Chapter 44: A good-hearted man

"Edward, finally you're here. The kids are starting to get agitated." Another nun walked towards them, carrying a very cute little girl in her arms. The pink dress and a big pink ribbon on her hair made her look prettier.

"You know I won't miss this, Sister Margaret. I promised them, especially this little kiddo." He took the little girl in his arms and kissed her on her cheeks. "Hello, Princess."

"By the way, this is Sabrina." Indicating to her, "This is my cousin, Sister Margaret." Then, facing her again. "This beautiful girl is our little Princess. It's her first birthday today."

She smiled at the little girl who just became a year old. "Happy birthday, Princess." She held the little child's hand who barely smile at her as he hugged Edward tightly.

"She has been cranky since this morning. Maybe you should take a look at her." Sister Margaret was worried that she was coming down with the flu or something.

"Is that right?" He scanned the child's face and then felt her pulse. "She doesn't seem to have a fever. Let me just get my kit at the car to check on her. "Would you like to hold her?" He offered to Sabrina.

"Yes, of course." She raised her hands to her, which she gladly accepted without a fuss. "That's a good girl." She said soothingly.

"It seems she likes you. She never responded to stranger that well." Sister Margaret commented enthusiastically.

"Maybe because I like her too." She kissed her on the cheeks. "Hope she's not sick." She said as they moved to a nearby bench to wait for Edward to return.

"Well, I would leave you for a minute while I tend to the party so we could start." Sister Anna excused herself.

The kids were scattered outside of the backyard of the convent. Some were playing at the playground with swings, slides, and a few other outdoor activities. Some were in the garden just sitting around on the benches, with a few holding a book.

There was a table set in the middle of the courtyard with food and party decorations around, indicating a big celebration was underway.

Several nuns were busy with the food and other preparations, while the others were tending to the younger kids.

"Are you two dating or just strictly friends?" Sister Margaret asked when Sister Anna was far enough to hear their conversation.

"We are friends, but it is still too early to tell if we can be more." She was perplexed with the question, but maybe Sister Margaret was just concerned about her cousin. She also had no reason to lie to her.

"I think my cousin likes you. You're the first girl he brought here to meet us." Sister Margaret stated with a warm smile on her face.

"I'm sure it was just a coincidence that he learned that I also love kids." Not wanting to make this such a big deal.

"Maybe, nevertheless, we are glad to meet you." Sister Margaret said just as Edward returned with his kit to examine Princess's condition.

After taking his temperature and a few tests, he diagnosed her with a slight stomach bug that should go away in a few whiles after she drank her medication. It was not the flu or anything serious, which they were thankful for.

Edward advised to let Princess rest for at least an hour before they proceed to her party. In the meantime, he invited her to join him entertained the kids.

"Come on. Let me introduce you to my little gang." He said excitedly, pulling her to the little toddler kids playing on the ground.

One of the tallest ones shouted his name as soon as the kid saw him. The rest of the small kids started running towards them.

She was expecting them to gather around her instead they fought for his attention. Clinging to him as they shouted his name. She guessed he was the star in this situation. She felt amazed at what she just witnessed.

She was surprised to see a little girl who approached her, tugging at her hands. "Hi! Can I hug you?" She ended up smiling with fondness at the girl's simple request.

She bent down and hugged the girl. "What's your name?" She whispered.

"Aleeyah." The girl said shyly. "You're pretty in person." She whispered.

"Ok. Kids, settle down. I want you to meet a friend of mine." He introduced her to the little kids who shyly smiled at her. "This is Sabrina."

Edward moved closer to her. "Hi! Aleeyah. I told you I always keep my promise." Giving her a wink as if they had their secret.

She looked up at her with a wide smile showing her missing front teeth. "Yes. You're the best." Aleeyah answered him with a wink too.

"You are her favorite," Edward whispered to her as he bent a little to her ears.

"Oh! That's so sweet." She whispered back. She took Aleeyah's hand as they moved with Edward to the rest of the crowd.

"Hi, kids. What are your names?" She kneeled to their level so she could have a better conversation with the kids, not wanting to look intimidating to the little ones. One by one the kids introduced themselves to her.

It would take a few more visits to this place before she could remember their names. Something that she was already planning to do in the future whether Jessica approved of it or not.

After hearing the loud commotion, the older kids started gathering around them. Most of them finally recognized her. Two or three of the girls even started shrilling her name with excitement, alarming the nuns in the close vicinity.

"Girls, behave." Another sister chastised the kids, making the kids smile in turn.

"But Sister Jane, we love her." One of the older girls complained as she continued to stare at her with awe. "You are so beautiful." She mouthed, completely star-struck.

"It's ok. You are beautiful too." She answered back which made the girl jumped with joy.

Edward finally stepped forward. "Ok. Let's welcome Sabrina to the family. Shall we?" He announced to the group gathered around them.

"Welcome to our home, Ms. Sabrina." The kids shouted in unison.

"Thank you, kids." She was touched by their reaction to her presence.

"Ok. Kids. Why don't we start with the program? Who is supposed to perform first?" Edward acted as the host of the party. Directing the kids to their participation in the program.

She was surprised that the whole event was well organized. She learned that one of the eldest kids handled the planning of the party. She was very creative and innovative with the little funding they got from their fundraising.

There was a group that performed a dance number and a choir who sang. A few individuals showed their singing ability, monologues, poetry recital, and even a magic trick. All of them trying to impress Edward and her.

She could not help but be proud of the efforts these kids showed despite their current situation. It could have not been easy for them in their limited resources.

She felt shame that she even felt deprive a few times in her childhood when she almost had it all. While these kids who barely had enough were showing strength despite their lack of family and material things.

"I would like to hear Ms. Sabrina sing? Please." Aleeyah said softly as the other kids seconded her request.

"It would be up to Ms. Sabrina." Sister Anna said. "We would like to hear you sing. Just one song."

"Oh. Sure. I would love to." She answered them, which made the kids shrilled in enthusiasm.

"Guys. I think our birthday girl would also like to hear her sing." Sister Margaret said as she approached them in the garden with Princess in her arms.

She appeared to be doing better as she smiled a lot at the crowd. When Edward took her in his arms, she was more energetic. She kept on playing with his face, which brought a wide smile on his lips.

"Why don't start the party first now that Princess has joined us," Edward announced to everyone. "Sabrina could sing later on."

The sisters agreed to Edward's suggestion and everyone moved to the table where a huge cake was waiting for Princess. One cute candle with a pink bow took the center of the cake while a few flowers and candies surrounded the beautiful chocolate cake.

The kids gathered around as they prepare for her to blow the fire in the candle as Edward hold her close. She decided to initiate the birthday song as the kids followed her lead. As the song ended, Edward and she helped Princess to blow her candle.

"Happy Birthday, Princess!" Everyone shouted. The sisters helped the kids with the food as they settled on the tables set up in the middle of the courtyard.

As they eat quietly on their seats. She decided to entertain them by performing a song close to her heart. Besides acting, she also possessed a great voice. Although she loved acting more, so she has seldom sung on stage or in a movie. After her first song, the kids requested one more.

In the end, she ended up singing four songs before she finally gave up. Another boy decided to help her and took her place on the mini stage they improvised. He sang two songs before another girl replaced her.

After eating and a few more party games everybody went back to playing, Edward announced that it was time that they should head back to the city. It was getting late.

"It was a pleasure to meet all of you." She announced to the Sisters and the kids around her.

"You are always welcome to come back and visit." Sister Anna said, giving her a tight hug.

"I will. I promise." She went to Sister Margaret and kissed Princess on the cheeks. Then, bent down to Aleeyah who was almost teary-eyed when she heard that she was about to leave.

"I'll be back and visit you. I promise." She whispered to the little girl's ears as she kissed her.

She offered a picture taking with her new family so they would have some kind of remembrance of this day. A few autographs to her SS fan club as they called it. Then, Edward escorted her back to his car.

On their way back home, Edward looked at her with full admiration showing on his face. "Thanks for today. You don't know how much your presence uplifted those kids' lives."

"It was I who should be thankful for sharing such a wonderful experience with me." She glanced at him as he continued to concentrate on the road ahead.

For the first time, she had seen Edward in a different light. Not the doctor that her sister was working with or the doctor of her father. He was not just a date that she could use to forget a past. He was a good-hearted man who was looking for someone to genuinely love and would love him back.