Travis gave Jonas’s back a pat. “We men-folk must stick together.”
Despite the cold, the moment warmed him. Snow leaked through Travis’s mittens, offering him little protection, but he hardly noticed. The children continued pelting him with snowballs, laughing wildly as they threw as many as they could.
“When Gideon and Nathan get big enough, we’ll beat those girls,” Jonas declared, his fist held high.
Travis admired Jonas’s confidence, the way he threw himself into the game with so much energy. Gideon was napping now, but soon enough, he’d be old enough to join in with his siblings. Travis looked forward to the day when all his children would play together, but the thought of how quickly they were growing tugged at his heart. Nathan was already a week old and bigger than when he was born.
Time seemed to be slipping by faster than he could grasp, but he’d enjoyed every moment, for who knew what the next day would bring.
After nursing Nathan, Josie adjusted him in her arms as she heard the children racing towards the door. She shifted the baby against her shoulder and began burping him. Within seconds, the door burst open, and the children rushed in, their cheeks flushed from the cold.
“There’s hot cocoa on the stove to warm you up.”
The children squealed as they hurried to grab cups for hot cocoa behind her. Travis removed his snow-covered layers and moved closer to Josie. His lips curved into a small, genuine smile, one that sent warmth flooding through her. She cherished those times when he smiled, especially after months of seeing it so rarely. Now, more than ever, she wished to see it every second of the day.
“How is my son doing?” Travis said, reaching for the baby’s fist. Nathan’s hand latched around it like he wouldn’t let go.
Son.The word nearly made her heart burst. Josie could hardly believe how much that simple title meant. Just then, she heard a tiny burp escape from Nathan, prompting her to adjust him so he could see his pa.
“He just finished his breakfast, but it won’t last for long. Soon enough he’ll be wanting his lunch, then snack, extra snack, then supper.”
Travis chuckled as he looked down at Nathan. “Then second supper.”
“That, too. I hope he hasn’t been keeping you up at night. I know since you’re sleeping by the fire, you are on the battle front.”
Travis brushed his fingers across Nathan’s chubby cheek. “Not at all. I wouldn’t trade these moments for anything.”
“Would you like to hold him?”
Travis’s blue eyes sparkled with excitement. “Of course!”
Nathan squirmed and cooed as Josie carefully handed him to Travis. In his muscular arms, the baby looked so small and delicate. Travis supported Nathan’s head and smiled down at him, whispering sweet baby talk while planting soft kisses on his cheek. Watching Travis embrace fatherhood with such tenderness made Josie inwardly sigh. She couldn’t resist wondering what she had been so afraid of. The Lord had truly blessed her beyond measure.
Josie thought of Aunt Tia, who, despite her age and wavering mind, had always possessed a certain wisdom in her whimsical ideas. It was one of the many things Josie was thankful for. She missed the woman with all her heart, wishing their reunion hadn’t been cut short. Yet somehow, she knew Aunt Tia was proud of her. Even if Aunt Tia had completed her journey on earth before witnessing all that Josie had achieved, Josie had a keen sense of comfort knowing that she was watching over her, along with Mama, Susannah, Trellis, Oliver, and Zane.
As for Papa, she wasn’t sure. He had returned home filled with shame over losing the war and had blamed her for the deaths of Susannah and Mama. No matter what he thought, Josie blamed herself more than he did. For a long time, she believed she deserved the punishment he’d inflicted upon her, but now, she recognized that it wasn’t her fault.
Though she never had the chance to say goodbye or forgive him, witnessing the precious gift that had come from her seven years of pain and suffering with Marcus—a beautiful baby boy—shifted her perspective. In the light of this new beginning with Travis, Nathan, and the children, she found the strength to forgive, truly and deeply.
The children giggled at the dining table behind them, sipping their hot cocoa while playing with their chalkboards. Hearing them converse about their drawings, Josie looked up at Travis, noticing they were alone with Nathan by the fireplace. Travis smiled, adjusting the sleeping babe in his arms as he pulled his chair closer. Josie looked down, watching Nathan’s tiny chest rise and fall with each breath. He was snug in his blanket and warm against his father’s chest.
“He’s so peaceful,” Travis whispered.
Josie exhaled, relaxing her chin on her fist as she leaned forward. “I wish I could have those days, peaceful with no troubles.”
“Me too,” Travis added. “Imagine eating and sleeping all day and nothing else.”
Josie chuckled softly with a large grin on her face. “How did your snowball fight go?”
“It was cold.”
“You should have stayed by the fire with Nathan and me.”
“Maybe I should have. When Nathan and Gideon are big enough, the boys’ team will be unstoppable.”
Josie leaned back against her chair, folding her arms across her chest. “Is that so?”
“I’ll have to get another wife to help you win,” Travis teased.
