Angel

Curly blonde hair flowed elegantly behind a young child as, feat of feats, she flew unaided through the sky. A pair of bleach white wings kept her aloft, and she sailed in lazy circles, slowly making her way home. The young girl lived with her dad, her mother long since left. She had been so young when the woman had left, she did not have even the faintest memories of her. She did, however, know what she looked like.

Blonde hair, like herself, and startlingly clear, crystal blue eyes. Angel, named after her dazzling wings, had once been told by her father she looked exactly the same as her mother had as a child. It pleased Angel that, although she knew so little of her mother, she bore such a likeness. So that every time she looked in the mirror, she might catch a glimpse of the lady she never knew.

"Angel, I need to talk to you." Her father called as she landed gracefully onto the back porch, catching her attention. They lived outside the city limits so she could fly peacefully, without being wary of watching eyes, which where often unnerving. Occasionally she would find her father at the back door, watching her as she maneuvered in and around the sky. The young blonde often got the sense her father did not appreciate her unique appearance and abilities. In fact, at times she got a feeling of fear, one she knew did not belong to her.

"Is something wrong, daddy?"

"No...no, nothing like that." He replied hesitantly, seemingly unsure how to broach a particular topic. His hand scratched at his chin, covered in a twelve o'clock shadow, indicating whatever he wished to speak about was especially difficult. Angel waited patiently for him to begin, knowing interrupting, no matter what she might say, would do nothing to help.

"Ah, well, Angel, I've been seeing someone for a while now." His hand reached behind his head to cup his neck, rubbing it awkwardly. "A long while, actually." She did not tell him, but Angel had gotten the idea he was dating someone a long time ago, she simply had never mentioned it. He didn't like when she did that. It had been a skill that had only recently developed, being able to pick up senses and at times thoughts that otherwise went unspoken.

"We've recently gotten married, actually." He glanced to his daughter, ensuring she understood what was being said, and was not too upset at hearing the news. Angel had always been very attached to her mother, even though she'd never met her. "We both know you still love your mother, and it's okay to call someone else that, do you understand what I'm trying to say?"

Angel did not argue, though. She was a child, but not so young as to not understand the situation at hand. She knew her mother and father no longer loved one another, even if she still loved them both. Now her dad loved someone else. Surely they were nice too, right? Even if they weren't her mother, that didn't mean she couldn't at least like them.

"Daddy...?"

"What is it, Angel?"

"Do I...do I have to call her mom?" Her voice stuttered. She could understand her father loving someone else, but she only had one mother. Calling someone else by another's name...did not seem right.

"Sweety, if you don't want to, that's fine. I know you still love your mother, and your mother knows that as well. If it would make you feel better, you can call your step mom Mrs. M, okay? Her name is Valencia Martinez." Slowly Angel nodded.

"Okay then, we'll be leaving tomorrow. Our new house is out in Arizona, it's a nice place, with a lot of rooms, and did I mention Valencia has two daughters?" At this Angel's eyes widened, and flew to her father's.

"You mean–!?"

"Yup, two big sisters. Max and Ella, both of them are really sweet, and the younger one, Ella, I'm sure you'll absolutely love. She's very excited to meet you tomorrow."

"We get to meet everyone tomorrow?"

"Yup, so how about it, kiddo?"

"Okay! I'll go pack my stuff!" With that Angel quickly ran down the hall, taking a left at the first door and dashing into her room. Immediately she pulled out a large suitcase, hurriedly stuffing in clothes, a few stuffed animals – including her favorite, Celeste, which had been a present from her mother, and finally, a picture of her mother. Packing did not take long, her dad had told her she only needed to bring her clothes and a few other things, everything else they would be able to get at their new house.

Once she had finished, she lugged the heavy suitcase into the living room, where her dad relieved her of it, taking it out to the care. By then the sun had already set, and soon Angel was in bed, and soon after, asleep, excited for the coming day.

Tomorrow was bound to be terrific, and she couldn't wait to meet the two who would soon be her sisters. After a moment of thought, Angel drowsily realized her father had mentioned Ella, and how excited she would be, but had said nothing of the older sister, Max. It was an interesting name, Max, not very girly. Angel supposed Max might not be a very girly person in general.

She wondered how they'd react, when they found out her secret.