Kavan wrapped his arm around Elizabeth. “Listen, you two, please don’t feel obligated, but we’d like you to be Matt’s guardians. You know, in case something happens to Elizabeth and me.”
Julie waved off the comment. “Come on, nothing’s going to happen to you two. Please.”
“Well, we hope not, but just in case, we’d want Matt to be raised by you guys.”
Julie peered at Ethan. By reading his expression, she knew the answer without asking.
Elizabeth added, “Please, think and pray about it. We understand if you don’t—”
“We’d love to,” Ethan blurted, then gave Julie a sheepish grin. “If you agree.”
“Of course I agree.” She kissed Baby Matt tenderly.
Kavan smiled at Elizabeth. “Wonderful.”
Later in the evening, sitting around the dining room table slicing pieces of chocolate cake, Kavan asked, “Have you two decided yet?”
Julie cut a piece of cake. “We’re getting there.”
Ethan picked up an empty plate when Elizabeth shoved the cake his way. “I’ve investigated several adoption agencies.” He cut a large piece of cake.
“But we won’t do anything until we get back from Paris with Kit in the spring,” Julie said.
Ethan took a bite of cake, snickering. “Kit’s at our apartment more than her own home. She said since she doesn’t have children, she adopted us.”
Julie sighed, feeling content and peaceful. While she and Ethan looked into having children, they’d found a mom. Instead of adopting, they were adopted.
Right now, Kit needed them as much as any woman needed a child. Only the Lord could have orchestrated such a union.
Elizabeth sat back, cake plate in her hands. “I’ll be adopted for a trip to Paris.”
They laughed and talked about Kit, babies, and adoption, and Elizabeth poured glasses of milk. “Let’s eat all the cake,” she said.
“Here, here!”
This is true family. This is right, Julie thought. In her heart, she thanked the Lord for His grace and for teaching her and Ethan the beauty of submitting to one another.
About the Author
Rachel Hauck lives in Florida with her husband, Tony, a youth pastor. A graduate of Ohio State University, she worked for seventeen years in the software industry before leaving to write and work in ministry. She is also a speaker and worship leader. Rachel served the writing community as president of American Christian Fiction Writers. Visit her Web site at www.rachelhauck.com
Dedication
This story was written while enduring two hurricanes, Frances and Jeanne. I’m grateful to my remarkable husband for doing most of the cleanup after Jeanne so I could write. He’s my best friend, encourager, editor, and “babe.” What would I do without him? Lambert’s Code is dedicated to Tony.
Special thanks to Louise Gouge for her critique and to my editor and friend, Susan Downs.
A note from the Author:
I love to hear from my readers! You may correspond with me by writing:
Rachel Hauck
Author Relations
PO Box 719
Uhrichsville, OH 44683
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