Relief then fear flooded in. She’d have time to share her heart and a night—and a whole lot more.
“Surely it’s not that bad, Matt.”
“Yes, Anna, it is. I’m a confident driver, and even I don’t feel comfortable going down that mountain. I’m not about to risk the two most important people in my life.
Anna nodded in agreement.
Together they bathed, changed, and put Melody to bed.
“You’re so loved, my baby girl,” Matt said, giving her one more hug. Melody burrowed into his arms and snuggled there.
“Why don’t we go into the living room by the fire, and I’ll rock her to sleep.
“Matt,” Anna said, “she’s got you wrapped around her little finger, and she’s not even four months old yet.”
“Did you hear what your mama just said, Melody?” Her head lifted and a big smile formed as if to prove she understood every word. They both laughed.
Matt settled in the rocking chair with Melody’s favorite blanket and bottle in hand.
Anna watched the love between father and child, and her heart overflowed with joy. Everything was right about them together as a family, and she needed to set the record straight. She waited until Melody nodded off and Matt took her down the hall to her bedroom.
When he returned, she patted the seat beside her. “Come, sit.”
His eyebrows lifted. He hesitated but moved from the chair he was about to sink into and joined Anna on the couch.
When she reached for his hand and pulled him down beside her, his eyes opened wide in surprise, but he didn’t say a word. She let her head relax against his shoulder. Tentatively, he placed his arm around her as if waiting for her to protest.
They sat quietly, mesmerized by the dancing flames. The warmth of touch and the joy of togetherness filled her soul. When she could feel the tension relax within him and his body sink into the cushions, she knew the moment was perfect.
“I have something to ask you, Matt, but you need to open up your Christmas gift first.” From behind her back she pulled a small box wrapped in sparkling gold paper with a matching bow.
He removed the bow with the quick precision of a doctor, tore the paper free and lifted the lid.
“What is this?”
“Read it, silly.”
He pulled out the heart-shaped note and read out loud. “This coupon is good for one gold wedding band.” His breath whistled between his teeth before he sucked a gulp of air into his lungs.
“Anna, does this mean what I think it means?”
“Yes, Matt. I love you more than words can say. Will you marry me and be my husband, my lover, my friend, and an everyday father to Melody?”
His arms enveloped her. He kissed her brow, her cheeks, the tip of her nose, whispering, “Yes, yes, yes. Anna, I thought this day would never come.”
Anna’s cheeks flushed hot.
His lips touched her in tender gentleness awaiting her response. A passion as old as time and as natural as breathing swept over her. Fire hungrily met fire. His kiss deepened and she responded in kind. His hands moved restlessly over her layers of clothing as taste, touch, and sensation took on a life of their own.
Melody’s faint cry in the faraway distance brought Anna to her senses. She tugged away from Matt and popped up from the couch. One hand smoothed over her messy hair and the other pulled her shirt back into place. “I’m … I’m going to check on Melody.”
Matt groaned and raked his hands through his hair in frustration.
A good half hour passed before Anna returned. It took only a moment to calm Melody and watch her nod off, but it took much longer for Anna to cool herself. Wow, did they have chemistry … it was going to be a long night, but she wanted to follow God’s heart more than her own. That meant waiting for marriage despite their history.
When she returned she found Matt in the same spot, with his elbows on his knees and head in his hands. He looked up.
“Anna, I’m sorry. When it comes to you, I’m undone … undisciplined. If only I had an ounce of good sense, I wouldn’t think I could play with fire—”
“This isn’t your fault, Matt. It’s mine.”
“Come on, Anna, a Christian man should have a little self-control.”
“You’ve had a lot of control, Matt, waiting for me. We should’ve been married months ago.”
A smile split across his face. “No argument there. Let’s not waste any more time.”
“Whoa, whoa, Matt … I have something else I need to tell you, and what I’m about to ask may well turn your hair prematurely gray.” She sat beside him and shifted her body so she could read his face.
He covered her trembling hands with his. “Anna, what is it?”
“How would you feel about being a dad to two little ones?”
“Two, Anna? Last time I checked, a good kiss doesn’t create a baby … no matter how great it is.” He grinned from ear to ear.
“I hope you’re still smiling when I’m done telling you what I mean by two. I’ve offered to adopt Lorena’s baby.”
His eyes popped wide.
“It’s not a done deal or anything, but there’s a very real possibility Lorena may take me up on my offer. To put it bluntly, Matt, that would mean two babies a mere seven months apart. I’m not sure how I got myself into this other than to say the words were out of my mouth and Lorena pounced on the idea before I could think. It felt like a God thing. Still does. And Lorena’s been doing a lot better, she’s eating, interacting with the family, and Lana said she seems at peace. So, even if this turns out to be no more than the catalyst that helps her through to the birth, then it has served a good purpose.”
“Really?” He ran a hand through his hair making it spring up beneath his fingers. “It wasn’t all that long ago I thought I’d never be a father at all …”
He grabbed both her hands and squeezed tight. His eyes met her gaze directly. “I would’ve never risked your life having more, but the thought of enlarging our family … I’m thrilled.” His smile lit up the room as he shook his head in disbelief.
He sunk back into the couch and folded both hands behind his head. “Two kids,” he said, grinning. “I like the sound of that. I’m up for it if you are.”
He pulled her into his side and threw an arm around her shoulder. She snuggled in. They sat in silence for a few minutes, mesmerized by the glowing embers, each lost in their own thoughts.
“Oh, yeah.” He jumped to his feet and jolted Anna from a drowsy state.
“I can give you your Christmas gift now. I didn’t feel right earlier—” He pulled out a large beautifully wrapped present from behind the tree. “Here you are.”
With a smile that split across his face making his dimple dance into view, he placed the gift on the coffee table in front of her. He plopped on a chair across from her and leaned forward.
Anna took her time carefully removing the bow, the tape, and lastly the wrap. When she went to fold the paper before opening the cardboard, he threw up his hands.
“Oh, my goodness, Anna, don’t tell me you’re one of those. You’re killing me here—open the box already.”
She laughed at his impatience.
“It’s part of the pleasure,” she said, “To savor a gift, to respect the fact someone has taken time to choose, purchase, and wrap—”
He reached out. “I’ll open it then.”
She squealed and held on tight. “Okay, Okay.” She slid her thumb through the tape, opened the end, and pulled. A lovely black and white painting cradled within an antique frame met her eyes. A sheen of tears misted her view. Words got stuck in her throat, and the best she could squeeze out was, “Matt, this is incredible.”
She traced her fingers over each tiny face. There on the canvas were the three cherubim faces of her children, all at the three-month stage. The pic
ture of Melody was one she had not seen before. The artist had masterfully blended three chubby faces into a collage.
“How?” She bubbled. “How did you manage to get the photos of the boys?
“From Lana. She said it was the least she could do.”
“But, Matt, why did you hold off giving me this?”
“Well, when you were standoffish all day, I got a little insecure. Thought maybe our future was doubtful, and I shouldn’t involve your boys.”
Anna interrupted. “Standoffish? Is that how you took it? I knew I was going to tell you I was madly in love with you today, and after that kiss this morning, I didn’t trust myself.”
“Madly in love?” he teased. “I didn’t hear that. Go ahead, Anna, tell me how madly in love you are, because I really like the sound of that.”
“You’re going to get a smack,” she said with a tease in her voice.
“Anna, all kidding aside, I want you to know that all your children are important to me. Though I’ll never be a father to the older two, they’re an important part of my life, because they’re an important part of yours.”
Anna stood and bent across the coffee table to kiss his cheek. “Matt, thank you. This gift is beyond amazing.”
“And we can always have a new one painted to add one more if Lorena’s baby joins our family. I know the artist,” Matt offered.
He stretched back in the chair, placed his hands behind his head, and closed his eyes. “This is the best Christmas and birthday ever,” he said with a sigh.
“What?” she squealed. “It’s your birthday too? You’re a Christmas baby?”
He laughed. “Ha, I was going to pull the ‘It’s my birthday,’ had you not wanted to spend Christmas with me, but when you agreed, it no longer seemed important. You’ve given me the best birthday gift possible, Anna. I’m truly the happiest man alive but—”
A shadow flashed across his face.
“What?”
“I haven’t introduced you to my life, Anna. As much as I want to get married immediately, I need you to understand my work, my family, my past. If we’re going to make this marriage a success, I don’t want anything between us.”
A slight chill of fear ran up Anna’s spine. She liked the cocoon they had created within the boundaries of her life. The thought of entering his world held little appeal.
What should’ve been the happiest time of Anna’s life in many years was marred by the persistent demands of her eldest son. He felt she should respect and honor his father’s memory by remaining single the rest of her life. He continually spouted off Scripture used out of context to suit his opinion. Anna felt exhausted. Only ten minutes into his weekend visit, and she wondered how she was going to get through.
“Don’t you care how this looks?” he demanded. “Doesn’t the Scripture say it’s better for a widow to remain single? And I heard that doctor has women falling all over him and a not so stellar past.”
Anna’s heart skipped a beat. Fear niggled. “Mark, honey, is this about your concern for me or about you?”
Veins popped out on each side of his temples, and his brows knit together in an angry scowl. “Well, it’s just plain embarrassing to have my mother marry a younger man. What am I going to say to the Tomlinsons? Can’t you think of anyone but yourself, Mom?”
“I am thinking of someone other than myself, Mark,” Anna said firmly. “What about your sister, Melody? Doesn’t she have the right to a father in her home just as you had?
“Yeah, right,” he huffed. “God saw fit to let me grow up with a father in a bed, so why should it be any different for … I’ll never consider that illegitimate kid my sister.”
Anna gasped at his mean words. She bit her lip to stem the flow of an angry retort.
“I don’t know why I bothered making this trip,” Mark griped. “I thought maybe you’d finally see some sense, but instead, you tell me you’re engaged.” He spat the words out as if they were poison in his mouth, turned on his heels, and slammed out the door.
Anna had been looking forward to Mark’s visit. She had hoped and prayed he would’ve softened and want to spend time and bond with Melody. Instead, his visit lasted less than fifteen minutes.
Anna dropped into the nearest chair. A deep sigh slipped from her lips. She glanced up on the wall above the fireplace and viewed her three babies, chubby, happy, and full of innocence. No scars, no pain, no failure to mar their tender hearts.
She felt for Mark. He’d taken on the brunt of responsibility far beyond his years. People used to say, “Mark, you’re the man of the house now that your dad is sick, take good care of your mom and younger brother.” Mark had always nodded in agreement, and then Anna had leaned into him after he graduated. She allowed him to take on the heavy role of arranging his father’s funeral while she remained locked in grief and fear of her future.
She bent her head in despair. Tears blurred her vision.
“God, can I really marry Matt and sacrifice Mark?”
Anna’s stomach churned. Matt was on his way over to pick her up and take her around the hospital and his office to introduce her to his world. She wilted at the thought—she hated the idea of being in the limelight.
She pulled a brush through her wayward curls and grumped at the way, today of all days, they refused to cooperate.
Melody, who normally loved her rocking swing, began to fuss. When Anna went to check on her, she noticed Melody had spit up all over the cute outfit Anna had chosen.
“Oh, Melody. Not today.”
Melody Joy rewarded her grumbling with an easy grin.
Anna frowned in frustration and pulled her from the swing. “Let’s get you changed, you little monkey. You’re going to make me late.” She scowled at the baby in an exaggerated face and kissed her brow. Melody giggled in reply.
“Now what am I going to put on you?” Anna stood frozen gazing into Melody’s closet. She couldn’t make a simple choice.
She heard Matt call out as he entered the house and groaned. She was nowhere near ready.
“We’re in Melody’s room.”
He waltzed through the door of the nursery with a smile and bounce to his step. Today, even that annoyed her.
He planted a big smack on each of their cheeks, then stepped back in surprise as Anna blew out a deep breath and plunked Melody in his arms. “Matt, sorry, but I’m not ready. My hair is a disaster, and I don’t know what to wear. I had Melody ready, but she spit up all over her pretty little dress, and now I don’t know what to put on her.”
“No worries, sweetheart. Take a deep breath, there’s no rush or schedule today. I’ve got the whole day off, and I intend to take it slow and enjoy showing off my two girls.”
“Go … take as much time as you need, but I think you already look gorgeous.”
“Come, sweet pea. Daddy’s going to find something nice for you to wear and give your mommy time to put on her sweet face … because this sour one doesn’t work on a beautiful day like today.” He winked and fixed another kiss right on Anna’s lips.
“Now go!”
“Yes, doctor, anything you say, doctor,” she teased and stuck her tongue out at him on the way out the door.
He laughed a loud boisterous laugh. “Love the maturity, Anna. Good thing to teach your daughter.”
She swung her head back in the room and gave him another one.
He laughed all the more.
She marveled at how he had successfully removed her jitters and set the tone for a better day.
She wanted to jump in the shower and start over with her frizzy mop but knew it would take hours for her thick hair to dry, so she opted to pull it back into a French braid and be done with it. She knew Matt loved it loose, but that just wasn’t an option today.
By the time she dressed and fussed with her makeup, Matt had Melody changed and ready to g
o. He was seated on the floor holding her on his lap while she played with an array of colorful toys spread around her. Everything went in her mouth. Anna enjoyed a couple of minutes just watching them. The joy of that simple pleasure calmed the nervous fluttering in the pit of her stomach.
The minute Matt saw her, he jumped up and placed Melody in her nearby playpen.
“I have a gift for you, my darling.”
Her eyes widened in question.
“Christmas is over, and my birthday isn’t until May?”
He moved close and shushed her words with his mouth.
Anna melted into his embrace.
He dragged his lips from hers and smiled. “Well … now that I have your attention.” He pulled out a velvet box from his pocket and bent down on one knee. With a look that crackled with chemistry, he opened the box. A large diamond sparkled in vivid brilliance.
“Anna, love of my life, will you do me the honor of marrying me and exchange one ring for another.”
Anna looked down at her hand and spotted the plain gold band that still encircled her finger.
“I can’t exactly show you off without my ring on your finger,” Matt stated. His startling blue eyes deepened and smoldered like blue flames in a fire.
“May I?”
She knew exactly what he was asking.
“Yes,” she nodded. “It’s time.”
He gently slipped Steven’s ring from her wedding finger and slid his in place.
“Do you like it?” An almost boyish quality rang from his voice as he rose to his feet, once again towering over her.
She brought the glittering ring closer and studied the intricacies. A large diamond dominated the center. Two hearts created with countless tiny diamonds hugged both sides of the shimmering stone and fed into a solid gold band.
Anna had never seen anything so beautiful.
“The two hearts represent my two girls—the heartbeat of my life.”
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