Abandoned Angel
Part 28: Nothing Is Ever Easy
Another Saturday morning for Robert, and again he was thankful to not wake up to Angel giving sorry poopies to his girlfriend. He was even more thankful to not wake up to Mary in his bed. Only a slight hangover tickled his head today. He spent Friday evening with Erin, Dave, and other former and future coworkers at the bar to celebrate. Today was also the beginning of his month long vacation. Today was also the end of his relationship with Mary. For all intents and purposes, today was going to be amazing.
He showered and made a small breakfast for himself as he made the fluffies their breakfast. His three recent additions were nearly full grown but ate as adults. Robert made his way to the safe room to see the four still asleep. Angel was the center of the fluff pile with Bright and Robin almost on top of her. Brave curled against her with his stuffed animal between them. It was Brave’s first toy, and most favorite.
Robert placed the dishes on the floor and sat down next to the bed. He picked up Brave, stuffed animal and all, and held the unicorn in his lap. Brave snoozed away as Robert ran his hands through the fluff. Brave had quickly became his favorite of the three that Mary brought. Brave was quiet and thoughtful, well mannered and mellow. Brave’s legs twitched to some fluffy dream and Robert smiled. He reached out and gave the other three a quick pet before returning Brave to the bed.
Robert returned to the living room and had left the safe room door open. He figured they were old enough to start exploring the house while he was home, and there would be plenty of time for that. He pulled out his phone and texted Mary.
-Meet you at the coffee shop at noon?-
Moments later, as if she was expecting, waiting, for him to text, she responded. –Sure! Can’t wait! Love you!-
Well, Robert thought, we’ll see how she thinks after they meet up. Bright came trotting out of the safe room, always energetic and playful. The yellow earth type with blue mane and tail seemed well trained and quick to figure out what he should do even if he was deaf. Even Robin seemed quite intelligent for being a fluffy. Maybe they had very smart parents, Robert wondered, but the only one he could communicate with fully was Brave, so he couldn’t find out. “Morning, Bright.” Robert greeted the fluffy, even though he knew Bright couldn’t hear him.
Bright came straight to Robert and held up his hooves. Bright loved his daddeh. His daddeh was always good to him. “HUGGIES!” Bright yelled, unable to tell just how loud he was being. Robert picked up the fluffy and gave him a quick hug and set him on the couch next to him. Bright bounced his front hooves up and down on the couch while Robert watched tv. Bright really enjoyed this, he rarely got so much attention from his daddeh, as he had to share with Angel, Brave, and Robin. Bright pushed his head into his daddeh’s hand, his daddeh gave the best scratching and petting ever.
Bright enjoyed watching the moving pictures, even if he couldn’t hear. The pictures, the people, it was all so interesting for him. Bright grew bored and slid from the couch. Moments later he returned, pushing a ball with his nose. Robert wasn’t paying attention until Bright patted his leg with his hooves. “You want to play, huh?” Robert picked up the ball and lightly tossed it down the hall. Bright ran as fast as his little fluffy legs could carry him. He never played with a ball like this! It was amazing! He came trotting back, pushing the ball again. Robert again tossed the ball.
This time Bright returned with Angel and Robin bouncing about behind him. “Wan pway, daddeh!” Angel exclaimed, her wings fluttering. Robert tossed the ball a third time. All three fluffies ran down the hall after it, giggling and pushing it back to their daddeh. The game continued for several minutes until they became too winded to run. The three of them curled up, panting at his feet. Brave trotted out of the safe room, now that the running was over. The unicorn stood on his hind legs, holding up his hooves to be picked up.
For the next half hour Robert watched tv while Brave cuddled in his lap and the other three made a very warm fluff pile on his feet. “Okay, guys, time to go back to the room. Daddy has errands to run.” Little complaints were made as Angel, Bright, and Robin trotted to the room while Robert carried Brave. “I’ll be back later.”
Mary sat at the table in the coffee bar, her drink untouched. She was early, she knew, but rather early than late. Her foot tapped against the table leg, nervous and excited. She had such wonderful news to share with Robert and she knew he would love it. Robert finally arrived, on time as usual. She jumped and ran over giving him a big hug and kiss on the cheek. “Hey, honey! Sit, sit!”
Robert sat across from Mary, she beamed brightly at him. “Before you say anything, I have such great news!”
His eyebrow lifted, “Oh?”
She held up her left hand, “Do you like it?” She nearly squealed like a school girl.
“Your hand? It’s great. It’s the best, ever.” Robert was always the oblivious one, she thought.
“No, silly. The ring.” She shoved her hand closer to his face. “See, I figured since you lost your job you’d be too nervous to ask and, well, I liked it. This way you don’t have to plan some romantic event!”
He looked dumbfounded. His mouth half open, the thought stuck somewhere between his brain and his mouth.
“We’re getting married!” She couldn’t hold it back any longer and jumped up, giving him a big hug.
Robert shook his head, he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “No, we’re not.”
Mary smiled sweetly. “Oh, you. Always the kidder.” Mary looked down at her ring, twisting it about. She always loved diamonds.
“Seriously.” His voice grew stern. “We’re not getting married. We’re just not. It couldn’t be farther from that.” He took a deep breath, his entire plan for how the conversation would go had just flown out the window. “We’re not getting married. We’re not together. We’re breaking up. It’s over.”
Mary’s smile didn’t falter. “Silly boy. We’re not breaking up.” She stood up, “I gotta run, errands and such. So much planning and so very many details. How does a May wedding sound?” Before he could answer she walked out, humming the wedding march.