Barefoot Cinderella

3. Sunshine Sprinkled With Rain

6 years ago....

Today my father was going to introduce me to one of his friends. It filled me with great joy to see my father happy after so long. I already liked his new friend. If this friend can put a smile of my daddy's face I knew I would love this person instantly.

"Kitten, where are you?" My father called from the hallway.

I stood up gracefully, like my mother had taught me and smoothed out the creases in my dress. Satisfied, I walk out to greet my daddy and his new friend.

As soon as I enter the hall way I see my daddy talking to Ms. Abel, my nanny. I know mummy said it was rude to talk ill of my elders, but I didn't like Ms. Abel. She was very mean to me and always made me do things I didn't want to do. She always put me to bed before daddy came home and this one time she even made me go to bed without dinner because I interrupted her phone call with her friend.

I did not like this lady at all and I did not want her to be anywhere near us when my daddy's friend came by.

"Kitten!" Daddy exclaimed excitedly. He crouched down to my level and opened his arms like he used to. Giddy with joy, I rushed into his arms, "Daddy! Where is your friend?" I asked eagerly. "There she is Kitten, don't you see her?"

"But that's Ms. Abel, I know her."

"She is the friend I was telling you about."

"Is she?"

"And there is more, I have exciting news for you."

"You do?"

"Come, let us all have a seat" said my dad, gesturing towards the living room. He carried me in there, while Ms. Abel followed us.

Once in the living room dad put me down on an armchair with him and Ms. Abel sitting opposite to me.

"Well," daddy began "You know your mother wanted us both to be happy after she left us and as you very well know it is hard to live when you have a hole in your heart, in your life."

I look at him perplexed, wondering where this was going and what did it had to go with her.

"Your mother passing away left you without a mother and me without a wife. So for both of our sakes I have decided to remarry."

For a while I look at my stare at my father in shock, trying to digest the news. After sometime my daddy cleared his throat and I snapped out of it, "That is wonderful news daddy, who have you decided to marry?"

"Me, my darling" said Ms. Abel, speaking for the first time that evening.

"You?" I inquired in utter disbelief.

"Yes kitten, I love you more than the stars in the sky and so does she. You both already know each other quite well. So what do you say?"

Keeping what I felt to myself, I put on a pleased smile on my face for my daddy's sake, "I couldn't be happier." I got up from where I was perched on the armchair and hugged both of them, holding on a little long while hugging dad.

"You are going to be such a lovely bride's maid darling, along with your sisters."

"Sisters?" I inquired.

"Yes, Rhea and baby Bea."

*****