“I love you,” I mouthed.
“I love you more,” he mouthed back.
Belle started wiggling in his arms and whimpering. I reached for her, and she easily came to me. I inhaled the sweet lavender scent that cloaked her skin and clothing before I buried my hair in her soft, silky curls. She continued wiggling, and I shifted her in my arms. The milky aroma of her sweet breath caressed my face like a kiss, making me smile. I couldn’t help but thinkabout how blessed I was with her and Christian. They were the greatest Christmas gifts that I ever received besides the Lord Jesus Christ, my Savior.
I opened my mouth again and sang along with the rest of the congregation as Belle sank snugly in my embrace and drifted off to sleep. Christian wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer.
“It’sironic to me how you all hated being in the choir, but I loved it. And when we no longer had a junior choir by the time I turned eight, because we didn’t have that many young people in the church, it broke my heart. All I wanted was what you had.”
Christian chuckled as he took our dishes to the kitchen. “And all I wanted was what you had.”
We had returned to his place after church, and I had made us broccoli and potato cheddar soup with homemade bread. I was so cozy at his place, and I couldn’t help but look forward to the time when we would be living together and doing things like sharing a meal daily.
My mother and grandmother, along with Christian’s parents, had been so ecstatic when we called them on LiveTime to announce we were engaged. I was surprised to find that he hadn’t even told his parents or brothers about his decision. Christian told me that he bought the ring the day before the ball. He said he knew that he didn’t want to wait much longer to make me his. It was icing on the cake that Belle was already his.
“Baby, do you think Belle will be able to sing?” I asked when he returned to the living room.
He plopped down on the blanket that I placed on the floor for Belle’s tummy time.
“Whether she will or won’t, we won’t force her to do anything with her gift that she doesn’t want to do,” he replied, holding a plastic Dory a few inches in front of her. He smiled and clucked his tongue to get her attention.
Belle drooled and turned in his direction, disarming him with a beautiful smile. He started to pick her up, but I shook my head no, reminding him that she was learning to crawl.
I giggled. “I agree. I was just wondering with all this talent between us, because not only do you sing, but you also play the guitar.”
“And you’re a gifted cook, baker, and singer, in addition to all your other talents. So, she’s going to have a plethora of gifts that may be bestowed upon her. Or who knows? Maybe God will give her a unique set of gifts that have nothing to do with either of us.”
Christian held the toy up for her again, and Belle scooted in his direction.
“Like what?” I asked, screwing up my face.
Shrugging, he replied, “Ice skating. Fashion design. Math genius. Underwater basketweaving.”
“Chris!” I hollered with laughter.
The doorbell rang, thrusting us both into silence. “Another ex popping up?” I asked, lifting my eyebrow at him.
“Go answer it. If it is, tell them folks to beat it. I only have eyes for two girls, and they’re right here.”
I giggled and walked to the front door to answer it. I should have peered out the door first. I didn’t know why I didn’t peer out the door first. Who the hell opened the door without checking it first? I mean, sure, Christian lived in an extremely safe neighborhood with several police officers as his neighbors, and even one living next door. But still, what was I thinking?
“Hey, I didn’t expect to see you here.” Jeremiah greeted me.
“Yeah. Same,” I replied, huffing out a breath.
“I can come back at another time if it makes you feel more comfortable.”
“No need. Your presence and absence don’t affect me that way, Jeremiah. He’s your friend. You’re entitled to visit him.”
“I just thought with everything that happened, maybe you wouldn’t want?—”
“That’s in the past. I’m not stuck there anymore. My future is very bright, Jeremiah.”
We stared at each other a moment too long. “Who’s that, baby?” Christian called from behind me.
I stepped back and opened the door further. “Jeremiah,” I replied softly.
He kept staring at me but didn’t step inside.
