Page 28 of Angel's Fantasy

Angel’s Epilogue

Birthdays hada way of sneaking up on me, and every year I would reflect back on what had happened since the last time I celebrated turning another year older.

I’d usually have a few small accomplishments that I could feel proud of, and a few more regrets—things that I would make a mental note to try and do better during the year ahead.

Once I turned forty, and for the two years that had passed since then, it seemed like I had more and more regrets, with fewer and fewer accomplishments.

Not this year, though.

This year, it was hard to see past all the wins.

If there were any regrets, any disappointments left over from the year before, I couldn’t remember what they were. My world—with Bella in it—was perfect, and when I looked at her smiling face, it was hard for me to remember a time when that beauty hadn’t been a part of my every day existence.

Sure, those memories were still around somewhere, and I probably could’ve dredged them up if I had tried hard enough, but even though all the struggles and all the bullshit that I went through helped shape me into the man I was today, I didn’t feel the need to dwell on any of that.

And I certainly didn’t feel the need to re-live any of it. Those hard times were in the past, where they belonged.

I looked down at the ring on my left hand and thought about the love it represents—my undying love for Bella, for my wife.

I hadn’t thought that I’d find a way to be happier than I already was with her by my side, but the day she agreed to marry me?

Yeah, that had done it.

And then the day when it had finally happened, and we’d stood up together in front of her dad and my mom and all of our friends to pledge our love for each other and become husband and wife?

Yep, that had taken the meaning of happiness to a whole new level.

Those were the thoughts that were on my mind as I stood waiting for her to put the finishing touches on the homemade birthday cake that we’d be taking across the courtyard to Calvin’s place in just a few minutes.

“Sorry babe,” she said, looking up at me with just the hint of a frown. “I’m trying to hurry, but I can’t get it the way I want. Piping these letters is a lot harder than it looks on those baking shows.”

I laughed. “Take all the time you need, my Bella. I’m just admiring the view.”

She snorted and gave me a funny look. “Enjoy this particular view while it lasts, babe. It might be changing a little pretty soon.”

I cocked my head to the side. “What does that mean?”

She would only shake her head and shrug, though. “I’ll tell you soon, I promise. And don’t worry, it’s something that I think—I hope, anyway—that you’ll be pretty happy about.”

I didn’t know what she was talking about, but her half-answers and unhelpful hints were killing me. “When is soon? I don’t know how long I can wait. You know surprises make me crazy.”

“I know,” she said, finally stepping back from the cake to admire her handiwork. “And I think we’re done here. Let’s get this thing over to my dad’s before it collapses or something, and maybe I’ll tell you the news when we get there…”

That was all the incentive I needed, and I happily picked up the cake from the counter and offered Bela my arm. “You’re sure you don’t wanna just tell me now and get it over with?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer.

“I’m sure,” she grinned, shaking her head. “But I promise I won’t make you wait too much longer.”

I didn’t know what it could be that had her so happy and so playful, but I took her word that I’d like the news.

Now I just had to take her word that I wouldn’t have to wait for very long.

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