Angela would think her mad if she was old enough to understand what her mother was doing to her right now. Shelagh had burst into the box room her daughter now slept in and picked a drowsy Angela up into her arms before carrying her through to her own bedroom.
'Oh my angel, oh my darling girl. Oh Angela Mummy loves you so much. No matter what happens in the future you will always be my beautiful, perfect miracle.' She lay Angela on the bed and began to gently remove the nightclothes until the toddler was laid bare before her. As soon as the last item was removed Shelagh let out a sob of relief. Settling on the bed too she pulled Angela into her arms. 'Two perfect chubby little arms and two gangly legs. You'll be taller than me before I know it my sweet. Oh the things you'll be able to do, the world is your oyster. You could learn to play an instrument and play concert halls all over the world, you could be an artist whose paintings are admired for centuries to come, you could become a dancer and enrapt audiences until they cry at your beauty. You can do whatever you want and I will love you unconditionally. I will help you and support you no matter the path you choose to walk. I will always be there when you need to wrap your arms around someone, I will always patch up your grazed knees after you've run so fast you've tripped over your own feet. You have been blessed by God and Mother Nature with all you've been given and I have been blessed with you.'
