It worked the other direction too. He’d grown to understand that in the months during Mandy’s pregnancy. He had studied God’s love to see how a human father should love his children. He didn’t know a better gift for them.
Beth leaned against his knee and smiled down at Abe. “Good thing Bonnie and me taught you how to hold a baby, huh?”
Jason nodded. “A very good thing.”
“Can I hold Abe?”
“Sure.”
She climbed onto the sofa and sat close beside him. Jason laid Abe gently on her lap.
A minute later, Mandy smiled down at them. “I think Abe likes you, Beth. He certainly looks comfortable.”
Beth beamed up at her.
“How’s Abe’s brother, Sam, doing?” Jason looked at the baby wrapped in a green blanket and held by Mandy’s mother.
“Dry and happy now,” the grandmother replied with a smile.
He resisted the urge to reach for his son. Mandy’s parents had made the trip from Texas just to meet their new grandsons. He was glad the couple had been able to attend the twins’ dedication, held during the Christmas Eve service earlier.
Bonnie pulled a fold of Sam’s blanket back and peeked at Sam. “Can I hold him?”
“Wouldn’t you rather open the rest of your presents?” Ellen asked.
Bonnie shook her head until her curls bounced. “No. I want to hold Sam.”
Jason shared a smiling glance with Mandy as Bonnie sat down beside her sister and held out her arms. While Mandy’s mother settled Sam carefully in Bonnie’s lap, Mandy seated herself on Jason’s lap and slipped an arm around his neck.
Jason hugged her close. The light floral scent she wore teased his senses. His heart felt warm, filled with deep thanksgiving. He loved the extended family they lived among. A slight shiver ran through him at the knowledge of how close he’d come to missing it all by stubbornly following his father’s dream instead of his own. He only wished his father and mother could have met his wife and their boys.
Mandy slipped off Jason’s lap and picked up four small square boxes from beneath the tree. She handed one to each of her parents and to Gram and Gramps.
The older couples “oohed” and “aahed” appreciatively over the simple crocheted ornaments that framed pictures of Abe and Sam. Gram hung her and Gramps’s ornaments on the tree, near the crocheted ornament picture of Jason when he was three and those of Beth and Bonnie from two Christmases ago.
Mandy sat down on the sofa’s rolled arm and leaned against Jason’s shoulder. Jason glanced down at Abe, who lay in Beth’s arms as though completely unaware of the excitement in the room. Sam, in Bonnie’s lap, looked equally unaffected.
He never looked at those boys without joy flooding his chest.
Jason squeezed Mandy’s hand and whispered, “Think Abe and Sam would like sisters for Christmas next year?”
Her eyes widened in surprise, and color flooded her cheeks. Then a smile danced in her green eyes. “It’s an idea definitely worth consideration.”
Jason felt delightfully tangled in her gaze, embraced in contentment and peace. He’d never suspected life could be this good, and he thanked God for the joy He’d brought to their lives.
About the Author
JoAnn A. Grote lives in Minnesota where she grew up. She uses the state for most of her story settings, and like her characters, JoAnn seeks to serve Christ in her work. She believes that readers of novels can receive a message of salvation and encouragement from well-crafted fiction. She has had several novels published with Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Dedication
For my brother-in-law, Mark Falvey, because he’s a wonderful father and because he keeps my computer running. And for my dear friend Patricia Thomas—thanks for your medical expertise. (Any mistakes related to medical situations in this story are mine.)
A note from the author:
I love to hear from my readers! You may correspond with me by writing:
JoAnn A. Grote
Author Relations
PO Box 719
Uhrichsville, OH 44683
For A Father's Love Page 17