“Because you can carry it,” Eli said, his voice firm as he let the Holy Spirit give him wisdom that he certainly didn’t have on his own. “Not alone. But with Him. With us. You’re not cursed, Jonah. You’re in a season of growth and preparation. You’ve been chosen for that.”
Jonah gave a bitter, disbelieving laugh. “Chosen?”
Eli nodded. “To love this child. To survive the loss. To rise up stronger. You think Jesus didn’t suffer? His people betrayed Him. He was mocked. Whipped. Crucified. That pain wasn’t pointless—it was part of the plan. Your pain doesn’t mean God’s forgotten you. It means He’s ready to shape you, prepare you for fatherhood, and soften your heart.”
Silence stretched as he let the words settle.
Kate still hadn’t said a word. Meredith wiped a tear she clearly did not want to shed.
Very slowly, Jonah sat upright, holding tight to Atlas as he peered at the open book on Eli’s lap. “Can I see it?”
“Of course.” Eli slid the Bible closer, turning it so his son could read without putting the baby down. As he did so, pressure squeezed his chest. Would Jonah throw it across the room? Rip out the page? Or…read?
His gaze skimmed the scripture. “Who did all this doodling? Mom?”
“Yep. I don’t write that much in the Bible. I’m more of a reader.”
“What’s this?” He pointed to a verse earlier in the psalm, where Melissa had drawn a heart and a star, highlighting some verses and writing something Eli couldn’t remember. He leaned over and squinted at the small words.
“‘Taste and see that the Lord is good,’” Jonah read out loud. “Look. She wrote JFL next to it. My initials.” He glanced at Kate, who might not know that. “Jonah Fredericks Lawson,” he told her. “Why would she put my initials there?”
“Something about that reminded her of you,” Eli said.
“Taste and see? Like…” He stared at the note like it was a lifeline. Then he looked down at Atlas, asleep and safe in his arms. “Like…a chef would.”
No one said a word as they all looked at him and collectively held their breaths.
Jonah sat stone still for three, four, five heartbeats. Then, with slow deliberation, he slid off the bed and placed the sleeping infant in the bassinet.
“I need to take a shower and get dressed,” Jonah said, voice shaky but stronger. “Oh, and I need to borrow a car.”
“You can have mine,” Meredith and Eli answered in perfect unison, making Jonah smile.
“I’ll take your truck, Dad.” He notched his head to the Bible. “Can you leave that here? I didn’t realize that was Mom’s and, well, do you need it?”
He needed it more than his next breath, but he just smiled. “Got one on my phone. You keep it.”
“Thanks.”
As they all walked to the door, Kate turned and looked at Jonah. “I’ll be with Atlas today,” she said softly. “Everything will be fine.”
“I know. Thanks.”
They slipped out quietly, closing Jonah’s door and standing in the great room together.
Meredith broke first. She turned to Eli and hugged him fiercely, dropping her head on his shoulder. “Good work, Dad.”
“I didn’t do a thing,” he replied, pressing a hand to her back. “Let’s go upstairs.”
They started in that direction, but Kate hung back. Eli turned and tried to read an unreadable expression. “You okay?”
She nodded slowly. “That was…intense.”
“It was, but…he’s going to be fine.”
She gave a faint smile. “I saw you comfort your family. That matters.”
She walked upstairs with Meredith, leaving Eli with the sense that she had so much more to say. He followed, glancing outside to see the clouds had deepened to an ominous gray.
