My Christmas Romance

Chapter 8: The Birthday Dinner

This week is a very special one for me because I get to see my little ones perform our dance at the Carol party.

"Hey kids, are you excited?"

"Yes we are."

Good that is the kind of energy I needed to see from them. They have been so amazing and have been catching up fast.

"Okay let's go over it again. Annabel and James, you guys take the lead"

These two have been my favorite duo. They are so charming together and they really do make make a great team, who would have thought.

"Yes Annabel, you are doing so well. James, do the twist now ..Good.. " I instructed them. I never knew the joy it brings to see other people dance what you created it's amazing.

I checked my phone again, still no call nor text. I wonder why William decided to ghost me. Maybe I was too pushy, it's been five days now and I haven't seen him. He never called me after that night and I wonder why.

"Hey miss Claire " Annabel came over to me as the other kids started leaving the room.

"Hey annabel, how are you doing today?" I asked her

" I am good miss Claire. Here is a gift to thank you for your kindness and patience with me" she stretched out a parcel.

"Awwww, you really didn't have to annabel." This was actually touching.

"Yes I did. My dad said I should always thank people who are good to me"

"Really, he said that. That's sweet of him"

"And I would like to invite you over to my house. I know I am not supposed to say this but its my dad's birthday today"

"Really!!!" I said surprised, why didn't he mention it to me and why is she not supposed to talk about it.

"Annabel, why did you say you aren't supposed to say it." I was curious to know and I am not sure I am doing the right thing. If I should know anything, it should be coming from the horses mouth.

"My dad stopped celebrating his birthday..." she hesitated for a while.. "but he doesn't have to anymore. He's always sad and I want him to be happy today"

"Awww, I am so sorry Annabel." I hugged her and comforted her.

"But why do I have to be there?" Don't you think it should be more about family. I don't think he would want me to be there. Whatever is happening has to be personal Annabel." I explained to her , although I really wish I could see him.

"You make my daddy happy" she looked at me innocently. " and I could use your help to get somethings for him, please." She begged me.

I was so shocked at those words she just said, I make William happy??? I looked at her pleading at me. Nobody can say no to that face and I can use this opportunity to see William again.

" Okay.. I would help you"

She smiled and hugged me " thank you miss Claire".

I went home and thought about everything annabel said. William still hasn't told me about his wife and right now I am having second thoughts about going over. I am just not prepared anymore and I feel unsure but Annabel really wants me over, maybe I can go through this night just for her.

I baked a cake already for him. I don't know if it's too much. I looked at the cake, it's been long I baked but I did this one special.

"That's some beautiful cake there" sasha just came in and saw me looking at the cake.

"What's that look on your face" . If there's anyone that knows me inside out it was sasha.

"If you don't feel like going anymore, I could drop it off for you and tell them you fell sick" she said.

"No it's okay. Thank you tho, but I can manage" I sighed.

"Do you need me to come with you?"

"No sash, that would be too much crowd."

"Alright, if you need anything just call me"

"Thank you" I said as I left.

I could still change my mind, I could still go back and take sasha's offer, but something is daring me to take the move and at least find the answers that I am so curious to know.

"Daddy is that food. Hmmmm it smells so good." Annabel came running into the kitchen.

I came home early from work and I prepared a special dinner for myself and Annabel.

"Yes baby... tonight is special for both of us" I smiled at the most precious thing in the world to me.

"Where's m'dear?" That's what we call our cook. She's an average lady and she has been with us ever since Mary died.

"I told her to take the night off because I wanted to surprise my beautiful daughter"

"Does this mean you get to celebrate your birthday? " She looked at me.

"....Annabel... come here." I held her hands. "You have been the sweetest kid ever and I am really blessed to have you as my daughter. You have been understanding all these years and as a kid you shouldn't have to go through those things you experienced and remember I told you this is our new life and we are starting afresh."

She nodded innocently and I smiled and tucked her hair.

"Well this is me making amends to everything. And this is for me and you, okay."

"Happy birthday daddy" she kissed my cheek and smiled.

"You are so sweet." I laughed at her innocence. She indeed is my world.

Just when I was setting the table, the doorbell rang. I looked at the time, it was late and I wasn't expecting anyone.

"Annabel go help set the table while I answer the door". I walked to the door and peeped the hole to see who was that and to my surprise...

".....hey"

"....what are you doing here"

We both said at the same time as I opened the door, surprised to see Sarah here.

"Urmm, is that your way of saying welcome to my party?" She said

"Party??? What party?". I was confused at this moment.

"Well, I received a message earlier on and I am in the right address. You weren't going to tell me it was your birthday? Why did I have to know through your daughter?" She said

Annabel?? Why would Annabel invite Sarah.

"Can I come in or you are going to keep me outside in the cold?"

I let her in and walked up to where annabel was setting the table.

"Baby come over here" I said softly not wanting to loose control. She's just a kid and she doesn't really know what she's done.

"Daddy, I am sorry. I wanted to surprise you, you haven't been happy in a long while and I felt I could bring someone that makes you happy". She explained.

"Hey darling, you make me happy okay? And I am okay with just you. I... its okay. I love you." This is a beautiful night and I shouldn't spoil it. Let's just go with the flow, it might not be so bad after all.

Well until, there was another ring at my doorbell.

"Hey baby can you get that for me" I said to annabel as I dished our plate.

"So why ain't you celebrating big" Sarah asked me. She was also helping set the table.

"I hate birthdays." I said.

"You just say that so casually" she looked at me. "Willie you are weird, I mean c'mon, who hates birthday parties"

"Me" I said

"Obviously!!! That's why you are so weird. If I knew there wasn't going to be a party, I would have brought cake"

"And who said there isn't any cake"

"There is? why haven't I seen any? That could be saving my hungry ass cause I don't trust the hands that cooked this food. I could order pizza, it's not too late tho"

I laughed at her sense of humor. " You don't have to worry lady!! My food is the best you would have tasted in your entire life"

"Daddy!! Look who's here" annabel said.

I looked up and saw her. She was standing there, golden and glowing just like always. I have really missed this face. The feeling I am having right now, where I can't think straight, where my heart skips and my brain freezes. I stood there for seconds with my mouth wide open, I couldn't say a word because that's what she does to me.

"Hi" she said

"Oh, is this the cake you were talking about Willie. The delivery is really fast" Sarah walked up to Claire and took the cake from her. "Thanks for saving my ass" .

"Urmm.. I just wanted to drop this off because annabel asked me to. I would take my leave now" she turned back to leave.

"Hey wait... urmm, would you like to join us for dinner?" I walked to her and asked her. She looks more beautiful everyday. She had on makeup and it just enhanced everything. She was wearing a red gown, it was short enough that it showed a good amount of thigh. She looked crazy sexy and I was getting hard already. Did she come to punish me???

"William, I really do not have to. I don't want to disturb what you have going on"she said.

What I have going on wouldn't be complete anymore if you ain't here right now. I died to tell her those words but I just don't have enough courage to right now, I was more concerned about my d**k not disgracing me.

"Miss Claire please stay....". Annabel held her hand and begged her to stay. I just loved my daughter more right now.

"Okay.. " she said, hesitating a bit.

"Yes... my dad made dinner and you would love it" Annabel was already dragging her to the table where Sarah was seated.

"Ohhh another guest? That's amazing" Sarah said.

"Willie why didn't you say I wasn't the only one invited?" She asked.

I went over to the table as I dished an extra plate for Claire.

She looked uncomfortable , and I wished I could be with her alone now. I am dying to talk to her right now but I guess we all have to get through this dinner with Sarah, who hasn't stopped talking for a while now.