Chapter Twenty-Eight

Angela.

It was late at night, almost morning. The party was starting to wind down because soon, it would be time for the newlyweds to leave. There were still a few guests around, but the majority had already gone back home.

Dad and Hayley, and Ben and I were saying final goodbyes to the remaining guests, though Dad and Hayley did most of the work because Ben would keep tugging me, wanting more attention.

There was cleaning to be done, but that would be left for the staff to do.

“It’s finally over,” Ben muttered beside me.

I smacked his arm, but he didn’t look apologetic at all.

“I’m gonna get something to drink; all that talking made me thirsty. Do you want anything?”

I smacked him again. “I did almost all the talking. And apple juice, if you can. Or any kind of juice.”

Several times today, I’d had to remind myself I couldn’t have alcohol. I rarely drank in the first place, but it was a special occasion, and everyone kept wanting to make a toast, which involved champagne. There were even more toasts once everyone became relaxed from all the drinks.

“Angela? How are you doing?”

I turned around and smiled. “Dad. I’m feeling just fine, why do you ask?”

“Hayley mentioned you weren’t feeling well today, so you had to stay off the champagne. I hope it’s not anything too serious.”

So, she hadn't told him about the pregnancy, either. While I appreciated the sentiment, I wouldn’t have minded if she’d told him. In any case, I didn’t plan to, not when he should be focusing on his honeymoon instead, so I waved away his concern.

“It’s just a stomach bug, Dad. It’ll go away on its own.”

“That’s good,” he said with a sigh of relief. Then, he smiled, though he looked a little awkward. “Thank you, Angela, for being here today.”

“I wouldn’t miss it, Dad. Not after I told you I’d be here.”

“I know, but when you suddenly went away, I was a little worried. I hope things between you and Ben are fixed now?”

Ben had told me about his talk with Dad, which explained away how he’d known where to find me in LA. Dad approved of our relationship, especially since it wasn’t so different from his and Hayley’s relationship. Ben hadn't told me much, but I would have to be stupid not to realize what must have happened.

From what he’d said, it didn’t go very far, but Dad had a thing for Hayley when mom was still alive, and while I was a kid.

I couldn’t bring myself to feel angry at this revelation, though. Mom had been gone for a long time, and no matter what he did back then, he still chose to stay with us, even though a part of him might have regretted letting Hayley go back then.

It was Dad’s business, anyway, and I wasn’t going to pry into it when he was finally happy.

“Ben and I are doing wonderful, Dad,” I said. “Thanks for worrying.”

Then, he smiled. “I need to leave soon; I just wanted to let you know that I’m proud of you.”

My eyes widened as I stared at Dad. They were words I’d been waiting to hear from him for the longest time, and he’d just said it so casually. I felt my eyes sting, and I wanted to curse. I wasn’t used to being this emotional. Dad already looked awkward; I was sure if I burst into tears, he would run away.

“Why?” I asked.

“For sending your book to a publisher,” he said. “For taking control of your life. I was worried about your marriage to Stuart for a while, and I didn’t say anything, not until you brought up the divorce first, and that wasn’t right. But I see you like this, and I know I no longer have to worry.”

Wait, what?

I was gaping at him now because it was the last thing I expected to hear from him. What publisher? When did I send my book to one, and how did he know about it even before I did?

“Here’s your apple juice,” Ben said. “Sorry for taking so long.”

“Ah! There you are, Ben.”

The two of them exchanged some words, and then Dad left. It was time for the newlyweds to leave finally. His mom came up to us to say goodbye, hugging the both of us, and then they were both gone, and Ben turned around to face me, expression serious with a hint of dread.

“Ben?”

“You don’t have to be so worried. I did it, the book. I only read parts of it, but I knew it was something good, and I found someone to send it to. You’re not mad, are you?”

I stared at him for the longest time, but I didn’t feel angry. Even though he’d done something I reprimanded him for once. Seeing him standing there, stiff, waiting to be taken to task, I knew he’d done it with the best of intentions, and I couldn’t bring myself to yell at him for it.

“I do wish you’d let me know about it,” I said slowly. “But I guess I’m not angry.”

He blinked, then relaxed. “Really?”

I nodded. “I mean, I would want to know who they are, first thing. When were you planning on telling me about it, anyway?”

He gave a sheepish smile. “Honestly, I was going to wait until I heard back from them. I sent it with my email and said I was your agent, so they’ll be talking to me before they talk to you.”

I bit my lip. “Don’t tell me if they end up telling you it’s horrible, okay?”

“No way that’s going to happen, though,” he said, full of confidence. “How could they not love your book? I’m not much of a reader myself, but I loved the bit I got to read of it. I’m sure they’re going to love it, too.”

I wasn’t so sure about that. I hadn't let anyone else read it, and I’d read and tweaked it myself so many times, but I never thought it would be good enough. Ben was the first person besides me to look at it; even Dad only knew there was a draft, I never told him I finished it because I didn’t think it would matter to him. I was happy that he said he was proud of me.

“Why did you send it?” I asked.

Ben was hesitant as he walked closer to me and reached out for my hand. When I didn’t evade him, he pulled me into his arms.

“I sent it because I want to see you follow your dream. I saw the look on your face when you told me about your book, so I know how important it is to you. You don’t have to leave it on your computer, collecting dust, when you could have other people see it, instead. Because that was clearly what you wanted when you wrote that book.”

His words made me feel a little overwhelmed, and I wrapped my arms around him in a hug, so I could hide my face in his shoulder. I pulled away quickly because I wanted him to hear my next words.

“Ben? I love you.”

He was stunned, but it only lasted for a second, and then he grinned.

“I love you more,” he said, leaning down to give me a peck on the cheek.

He took one of my hands, twining our fingers together, and tugged me behind him as we left the venue to go back home.