on her. Beginning to worry about what the doctor had said, I called her back after I got to my hotel room.

We talked about the meeting before I asked her how her appointment went. She told me that she was fine and all she needed was rest, but I didn't believe her. Then she changed the subject and I was beginning to think that she was trying to avoid the conversation of what the doctor told her. There was a tone in her voice that made me really worried that something was wrong. After getting off the phone I called Stanley, told I had a family emergency at home and needed him to continue with the meetings for me. Thankfully, as he was more than willing to help me out, I was able to fly out immediately. I arrived at LAX the next morning at 8am. When I arrived home Max was very surprised to see me.

“Mr. H, what are you doing home so early?” he asked.

“I had something I needed to take care of,” I told him as I spotted your mother sitting on the patio. I walked past Max and headed outside.

“Jennifer.” I watched her turn around as I walked over to her and put my arms around her. “How are you, darling?”

“I’m doing fine, why did you come back so soon?” came her reply as I felt her relax in my arms.

I pulled away to look at her, “You didn’t sound like yourself last night on the phone and it had me concerned. So I got Stanley to finish up the meetings for me so I could come home to check on you.”

She laid her head back on my chest as I brought my hand to her hair, smoothing it out, something that I knew calmed her down. I heard her say, “I’m fine, really.”

Bringing my arms around her tighter I replied, “Darling, I never push you but I know something is wrong. Will you please talk to me?”

She then grabbed my hand and led me to the swing. After we sat down, she asked me a question that I never thought I would hear. “What do you think about children?” I felt my body tense up as felt her grip my hand tighter and rub her thumb over my hand.

Shaking my head, “I don’t know, darling. I never really thought about having children, with my childhood and all. Nothing I would like to get into right now, but why do you ask?” I really didn’t want to talk about the reasons why I didn’t want children at the moment.

Looking into her eyes, I saw something that I hadn’t seen in a long time. I saw fear as she replied, “Because Jonathan, I’m pregnant.”

Sitting there shocked, I didn’t know what to say at first. I looked down at our hands as fear washed over me. Children wasn’t a subject that we had talked about. I mean it would be nice to have someone to leave Hart Industries too - but a child? With what I have been through in my life, there is no way that I am capable of raising a child?

“Are you sure?” I asked her

Watching her nod her head, “I have the paperwork to prove it from my doctor.”

Sitting there thinking about how this could have happened, okay well…I already know how it happened. We didn’t do anything to prevent her from getting pregnant in the first place. Knowing now that our lives were going to change. I know we won’t be able to go ‘get up and go’ anymore but I know that this will be a new adventure for the both of us. Feeling the tears come to my eyes, I pulled your mother in for a tight hug.

Whispering in her ear, “We are going to be parents.”

She pulled me closer then started to cry softly as I held her tighter. “I’m scared,” she said.

“Me too,” I replied.

We then sat there discussing the reasons behind the fears we had about raising you. The majority of our fears came from our childhood. Neither of us thought that we would be good parents in the first place. But after taking some time to talk about it, we made the decision that this was going to be a new adventure not only for us but for you as well. I made up my mind right then that I was going to make sure you had everything you would need, being there when you needed me the most and then some. Then I reached over to my hand on your mother’s belly as she put her hand over mine. The thought of a little one in there was scary but also thrilling. Also thinking that you were made with love and love will always keep you grounded.

We told Max that night over dinner that we were expecting and he replied with the biggest smile on his face, “I knew it, a new adventure has begun.” I smiled thinking about how that is how we described it.

I remember laying in bed that night watching your mother sleep. She never looked so beautiful than she did that night. She was going to be the mother of my child and we were going to be parents.

It wasn’t long before morning sickness hit your mother. Girl, you made her so sick. Your mother would laugh about how they call it morning sickness but she was sick all day long. To be honest, I thought it was funny too but she was so sick. I did my best to make her comfortable and help her through it. Knowing that I wasn’t the only one that was happy that it only lasted a few weeks, your mother was very happy about that. I hated seeing her sick just like I hate seeing you sick. There is just something in me as a husband and father that just hates it. If I could, I would take it away from both of you.

Then came the morning before we found out what gender we were going to have. Sitting across from your mother at the breakfast table, I could tell that she was nervous. Being about 100% positive about what was on her mind but I wanted to hear her tell me.

“Penny for your thoughts.”

She looked up from her plate, “Darling, have you thought about what you want?”

“What I want, how about you?” I smirked at her.

“Jonathan!”

“Well, you asked.”

“That is not what I meant and you know it.”

Smiling at her, “If you are talking about if I want a boy or girl, then it doesn’t matter. As long as the baby is healthy I’m good with either. How about you?”

Watching her shrug then look down, I got up and pulled her into my arms. That night I knew that she didn’t sleep much worrying about the ultrasound. It saddened me to see her worried so much but I hoped it would work out soon. The next morning, I was up early excited about the fact that today was the day I was going to find out if I was going to be the daddy of a little boy or girl. As long as they looked like their mother, I was going to be happy. Well…you look more like me but you are as gorgeous as your mother and that works for me.

The moment of truth arrived, the doctor told us that we were having a little girl. I was holding your mother’s hand when we both started crying. These were tears of joy, a little girl. I couldn’t believe it. We were having a girl, you my sweet kiddo. Someone else to love and care for was a pleasant thought as it still is. When we arrived home, I noticed a change in your mother. It was almost like she remembered something that was unpleasant to her. Next thing I knew, she was sick and I was holding her. Once she calmed down, she told me all the fears that she was feeling about raising a daughter. Losing her mother at a very young age scared her to think that she couldn’t raise a little girl. Hearing her fears made me realize why the gender of our baby was a big deal to her. We had talked about our fear of being parents but the thought of her not having her mother past a certain age made sense as to why the fear was bigger than I thought. But I reassured her that it wasn’t just her raising you, it was both of us and we would make it through. We sure did make it through.

After learning of your gender, we decided to start working on the nursery. We already had all the furniture moved from the room across from ours to the guest house a few weeks earlier. Both of us wanted to have you close to us so that way we could get to you fast when you needed us. I, for one, was very thankful for that decision. Over the years, you have called us on more than one occasion but you already know about that. When it came to painting your room, your mother wanted pink but I wanted to have more of a neutral color and then let you decide when you got older. Your mother didn’t like that idea but once again I’m thankful that we did paint your room a neutral color. Pink was not and hasn’t been your favorite color. Blues and purples are more up your alley.

When we went to pick out your furniture, we got it all in dark wood and over the years you have proven that you love that color as well. While we were shopping I found an ocean photo and the sign that said, “Love Comes From The Heart.” I knew that I had to get them and hang them in your room. Your mother told me I was not allowed to spoil you but we both know that I did spoil you and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Then after getting the bookshelf put together, another thing that your mother was not pleased with us getting, we put some books on there. Something told me that you would be a reader and that we would need the space for the books. Well, I was not wrong. You have more books and are still collecting them.

While we were finishing up your room, we started talking about what we wanted your name to be. Wanting to keep the letter J going in our family, I offered for you to be named after your mother but she told me no. She wanted you to have your own name and she was right. After talking about it, the only name that we both loved was Jeanine. Not being successful in coming up with a middle name, we decided to leave it for now. We still had plenty of time to come up with it. I, for one, had a feeling that we wouldn’t know your full name till we saw you.

Then one night, I was woken by your mother hitting my arm. I was concerned that something was wrong but the look on her face was calming and a big smile. She grabbed my hand, laid it on her belly and smiled. Waiting till I felt something. You! I felt you more for the first time. Looking at her I asked, “Is that…?” She nodded, I kissed her then and then kissed her belly. Then I laid my head down on her belly and girl, you wouldn’t stop moving till I moved. Thinking back to what your mother said, “She is a daddy’s girl from the beginning because she is more active when she hears you than me.” Finding that funny but the truth at the same time. You have and always be my girl.

Not long after that you young lady gave your mother and me a scare for our lives. Well…the last part of your mother’s pregnancy was a scare in itself. Anyway, back to the first scare, I came home from work to find your mother laying on our bathroom floor. Once I knew I couldn’t wake her, I drove her to the hospital and found out that she passed out because her iron levels were low. Once they got her levels back up it happened again. Beginning to worry about the both of you, I only hoped that all would be okay.

Then one night, your mother woke me up with a fright. She told me she was bleeding and I became worried. Getting her to the hospital, the doctor told us that she could lose you. At that moment, I became numb. I couldn’t lose you, even though I was still scared about being a father but I knew that I couldn’t lose you. Not knowing what I would do if we didn’t have you but I knew that I needed to be strong for your mother. Making a decision that I wouldn’t let her see me breaking, I became strong for her because I knew that she was worried enough as it is. Letting her see me upset would only make it worse.

Before I was able to take her home the doctor told us that she could have a miscarriage but I was going to do all I could to make sure that didn’t happen. Calling Stanley to have him take over for me so I could be with the both of you and make sure all goes well. Your mother stayed in bed till one night when she woke up and noticed that she was more swollen than normal. Once again, I took her to the hospital thinking that we were going to say goodbye to you but I’m so glad that was not the case. The doctor told us that she was full term and was suffering from Pre-eclampsia. The best decision was to induce her into labor and have you meet us. Thankful that we are going to meet you soon. It made me very excited. Well, that is what we thought. You took your dear sweet time, young lady.

You kept your mother in labor for four days and nights. By day two, I leaned down to talk to you. I was telling you that we were more than ready to meet and it was time for you to come. Well, you want to know what you did? Well, do you? You kicked me! I couldn’t believe it. Now young lady, that is and will only be the time that you wouldn’t get in trouble for kicking me. But then you still didn’t come for another two days. That was when I knew we were getting a very stubborn and bullheaded child. You have proven that over and over in your life.

Well, the time came and you were ready to come. It didn’t take long for you to enter this world. I watched your mother hold you for the first time as tears came to my eyes. My heart was full as I looked at the two of you. “Our little Angel,” I said. Then smiling, I knew that was your name. “That’s it, her name will be Angel Jeanine Hart,” I told your mother. When your mother repeated your name, you smiled really big. With all that we went through, you were that to us, our Angel. Your mother handed you to me and I started to cry. Never in a million years had I imagined that I would be a father of a beautiful little girl. You were the best gift to us and forever will be.

Taking a good look at you, I saw that you had my brown hair with a red tint like your mother’s hair and it was very curly. Your eyes were the same blue as mine but you had your mother’s nose and mouth. Instantly, I knew that your mouth was going to get you into trouble in the future, but I was glad that I was wrong.

Well, kiddo, it is getting late and we both have a big day ahead of us tomorrow. I won’t promise that I won’t cry when I see you in your dress or as I walk down the aisle tomorrow. I hope you get some sleep as I know that I probably won’t get any sleep.

Kiddo, I love you so much and I’m very proud of you. I can’t wait to see what adventures lie ahead of you.

Till tomorrow!

Love,

Your Daddy

Chapter Text

To our lovely readers,

Never in a million years did I think that I would write a book about my family let alone my own daughter, but here we are. Well, I can’t take all the credit though, Jonathan and Angel have helped a lot. This has proven to be a challenge for us but we have made it through. When Jonathan first asked me to write a book about us raising our daughter, I laughed at him. No way would I write a book with our secrets and share them with all the world. We are all way too private to share any of our family stories. But after some heavy discussion, Jonathan and I have decided to share our point of view on raising Angel with all of you. Well, Jonathan has left the writing up to me but has given me the insight I need to mark the highlights of all of our lives.

Now before you get all upset about this, we did discuss this with Angel to see how she feels about it and she thinks that it is a wonderful idea. In her own words, “That is a great idea. Maybe now people will see us as a normal family that has money but money doesn't have us.” As blunt, bright and secretive a woman as she is, when she said that it surprised me. But after a long talk with her, I can see why she feels that way. I never really thought about how she felt about being raised as the Harts’ daughter or being a rich kid that much. Sure we have had discussions about it before because I myself was a rich child. But after the long talk we had before I sat down to start writing, it opened my eyes to her point of view. Maybe one day she will write her own book about how she felt and fill in what I won’t be able to cover. With the stories that I will be sharing, Angel has given me her point of view but I know from experience she hasn’t told me the whole story. She has told me that she kept a journal throughout her life with her perspective and, maybe one day she will get it published so you all can hear more of her heart. 

Now, some of you might be wondering why I’m sharing this letter to you after our letters to Angel and not before. Well, with the permission from my lovely daughter, we were able to share with you the letters that both Jonathan and myself wrote to her the night before she got married. Funny thing is, neither of us knew that we were writing them to her at the same time. I thought that the letters would be the best way to start off the book. Seeing our point of view of our childhood, finding out I was pregnant and how both of us felt throughout the process. Raising a child is not easy but it is worth it. I’m very thankful for the opportunity that I have had to raise Angel. 

So my family to yours, here are the Hart family stories as we see it.  

Sincerely, 
Jennifer Hart

Chapter Text

Angel Meets Max and Freeway

“Darling, did you put Angel’s car seat in the car?” Jennifer asked, putting her hair brush in her bag. 

“For the hundredth time, yes I put the car seat in the car,” Jonathan replied, looking down at Angel who was sleeping in her bed. 

Jennifer looked up, smiling at the sight of him watching Angel as she walked over and put her arms around his waist. “She is adorable,” she said smiling. 

Jonathan put his hands over his and leaned into her body, “She looks so peaceful.” 

“Mmmm,” Jennifer replied. 

Both stood there watching their little girl sleep when the nurse came into the room. Smiling, she asked, “Are you ready to go?”

Jennifer looked over, “Yes, we are ready.”

Jonathan leaned down and picked Angel up. She immediately nestled up against his chest with a smile on her face. Jonathan smiled down as he thought, “I can get used to this.” He swayed back and forth slowly in hopes that she would stay asleep. Looking up he saw Jennifer was sitting in the wheelchair but he wasn't ready to hand Angel to her just. He gave her a half smile in hopes she would give him a moment more with his baby girl.  

“Darling, I know you want to hold her and we shall have plenty of time for that at home. Can I have her, please?” Jennifer held out her hands. 

“If you say so,” he replied, kissing Angel’s forehead before he reluctantly handed her to Jennifer. 

“Mr. and Mrs. Hart, I would like to inform you about the press that is out front,” the nurse said. 

“Thank you nurse, but we already have a plan,” Jonathan answered, as he walked over to the bag he brought with him to the hospital. 

“We do?” Jennifer asked, surprised. This was news to her since they hadn’t had this discussed. 

Smiling, Jonathan turned around with a tan blanket in his hands. “Since the press has found out that we are having a child, they have been all over us about the gender and when the little one was going to be born. Most of this you already knew because of how hard we have been keeping this from them. I thought that when she finally came they would be all over the hospital and proved me right. So I bought a tan blanket with us so you could cover her up and they won’t see her.”

Smiling, Jennifer said, “Well you thought this through didn’t you? So let me guess, the tan is so they don’t know the gender of our little one.”

“You got it,” Jonathan smiled. 

Shaking her head, she asked, “Will you please help me put it on?”

“Of course I will,” Jonathan replied, walking over to her. He watched Jennifer snuggle Angel closer to her bosom as Angel turned her head and smiled. “She is a cuddly baby,” he thought to himself. Once Jennifer nodded at him, he brought the blanket up to lay over them both. Tucking the blanket behind Jennifer, under her legs and then standing up straight. He was satisfied that their little girl would be protected from the press. 

“This will definitely keep her safe and sound,” Jennifer said, smiling up at Jonathan. 

Jonathan grabbed their bags before they started for the car. 

Once in the elevator, Jennifer said, “Darling, I would like to sit in the back seat with Angel.”

Jonathan nodded as the doors opened. The nurse pushed the wheelchair out of the elevator as he put his hand on Jennifer’s shoulder. Avoiding the press is something that they were both really good at but being the CEO of Hart Industries and Jennifer being a famous journalist as well as writer, they were bound to be in the papers from time to time. If he could stay out of the paper permanently that would satisfy him. Jennifer on the other hand, had no problem taking an interview or being in the paper. But now they have a little child to think about and ever since they found out that Jennifer was with child, the press has been having a heyday trying to get information about the little one. Both of them haven’t been giving them anything in order to protect their child. Wanting to keep their child out of the line light for as long as possible. Well, now they are getting ready to walk out of the hospital with the press waiting to see the first look at their little girl but they won’t get it. 

As soon as the doors opened, the press was flashing cameras and yelling at them to see the child. Jonathan was very thankful for the blanket that he bought with them. “What gender is your child? Why the blanket? Come on, let us see the child?” were some of the questions that they heard them yelling. Both of them were very eager to get to the car. 

Once they got to the car, Jonathan opened the back door before holding onto the blanket so it wouldn't fly away. Then helping Jennifer up, he whispered to her, "Darling, don't put the child in the car seat yet. I'm going to drive away from here and then you can put the child in there." She nodded at him before taking a seat in the back. Thanking the nurse, Jonathan ran to the driver side and drove off. After driving away, he pulled into a parking lot and then turned in his seat to look back at his girls. Jennifer smiled at him before she lowered the blanket to reveal a giggling Angel. 

“I’m glad that you seem to be enjoying this, young lady,” Jennifer chuckled, as she put Angel in her car seat. Jennifer reached for Angel’s hand that was in the air and then she wrapped her little fingers around Jennifer’s pointer finger. Smiling down at her with pride in her heart. 

Jonathan watched with a smile on his face. “She is going to be an amazing mother,” he thought to himself. Turning back around, he started the car and headed home. After pulling into the driveway, he parked the car and then got out so he could walk to the passenger side to help his girls out. When he opened the door, he noticed that Jennifer already had Angel out of her car seat and playing with her fingers. She looked up at him before taking his hand that he held out for her. Once they were out he got the bags out of the front passenger seat and then they went inside their home. 

“Is that you Mr. and Mrs. H,” Max called, walking from the kitchen to the forya when he heard the front door open. 

“Yes Max, it is us,” Jonathan called back.

Max stopped in front of them before looking down at the smiling baby in Jennifer’s arms. “Is this the little one?” he asked. 

“Yes Max, meet Angel Jeanine Hart,” Jennifer moved so he could get a better look at her. 

“Angel? But I thought you wanted to keep the J going? How did you settle on Angel?” Max asked, confused. 

“With all that this little one caused, Angel seemed to fit her better than Jeanine. Plus, I think she knew that was her name before we did,” Jonathan said. 

“Why do you say that, Mr. H?” Max asked. 

“When we called her Angel, she lit up as if she knew it,” Jennifer replied. “Would you like to hold her?” 

Shaking his head, “No thanks, Mrs. H. Baby’s are not up my alley.”

“Come on Max, you might have to hold her at some point and you might as well get used to it,” Jonathan chuckled. 

Max reached his hands out as Jennifer handed Angel to him. Holding her close in fear that he would drop her because she was so tiny. Relaxing some, seeing her smile up at him. “She has your blue eyes Mr. H and your hair but the curliness of yours Mrs. H,” he said.  

“That is she does,” Jonathan replied, pulling Jennifer closer to him. 

Just then Angel stops smiling as she spits all over herself and Max. “Ummmmmm…” Max said, pulling her away from him as Jennifer took her back. 

“Oh, Max, I’m so sorry. I’ll get her cleaned up,” Jennifer said, taking Angel and then heading up stairs.

Jonathan is laughing, “Well, at least you had your apron on.”

“I’m going to keep cleaning up,” Max said, walking away. 

Jonathan headed up stairs to put the bags in their room before going over to check on his girls. When he was walking into the nursery, he heard, “Now, it’s that all better?” He watched Jennifer pick up Angel and hold her close. Smiling at both of them, he walked over and put an arm around Jennifer’s waist. Angel, seeing her father, reached out for him as Jennifer handed her to him. 

“Oh no, daddy's girl from the start. Now Jonathan, this doesn’t mean that you get to spoil her,” Jennifer told him. 

“I don’t hear anything, do you kiddo?” he said, playfully. 

“Jonathan! You are terrible,” Jennifer put her hands on her hips. 

Jonathan smiled at her before kissing her check. Just then they heard little feet coming into the room and looking over to see Freeway at Jonathan’s feet. Bending down so Freeway could smell Angel and get them acquainted. 

“Be careful, I don’t want him to hurt Angel,” Jennifer said. 

“Freeway isn’t going to hurt Angel, all he wants is to know who it is,” Jonathan pet Freeway on the head while he sniffed Angel.

The rest of the evening, Freeway didn’t leave Angel’s side and Jonathan said that he wasn’t going to let anything happen to their little girl. They sat on the sofa relaxing as it felt good to finally be home. They couldn’t take their eyes off of Angel. Still couldn’t believe that they were parents but thankful for the opportunity. Once they had gone to bed, they left the doors open so they could hear Angel if she cried out. Jonathan was holding Jennifer close while she slept, he thought to himself, “Now I have two lovely ladies to look out for.” He then drifted off to sleep. 

First 4th of July

"Darling, do you think this is suck a great idea? I mean Angel is only a little over a month old," Jennifer said, looking up at Jonathan who just walked into the great room.

"Yes darling, everything will be just fine. She will love the fireworks. Look," Jonathan paused to pull out headphones out of a bag to show Jennifer. "I got these the other day. They are sound silencers, we can put these over her ears so the loud booms won't hurt her and she can enjoy just watching the fireworks." 

"I told you not to spoil her and here you go already. Now I know I'm going to have to keep my eye on you the older she gets," Jennifer rolled her eyes. 

"Darling, there is a big difference in spoiling her and getting her something that will help or is needed," Jonathan looked sideways at her. He then laid on the floor next to Angel who was sound asleep on her pillow that he got for her before she was born. Smiling, he brought a hand up to push some of the hair off her face before giving her a kiss. 

"I guess you're right but I don't want you to buy her anything that is unnecessary," Jennifer replied. When Jonathan didn't reply, Jennifer spoke up again, "Jonathan Hart did you hear me." 

"I heard you," Jonathan looked up at Jennifer who was still sitting on the sofa. "I don't buy you unnecessary things, so why would I do that to my little girl?"

"Jonathan, I'm old enough to understand the love behind your gifts. Sure Angel will too when she gets older but if you buy her presents all the time, to a little child it is different," Jennifer tried one more time. 

Jonathan just nodded before looking back down at his sleeping Angel. After giving her another kiss, he then laid his head down next to hers and closed his eyes. 

Jennifer smiled at how careful he was with her and it made her heart happy every time. Thinking to herself, "For two people that didn't want a child, Angel has moved her way into our hearts." She sat back watching the both of them sleep before she laid down and took a small nap as well. 

Later that evening, Jennifer made sure that Angel ate before they were going to watch the fireworks but it wouldn't bother her if she needed to be fed in the middle of the show. Sitting outside on the back porch waiting for Jonathan, she looked down at Angel who was smiling up at her. "How did we get so blessed to get you?" she asked her. Playing with her little fingers, she thought about how Angel didn't cry or fuss much. The only time that she would was when she was hungry or needed change. She loved her blanket that they covered her up in the day they brought her home from the hospital and she cuddled with it every time she slept. When she was sleeping on one of her parents, she preferred to be laying where she could hear their heartbeat. They found that it was the best way to get her to sleep if she was fighting it and that wasn’t very often. This child loved her sleep. Hearing Jonathan walk out on the patio, Jennifer was brought out of her thoughts. 

"I have a guy coming out tomorrow from work that will install the baby monitors," Jonathan said, sitting down next to his girls. 

"That is great, do we know what time?” Jennifer asked.

"He said that he would be here at one in the afternoon," Jonathan replied, holding his hands out to Angel who was happy to be taken in her daddy's arms. 

Handing Angel to him, Jennifer asked, “Are you going to be here when they come?” 

“Yes, I don’t have any meetings so I’ll be able to be home early,” Jonathan laid Angel on his legs so he could put the headphones over her ears. Then lifting her back into his arms just as the first firework went off. They both laughed as Angel's eyes got wider and she started to wiggle around.

Angel loved the show, smiling and clapping every time she saw the fireworks. Then came the big finale, she started kicking her legs and wiggling her arms all round as the sky lit up. When it was over Jonathan took the headphones off her ears, "Did you like that?" Standing up, he walked into the kitchen with Jennifer and Max. 

"She is a real trouper Mr. H. She didn't cry once," Max said. 

"Nope, she loved it. Best first 4th of July," Jonathan said. "Now it is your bedtime little one." Chuckling, he saw Angel had his finger in her mouth, sucking on it and eyes already half closed. 

"I can put her down," Jennifer said, reaching for Angel. 

Jonathan shook his head, "She is already almost asleep, I'll put her down tonight." Then walking up the stairs to the nursery, he sat down in the rocker while he hummed and put Angel to sleep. Looking up, he saw Jennifer standing in the doorway with a smile on her face. Laying Angel down in her crib, he covered her up and then walked over to Jennifer. Putting his arms around her, he said, "She did amazing and this was by far the best 4th of July we have ever had."

"I couldn't agree with you more," Jennifer replied, putting her arms around him. 

First Thanksgiving

"Darling," Jonathan called from the closet.

"Yes," Jennifer replied, looking at him through the mirror.

"I was thinking, maybe we should see if your father could make it for Christmas. He hasn't met Angel yet and we haven't seen him since you were three months along," Jonathan said, walking over to stand behind Jennifer. 

"I think that is a great idea. I know he wanted to visit when she was young but something always came up," turning to face him. "I can call him tomorrow morning and ask." 

“Sounds good,” Jonathan said. Just then they heard Angel moving around in her crib on the monitor. Smiling, Jonathan said, “I’ll go get her.” He walked from their room to her room and opened the door. The closer he got to her crib, the bigger her smile got. “Hello kiddo,” he said, picking her up. “You are getting so big.”

“She will only get bigger,” Jennifer chuckled. 

“But does she have to grow up so fast?” he asked, looking at her.

“Sadly, yes darling. Now if you would be so kind as to hand her to me, I would like to get her ready for her first Thanksgiving dinner,” Jennifer held out her hands to Angel. She watched as Angel looked at her and then led her head back on her father’s shoulder. Chuckling, “Sweetie, I know you love your daddy but it is time to get ready.” When she was taken from Jonathan, Angel had a sulky look on her face that made them both laugh. 

Jonathan walked out, down the stairs and went into the kitchen. “Max, the food smells amazing,” he said.

“Thanks Mr. H, where is Mrs. H and the little one?” Max replied. 

“Jennifer is getting Angel dressed for her first Thanksgiving.” 

"You know Mr. H, I can't believe that Angel is 5 months already."

"I know what you mean," Jonathan replied, then turned when he heard Jennifer walk in. "Wow," he said, looking over the outfit that Angel had on. It was brown with a turkey in the middle with the words around it that said, 'My First Thanksgiving.' He also noticed a little brown and orange bow in her hair. "You look beautiful, Kiddo," he said, taking her from Jennifer. Instantly, his daughter gave him a smile before laying her head in the crack of his neck. As he rubbed her back, she snuggled closer. 

Shaking her head, Jennifer said, "I also have a bib that goes with her outfit that I will put on her so she doesn't ruin her nice outfit." 

"Good idea, this is much too pretty of an outfit to get it ruined," Jonathan said, putting Angel in her highchair. She then started to hit the table with her hands while she laughed. 

"I think we have a drummer on our hands," Max said. 

"Ladies don't drum, Max," Jennifer said. 

"Well this one does," Jonathan chuckled. 

Jennifer just shook her head with a smile on her face. Angel did love to make music no matter where she was. Drumming on the table, floor, and even her toys. This was one little girl that loved to make noise. She walked over to the cabinet, grabbed a jar of baby food and walked over to Jonathan. "I think I'll let Daddy feed you today," she said, handing him the jar. 

Jonathan raised his eyebrows at her, "You will let me??"

"Yes," Jennifer walked over to sit in her chair that was across from his. 

"Jennifer, I have fed Angel before. Why all of a sudden are you acting weird about it?" he asked, leaning on the table. 

"No reason, I just want to see you feed her," she replied.

Jonathan picked up the jar and read the label. It read, 'Heaviest Thanksgiving.' "Now I see why," he said, looking up at Jennifer who was smirking at him. While opening the jar, he said, "Kiddo, I think you need to start eating real food." 

"Maybe you can see if she will eat some mashed potatoes?" Max asked. 

Before Jonathan could say anything, Jennifer spoke up, "No way. Angel is not old enough to be eating our food yet."

"Darling, she is almost 6 months old and that is the age that we start introducing our food to her. Besides, mashed potatoes are as soft as this food in a jar," Jonathan said, but the look on Jennifer's face told him no. "Well, since I'm feeding her, I get to give her some of my mashed potatoes."

"Jonathan! Don't you dare!" Jennifer said. Jonathan just smiled at her and she knew she didn't have a chance. "Fine, but only this once." 

Jonathan nodded as Max put their plate of food in front of them. He took a bite of his food as Angel started to fuss. "I haven't forgotten about you sweet one," he said, giving her a spoon full of her dinner. She immediately scrunched up her nose and shook her head. Both Jonathan and Jennifer laughed as Jonathan tried to give her another bite but Angel wouldn't have it. "I don't think she likes this food," Jonathan chuckled. Then he took her spoon, put some mashed potatoes on it and fed it to her. Angel's face lit up, wiggling her arms around and got excited the more he fed it to her. "Looks like she likes it," he said. 

"I'll get her a bowl of her own," Max said, getting up from the table. 

"Maybe smash some of the green beans up and see if she'll eat that," Jennifer suggested.

Jonathan looked up at her, "Is this coming from the same woman that told me not to feed my daughter mashed potatoes?" 

"Oh please," Jennifer chuckled. 

Jonathan laughed before doing as she had suggested. Angel made a face but opened her mouth for more. Once again making a face, Jonathan said, "I can't tell if she likes it or not."

"Maybe this will be one of those foods where she will try over and over till she likes it or not," Jennifer replied. 

Max walked over with a small plate with mashed and green beans on it. "I smashed up the green beans for you Mr. H," he said, handing the plate to him. 

"Thanks Max," Jonathan took the plate and fed Angel while he ate himself. 

After some time, Jennifer said, "Darling, why don't we get a Christmas tree and put up tomorrow?"

"Darling, they don't have the trees out yet," Jonathan reminded her. 

"I'm not talking about a real one. Maybe we can get a fake one this year," she replied. 

"A fake one? Since when do we get a fake tree?" Jonathan asked, surprised. 

"Well, I have been thinking. With Angel being so little, I'm concerned that the pines that fall off the tree might hurt her." 

Thinking, Jonathan replied, "That is true. I haven't thought about that."

"When Angel gets older, we can start getting real trees once again and I know she will love them," Jennifer replied, looking at Angel who was looking at her father. 

"We will need a gate too," Jonathan said, feeling Angel pull at his finger. Looking down, he saw that she was looking right at him. He took the bib off and then took her out of the highchair so she could sit on his lap. Her back was against his chest when he saw Jennifer smiling. "What," he asked. 

"I was just thinking, for two people that didn't want to have any children, Angel sure has made her way into both of our hearts," she replied. 

"She sure has, hasn't she," Jonathan kissed the top of Angel's head. 

Later that evening, Jonathan was sitting on the sofa waiting for Jennifer to come back down stairs after putting Angel to sleep. Thinking of Angel, he thought about how he thought he would fail at being a parent but now he thought it was fun. Watching Angel grow up had been fun and nerve wracking at the same time. She was growing up so fast and he wished that time would slow down. 

"Penny for your thoughts," Jennifer said, walking into the room and sitting on the sofa. 

Jonathan put his arm around her as she laid her head on his shoulder. Rubbing her arm, he said, "Is Angel asleep?"

"Yes, I think all the mashed potatoes and green beans made her really sleepy," Jennifer said, then looked up at him. "What are you thinking?"

"Just how blessed we are to have Angel. I know we didn't plan it nor was it something that either of us wanted but looking back, I wouldn't change a thing," he replied, before kissing the top of her head. 

Putting her hand over his heart, she said, "I couldn't agree with you more." 

The next morning, Jonathan and Max went out to get a Christmas tree and gate while Jennifer took care of Angel. Both Jonathan and Jennifer hadn’t taken Angel out in public unless they had her tan blanket over her so the press didn’t see her. Trying to keep her out of the limelight for as long as possible. They knew that sooner or later they would find out but the Harts didn’t want their daughter hung out by the press at such an early age. 

“Jennifer! We’re home,” Jonathan called. 

“In the great room,” she called back. Looking down at Angel who was playing in her playpen but lit up at the sound of her father's voice. “Yes, daddy's home,” she said, picking Angel up. 

Jonathan and Max walk in carrying a big box. “Did you order a Christmas tree?” he asked. 

“I did, thank you for delivering it,” Jennifer smiled. 

Jonathan and Max put the bag down in the middle of the great room. Turning to face Jennifer, he asked, “How are my girls?”

“We are good, just waiting for the two of you to get home.” 

“Would you like me to hire someone to move the furniture?” Max asked. 

“No Max, I think we can move it ourselves. We are just going to move the desk back like we always do,” Jonathan replied. Walking over to the desk with Max, they moved it to the corner behind the spiral staircase before opening the box to get the tree out. It took them three hours to get the tree up and the lights on. “You know darling, real trees are so much better than these fake trees,”  he chuckled, looking at Jennifer. 

“Real trees do look better but this one will be safer for Angel,” Jennifer replied, smiling. 

“Darling, I’m not complaining. Anything to keep both of you safe is fine with me. It is just real trees that don't take much to set up and they come in one piece. These fake trees come in at three,” Jonathan replied. Looking around, he asked, “Speaking of the little one, where is she?” 

“She fell asleep watching the two of you a little bit ago and so I put her in bed,” Jennifer answered. “This will give us time to decorate the tree.” 

“Great idea, darling,” Jonathan said, giving a kiss before they opened the first box of ornaments. 

Between the three of them, it took two hours to get the tree decorated. Standing back to look at the work they have done, Jonathan said, “Max, would you do us the honor and turn the lights on?” 

“Oh no, darling,” Jennifer said, looking up at him. “Let’s wait till Angel wakes up, I want to see the look on her face.” 

“Good idea, I wonder when she will wake up,” Jonathan said, smiling. Just that moment they both heard fussing coming from upstairs. Grabbing Jennifer's hand, he said, “Our little one is up.” Then walked up the stairs and into the nursery. Finding Angel on her knees with her hands on the railing of her crib and her face lit up seeing them both. 

Jennifer picked Angel up and said, “I love how she lights up every time she sees us.” 

“She is one happy baby,” Jonathan said, rubbing his finger over Angel’s cheek. 

“Well, let’s go see how her face lights up when she sees the lights on the Christmas tree,” Jennifer said. Before they turned she stopped, “That is after this one gets a fresh diaper on.” Laying Angel on the changing table, Jonathan played with Angel’s fingers while Jennifer changed her. Once she was done, she picked her back up and they walked down to the great room. Walking over to the tree, Angel just looked at it with a smile on her face. Jennifer felt Jonathan put his hand on her lower back as Max asked, “Now?” “Now,” they answered in unison. Max flipped the switch and the tree lit up. Jonathan and Jennifer looked down at Angel at the sound of her squeal. Waving her arms around, eyes wide and squealing at the sight of the lights. “She likes it,” Jennifer said. 

“We knew that she would,” Jonathan said, kissing the top of Jennifer's head. 

They spent the rest of the day in the great room while Angel played in her playpen. Every now and then she would stop to look at the lights. Jonathan and Jennifer watched her play while sitting on the sofa. Both were thinking, “This is the best first Thanksgiving.” 

First Ear Piercings

Jonathan was carrying Angel into the house as he called, “Darling, we’re home.” 

“Finally, where on earth did you go?” Jennifer asked, coming down the stairs. 

“We went for a little drive,” he answered. 

“Where too?” she asked, once more. Looking at Angel closely, she gasped, “Jonathan Hart! You got Angel’s ears pierced?” 

“Yep, it’s for her sixth month birthday,” Jonathan said with a smile. 

“Jonathan, she is way too young for that and her sixth month birthday? You are not getting her a half year birthday present. No way, I’m not going to stand for it,” Jennifer put her hands on her hips. 

“Darling, the younger they are the better they take getting their ears pierced. She sat on my lap the whole time and didn’t even cry.” 

“I still don’t like it. We have been trying to keep her out of the press and here to go out to get her ears pierced.”

“The press still don’t know about her.”

“Oh yay, well they do now because you took her out of the house and to the shopping center.”

“They did it at my office, I had Sally do it for me. You know Sally, she has been working with me for ten years now. She told me the other day that she pierced both her daughters' ears and when I asked if she would do Angel’s, she was more than happy about it.” 

Thinking, Jennifer said, “Well, I suppose that would be okay. But I still don’t like this, she is so young and you are already spoiling her.”

“Darling, how old were you when you got your ears pierced?”  

“I don’t know, mother had it done when I was…” she stopped for a moment before continuing. “Okay, maybe she isn’t too young to get her ears pierced. At least you didn’t get her diamonds.” 

Jonathan pulled out a small pair of diamonds from his pocket and showed them to Jennifer. “Once we are able to put them in, Angel will be wearing her first pair of diamond earrings that match her mother’s,” he said, smiling. 

“You’re impossible,” Jennifer told him, before giving him a kiss. 

“I know, but you love me for it,” he replied. Putting the diamonds back in his pocket as he kissed her back. 

“Why did you put them back in your pocket?” Jennifer asked. 

“That way, you won’t take them and hide them from me,” he smirked at her.

“Oh Jonathan,” she smacked his arm laughing as they walked into the great room. 

First Christmas

Max was in the kitchen when the buzzer for the gate went off, walking over to the intercom, he asked, "Who it is?" 

“Steven Edwards,” came the voice from the other end. 

“Come on up,” Max buzzed him in. He then walked up the stairs that led from the kitchen to upstairs. Walking to the doorway of the nursery, he told Jennifer, “Mrs. H, your father is coming up the drive.” 

“Pa is here?” she said, surprised. “He isn’t supposed to be here for another two days.” She got up from the rocking chair and handed Angel to Max as she walked past him. Then walking down the stairs, opening the front door as her fathers car came to stop and he got out. “Pa,” she said, giving him a big hug. 

Jonathan came out of his room to find Max standing in the hallway holding Angel. “How did you end up with Angel?” he asked, taking a wiggly Angel from his hands. 

“I came up here to tell Mrs. H that her father was here and she handed Angel to me,” Max answered. 

Holding Angel close to him, Jonathan said, “He is early, thanks Max.” Max nodded at him before he headed back down the hall to go back to the kitchen. Jonathan turned around, stood by the railing to see that the front door was open and he waited till Jennifer came back in before they would go down stairs. While standing there, Angel had snuggled her face into his neck as he thought to himself, “She takes after her mother because that is her favorite place as well.” Rubbing her back, Jonathan smiled bigger.

Steven put his bag over his shoulder then put an arm around Jennifer’s shoulders as they walked into the house. “I know I’m early but my meeting ended sooner than I intended and I just couldn’t stay away much longer. I missed my Jennifer too much, plus I haven’t met that little granddaughter of mine yet,” he said, smiling. 

“I’m happy you are here, Pa. You have been missed so much and you are going to love Angel,” Jennifer replied, before shutting the door behind them. 

“Where is that granddaughter of mine?” he asked. 

“She is upstairs, I left her with Max when…” she stopped when she looked up to Jonathan standing by the railing looking down at them. Seeing that Angel was in his arms and she smiled seeing that their little girl had her face buried in his neck, her favorite place. “She takes after me in that area,” she thought to herself. 

Jonathan saw them come back in the house and waited till Jennifer looked up to see them before starting to walk down the stairs.  

“Pa,” Jennifer said, pointing upward to Jonathan walking down the stairs. Walking up beside them, she said, “This is Angel, your granddaughter.” She started rubbing her back as Angel raised her head to look at her mother. Angel smiled at her before she turned her head and then started to wiggle her arms. “I think she knows you are family,” Jennifer took Angel and walked over to her father. Angel reached him as he asked, “May I?” 

“Of course,” Jennifer said, handing her to him. Angel smiled up at Steven before talking to him in her baby language.

“She looks like you, Jonathan, but she has the red tint in her hair like yours, Jennifer,” Steven said, looking down at her. Angel reached up to touch Steven’s face as he smiled down at her. 

Jonathan put his arm around Jennifer as she leaned into him. Both smiling at how fast Angel had responded to her grandfather. Jonathan looked up as Max walked in, “Max will you take Steven’s bag up to the guest room and then bring us some coffee in the great room?” 

“Sure thing, Mr. H,” Max replied, picking up the bag and heading upstairs. 

Walking into the great room, Steven said, “Some of my bags will be arriving later tonight and I have to go back to the airport to get them.” 

“Pa, why are your bags arriving later?” Jennifer asked. 

“My flight left before they could get the luggage on our flight, so they were sending it on a different flight. I was fine with it but I will need to get back to the airport at eight this evening,” Steven answered. 

“Don’t worry about it, Steven,” Jonathan said, looking up at Max as he put the tray of drinks on the table. “Max, after dinner will you go back to the airport to pick up Steven’s luggage?”

“Of course Mr. H,” Max replied, before walking back to the kitchen. 

The rest of the evening, they talked while Steven got more acquainted with Angel. Angel was taken by her grandfather and made a big fuss when Jennifer took her to get her ready for bed. 

Jonathan laughed saying, “That is a first.” They all laughed. After putting her down, they all got ready for bed. 

A week later:

Jonathan was the first to wake up, he turned on his side before resting on an elbow to watch Jennifer sleep. Smiling, he moved some hair from her face as she started to stir. 

“Morning,” she said, looking up smiling at Jonathan. 

Jonathan leaned down and started kissing her. Instantly, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. Smiling into the kiss before pulling back. “Morning,” he said. 

“That was lovely,” she said, smiling back at him.

“Well, I hope so,” he said, leaning down to kiss her more passionately. After a few moments, he pulled back leaving them both breathless. Looking into her eyes, he said, “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas,” she replied. “We better get up, Angel will be waking up soon and Pa will spoil her if we don’t get up.” 

“Let him, he is the grandpa and grandparents are supposed to spoil their grandchildren,” Jonathan said, getting up from bed. “Mmmm…” was all the reply he heard before feeling the bed move, indicating Jennifer was getting up. 

After the both of them got ready for the day, they walked into Angel’s room to find her standing in the crib. 

“Look who is standing up,” Jennifer said, picking Angel up. She smiled at her and said, “Mama.”

Jennifer froze, “Did she just say Mama?” 

Jonathan, who was just as surprised at his wife, replied, “Yes, darling, she did.” 

“Well, this is going to be the best Christmas,” she said, with tears in her eyes. 

Jonathan pulled them close to him as he held them tightly. Angel was giggling, Jennifer had tears rolling down her cheeks and he felt so proud. He thought to himself, “This is going to be the best Christmas.”

After a few minutes, Jennifer pulled away and wiped her eyes. “I need to get her ready,” she said. 

Jonathan said, “I’ll help.” Walking over to the dresser, he pulled out a red and green dress that read, ‘My First Christmas.' Turning around, he said, “This looks like the perfect outfit.” 

Jennifer looked up, “Perfect.” Taking the outfit from him, she put it on Angel and then picked her back up. “Let’s go see grandpa.”

When they walked through the great room, they noticed that the lights on the tree were already on and presents were already under the tree. Then they walked into the kitchen to find Max cooking breakfast and Steven sitting at the table reading a book. 

“Morning Mr. H, Mrs. H and nugget,” Max said. 

“Morning Max,” they said in unison. 

“Morning Pa,” Jennifer said, kissing his cheek. 

“Morning sweetheart,” Steven said. 

Jennifer put Angel in her highchair and then put on her bib before sitting down. After they ate breakfast, they all went into the great room to open presents. Jonathan thought it would be a good idea to have Angel open hers first and everyone agreed. 

From her parents she got: new clothes, toys, books, and a stuffed dog that she loved and wouldn’t let go of. Jonathan had Angel’s name engraved on the dog and she couldn’t stop feeling it. From grandpa she got: a blanket with her name, birthday, weight, length and time she was born as well as a trust fund he had started for her. Max got her a dress that said, “Max’s little nugget.”

Jennifer got a necklace with Angel’s birthstone, Alexandrite, and matching earrings. She also got new boots that she had been eyeing for a few months from Jonathan. Her father gave her a photo treasure book where she could keep all of Angel’s firsts in it for memories. Max gave her all the photos that he had of Angel and told her that he didn’t want to spoil the gift as her father and him planned the photo book. 

Jonathan got new cufflinks, tie clips and a ring with Angel’s birthstone in it from Jennifer. From Steven he got a book called, “First Dad : What to do and Not to do.” They all got a laugh out of that. From Max he got a shirt that says, “Don’t Touch My Girls Or You Have Signed Your Life Away.”

From the Harts, Max got cigars and a shirt that said, “Best Uncle Around.” Steven also got him some cigars as well. 

Steven got a photo album with photos of the family and Angel when she was born.

Everyone thanked each other for their presents. Jonathan helped Jennifer put her necklace on and Max sat back smoking one of his cigars. Angel was laying in Jonathan’s arms holding on to her stuffed dog. Jonathan noticed that Angel was falling asleep so he lay back on the sofa and laid her on his chest. 

“I can take her upstairs and put her in her crib,” Jennifer said, looking over at Jonathan. 

“No, it is okay. She can sleep here,” he replied. 

Jennifer nodded before moving from the sofa to sit next to her father so she could tell him the stories that went with the photos. After some time, she looked up and noticed that Jonathan wasn’t on the other sofa. Excusing herself, she got up to look for them. Not finding them in the kitchen she headed upstairs. Looking in the nursery first, not finding them in there she went into their bedroom. Stopping at the doorway with a smile on her face, laying on the bed was Jonathan with Angel on his chest. She quietly walked over to put a blanket over them and then closed the door on her way out. 

Later that evening, after dinner, Steven had already gone to bed and Jonathan and Jennifer were standing over Angel’s crib watching her sleep. 

Jennifer asked, “Darling, when did you go up to our room with Angel this afternoon?”

“I don’t know, all I knew was the longer I sat there with her sleeping on me made me sleepy. So I quietly got up and came up here so I could take a nap as well,” Jonathan replied. 

“I’m glad that you two could get a nice nap and that I have a well rested family,” Jennifer said.

“This was the best Christmas so far,” Jonathan said. 

“Other than our first Christmas this one with Angel was the best so far,” Jennifer replied. 

Jonathan leaned down to give Angel a kiss on the head only to watch her smile in her sleep. Taking Jennifer’s hand to lead her into their bedroom. Once they got ready for bed, Jonathan pulled her tightly into his arms. “Merry Christmas,” he whispered to her before they fell asleep. 

First Valentine’s 

Max was finishing the pasta dinner that Jonathan had requested while Jennifer sat in the great room working at her desk and Angel played in her playpen. Jennifer took a break from her work and looked up at Angel admiring her. Leaning her elbows on the desk, she watched Angel play with her books with her stuffed dog laying next to her. Ever since her father gave it to her for Christmas, it had been glued to her hip. Angel wouldn’t go anywhere without it and if they tried, she started fussing. Angel looked and made eye contact with Jennifer. Pulling herself up and smiling, she said, “Mama.” Jennifer got up, walked over to her and picked her up. Angel nestled against Jennifer and sighed. Rubbing her back, Jennifer smiled when she heard the front door open. Looking up, she saw Jonathan walking in. 

The moment Jonathan walked in he saw his girls in the great room. He smiled at Jennifer before walking over to give her a kiss, “Hello darling.” Angel raised her head and reached for him. “Hello Kiddo,” he said, taking her from Jennifer. Looking down at her and Jennifer, he noticed that both of them were wearing red dresses and diamond earrings. Jonathan had put the diamond earrings in Angel’s ears a few months earlier. “Both of you look gorgeous,” he complimented his girls. 

“Thank you darling, I thought it would be nice since it was Valentine's day,” Jennifer replied. 

“Speaking of Valentine’s day,” Jonathan said. Handing Angel back to Jennifer as she started to fuss. “I’ll be right back.” He walked back out the front door and then came back in with his hands full. For Jennifer he bought 12 dozen red roses and a new diamond necklace. For Angel he bought a big stuffed teddy bear and a heart diamond necklace. 

Jennifer took the necklace. “Oh Jonathan, this is lovely,” she said, handing it back to him so he could put it on her. She had to hold Angel's hands down as she kept reaching for it. Once the necklace was on, she smelled the flowers and then looked down at the necklace he bought for Angel. “Darling, Angel is a little young to be wearing that necklace,” she said. 

“I know, but she can wear it when she gets older,” Jonathan said. 

“Yes, but what are you going to do with it till she is older?” 

“I’ll keep it in her room and then when she is old enough to wear it, she can.” 

Angel started to fuss, reaching for Jonathan and he took her back from Jennifer. Then Jonathan leaned down to give Jennifer a long kiss, “Happy Valentine’s Day, darling.” 

“Happy Valentine’s Day,” Jennifer replied. 

“Dada,” Angel said. Jonathan looked at her and asked, “Did you just dada?” 

“I think she did,” Jennifer answered. 

Jonathan’s eyes watered up at the sound of Angel calling him Dada. “Dada,” she said, before nuzzling her face on his neck. Jonathan put his hand on her head and kissed her forehead. 

Jennifer wrapped her arms around both of them smiling. Thinking back to the first time Angel called her Mama and the pride that filled her heart, she could only imagine the pride that Jonathan could feel right now. 

After dinner, Jonathan started the fire while Jennifer laid Angel down with her new stuffed bear. Then grabbed a blanket to cover her as she started to fall asleep. She patted her back a few moments then moved to the sofa to look at the fire. 

Once Jonathan was done, he joined Jennifer on the sofa. Putting his arm around her as she leaned on his chest, he kissed the top of her head while rubbing her arm. Then he looked over at Angel who was already sleeping on her teddy bear. He smiled at her before looking down at Jennifer to see that she was falling asleep. He moved so he could lay them both down and then grabbed the blanket off the back of the sofa to cover them up. Jennifer nestled closer to him as he rubbed her back. Soon all of them were sound asleep.  

                                                                                                                 Angel’s First Birthday

Jennifer was just tying the last balloon string onto Angel's highchair. She still couldn't believe that she was turning one today. Never would she think that she would be celebrating her own child's birthday let alone be a mother, but she was very thankful for this opportunity. Looking up at the arrangement of balloons in the middle was a big balloon that read, "Happy 1st. Birthday." Surrounding it were smaller pink balloons. On the table of the highchair was a plastic mat that read, "Happy Birthday Angel." On the kitchen table were all kinds of boxes and bags, all filled with presents for her little one. She could smell the chocolate cake that was cooking in the oven that Max said she would love. She just smiled, turning to look out the back window to watch Jonathan and Angel. 

He was pushing her on the swing that he made for her from one of the branches. She had the biggest smile on her face. Swings and rocking chairs were her favorite things. If they couldn't get her to sleep, not only holding her but one of those would get her to sleep. Jennifer thought about the night that Jonathan told her he was going to get her a swing. He told her that since they didn't want to bring a rocking chair outside and their three seater swing wasn't a baby swing, he would get her one. The next day, he brought it home and put it up for her. Then putting Angel in the swing to see if she liked it and she did. She even cried when they took her out. Jonathan had laughed and told her that he would push her later on in the evening and when she got older, they would get a big kid swing for her. She just smiled up at her daddy while listening to him. Jennifer knew she didn't understand but the sound of Jonathan's voice was enough for their little girl. It had been from the very start. Now, just watching them play and laugh outside filled Jennifer's heart with more love than she could ever imagine. 

"She is the best thing that has happened to this family," she heard as she jumped. Putting her hand over her heart, she turned to Max who was standing by the stove. "You scared me Max," she said. 

"I'm sorry Mrs. H, I didn't mean to scare you," he replied. 

"It's okay, I was deep in thought." 

"Must have been really deep for me to scare you. You don't scare easily," he smirked at her. 

Shaking her head, she turned back towards the window, only to notice Jonathan and  Angel weren't at the swing anymore. Walking out the back door she stepped onto the patio to get a better look. Then from behind her she heard, "get her." Turning at the sound of the giggles, she saw Jonathan holding Angel up in the air as they charged towards her. Laughing she took Angel, holding her close as she brought her hand up to her face. Feeling her lips before leaning forward to give her mother a big open mouth, wet kiss. Giggling, Jennifer wiped her mouth and said, "Thanks sweet girl."

Jonathan laughed as Angel gave her mother the kiss. Open mouth and wet kisses were all she knew at the moment. It made him laugh every time she gave either of them one. "She just wants to give you love, darling," he said, moving to stand to the side of her while putting his hand on her lower back. 

"This I know," Jennifer replied, smiling up at him and then laying her head on his shoulder. 

Jonathan kissed the top of her head, Angel laid her head on her mother's shoulder. He led them to the swing where they could sit and be more comfortable. After sitting down, he asked, "Did you like your surprise attack?"

"Oh yes, it was just what I needed," Jennifer chuckled. "I had wondered where you two had gone to."

"I noticed that you were watching us and when your back was turned I got Angel out of the swing and ran to the side of the house. I knew you would come out when you didn't see us, and so we were going to surprise you," he said, smiling.

"You were right about that and you did. It was a nice surprise," she chuckled. Looking down at Angel who was now sitting on her lap with her head on her bosom, with one hand she had a tight grip on her shirt and with the other hand, she was holding onto her father's finger that she reached for after they got situated. Rubbing her back, she thought about how Angel must be touching one or both of them when they are near her. Thinking that they are her security, but then again, she is only a year old. 

"Penny for your thoughts," Jonathan asked, seeing the look of wonder in his wife's eyes. 

"I was just thinking about how Angel must be touching one or both of us at all times when we are around," she answered him. 

Smiling, he said, "She feels the love and wants to be around it all the time. Plus we are her security for right now. Angel doesn't know anything else."

"I was thinking the same thing." Jennifer laid her head on Jonathan's shoulder as he laid his on top of hers. They sat there for some time before Max walked out onto the patio. "It is all ready," he said, before walking back into the house.

Jonathan helped Jennifer up, "Are you ready to go celebrate our little one's first birthday?"

"As ready as I'll ever be. She has grown up so fast and I wish it would slow down," Jennifer replied. 

Putting his arm around her waist, "I have heard it only gets faster."

She stopped in her tracks, "Jonathan Hart! Don't you dare tell me that."

"Too late, I already did," he said, before kissing her nose.

Rolling her eyes, she started walking to the patio door and waited for Jonathan to open it for them. Once they walked through the door Angel started getting excited. Looking down at her, Jennifer noticed her wide eyes and pointed at the balloons. "You see the balloons?" she asked her. Getting all excited, Angel was trying to reach for the strings while Jennifer was putting her in her highchair. "No, no," she would tell her. Angel wasn't listening, she still tried to grab the strings. 

Jonathan, who sat down in the chair next to Angel's, started to tap on her little table and she looked down. Getting excited about the colors, she started hitting her table and talking in her baby talk. She could say a few words but not too many. Both Jonathan and Jennifer were working with her daily. 

Jennifer got Angel buckled in before Max brought over a piece of cake for her. Handing it to her,  and he stood on the other side of the table to watch Angel. They all sang happy birthday while Angel smiled at them. Then Jennifer put the plate in front of Angel. At first Angel just looked at it, then stuck her fingers into it before taking a handful and smashing it on her face. They all just laughed. 

They all ate their cake while Angel just played with hers. Jonathan would give her a bite every now and then but she just liked to play in it instead of eating it. Once they were done and got her cleaned up, they started to give her the gifts, which were mostly clothes as she had gotten bigger. She did get some new books and stuffed animals. 

Smiling, Jonathan said, "Go figure. She likes books and stuffed animals more than clothes." Looking at Jennifer, "You might have an issue with her when you go shopping."

"Jonathan, she is only a year old, of course she won't be interested in the clothes just yet. You wait and see, when she gets older, I won't be able to get her out of the stores," Jennifer replied. 

Smirking at her, Jonathan reached over to take Angel out of her highchair before getting up. "Shall we take this in the other room?" he asked. Jennifer nodded at him as she picked up Angel's new books. 

"I'll clean up here and get her new clothes washed," Max said. 

"Thanks, Max," Jonathan replied, holding onto one of Angel's new stuffed animals. They all walked into the great room and sat down on the sofa. Angel wiggled her way out of her father's arms and onto the couch to sit next to him. He kept a protective arm around her so she wouldn’t fall off while she played with the cat she got. Freeway wasn't too happy about that stuffed toy, it looked so real to him that he started to growl at it. "Hush, it's not a real cat, Freeway," Jonathan said, as Angel giggled. 

Jennifer giggled as she started to pet Freeway behind the ears.

"Dada," Angel said. 

Jonathan looked down at her, "Yes kiddo." She just kept saying Dada, over and over. Smiling at her, he started to play with her hair. He was thankful that Jennifer has kept it short for now but wondering what she would look like with long hair. 

After some time, Angel started to squirm as she tried to get down off the sofa. Jonathan put her on the floor and put her books at his feet. He laughed when she pulled herself up by his pant leg and smiled at him. "Did you not want to go down?" he asked as he reached for her. But she turned her head and said, "Mama." "Do you want Mama?" He asked. Angel turned but held onto his pant leg with one hand. 

Jennifer watched, moved from sitting on the sofa to sitting on the floor. Holding her hands out, she said, "Come here." Slowly, Angel took her first step. “That’s it, come on,” Jennifer encouraged her. After a few steps, Angel made her way to her mother’s arms. Smiling really big, Jennifer held Angel close as she looked up at Jonathan. “She walked, Jonathan, she walked.” 

Nodding his head, Jonathan sat on the floor across from Jennifer. Angel looked over and said, “Dada.” Holding his hands out to her, “Come here, Kiddo.” He watched as Jennifer put Angel’s feet back on the ground and held her up. She held out her hands toward him and then started to walk. Her last step was almost a fall but Jonathan caught her. Holding her close, he said, “Great job, kiddo! I’m so proud of you.” 

For the next thirty minutes, Angel walked back and forth between her parents before she curled up in her mother’s arms with her head back on her bosom. “I think she is getting sleepy,” Jennifer said. She played with Angel’s hair while she fell asleep. 

Jonathan moved from sitting across from Jennifer to by her. He put his arm around her, kissed her head and then looked down at Angel who was fast asleep. “Happy birthday, Kiddo,” he said. 

Jennifer smiled, looked up at her husband and then kissed him. “This is the best day. On this day a year ago I brought into this world our lovely daughter. She was made with love and kept with love,” she told him. 

Smiling back, he said, “I’m so proud of you for all you have done. I know this hasn’t been an easy adjustment on you but you have done amazingly. Thank you.” 

Confused, she asked, “Thank you for what?” 

“For giving me the best daughter anyone could ask for.” 

Jennifer kissed him once again before leaning up against him. They sat there in silence watching Angel sleep.

Chapter Text

The Harts were on the way to Maryland to visit Jennifer’s father for a week while Angel was on spring break. They had just left England after Jonathan had business to attend to regarding Hart Industries. Jennifer was doing some research on a paper that she had been writing and she was extremely happy it was over. During the day, Angel would be doing her studies with her tutor from school while her parents were out. Ever since Angel was little, her parents made the decision that she would always travel with them when one of them couldn’t be home with her. Neither of them wanted to be too far from Angel, especially when she was in school. They tried not to travel together too much while Angel was in school but, at times when they had to, the school offered a tutor that could go with them so she wouldn’t fall behind in her studies. The Harts were very thankful for that and Angel loved to travel with them. Seeing her face light up when she saw or learned something new, brought smiles and pride to her parents. 

Sitting on the plane, Jennifer sat in her normal seat which was across from Jonathan. Normally she would be facing him and they would be talking while Angel would occupy herself with her homework, reading or writing in her journal. She was always amazed at how well a ten year old little girl could occupy herself on a long flight. But this time, she was watching Angel sleeping on the sofa across from her. Laying on her side and holding her stuffed dog close to her with a blanket tucked under her arms, she looked so peaceful. Watching her sleep was one of the many blessings that Jennifer was thankful for. Bringing her finger to her lips rubbing them lightly, she started thinking about when Angel started school for the first time. 

“Jennifer, do you really think that going to private school is the best option for Angel?” Jonathan asked, standing in front of his mirror fixing his tie. There had been many conversations about Angel going to public or private school. He knew that Jennifer wanted her to go to the best schools but knowing his daughter, he knew she wouldn't like all the fancy things like her mother wanted her to like. 

“Jonathan, please, we have been over this time and time again. Private school would suit Angel the best, especially with her upbringing,” Jennifer replied, looking at him through the mirror. Seeing the look on his face told her that he still didn’t agree with the decision that she had made in regards to the school that their daughter would be attending. She had only hoped that he would come around but sadly he hadn’t.  

Jonathan just nodded at her and then walked out of the bathroom into the bedroom. Angel was five now and starting school today. She was a very bright little girl for her age and he was very impressed. She already knew two languages, English and French. Her mother wanted her to learn both so when she visited her Great Aunt, Jennifer's late mother's sister, she could speak to her in her native language. He always found it funny when Angel would start talking to him in English, then switch to French and then back to English. She would roll her eyes at herself when she did this because she forgot that he didn't know French and so she made it her mission to teach him. So while she was teaching him French, she has started learning Spanish as well. 

Angel was as beautiful as her mother but as smart as he was. She had a mind that just wouldn’t quit. Knowing all her basics, Jonathan knew that she was going to surprise her teachers with how advanced she really was. Thinking about it, he was always impressed at how diverse their daughter already was and yet was only five. Knowing how to ride a horse when she was three and was already talking about joining the Rodeo when she was old enough. She also had been taking guitar lessons for a year now as music has fascinated her already. 

He was brought out of his thoughts by feeling arms wrap about his waist. Putting his hands on his wife's arms before turning to face her and then wrapping his arms around her, he smiled down at her before kissing her. 

“Darling, believe me when I say this will be the school for our little girl,” Jennifer told him. 

“I hope you're right, but believe me when I say that I will pull her out if it turns out not to be,” he replied. 

“It will, now stop worrying.” Jennifer let go of him and walked to their bedroom door, “I’m going to check on our daughter and make sure that she is getting dressed properly.” 

She opened the door before walking across the hall to Angel’s room. Knocking first, Jennifer walked in to see that Angel had her back to her and was standing by her bed in nothing but her underwear looking down at the dress that was laying on at the bottom of her bed. Jennifer walked over to her and then bent down to her eye level. 

“Why aren’t you dressed yet?” she asked. 

“Because I don’t like these colors and I don’t want to wear this dress,” Angel said, folding her arms over her chest. 

“Sweetie, everyone is going to be wearing the same colors. It is called a dress code.”

“Well, I’m not like everyone and I still don’t want to wear this,” Angel turned to look at her mother. 

“Thank you for voicing your opinion, but you are still going to wear this dress,” Jennifer said, in her mother's voice letting Angel know that she will do as she was told.  

Angel looked down knowing that she had lost the battle when that tone came out. Lowering her arms and slowly reaching for the white shirt that had to go on before the dress, she saw her mother reach over and pick on the shirt. Then her mother helped her get dressed before braiding her long hair. Angel watched her while thinking that she wished she could just wear the blue jeans and blue shirt that she liked better but she knew that her mother wouldn’t have it. 

Once Jennifer got Angel all dressed and ready for school, she kissed the top of her head while looking at her through her mirror in her bathroom. “You look very beautiful,” she told her. 

“Thanks mother,” Angel replied. 

Jennifer smiled, took Angel’s hand and then walked down the stairs before walking into the kitchen. She noticed that Jonathan was already seated at the table with a cup of coffee in front of him. 

“Daddy,” Angel let go of Jennifer’s hand and ran into her father’s open arms. 

Jonathan was overjoyed to see his little Angel, opening wide his arms upon hearing her voice. Picking her up when she ran to him and then kissed her cheek. Noticing that Angel didn’t release him right away, he held her tighter while rubbing her back. After a moment, she sat up and looked up at him with those beautiful blue eyes. “Morning, kiddo,” he said. 

“Morning Daddy,” Angel said, with a smile on her face. Kissed her father on the cheek before getting off his lap and sitting down in her chair. 

“You look very pretty, kiddo,” Jonathan complimented her. 

Angel just looked at her father before looking back down at her plate. 

Jonathan looked at Jennifer who had a smirk on her face. He knew that Jennifer wanted Angel to act properly, he was okay with it but it always amazed him how Angel wasn’t too happy about how she had to wear dresses all the time. He thought it only had to do with her age but even then, he found it funny.  

After breakfast, Jennifer helped Angel get her backpack while Jonathan went to retrieve the car. They drove Angel to her school and walked her in. Angel wouldn’t let go of her mother’s hand the whole way through. Once they reached her classroom, Jonathan looked around. The walls were painted tan, there were two bulletin boards hanging the walls, ABC’s and numbers were hanging on the wall. There was a teachers desk in front of the classroom, bookcases under the window and tables with chairs at them for the kids. Smiling, he was pleased that at least the classroom looked like a classroom instead of a jail. Once Angel was dropped off, the Harts left. Jonathan thought he saw a tear in Angel’s eye but knowing his daughter, he knew that she wouldn’t cry in public. 

That year was hard on Angel and her parents thought it was just because it was her first year of school as well as being away from her parents. The school called Mrs. Hart on more than one occasion in regards to Angel. Her teachers were worried about her. Not only did she not want to participate in any of the activities that required groups of children, she also made no friends. That had Jonathan worried but Jennifer told him that it was just Angel adjusting to her new surroundings. “Give her time, darling. She will come around,” she told him one night they were laying in bed. 

“Nothing has changed much, she still has no friends,” Jennifer thought to herself. Hearing a moan, Jennifer was brought out of her thoughts. Before she could react, she watched Jonathan get up from his seat and bend down in front of Angel. 

Jonathan had been watching Angel sleep when he looked over at Jennifer. Seeing the wrinkle on her forehead told him that she was deep in thought. Wondering what she was thinking about, till he noticed that she was staring at Angel. He then knew that she was thinking about her. It had been a hard few days. They had some talking to do about Angel and her tutor but he didn’t want to do it in front of Angel even though she was sleeping. He knew that Angel could play like she was sleeping but was fully awake to know what was going on. In this case, he didn’t think that she was faking it but it was still not a chance he wanted to take. 

He was about to bring Jennifer out of her thoughts when he heard some moaning coming from the sofa. Turning his attention back to Angel who started to stir. Getting up, he walked over to her and bent down as he put his hand on her back. Moving some loose hair from her face before kissing her cheek. He was about to sit up when he heard a faint little voice, “Don’t leave me.” Playing with her hair, he answered, “I’ll never leave you, kiddo.” Feeling her instantly relaxed, he kept playing with her hair and rubbing her back. 

Jennifer watched Jonathan help Angel while she was dreaming. Hearing him tell her that he wasn’t leaving her, she knew that Angel must be having the start of a bad dream and was thankful to have her father by her side. Watching him comfort her brought back another memory to her when Angel was three years old. 

Jennifer was sitting at her desk in her bedroom finishing a letter to her father. She was about done when she heard the patter of little feet come running into the room. Looking up, she watched Angel run into their room and up to the desk. 

“Hello, mother. Where is daddy?” Angel asked. 

Before Jennifer could answer, Jonathan called from the bathroom, “In here kiddo.” She watched Angel go running into the bathroom and hearing, “Daddy.” Looking towards the bathroom when Jonathan came out holding Angel in his arms. Smiling at the sight, she thought, “I’ll need to talk to him about Angel just coming on into the bedroom.”

Jennifer spent the rest of the day working while Jonathan took care of Angel. She had been sitting at her desk in the great room when she decided to take a break. She stood by the window to watch Jonathan push Angel on her swing. Smiling at how much she was a daddy’s girl and would do anything that her father asked her to do. She was letting Angel's hair grow out but Angel still wanted it up. Maybe it was her age but it looked better down than up, in her opinion. After a few moments, she turned back to sit at her desk and finish her paper. 

After they had dinner and got Angel in bed, Jennifer and Jonathan were laying in bed. She was laying in his arms, head on his chest while he rubbed her back. "Darling," she said. 

"Hmmm…"

"I would like to talk to you about something concerning Angel."

"What has she done now?" 

"Well, I have noticed that she just comes into our room whenever she wishes. I've been thinking it is time to train her to knock when she wants to come in." 

"We can, but I still want her to be able to just come on in if she is sick or has a nightmare."

Jennifer sat up, "Jonathan, she could still knock even then. I don't think it is respectful for her to just walk in on some actions and not others."

Jonathan rubbed her arm, "Jennifer, I have never stepped in on how strict you are with Angel but this is one time I'm putting my foot down. If Angel is not feeling well or has a nightmare, then she can come in and get us. We can prevent her from not just walking in if not for one of those reasons. She is smart enough to understand that." 

"But what if we have an intimate time, I won't have our daughter just walking in. I think we need to train her to knock at all times," she pressed. 

Jonathan shook his head, "She is three years old, if she walks in on us in our intimate time then we will do what other parents do and cover it up. But I won't have our daughter not being able to come to us when she needs us the most."

"Jonathan…"

"Nope, sorry darling but I won't do it." Jonathan let out a sigh, "Look, growing up, I didn't have anyone to hold me when I had a nightmare nor did I have anyone to help me when I didn't feel well. It is scary to not have someone there when you need them the most. I understand why you would like to parent our child the way you wish but this is one thing I can't nor will I do." Still seeing the unsureness in her eyes, he continued, "From three to five years old, children are prone to have nightmares and I don't want our daughter to feel the same way I did when I had nightmares."

Jennifer just sat there listening to Jonathan still not fully convinced that he was right in this area but she wouldn't push it any further at this time. Laying her head back on his chest, she relaxed in his arms thinking about their conversation. She didn't agree with him on this subject, the earlier that they trained Angel to not enter their room the better. Thinking that they would talk about the subject at a later time, she snuggled closer to Jonathan as she let the sleep take over her body. 

At some point of the night, Jennifer reached over to touch her husband, only to find his side of the bed empty. Sitting up, she looked at the clock to see that it was 2am. Getting up and putting on her robe, she walked out of the bedroom to see if she couldn't find her husband. She decided to look in Angel's room first. Walking up to her door, she noticed that the door was open more than normal. Quietly open the door, she saw Jonathan laying on his side but she didn't see Angel. Walking to the end of the bed, she saw that Jonathan had his arms around Angel while she had her head buried on his chest and his shirt was in her fist. Watch them sleep for a moment before quietly leaving the room. She leaned against the wall next to her room before walking down the stairs to go into the kitchen. She got a glass of milk before sitting down on the table to think. 

She got started when she heard, “Everything okay, Mrs. H.” Turning, she said, “You startled me Max.” 

“I’m sorry,” Max replied. Watching her turn back around to face the wall, he retrieved a glass of milk for himself before sitting down with her. Noticing that she was lost in thought and sipping on her milk slowly, he waited for her to make the first move as he took a drink of his milk. 

Breaking the silence, Jennifer asked, “Max, do you think that I’m being too hard on Angel?”  

“Ma'am you know that I don’t interfere with how Mr. H and you parent Angel. But if you would like to give me some more information, I will be happy to help you the best that I can,” Max answered. 

“Well, Jonathan and I were talking this evening about how I would like to start training Angel to knock when she wants to enter our room. At this time, she just runs right in as if she owns it. But Jonathan wants her to come in if she has a nightmare or doesn't feel well and I disagree with him. The earlier that we get this straightened out the better. It’s not proper or respectful for Angel to just walk into our room. Max, who is right?” 

Max sat there thoughtfully for a moment before answering. “Honestly, Mrs. H, I think that both of you are right. As a child, I assume that you had both your parents at Angel’s age and when you had a nightmare or didn’t feel well, you could knock on your parents door for help. Mr. H, didn’t have that growing up. When he had a nightmare or didn’t feel well, he had to fight it on his own. Even when he came to live with me, he still didn’t ask for help when he really needed it. It took him over a year to finally come to me. So you see Mrs. H, you had the proper raising and Mr. H didn’t. I’m sure he understands where you are coming from but he also doesn’t want your daughter to go through what he went through as a child. Also if she is having a nightmare then she won’t be thinking of knocking on the door because she will be scared and want to reach one or both of you right away.” 

Jennifer sat there listening to every word and picking up on some of the same phrases that Jonathan had used earlier. Thanking Max, before heading back up to bed, she thoughtfully climbed the stairs. She still didn’t see eye to eye on the subject, but maybe she could get Jonathan to elaborate more. Stopping at the top of the stairs, she watched Angel’s door open and Jonathan walked out. 

Jonathan slowly got up once he knew that Angel was sound asleep. When he walked out of the room, he noticed Jennifer standing at the top of the stairs looking at him. Holding his arm out for her, welcoming her into his embrace, they walked back into their room. Once back in bed, he pulled her close to him and kissed her head before they both fell back to sleep. 

The next morning, Jennifer was fixing her hair while Jonathan was getting dressed. Letting out a sigh, she said, “Darling.”

“Yes,” he replied. 

“Why did you get out of bed last night?” 

“Once you fell asleep, I thought I heard Angel making some noise and so I thought I would go check on her.” 

“Oh…was she okay?” 

“Yes, I think she was dreaming in her sleep. She relaxed the moment I laid down with her, just like someone else I know,” he walked into the main area of the dressroom. Seeing the look on her face through the mirror told him that something was on her mind. Walking over to her, placing his hands on her shoulders as he asked, “What are you thinking?”

Looking at Jonathan behind her, she answered, “I thought you went to Angel because of the disagreement that we had.”

Kissing the top of her head, “No darling, I didn’t leave for that reason. Just because we don’t see eye to eye on Angel, that would never be a reason for me to walk out on you.” 

Turning on her stool, standing up and wrapping her arms around his waist. “Darling, I still don’t think that we need Angel just coming into our room without knocking.” 

Letting out a sigh, “I hear you, but I still won’t back down. Sorry, darling.” 

Jennifer gave him a kiss, “Will you at least elaborate more of this subject later so I can understand your point of view?” 

“I would be happy too,” Jonathan kissed her back. 

Jennifer walked over to the door and opened it. Upon stepping out, something caught her eye. Looking down, she saw Angel sitting up against the other door of your bedroom. She had her legs pulled up to her small little body, arms around her legs and face on her knees. 

“Angel,” Jennifer said. 

Angel stood up upon hearing her say her name but didn’t look up at her. 

Jonathan saw Jennifer just standing outside of their room looking down. Grabbing his jacket, putting it on before walking out and putting his hand on her lower back, he asked, “What’s going on?” Following Jennifer’s gaze, that was when he noticed Angel standing in front of him with her arms straight up and looking at him. Reaching down, he picked Angel up and that was when he noticed the tears rolling down her cheeks. Instantly, she gripped him tightly while burying her face in his neck. Looking at Jennifer who gave him a small shrug, he started rubbing Angel's back before starting to walk down the stairs. 

Jennifer was surprised by how fast Angel reacted to her father's voice. It was when he picked her up that she saw the tear stains on her face. Wondering what could have upset her, she watched as Jonathan started to walk down the stairs. Walking behind them, she noticed the death grip that Angel had on him. Still puzzled at this scene, she followed them to the great room before Jonathan sat down on the sofa with her on his lap. 

Upon sitting down, Jonathan put his hands on Angel’s shoulders and pulled her back so he could look her in the eyes. Pushing some loose hair from her face, he asked, “Kiddo, can you tell me what made you so upset?” 

“I had a bad dream,” Angel answered, as she tried to hold back the tears. 

“Can you tell daddy about it?” Jonathan asked, rubbing her arms. 

Playing with the buttons on his shirt, “I dreamed that you got hurt and I couldn’t see you. They wouldn’t let me see you and I didn’t know what happened to you.” 

“I’m not hurt,” he said, softly. 

“But you were hurt, I came running to your room and knocked but they wouldn’t let me in.” 

Feeling the shiver run through Angel, Jonathan asked, “Kiddo, why didn’t you knock on our door to come in and see that I was okay?”

Looking up at him with fresh tears, she said, “I did, but no one came and I thought I wasn’t dreaming.” 

Letting out a breath, Jonathan pulled Angel back into his arms and held her close. Thinking about how scary that must have been for her made his heart ache. Knowing this pain that had wounded his daughter, he pulled her closer to him as she cried and clung to him. 

Sitting next to Jonathan, Jennifer watched the scene unfold in front of her. When she saw the look of sadness on Jonathan’s face, she knew at that moment that she realized what it meant for Angel to come to them when she needed them the most. She made a mental note to let him know that he didn't need to elaborate anymore on the subject, she just got her answer. 

Hearing movement, Jennifer was brought out of her thoughts. Noticing that Jonathan had sat down next to Angel, holding her hand while his head was on the sofa, he was sound asleep. Smiling, she got up and sat behind him to give him some support. 

“No matter how old Angel gets, her father will always be there when she needs him,” she thought to herself, before relaxing for the rest of the trip.

Chapter Text

They were finally in the car on the way to Stephen Edwards’ estate in Maryland. The plane ride was long enough and Angel slept most of the way. Jonathan had been looking in the rear mirror at her who was still sleeping in the backseat of the car. "Jet lag hits her harder than us," he thought. Thinking back to when they landed, he had to carry her from the plane to the car because she wouldn't wake up for either Jennifer or himself. Even though he knew it was jet lag, he still wanted to keep a close eye on her like always. With her, it could last anywhere between a few days to a week. Knowing that they had been in England for three weeks, the hard time she had there and then only a week to readjust back to her normal time before going back to school, Jonathan was a little concerned. When she was in school, they didn't normally leave the states together but this was one time that it couldn't be helped. Although he did get to spend time with her and show her where he proposed to her mother, most of his time was spent at work. Taking one last look at her through the mirror, he hoped that the jet lag wouldn't last long so he could spend time with her this week. 

Taking a glance at Jennifer, who was sitting next to him, he noticed that she was looking out the window. She hadn't said a word on the flight nor on the ride to her father's. Something was off about her and he couldn’t place it, but he could feel it in his bones. Not knowing what it was, it was beginning to concern him. Ever since Angel turned ten, Jennifer seemed to become a totally different person. Even though Angel was always close to her, Jennifer seemed like she didn't want her to leave her side. While growing up, Angel was always checking up on Jennifer, needing to know that she was close by or even walking up to give her hugs all the time. If he couldn't find one of them, he knew to look for the other one and he would find them both. But for the past nine months, Jennifer seemed to have Angel closer than normal. Although Jennifer was overly protective of Angel, it seemed to him like it was getting worse. Every time he would bring the subject up to Jennifer, she would shrug her shoulders and tell him that nothing was wrong.  He hoped that it would work itself out but seeing that it hadn’t yet, he thought he would bring it back up while they are on vacation for the week. 

Jonathan turned on the long driveway that led up to Mr. Edwards’ estate. He noticed that Jennifer looked in the back seat to see that Angel was still sleeping and then turned to Jonathan to give him a smile. Smiling back at her he asked, "Are you excited?"

"Yes, it has been a long while since I've seen Pa," she replied. 

Reaching over, he took her hand into his as she interlocked their fingers together. Giving her hand a little squeeze before bringing her hand to his lips and kissing every finger. Pulling up to Mr. Edwards’ home, he parked the car but before Jennifer could get out, he pulled her close to give her a long kiss. 

"Jonathan, what would Angel say if she saw that?" she asked, once she pulled away. 

"What she always says, that her parents love each other," he replied. "How about you let Stephen know we are here while I try to wake sleeping beauty?"

Looking back at Angel, Jennifer said, "I hope this jet lag doesn't last long."

"Me too," Jonathan said, getting out of the car and opening the back door. Bending down, he put his hand on Angel's face and said, "Kiddo, it's time to wake up." Showing no signs of movement, he tried again, "Angel, coming on sweetheart, it's time to wake up." Moving a little, she tried to open her eyes. "That's it, kiddo. Come on, let me see those pretty blue eyes." 

Angel could hear her father talking to her but she couldn't seem to wake up. Feeling like she was trapped, she was just about to call out when she was able to slowly open her eyes. She saw her father's blue eyes and the smile on his face. Giving him a small smile, she reached up to take his hand. 

"Did you sleep well?" he asked. 

Slowly nodding her head, she felt her father unbuckle her and put his arms around her. Immediately, she wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head down on his shoulder. 

Jonathan just smiled as he picked his daughter up from the car and started walking towards the front door. 

Jennifer had got out of the car while Jonathan was waking Angel up. Knocking on the door, Walter opened it with a smile on his face. 

“Mrs. Hart, welcome back,” he stepped aside to let her in.

“Jennifer,” Mr. Edwards said, walking into the great room. 

“Pa,” Jennifer hugged her father. “It is so good to see you again.” 

“You as well. Where is that son-in-law and granddaughter of mine?” he asked. 

“Jonathan is trying to wake up sleeping beauty.” 

Looking at his watch, he said, “It is one in the afternoon. Isn’t Angel a little old for naps?”  

“She has jet lag,” Jennifer answered. “But that girl will sleep anywhere and at any time that she needs to.” 

Just then, Jonathan walked in carrying Angel while Walter walked in carrying the bags. 

Jennifer turned around and shook her head. “Is she still asleep?” she asked, walking over to Jonathan and started rubbing Angel’s back. She could feel that Angel was relaxed in her father’s arms and that made her smile. Knowing that her father’s arms were her favorite place to sleep. 

“She woke up for a moment but then fell back to sleep as soon as I picked her up,” Jonathan answered, looking at Jennifer smiling.  

Stephen shook his head, “How about you put her in her room to sleep it off, so that way we can all have some fun when she finally wakes up.” 

“Thank you sir,” Jonathan replied. 

Jonathan and Jennifer walked up the stairs to Angel’s room that was next to theirs. Once Jonathan laid Angel on the bed, she turned over onto her side and curled up in a ball. Shaking his head, he got up and left the room so Jennifer could get her changed into something more comfortable. Walking into their bedroom, he started unpacking their bags. Lost in his thoughts, he didn't hear Jennifer walk in. 

Turning from the dresser back to the bed, he jumped when he saw Jennifer standing there. Putting his hand over his heart, "You startled me, darling." 

Seeing how he was in thought, Jennifer walked over to him and put her arms around his waist while laying her head on his chest. Instantly feeling him kiss the top of her head while running his fingers in her hair, made her smile and relax against his touch. 

"Did you get Angel all settled in?" He asked. 

Jennifer looked up. "Yes, she didn't make any effort to help."

Chuckling, he said, "Darling, she is sound asleep."

"This I know, but she normally complies when I change her, even if she is sleeping."

"Well, you would know more about that than I would," he said, before kissing her forehead. Watching her close her eyes, he smiled down at her as she laid her head back on his chest. Pulling her closer, he thought about asking what seemed to be bothering her. Knowing that both of them still worked on opening up to each other although it had gotten better over the years, this was one time he was beginning to get concerned. Deciding to ask her later, he was brought out of his thoughts when he heard, "We better get back to Pa, he would be wondering where we are." Nodding at her, he laced their fingers together and then walked out of the room. 

“How was your flight?” Stephen asked, as Jonathan and Jennifer walked into the great room and took a seat in the chairs across from him as he sat on the sofa. 

“Long,” Jennifer replied. “It feels good to sit down in a seat that isn’t moving.” 

Jonathan chuckled, “Flights overseas are always long flights.” 

“Did you get your business taken care of?” Stephen asked, looking at Jonathan. 

“Yes, board meetings are the worst. Even though they are necessary, they always bore me,” he answered.  

“How about you, Jennifer?” 

“Yes, Pa, the article is done and sent off to be published. I’m more than happy that it is over and I can focus on my family once again.” 

“Family is…” Stephen was about to say when the phone rang and Walter picked it up. 

“It’s for you, sir,” Walter said, turning to Stephen. 

Walking over to the phone, taking the call and then turning to his family. “I have a few things that need clearing up with work. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll take this to the den,” he said.

“That’s okay Pa, I think we will take a walk since Angel is sleeping. The fresh air will do us some good,” Jennifer stood up and took Jonathan by the hand as he stood.  

Nodding, Stephen walked toward the den as Jonathan and Jennifer walked toward the door. “Oh,” he said, turning around to face them. “I’ll have Walter come and get you if Angel wakes.” 

“Thanks Pa, we would appreciate that,” Jennifer answered. 

Jonathan opened the door for Jennifer and then walked out into the open air, which felt good in his lungs. As they walked out on the lawn he took a deep breath. There was a cool breeze with clouds in the sky to hide the rays of the sun. 

“Jonathan…” Jennifer said. 

“Yes,” he answered.

“What are we going to do about Angel’s tutor?”

“Well, first off, I’m going to call the school and tell them what she did. Then I’m going to make sure she will never tutor again.” 

“How many times do you think that she left our daughter alone?” 

“I believe this was the first time and it will be the last time, as far as I’m concerned.” 

“You really think so?” 

“Yes, darling, I believe so. I don’t believe that Angel would have kept it from us if it happened more than once. She told us right after the tutor left yesterday and knowing her, by the last question that she asked, she was worried about what we would do to her.”

“That is what I mean, I heard the question that she asked you and that makes me think that it happened more than once.” 

Thoughtfully, “Seeing where you are coming from, but I still think that this was the first time. Just the same, I don’t think that it would hurt to ask Angel.” 

“I never thought something like that would happen to our little Angel. If Max were here, this would have never happened,” Jennifer said, trying to keep the worry out of her voice.  

Putting his arm around her and pulling her close, Jonathan thought back to the conversation that made him feel like the safety of their daughter was compromised. 

Just as the elevator doors were about to close, Jennifer walked in with a smile on her face. Once the doors closed, Jonathan pulled her close and kissed her hard. 

“Rough day?” Jennifer chuckled. 

“Just happy to see your smiling face,” kissing her once more before the doors opened. Lacing their fingers together, they walked down the corridor to their room. Jonathan opened the door before stepping aside to let Jennifer walk in before him. Walking into the room, he could see that Angel was sitting at the table with Ms. Steel doing her school work. 

Hearing the door open, turning around to see her parents walk in. “Mom! Dad!” Angel called, getting up from her seat and running into their arms. “I’m so happy that you are back.” 

“We are happy to be back,” Jennifer said, holding her daughter close. “Did you get all your studies done?” 

Before Angel could answer, Ms. Steel spoke up, “We just finished up and she is doing amazing, if I may say so myself.”

“Happy to hear it,” Jonathan said, putting his briefcase down. “You are free to go for the evening.” 

“Thank you, Mr. Hart,” Ms. Steel said. 

“Your flight leaves at ten am tomorrow morning, we will drive you to the airport as our flight leaves at the same time.”

“Once again, thank you, Mr. Hart. Have a great evening,” she said, before leaving. 

Jonathan walked over to the sofa, sat down and looked over at Angel who was standing in the middle of the room. By her body language, she was deep in thought about something before turning around and walked up to him. 

“Daddy?” she said. 

“Yes, Kiddo,” he answered.

“How do you handle liars?” 

“Depends on what they lied about. If they lied to me about a business deal, then I will confront them and go from there. If they lie to me to save someone's life, then that would depend on the severity of the lie and how I would handle it.” Watching Angel just nod, she looked down and he noticed that she was chewing on the inside of her lip. Something she did when she was contemplating something. Sitting up, taking her hands into his, “Why do you ask?” 

Looking into his eyes, she said, “Because Ms. Steel was lying to you.” 

“Lied to me about what?”

“I didn’t just finish my school work, I finished my school work hours ago.” 

Thoughtfully, he answered, “Well, that kind of a lie isn’t too bad, even though I don’t like it.” Seeing the look of concern on her face, he asked, “Kiddo, what is bothering you?” 

“Ms. Steel couldn’t have known when I finished my school work.” 

“Why is that?” 

Looking down at their hands, she said, “Because she wasn’t here when I did it.” 

Jonathan was confused. “What do you mean that she wasn’t here?” 

Angel looking back at her father. “She left not long after mother and you left. She had arrived not long before you both got back. She told me that I shouldn’t say anything about her being gone and then she had me sit at the table to make it look like we were working on my schooling.” 

Jonathan just looked at Angel while he was trying to process what she had just told him. Once he got his voice back, he asked, “You were here all by yourself, all day?” 

“Yes, sir, I didn’t do anything wrong. I stayed in the great room and my own room for most of the day. Once I got my school work done, I just read and took a nap. I promise daddy, I behaved,” Angel said, quickly. Looking down, “Daddy, am I in trouble?”

Taken aback by her question, “No, kiddo, why would you ask that?” 

“Because I was left by myself all day and I know that I’m not supposed to.” 

Bring a finger to her chin and have her look at him, “No kiddo, you are not in trouble. You did the right thing by telling me.” 

“What a relief, that is a load off my mind,” she let out a sigh. “Daddy?”

“Hmm…” 

“I’m hungry.” 

Smiling, he pulled her into a tight hug, “We’ll go get dinner as soon as your mother comes back out.” Looking up, he saw Jennifer standing up against the door frame of their bedroom with anger written on her face. 

Hearing Jennifer’s voice brought him out of his thoughts. 

“I can’t believe that someone would leave a ten year old in a hotel room all by herself. All the things that could have happened to her. Oh, Jonathan…” she turned to face him. 

Putting his hands on her shoulders, “I know, darling, believe me I know. This is not something I take lightly. Maybe we should rethink having a tutor come with us if we should travel in the future.” 

“Jonathan, we can’t have our daughter skip school because we need to travel.” 

“No, but they can give us her school work and then go with one of us so we can keep an eye on her.” 

“I suppose you are right, I just hate to pull her out of school and not have a tutor to help her.” 

“I understand, but I don’t think I’ll trust another tutor to watch our daughter.” 

Pulling him in for a hug, “I hear you.” 

After a few moments, they started the walk back to the house. 

Once they arrived, they saw Angel standing in the middle of the great room looking around. She let out a sigh when she saw her parents. 

“Sweetheart, it is good to see you up,” Jennifer said, walking over to her as she hugged her tightly. Pushing some loose hair from her face and she could see that Angel had her eyes closed. Feeling Jonathan put his hand on her back as he brought his hand to Angel’s hair. Hearing Angel let out a sigh, she looked up to see her father walk into the room. 

“I see that sleeping beauty woke up,” Stephen said. Smiling at the sight of all three of them together brought a warm feeling to his heart. 

“Yes, but she is still very sleepy,” Jennifer said. 

“Dinner will be ready soon if you are hungry.” 

“Thanks Pa, I know I am,” Jennifer said. 

Jonathan nodded but noticed that Angel didn’t move from her mothers arms. “Angel may not eat,” he said. 

“She is a growing young lady,” Stephen said. 

“Yes she is, but when she has jet lag, she doesn’t eat,” Jonathan replied. “Growing young lady is right. She is only ten and she is already to her mother’s midriff,” he thought to himself. 

Stephen just chuckled before walking out of the room to go back to his dean. 

Jennifer kissed Angel on the top of the head, “Angel, honey.” 

“Hmmm…” came a faint reply. 

“Let’s go sit on the sofa, I have a question for you,” Jennifer said, leading Angel over to the sofa. 

Angel let out a yawn as she sat between her parents. “How may I help you?” she asked, leaning into her father’s arms. 

Jennifer raised any eyebrow as she watched Angel close her eyes once again. “That is a new question. She is proper but when she is sleepy, for some reason the proper side comes out more," she thought to herself. By the look on Jonathan’s face, she knew he was thinking the same thing. “Angel, we would like to ask you about your tutor,” she said. 

“What about her? She left me alone all day long and I thought I was the one that would get into trouble,” Angel replied, opening her eyes to look at her mother. 

“Was that the first time that she left you alone?” 

“Yes, mother.” Seeing the look on her mothers face told her that she didn’t believe her, “Mom, I promise, I would have told you sooner if it was done more than once.” 

Looking at Jonathan, Jennifer nodded as he winked at her. This was the first time that she was left alone but the thought of it still worried her. Knowing how worried she was, she can only imagine how Jonathan was handling this. No one messes with his girls, especially his only child. She watched him kiss Angel on the head as she snuggled closer to him. Smiling at them, she heard Walter walk in. 

“Dinner is served,” he said. 

“Thank you Walter, we will be right there,” Jennifer replied. 

They got up from the sofa while Angel leaned on Jonathan as they walked into the dining room. Stephen was seated at the head of the table, Jennifer sat on the side closest to the window, Angel sat across from her mother and Jonathan sat at the other end of the table. While they all talked about business, Jonathan was watching Angel. She wasn’t eating but playing with her food. That was normal for her when she had jet lag but what was not normal was the coloring in her face. Her skin condition was quite pale and she was rubbing her head as if she was trying to not fall asleep.  

The longer Angel sat there, the worse she felt. Her stomach was doing turns, she felt like she was in an oven and her head was beginning to pound. Putting down her fork, she said, “May I please go lie down?” 

Jonathan said, “Of course, Kiddo.” Putting down his napkin and getting up from the table, “I’ll help you.” 

Walking Angel to her room, Jonathan noticed that she was leaning heavily on him for support. Looking down at her, her eyes were closed and her arms were tightly around his waist. Walking half asleep, he stopped to pick her up and carry her the rest of the way. Laying her on bed, he covered her up with the blankets and pushed some hair from face, that was when he thought she felt a little warm. Just thinking that she was really tired, he kissed her forehead before returning to dinner. 

Later that evening, Jennifer was laying in bed with Jonathan. He was sound asleep with his arms wrapped around her waist. Slightly rubbing his arm, her thoughts went to her daughter who was sleeping in the room next to theirs. Noticing her skin color turn pale and that she seemed very tired, had her concerned. Normally when Angel had jet lag, all she did was sleep, not look sick. Lifting her husband's arm, she slowly got out of bed, grabbed her robe from the bottom of the bed and put it on. Walking out of her room and to Angel’s room, she opened the door slowly so as to not wake her up. She saw her laying on her back. Walking over to the bed, Jennnifer became very concerned. From the light of the window she could see that Angel was perspiring quite a bit. Turning on the lamp next to the bed, she sat down and felt her forehead. She was burning up. 

Becoming frightened, she screamed, “Jonathan!!”

Chapter Text

Hearing the sudden scream from his wife woke Jonathan up. Jumping out of the bed, he ran into Angel’s room where he found Jennifer sitting on the side of the bed. When she looked up at him, he could see that she was worried as she said, “Angel is burning up.” Reaching down to touch her forehead, he could tell that the fever was high. 

“What happened?” a voice came from the doorway. 

“Do you have a thermometer,” Jonathan asked, not taking his eyes off of Angel.  

“Yes, of course,” Stephen said, walking down the hall. Moments later, he returned with a thermometer and handed it to Jonathan, “Here you go.” 

“Thanks,” Jonathan replied, taking it from him and putting it in Angel’s mouth. After taking it out, he looked at it, “102.8”

“I’ll call Dr. Kidwell,” Stephen said, leaving the room. 

Jonathan couldn’t take his eyes off of his daughter who was now starting to shake as he watched Jennifer pull the blanket tighter around their daughter. Standing there stunned, he thought, “When could she have gotten this sick? How long has she been sick? I missed the signs, I knew she was warm but didn’t say anything. This was all my fault.” Hearing Stephen’s voice brought him out of his thoughts. 

“Dr. Kidwell is on his way,” Stephen said, walking into the room. He could see that both of them were worried as they had the right to be. A fever as high as Angel had could prove to be deadly. Knowing that Angel was strong, well fed and young, he knew that she would have a lot going for her but he was still worried about her. After standing there for a moment watching Angel, he went into the washroom to get a wet cloth to put on her forehead. Returning to the bedroom, he sat on the opposite side of the bed and laid the cool cloth on her. From the corner of his eye, he saw Jennifer look at him. Knowing that she was in shock he said, “This will help keep her cool.” 

Jennifer sat by Angel’s side holding her hand as fear gripped her heart. “How could she be this sick? How long? Will she get better? She has to get better,” she thought to herself. Watching her father put a cloth on Angel’s forehead, she couldn’t help the tears that threatened to escape at any moment. Looking up at Jonathan only to see him looking down at Angel, she felt her heart ache for him too. Turning her attention back to Angel, she hoped that everything would be okay. 

“Dr. Kidwell is here, sir,” Walter spoke from the doorway. 

“Send him in,” Stephen said. Making eye contact with Jonathan, he nodded at him as he received one back. Just then the doctor walked in. 

Jonathan put his hands on Jennifer’s shoulders, “Darling, let’s let the doctor take a look at her.” 

Reluctantly, she stood protesting, “No, I want to stay with my daughter.” 

“I know you do and so do I, but let’s let the doctor do his job and help our daughter,” Jonathan said, pulling her tightly into his arms. 

“Could you all clear the room, please,” Dr. Kidwell asked. 

“No, I won’t leave her. Not when she needs me the most,” Jennifer protested. 

“Come on darling, Angel is in good hands and she will be back to her normal self very soon,” Jonathan reassured her. Walking out of the room, they headed to the great room and waited for the doctor. 

Stephen was last to walk out of Angel’s room, closing the door he saw Walter standing in the hall and he could tell that he was worried. “We don’t know, Walter. All we know is that she is sick,” he told him. Wiping his face with his hand, “Walter, will you bring some coffee into the great room? I have a feeling that this is going to be a long night.” 

“Yes, sir,” he said, walking away while saying a prayer of his own. 

Stephen looked back at the door and quietly said, “Please get better my dear Angel.” Turning toward the great room, he found both Jonathan and Jennifer sitting on the sofa with Jonathan's arms wrapped around her tightly. Taking the seat in the chair across from them, he placed his elbows on the arms of the chair, bringing his hands together and resting his forehead on his fingers. 

  There was silence in the room when the doctor walked in. Jonathan, being the first to see him, stood up and asked, "How is she?" Feeling Jennifer's hand, he laced his fingers with hers while listening to the doctor's response. 

"It's not good, how long has she been like this?" he asked. 

"We aren't sure, she felt a little warm to me when she went to bed but knowing how tired she was, I didn't think anything about it," Jonathan answered. 

"When was that?"

"Around five this evening."

"May I ask why she was so tired?"

"We were flying from England to visit my wife's father, both my wife and I had business there. Angel normally gets jet lag and sleeps a lot for the first few days back in the states."

"When did you fly back into the states?"

"Today, we arrived around noon."

Thoughtfully, the doctor stood there for a moment. Knowing that the family had just returned from England had him a little worried. Not to alarm the family till he was able to make some calls, he asked, "What was her temperature before you called me?" He asked. 

"102.8," Jonathan answered. 

Shaking his head, the doctor said, "What I can tell you right now is that your daughter has some kind of virus. After running some tests, we shall know what it is and how to treat her. Since you called me, her temperature has gone up to over a 103 and it doesn't seem to be dropping. That's not a good sign. We need to get her temperature down before her body goes into shock." Looking at Stephen, he asked, "Mr. Edwards, do you have anything we can use to put under her so we can keep ice and cool clothes on her at all times?"

"We have plastic bags," he answered. 

"Those would work great, could you please get them for me," he asked. Stephen nodded at him before walking out of the room. Turning around to go back to Angel, he was stopped by hearing Jonathan ask, "She is going to be okay, isn't she?" Turning back to the parents, he could see how worried they were for their little girl but he couldn't give them the answer he knew that they wanted to hear. He replied, "Right now my main concern is getting the fever down, we shall go from there." Then he turned and walked away so he wouldn't get any more questions. 

Jennifer stood there for a moment before letting go of her husband's hand and wrapping her arms around him tightly as she buried her head on his chest. The thought of her baby girl being this sick scared her. Wishing that she could take this from her, she squeezed Jonathan tighter as for support. 

Jonathan held onto his wife tightly while rubbing her back while his thoughts were on his little girl. Angel was not one to get sick but when she did, it would take her out for a few days. He hoped that this would pass as quickly as it came but something told him that this wasn't going away anytime soon. 

                                                                                                                     ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Angel leaned on her father heavily as he walked to her room for the evening. Feeling him pick her up, she snuggled closer to him and held on. She had the strangest feeling that this might be the last time her father would be able to hold her and that scared her. She wanted to say something but she didn't have the strength to. Jet lag she was used to but not this. This wasn't normal, never having this feeling before had her concerned. Normally, she would sleep and not eat but she felt like she was going to vomit. Her stomach hurt so bad that when her father laid her on the bed, she curled up in a ball and held her stomach. Feeling his hand on her head brought her comfort but then, as quickly as it came, it left.

"Don't go," she thought. "Please don't go."

Not one to get scared very easily, fear was gripping her tightly at the moment and she didn't know why. 

As time went on, she was feeling worse. Her head started pounding, stomach was in knots and she was burning up. 

"Getting too hot," she thought. 

In an attempt to remove the covers, she found out that she couldn't lift her arms. After a moment, she tried once again, but still nothing. It was no use, she felt like something had her pinned down. Next she tried to open her eyes but that didn't work either. All she could see was black. 

"Mommy!! Daddy!!" she called, but no one answered. She called again but still nothing. 

"Need Mommy! Need Daddy," she thought, as she felt the tears welling up in her eyes or was that the perspiration from her brow.

It was silent for a while till she heard the door open and then her mother's scream. Then her father was in the room but there was something wrong. She was trying to talk to them but to no avail. She wanted to tell them that she could hear them but she couldn't and that made her upset. She could hear the worry and pain in their voices. Then the voices faded and she felt like she was falling. Letting out a scream, she landed on something soft. Scared to open her eyes but doing so anyway, what she saw amazed her. Looking straight up was the most beautiful blue sky she had ever seen. Waiting a few moments to make sure that she wasn't going to fall again before turning her head to see what she landed on, it was a mattress like she had thought. Pushing herself up, she looked around and was shocked. No matter where she turned her attention to, all she saw was flowers! A full field of flowers. Swinging her legs over the bed, she jumped off onto the softest grass she had ever set foot onto.  Bending down to take a better look at the flowers, there were three different kinds, red Roses, yellow Daffodils and Sunflowers.

Standing back up, she said, "Where am I?" 

"You are in the sweet garden, sweetie," came a voice from behind that made her freeze. 

                                                                                                                      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jonathan and Jennifer walked into Angel's room where they saw Dr. Kidwell standing next to the bed holding her arm and looking at his watch. She looked so lifeless. Stephen walked in holding the bags. 

"Here are the bags you wanted," Stephen said. "Walter is bringing in some ice."

Dr. Kidwell turned around, took the bags and said, "Thank you Stephen." Looking at Jonathan, "Could you help me please?"

Letting go of Jennifer, he replied, "Yes, what do you need?"

"I need you to pick Angel up so I can lay the bags on the bed."

Nodding, Jonathan walked over to the bed, bent down and picked Angel up. He could feel the heat radiating from her body. Looking down at her, he could see how red her face was from the fever that was invading her body. She snuggled closer to him as he kissed her forehead. As tears came to his eyes, he wished that he could take this from her. 

"Okay, Mr. Hart, you can lay her back down on the bed," the doctor instructed. 

Laying Angel down gently, he stood by her bed for a moment before he heard, "I need someone to get towels soaked in cool water. Not cold but cool, we need to bring this fever down." Looking up, he said, "I can get those." He walked into the bathroom to retrieve the towels. 

Stephen walked in with Walter, they each were holding buckets of ice. He said, "Here is the ice."

"Oh good, let's wait for Mr. Hart to come back with the towels so we can lay the ice on them. I don't want to lay it directly on her skin," Dr. Kidwell answered. 

Jonathan returned to the room with the towels that he and the doctor laid on Angel. Laying them on her from the neck down made her look like she was in a cocoon. Next, he grabbed the bowl of water and went back into the bathroom to rinse it out and refill it. 

Stephen helped the Doctor put the ice on the towels next to Angel's body before turning around and seeing Jennifer standing there just watching. His heart ached for his daughter, he thought, "This is the worst thing in the world to go through." 

Jennifer stood off the side watching Jonathan, the doctor and even her father do all they could to help Angel. She wanted to help but she felt like she would be in the way if she even tried. Finally fixing her eyes on her little girl that was laying in the bed, she thought about how horrible it must be for her. She had never been this sick before. A common cold, slight fever, or even an upset stomach, but nothing like this. Was it life threatening or would she walk away from it all like nothing ever happened? Pulling her arms around herself, as if to hug the pain away, she wished that she could just hold Angel at the moment. 

Jonathan had returned with the water and put it on the nightstand when the doctor told him, "Go get some rest." When he tried to protest, the doctor held his hand up and said, "Someone is going to have to be by her side night and day till we can get the fever down. Now I know that this is your little girl and you want to be by her side, but if you don't get the proper rest, then you will end up getting sick too. I'll take the first watch, now go get some rest. That's an order." Jonathan nodded at him knowing he was right. Neither Jennifer nor himself had gotten much sleep and they needed to be well rested in order to take care of their little one.

Turning around, he faced Jennifer who was still looking at Angel. Stepping in front of her, he took her into his arms and walked her to their room. 

Jennifer protested the whole way, "Jonathan, that is my baby girl in there. I won't leave her."

Closing the door behind them, he put his hands on her shoulders, "Darling, I know you want to stay with Angel as much as I do. But the doctor is right, we both need rest in order for us to take care of her."

"I don't know how much rest I'll get knowing that she is that sick," Jennifer said, leaning her head on his chest. 

Rubbing the back of her neck, he thought, "That's the truth." Leading her over to the bed, they laid down and tried to get some sleep, which proved to be very hard for both of them. 

                                                                                                                     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Once they all had gone back to bed, Dr. Kidwell kept putting ice and cool towels on Angel in hopes to bring her temperature down. Although feeling guilty for not telling her parents the whole story, but he didn't want them to worry more than they already were. Once he had all his facts together that was when he would tell them. Thinking that he should get started on that, he began making some phone calls - needing to find out if this was the same virus that he thought it was. Calling his assistant first, he hoped that he was wrong, telling his assistant to get over to the house and pick up the vial with Angel's blood in it and run some tests. Then to call and only speak to him about the results. Then he made a call to a friend of his in England to discuss the symptoms Angel was experiencing and to find out all he could from him. After talking to him, it proved that she had all the same symptoms and that was not good. Putting his face in his hands, he thought, "Please live Angel."

                                                                                                                     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jonathan looked at his watch to see what time it was. Five twenty AM. Only two hours of sleep but he felt like he didn’t sleep at all. It was three in the morning by the time that they went back to bed but it still took some time before he fell back to sleep. Snuggling closer to Jennifer, kissing her head before she started to stir. She turned to face him and he leaned down to give her a kiss. Once he pulled away, he pulled her closer to him when he heard her let out a sigh. 

“I think that we need to go check on Angel,” Jennifer said softly. 

Jonathan nodded as he got out of the bed. Taking her hand, after getting their robes on, they walked out of the room and into Angel’s room. He could see that the doctor was putting a towel on her legs. 

Dr. Kidwell looked up, giving the Harts a small smile. Standing up straight with his hands on his hips, he watched them both lean down to give Angel a kiss on the forehead. 

“How is she?” Jonathan asked. 

“No change,” he replied. 

Letting out a sigh, Jennifer asked, “Is her temperature down?”

“No, ma’am,” he answered. “I’m currently waiting for a call from my assistant with the results of her test. How are you two feeling?”

“My daughter is sick! We don’t know anything! You won’t tell us anything!!! We are tired, worn out, worried and you have the nerve to ask us how we are doing?!” Jennifer shouted. 

“Darling,” Jonathan said, calmly. He placed her hands on her shoulders to hold her back as she yelled at the doctor. 

They both looked down when they heard Angel let out a moan. Jennifer reached down to touch her forehead and she calmed down immediately. 

Not surprised at her reaction, Dr. Kidwell said, “Mrs. Hart, I understand that this is hard on you-” 

Jennifer interrupted, “Don’t you tell me that you understand! What could you know about what I’m dealing with?” Angel let out another moan and she turned to look back at daughter. 

“Darling, raising your voice is upsetting Angel,” Jonathan said, softly. 

“I have three children of my own,” Dr. Kidwell spoke softly. “Last year, my little girl got very sick and died.” 

Jennifer looked up at him shocked, “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.” 

“No need,” he replied. “May I ask how you feel?”

“Tired but fine,” Jennifer answered. Jonathan nodded to let him know that he felt the same. 

Nodded, “Please let me know if you feel any different.” 

Jonathan nodded once again before taking Jennifer by the hand to lead her back into their room to get ready for the day. 

Later that morning, Jonathan walked into Angel’s room to check on her when the doctor asked if he could talk to him in the other room. Walking into the great room where Jennifer and Stephen sat on the sofa. They stood up as Jennifer took Jonathan’s hand. 

“What I’m about to say is not easy for me and I hope that it turns out better for your little Angel.” Dr. Kidwell started. Taking a deep breath, “After all of you retired for the evening, I made a few phone calls. The first one was to my assistant, to get her blood work tested and the second one was to a friend of mine that lives in England. With Angel’s test result and what my friend told me, your daughter is very sick.” 

“With what?” Jonathan asked, squeezing Jennifer’s hand. 

“It is a new virus that we don’t have a name for nor do we have medicine to cure it,” he answered. 

“Have there been any survivors?” Stephen asked.

“Sadly, no,” Dr. Kidwell answered, putting his head down.

“Oh Jonathan,” Jennifer cried, grabbing him. 

Jonathan grabbed his wife and she cried on his shoulder. “She can’t die, she just can’t,” he thought. Burying his head on her shoulder, he held on tighter. Feeling a hand on his back, he knew that Stephen had come over to help comfort both of them. 

                                                                                                                           ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Angel stood there for a moment before slowly turning around to see who was standing behind her. She saw a woman about 5’7, having red hair, wearing a long white dress with a white veil over her face. 

“Who are you?” she asked. 

“My name is not important at this time but what is important is that I know who you are,” the woman replied. 

“I would like to know who I’m talking to.”

“Oh sweet girl-”

“Don’t call me that! Only my mother can call me that.” 

“I know your mother too.”

“Really, then what's her name?” 

“Jennifer Edwards Hart and you are her daughter, Angel Jeanine Hart. Your mother’s favorite flower is red roses and yours is yellow daffodils.” 

Angel stood there looking at the woman, she didn’t feel threatened by her even though she didn’t know her nor did she know how she knew about her mother and herself. The longer she stood there looking at her, she felt peaceful. Looking around the field once more was when she realized that her mothers favorite flowers were all around her as well as her favorites. “Why are there sunflowers,” she thought. Turning back to the woman, Angel saw her holding her hand out to her. Taking her hand before starting to go walk with her. She then heard her mother’s voice, she sounded upset and hurt. 

“I need to go back, Mother needs me,” Angel said, stopping. 

“You will soon but right now you need to stay here.” 

“For how long?” Angel waited for her to respond but there came none. They just kept walking. 

                                                                                                                      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was two in the afternoon and Jonathan was sitting next to Angel. He was relieving Jennifer who had been by her side since six this morning, went and laid down. She protested but Jonathan told her she needed rest and he would take care of Angel. After some convincing, Jennifer went to lay down.

Jonathan sat there looking at his little girl and talking to her. “Hey Kiddo, I know that you are not feeling the best right now but I need you to fight. We can’t lose you, Angel we…” his voice gave out. Wiping the tears, “Angel, baby, you need to come back to us. Fight, fight with all that is within you! I love you, kiddo.”  

Angel started to make noise in her sleep, Jonathan reached under the towel and grabbed her hand. She immediately calmed down. “This is one nightmare I wish we could all wake up from,” he thought. Thinking about nightmares brought back a memory of her when she was eight. 

Jennifer was suddenly woken up by the sound of Jonathan screaming. Turning over, she could see that he was thrashing around under the sheets but before she could say or even touch him, he sat straight up and screamed. Seeing that he was breathing heavily, she put her hand on his shoulder and he jumped. “Easy,” she said, softly. 

“Oh, Jennifer,” he said, falling into her arms. Gripping her tightly while burying his head on her shoulder and breathing hard while doing his best to calm down. 

Jennifer started to rub his back while talking to him softly. “It’s okay, it’s over,” she told him. Feeling him nod, she put a hand in his hair to massage his head. 

After some time, Jonathan sat up, wiped his face and nodded at her. Giving her a small smile, he heard a click. Turning toward the door and then back at Jennifer, they got out of bed to see what the sound was. Seeing no one in the hall, Jonathan walked over to Angel’s room. Looking into her room, he could see that her back was to the door but she was slightly shaking. Walking over to her bed and taking a seat, he touched her arm and she turned to face him. From the light of the window he could see that she had been crying. 

“Are you all right, Kiddo?” he asked. 

Surprised, she asked, “Am I all right? Are you all right, Daddy?” 

She was worried about him, thinking that she must have heard his screams and came to check on him. Pulling her into his arms, holding her closer he said, “Yes, kiddo, I’m all right.”

“Are you sure?” she whispered in his ear. 

“Yes, kiddo, I’m all right,” he replied. 

Jonathan held and rocked Angel back to sleep before they returned to bed themselves. 

The next morning at the breakfast table, Jonathan was concerned because Angel wasn't eating. Looking up at Jennifer to see that she was watching her as well. Putting his napkin down, he asked, “Angel, are you all right?”

“Yes, Daddy,” she replied, not looking up from her plate. 

Concerned, he asked, “Angel, will you please look at me?”

Slowly looking up, Angel said, “Yes, sir.” 

“Something is bothering you, could you tell Daddy what it is?”

“Are you really okay?” 

Understanding that she was still thinking about the night before, he held his hand out for her to take it. "Come here," he said, scooting back and putting Angel on his lap. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he said, "Yes, Angel, I'm really okay."

"What made you scream like that?" she asked, looking in the eyes. 

Smiling at her, "You know how you sometimes have a bad dream that scares you and the scream wakes you up?" 

"Yes." 

"That is what happened to me, I had a bad dream and it scared me." 

"It must have been some dream to make you scream like that. You never scream in the middle of the night. What bad dream did you have?"

Taking a sharp breath, "Well, long before you were born and long before your mother and I met, I was in the Navy-"

"You mean the Military?"

"Yes, the Military. Well, Daddy saw and did things that sometimes give me bad dreams."

"Does Mommy comfort you like she does me when I have those bad dreams?" Angel asked, looking over at her mother. 

Smiling at Jennifer, who was watching them both, "Yes, Mommy knows how to comfort really well."

Angel laid her head on his shoulder and started playing with his shirt sleeve. 

Kissing the top of her head, he asked, "How long were you standing at the door?"

"Not long, I heard the scream and came running. When I opened the door I saw Mom holding you and when you calmed down, I left quietly."

"Why didn't you come in?"

"I didn't knock on the door and I wasn't the one that needed help."

Hearing a slight chuckle from Jennifer, he just had to smile but his heart hurt for his little girl. "Angel, I wouldn't mind if you came to check on me. Were you scared by the scream?"

Shaking her head, softly she replied, "Startled but not scared. I was more worried than anything."

Pulling her closer as she wrapped her arms around his waist. Looking up at Jennifer, he could see the tears in her eyes. Smiling at her, then looking down at Angel, he said, "Would you like to go to work with Daddy today?"

Sitting up with a smile, "Yes please."

" Okay, but first you have to get out of those jeans and put on a dress."

"I'll be done in five," she said, jumping off his lap and running out of the room. 

Jonathan sat back thinking, flashbacks affected everyone and his heart hurt knowing that his little girl had to witness it. It was bad enough that Jennifer had to but now Angel, it was a bit much. Feeling arms wrap around him from behind, he brought his hands up to her arms and leaned into her touch. 

"I'm proud of you," Jennifer said softly in his ear. 

"Me? Why?" he asked, puzzled. 

"Because you opened up to her and I know that is hard for you to do. I'm so proud of you." Giving his cheek a kiss, "Don't beat yourself up over it, she is smart and loves you very much. She proved that last night when she came to check on you. Even if she didn't knock on the door."

"Jennifer…"

"Hush, I'm not upset about it. I would have preferred her to knock but given the circumstance, I'm proud of her for checking on you." 

"You're amazing," he said, turning his head to give her a kiss.

Pulling away, she said, "I would like to know something."

"Anything."

"How in the world can you get her into a dress and she fights me every time?"

Chuckling, "I wish I knew. Maybe it's the smile." 

"Hmmm…" 

"I'm ready," Angel called, running into the kitchen. 

"Young lady, what have I told you about running in the house?" Jennifer asked, putting her hands on her hips. 

"We walk, not run. I'm sorry, Mama," Angel answered, shyly. 

"See that you walk next time," she replied. 

"Yes, ma'am."

Jennifer noticed that she was wearing her navy blue dress, hair was in her ponytail and black shoes. "I like your dress, sweetie," she said, smiling. 

"Thanks," Angel smiled. Looking at her father, "Are you ready?" 

"I sure am," standing up, he kissed Jennifer goodbye. Then taking Angel by the hand he led her out the house and they were off to work.

Remembering that encounter brought a smile to his face. Leaning forward, he softly spoke, "Please wake up soon, my sweet Angel."

Chapter Text

Her hand was in the water as she let it wash over her. Looking down, she saw the clearest, bluest water she had ever seen. Looking up, she saw the woman sitting next to her, holding a bouquet of flowers that she had picked during their walk. Although she didn't feel threatened by her, she still didn't know much about her. There wasn't much conversation between them, just walking. As she stayed by her side, she wished she could go back home. The pain of missing her parents was starting to get worse. She was longing for their touch, which made her skin ache. The worst part was that she could still hear their voices calling to her, telling her to fight and begging her to wake up, and the pain in their voices scared her. How long would this last? She asked the woman repeatedly when she would be able to go home, and she would always reply soon. Tears filled her eyes as she looked back down at the water. "I just want my mom and daddy," Angel thought. 

                                                                                                                   ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jennifer sat next to Angel's side and held her hand. It has been over forty-eight hours since she got sick, and she wasn't showing any signs of improvement. Her heart ached to just see her daughter's blue eyes or hear her voice, telling her that was all right and this was all a bad dream. Standing to go over to the window and look out, she let the tears fall. How much longer will they have to endure this? 

Jonathan walked in to see Jennifer standing by the window. His heart ached for both of his girls. He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. Feeling her lean against him, he kissed the top of her head. They hadn't spoken much the past few days since both of them had been with Angel or trying to get sleep. Wanting to know how she was really doing, he asked, "Darling, will you tell me how you are doing?"

Letting out a sigh, "I'm numb, Jonathan. I don't know what to do. My baby girl is lying over there sick, and I don't know if she is going to make it. Showing no improvement has me scared." Turning in his arms, she wrapped her arms around him and laid her head on his chest. "Do you remember all the complications I had when I carried her?"

"Yes."

"Well, I feel the same now as I did then. I feel like I'm going to say goodbye to her at an early age." 

Looking up at him, she said, "I lost my mother at age ten, and I'm going to lose my baby at age ten." 

It all becomes clear to him, that is why she has been so overprotective over Angel. With the loss of her mother at a young age, she was fearful of losing her little one at the same age. So she was doing all she could to not lose her daughter. Now it looked like that was what was going to happen if something didn't change. Pulling her close to him, he let his own tears fall.

                                                                                                            ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Angel suddenly looked up, she could hear her parents crying. Standing up, she said, "I really need to get back to them." 

The woman stood up, took her hand, and started walking. "It is time, little one," she said, softly. 

They walked a little ways before the woman turned to her and said something, “I love you and your mother.” Leaning down, she took off her veil and kissed Angel's cheek. Angel's eyes widened, the woman looked like her mother, but knowing that her mother was waiting for her, she was puzzled.  

"You better get going. Your parents are waiting for you, and they will be very excited to see you," she said, making a gesture towards an opening in the sky. 

Angel let go of her hand and ran for the opening. Jumping into it, it all went black again, and then she felt like she could breathe. 

                                                                                                             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Angel slowly opened her eyes; she needed to close and reopen them a few times to get them adjusted to the light before she could open them all the way. Looking up, she could see the ceiling above her, and looking down, she saw all the towels that lay on her body. Then, looking around the room, she saw her parents standing next to the window. Giving a little smile, she knew she had to get their attention, but she didn't know if her voice would work or if this was part of the dream. Slowly opening her mouth, she said, “Mama, Daddy.” “Please hear me,” she thought to herself.

Jonathan was the first to hear something faint, ignoring it at first, but then upon hearing it again, he turned his head to see where the sound was coming from. Blinking a few times to make sure he was seeing right, he saw Angels' head was turned their way and her eyes were open. 

"Angel," he said. 

Jennifer immediately looked her way, and when she saw Angel looking at them, she said, "Oh my." Going to the bedside, she smoothed out her hair while wiping away her tears.

Jonathan called out, "Dr. Kidwell." Then, going to stand by his wife, he said, "It's good to see you awake, Kiddo."

Angel kept her gaze on her parents. She tried to speak, not wanting them to abandon her again, but her mother told her not yet. Tears filled her eyes as joy filled her heart. She was back with her parents.

Dr. Kidwell came running upon hearing his name being called, with Stephen on his heels. "What’s wrong?" he asked. 

"Angel is awake," Jonathan replied. 

"Let me take a look," Dr. Kidwell said, walking over to her bedside. 

Jonathan put his hands on Jennifer's shoulders to lead her out of the way so the doctor could look over their daughter. 

Feeling her forehead, Dr. Kidwell smiled and said, "The fever broke." Taking the wet towels off of her, he saw the look of relief on Angel's. Smiling at her, he asked, "Does that make you feel lighter?" She nodded before he said, "Angel, I want you to listen to me. I'm going to have to lift your shirt to make sure you don't have spots on your body. Okay?" Once again, she nodded as he proceeded to check her out. First looking at her arms, he lifted her shirt to check her belly, and when he didn't find any, it brought a big smile to his face. Standing straight up, he looked at her parents and said, "The worst is over, and she is going to make a full recovery."

Half laughing and half crying, Jonathan and Jennifer embraced each other tightly. “She is going to be okay. Thank you God,” Jonathan said. 

Dr. Kidwell looked at Stephen and said, “Could you have some broth and water brought in to her?”

“It’s on its way,” he replied, turning to walk out of the room. 

Turning back to Angel, Dr. Kidwell said, “You gave us a scare there for a while, little one.” 

“Mama, Daddy,” Angel replied. 

“I’m right here,” Jennifer said, sitting down on the bed and pulling her into her arms. 

Jonathan sat behind Angel and wrapped his arms around them both. They sat like that till Stephen came in with Walter as he carried a tray with water and broth. 

“I would like her to drink as much of the broth as she can and have as much water as she will take,” Dr. Kidwell said. 

Jonathan was going to move to make it more comfortable for Angel when she turned her head to look at him and asked, “What's wrong, Kiddo?” 

“Don’t go,” came a faint reply. 

Jonathan smiled and said, "I'm not leaving. I'm just going to make it more comfortable for you." He moved so his back was up against the headboard, and Angel leaned against him while Jennifer fed her the broth. Angel ate half of the contents before turning her head away and saying, “No more, please.” 

Right before Jennifer gave her another spoonful, Dr. Kidwell said, “That is enough. In time she will regain her appetite, but for now, that is enough.” 

Nodding, Jennifer handed the bowl to her father, who was standing next to them. She reached over to take Angel's hand in her own and squeezed it. Returning the smile to her daughter, Jennifer said, “It is good to see you back with us. You had us really scared there for a while.” 

Closing her eyes, Angel replied, “I was going to come back when the time was right.” 

Jennifer puzzledly looked at Jonathan, thinking, "The time was right." What was she talking about? Did she know that she was sick or that she could have died? Looking back down at her, she saw that she had fallen asleep on Jonathan. Seeing the smile on his face, she knew that neither of them wanted to move. 

“We will need to get the bedding as well as her clothes washed, but that can wait until morning. Mrs. Hart, if she is feeling up for it, you can give her a bath and get her cleaned up. I’m sure she will feel yucky from all the sweat,” Dr. Kidwell said. 

Jennifer nodded, “I think I’ll stay with her for awhile while she sleeps.” 

Stephen and Dr. Kidwell walked out of the room, leaving the Harts with their daughter. Stephen stopped the doctor after he closed her bedroom door, "Do you really think that she will make a full recovery?” 

“Yes, the fact that she ate and that there were no spots on her body like the other patients confirms that. She might have had a flu bug even though all of the test results came back showing that she had the same symptoms as the virus in England, but those symptoms could also go with many other viruses as well,” he answered. 

“Good, I don’t think they could lose her.” Then they both walked to the great room to have some coffee and talk. 

                                                                                                                         ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Angel was laying on her bed, looking up at the ceiling, thinking about how it had been four days since her fever broke and she woke up. Her appetite was slowly coming back, as was her strength. She stayed in bed for the most of the day, but both or one of her parents had been with her the whole time. The thought of seeing them, hearing them, and feeling their touch once again brought a smile to her face. Wondering where they were, she slowly sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed. Angel planted her feet on the floor before she put her robe on and walked out of the bedroom. Looking both ways, she decided to walk towards the great room. She stopped at the door of the study when she saw her grandfather. He was standing by his desk looking at some paperwork when she walked in. 

“Hello, sweetie,” he said, looking up from his paperwork. 

“Hi, Papa,” she replied. 

“What are you doing out of bed?” 

“I was looking for Mom or Dad.” 

“I’m sorry that I can’t help you; I don’t know where they are.” 

Angel nodded. She was about to turn around when she saw a photo on his desk. Walking over to the desk, she stared at the photo that she had never noticed was there before. “Who is that?” she asked. 

Stephen looked at the photo with a smile, replying, “That was your grandmother; she was my wife and your mother's mother.” 

“Where is she?” 

Sadness filled his heart as he replied, “She passed away when your mother was the same age as you.” 

Shaking her head, Angel started to slowly back up, “No, she couldn’t be dead.”

Noticing Angel going pale, Stephen led her to the chair that was behind her and helped her sit down. Seeing Walter walk by, he called to him, “Walter.”

“Yes, sir,” Walter replied, standing at the doorway. 

“Get Jonathan or Jennifer, hurry.” From the corner of his eye, he saw him nod before walking away. Putting his hand on her leg was when he felt her shaking. 

Jonathan was on the phone with Angel’s school to inform them that she wouldn’t be there the following week due to the illness and she would do all the make-up work when they returned home. He was hanging up the phone when Walter walked into the great room. 

“Mr. Hart, your presence is required in the den urgently. It is in regards to Angel,” Walter told him. 

Hurrying to the den, Jonathan found Stephen bent down in front of Angel. Walking up to the chair and then bending down next to her, he saw her pale and shaking. “What happened?” he asked Stephen. 

“She came in here looking for one of you when she saw the photo of Jennifer’s mother and asked who she was. I told her, and then she turned pale when I told her that she had passed after she asked me where she was,” Stephen replied. He stood up to give Jonathan room. 

Jonathan moved in front of Angel, taking her hands in his, and he asked, “Angel, what’s the matter?” 

Looking at her father, she said, “Papa said she passed away.”

“Yes, kiddo, she passed away when your mother was very young.” 

“No, Daddy, she isn’t dead. She couldn’t be; I saw her. I was with her.” 

Puzzled, Jonathan looked at Angel and then looked up to see Jennifer standing in the doorway, looking like she had seen a ghost. “How about we go into the other room and talk about this?” he asked, looking back down at Angel. She nodded and wrapped her arms around his neck. Picking her up, they all went into the great room. 

Angel had a tight grip around her father’s neck as he walked out of the room. When he sat her on the sofa, she reached up to take his hand as he sat down. Looking up, she saw her mother standing by the chair that her father was sitting in. Reaching her other hand out to her as she waited for her to take it. 

Jennifer felt like she was going into shock when she heard her daughter say that she was with her mother. Never telling her about what happened to her, she was very surprised. Following her family into the great room, she leaned on the chair that her father sat in while looking at her husband and daughter. It took her a moment before she was able to walk over to hold her daughter’s hand and sit next to her. 

Angel let out a sigh once her mother took her hand and sat down next to her. Feeling sick from the nerves, she squeezed both of their hands tightly. Feeling her father run his hand over her arm, she leaned more into him and let out a sigh. She was thankful they were both there with her, but it didn't make this any easier. Taking a deep breath, she started, “The day that we arrived here, at Papa's, I was so tired and felt sick to my stomach. Thinking that it was just the jet lag, I didn’t say anything. Once you put me to bed…” she paused for a moment before looking up at her father. Seeing a small smile on his face made her feel better. 

Looking back down before she continued, “After you got me to bed, I felt so hot, and so I tried to get the covers off. That was when I found out that I couldn’t move. So I tried to call out, but neither of you came. I started to get scared, but then everything went black, and I felt like I was falling. Landing on what I thought was a cloud but turned out to be a mattress, I lay there for a while not knowing where I was. When I finally looked around, I saw the bluest sky I had ever seen, and I was surrounded by flowers. Then I saw… her…” 

Jennifer’s breath caught in her lungs as she listened to her daughter. Noticing that she hadn’t continued, she squeezed her hand to let her know it was all right. 

Nodding, Angel took a breath. “She told me that she knew my mother and my name, but she wouldn’t tell me hers. Then she took my hand and we walked in the sweet garden; that is what she called it.” Looking at her mother, she asked, “What was her favorite flower, your mother, that is?” 

“Sunflowers,” Jennifer replied. 

“That makes sense,” Angel nodded. “Anyway, we didn’t talk much, but we did a lot of walking. She picked flowers as we went, and then when we got to a stream, we sat down there till I woke up.” Looking between her parents, “I did see her. I really did.” 

“We believe you,” Jonathan said, rubbing her arm. Looking at Jennifer, he began to worry about what she thought about this. 

“Sweetie, what about the flowers? You asked what her favorite flower was and then said that it made sense.” Jennifer asked.

Looking at her mother, Angel answered, “Because the only flowers that were there were red roses, yellow daffodils, and sunflowers.”

Bringing her hand up to her daughter's face, Jennifer smiled and said, “That is all of our favorite flowers.” 

Nodding, Angel looked back down as tears came to her eyes. 

When Angel fell silent again, Jonathan asked, “Angel, what haven’t you told us?”

In a low voice, she answered, “The whole time I could hear you."

"Hear us?" Jonathan asked, puzzled.

Nodding, Angel answered, "I heard everything you said, and it pained me because I could hear your pain. Right before I woke up, I could…hear…you crying.” She broke down in tears, and her parents wrapped their arms tightly around her. 

Jennifer let her tears fall while holding onto her daughter. The thought that her mother kept her safe while she was sick made her thankful. She was still unsure what to make of it all, other than the fact that she did believe her daughter.  

Jonathan's heart broke when he heard what Angel had told them. He believed her from the start, but the fact that she could hear them made him feel sad. He knew his daughter was close to both of them, and when one hurt, they all hurt. Angel was hurting right along with them even though she was the one who was very sick. 

                                                                                                               ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jonathan was on the phone with Dr. Kendall to tell her about Angel’s experience over the past week. Even though he believed what Angel was saying about being with Jennifer’s mother, he wanted to see what she had to say about it. She told him that it was normal given how high the fever was and that someone was watching over her. Asking when they would be arriving home, Jonathan informed her that they were leaving the next day. They were all ready to get home after being at Stephen’s for over a week. Plus, Angel started back to school on Monday. After letting Dr. Kendall know that Angel’s appetite was back, she gained strength everyday and began moving around more on her own. She was pleased to hear that but still wanted to check her out before her return to school. Informing her that they would call as soon as they got home, Jonathan hung up the phone. Turning to look out the window, he smiled upon seeing Jennifer and Angel sitting on the glider outside. 

Jennifer and Angel were snuggled together on the porch swing that looked out over the field in front of the house. She was slightly rubbing Angel's arm while she had her head on Jennifer's shoulder. Angel snuggled closer to her as she laid her head on top of her daughter’s head. Being closer to her brought warmth to her heart. Never again did she want to go through the fear of losing her daughter.  

Angel reached over to take her mother’s free hand that was lying on her leg. Holding on tightly, she said, “I’m sorry.” 

Surprised, she asked, “What do you need to be sorry about?” 

“For scaring you last week,” Angel answered, softly. 

“Oh, sweet girl, it’s not your fault. A virus hit your system, you fought it and won.” 

“But I feel like it’s my fault. Hearing how much it hurt Daddy and you when I wouldn’t wake up. Then hearing you cry, which you both don’t do often, broke my heart.” 

Giving her a kiss on the top of her head, Jennifer said, “Angel, don’t feel guilty. Getting sick is part of life. Yes, it hurt your father and me, as well as scared us, but it’s still not your fault.” Thoughtful, she asked, “Do you remember a few years ago when your father got sick with a virus?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“It wasn’t his fault that he got sick and got better. Did he feel guilty for being sick?” 

“No.”

“Could you tell me what the difference is between your father and yourself?”

Thinking for a moment, Angel replied, “Nothing.”

“There, you see. There is no need to feel guilty now, is there?” 

“Nope, I guess not.” Sitting up, she asked, “Do you know what your mother called me?” 

“What?” 

“When I first saw her and asked her who she was, she called me sweet girl.” 

Trying not to laugh at the thought of how her little girl responded to that, she asked, “What did you say to that?” 

“I told her to never call me that because only my mother can call me that.”

Smoothing her hair down from her face, she said, “You will always be my sweet girl.” 

She smiled at her mother before looking down and said, “Mama.”

“Hmmm…” 

“She said something else too.” 

“What was that?”

“She told me to tell you that she loved you and she was proud of you.” 

Jennifer’s breath caught in her lungs as tears came to her eyes. Pulling Angel closer to her and hugging her tightly, she thought about those words. Her own mother was proud of her and loved her. “Oh, how I wish I could hear those words for myself, but I’m thankful that she took care of my daughter in her darkest moment and had her tell me,” she thought. Laying her head on Angel’s head, she could hear the silent sob coming from her. Holding her tighter, they sat there for the remainder of the afternoon. 

Jonathan could hear their conversation through the open window. Smiling, he thought, “Both my girls are going to be okay.”

Chapter Text

Jonathan and Peter were watching Angel riding her horse Rose and practicing her roping. She had been practicing for the rodeo that was coming up in a week. Angel fell in love with horses at an early age and when her parents took her to see a rodeo at age five, she told them that she was going to do that one day. Jonathan found out that the earliest age she could participate was at age eight. She already had her horse Rose that was kept at Peter’s ranch. After discussing it, Jonathan and Jennifer decided to enroll Angel in the rodeo. Jonathan called Peter to discuss what needed to be done and Peter informed him that he could get all the paperwork together for them to sign as her gardens. Informing Jonathan that Angel would need to start practicing in the summer months leading up to the rodeo, Angel began practicing everyday at his ranch. In the winter months, she was at the ranch every other weekend. 

“Sabrina told me that Angel gave you quite the scare a few months ago?” Peter Leal said, leaning on the fence overlooking the corral. 

“She did, getting as sick as she did. We thought we were going to lose her,” Jonathan replied. 

“It is a very scary thing when you think that you are going to lose your child,” Peter said. 

“Have you ever thought you were going to lose your daughter?” Jonathan asked. 

“Sadly, yes I have,” Peter said, softly. 

Hearing the sadness in his voice, Jonathan looked at him and said, “Peter, I’m so sorry. There will be no need to discuss this if you wish not to.” 

“Oh no, Jonathan it is okay. It is just the thought of losing Sabrina after losing her mother was heartbreaking.” Peter took a deep breath, “Sabrina has been very active with horses since she was very young. Loving to ride them, train them, break them, all of it. She took after her mother in that area. One day when she was twelve she was out in the pasture with a new horse that needed broke and she had been working with him for days with no success. I was in my den when I heard the commotion out my window. When I arrived at the pasture…” 

Peter’s voice trailed off. He took another breath and continued, “I saw Sabina laying on her back while my ranch hands were trying to move the horse away from her. I came to find out that the horse had thrown her and she’d hit her head on a rock. She was in the hospital for two months. We didn’t know if she was ever going to walk, talk or even grow up but as you can see, she did.” He looked at Jonathan, “The fear of losing your child is the worst fear a parent can go through.” 

Nodding, Jonathan said, “It sure is.” 

He turned his gaze back to Angel who was holding the reins of her horse standing next to her. Her coach stood in front of her giving her, instructions as she nodded her head to indicate she was listening. Then getting on her horse, she rode off to where Jonathan and Peter were standing. 

“Did you see me, Daddy?” Angel asked, still sitting on her horse. 

“I sure did, kiddo. You are getting better every time you practice,” Jonathan said, smiling. 

“Thanks, Daddy. I’m going to give Rose a rub down and then I’ll be in.” 

Angel rode off toward the barn. 

“You know Jonathan, I can’t believe that this is her third year participating in the rodeo,” Peter said, walking toward the house. 

“Neither can I, time flies,” Jonathan replied, walking with him. 

                                                                                                                    ~~~~~~~~~~~

Angel was brushing Rose when a young girl walked up and stood in the doorway of the stall. 

“You are some rider,” the young girl said. 

“Thanks,” Angel replied, not looking up. 

“How long have you been riding?” 

“Since I was a baby.” 

The young girl was puzzled. “How can you ride a horse when you are a baby?” 

“When someone is holding you and riding.”

Nodding, she asked, “What is your horse's name?” 

“Rose. She was named after my mother’s favorite flower,” Angel answered. Being taught never to give out personal information about herself or her family, she didn’t know why she told this young girl that. 

“Are you practicing for the rodeo?” the young girl asked. 

“This girl doesn’t stop asking questions,” Angel thought to herself. Turning so she could see who she was talking to, she saw a girl about her age, with brown hair tied up in a ponytail. She wore blue jeans, a red shirt and held a cowgirl hat. Smiling, she answered, “Yes, I’m practicing for the rodeo. Do you ride?” 

The young girl smiled as she turned around. “Yes, but I don’t ride as well as yourself nor do I ride in a rodeo. I’m Sally Harrison.” She held out her hand in hopes that she would shake hands. 

Shaking hands with her, Angel said, “I’m Angel.” 

“I like that name, it is very pretty,” Sally said. 

“Thank you,” Angel turned back to brushing Rose. 

“Hope to see ya around.” 

Sally walked away, smiling and thinking to herself, “I finally got to talk to her. The prettiest girl I know.”

Sabrina, who was in the next stall, heard the whole conversation. Standing in the doorway of Rose’s stall with her arms crossed, she said, “You know you didn’t have to be rude to her.” 

“I wasn’t trying to, Bri,” Angel said, putting her head on her horse. “It’s hard for me to be nice when I’m getting so many questions.” 

“No it’s not. I ask you questions all the time, but you are never rude with me.” 

Turning to face her, “That is because we are friends.”

“How do you think friendships start?” Sabrina walked away giving Angel time to think about it. 

Angel stood there stunned at the question. Friendships. That was something she was not good at making nor did she want to make any. Bri, the nickname that Angel gave her, was the only friend that she had and the only friend she wanted. She felt like going through life without any friends would be beneficial. But like Bri said, she didn’t need to be rude to Sally. Normally, she was not rude, but this girl wouldn’t stop asking questions. When she saw her again, she would apologize. 

Walking outside of the barn, Angel saw Bri standing by the fence watching the riders practice. She walked over to her and said, “Bri, can we talk?” 

Turning, she said, “Of course. Let’s take a walk.” 

Nodding, Angel said, “I was rude to Sally, I’ll admit that, and I’ll apologize when I see her next. But how are you nice to someone that keeps asking questions and you don’t want to answer?” 

“First off, you know how to politely inform someone that you don't want to talk to them at that time. I know for a fact that your mother taught you that. Second, I know that you have been taught not to give out personal information. but the questions Sally was asking weren’t personal other than your name.” 

“You’ve got a point there,” Angel said. 

They stopped at the north fence overlooking the back pasture. Deep in thought, Bri asked, “Angel, have you made any friends at your school?” 

Angel turned to give her a look that told her, “You should know better than that.”  Then turning back toward the pasture, she climbed up the fence so she could lean on the top board.

Watching Angel for a moment before leaning on the fence, she asked, “Have you told your parents about school?” 

“ Vamos, sé real (come on, get real),” Angel sounded frustrated. “I can see it now, telling my mother that I hate the school that I go to because of all the rich, stuck up, snotty nosed kids and I refuse to make friends with them because they only want to be friends for the money.” 

Letting out a sigh, she looked at Bri, “Bri, I’m ten years old. There is no way my mother would listen to me about a school that MY mother wants me to go to.” 

Bri had to hold in her chuckle when Angel blurted out in Spanish, knowing that when she would get aggravated or frustrated, she would switch languages. She already knew three languages and was working on her fourth, which impressed Bri. 

Laying a hand on her shoulder, Bri said, “Angel, I think if you tell your mother how you really feel about it, she would understand.” 

“Maybe, but I can’t be a classy, proper and sophisticated lady if I don’t go to a private school.” 

“Angel, listen to me. I know that your mother wants you to be all that. and I’m sure that you will be one day. But for now, I think, no, I know that your mother wants what is best for you and I know she would listen to you.” 

Bri watched Angel let out another sigh, “Look, the most she can do is tell you no.” 

Chuckling, Angel said, “Yeah, I guess you're right. How did you get so smart?” 

Bri laughed. “Well, I am four years older than you, that’s how. Come on, let's go back to the house, I’m hungry and thirsty.” 

Angel jumped off the fence. “Let’s go.” 

Both girls walked away from the fence without knowing that Jennifer was sitting on the ground, leaning up against the tree next to where they had just been. Hearing the conversation about how Angel feels about the school broke her heart. The thought that her own daughter wouldn’t come and tell her about it because she knew that she wanted her to go to a private school made it worse. Ever since Angel had been going to school, Jennifer had been called numerous times by her counselor to talk about the fact that Angel hadn’t been making friends, but she also hadn’t been talking to any of the kids. Even though Angel was a straight A student and was doing great in academics, they were still worried about her social life. Jennifer always talked to Angel about being sociable with others. She knew that her daughter knew how because she was sociable when she was with them. Knowing what she knew now, Jennifer understood why Angel wasn’t talking to the other children at her school. Not liking the idea of putting Angel in any other kind of school, she still wanted to talk to her and hear the full story. Standing up and brushing herself off, she thought, “I hope that Angel does as her friend suggests and talks to me.” 

Later that evening after everyone had gone to bed, Jonathan and Jennifer were sitting in bed reading when there was a knock at the door. 

"Come on in," Jonathan answered. He watched Angel walk to his side of the bed with her hands in the pockets of her robe. Knowing it was way past her bedtime, he asked, "Kiddo, what are you doing up?" 

Looking up at her father, she asked, "Can we talk?"

"Yes, of course, would you like to have a seat?" He patted the side of the bed. 

Shaking her head, "Can I sit between you?"

Both her parents knew that when she wanted to sit between them that it was going to be a serious conversation. Jonathan nodded at her as they both put their books on the nightstands and watched Angel crawl up towards them from the bottom of the bed. Once she settled, they waited for her to make the first move. When Angel asked to talk, it had to be in her time. She couldn't be pushed or she would clam up and not talk. She had been this way since she was little. 

Jonathan looked over at his daughter to see that she was playing with her fingers which told him that she was nervous. She was looking down, which told him that she was collecting her thoughts before speaking. Jonathan leaned his head on the back of the bed to hide his small smile as memories came flooding back of when Angel was younger and she would sit between them in their bed when she needed to talk about something bothering her. She called it her 'safe zone' because she had both her parents to protect her. As she had grown older, they would sit in the great room or wherever Angel would find them. He thought she might have come to them in their room this evening because they were staying with Peter and they weren't at home. No matter the reason, Jonathan was happy for the memories and the time to be able to talk to his little girl. 

After a few moments, Angel said, "I know I should have told you this sooner, but I just didn't know how to say it or if you would listen to me."

Jennifer, having an idea of where this conversation was heading but not wanting to give it away, asked, "Angel, you know you can come and talk to us about anything, right?" 

When Angel didn't say anything Jennifer felt a little concerned. Looking over at Jonathan, he gave her the same worried look. Angel had always been able to talk to them about anything but the thought of her feeling like she couldn't tell them something hurt her heart. Reaching over, Jennifer took one of Angel's hands into hers as Jonathan took the other hand. Angel immediately squeezed both their hands but still didn't make eye contact. 

Jonathan was beginning to worry about what was on his daughter's mind that she would think she couldn't talk to them. After taking her hand, he asked, "Angel, do you have the words to tell us now?"

Shrugging, she answered, "Kinda, maybe, I don't know. I feel like Mother will get mad at me."

Hearing the frustration in her voice, Jennifer said, "Sweet girl, I'll hear you on the subject that is bothering you and then we can talk about it, okay?"

Nodding, Angel took a deep breath, "I hate the school I'm going to."

Jonathan turned his head to hide the smile on his face because he knew that this talk would come one day. Angel was a down-to-earth young girl and he didn't think that private school would work for her, but he went along with Jennifer's decision on the subject. 

"Why do you hate your school?" Jennifer asked, ignoring her husband's action. She knew he didn't want their daughter to go to private school, but she believed their daughter needed to be properly trained and public school wouldn't cut it. 

"All the kids there are rich, stuck up, snotty nosed and they know everything about you. Well, at least they try with me. Before you say it, yes, I know that private school is for rich kids, but they know they are rich and they act it. I'm also aware that my counselor has been calling you, mom, to talk to you about my social life. She just needs to butt out of it. I'm not going to make friends there, not now, not ever."

Both parents were surprised that Angel knew about the counselor calling Jennifer. They had discussed it in the past but never around her. How could she have known about it? They both knew that Angel was a very bright and smart little girl, but this puzzled them. 

"Kiddo, have you tried making friends with the kids at school?" Jonathan asked, knowing the answer before asking. 

"Of course I have. Daddy, but when I talk to them they want to ask me questions about mom or you and I hate it. They don't want to get to know me for me, but they want to know me for whose daughter I am." 

Angel leaned her head on her father's shoulder. Feeling him lean his head on hers made her feel better since not knowing how her mother was taking all of this made her nervous. 

Jennifer could see the pain in her daughter, and it saddened her. Squeezing her hand, she said, "All the kids at the school couldn't be that bad." 

"Yes they are, Mom. Even the teachers are the same way."

"What do you mean, the teachers are the same way?" Jennifer asked. 

"I was walking past my math classroom and there were at least three teachers in there. Now I know I'm not supposed to eavesdrop, but when I heard them say Daddy's name, I couldn't help myself. What I heard made me sick to my stomach."

Feeling the chill go through her, Jonathan wrapped his arm around her as she reached for his free hand. When it came to Jennifer or himself, Angel didn't play games. Reluctantly, he asked, "What did you hear?"

Angel closed her eyes. "One of them said that they were worried that you would pull me from the school because I wasn't doing well socially. Another said that would never be a reason for you to pull me. Then I heard one of them say that no matter the reason, they couldn't afford to lose me because I was where the money was." Burying her head on her father's shoulder, "Oh Daddy, they only care about me for the money. They don't care about me as a person!"

Rubbing her arm, Jonathan felt upset and hurt that not only his daughter had heard those words, but that her teachers, who were being paid to teach her, felt that way. At such an early age she had already learned that not everyone is nice to you because of who you are but for what you have. Kissing the top of her head, he looked over at Jennifer. She was looking down at her hand and he thought he saw a tear roll down her cheek. 

Sitting up and looking at her Mother, "Mama, are you mad at me?"

Hearing her call her 'Mama,' like she did when she was little when times were hard, broke her heart. Looking at Angel, Jennifer replied, "No Angel, I'm not mad at you. Sad that you felt like you couldn't come talk to me about this, but not mad."

Angel didn't know what to say, feeling relieved that her Mother wasn't mad, but felt disappointed that her Mother was sad, she looked down. 

"Angel," Jennifer spoke, bringing her finger to her chin and lifting it so she could look her in the eyes. "Could you tell me why you felt like you couldn't come tell me about this?"

Looking at her mother, Angel replied through tears. "Because it is the school you want me to go to. You want me to be trained properly, be classy and sophisticated, just like you. I felt like you weren't going to listen to me about how much I hate that school or the fact that I don't ever want to go back. No matter what I say, I am more than likely going back to that school, but I'll let you know that I won't be making any friends and I will hate the school for as long as I have to attend it with rich snobs." 

Jennifer brought her hand up to wipe Angel's tears and then let her hand linger on her face. She watched Angel close her eyes as more tears came. The fact that her daughter was crying over this meant she was at her breaking point and was extremely bothered by this. Feeling torn inside, she didn't want her to go to public school, but she also didn't want her daughter to suffer. Blinking away her own tears, she closed her eyes.

Jonathan felt the torment that his wife was going through. They had discussed this before Angel even went to school. He felt that Angel could be trained by her mother to be all she needed to be, but public school would expose her to the real world. Jennifer didn't see it that way. Seeing both his girls suffering brought pain to his heart. He reached over to squeeze Jennifer's shoulder. She looked at him and he could see the pain in her eyes. Giving her a sympathetic look, she nodded.  

Angel opened her eyes and looked at her mother till she looked back at her. Leaning down, she put head on her mother's bosom, wrapped her arms around her and let the tears flow. 

Jennifer held her close as she let out her own tears. Kissing the top of Angel's before laying her head on the back of her neck, she felt Angel snuggle closer.

"It's all right, I got you. I love you my sweet girl." Jennifer whisper. 

They sat there for a while till there were no more tears and Angel started to relax. Looking over at Jonathan, Jennifer said, "I think she has fallen asleep." 

Leaning forward, Jonathan nodded. Seeing how peaceful she looked, he asked, "How about we let her sleep with us tonight?"

Thinking, Jennifer replied, "I think that is a good idea."

Jonathan turned out the lights before they settled for the evening. Turning on his side to watch his girls brought a smile to his face. Bringing his arm over to brush some hair from Angel's face, she smiled at his touch. He heard Jennifer whisper, "I think she wants to be close to both of us." Jonathan winked at her before laying his arm over both of them, knowing that they needed his support right now. Closing his eyes, he thought, "Addressing the school matter ought to be interesting." 

                                                                                                                      ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jennifer was sitting on the glider that was on the front porch overlooking the grounds. She was deep in thought about what took place the night before, which still had her concerned. She was thankful that Angel came and told them how she really felt about school, but how long had she been feeling this way? From the conversation, it must have been the whole time she had been going to school. Yes, she wants her daughter to be classy, sophisticated and proper like her, but she is so much like her father. A free spirit with not a care in the world. She had thought that private school would help tame her, but had hurt her instead. 

Angel's well-being was number one to both Jonathan and herself, but after last night, she was concerned about her. Seeing her so upset about what the teachers had said, and how she did not want to make any friends, worried Jennifer more. Although she didn't have many close friends herself, she knew that everyone needs friends in order to grow as a person. 

"Angel had Sabrina, that was enough right?" she thought, knowing deep down that one friend is not enough for anyone. 

Remembering how it was when she went to boarding school, she had hoped that it would be different for her daughter but deep down she knew better. She hated boarding school as well and wished that she could travel with her father instead, but she knew that school was important to him. Learning that from her father and seeing that school was important to Jonathan, she wanted to send their daughter to the best school there was. She was concerned that Angel’s teachers were talking about them behind their backs, but it wasn't too surprising. Private school can be rough but beneficial. 

Jonathan walked out on the porch where he finally found Jennifer after looking for her for some time. “Jennifer…” holding his hand up. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” 

“It’s all right,” Jennifer replied, looking up at him. “I was just thinking about last night.” 

Sitting down, he put his arm around her shoulders and asked, “May I ask what your thoughts were about last night?” 

Letting out a sigh, “There are too many.” 

“How about you start where you are most comfortable.” 

“That is the problem, I’m not comfortable with any of it. Seeing Angel so upset has me upset.” 

Jonathan kissed the top of her head, thinking of what he could say to help, but then she spoke up. 

“I know we talked about her schooling before we sent her to private school, well before I sent her there. But Angel needs to be proper and sophisticated. Public school will not do that for her. But since seeing her so upset, I'm torn. I still don't want to send her to public school, but maybe a different private school would be better.” 

Hearing that she was still set on private school, Jonathan asked, “Darling, how well did you like boarding school?” 

Knowing that he might have asked her that, she let out a sigh, “I hated it. Pa was so strict with me even though I was at school and away from him. Not wanting me to wear makeup, not being able to wear the clothes that I wanted to wear, being monitored by my teacher and so forth. I didn’t feel like I had any freedom.” 

“Did you do all those things that your father didn’t want you to?” 

“Yes, when I learned how to wear makeup, I wore it. Making sure that my father didn’t get any photos of me in the clothes that he didn’t want me to wear and so forth. Knowing it was hard on him to not have a mother to raise me, I made sure to not make it any harder on him.” 

“Did your father have a choice in sending you to boarding-school or not?” 

Sitting up, she looked at him, “Jonathan, where are you going with this?” 

“Please answer my question and then I’ll answer yours.” 

“No, Pa didn’t have a choice.” 

“Think about how you felt going to boarding school and then think about how Angel told us how she felt about school. Knowing you would like her to be proper and sophisticated, I firmly believe that she will be all that and more with your help. She doesn't need a school to train her when she has a mother to do that. Your father didn’t have a choice about what school to send you to, but we do have a choice where to send our daughter.” 

Seeing Jennifer look at him, he continued, “Look, I know you don’t want to send Angel to public school…” 

Seeing Jennifer’s expression, he held up his hand. “Let me finish. I know how you feel about public school and you know how I feel about private school. But Angel is a down-to-earth young lady and doesn’t like stuck up people. She has proven that time and time again at all the functions that we have attended over the years.” 

“Jonathan, public school will ruin Angel and you know it. Just look at what you went through growing up when you went to public school,” Jennifer replied, trying to build her case. 

“I didn’t have good solid parents to properly train me growing up. If I had that, it would have been different."

"You don't know that for certain." 

"Is your mind still made up of private schools?"

"I can look into different private schools when…"

Letting out a sigh, Jonathan stood up and looked over the grounds for a moment before turning to face Jennifer. "I would have to say that what Angel said was right."

Puzzled, she asked, "What was that?"

"No matter what she said, no matter how she feels about the school, you are still going to send her back there. Jennifer, all the private schools are going to be the same and you know it. In my honest opinion, I think we should put Angel in public school for one year to see how she does. If her grades stay up, she does well in academics and she starts making friends, then maybe consider keeping her there. The longer we keep her in private school, the longer she will keep getting hurt and eventually she will pull away from people all together." Turning, he walked off the porch and toward the barn. 

Jennifer sat there puzzled by the ending of their discussion. She knew that all private schools would be the same but she still was not fully convinced, if ever, about public school. Sitting there for some time, she thought over the conversion some more. 

                                                                                                                       ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Daddy, did you see me?” Angel called, running up to her father. 

Putting his arm around her, “Sadly, no kiddo. What did you do?”

“I just beat my own time for roping the calf,” she answered, excitedly. 

“What was your time?” 

“Nine seconds, that is the best I have done. My normal time is twelve seconds.” 

Pride filled his heart seeing how excited Angel was. “I’m so proud of you kiddo,” he said, kissing the top of her head. 

“I’m sure to win first prize tomorrow.” 

Smiling down at Angel, he knew that she would win for sure. “I know you will,” he told her.

Angel took her father’s hand as they walked. Thinking about what transpired the night before, she knew she did the right thing in telling her parents, but she was still worried about how her parents felt about it. 

“Would father talk about it with me?” she thought. “Would he tell me if I was wrong in coming to them? Of course he would, but I’m scared to ask.”

From the corner of his eye, Jonathan could see that Angel was deep in thought. From excitement to silence had him a little concerned. He could tell that she was chewing on the inside of her lip, so he knew she was getting her thoughts together. Walking into the pasture, where they had a seat up against a tree, he waited for her to make her first move. 

After a few moments, Angel approached and reached over to take his hand. She started to play with his wedding ring. Over the years Jonathan noticed that when something was bothering Angel, she would play with his or her mother’s wedding ring. One day when she was asked why she did so, she just shrugged her shoulders and said, “I don’t know.” Thinking it was more comfort for Angel, Jonathan and Jennifer never minded and let her keep doing so. 

Laying her head on his shoulder, Angel said, “Daddy.”

“Yes,” he replied. 

“I know I did the right thing in telling mother and yourself about how I feel about school, but do you think that it did any good?” she asked.

Even though he had an idea as to where her thought pattern was, Jonathan wanted to make sure, “What do you mean?” 

“Mom wants me to go to private school no matter what I say or how I feel. I just know it.” 

Hearing the pain in her voice made him sadder, “Angel, your mother and I will discuss it.” 

Angel looked up at her father, “But it doesn’t matter what you say either, she will still keep in private school, even if she moves me to a different private school.” 

Jonathan was amazed how much Angel knew her mother without even saying anything. Thinking back to the earlier conversation with Jennifer. That was how he felt when talking to her. 

Knowing they would need to talk more, his main concern right now was Angel. “Kiddo, your mother and I will discuss your school. But know this - how you feel does matter to the both of us. You did the right thing in telling us and you don’t need to worry about it any more. Okay?” 

Nodding, Angel laid her head back on her father's shoulder. Still not fully convinced that it would work out, she was going to try and put it out of her mind for now. 

                                                                                                                          ~~~~~~~~~~~

The next day, Angel was up early and was in the barn brushing Rose down. She had been up since four thirty, eating a quick breakfast before heading out to the barn to be with Rose. Having an hour and half before they would need to leave, she decided to brush and braid Rose’s hair for the competitions. Barrel racing and steer wrestling were her specialities but this year she had been working on trick riding. Her parents had seen her do a few tricks, but they didn’t know that she was entering in the rodeo this year. Having Peter enter her, she made him promise to not tell her parents since she was doing it for them. Peter was more than happy to keep her secret. 

Kissing Rose on the nose, she said, “Rose, if we don’t win any of the commissions today, it will be okay. It’s not about winning or losing, it is how you play the game. I’m going to be proud of you no matter what.” 

“You are up early,” Ricky said. He was one of the ranch hands at the Leal Ranch and he was also competing in the rodeo today. 

“I wanted to braid Rose’s tail and mane before the show today,” Angel replied. 

“You know you could have done that at the fairgrounds, right?” 

“Yes, but I wanted to get it all done early so I don’t stress myself out.” 

“You are always ahead of yourself.” 

Angel turned to look at him, “You know Rick, if you would be this prepared, maybe you would actually win for once.” 

“Ha-ha, you are very funny,” Ricky laughed. He walked over to get the ribbon and handed it to Angel, “Would you like some help?” 

“Yes, please,” Angel smiled back. 

                                                                                                                       ~~~~~~~~~~

“Good morning, Peter,” Jonathan said, walking into the dining room with Jennifer. 

“Good morning,” he replied. “Where is Angel? I thought she would be with you.”

“She wasn’t in her room when I went to wake her,” Jennifer answered, sitting down at the table. 

“I couldn’t help but overhear you. Angel is in the barn,” Ricky said, walking into the room. 

“It's a little early to be out there, don't you think?” Jennifer asked. 

Jonathan looked at her, “This is our daughter that you are talking about.” 

Jennifer chuckled, “Yes, you’re right. Angel is always up early the day of the rodeo. Let me guess, she was tending to Rose?” 

“Yes, ma’am,” Ricky replied. “Mr. Lael, I came in here to let you know that the trucks are ready and we will be loading the horses in a few moments.” 

“Thank you, Ricky,” Peter answered. 

Sabrina came running into the room. “Morning,” she said as she kissed her father on the cheek, “I’m going to help Angel load her horse. Daddy, if it is okay with you, I would like to ride down with Angel to the fairgrounds?”

“That’s fine with me,” Peter answered. “We will see you in an hour.” Looking at the Harts, he said, “That daughter of yours would be with horses twenty four seven if you let her.” 

“Well, it does come by naturally,” Jonathan said, smiling at Jennifer. Chuckling, they all had their breakfast before they prepared to leave. 

                                                                                                                          ~~~~~~~~~~~ 

When Jonathan and Jennifer arrived at the arena, it was already filling up. The rodeo started at ten am and it was nine, but the place looked like there wasn’t a seat left. Being the parents of a young girl that was competing, they already had seats saved for them and for that they were thankful.

Before they walked fully into the arena, Jennifer squeezed Jonathan’s arm and said, “I’m going to see Angel before she competes.” 

Jonathan nodded at her as he went to get their seats. 

Walking toward the stables, Jennifer went to the second barn where Angel was with Rose. She saw Sabrina was in the stall with Angel, having what seemed to be a heavy conversion. Slowing her step down, Jennifer stood close enough to hear them but where they could see her.  

Sarbina was concerned about Angel since yesterday, noticing Angel had been quiet since then. She watched Angel walk off with her father, knowing that they talked and hoping it would help. Yet having been with Angel all morning, Sabrina could tell that Angel’s head wasn’t in the game. Wanting to help her friend out, she walked into Rose’s stall and confronted her. 

“Angel, what is going on?” Sabrina asked. 

“What do you mean?” Angel asked. 

“Angel, please don’t play this game with me. You have been quiet since yesterday. You haven’t talked to your parents much, even though that is not unusual before a big day because you are competing. Normally you get up at five thirty the day of the rodeo, but this morning you were up at four thirty and then you spent the whole time with Rose. Something is wrong. Will you please talk to me?” Sabrina asked, softly. 

Angel let out a sigh. “I talked to my parents about how I felt about school two nights ago.” 

Understanding where her frustration was coming from, Sarbina asked, “How did it go?” 

Angel turned to Sabrina, “De verdad, ¿cómo crees que te fue? (Really, how do you think it went?) Mother said she wasn’t mad at me but saddened that I didn’t feel like I could tell her about it. I told her that no matter what I said, she was still going to send me to that school. Then Daddy and I talked yesterday. He told me it was a discussion they would be having. But Bri, I just know that she will keep at that school. It is all about being proper to her, what she wants and not my well-being.” 

Sabrina stepped forward, pointing her finger at Angel. “Stop right there. Your mother loves you very much and I know for a fact that your well-being is very important to her.” 

Lowering her voice, Sabrina put her hands on Angel’s shoulders, “Look, Angel, your mother was raised with one parent that needed to send her to boarding school. She doesn't know any other kind of schooling, and to her, that is the only kind of school in her mind that you need to be going to. But there is a big difference between her and you. You have both your father and mother raising you. They may not see eye to eye on the school they want you to go to, but that is between them. Yes, you may not like the school, but it is still their decision. I can see why your mother would want you to go to a private school, but that is still not just her decision, it is also your father’s. Also, just like your father said, it will be a discussion that they both will have. They both love you very much and want to see what is best for you. What school you go to isn’t something that is going to change overnight and I don’t know if they will ever pull you from that school. But this I do know. You need to be willing to accept whatever decision that they make.” 

Thoughtful, Angel said, “You’re right, I just wasn’t looking at the whole picture. Thanks, Bri, you are the best.”

“Anytime. What are friends for if they can’t help you?” Sabrina said, smiling.  

“Bri?” 

“Hmm?”

“Is it hard on your father, raising you I mean?” 

“At times I think it is, and I think at times he wishes that my mother was here to help. But I try to make it as easy as possible for him. Now can we get you ready for your first ride?” 

“Let’s do this,” Angel answered, excitedly. 

Jennifer turned around and walked back toward the arena. The thought of her own daughter thinking that she didn’t care about her own well-being and that it was all about her, hurt. But there was something that Sabrina said that stood out to her. “But that is a big difference between her and you, you have both your father and mother raising you.” 

Angel did have both her parents raising her and her school was also up to her father, not just her. Sabrina also said that private school was all she knew, and she was right about that. Jennifer thought about how much she hurt in boarding school was putting her daughter through the very same thing. Realizing she had been selfish on the subject, she would talk to Jonathan more about this when they got home. Maybe a year in public school would be a trial that they need to try. 

                                                                                                                    ~~~~~~~~~~~

Jonathan was in his study at home putting up Angel’s new trophies on his book-shelf. Angel won first prize in barrel racing and steer wrestling, which made both Jennifer and himself really proud of her. They both had been very surprised when her name was called over the PA for trick riding. Not knowing that she had been working on tricks, they were very proud when she came in third. Angel told them after the show was over that she had been working on trick shots for a few months and didn’t think that she would make it in the top three. Both of them had been very proud of her. 

“She had me scared with that trick riding,” Jennifer said, walking into the room.

“Angel knew what she was doing,” Jonathan said, turning to take her into his arms. 

“Darling, we need to talk.” 

“Let's go sit,” Jonathan said, leading her over to the sofa. 

“We need to talk about Angel’s schooling and before you say anything, please hear me out.” Jonathan nodded at her before she continued, “Still not liking the idea of public school, I think we could try it for one year to see how she does.” 

“Why the change of heart?” Jonathan asked, puzzled. 

“When I went to look for Angel before her first ride, I found her in Rose’s stall talking with Sabrina. Angel told Sabrina that I didn’t care about her well-being but only myself. Then Sarbina told her she was wrong, then she said something that struck me and I knew it was true.”

“What did she say?” 

“Sabrina told Angel that there was a big difference between Angel and myself. I had only one parent to raise me, but she had both her father and mother. We may not see eye to eye on the school we send Angel to, but in my mind, private school was the only school for our daughter because it was the only school I knew. No matter what school Angel would be sent to, it was our decision.” 

Looking at Jonathan, she added, “Still not liking the idea of our daughter going to public school but when the year is up, if nothing changes, then she goes back to private school.” 

Giving her a kiss, Jonathan said, “We will give her a year.” Deep down, he knew that Angel would do better in public school. “How about we go tell her?” 

Standing up, Jennifer laced her fingers in Jonathan’s hand as they walked to Angel’s room. Knocking, they entered upon hearing, “Come on in.” 

Angel was lying on her bed reading a book. She moved to the edge of her bed while her parents sat on each side of her.

“Angel, we would like to talk to you about your schooling,” Jennifer said. 

“Yes, ma’am,” Angel replied, knowing that she was going to be told that she would need to go back to that school. 

“Your father and I have been talking and we have decided to pull from private school and put you in public school.” 

Angel looked between her parents. “Are you really pulling me from that snotty school?” 

“Yes, but I still expect your grades and academics to be the same as they are now.” 

“I promise, Mom, they will stay the same,” Angel said, hugging her mother. “Thank you, Mom.” 

Walking out of her room, Jonathan pulled Jennifer into his arms, “Don’t worry, Angel will be amazing in her new school and she has an amazing mother to teach her everything else that she needs to learn.”   

Giving him a kiss, Jennifer replied, “I sure hope you are right.”

Chapter Text

Angel came into the kitchen wearing the outfit that her mother had laid out for her the night before. “Mother, I can’t go to school in this,” she said, walking over to the table where her parents sat. 

Looking up from her cup of coffee, Jennifer asked, “Why not?”

“Because no one at school is going to wear this kind of clothing,” Angel answered. 

“When we told you that you could go to public school, that didn’t mean you would get to wear jeans,” Jennifer said, sitting back in her chair. 

Jonathan looked over at his daughter to see what she was wearing. Seeing her wearing a plaid skirt, a white polo shirt, knee-high socks, and black shoes. He shook his head and said, "Darling, Angel is right. No one at school is going to be dressed like that."

Looking at Jonathan, Jennifer said, "Jonathan, I will not have our daughter dressed like a common young lady. She will be wearing what I lay out for her, and that is final."

Keeping eye contact with Jennifer, Jonathan said, "Angel, go upstairs and change into some 'common' clothes while I talk to your mother." From the corner of his eye, he saw Angel nod and walk out of the kitchen, while the look on Jennifer’s face told him he was going into the dog house.

“Jonathan Hart! How dare you defy me like that?” Jennifer fussed. 

Leaning forward, he said, “Darling, public school is not like private school. Not only do they not have a dress code, but if you send Angel in that outfit that you laid out for her, she will be the laughing stock of the whole school. Then I know for a fact that you would send her back to private school, and she wouldn’t have the chance that we are giving her.” 

Before Jennifer could say anything, Max spoke up, “Mrs. H, Mr. H is right. I know you want Angel to wear dresses, and she could still do that, but wearing clothing like she did in private school will do her more harm.” 

“Fine, seeing as I’m outnumbered, I will not say anything about it.” Jennifer said, pointing her finger at Jonathan, “But I will tell you this: Angel will wear a dress at least once a week for school.” 

“A dress is better than a uniform,” Jonathan replied. 

Angel returned to the kitchen wearing dark blue jeans, a navy blue shirt, and black shoes. The closer she got to the table, the slower she walked. She became nervous, knowing that her mother wouldn’t approve of the outfit, but her father told her to change. She hated being the reason for conflict between her parents. 

Looking up at Angel, Jennifer looked over the outfit she picked out. She was happy that her daughter chose a nice outfit. 

“Sit down and eat your breakfast,” Jennifer said. 

Seeing how nervous Angel was as she sat down, Jonathan said, “Kiddo, your mother and I have been talking.” 

“Yes, sir,” Angel said, playing with her food. 

“Angel, look at me,” Jonathan said. “Your mother and I agree that once a week you will need to wear a dress, but the other days we expect you to dress nicely.” 

“Yes, sir,” Angel said. “Thanks.” 

Giving her a wink, Jonathan looked at Jennifer to see she was pleased Angel didn’t argue over the dress, but she was still not pleased with her wearing jeans. 

                                                                                                             ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jennifer pulled up to the curb of the school and was surprised to see most of the girls wearing jeans and t-shirts. Some of them had dresses on, but not many of them. She was thankful Jonathan had Angel change; she could see Angel being very upset when she picked her up because she was wearing a uniform. Bringing the car to a stop and turning in her seat to see Angel looking out the window. 

“Have a good day, sweet girl,” Jennifer said. 

“Thanks, mom.” Angel turned and kissed her mother on the cheek. 

Angel got out of the car and walked up to the front doors. As she walked, she could feel her mother watching her. Passing through the front doors as excitement filled her veins with this new start. She still wanted to keep a low profile and not get too personal with anyone, but she hoped this school would be better than her last. 

Jennifer waited until Angel had made her way through the front doors before leaving to run errands. Although she knew this was a trial year for Angel, deep down she hoped her daughter would be happier and make some friends. 

After Angel got her locker number and combination, she went to her locker to put her backpack up. Carrying her books were more her style, and just because she was at a new school, that wasn’t going to change. She was surprised when she heard someone say her name. 

“I don’t know anyone here,” Angel thought as she turned around to see who was calling her. 

“Sally?” Angel asked, looking at the young girl standing behind her. 

“You remembered,” Sally said, excited. 

“How could I ever forget?” Angel chuckled.

Angel thought back to the first encounter as it wiped the smile off her face, but then remembering how she was able to help Sally win second place in barrel racing brought the smile back. 

“I didn’t know you went to my school,” Sally said.

“This is my first day,” Angel said as she closed her locker door. 

“Well, being this is middle school and not elementary school, I thought I would have seen you before this.” 

“It’s a long story,” Angel said, hoping she would leave it at that. 

“Maybe you can tell me over lunch. What is your first class?” 

“History, room 212.” 

“Uggg…” Sally rolled her eyes. “You get Mr. Lee is your teacher and he is boring.” 

Angel smirked, “So what’s new?” 

“What was that?” 

“Nothing; look, I better get to class before I’m late.” 

“I’ll see you at lunch if we don’t have any classes together before then,” Sally said, waving goodbye. 

Angel just shook her head before heading to class. Taking her seat, she noticed that most of her classmates were boys. “This ought to be fun,” she thought. Sitting up straight as she watched the kids fill the classroom. Watching two girls walk through the door, she thought, “Well, that is better than being the only girl.” Even though she knew that she could handle all the boys, having at least two other girls would make it even more interesting. Just then, a young boy walked through the door and caught her eye. He was wearing blue jeans, a red shirt, and black shoes, and he had blond hair that was slicked back. As he passed her in the aisle, he stuck his tongue out at her as she lowered her head to hide the smirk on her face. “I like that one,” she thought. 

After history, Angel had literature, her least favorite class of them all. She was never fond of that class, but she knew she had to take it, so why complain about it? Now, as she walked to the lunch room, Angel watched the people as they walked to their next period, like she had been doing all morning. She noticed their choice of clothing first. The way they dressed was so different from her last school, and that brought a smile to her face. All the boys were wearing blue jeans and t-shirts. All the girls were wearing about the same, minus some that were wearing dresses or skirts with a nice t-shirt to match. The thought of a dress made a shiver go down Angel’s spine. Thinking back to her father telling her that she would wear one dress a week was better than every day, even though she didn’t even want to do that, to please her mother, she would. 

The second thing she noticed was the atmosphere here and how different it was from her last school. As she watched the kids, some were leaning up against the lockers, talking or getting things out of their next class. Most were walking in the halls laughing and joking with each other. Groups of kids talked near the classroom doors before the bell would ring. When sitting in class, she also noticed the kids would be sitting on their desks or in groups talking with each other. She chuckled on the inside at the look on her mother's face if she saw her sitting on the desk. She would be in the doghouse for sure. But the fact that the kids seemed to be having fun impressed her.

As she walked into the lunch room, she saw all the kids that were sitting together talking with all their friends. She was happy that they had friends, but deep down, she wished that she had some. Not making friends in her last school made her on edge about making friends here. Although the kids seem to be nicer here, she doesn’t trust easily, and she isn’t about to let anyone into her personal life too quickly.

“Yes, I was hoping we would have lunch together,” Angel heard coming from behind her. Turning, she saw Sally smiling back at her. “Hi, Sally,” she said. 

“So how was history? Isn’t Mr. Lee so boring?” Sally asked. 

Angel gave her a side-eye look and said, “If you must know, history is a blast, and Mr. Lee is not that bad.”

“You are the only kid that thinks that,” Sally chuckled. 

Angel rolled her eyes as she got her food. Turning around to look for a seat, she heard Sally say, "Over here." As she followed Sally to a table in the corner, she thought there was something different about this girl. Normally, when she was with people she didn't know, her radar was up and alert, but not with Sally. There was something about this girl that made her feel at ease. She was hoping she would figure it out soon, but for now, she would play it by ear. 

Taking the seat across from Angel, Sally asked, “So are you going to tell me how I have never seen you before? Well, at school, that is, we won’t talk about the stables.”

“I was hoping she would forget about that,” Angel thought. Putting her napkin on her lap, she answered, “My parents just decided to transfer me to a different school.” 

“What was wrong with your last school?” 

“I just didn’t like it.” 

“What didn’t you like about it?” 

“Do you ever stop asking questions?” 

“Not when I’m trying to get to know a new friend.” Sally smiled. 

A new friend, Angel, was taken aback for a moment. Remembering what Bri had told her about how friendships start, by questioning others to get to know the other person. Not being used to these kinds of questions since Bri and she met through their fathers. Hitting it off from the start, Bri never asked her these kinds of questions, and she wasn’t sure how to take it. 

When she didn’t answer, Sally said, “Did I say something wrong?” She immediately felt bad for upsetting Angel. 

Looking up from her plate, Angel answered, “No, not at all. There was something that you said that threw me off for a moment.” 

“What did I say?” Sally asked, shyly.

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but when you said getting to know a new friend, I was thrown off. I don’t have many friends, and it takes a long time for me to even make any.” 

Sally tilted her head to the side and asked, “Why is that?” 

“I just don’t trust people easily, and I don’t talk about my personal life.” 

“Okay, well, then let's talk about something that we have in common.”

Angel raised an eyebrow. “Like what?” 

“School,” Sally answered, leaving them both in laughter. 

                                                                                                                ~~~~~~~~~~~~

The last period that Angel had was math, and she was excited about it. But what made her happier was the fact that Sally was in her class. Although she still wasn’t too sure about her, she was happy she knew her. 

When class ended and Sally met Angel at the doorway, she said, “I have a gut feeling that this is going to be the hardest subject for me this year.” 

“Why is that?” Angel asked.

“Math is always my tough subject, as is history,” Sally replied, while they walked to their lockers. 

“If you need help, let me know. Those are two of my best subjects,” Angel answered. 

“Really? I would appreciate that, and so would my parents.” 

Angel noticed a young boy leaning on the locker next to Sally’s. He was wearing blue jeans, a blue shirt, and black shoes. He had brown curly hair, and the closer they got to him, the clearer she could see his blue eyes. 

“Hi, Jerry,” Sally said, walking up to her locker. Once she got her backpack out of her locker, she turned to look at Angel and said, “Angel, this is Jerry, my brother. Jerry, this is Angel, my new friend.” 

Shaking hands with Angel, Jerry said, “Nice to meet you.” 

“Likewise,” Angel replied. 

“Jerry is two years older than us, so that means he is two grades ahead of us,” Sally said, as they walked toward the front of the school. 

"Well, that only makes sense," Angel said, jokingly. 

"Haha," Sally replied. 

Angel just laughed. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jerry smile and shake his head. She just smiled as they kept walking toward the front doors of the school. 

Jennifer pulled up to the curb twenty minutes early to wait for Angel. All day, she had been worrying about how Angel was handling her new surroundings. Many times she wanted to call the school counselor to check on her, but that would upset Angel if she found out. So instead, she kept herself busy with the article that she had been working on for two weeks. Jonathan called her and asked her out for lunch, which she was more than happy to accept. She thanked him for telling Angel to change her clothing and that she would reconsider the types of dresses that their daughter would wear to school. Jonathan proceeded to tell her that since he went to public school, he didn’t think that the style would change much over the years. Jennifer then thanked him for not letting Angel go to school in that uniform. She could see their daughter coming home upset, but she would push through just so she wouldn't go back to private school. After lunch, Jennifer ran some errands before waiting for Angel to be excused from school.

She watched the children start to pile out of the front doors, and Jennifer started to look for Angel. Five minutes went by before she saw her daughter walk through the doors with a smile on her face and with two other children. She could see that the young girl was the one from the rodeo that Angel helped, but she wasn’t able to place her name. Seeing them both talking to the young boy, who looked to be a few years older than them, Jennifer noticed from Angel’s body language that she was relaxed. 

“That doesn’t happen very often with people that she just met,” Jennifer thought. 

Angel waved goodbye as she walked toward her mother's car. Once she got in, she gave her mother a kiss on the cheek before getting situated. 

"How was your first day?” Jennifer asked, pulling away from the curb. 

“It was really good. I love the classes, but since this is my first day, I wouldn’t have time to do a full study of things just yet. I should know in a few weeks or so,” Angel replied, laying her head back and closing her eyes. 

Smiling, Jennifer knew that Angel had to analyze everything before jumping, being the logical thinker that she is. Sneaking a glance at her, she could see that Angel was at peace, and that gave her a warm feeling. 

“Who were the two that you were talking to?” Jennifer asked. 

“Sally, you remember her from the rodeo; the older boy is her brother Jerry,” Angel answered. 

“I do recall Sally, a sweet young girl.” 

“Very inquisitive, if you ask me.” 

“Sounds like somebody else I know,” Jennifer smirked. “How old is her brother?” 

“Two years older than her,” Angel replied, ignoring her mother's first comment. 

The rest of the car ride was quiet, as Jennifer thought it was nice to see her daughter interacting with kids her own age so soon. The fact that she talked to her about her day meant a great deal to Jennifer. When she would pick her up from her old school, Angel was silent and reserved. "I learn and do my homework. What else is there?" came the reply from Angel one day when Jennifer picked her up and asked her how school went. But today, Angel was different, and she opened up. Deep down, she was happy her daughter had a good day and hoped all would work out for the best.

                                                                                                                Two Week Later:

Jonathan was sitting on the sofa with Jennifer while they both read. Even though he had been reading for some time, he couldn’t get past one page as his thoughts kept going to Angel. It had been two weeks since she started public school, and to him, she seemed happier. But she was still not talking much about school, and it had him a little concerned. Knowing she didn’t talk much about her previous school, he had hoped that maybe she would open up more with the new school, even though he knew deep down she wouldn’t. Anytime he had asked her about the subject, she would tell him that it was going fine and that it was better than before, which made him happy. Talking with Jennifer about it, she informed him that Angel would walk out with the same two kids every day, Sally and her brother Jerry. Two friends are better than none. His thoughts were interrupted when Angel walked into the room.

“Mom. Dad. May I speak to you for a moment?” Angel asked, standing behind the opposite sofa. 

Looking up from her book, Jennifer said, “Of course.” 

Angel took a seat across from them, holding a paper. “I know I have only been at school for two weeks, but I was wondering if I could pick up a few more classes for extra credit?” 

Raising an eyebrow, Jennifer asked, “Two more classes?” 

“Yes, ma’am, I have the information right here if you would like to see it.” Angel held out the paper. 

Reaching over, Jennifer took the information from her daughter and then sat back so Jonathan could read it as well. 

“Vocal Lessons?” Jonathan asked, looking up at Angel. 

“I already know how to play guitar, and I thought it would only be cool to know how to sing as well. My music teacher gives vocal lessons after school." 

Nodding, Jonathan was impressed, but then when he saw the other class she wanted to take, before he could say anything, Jennifer spoke up. 

“German? You would like to learn German?” Jennifer asked. Knowing Angel’s love for learning new cultures, it didn’t surprise her that her daughter would want to learn another language, but she wanted to hear her reason as to why.

“Sure, I already know English, French and Spanish, and you, mom, are teaching me Polish. I thought it would be cool to learn another language as well. My history teacher knows German and is willing to teach his students who want to learn.” Angel smiled at her parents. 

Looking at Jonathan, who gave her a nod, Jennifer said, “I suppose it would be alright. When would you start the classes?” 

“As soon as you give the okay and sign off on it,” Angel said, excited. 

Smiling at how excited his daughter was brought a smile to his face. Jonathan was pleased to see Angel taking an interest in more classes. Taking the paper from Jennifer, he signed it and then handed it back to her. 

“Here you go, Kiddo,” Jonathan said. 

“Thanks, Daddy,” Angel replied. Walking back around the sofa, but stopped and turned around. “Mom, Dad, I have another question.” 

“What is it, Kiddo,” Jonathan asked, noticing for the first time in a long time that Angel seemed nervous. 

Looking up, Angel asked, “Are we busy this coming Friday evening?” 

Thoughtful for a moment, Jennifer answered, “I don’t believe we have plans. Why may I ask?” 

“Well, do you remember me telling you about Sally from school?” Seeing her parents nod, Angel added, “Well, we have a test coming up in Math and History. Both of those subjects are Sally’s worst classes. I was wondering if we didn’t have any plans, then maybe I could get with her and help her study.” 

Surprised, Jennifer looked over at Jonathan, who was smiling. “That can be arranged,” she said. 

“Great!” Angel turned around but then stopped again. “Oh, and could we make the meeting public? I don’t want Sally to see our house.” 

Before Jennifer could speak up, Jonathan said, “That can be arranged. Friday evening may be too late. Maybe Saturday would work out better for a meet up? You two could meetup in the afternoon after our date.” 

“I suppose that would work better, but it would be after our date, right?” Angel asked. 

“I promise that it wouldn’t interfere with our time, Kiddo,” Jonathan answered, knowing that their Saturday dates meant a lot to Angel. If he was being honest with himself, it meant a lot to him too because he didn’t know how long it would last the older she got. 

“I’ll talk to Sally tomorrow and see if her parents are okay with that,” Angel said, running over to give her parents a kiss on the cheek before going up to her room. 

“Jonathan, why don’t we see if Sally would be able to come over here on Saturday? That way we can keep an eye on both of them,” Jennifer said. 

Thoughtful, Jonathan replied, “Angel has some reason for not wanting to bring Sally here, and we should go along with it for the time being.” 

“I’ll speak to her about it first thing in the morning to let you know that it is not polite.” 

“Jennifer, don’t do that. I understand where you are coming from but given the background on the reasons why Angel hadn’t made any friends, I suspect that she doesn’t know Sally well enough to have her come over.” 

“The thought of her not being polite just…”

“Darling, I understand but give her some time; soon there will be plenty of children running around our house at the popularity of our daughter.”   

“Jonathan! The thought of more than one child running around this house brings my heart rate up.” 

Slipping his arms around her, and said “Well, think about it. Angel has already asked to take two more classes. She has made two more friends, and one of them is someone she could help. It looks like this school year is going to be the best start for her.” 

“It is only a trial year, and still the thought…” 

“You keep saying that, but I have a gut feeling that will be lasting,” Jonathan said, brushing his lips next to hers. 

“You think,” Jennifer asked, closing her eyes. 

“Hmmm…” Jonathan replied before kissing her. 

                                                                                                                    Christmas Break

Jonathan was sitting at his desk in his office at Hart Industries, looking over the latest business deal, but he couldn’t stay focused. His mind kept drifting to his daughter and her friends. Sitting back in his chair, he thought that although Angel had been in public school for four months and had made a few friends, he had only met Sally and her brother Jerry. All her other friends he had only heard about from Jennifer or Angel. 

Sally, whom he thought was a very lovely girl but could get Angel into trouble if she wasn’t careful. One day, when Angel had been helping her with her homework, Sally had suggested that they go to a bookstore next to the coffee shop where they were, but then Angel said she would get grounded for life for not asking beforehand, and Sally just laughed. Chuckling within himself, that was just one time that Angel stood her ground. She had gone off on her own at times when they were out with Jennifer, and she grounded her just like Angel said it would happen. Jonathan smirked, knowing their friendship would last a lifetime, but he couldn't help but wonder how much trouble those two would get themselves into.

Jerry, Sally’s older brother, whom he met when the girls would get together to do homework, took a liking to him right away. Their father is in the military, so he became a father figure to him. Not having a son of his own, he felt like Jerry was one to him, and then he watched Jennifer help out with Sally. The thought of both of them helping other children who weren’t there impressed him. But he knew that when Angel got older, he would have to watch Jerry when he came around her. Something on the inside told him that there might be something between them.

Then there was Garrett, a young boy in Angel’s math class. From day one, that boy had been giving Angel trouble. Leaving notes on her desk telling her to bug off got her into trouble with the teacher, and so forth. This went on for three weeks before Angel took the first math test, got an A+ while he ended up with a C, and offered to help him with his homework. Things got worse after that; she had her work stolen to the point that she got a D on her paper because she didn’t have the information she needed. When she stood up in front of the class, she proceeded to tell the teacher why her grade was so low. The teacher called Garrett forward since she was the third girl that he had done that to, but the first girl that had the guts to stand up and tell her the truth. After talking with Angel, the teacher found out that she knew who was behind the games but didn’t want to be a snitch, which impressed her teacher. The teacher gave her the information she needed to redo her homework, and she brought her grade back up to an A. From that point on, Angel made it a point to find out why Garrett was so mean to everyone. 

Then one day in the lunchroom, Angel saw him sitting by himself, and she went over to talk to him. Angel had told Jonathan that Garrett wanted nothing to do with her at first, but when he knew she wasn't going away, he opened up. She found out his parents were going through a divorce, how it was taking a toll on him, and that he wasn’t handling it very well. Jonathan remembered Angel telling him how much her heart hurt for him. Still not knowing which parent he was going to live with, getting sick to his stomach all the time, and crying himself to sleep. Angel then proceeded to tell him that Garrett didn’t know why he told her all of this, but he was thankful because she was the first person who showed him kindness even when he was mean to her. Angel stayed by his side for the past three months and helped him through the best that she could. Through that, they have been the best of friends ever since. 

Then came the Gray brothers, David and Austin, as well as their cousin, Seth. David and Seth were a class ahead of Angel, but Austin was in her class. Angel met Austin when they were paired up to do a science project together. They became instant friends, and he introduced her to his brother, David. Both of them were black belts in karate. Then one day, while Angel was watching Sally at her cheerleading practice, Seth was practicing since he was on the football team, and he saw Angel sitting in the bleachers. Angel had told him that Seth had seen her hang out with Austin at lunch, so he came to sit with her while he waited for his ride. Once again, Angel made an instant friend. 

Jonathan was thankful that Angel was making friends, but she was making more guy friends than girlfriends. Even though it made him nervous knowing that she is only ten and it is going to get worse from here. But the few times he had picked her up from school, he noticed that she kept her distance from the boys, and they kept theirs. Jennifer informed him that even though Angel was very young, she knew how to keep the boys at a respectful distance. He wanted to believe it, but it still made him nervous.

While thinking about her friends, it occurred to him that Angel still hadn't had any of her friends over to the house. Every time Jennifer and he would talk, she would tease him that the only reason he wanted them around was so he could watch the boys around his daughter. Knowing that was partly right, he still couldn’t help but wonder when she was going to bring her friends around. Jennifer would also remind him that he was the one who told her Angel had a good enough reason for not being her friend's over to the house and to trust her. After four months of leaving it alone, he figured it was time to get the reason from his daughter because he knew that she wouldn’t give it up willingly. Looking at his watch, he made a phone call to Max to let him know he would be taking Angel to dinner this evening. Then, calling to make dinner arrangements, he got up to go pick up Angel from school. 

Leaving his office to pick up Angel brought a smile to his face. Being blessed to have taken Angel to school for the past two days since Jennifer had been in New York working on an article. She wouldn’t be back till Sunday, and he would be happy to have her back. But in the meantime, he was going to have fun tonight and Saturday with his daughter. Thankfully, it was Christmas break, so Angel would be out of school for two weeks, he would be off from work, and he made sure that Jennifer would be off as well. Spending time with his family was the only thing that meant more to him than anything in the world.

Jonathan was about to pull around the curb to the front doors of the school when he saw Angel walking toward him. Stopping, he watched, smiling, as his little girl came running toward the car. Getting in, she kissed his cheek. 

“Hi, Daddy,” Angel said, smiling. 

“Hello, kiddo. Did you have a good day?” Jonathan asked. 

“Yes, but I’m really happy that I have the next two weeks off, and I get to spend the time where I am most excited to spend it.” 

“Yay, and where is that?” 

Angel took her father’s free hand and said, “With my family.” 

Jonathan looked over at his daughter and said, “The best place to be.” 

Angel leaned back in her seat while looking out the window. It didn't take long for her to notice they were heading in the opposite direction from home. 

“Daddy?” Angel asked. 

“Yes, Kiddo,” Jonathan answered.

“You’re driving in the opposite direction of our house. Where are we going?” 

Jonathan rubbed his thumb over her hand. “I thought we would go to dinner.” 

Angel looked at her father. “You mean, like a date??” 

“Yes, a father-daughter date.” Jonathan looked over at her. He saw the big smile on her face but wasn’t surprised by the kiss she gave him. “I take it you like the idea.”

“I always love the idea of dating you.” 

Jonathan chuckled as he pulled into the parking lot. He held her hand as they walked into the restaurant. Once they got situated in a corner booth and ordered their food, he turned so he was facing Angel, who was sitting next to him. 

“Angel,” Jonathan said. 

“Yes, Daddy,” Angel said, looking up at him. 

“I would like to ask you something, and I would like a straight answer.”

Angel nodded, letting him continue. 

“I’m proud of you for making new friends, but may I ask why you haven’t brought them around the house?" Jonathan asked. He watched her look down at her hands while she played with her fingers and started to bite the inside of her lip. 

After a moment, Angel answered, "After so many kids only wanting to be friends with me because of whose daughter I am, I don’t believe that people want to be my friend for who I am. So I feel like if I bring my friends over to the house, they will know firsthand that I’m a rich kid. They might want to use me like the other kids or teachers did. They might treat me differently or not be my friends anymore. So I don’t trust easily because I think that all people are fake. Not my mother and you; I trust the both of you with my life, but other people. I guess they just haven’t passed the test yet."

Jonathan smiled when Angel told him that she trusts Jennifer and himself; he was thankful for that. He knew she had already learned that not everyone is out to be your friend for the right reason, but he felt a little concerned that at such a young age she was pushing people away. He didn't want her to go the opposite direction when it came to people. 

“What test do they need to pass?” Jonathan asked. 

Angel thought for a moment before answering, “I don’t know really. I guess I just want to wait to see if they show their true colors before they find out who I am.” 

Putting his arm around her shoulders, Jonathan said, “Kiddo, I understand you being cautious, but you also can’t give off the wrong persona.”

Angel raised an eyebrow at her father and asked, “Persona?” 

“You can’t be fake either. What I’m trying to say is, you can’t expect others to not be fake if you yourself are going to be fake.” 

“But Daddy, I’m not fake. I tell the truth, I’m nice, kind, and helpful. I just don’t want people to know my personal side yet.” 

"Angel, I’m not saying that you are fake because I know you are the most down to earth little girl that I know. There is a big difference between being friends with someone and sharing information that is personal to you. People will always have rough days, and you might not like what you see, but that doesn't mean they would make a bad friend." 

“Yes, sir,” Angel said, softly. 

As Angel looked down, Jonathan wondered what she was hiding from him. 

Rubbing her arm, Jonathan asked, “Kiddo, what is really bothering you?” 

“I just feel like I’ll be a disappointment when they find out that my parents are Jonathan and Jennifer Hart and that I come from money.” Angel said, softly.

Feeling like someone just punched him in the chest, Jonathan couldn’t believe his ears that his own daughter was disappointed in them. He knew money meant nothing to his daughter, but to hear her say she was ashamed of them, broke his heart. 

When he didn’t say anything, Angel looked up at her father to see him looking down, and she became nervous. 

“Daddy?” Angel asked. 

“Hmmm…” Jonathan replied, looking at her. 

“Did I say something wrong?” 

He could see Angel’s blue eyes searching his, and he knew he couldn’t lie to her. “Are you ashamed of your mother and I?” 

Angel was very surprised at her father’s question and quickly asked, “Where did you get an idea like that?”

“You said you would be disappointed when they find out you're the Hart’s daughter and that you come from money.” Jonathan answered. 

Angel quickly got on her knees and wrapped her arms around his neck. She looked him in the eyes and said, "No, no, Daddy. I’m not ashamed of my mother or you! I could never be ashamed of you; if anything, I’m proud of the both of you, and I love you very much. Also, I don’t care about the money; that is something that we have, but it doesn’t have us. I was talking about how I would be a disappointment to the other kids."

Surprised at her sudden movement, Jonathan put his hands on her hips and saw the tears filling her eyes as she talked to him. He was relieved when he found out she wasn't ashamed of her parents, but he was still confused. 

“How would you disappoint them?” he asked. 

Not breaking eye contact, Angel said, “With money, it means you could send me to any school that you want, but instead I go to a public school where some kids' parents have a hard time sending them because they don't have the money. When the kids find out I come from a wealthy home, they might ask why I got a common school, as my mother puts it.”

Jonathan let out a laugh and asked, “What would you tell them?”

“I hated the other school I went to, and my parents love me so much that they put me in a school that I like,” Angel grinned. 

Jonathan kissed her forehead. “You are some child, and my apologies for misunderstanding you.” 

“Daddy”

“Hmmm…”

“Please don’t ever think that I’m ashamed of mother or you; I love you far too much to be ashamed.” 

Jonathan gave her one more kiss before she sat down, and they enjoyed the rest of their date. 

                                                                                                          End of the School Year

While they lay on their bed, Jonathan rubbed Jennifer’s back while her head was on his chest. 

“Darling,” Jonathan said. 

“Hmmm…” Jennifer replied. 

“Angel has been out of school for a week.” 

“Yes, Jonathan, I know.” Sitting up to look him in the eyes, “I bet you want to know what my thoughts are on the subject, right?” 

“You told me we would give her a year's trial, and if you ask me, she has done better this year than she has in the past." 

Jennifer let out a sigh and said, “I will admit she is happier, has made friends, and has still kept her grades up. It is against my better judgment, but let's keep her in public school. But if she acts up back to private school.” 

Jennifer gave him a kiss before laying her head back down on his chest. 

“Jonathan?” Jennifer asked.

“Hmmm…” Jonathan replied.

“Did you see the look on Jerry and Sally’s faces when they came over today?” 

“Yes, it was fun to watch. They didn’t touch anything in fear that they would break it. Sally was wide-eyed about everything, and Angel just stood there with a smile on her face,” Jonathan chuckled. 

“I was proud of Angel for how she handled the situation. Once they looked over everything in the great room, they went outside to play in her tree house.” 

“I watched them from the window, and I think they were surprised she even had one.”

“While I was tucking Angel into bed, she informed me that they were surprised but understood why she didn’t want anyone over earlier.” 

“She told them?” Jonathan asked, surprised. 

“They asked her why they weren't invited over before, and she told them she didn’t want to be treated any differently because she was rich. Sally told her that she knew she was a rich kid from the start of their friendship.”

“How did she know?” 

“Apparently Sally had been watching Angel while we were at Peter Leal’s ranch for some time, and then she saw us. She put two and two together, and she already knew.” 

“I would say that put Angel at ease, knowing Sally had been treating her right this whole time.” 

“I would say so.” 

Jennifer snuggled closer to Jonathan as she thought, “Putting Angel in public school was the best decision but I’ll never admit it.”