Pimentel Princess #wattys2018

Chaper 16 : her friends party.

January ran into my room. I was engaged to Joel but not married so we still slept in different rooms.
       She stood in her grey dress proudly, with a purple cardigan on, white frilly socks and shiny new leather shoes. Her hair still a mess, so she stood with a brush and ribbons.

"Mama, can you please do my hair nicely. I'm starting year 1 in a big school now. I'm so scared that girls won't like me. They didn't in nursery," I stare into her eyes. She had her dads eyes, so her long eyelashes made her look gorgeous. She was gorgeous, she was tanned with curly brown hair.

"Warrior princess, sit down," I smile take out the crocodile carved stool from under my bed, patting for her to sit. Her hair was so long, it reached her hips, so curly unlike mine, I have to curl with tongs!
      I run my hand gently through her hair, before brushing it. I had brushed it many times before, but this time I wanted her to stand out.

"Ow!" She cries, like always. "I'm sorry. Wait, let me get you a wide-tooth comb, and some oil," my mom had curly hair, and I used to massage her head with oil so it would be easier to comb. 
I pour the oil onto my hands and massage her head.
"Ahhh!" She says in relief.
"Can you massage my head everyday? Please? Pretty please with sugar on the top," she gives me a wide smile, with all these teeth showing.
I comply. How could I not?
I tie half her hair, half up half down then platting some of the hair with red ribbon.

She stands up. Shaking her dress down from creases, then kisses me on the cheek. She runs for my vanity mirror and gasps touching her hair.
"All the girls are going to wanna be my friend!"  She finally days before running to her dad, who'd called her name twice.

I run downstairs, before they leave. Kissing them both before they leave.
"You'll be fine," I smile. I know she'll be more than fine.

After dropping off January to school, Joel and I decide to plan the wedding.

After days, of shouting and laughing we decide the venue and caterers. We didn't plan a grand wedding, Joel had a lot of money, yet he spent as much as me, and lived in a humble small house and always had budgets. Weird, he's a celebrity but wanted to remain humble and give January a normal life.

"Because it's not a traditional wedding, I'm deciding on wearing a red dress. It will be easier and much cheaper than a white one. What do you think?" I glance from my computer.
"But mom said she's going dress shopping with you. Whatever mom says, goes." I didn't know whether that was good or bad. But I went with it anyway.

I put my computer away, and hear the lock turn, January was home!
    She comes running to me with a envelope in hand, grinning.
"You were right! Gemma invited me to her party and in this past month I've made..." she counts on her fingers whispering girls names.
"Five new friends, thankyou Mama!" And she hugs me nearly reaching my knees. My heart explodes proudly, as my daughter-to-be hugs me. Tears dwell on my waterline and I push them away immediately.

I open up the invitation.

Saturday 6th January 2018. Gemma wishes to invite you to her 6th birthday party. It's short notice but I hope you can make it! The party will be at Gemma's house at 3:00 followed by a meal at Frankies and Bennys. Gemma's Mum still be picking and dropping all the children home. Please text 07865 ****** to reserve a place and text the address you need to be dropped at.

Thanks. See you there!

Tommorow?! I'm going wedding dress shopping tommorow and I need to buy January's dress.

"Joel!" I scream at the kitchen. "Wait one second I'm making food!" He shouts back. He comes back with a pink cotton apron on that says queen of the kitchen on it which makes me and January snigger.

"There's a party tommorow, for some kid in her class. Read the invitation can she go?" Handing the invitation, with my fingers crossed that he'd let her.
After reading it wrinkles appear on his forehead.
"Oh babe, I'm sorry. I promised mom we're taking you wedding dress shopping." Making January's eyes gleam with tears. My heart breaks seeing her in tears.
"But it's my first party. All the girls are going, no wonder girls don't like me," She says in a strop.  I can't help but get a weird feeling in my stomach, I feel her pain.

"I'll talk to mom and we'll see," I say. I know Joel was against this and he wouldn't go against his mom but I was going to talk to her somehow.

I wait impatiently whilst I waited for the person on the other side of the call to pick up.
Patricia finally picks up.
"Gosh Laila. I hope you're not having second thoughts on marrying my son, huh?" She smiles. Gosh his mother was so stunning. He definitely got his looks from his mum.

"Haha, no. Its just... does January have to come tomorrow? She's got this party, and is upset with her dad who won't let her go as he says shopping is more important," my fingers crossed as I hold my phone.

"Ahh he's my son. He always obeys his mama. But the shopping will take days. We'll have to find hers after yours to match. Ofcourse she can go to the party." She says. I huff in relief.
"Can you tell him?" I plead.
"My son is not that scary!" She chuckles.
We catch up a bit more, before I hang up the phone.

I look up to see Joel in the hallway. Shaking his head.
"You love her so much don't you?" Referring to January.
"Yes," I say softly. "She's my daughter," those words make Joel bean with happiness. Then he walks away.

            ________________________

I pull the black dress over January's head, it's the dress she wore when I first met her. I gently clip one of the necklaces my mom gave me on her small neck. It almost reaches her belly button. I tie her hair into a smart bun.
I think knot applying kohl to her eyes, but Joel would kill me, as would his mom.

"Do a twirl," And she twirls shyly. Before kissing my cheek.
"Gracias," And she runs to her dad who is waiting at the window waiting for her ride.

But before she reaches her dad there's a knock at the door. It's her ride. She leaves with a huge grin and gives me a thumbs up.

I can't help but feel something bad's going to happen. I shake off the feeling. It's probably nothing.

I call up Patricia, whom I call mom, as does Joel and January.