Page 51 of A Taste of Grace

“Yes. They’re curious, Daddy.”

“In that case, girls, Mommy Grace and I are going to play and kiss every day…maybe multiple times a day when we’remarried.”

“Did you say that out loud?” She mumbled through her teeth, her eyes wide.

“I sure did. They’re curious.” I mocked her previous answer.

“It’s too early in the morning to be so messy, Pastor C.”

“You started it.”

“Whatever.” She rolled her eyes at me and sipped her juice.

“Are you going to play and kiss hard enough to give us a baby brother?” Esther raised her little shoulders and clapped several times, awaiting my answer with bated breath.

“I’ll let you answer that one, Mommy Grace. I’m calling my mother about all this.” I kissed her on the cheek and left her with Esther and Hannah as I moved toward my bedroom. “Welcome to the family.”

Grace changed in the guest room then got the girls ready. They sat quietly in the living room watching cartoons as she finished dressing in the guest bedroom. I knocked then entered, placing my cuff links in my shirt before I carried my suit coat into the room and laid it on the bed. I closed the door behind us, mesmerized at how breathtaking Grace was in her white dress with patches of beautiful roses at the hem. She placed a small hot pink fascinator on top of her full curls and examined herself in the floor-length mirror from multiple angles.

“You are an angel on earth.”

She blushed and then held her hands out to me.

“Thank you.”

I walked into her arms and hugged her before kissing her pillowy soft lips. She rubbed my beard as she spoke into my lips.

“We have to stop doing this, or I’m going to lift this dress and spread my legs open on that bed. We only have another week. In the words of the girls, I can’t wait to ‘be married.’”

Her reference to sex made me think about the moment I would plant my seeds in her with no restrictions.

“Same, love. Are you sure you want to have my kids?” I asked the question quietly, secretly hoping Grace wasn’t open to it only for the money.

If she really didn’t want kids, I would force myself to be okay with that too.

“Of course, Caleb. Any child I have with you will be my blood too. All of this…” she waved her hand around the room and between us, “…gives me hope they will be loved thoroughly by both of us no matter what, so the answer is yes.”

“That makes me happy.” I lowered my hand to Grace’s belly and held it there.

She placed her hands over mine as she held my gaze.

“Since I can’t touch you where I want to yet, I’m going to leave them right here and declare a blessing over you.” I knelt and spoke directly to Grace’s belly as she continued to hold my hands.

“Okay.”

“I declare that your body remains healthy and flourishes as we pursue this next part of our lives. Every cell, blood vessel, and organ operates as it was designed to work. This womb will remain disease-free and ready for the implantation of any children that God blesses us with. I rebuke any growths, tumors, fibroids, or pain that will prevent you from enjoying every phase of motherhood. Our babies will develop perfectly in you full-term with no complications. May what we create together be better than who we are separately. Hannah, Esther, and the children carrying our DNA will grow into the people the nation and world need.” I lifted my eyes toward Grace.

She peered down at me and smiled, her eyes moist.

“May they have their Mama’s care and fiery spirit for justice and education. In Jesus’ matchless name I pray. Amen.”

“Amen.” Grace wiped a tear from her eyes. “And may they embody the strength and strong character of their fine, sweet daddy.”

“Amen to that too.” I rose and kissed Grace’s lips again, pleased that we were on one accord.

Our Time

My mother was obsessedwith socks, bows, and barrettes when I was young, so I channeled her as I got my little angels ready. They were still talking about being married when I stood over their miniature chairs in their bedrooms.

---