Chapter Fifty-One
The next day Angela woke up to Daniel's loud wails. She rushed over to the nursery. Daniel saw her and cried more. Angela checked his diaper. She put him onto her breasts and he sucked for some time and then again started howling. She burped him and yet he kept howling. She gave him medicine for tummy pain and gave him a tummy rub in case he had colic pain. Yet he kept crying.
"Shhh, Daniel, your mommy, and daddy are getting married today. Why have you become a Howlster?" Asked a sleepy Damian. It was 5 o'clock in the morning and here Daniel had already started his tantrums on their wedding day out of all days.
Daniel looked at him with twinkling eyes and again started howling. Angela gave him some acetaminophen for babies to calm him down. Damian exercised his legs and hands, and turned him onto his tummy, and gave him a light rub. Then he held him to his chest and rocked him slowly as he just calmed down and went back to sleep. Angela sighed with relief.
"He's a little warm today. I hope he isn't running a fever," said Damian.
"I hope not," said Angela. "I'll take a shower before they come to whisk me away." Said a tired Angela.
"Won't you take Daniel with you? I can't manage him all alone here," said a panicked Damian.
"Don't worry, dad said he has placed a new cot for Daniel in my old room in his house. I will get ready there while keeping an eye on him," she reassured him.
"I hope everything goes well with no hassles, " said a worried Damian.
"Don't worry, I'll come out and pack Daniel's baby bag to take to dad's house," she said
There was a light tap and aunt Sandra peeped into their room."I heard Daniel crying," she said worriedly.
"Yes, he's slightly warm and cranky. I've given him medicine," said Angela.
"Hope he gets better. It's a long day ahead," said aunt Sandra.
"Yes, I'll go take a shower," said Angela.
"Shall I pack his bag?" Asked aunt Sandra.
Angela nodded and Damian and aunt Sandra started packing his baby bag for the day. The reception would be held in Damian's backyard. The decorations were all ready to perfection supervised by aunt Sandra.
Angela came out and got ready. While aunt Sandra stayed at the nursery, Angela went downstairs for a quick bite of a sandwich and milk with Damian. They had just finished breakfast when Angela's aunt Heidi came over with her daughters, Gabriella and Estella.
"Angela, time to go over to your dad's place," she said. Her cousins pulled her along with them.
"You guys go ahead. I'm coming, " said Angela, worried that she hadn't fed Daniel yet. She wanted to let him sleep more to make him feel better.
"No way. You can't spend time with your groom," said her aunt Heidi.
"I'm coming aunt. I haven't completed my work and it's just 7 in the morning, " she protested. Actually, she was pissed off with her relatives all trying to be her mom.
"What work can you have on your wedding day? No excuses, let's go, " she said, with a wink at her daughters. Damian strode off upstairs angrily.
"I haven't fed Daniel. I haven't bathed him yet. He's sleeping. I'll finish his work and then come over with him," she said with a sigh.
"Surely your aunt who stays with you can handle that," said her aunt Heidi.
"No, Daniel's running a fever and I usually do all his stuff. Anyway, my wedding ceremony is at noon. I'll be there after doing Daniel's work. I have to express my milk for him too," she told them.
"Oh, hurry then," her aunt said and walked away with her daughters.
After a few minutes, the doorbell rang while she was changing baby Daniel's clothes and his soiled diaper.
A frustrated Anthony who was her uncle Gavin's son came into her room and sat down with a sulky face. Uncle Gavin was her dad's brother who lived in California.
"What happened Anthony?" She asked.
"Aunt Heidi, uncle Shane, and their daughters have occupied all the washrooms upstairs, and I can't take a shower. Adam and Alex have gone to Arnold's house without me. Dad and uncle Gerry have gone to take a shower downstairs," he complained.
"Why don't you use mine? I've showered already and Damian's gone out to buy Daniel's medicine," she offered.
"Thanks, Angie. After your reception can I stay over? I don't want to share a room with uncle Shane," He asked hopefully.
"Sure, there are many rooms. Choose anyone and stay over," she offered. Anthony went off to take a shower happy at last.
At last, she was ready with Daniel well fed and feeling better. She kissed Damian's cheek,"See you at the altar baby," she said. A warm feeling spread all over her at the thought.
"Yes, see you. Take care and relax. Okay? Don't overdo things beyond your capacity. You can't make everyone happy, " he said kissing her forehead.
Angela went to her house. Anthony helped her with her baby bag and stroller. Daniel refused to get down from her arms and sit on his stroller, so she had to carry him in her arms.
She had already kept her wedding dress and accessories in her room at her dad's house. As soon as she went in, Gabriella shouted out announcing her arrival. Her mom came rushing out. Baby Daniel howled and howled as everyone tried to take him away from his mom.
"Why is he such a grumpy baby, mom?" Asked Estella.
"He has a fever," informed Angela.
"Oh," said Estella. Angela's dad came and took baby Daniel and rocked him slowly on his shoulder, stroking his back gently to calm him down.
"You go up to your room and relax with Daniel. Let him calm down," her dad said.
Steffi came in feeling a little better and they went up to Angela's room. Gabriella and Estella too followed them so they couldn't talk much personal stuff. Juliette came in too and Angela introduced her to Steffi.
Steffi lay down most of the time. Aunt Sandra too came inside and changed Daniel's diaper. Juliette was very good with Daniel and he immediately went to sleep in her arms.
"The hairdresser is here, Angela. I'll look after Daniel. You've already expressed milk for him. I'll feed him when he wakes up. You get ready okay?" Said Juliette and Angela agreed. She sat down as the hairdresser worked on her hair.
Thankfully, aunt, Sandra didn't allow any of the bridal party to get ready in her room as baby Daniel was sleeping with Juliette gently patting him. The hairdresser silently did her job. Her makeup artist too had arrived and worked on her face. Aunt Sandra sat with Daniel while Juliette went to the room where everyone was getting ready. The hairdresser worked on her hair too.
At last, it was 10:45 in the morning and Angela was ready in a mesmerizing shimmer lace long sleeved wedding dress with a hidden zipper in front, covered by appliques and a flowing organza skirt. She chose this dress for ease of feeding when baby Daniel was cranky and hungry. Aunt Sandra fixed her veil which was light and gave her an ethereal look. She clamped on her mom's diamond earrings, the Cartier bracelet that Damian gave her as a wedding gift, and she was ready.
Daniel woke up and she sat down to feed him before they left for the chapel. Juliette was ready too and changed Daniel into his tuxedo rompers after his feed.
They were finally ready and her dad and Clara came inside her room. "Let's get you married Angie. Take a deep breath and let's go?" Said her dad and Angela nodded. Juliette picked up baby Daniel and aunt Sandra managed her veil and dress. Clara picked up Daniel's baby bag and they left the house. Steffi had gone home since she was dizzy and had thrown up three times already.
Damian had left with her brothers and the rest of them drove in three more cars to the chapel. Angela was thankful that Daniel didn't throw any more tantrums after Juliette's arrival. He liked her and was comfortable in her arms.
They arrived at the chapel just on time. Aunt Sandra took baby Daniel with her and Gabriella took his bag and followed her much to Angela's relief.
"Don't be so tensed. Everything will fall into place. Daniel isn't well but he's better now and aunt Sandra will take care of him. Now take a deep breath and get married," said Juliette with a smile.
Angela saw that Daniel was gurgling in aunt Sandra's arms. Relieved, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She opened her eyes and her eyes met with Damian's across the aisle at the altar. He was looking so good in a navy blue tuxedo with a pale off white dress shirt. His hair was perfectly combed and he looked fresh and drool-worthy. She smiled at him and he winked at her.
Angela blushed and looked around her to see if anyone else noticed his cheekiness. No, thankfully all were busy with themselves. She closed her eyes and smiled as she prepared herself to be Mrs. Anderson finally.