I sigh as I throw my last piece of clothing in my second suitcase and close it up and carry both out of the bedroom with me. As I walk into the living room, I look over to find Angie standing with her suitcase by the door ready to go. ”Let’s go Mama! I want to ride in that big stretch car” She says and I chuckle as I walk over and take her suitcase out of her hand and open it. I let out a giggle when I find she has packed just her Snoopy PJ’s and her Hello Kitty doll. I’m glad I didn’t trust her to pack anything else and went ahead and packed for her.

”Angie? Sweetie? Is this all you are taking with you?” I ask as she nods and closes her suitcase back to resume holding it. ”Why?” I ask her and she scoffs and makes a face like Bette used to do when she would get annoyed. Even though Bette has no biological link to Angelica it really is amazing the same characteristics and traits they both share. She reminds me so much of Bette and it makes it harder not to think of her.

”Well? You said that Santa was planning stuff for us and I want to have room to bring all my presents back!” Angie says as she smiles at me and again her smile is so much like Bette’s. I sigh and feel a pain in my heart as I give Angie a kiss on her forehead.

”Yes. I did say that. Alright then. Go grab your coat off the rack. We are ready to go” I say as Angie claps her hands and runs over to the coat rack grabbing her coat and scarf and mine in the process.

”Here Mama!” She says as she hands me my coat and scarf and then puts hers on. ”Thank you baby” and I smile at her as I wrap her scarf around her neck. She opens the door and as I take another look around our apartment, I head out of the door locking and close it behind me ready to start on this adventure my Secret Santa has planned for us.

”Angie! Don’t you dare cross that street without looking both ways!” I yell at my excited daughter as she catches her balance before stepping off of the sidewalk. I can’t help but laugh as she looks to her left then to her right then turns back to me ”How many times do I have to look before I cross Mama?”