My Delivery Boy

Chapter Seventeen

One week later

I walked into Alex's room to see him propped up, reading one of Lincolns book he had checked out. He looked up at me for the book and smiled, putting it down. "That book is very interesting."

I laughed and crossed my arms. "I don't think I have ever seen you with a book in your hand. Unless it was helping me carry the ones I checked out."

He laughed. "Alright, alright." He looked at me. "Can I get out of this room now? I feel like I am going crazy. I literally started talking to the walls last night."

"Stop being over dramatic and yes, you can leave now. I talked to the doctor and he said that you are doing way better than before."

He jumped up from the bed and smiled. "Finally free." He turned to me and pulled me into an unexpected hug. "Thank you."

I placed my hands on his back, returning the hug. "I am not sure why I deserve this, but you're welcome."

He pushed away from the hug and smiled. "You helped me. Even when you was scared to get sick yourself and give it to the kids. You made sure I had food and water in my system everyday since you found out I was sick."

I shook my head. "I do that for everyone."

He smiled. "I know, but I still want to thank you. You're a very kind woman and I enjoy that you're going to be in my life forever."

I rolled my eyes. "Now you're getting all mushy. We have a day to get ready for the ball you've been waiting for. The kids are going too."

"Everyone is going?"

I nodded. "Everyone is going. We will meet the March's there. I am more excited to see the kids dressed up."

We both walked down the stairs and walked into the living room with everyone else. Everyone smiled and hugged Alex, glad that he was okay. I knew that everyone was happy and okay now. The night was falling soon and I had to get ready, along with the kids. I decided to dress Annemarie while Father and Ellie helped with the boys. I took Annemarie upstairs to my room and got our clothes ready. She sat up on the bed as she clapped her hands. She picked up the dress and looked at it, confusion in her eyes. I laughed and picked up the dress. I began undressing her and putting on the dress.

"Oh, look at you. You look like a small princess." I clapped happily.

She smiled up at me. "Princess."

I nodded. "Yes, a princess." I bent down and kissed the top of her head. "Don't let anyone treat you any less of a princess. If a man can't love you like one, he isn't worth it."

She just smiled up at me. I wasn't sure if she understood, but I knew I would end up telling her that when she was older. I wouldn't allow her to get with a man who wouldn't provide her with the love she deserves. She deserved better than anything in the world and I would go to the ends of the earth to make that happen.

I walked off and got my dress from the closet. I had gotten my hair done before because I knew we would run late. What is a ball without a grand late entrance?

I took off my older clothes and put on the new green dress. I flattened it out a bit and turned to Annemarie. She just continued to smile, not sure what is going on out in the world. She had no idea what the world had in store for her and I couldn't wait to be there for her through it all. I picked her up and placed her on my hip as we both walked from my room and back downstairs with the others.

When I walked into the living room, the room went quite and they looked at me. "What?" I asked, looking at each of their faces.

"You look stunning, honey." Ellie spoke.

I smiled. "You do as well."

"Mama." Ashton said as he walked in front of me, holding out a flower. I looked at him then at the flower before putting Annemarie down. She began walking to father who took her from the floor and placing her onto his lap. I smiled and took the flower from Ashton.

"Where did you get this?" I asked.

He shrugged. "I found it on the porch when I went outside to check the snow."

"On the porch? Like it was laying on the front door?"

He nodded.

"How odd. Well, thank you for this wonderful flower. I will make sure to cherish it forever."

He smiled and gave me a hug before running back with Lincoln to play with their toys. I smiled and held the flower in my hand. Father gave Annemarie to Ellie while he stood up and walked to me. I looked from the floor and up at him. He took the flower and placed it in my hair, smiling at me. He placed a hand on my cheek. "You are the best daughter anyone could ever ask for."

I smiled. "I don't understand the flattery but I do enjoy it." He laughed. "But you are the best father anyone can ask for."

He smiled and placed a small kiss on the top of my head. He always had done that, ever since I started having bad dreams. He would tell me a story to keep me smiling and to forget about the nightmare. Before I went to sleep, he would tuck me in and place a kiss on my forehead. I could feel it even after he had left the room. He stopped doing it when my mother got worse before of the amount of work he had.

"We better get going. We are going to be very late." Ellie said as she stood up. Annemarie hopped off the the couch and looked up at me.

"Ready to go dancing?" I said in a singing voice while I danced towards her. She just laughed and I picked her up.

"Ready?" I asked the boys as they rushed to my side. Lincoln smiled while Ashton nodded. "I'll take that as a yes."