Fortitude

Chapter 3: I love you

Song that inspired me to write this chapter:

Fall For You - Secondhand Serenade

Valerie's POV

"Mommy! Daddy and I are going out, okay? He's gonna teach me how to ride a bike!" Angela practically screams and starts jumping up and down excitedly, running around the house in anticipation.

Tyler comes downstairs, quickly finishes tying his shoelaces, grabs his phone and Angie's pink helmet, and gives me a quick peck on the lips, making me smile instantly.

"Gotta go, honey!"

"Don't be late for lunch! And remember! Only one hour!"  I call out to the two people I love most in the world, reminding them to be here in an hour so that they can get ready.

"Got it, Ma'am!" Ty grins, then turns around and hurries after Angie.

This little girl is so full of life. Her light shines brighter than any star, and that is something that will never cease to amaze me.
Maybe all kids her age are like that, but seeing your own daughter or son so happy, so full of joy... I can't find the right words to describe it. It's just incredible.

I start preparing lunch, glancing at the clock every two minutes, making sure I finish everything right on time, before my parents get here.

I place the chicken and mashed potatoes in the oven, and hurry upstairs to the bedroom.

I glance at my watch. Still got half an hour.

I quickly undress and take a shower, dry my hair off, tying it up in a ponytail. I put my yellow summer dress on, and a little bit of  makeup.

Every time my parents come over, I try to look as decent as possible. I usually clean the whole house, and do my best to cook the most delicious meals I can manage.

It's my way of showing my parents how my life turned out to be so much better than they ever thought it would be. It's my way of showing them that despite their lack of support, or even presence in my life before my daughter's third birthday, I've managed to make it.

I've managed to build a home with Tyler and Angela, a real family, even if Tyler and I still think it's best for all three of us to wait before he and I get married.

I take out our most expensive china and place it neatly at the table in the dining room.
I make sure the food's ready, and everything's perfect before I hear the front door open and shut.

Angela comes running into the living room with a huge smile on her pretty little face.
"Mommy! I rode the bike! It was so easy! Dad said I'm a champion! I went so fast-"

"Angela! What on earth happened to your knee?! Does it hurt? Tyler! What happened?!" I can't take my eyes of the blood on my daughter's knee.

My heart starts pounding as I hurry to find bandages.

"Don't worry, honey. I checked it. It's not much. She just fell off the bike and I got her right on time. She just grazed it. It could have been much worse." Tyler reassures me while hugging me against his chest.

He knows how worried I get every time Angela wants to try something new or a little dangerous. Seeing the blood on her knee almost gave me a heart attack.