by Annie Boone
“Amen. Let’s eat,” said Aaron jovially.
The little family ate quietly for a moment and the air was tense. Faith was about to make a comment about the mild weather to ease the stress in the room when Martha broke the silence.
“So, Aaron, did I hear correctly that you and this woman are going through with this unfortunate union? Is it also true that you’re bringing her family here, as well?” Her voice was tight and judgmental.
Faith was stunned. How did Martha know about their plans? They’d not shared the news with anyone. Except Joseph. Then she realized how the news had traveled to them. He was sitting there looking from his grandmother to his father with a big smile. He had no idea that he had put his father and soon-to-be step-mother in such a difficult position.
Aaron didn’t falter. Faith could see the surprise in his eyes, but he recovered immediately. “Yes, Martha. It’s most definitely true that Faith and I have set a date for our wedding. And we’d be honored if you’d attend.”
She huffed at the verbal invitation, but didn’t respond.
“I know it may seem fast, but we’re sure of this decision and we see no reason to delay,” said Faith simply. “I’m aware that you are worried about what will happen after our marriage. Regarding the children, I mean. I want to give you my sincere promise that I want you to be in their lives. I will never try to keep them from you and neither will Aaron. You’re their grandparents and you always will be. We value that connection.”
Martha’s eyes shot daggers at both Faith and Aaron. “Isn’t that a little presumptuous of you? To make declarations for someone else’s children when you’ll never be their mother?”
Sam reached over and covered his wife’s hand with his. He whispered quietly into her ear and neither Aaron nor Faith could hear what he said. She looked at him and almost snarled. She snatched her hand from his and he sighed heavily. He looked at Aaron and simply raised an eyebrow.
Martha’s nasty statement wasn’t verbally acknowledged by anyone. At least none of the adults. Joseph spoke up and said quietly, “Grammy, Faith told me that Mommy will always look after me. She’ll be in my heart forever. I believe it. Do you?”
Martha looked away and it was clear that she only became more infuriated that her grandson had been influenced by a woman she considered to be a big threat. It didn’t matter in the least that the influence was a positive one. Faith hoped that when she calmed she would see with a fair perspective that everyone in this family wanted the best for her grandson and granddaughter.
Aaron continued like Martha’s last statement hadn’t even been made. It was clear he was planning to answer all of her questions. “And, yes, Faith’s mother and sisters will arrive in a few weeks for the wedding. They will be staying here for a little while and I do hope they will like it here enough to stay on permanently.”
“Don’t these people have anything of their own, or does this woman wish to drain you for even more than you have graciously already handed over to her?”
Now, sensing that this wasn’t going to get better before all the cards were on the table, Aaron held up a hand to Martha. “Joseph, it looks like you’ve eaten just about all your supper. Good job, young man! Why don’t you take your sister and go ask Mrs. James to fix your dessert now?” He smiled at the boy who promptly jumped down. Faith lifted Sally from her booster chair and watched as Joseph took her hand and happily led her out of the room.
Then he looked straight at Martha. “I’m sorry that you do not agree with this relationship, Martha, but I am happy and so are my children. This is going to happen whether you agree or not.”
“So, you’re just going to forget about our daughter, your wife and the mother of your children, so that you can have this?” She pointed rudely at Faith. “This woman will take you for everything you’ve got. My daughter worked by your side to build this to what it is today and I’ll not have a thief like her come in and bleed every last cent from you!”
“That’s enough!” Aaron exclaimed, banging his fist against the table, “Apologize to her, Martha. Now.”
“No!” She scoffed. Sam was looking at his wife in horror. It was clear he hadn’t expected her behavior to take such a vile turn.
“Martha, calm down! This isn’t the time,” He then looked over to Faith and said, “I’m sorry.”
“No!” She exclaimed, as though she thought she was speaking for the both of them, “We will not condone this scandalous behavior!” She got up and stormed out of the room.
Sam looked over at his son-in-law and shook his head, “I’m sorry, Aaron. Faith.” he said turning his head to look at Faith. “It’s still hard for her. She isn’t getting over the loss of our daughter. I don’t know what to say.”
“Sam, I don’t really owe you this information, but I’m going to tell you anyway. I’ve not spent my fortune on Faith or on her family. I’m a generous man and my family – all of it – will be cared for to the best of my ability. But I’m also smart. If I thought for one minute that Faith was here to take my money, she wouldn’t have been allowed to stay.”
“I know that, son,” said Sam. “Martha knows that, too. Her grief is driving her to make accusations she doesn’t even believe.”
Faith smiled and nodded. After gathering her wits she was able to speak her thoughts in the matter. “Thank you, Sam. I said earlier that I want both of you in our lives and I mean it. I think it is wonderful that you want to be involved in the children’s up-bringing. I think it helps a great deal to keep the spirit of their mother alive and I will personally do everything that I can to help the children always remember their mother.”
The older man smiled at her and answered, “Yes, Aaron and I discussed how you handled the questions Joseph had about his mother. We had no idea that we were putting him in such an awkward position. I’m grateful to you for being so loving and understanding with him. Thank you.”
“Sam, your grandchildren have stolen my heart. I will do anything I can to keep them happy, safe, and comforted.”
The three adults left in the room stood. Faith hugged Sam. Even though he seemed to be a bit uncomfortable with her show of affection, he hugged her back. Aaron and Sam shook hands and then embraced.
“I suppose I’d best go find my wife. We have a long talk ahead of us. Please say a prayer for me, if you don’t mind,” he chuckled apprehensively.
“Will do, Sam,” Aaron said humbly. “Will do.”
About a week before their wedding, Faith and Aaron were taking a walk on the property. They were talking about the future and the adjustments they needed to make to accommodate her family.
Her mother and her sisters had agreed to come to San Jose in time for the wedding and would arrive in a few days. They were going to stay for a while to see if they would like it. Aaron was going to handle the arrangements for their journey and their move. Faith was hoping they would stay permanently.
“I’m thinking of getting a few cows and chickens. Maybe a goat or two. What do you think?” asked Aaron and they strolled leisurely through the pasture land that was only used for the horses right now.
“Who will take care of them? I don’t know anything about livestock. I could probably handle chickens, but that’s about it for me. I don’t think we can count on my sisters until we know for sure they will be staying here.”
“That’s the reason I think we should add some farm animals. If we have a small farm, we’ll be better able to support the Bentons, your family, and ourselves in the main house. I want to think long term. We’ll hire a farm manager and a worker or two. We can afford it, so why shouldn’t we do it that way? Besides, I don’t want any of your family to be tied to working a farm.”
“You’d do that for us?”
“Of course. I’m not sure why I haven’t already done it. Now’s as good a time as any to set us up. Don’t you agree?”
Faith nodded. “I’d hoped that Martha would soften up by now. I haven’t even seen her since she stormed out during supper.
When I drop the children off, Sam always greets me at the door. He’s lovely, but he never mentions her or that night.”
“I imagine he’s trying to work on her. She’ll come around eventually. Or maybe she won’t. We’ll give her time. If she continues down this path, she will be the loser, Faith.”
“Yes, but it just makes me so sad. I don’t know what we’ll do if she starts being negative to Joseph and Sally.”
“I don’t think Sam will tolerate that. He’s on our side now. He also knows that her behavior will only hurt her in the long run.”
“Maybe, but I’m still worried.”
“I know, but we’ll figure it out. It probably won’t resolve quickly,” he reminded her. “No matter what she does or doesn’t do, you and I are responsible for taking care of Joseph and Sally. We’ll take the action we need to take if things don’t improve.”
“Oh, I don’t even want to think about that.”
“Let’s don’t worry about it now, love. Let’s think about our wedding. And our wedding night,” he said devilishly as he waggled his eyebrows at her.
She laughed and shook her head at him. “You’re incorrigible!”
They walked hand in hand back to the main house to spend the afternoon with their children.
After dinner, Joseph wanted to know about his new family. He’d heard that Faith’s mother and sisters were coming for the wedding and he was bursting with curiosity. “So they have Bibo, um, Bibolical names?” he asked.
“Sort of. Actually it’s pronounced Bib-li-cal. Biblical. That means their names come from the Bible. Mine, too.”
“Bib-li-cal. I have it now. Hope and Charity?”
“That’s right. They’re going to love you, young man!”
“How did you get your names?”
“Well, my father was a parson at the church in our town. He and my mother were very much in love and they always said this one special Bible verse to each other. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three. So when each of us was born, they named us after this verse. It’s a good thing we were all girls. I don’t know how a boy named Charity would have coped on the playground,” Faith laughed.
Joseph didn’t understand her joke, and he looked a bit perplexed when his father started laughing. So he just laughed along with the adults. Sally started giggling when she saw all the others laughing.
Faith took the scene of joyfulness in. She watched Aaron and her heart filled with love and desire for this man who would soon be her husband. She could hardly wait to take that important next step with him and these two precious beings. She knew she would cherish this memory for the rest of her life.
As she prepared her heart for more memories, she tried to think of how content she would be with Aaron and his children. She would raise them and love them as if they were her own. She did harbor the hope that one day there would be a baby to add to their happy clan. God would have his way there, she knew. She prayed that He would fulfill that place in her heart that wanted to give birth to a new life.
When Faith awoke on the day she was to marry the handsomest man she’d ever laid eyes on, she couldn’t believe how much had happened in the past year. She had started writing to a widow without knowing what the outcome would be. After bumps and disappointments, she was finally marrying that widow and would become the one who would help him nurture his children to adulthood and beyond.
The day of the wedding had come so fast, but she was so glad that today was the day. When Faith first wrote her mother and sisters about her pending nuptials, it all still seemed like a distant dream. Before she knew it they had arrived and were helping with the final details.
The four women reunited like it had been decades since they’d been together. It had actually only been a few months, but their joy knew no bounds.
However, today, Faith wasn’t thinking about any of this. She was just concerned with looking like an elegantly blushing bride for her loving groom. She was wearing a new off white lace dress for her marriage ceremony. Her mother had offered her own wedding dress as a sentimental gesture, but Faith gracefully declined her offer.
Only a week after she’d sent the letter to her family in Georgia, she’d received a telegram. She didn’t know what to think when it was delivered to the house. Telegrams usually only meant bad news. With shaking hands, she opened it up. She read it twice and then she jumped with joy. The telegram informed her that Hope was making a new wedding dress for her. It would be ready for a final fitting when they arrived a few days before her wedding.
She was secretly happy to have a new dress since most of her life she’d worn clothing that had been mended to death. Her sister was a talented seamstress, but they’d rarely had money to buy fine fabrics for new dresses. Hope was always too busy to sew for her sisters, anyway.
Just as Charity was brushing Faith’s hair into a neat bun, there was a knock at the door. “Come in!” Faith sung out. Her happiness spilled over into everything today.
What she saw at the door, made her gasp. Charity looked at the person at the door and then back at her sister with a puzzled look on her face.
“Faith, your mother said it would be fine if I came in. We had a nice visit – your mother and I. Lovely woman, she is,” said Martha.
“Of course, Martha. You’re always welcome. Please come in. Sit.” Faith gestured to a chair in the corner.
“I won’t stay long, dear. I know you’ve some place to be very soon.” She smiled timidly as she nodded her head slowly.
“What is it, Martha? I’m in no rush if you need something.”
Charity looked like she might be thinking of leaving the room, and then she just leaned against the wall looking back and forth between her sister and the troubled woman she had already heard about.
“I came to apologize. I’ve behaved horribly toward you. Now isn’t the time to go through all the ways to work through our issues, I know. I just couldn’t let this wedding happen and not let you know that I support you completely. I spoke to Aaron earlier. He and I have made amends. I hope to do the same with you.”
“Oh, Martha. I’ve so longed for a relationship with you. This is the best wedding present you could have ever given me.”
Martha handed Faith a small box. Faith looked at her uncertainly and took it. She held it for a moment until Martha prompted her to open it.
“I thought you might want to carry a Bible today. This was Mary’s Bible when she was a child. I’ve kept it tucked away for many years – long before she died, actually. Now, I’d love for you to have it.”
Tears filled Faith’s eyes and she couldn’t control her emotions. She went to Martha and hugged her tightly. Then she blotted at her eyes furiously. “Look what you’ve made me do!” she exclaimed. Crying and laughing at the same time the two women embraced again.
Hope and her mother had come into the room to see what the commotion was. When they saw the loving scene, they joined the big hug. The women made a lasting bond at that moment that was born from sadness but took them to respect and trust.
When they were finally all dressed and ready, Aaron’s driver took them in the carriage to the church.
“Everyone is all settled!” Helen exclaimed as she bounced into the room where her three daughters were preparing to walk down the aisle.
“Are there a lot of people there?” Faith asked, not sure why she cared. She recognized a calming tactic to get her mind off of her nervousness for a moment.
“Oh, the church is overflowing!” her mother boasted excitedly, but then stopped short. “Oh, I’m sorry Faith. I know you don’t always like big crowds. I didn’t mean to make you feel unsettled.”
Faith smiled and answered, “Not at all. I was just curious. I don’t think anything in the world could take away my joy today.”
“The ceremony should be starting any minute now,” Faith’s mother said before grasping her daughter’s hands and gripping them tightly. “You look absolutely gorgeous!” she cooed.
“Oh,
yes. Faith, you do look stunning.” Hope added.
“You look just like Mama. I never noticed it so clearly before.” Charity said with a gleam in her eyes.
“Thank you,” Faith answered and drew in a long breath. She looked down at Joseph and Sally who had just been brought in to see her by Sam who tipped his hat and stepped back out.
“Faith! You look pretty.” Joseph exclaimed. “Daddy said you’re moving in with us. Will you read to us all the time now?”
“Faith pretty! Read!” Sally yelled, mimicking her brother.
Seeing them, dressed in their best clothes, brought Faith close to tears. She smiled broadly at them and asked, “Thank you, sweeties. Of course I’m going to read to you. And what are you two doing back here?”
“We’re supposed to get in line. That’s what Pappy said.” Joseph answered, holding up the rings.
“Indeed,” Faith’s mother sighed, “It’s almost time.” She then turned to the bride’s sisters and said, “May we have a moment alone, please?”
Both Hope and Charity nodded and shuffled the kids out of the room.
Helen turned to Faith and smiled warmly. Faith could see the pride and reflection in her eyes.
“What is it, Mama?” Faith asked, anxious to hear what her mother had to say.
She laughed, almost nervously before she let out a long breath and answered, “I’m just very proud of you.” After a moment of thought, she said, “I have dreamt about this day since the moment I saw your sweet face the day you were born. I’ll admit that this isn’t the way I expected you to meet your husband, but it seems right. You are radiant.”
She then reached out her hand and touched her daughter’s face lightly, before she uttered, “Today a bride, tomorrow a wife. But you will always be that same little girl who played in the mud, right after I dressed you in your Sunday best. To me, you will always be my sweet girl.”
As Faith laughed, she felt a tear slide down her cheek. Quickly, she wiped it away, not wanting to have a blotchy face when she walked down the aisle to meet her future.