But not anymore. He was blessed by having the girls, by this time to sit and be, like God spoke of in Psalm 46:10 when He said, “Be still, and know that I am God.”
“I don’t think it’s just one thing. I can look back and see taking care of Ellynn was one purpose. Going to medical school and then helping others heal was another. Being here and in a position to raise Cheye and Ash is also a reason.” She looked up and smiled at him. “And loving you is an added bonus.”
He placed a kiss on her cheek. “I love all of those reasons. They helped shape you into who you are today.”
“Exactly.” She snuggled closer. “Can we just sleep here?”
“As much as I would love to fall asleep with you in my arms, my forty-two-year-old back would object vehemently.”
She laughed. “I hear you. For me, it’s my shoulders. If I sleep on my side, I wake up feeling like my collarbone is broken.”
“The beauty of aging.”
“When do you turn forty-three?”
“Next month.”
“Really? What day?”
He stilled, swallowed. “Uh ... the fourteenth.”
“February fourteenth? Are you serious?” At his nod, Erykah smirked at him. “That must be annoying.”
“A little bit.”
She sat up. “Should we celebrate, or do you prefer a low-key day?”
“Will we be together?”
She nodded.
“Then nothing else matters. It’s all icing.”
“I love you.” She wrapped her arms around his neck.
“I love you too.”
Erykah beamed. “Okay, I’m off to bed. I’ve got an early surgery tomorrow.”
“Night, beautiful.” He placed a kiss on her forehead.
“Night, handsome.”
Chris grabbed his crutches and hobbled to the guest bedroom. Even though he and Erykah had already prayed, he would do as she’d asked and pray by himself. The thought of marrying her settled something in his insides. When he’d questioned whether he was moving too fast earlier, he’d thought about his last jaunt down the aisle, and something quaked in him. Not that he had any residual feelings for Tracey. He’d forgiven her, and he’d forgiven himself for not ending their relationship sooner when he’d felt that prompting. It was more that Chris hadn’t known exactly how Erykah felt about the subject.
Knowing she wanted to marry shifted his insides into alignment. The thought of marryingherdidn’t fill him with trepidation. Like she said, they were already a family. The guys had told him to ask her what she wanted, and she’d delivered.
Thank You, Lord. I’m amazed. I feel loved. There’s just no other word for it.
****
The next morning, Chris spent an hour pouring out his heart and finding Scriptures to read to keep him focused on the end result: hearing from God. Just when peace settled in his heart at the assurance that Godwouldanswer, his cell phone rang.
He reached for the device, glancing at the caller ID. Today, seeingMomflash across the screen didn’t surprise him, and it spoke of the promise that they both would continue to strengthen their relationship.
“Hey, Mom.”
“How are you feeling, son?”
