Too late I Am Carrying His Child

Chapter 6: Saturday’s Light

Victoria stepped into the small café, the bell above the door chiming softly. Angel was already there, sitting by the window with a cup of steaming coffee cradled between her hands. The golden afternoon light spilled across her face, making her look like the only bright spot in the world.

Angel looked up the moment she saw Victoria. Her smile spread wide, genuine and warm, lighting up her entire face. She jumped up without hesitation and wrapped Victoria in a tight hug — one so full of comfort and unspoken understanding that it almost made Victoria’s chest ache.

Victoria leaned into the embrace, surprising herself by how much she needed this. For a long time, she had been carrying a weight that no one else could see, not even her father. But in Angel’s arms, even if just for a moment, she felt like she could let that weight slip away.

When they finally pulled apart, Angel didn’t waste a second. She motioned for them to sit down, eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“So,” Angel said, voice playful but sharp, “what’s with all the sunshine on your face today? You’re glowing, Vic. Did you swallow a whole bottle of happiness?”

Victoria smiled, the feeling bubbling up inside her like a secret she wasn’t quite ready to shout from the rooftops. “Honestly? Nothing. Just decided to be happy. Because, why not? Life’s free — might as well enjoy it.”

Angel raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced by the easy answer. “Come on. You know that’s a lie. There’s always a reason. Spill.”

Victoria glanced around nervously, her eyes scanning the room as if hoping the waiter would appear and save her from confessing too much. “Please, order something. I haven’t eaten yet,” she said, trying to change the subject.

Angel’s gaze didn’t waver. Not a blink. “No food for you,” she declared with mock severity. “Not until you tell me what’s really going on. Deal?”

Victoria sighed deeply, her shoulders relaxing as she realized she couldn’t hide it from Angel. The truth was out, and it was time to let it breathe.

“Okay, fine,” Victoria said, her voice barely above a whisper. “The truth is... I’ve finally accepted the idea of having a family.”

Angel’s eyes softened, the teasing light giving way to something warmer, more sincere. “See? Who finally grew up?”

They both laughed, but the sound was fragile, like it was fighting to stay afloat amid a sea of doubts.

Victoria swallowed hard. “Dad was so surprised. He didn’t think I’d ever agree. Honestly, neither did I.” She shook her head and gave a dry laugh. “I guess... I’m starting to see things differently.”

Angel nodded, her grin widening. “That’s huge, Vic. Really huge. I’m proud of you.”

Victoria smiled, but there was a shadow behind her eyes — a flicker of doubt she didn’t voice. “Yeah. But it’s scary too.”

Angel’s expression softened. “I get that. Change always is.”

Suddenly, the waiter appeared, and Angel seized the moment to place their orders. Plates soon arrived — steaming pasta, fresh salads, and buttery croissants that smelled like childhood Sunday mornings.

They ate slowly, savoring each bite. The café buzzed quietly around them, but inside their little corner, time seemed to stretch and bend, allowing them a rare moment of peace.

After the first course, Angel stood up and held out her hand. “Dance with me?”

Victoria’s cheeks flushed. “Here? Now?”

Angel grinned mischievously. “Yes. Now. Life’s too short for ‘later’.”

Reluctantly, Victoria took Angel’s hand and allowed herself to be pulled up. The music shifted to an upbeat tune, and they moved awkwardly at first — two friends rediscovering joy in the simplest things. But soon laughter spilled freely, and Victoria’s worries started to melt away with every step.

For the first time in what felt like forever, she forgot the heaviness in her chest. She was no longer the girl haunted by loss, caught between the past and an uncertain future. Tonight, she was just Victoria. Dancing, laughing, living.

When the music slowed, they settled back into their seats, breathless but smiling.

Angel looked at her with a seriousness that made Victoria’s heart skip. “So… are you really ready? Ready to accept Regina and David? Ready for all this... family stuff?”

Victoria picked at her salad, the knife tracing slow circles on her plate. “I think I am. Life won’t end if I give them a chance, right?”

Angel tilted her head, searching her friend’s face. “You sure about that? Because once they move in, everything changes. It’s not just about being polite at the dinner table.”

Victoria nodded. “I know. I’m ready for that. I have to be.”

A quiet pause stretched between them before Angel smiled, a teasing glint returning to her eyes. “So, when exactly are they moving in? Because I want to meet that hot stepbrother of yours.”

Victoria rolled her eyes but couldn’t help smiling. “Angel, seriously?”

Angel shrugged with exaggerated innocence. “I’m just saying — if he’s your type, maybe I can stop being the only single one around here.”

Victoria raised a finger. “Let me eat in peace, or you’re paying for all my food.”

“Oops,” Angel said, laughing. “Sorry, dear.”

The night drifted by in a blissful haze of laughter, good food, and comfortable silence. For once, Victoria’s mind wasn’t a storm of what-ifs and worries. It was calm. Clear.

But just as she began to believe maybe, finally, things could be okay, Angel’s voice cut through the quiet.

“Hey,” she said softly, “have you really thought about him? David, I mean. Not just as your stepbrother, but... You know.”

Victoria stiffened, fork halfway to her mouth. Her heart pounded harder.

“Angel, come on,” she said quickly, trying to keep her voice light. “He’s my stepbrother, not my neighbor. How do you expect me to think about him like that?”

Angel grinned knowingly. “I’m just saying. If he’s your kind of guy, maybe I can finally stop being the perpetual third wheel.”

Victoria scoffed, but her laughter was tinged with something nervous. “Please. Just let me eat.”

Angel raised her hands in surrender, but the teasing didn’t fade completely. “Fine. But you owe me.”

Victoria looked out the window, watching the shadows lengthen as the night grew darker. A knot twisted in her stomach. The truth was, she had thought about David. More than she should have. The way he smiled, the way his eyes lingered a little too long. The way her heart skipped when he was near.

But admitting it? That was a different story.

The night deepened, the café slowly emptying around them. When Victoria finally checked her phone, she blinked at the time in disbelief.

“Angel, it’s late,” she whispered.

Angel smiled softly and stood, pulling Victoria into another tight hug. “I’m glad you came out tonight. You needed this.”

Victoria nodded against her friend’s shoulder. “I did.”

As Angel watched Victoria book her ride home, a quiet question lingered in her mind — one she wasn’t sure she wanted to ask aloud.

Could Victoria really open her heart again? Or was she just fooling herself?

The night air was cool when Victoria stepped outside. The street was silent, the world asleep except for the distant hum of a few late cars.

She wrapped her coat tighter around her, feeling a fragile hope stirring deep inside.

Maybe this was the beginning. Maybe she could stop hiding behind grief and fear.

Maybe, just maybe, she was finally ready to live.