A Second Chance at Love

Chapter 17- So, I do have a daddy

                                                ~ Chapter 17 - So, I do have a daddy~

On Thursday, Ellie still couldn't get rid of the nagging feeling of not doing the right thing. The meeting with Matthew during the week went really well.

He had ordered Chinese take-out to have lunch while working on the article in his spacious living room. When they had finished working on the article, neither wanted to draw an end to their moment together, and she stayed a little longer. They had talked just about anything, from Amber to Ellie's relationship with Angie and their college years. At the end of the evening, Ellie could not stop smiling.

She was currently sitting on her bed trying to decide on the day's outfits for Amber and her. Feeling like she would not be able to make a choice, she went on the hunt for her best friend and found her curled up on a settee, laptop in hand and earbuds on.

When she saw Ellie coming towards her, she took off her buds and sat up. Her eyes becoming concerned, seeing the frown on her friend's face.

She put the laptop away and made space for Ellie and motioned for her to come beside her.

"What is it, El?" she said, already wrapping her friend in a hug, feeling the tension in her body.

When Ellie lifted to look at her, she had tears brimming in her eyes. "Do you think I'm making a mistake?" she said in a voice laced with emotion. "Do you think I should just leave him and start a new relationship with somebody else?"

"Oh El," Angie hugged her tighter. "What is your heart telling you?"

"It's telling me that I am making a mistake, but my head keeps telling me that Amber deserves to live in a complete family with a father like every other little girl. And what better option than her own father?" Ellie said, getting all those thoughts trotting in her head out there.

She had contemplated Cassidy's idea earlier on in the week, but then she did not want to feel like betraying Matt every time she will have to go out with Dean and Amber. She said that to her best friend, looking even more lost than before.

"I'm sure that Matthew will understand your situation, and I know that he will never object to Amber getting to know her father. I also know that he will love to have you both in his life. But hey, you're only at the beginning of this. You go today, see how it goes, and then we'll discuss it later on. Whatyathink!" she said the last part in a cowboy accent to lighten the mood. Her heart warmed at the small smile tugging on the edges of Ellie's lips.

"Okay, but you've got to help me choose an outfit!" Ellie replied, remembering her earlier struggle.

"Come on," Angie hopped out of her seat before pulling Ellie up,  "we're gonna make you look so stunning his jaw will hit the ground."

As they went into Ellie's bedroom, Amber came out of the bathroom, her princess towel wrapped around her little body, water dripping from the strands of hair around her face. "Mommy what am I wearing today?" she asked, wiping the hair off her face.

"Amber, why did you take a shower before asking for clothes again! You'll catch a cold baby," Ellie scolded the toddler while leading her to her room, leaving Angie the care of choosing her outfit for the day.

She settled the girl on the bed and opened her wardrobe. Given that Angie did not have any kids or other nieces, she spoiled Amber with loads of clothes. The girl's wardrobe was packed for years. She even has clothes until she turns five or six, and that too without overusing them. Amber had everything a girl could wish for: dresses, skirts, trousers, shorts and shirts without forgetting the shoes, accessories, coats and handbags.

Ellie picked out a cute little white dress with colourful flowers on the bottom. She then picked a nice pair of red sandals and a little red handbag in which she put a handkerchief and the little girl's lip balm.

When Amber finished getting dressed, she went to her dresser where she chose a few bracelets with the help of her mother and a pair of sunglasses.

With that done, the pair went to Ellie's bedroom, where Angie was looking for a pair of shoes on the rack.

Ellie gave a relieved smile when she saw that her friend did not choose a dress again, but a pair of white skinny jeans. A fluid silky white short-sleeved shirt was laid atop it with a dark caramel coloured trench coat.

Angie came back with dark caramel coloured heels and a stylish shoulder bag of the same colour. She always said that the bag, coat and shoes should match.

Ellie quickly dressed and sat down to comb her hair as Angie took Amber to the kitchen for breakfast. She decided to let it down in loose waves and applied a light make-up before grabbing her bag and leaving the room.

Once in the kitchen, she settled her bag on the counter before taking a seat beside Amber. Angie placed a steaming cup of hot chocolate in front of her.

"Thank you," she said with a smile. "And not only for the chocolate," Angie replied by lifting her cup of coffee with a wink.

"Mommy, where are we going today?" came Amber's little voice. "Are we going to the park?" she asked, her eyes shining with excitement.

Ellie looked at Angie for help as she mentally prepared herself for the interrogatory that she knows is going to follow.

"Amber, we're going to meet your daddy," Ellie said after a long pause.

For the first time in 3 years, Ellie found her daughter lost for words. She looked stunned by the revelation and could only stare at her mother.

"So, I do have a daddy!" Amber's face suddenly changed to that of pure joy.

She jumped from her chair on to her mother, squeezing her in a hug. "I really have a daddy?" she asked, her eyes filled with hope.

Getting over the sudden outburst, Ellie could only smile and nod at her daughter.