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There weren’t a lot of people I knew at the party. I wasn’t close with any of my mom’s friends, especially since a lot of them were people she’d met after dad was out of the picture. Few of her long-term friends were there, and there wasn’t anyone I knew well, so I was stuck sitting by myself.
Angela, on the other hand, was busy mingling with her family’s friends. I wasn’t sure whether to be dissatisfied, because she wasn’t beside me, or be ecstatic because I got a better view of her as she moved around.
Besides, she would be all mine later tonight, and for a long time to come after that, I hoped.
Time moved quickly, and finally, it was time for the bride and groom to have their first dance together as a married couple. As Mom and Winston moved over to the open dance floor, I made my way to Angela. She was talking to a few people, but I just tugged her away with a smug smile. Angela, instead of getting angry, just laughed.
“Where are you taking me?” She asked.
“Can’t you guess? Or do I have to ask you to dance with me?” I stopped and turned around. Then, I released her hand and held my own out to her. “Miss, may I have this dance?”
“Yes, please,” Angela whispered, eyes slightly widened.
I pulled her with me to the dance floor as more and more people came out. Her arms wrapped around my neck, and I wrapped my own around her waist, holding her close as we swayed together. I led, and she easily followed my steps, though she looked even more surprised.
“What?” I asked. “Is there something on my face?”
She shook her head. “Sorry, no. I don’t know; I just didn’t expect you to know how to dance.”
I shrugged. “I had lessons when I was younger, but I don’t do a lot of dancing. That doesn’t mean I forgot how to, though.”
I moved her carefully through the crowd that slowly filled the floor, making sure not to bump into any of the other couples. We arrived at a small corner near the edge of the dance floor; then we stayed in place.
“You looked like you were having fun earlier,” I murmured.
I had to admit, as I watched the entire time, I did feel a little jealous.
Angela patted my chest. “They’re all people who either know my dad or are in the profession. It would have been rude to just ignore them.”
I allowed myself to be mollified because I wanted to be happy today. I held Angela tighter, and she sighed as she laid her head on my shoulder. Her eyes closed, and she hummed gently to the song. I wanted to lean down and kiss her, but in this unfamiliar crowd, I didn’t dare. Instead, I pecked her forehead and tucked her head beneath my chin.
“As soon as I leave college,” I said quietly. “I’m going to make you my wife.”
I felt Angela’s body go stiff beneath my hands, but I didn’t stop slowly swaying us around. She relaxed little by little, but she’d pulled back, so she could stare at me. I was a little worried about her reaction. Maybe I shouldn’t have just come out and said that even if I did mean it. Then, a corner of her lips tipped up as her eyebrow arched.
“College boy?” She teased. “Aren’t you a little young to be thinking about marriage? Not to mention, a little fast?”
“Age has nothing to do with it,” I said quickly. “And graduation is months away, so I have plenty of time to think about it, but I doubt I’ll be changing my mind.”
She stared at me, stunned, for the longest moment. Then she laughed, and it sounded genuinely happy. Her eyes looked a little moist.
“Well then,” she said. “You’re going to need money for the baby.”
It was my turn to freeze, and Angela had a teasing smile on her lips as she nudged my body to keep swaying. I could see, though, that her lips were a little shaky at the corners. She was nervous.
“What baby?” I blurted out.
“The one I’m carrying,” she said, voice a little quieter.
I managed to get back my equilibrium after a while. It hadn't fully sunk in yet, but I heard her.
“I kind of thought you couldn’t have kids,” I admitted quietly.
Her eyebrows jumped up. “Oh? How so?”
I hesitated. “Well, you were married for so long, and you didn’t mention a kid between you and the ex. You might have just not wanted one, and I couldn’t know for sure, but I didn’t want to pry.”
“You’re half right,” she said. “I didn’t think I could have kids, either, but I’m pregnant.”
A baby… I looked down between us, even knowing it would be too soon for anything to show. Her stomach was pressed flat against mine, but inside of it, a baby was growing. Our baby.
