Page 89 of A Taste of Grace

Epilogue

Seven MonthsLater

I closed my eyes and rubbed my round, pregnant belly with my hand as if it were a crystal ball, thinking about how different everything was for me now. It was hard to believe that this time last year, I was alone and wanted to end my life.

I also couldn’t believe that I once accepted payment to be part of a family that reminded me why I was put on earth. Our relationship skyrocketed to another level when I no longer accepted payments from Caleb, sealing the deal for a genuine covenant based on mutual respect and trust.

There were days I still missed my parents and hated that I wasn’t closer to my extended family, but I rested in the family Caleb and I created. The doors of communication were now open wide with our words flowing better than they had in the past. We went back to counseling to address the issues about Madeline, who stayed away as promised.

Although I occasionally missed the hustle and bustle of DC and my executive position, I understood that life was about seasons. I’d always had a hard time moving from one season to the next, but therapy taught me to let go of perfectionism. There would always be a new challenge or situation to tear me from a place of peace, but I could control how I responded. No matter where I worked, I would also be worthy. God’s gifts in me were unerasable.

“Mommy, when is baby Solomon coming?” Hannah, who had grown closer to me and often chose to spend time with me instead of Caleb, rested her head on my stomach as she struggled to wrap her arms around me.

We chose the name Solomon because it meant peace and represented wholeness and completeness. The Song of Solomon also served as a playbook for some of our best marital fantasies. Caleb was right about the Bible being a great romance book.

“Any day now.”

I set the spatula on the porcelain spoon rest then turned off the stove where I made the Mickey Mouse-shaped buttermilk pancakes she craved every Saturday morning.

Esther sat on Caleb’s knee as he fed her small bites of her pancakes. Between bites, she hugged him tightly, something she did more as we approached Solomon’s birth. Although she prayed for her baby brother, realization soon hit her that she would no longer be the baby in our family.

I periodically reprimanded Caleb about coddling Esther so much, but he insisted that his baby girl be allowed to cuddle upto him as much as she wanted. I chalked it up to both of them feeding off their above-average needs for physical touch.

“He will be so blessed to have the best big sisters in the world,” I said.

“Can I hold him?” Hannah asked with her mouth full of jagged teeth of varying sizes.

“Yes, you may, little one.” I pinched her cheeks.

“Did you settle everything with your clients so they know you won’t be available until six weeks after Solomon’s birth? I know you’ve found your groove with those government contracts, but you need your rest.”

Always the businessman, Caleb managed my post-delivery plans as we prepared to move into our five-thousand-square-foot dream house closer to the church.

“Yes, Caleb. How many times must I remind you that my assistant from Office Professionals has helped me create a master administrative plan? The CEO, Theresa Robertson, has been the blessing I never knew I needed.”

“Hiring a virtual assistant was one of the best decisions you made. The world needs all of your talents, love, not just us.”

I walked to Caleb and kissed him on the forehead.

“That’s one of the countless reasons I love you. You give me room to grow.”

He rested his hand on my belly and smiled, tugging at the finger that held my wedding band.

“It’s my honor to help you grow and grow and grow.” He patted my protruding baby bump and kissed it.

I laughed, delighted that Caleb wasn’t just anointed; he was an undercover comedian. No matter how low I felt, he found a way to tap into my joy, fostering a humorous side to our relationship that remained sacred and separate from our roles in the church and community.

“Remember what I promised. Chosen. Cherished. Covered.”

“Thank you for being the man I needed.”

“Always, baby.”

Epilogue

Three monthsafter Solomon was born, our growing family visited Grace’s hometown before the Christmas holiday. During Grace’s pregnancy, we traveled back and forth to Alabama, eventually clearing out her parents’ house and selling it to a nice couple who just moved to the community. For the past few days, Grace showed us the area where she grew up and introduced me to several people who knew and respected her educator parents.

Our final stop before returning to Farmerton was at the cemetery where her parents were buried. She had invested in headstones that displayed pictures of the three of them over the years. As we stood overlooking the pristine cemetery, I silentlythanked God for the man and woman who gave me my Grace. Her intelligence and boundless love made my days easier and my nights full of fire.

---