Page 43 of Safer Together
~ Chapter Sixteen ~
Angela
“She’s your what?” Maggie sputters out. I tense up. This isn’t going to go well, Elliot feels my body change and strokes my back with his hand, slow strokes up and down, a calming gesture.
“I asked Angela to be my wife this morning, Mom, and luckily for me, she said yes.” He reaches around with his other hand and locates my left hand and brings it forward in front of us both, showing my engagement ring to his family.
Beth squeals and drops her handbag, from shock, happiness, I can’t tell. I decide to clear the air and choose to act as though it’s not uncomfortable, “Hi Beth. Elliot has told me so many wonderful things about you and your family. You must be David.” I offer my hand for a handshake and he accepts. It’s solid and firm.
He smiles kindly at me, “Hey, Angela. Congratulations to you both.” I smile back.
I then turn my attention to the two children beside him. “Nikki, Jack. Elliot and I have some presents under the tree for you. Would you like to come open them?”
I offer both of my hands to the two small children, who take them eagerly. “Really, presents?” Jack says.
“I bet Uncle Elliot got me a better one then he got you” Nikki says.
I lead them over to the Christmas tree and sit them down. “Elliot, did you want to give them out?” I call out over my shoulder.
I feel him behind me in a second. “Absolutely. Tell me, who is ready for presents?”
“Me! Me!” the two children scream in unison.
Elliot steps in front of me and locates the presents. He gives them to both of the children. “Thanks Uncle Ell,” Jack says.
“Your Auntie helped me choose them for you” Elliot speaks in response, he looks at me and speaks again. “Thank you.”
I smile.
“You’re more than welcome.”
Elliot and I sit down side-by-side on the floor. He puts his arm over my shoulder casually and kisses my cheek. Wrapping paper is being torn off the presents in front of us.
“Mom, Dad, they gave us iPads!” Nikki squeals in delight. She puts it down and launches herself at us. “Thank you, Uncle Ell!”
Elliot wraps his free arm around her. “You’re so welcome, princess.” He kisses her on the top of her head. She lets go and then takes a step towards me, wrapping her arms around me.
“Thank you, Auntie!” I wrap my arms around her.
“I’m so glad you like it, Nikki.”
She releases me and smiles, “I do. I do like it, lots and lots!” She turns on her heel and returns to her iPad, picking it up and running to her parents. “Look Mommy, look Daddy, an iPad!”
I turn my face to look at Elliot who is looking at me, he leans down to kiss me on the lips. Just before they meet, we hear Arthur call out, “Elliot, can I talk to you, please?”
He presses his lips to mine before replying “Sure, Dad, later on. Angela and I have gifts here for all of you. Come on over and you can open them.”
A different voice rings out this time. “Now, Elliot.” It’s Maggie.
Elliot kisses me once more before jumping up. Knowing that this is no doubt about me, I scoot over to Jack, who is trying to get into his iPad. “Want some help getting into that buddy?”
He looks up at me. “That would be cool, thanks.” He hands me the iPad. I pierce the film with my nail and run it along the edge then hand it back to Jack so he can rip it off.
I hear Elliot and his family talking in the background. I can only make out bits and pieces. “What are you doing?”
“It’s a bit quick don’t you think?”
And finally, “Gold digger.”
