The Royal Contract

Losing Lance might have hurt her, but it did not stop her from wanting to be happy, for wishing to meet the right man for her. But at the moment, she had to put that on hold as she dreamed about something else.

She believed that she had no luck with man, but maybe, fate might have something else destined for her. Suddenly, she had new hope that she might still find happiness.

“You are so beautiful, Luisa. You look just like me.” She played with the chubby cheeks of the baby in her arms. “I am your godmother, Amelia.” Introducing herself to the lovely child.

She touched her nose on her pinkish skin, loving to sniff her baby scent. She believed she could hold her in her arms all day and never got tired of her. She could not get enough of her.

“Of course, she is as beautiful as us,” Eida interjected as she rested on the sofa, just like the doctor had ordered.

She had a difficult labor. Although the doctor had discharged her from the hospital, she still required her friend to take a few days’ rests before returning to her routine.

.....

“She certainly had your eyes,” Amelia told her friend, but the predominant feature of her face came from Lance. She could already see that she would be a beautiful young lady.

Suddenly, she also wanted what her friend had, an adorable baby to care for and love. She had never envied her friend, but at that moment, she coveted what she had.

But for her to have a child, she would need a man. But, of course, it could not be just any man. Her baby had to be born out of love, not just from some random guy.

But when would that time come? Will that dream ever going to happen?

“Hey, I wonder what she got from me.” Angela joined in the fun as she immediately stood beside her. “Let me look at my grandchild.” She excitedly took her from her hands, holding her carefully in her arms, fighting for her attention.

“I think she would be a fighter just like you,” Amelia commented as she watched her sweet friend adore their little angel.

One more woman in her life, and all of them would be the three godmothers of this beautiful princess, granting all her wishes, making her safe and protected from all those who would wish to harm her.

“If you need anything, all you need is to ask me, and I will give you everything you want.” Amelia slightly whispered into her delicate ears.

She believed the baby smiled from what she said, appreciating her promise. However, it quickly disappeared as her face returned to its tranquil state.

“Hey, I heard that,” Eida shouted at her from her position on the couch. “No one can spoil my baby.” She reminded them, blowing kisses to her child. “And that goes for you too.” She warned Angela, who had a wicked smile on her lips.

Sometimes they wondered if Angela’s parents knew what they were doing when they named her after a pure-hearted being. She had a kind heart, no doubt, but sometimes she could be quite mischievous.

“That is too bad for you.” She pouted her lips to Eida. “But that is the role of a grandmother. I am here to give everything to my sweet baby.” Angela countered, not bothered by Eida’s threat.

“On the other hand, disciplining is your role. Not mine.” She continued, pointing out Eida’s role in her baby’s child while she played with their little angel in her arms.

Eida could only look at their aged friend as disbelief covered her face. But who could go against a sweet old lady like their dear friend? She would always insist that her way was the best.

“Isn’t that right, Luisa?” Nuzzling her nose on hers until she produced an irritated reaction. Her face scrunched up, her lips pouted, and her nose turned red.

Suddenly, Luisa cried, whining like she was a big baby. She might be a tiny and adorable angel, but she packed up quite a punch as she filled the room with her shrilling voice.

Angela tried to soothe her as she danced with Luisa in her angelic voice. She sang one of her favorite songs, hoping it would make her stop crying. Fortunately, Luisa appeared to enjoy it as her face eased up and grew silent.

But the silence did not last long as someone suddenly entered the room. “Do you mind if I see my godchild?” A voice interrupted them before Angela could hand the baby to Eida, who was anxious to have her baby back in her arms.

Amelia did not need to look at the man standing by the doorway. She could recognize his voice anywhere, even with her eyes closed. Suddenly, all the memories of the two of them rushed back into her mind. It reminded her of the pain he had brought to her life.

But he was not here for her. After months of not seeing or hearing from him, she had already concluded that he had already moved on. She thought she also did the same, but she might be mistaken as the pain lingered on, and her heart squeezed at the sound of his voice.

“Evan, come in.” Eida saw and greeted him first, but she could not stand up, so all she could do was wave at him.

Then, Angela turned to his grandson, bringing the baby close to him as he moved further into the room. “It is nice to see you, Evan.” She greeted him, offering her cheek to him for a kiss.

“This is Luisa.” Angela showed him the baby. “Do you want to hold her?” She offered, but he declined, appearing afraid to touch the child. She could only conclude that he had never been around kids before. He was the typical bachelor, allergic to being even near a crying child.

“I don’t think I am qualified to hold another life in my hands,” Evan admitted as he exchanged looked with his grandmother, refusing to take the baby from Angela. He was probably afraid he might hurt the delicate child.

Luisa was, after all, just a newly born and looked so fragile. Someone like him who had no experience taking care of anybody else besides himself would not know how to handle a child. At least that was what she thought.

“Nonsense.” Angela did not accept his excuse as she forced him to take the child in his arms. “Just be careful with his head and support it with your palm, then hold the body gently around your body.”

Angela taught him how to hold the child, teaching him every step of what he was supposed to do. Finally, he held the child, cradled in his body like he had been doing it for a long time.

The smile on his face as he took the child was adorable. Suddenly, she imagined him holding their child, a beautiful child born out of love. But she quickly wiped the thought away as rubbish.

“Hi, Luisa. I am happy to meet you.” Evan said in his low tone, afraid the child would get spooked with his big basal voice. “I am Evan, your godfather.”

She had no idea that Eida had offered him the role of being the other godparent of their sweet angel. But under the circumstances, she could not blame her friend since she hardly knew anybody else who could take on that role except him.

However, Luisa did not seem to like the idea as she began crying again. Like the first time, she was shouting at the top of her lungs. “What is wrong with her?” Evan stared at Luisa before looking at Angela.

She could see the panic in Evan’s eyes as he attempted to soothe her, gently swaying the child in his arms. But the baby was worse than before.

“I think she needs her mother,” Angela concluded as she came to his rescue. But as she stood before him, her nose bunched up as if she sensed something unappealing.

“I think I am too old for that shit,” Angela answered as she suddenly refused to take the child from Evan. “I think you are old enough to figure that one out.”

Amelia already might have had an idea of what was happening, but she could not help but observe what Evan would do in such a situation. Besides, it was fun to watch him seemingly out of control. It was rare to see in this condition.

“Angela watched your language.” Eida chastised her upon hearing her words.

“Oh! Lightened-up girls. Our little angel still could hardly understand what I was saying.” Angela answered exasperatedly, raising her eyebrows at them as if they were exaggerating.

“Amelia, could you help Evan with Luisa? I would do it, but as you can see.” Her friend requested with a pleading face.

How could she say no when she swore to help while still incapacitated? But that would mean she had to go near him. The last thing she wanted was to get close to him. But it seemed she had no options left.

She could not read what expression was on his face, but she did not want to dwell on it as she escorted him to the nursery room. Soon, it was just them, alone inside the room, not counting the innocent child still in his arms.

Now, what?