Daddy's Little Angel novel Chapter 23

Awkward doesn't start to describe how the journey to the hospital felt. The air was tense. Angel didn't speak, didn't smile, didn't blink....I was afraid she wasn't breathing. This is all my fault. If I had just a little self control. If I were thinking with my head. I was loosing my daughter and all I could do was watch...

Getting to the hospital, we made our way to the ward where mum was. Dad had already arrived. He was holding unto his wife's hand like his life depended on it. Angel stood a good distance from me.

"Mum, Dad?" I called. Gaining their attention.

"Hey Jack! I thought you wouldn't come"said mum. She was as loud as ever. All smiles, you wouldn't believe she was the same person from last night.

"Son, how are you?" Dad asked.

"Dad, is there need to ask? Looking at you, I can say I'm as fine as you are." I told him.

He nodes in understanding.

"Where's Emily?" I asked looking around.

"Her husband came around. I told him to take her home. She needed rest." Dad answered.

"By the way, where's that grand daughter of mine?" He inquired

Angel popped her head in from the door looking sheepish as she waved her hands at dad.

"Why are you standing over there? Come here and give me a hug would you?" Said mum.

Angel's progress towards mum isn't the usual lively one. It was tentative, slow and dragged, like someone carrying an heavy baggage.

Hugging mum, she smiled as she said with tear filled eyes;

"Gram's don't ever do that to me again...I was terrified."

"Oh, darling I wouldn't" my mum promised.

"Pfft, how can you even promise that? You have no control over it." She scoffed at mum.

"Hey young lady, don't be so hash on your Grandma, why don't you come here and give me a hug eh?" Father requested.

Everything from then on was blurry. My mind was in uproar... I watched as they talked about how they'll miss Angel when she leaves

"Is it just me! or is there tension between you two?" my mum asked out of the blue. Looking suspiciously between myself and Angel.

"Why would you say that?" I asked. Trying not to stammer.

"Nothing except for the fact that you and Angel have clearly been avoiding each other. You have been too quiet and both of you haven't looked at each other since you got here."

"Must I look at her all the time to show that things are fine? Can't a man decide not to speak? "

"Can a snail decides not go about with its shell?. We both know you and Angel are joined at the hip. Tell me, what happened in my absence? Remember, no lies." Mum pressed.

With that, Angel and I both made eye contact then looked away just as quickly.

"It's nothing" I said

"Dad's just upset that I'm leaving him all by himself. I guess he is used to me babysitting him." She concluded.

"Who babysits who" I grumbled

"Oh really?" She asked, with brows raised and eyes daring me to defend myself.

"I -"

"Enough! No arguing when I am here. Respect the blue gown and grey hair!!" Mum spoke, making dad chuckle.

"You should leave for the airport, your mum's in safe hands" he said winking at her.

"Alright, I don't wanna see anymore mushy stuff, I'll take my leave." I said giving mum a kiss on her cheek and nodding toward my father as I proceed to take my leave..

"Angel" my mum called out

"Yes Gram's?"

"Bring a boy home on your next visit. Don't get pregnant before that okay?"

Angel grinned as she said;

"I'll try not to"

I growled in disapproval as we left the hospital.

Let's just say our ride to the airport was no better. Even up to the point where she was about to board the plane, Angel didn't talk or acknowledge my presence. I was getting desperate.

"Angel... what happened to my happiness being your happiness?" I asked. Making her pause on the way to the plane.

"I was scared because you're my Dad. I didn't know what you'd think of me after yesterday's event. Would I repulse you? Would you even remember what happened? Were you influenced by alcohol and grief? Or was it intentional?"

"If it was done in your right mind, would you regret it?I kept asking my self over and over again"

"I felt angry because you've always been strong. I should have been stronger for both of us last night. I was greedy and selfish."

"I felt ashamed because after all this, I still can't get yesterday out of my head. I don't want to..."

"I feel disgusted with myself for wanting you to touch me in that manner.

"I know I shouldn't think of you like that. I shouldn't want those things, but I do."

" Dad...I -I t-think S-something must be wrong with me..." She concluded.

Trying to keep her tears at bay. She was trembling, unable to look at me.

I felt horrible. Because I put her in this situation. If only I hadn't initiated the kiss...what scares me is this feeling of wholeness and happiness within me at the fact that my own daughter is confessing her not so platonic love for me...her biological father.

My silence was taken wrongly by Angel who turned around and began to make a dash toward the plane.

Angel ! Wait its not what you think. I said running after her like my life depended on it.

"Go away, I know you hate me now."she said. She wouldn't stop running.

Getting close enough, I grabbed her wrist pulling her to me with great force.

Dad am so sorr- she began

I didn't give it much thought before leaning to take her lips in mine. I wasn't gentle. I couldn't be. Holding her so tight, I'm sure breathing became difficult, bodies pressed together to the point where it's hard to identity where one body stopped and the other began..

I poured all my frustration, all my anger, my love into that kiss.

Sucking, nibbling, tugging, memorizing and imprinting. Only stopping to whisper in her ear;

"Does this answer your question? I asked breathless. " my heart beating rapidly with anticipation and joy.

Unlike every kiss in movies and fantasy novels which seems to break a curse, mend a heart and grow the bond... Mine did the exact opposite.

If only my poor heart knew that would be the last time it'll ever beat...