Lilacs Forever

Chapter 14: Prince Charming

It was 6:30 and Delilah was sitting on the living room floor, with two seven year olds dressed up as princesses. She was wearing a tiara herself, although it took some time to explain that she couldn't fit into any of their costumes.

"I'm a grown up, I can't fit into kids clothes!"

"It's okay, you look like a princess anyway." Maeve giggled.

Delilah blushed, now they're trying to flatter her. "N-no, I don't look like a princess at all!"

"You do!" Hazel insisted. , "you definitely act like one... you're kind and caring, and really nice! And your hair is long and shiny."

Delilah couldn't contain a smile, this was all too cute. "You guys are adorable, you'd make good princesses too."

"We already are!" Both of them said. Then Maeve spoke up, "can we play tea-party and talk about princess stuff?"

And they did just that, three girls all dressed up as princesses and playing tea-party. The girls had a toy kitchen so Delilah began "making" the sandwiches and tea cakes. While she "poured" the tea, she heard a stomach grumble.

"Alright, who's hungry?"

"Me," Hazel said.

"Me too," Maeve chimed in.

Delilah heated up the Mac and cheese and chicken tenders. The twins gobbled up their food. Delilah tasted the Mac and cheese, it reminded her of when she was a kid.

"Mommy makes the best Mac and cheese," Maeve bragged, "she's like a chef."

"I know, your mom is very good at cooking. You know, funny thing... I made Mac and cheese last week too."

"Really?"

"Yeah, it was for a housewarming party. It's like inviting neighbors when you move into a new place."

"Do you live all by yourself?"

"I do, but it's not so bad."

"Are you married?"

"I'm not ready for that yet..."

"Do you want to get married?"

"I-uh, I don't know."

Maeve's smile grew wide with a hint of mischief on her face. "Do you have a crush on someone?"

"You're just like your mother," Delilah sighed. "You're a bit too young to be thinking abou crushes. Anyway, do you want to see a movie?"

"What kind of movie?"

"Hmmm... do you like Disney movies?"

"Yes yes!" The twins jumped around in excitement.

"Who's your favorite princess, you two?"

"Ariel!" They said in unison. "Because we wanna be mermaids! Who's your favorite princess?"

Delilah didn't need to think. "Belle," she said without hesitation , "she likes to read books, just like me. Anyway, what movie do you wanna watch?"

"Beauty and the Beast" they said.

—-

Delilah made some popcorn and poured it into a bowl. "Popcorn's ready!" She hollered.

The girls were sitting under the blankets in the living room, changed into their pajamas. The lights were off except the glow of the tv.

They watched and ate popcorn, huddled together. They laughed and giggled when "Be Our Guest" and "Gaston" played, and became dead serious watching the conversations between Belle and the Beast. They watched in awe when Belle walked down the stairs in that beautiful yellow dress.

Hazel and Maeve leaned on Delilah's shoulders.

"Delilah?"

"Yes?"

"Why don't we have a dad?"

Delilah paused, careful of what to say. There was no way to explain it, but in the end I just made her very sad.

"It's a hard thing to talk about, but what matters is that your mommy loves you no matter what."

"She's very lonely..." Maeve mused.

"Here, she's trying her best, and you're trying your best too. Things will get better."

"Like finding our happily ever after?"

Delilah smiled warmly. "Yes, you, your family... will find your happily ever after."

—-

Anita came back home very late, by the time she got back Delilah had already tucked the girls into their beds. They were fast asleep.

"Thank you so much Delilah, I really appreciate it."

"Anytime, they had a lot of fun! Anyways, how was the wedding."

"Oh boy," Anita sighed dramatically, "My cousin was drop dead gorgeous, and her husband was too. I wish I could marry someone that handsome, there were so many couples..."

"You'll find him someday,"

"I already found him, he's our boss," Anita chuckled, "but anyway, how were the kids? They weren't too much trouble we're they?"

Anita motioned for them to sit at the table. She made coffee and handed Delilah a cup.

"Your kids were so wonderful, wonderful like you. I could tell that they grew up happy and loved, the way kids should grow up. They have a kind, beautiful, and strong mother who looks after them."

"Well, I have to be strong. I have to be strong for my kids. Make sure to find a man who will take care of you, who will never leave you." Her voice faltered.

"Anita?" Delilah worriedly asked.

Anita looked down and gave her a sad smile. "You know, I thought their father was the one..." she started, Delilah listened intently.

"We were so in love," she continued, "he was strong and funny, and what a smile he had. And devilishly handsome too. I loved his eyes, his tattoos, everything about him. I got pregnant, and I insisted on keeping the babies. He has been out of my life ever since. I guess he wasn't ready to be a father..."

"But love, it's still real, even though it hurts sometimes." Delilah found the words coming out of her mouth.

"I still believe in love, true love..." Anita looked off into the distance.

"You know, your kids and I were talking about happily ever afters, you'll find your Prince Charming and your happily ever after someday..."

Anita smiled.

"Huh, maybe I will..."