6 Hope!!

I started preparing for the party which was just two weeks away. I had my dinner date with Andrew on Friday. I got ready at time and Andrew picked me from home. I called Amy for babysitting as she was already good with my kids. Andrew took me to a restaurant which had a beautiful and classy ambience. He complimented me which made me blush. He asked me about my favourites and we got into conversation so easily as we were like friends. We decided to order and he suggested the best of that place, and I complied with his suggestions and ordered a green garden pizza with barbeque burger. He ordered a peanut salad with sauce and same burger. We ordered clear soups to accompany our dishes. We talked on different topics, he was very knowledgeable about the children. He told me that his sister Bailey always leave her daughter's with him to babysit so he is a natural with children . We talked about the new generation and their needs and moods. Our soup arrived and it was really tasty, they had added some herbs to it with basil leaves . Our dinner arrived and we shared the salad and pizza like foodies. I enjoyed everything after a very long time. Everything was quite delicious. He dropped me home,said hello to Sarah as dew was already slept. I took him to door and he kissed me at cheek and bid good night. I felt a sensation which I never felt before. I was feeling like a teenager who had a crush on someone. Next day ally called me and asked me about the preparations. She invited me and the kids to the party and told me that driver would pick us up with the goodies. I took Amy's help in baking and as usual Sarah and dew were excited with my new recipes. Now my blog had almost 500 followers who were trying my recipes and were giving complements and suggestions. It was really fun and knowledgeable as different people have various ideas and techniques. The D Day arrived and that day don't know why I woke up with a new hope,that the divine ll take care of me. Dew was very excited for the party and Sarah was as usual calm and composed. I packed everything separately and double checked everything. We got ready and the driver arrived on time. He knocked and I opened the door , I invited him in and he started loading goodies in the back. He had a stand for everything, I think ally took care of that as I told her I don't ve a delivery vehicle. So far so good, we reached the venue and it was looking breath taking. The enterance had royal blue balloons with flowers and as we entered the whole hall was filled with blue balloons with flower decorations at seats. There was a counter for goodies and a platform for cake. There was a different table for cupcakes which were to be given as return gifts to guests. Both of my children were in awe like me. Ally spotted me and hugged me. She also introduced herself to the kids then she took them to introduce them to the other kids. Ladies were wearing dresses with diamonds. It was like the whole hall was sparkling. I was improvising the tables when I noticed a hand at my back and I immediately knew whose hand was it. I turned and acknowledged him. Hi Andrew!

"Hi Hailey! you look lovely as usual. Where are the children and have you met ally?"

Thanku for the compliment! Yes ally already had greeted me and she had introduced the children to some other kids. They are having fun.

" I want you to meet someone, please come with me. So this is my sister Bailey and bailey hugged Hailey and complimented her which made Hailey blushed. I noticed that both were already busy in talking so I left Hailey to meet ally."

Andrew's sister was like him - friendly, adorable and mature. She instantly made me at ease which was a new feeling for me. His whole family was very down to earth which was refreshing. While we were talking I noticed Andrew met ally and his husband, and I saw him talking to an elderly lady. He made her sit and then he came to me. He excused both of us and he took me towards that lady.

" Mom this is Hailey."

""Oh hi hailey. Andrew had told me so much about you and the kids. I want to meet them today for sure. He also told me that you are very brave and are raising the kids alone. I am very proud of you and you took a very brave decision. And I heard that today all these colourful goodies are your creation. I am very eager to taste them as it looks really tasty""

Thanku so much " Mrs ....?

""Dear you can call me Debbie""

Thanku you so much Debbie. Its a lot coming from you. And definitely I ll introduce you to the kids after cake cutting. Can I get you anything. You should sit down, I don't think you are well

'" No I just have a light fever but at my age it had given me more weakness but bailey and Andrew have made it habit of fussing over me ally the time. Come and sit down with me and tell me about the kids""

Me and Debbie talked for another half hour - in between bailey and Andrew filled out table with the lip smacking finger food and drinks. I was really having fun as I never had any elder in my life. After half an hour the cake was cut ,it was a three tier cake. Lower had a base of colorful logos and blocks which every child had. Middle was the cartoon base with some characters on it and the top most had the number 2 on it for the child's age. Everyone was appreciating the cake and I was very happy and I had put so much effort in it. It took me a whole week just to create this. everyone liked the taste also. Debbie constantly appreciated me and introduced me to her sisters and brothers. Andrew introduced me to his remaining cousins. It was very overwhelming for me. I introduced the kids to Debbie and as she was a sweetheart, kids immediately liked her. She was very grandmotherly. We were having fun and after the party Andrew dropped us home. Next day children were full of tails from the party. After breakfast someone rung the bell and I found ally at my door. She hugged me and I invited her in, she praised me and the goodies. She told me that everyone liked the goodies and cake very much. That cake was the star of the party. Everyone was in awe of that cake. Thanku so much Hailey!!

You made it really special.

I had tears in my eyes, and she gave me the cheque which was much more the actual amount. I pointed this to her and she said that I deserved this. She invited me for thr family lunch next Sunday. I wasn't sure as it was a family lunch and i didn't want to interude. And I also didn't want to be the outsider. I told her that I ll think about it and let her know. Andrew called that evening and also invited me for lunch as it was his aunt's s birthday. He told me that Debbie wanted me there. When I told him that I am just a friend , he assured me that already I was a family member for his family. Next day bailey called me and finally convinced me to join the lunch with kids. I had nothing to wear so after depositing the cheque, I decided to shop but for reasonable clothes. I bought dew a t shirt and dungrees. Sarah bought a jeans as she told me she already have enough tops. "My sweetheart" . i took the cue and bought myself a yellow sundress which was affordable for me. That week I received two small orders courtesy of ally. Sunday was already here and Andrew picked us up. His aunt had his own mansion outside the city. It was a very cosy lunch with just family. Everyone was very polite, loving and attentive. I never felt out of place. After lunch kids went to gaming room and the couple's danced together. Andrew asked me to dance and while dancing he asked me that would I like to be in a relationship with him. He told me it's not any compulsion, nor its an emergency. I can take my own time as he doesn't want to rush me. I felt that hope blossoming inside my chest. I told him yes!

and he hugged me for the first time.