9

Angel Reese

By the time evening rolled around, Angel's nerves had simmered to a dull throb. She'd kept Ray close all afternoon, refusing to let her out of sight. The little girl had been unbothered as ever—dancing around the hotel room, coloring, chattering—but Angel couldn't shake the image of her wandering the arena halls.

At 7:30, she gave in to Ray's whining stomach. "Alright, mama, let's go get dinner. To-go, quick and easy."

Ray cheered like she'd just been promised Disney World.

Angel bundled her up, one hand balancing her daughter against her hip, the other pushing open the restaurant's glass door. Inside, the low hum of conversations and clinking glasses wrapped around them. She made her way to the counter, tugging Ray's little hand when she insisted on walking.

Their order was waiting in a brown paper bag. Angel gave her name, slid her card across the counter, and just as she reached for the bag Ray cheered as if she'd won a race.

"Nuggets!" Ray's high-pitched squeal cut through the restaurant.

"You're so cute mamas. Okay let's go," They headed back and immediately sat down to enjoy their meal.

⸻

Angel set the bag down on the small round table in their room, ripping it open while Ray scrambled into the nearest chair. Her daughter's little legs kicked excitedly beneath the table, eyes glued to the carton of nuggets like it was treasure.

"Slow down, greedy," Angel teased, peeling open the sauce cups. She plucked a fry, popped it into her mouth, and watched Ray dunk nugget after nugget with precision that made her laugh.

"Mama, look!" Ray held one up dramatically before taking a giant bite, cheeks puffing out.

"Mm, good?"

Ray nodded, mouth full, and Angel reached over to smooth down her curls. The simple rhythm of dinner—the ketchup smears, Ray humming between bites, the grease-stained napkins—calmed her nerves in a way nothing else had all day.

Still, that image returned: Ray's small figure disappearing into a crowded hallway, Angel searching, her chest tightening. She swallowed hard, pushing the thought away.

"You know I love you, right?" she asked softly.

Ray stopped mid-bite, head tilting like she was confused why Angel even needed to ask. "Yeah, Mama. You tell me all the time."

Angel smiled, but her chest ached. She reached across the table, brushing Ray's hand with her thumb. "I'll never let nothing happen to you, baby girl. Ever."

Ray just grinned, holding up another nugget. "Wanna bite?"

Angel leaned forward, taking a playful nibble, and for the first time all day, her laughter felt real.

But as Ray went back to her food, Angel's phone buzzed across the table. She glanced at the screen, her stomach tightening when she saw the name lighting up.

Angel slid her thumb across the screen, lifting it to her ear."Endiya? What's up, girl?"

The line crackled before her best friend's voice came through, bubbling with excitement. "Angel! Guess what—"

Angel grinned instantly at the tone. "Oh lord, you sound like you about to bust. What happened?"

"I'm engaged!" Endiya squealed so loudly Angel had to hold the phone away from her ear.

"No way! Stop playin'." Angel laughed, half-shocked, half-proud.

"I'm serious! He proposed today. Girl, I'm still shaking."

Angel pushed her chair back, heart swelling at the happiness spilling through the line. "Oh my gosh, congratulations! I'm so, so happy for you."

They fell into a fast stream of chatter—Endiya describing the ring, the surprise proposal, the way her hands wouldn't stop trembling. Angel listened, beaming, occasionally glancing at Ray who had now abandoned her nuggets to climb into Angel's lap.

Ray wiggled around before curling up on her mama's chest, thumb sneaking toward her mouth, her small breaths starting to even out. Angel shifted the phone, cradling her daughter with her free arm.

"You deserve this, Endi," Angel said when her friend paused to take a breath. "I know how much you prayed for something real."

"I did," Endiya admitted softly, the excitement turning tender. "And I can't wait for you and Ray to be at the wedding. She has to be my little flower girl ."

Angel's throat tightened, but she smiled into the phone. "Of course best. We Wouldn't miss it for the world."

They said their goodnights, Angel sending one last congratulations before ending the call. The room fell quiet again, save for the low hum of the hotel's air conditioning.

She looked down at Ray, now fast asleep, her tiny fingers curled against Angel's hoodie. Angel leaned back in the chair, pressing a kiss to her daughter's forehead.

"Sleep good princess," she whispered, voice hushed with love. "Love you."

Carefully, she shifted onto the bed, still holding Ray close. Within minutes, the weight of the day slipped from her shoulders. With her daughter's warmth against her chest, Angel closed her eyes, and the two of them drifted into sleep together.

Excuse all errorsAjah