They did, a large and varied gathering of people, one family, regardless of background or ethnicity.
I love this, thought Gianna.
Peace pervaded the room, despite the jokes and laughter, and maybe because of it. A peace born of love and acceptance, an array of cultural blends and approval, a trickle-down warmth that came straight from Charlie and Jenny, Seth’s parents.
Family, despite the obvious differences. Close-knit, even when far-flung.
Marie had often preached about family. Famiglia, the term she used for keeping others out. But the Campbells used the term to ask others in.
This was what Gianna wanted, what she’d longed for. Embracing acceptance, forbearance and humor, a family united in faith, hope and love. One look at the intensity of Seth’s gaze said she could have her dream if she let courage conquer fear.
Could she?
The reverend’s morning message made her see Christ’s courage in the cross. Could she grasp that courage and use it herself?
“While you’re weighing the problems of the world, food’s getting cold.” Seth motioned to his brother Luke. “And with Luke’s wedding two weeks away, I’m reminded that I need a date. Gianna Campbell, would you do me the honor of accompanying me to Luke and Rainey’s wedding?”
Say yes. Drink from the cup. Believe.
“I’d love to.”
“Good.” He bent lower so that only she could hear his next words. “And you might want to think about being my date for any and all upcoming Campbell events.” He made a face as if considering. “Town events, too. Like...forever.”
Forever?
She raised her gaze to his and he shrugged as if they were talking about the weather or spring baseball. “Just something to think about.”
“What if I don’t need to think about it?”
This time it was his hand that paused and held up the line of hungry Campbells waiting to serve themselves.
“What if I think being by your side forever would make me and these babies the happiest people in the world?”
His jaw opened, then closed. A smile lit his face, a smile that went beyond joyful surprise. It was a grin that lit up the dark corners of her world. He put his plate down, reached out and kissed her soundly, in front of the entire Campbell clan, a kiss of promise and hope.
And she kissed him back.
With his plate growing cold and his arm firmly tucked around her shoulders, he turned toward the surrounding family. “I’m pretty sure Gianna just agreed to be my wife.”
Gianna confirmed it with a quick nod. “He’s correct.”
“Which means...”
“A new family photo!”
“A wedding!”
“Babies!”
“Gianna, really?” Tori sneaked into her side amid the flurry of congratulations and questions. “You’re really going to marry my dad? And be like my...stepmother?”
Gianna cradled Tori’s sweet face between her two hands. “Yes. You and I will work together on schoolwork, sewing and the babies. With maybe some skiing and sledding on the side. Whaddya think?”
“I think yes!” Tori grasped her in a hug that said more than words ever could. “Gianna, this is the happiest day of my life!”
“Ditto.” Seth grinned at Tori and palmed her head before shifting his attention back to Gianna. “I can’t believe you caved.”
“Blame the snow,” she quipped back. “One look at how it piles up here made me realize I need someone with a strong back and a shovel. You fit the bill.”
The light in his eyes said he saw behind the humor in her words. He read the leap of faith. The conviction. The chance she was willing to take to move forward.
And if the surrounding Campbell expressions were trustworthy, they’d been given a unanimous stamp of approval. And that felt beyond good—it felt simply marvelous.
Epilogue
“Center the baby toward the top of the blanket’s diamond.” Seth’s intent look of concentration said he was putting his all into the swaddling lesson. “Then draw the left side of the diamond across.”
“How precious is he?” Carmen whispered from the old oak rocker, where she held a tiny pink bundle against her chest.
“Adorable,” Gianna whispered back.
“Then pull up the bottom and tuck it to the right and underneath. Kid, there is nothing in the instruction manual about how to do this if you’re kicking, so could you please stop? Cut me some slack here.”
Tori giggled out loud.
Jenny Campbell came into the living room of Seth’s house and rolled her eyes. “It’s going to be eighty-five degrees today. He doesn’t need a blanket, Seth.”
“Newborns and old people chill more easily. I read it last night.”
The newborn kicked and squirmed, turned red in the face, then gave a lopsided look that almost passed for a smile. Seth stared down at him, bemused. “You had to wait until now to do that? Didn’t I just change you?”
Jenny laughed as she folded laundry. “That’s how it goes at this stage. I think he’s getting even with you for the whole blanket thing. Leave him in his little outfit and lose the blanket.”
“But I’ve been practicing.” Seth made a funny face down at the baby boy and began the process of changing him all over again. “At this rate, I suppose I’ll get plenty of practice.”
“You can say that again.” Gianna started to stand and three voices scolded her to sit and relax. She laughed but did as she was told. “I could get used to this. Tell me again how perfect they are.”
“Absolutely, marvelously perfect. And as different as night and day.”
“May I come in?”
Marie’s voice interrupted the conversation. Five pairs of eyes turned toward the screened door. Gianna recovered first. “Marie, of course! Come and meet your grandchildren.”
She came through the door, her motions timid, as if testing uncharted water. As she moved into the living room, her eyes swept the scene, lighting first on one baby, then the other.
She paused, midstep, uncertain, but then Seth lifted the baby boy and turned, depositing him into his surprised grandmother’s arms. “Marie, meet Michael Joseph Campbell. Your grandson.”
Her eyes rounded as she studied the newborn baby in her arms. Her mouth pressed tight, and her jaw quivered. And when little Mikey opened his eyes, looked up at her and clasped her finger, she sank into the nearest chair and wept.
Gianna crossed the room and sat down beside her, silent. Waiting. When Marie finally lifted her gaze, Gianna touched the baby boy’s face with one hand. “He looks like his daddy. He looks like Michael.”
“So much.” Marie’s voice caught on the words. “So very much.”
“I knew it the minute they showed him to me. Those eyes. That strong chin. The big head.”
Marie laughed and sighed. “Yes. And he is fine. They are both fine?”
“Perfect.”
“And his name.” She pressed a gentle kiss to the newborn’s cheek and held him up, cheek to cheek, breathing in his scent. “You named him for Michael.”
“And my father. It was the right thing to do. The best tribute I could offer.”
“And my granddaughter?” Marie turned her attention across the room to Carmen. “What is her name?”
Carmen rose and brought the smaller twin over. She tucked her into Marie’s other arm. “Isabella Sofia Bianchi Campbell. A ridiculous number of names for something so small.”
“But lovely, yes?” Sofia and Rose came in from outside, a tray of coffees and sweets from Tina Marie’s Café in their hands. “Marie, you’re here. Isn’t this amazing? My Gianna, she has done this, brought these babies to us! I’ll stop, I promise. I know I’m being loud—it’s just when I think of all she’s gone through, a
ll the hours of sadness...and now this joy! This wonderful joy.” Sofia set the coffees down and began hugging everyone in sight. “Two gifts from God. Heavenly Father’s name be praised! I am beyond delighted, even though I have to drive across the state. Which is not a convenience.”
Marie cleared her throat. She looked trapped, then awkward. With a deep breath she held tight to both babies but shifted her attention to Gianna. “I have come to see these babies, but also to apologize.”
Gianna tried to wave her off, but Marie shook her head firmly.
“Let me finish.” She dropped her eyes to the two quiet babies in her arms. Her face showed the wonder of life. Of birth. “I was becoming a bitter old woman. I pretended I had gone on with my life after losing my son, but in my heart I held such anger.”
Gianna understood completely. She’d walked a similar path for far too long.
“When I realized you’d done this, that you’d decided to attempt a pregnancy, all that anger came surging up like a roll of thunder. I was so mad, so angry that if you were successful, Michael would never see his son. Never hold his daughter. Never feed them, rock them. They would never see what a good, solid man he was because he wasn’t here. You called me on it.” She turned toward Carmen. “And I hated you right then, Carmen, because you hold life with such tender, loving care. I envied you. But now—”
The entire audience shifted forward, attentive.
“I went back to church. I talked to God. I told Him what a sinner I was, how angry I was, at Him, at you, at everyone. And He reminded me of something I did long ago, before my marriage fell apart, before Michael was in school, even.” She motioned to the floral tote bag she’d carried in. Seth crossed the room, reached down and opened the tote. With Marie’s nod of permission, he withdrew a simple hand-embroidered wall hanging that read, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
“From the book of Joshua,” Carmen remarked. “Marie, that is beautiful work.”
“When I was young, I took time for such things. Then I got angry and forgot to take that time. Now?” She smiled down at the two babies. “Now so much is different.”
“It is.”
Marie drew a breath, then turned toward Gianna more fully. “I want to move here. To be close to these babies. And before you say no, let me again apologize for my anger. My mean-spiritedness. I believe I’ve conquered that, I believe I have what it takes to be a good, gentle nonnie. The kind of nonnie these babies would want me to be.”
“To err is human. To forgive, divine.”
Gianna didn’t hesitate. She’d love to have the soft side of Marie Costanza in her corner. “I’d love that, Marie.”
Marie’s face relaxed. “Really?”
“Absolutely.”
Seth moved closer and reached down for Isabella as she started to squirm. “I think it’s an excellent idea. Babies should be surrounded by family. In fact, the middle-of-the-night shift is open for the taking.”
Marie laughed.
Carmen jutted her chin toward the lakefront. “Why don’t you stay in the apartment with me while you look for a house?”
Gianna almost choked.
Sofia raised her brows but said nothing, a good choice for all concerned.
Marie went straight to the point. “You don’t think we’d kill each other?”
Carmen laughed out loud. “Not now,” she told Marie. “I like seeing the Marie I knew for so long back home. And if you’d like to keep busy, we could use someone helping people in the shop. Gianna will be working to care for the babies, and Tori has finished school, but I can’t steal her all the time. Seth and Gianna will need her help over here, too.”
“I’ve never held a job.” Marie offered the words like a confession.
“Then no time like the present to learn.” Carmen reached out and put a hand on Marie’s arm. “You can consider it an act of service if that’s easier. You’ll meet people. And you’ll still have plenty of time to house shop.”
Marie’s gaze swept the room. Disbelief made her hesitate, but then she admitted, “I wasn’t sure what kind of reception I’d receive today. You’ve humbled me, and we all know that’s a big step forward.”
“We’re family, Marie.” Gianna reached out and hugged her former mother-in-law. “All of us here. Famiglia. And that’s what families do.”
Marie’s eyes filled again, but these were joyful tears. She turned toward Carmen and offered a firm nod. “Then I will take you up on your generous offer. I’d love to stay with you, Carmen Bianchi. Do you still play a mean game of Scrabble?”
Carmen grinned. “I do. But I don’t want to make you mad all over again.”
Marie lifted little Michael and kissed his soft, rounded cheek. “I don’t believe anger is even possible anymore. And why would I get angry about beating you?”
Carmen laughed.
Seth slipped an arm around Gianna’s shoulders and helped her up. “You need to rest. We have plenty of help here—”
“Maybe too much,” Sofia offered. She winked at Rose, but it was Carmen who took the hint and moved toward the door. “I’m going to take Marie across the road to get settled. If you two take the daytime shift, maybe Marie and I can help overnight?”
Seth’s look of relief said he’d be grateful. “I go back to work tomorrow, so a few hours of straight sleep would be appreciated. And knowing the babies are in such good hands?” He smiled at both women. “Better yet.”
Marie handed little Michael to Jenny. She turned to accompany Carmen, but before she left she stopped in front of Seth. She reached up and laid her hand against his cheek. “Despite what I have lost, I have gained so much.” She patted his cheek and smiled. “Welcome to the family, Seth Campbell.”
Seth pulled her into his arms for a big old-fashioned Campbell hug. Gianna watched, her eyes smarting with emotion.
“It’s nice to be here, Marie.”
It was more than nice, thought Gianna as she and Seth moved up the stairs to their room. A new business, a husband, a stepdaughter who had won her heart instantly, a new home, two babies...
And the combination of multiple families that made it all possible. The sacrifice and love of so many mothers trying to go the distance for their children.
“I love you, Seth.”
He smiled down at her, tucked in the covers and grazed her cheek with his hand. “I know. Me, too. Thanks for rushing into marriage with me. It gave me extended baby-bragging rights at work.”
She laughed and sighed because the softness of the pillow felt so good. “I do what I can, Deputy.”
His soft kiss said he appreciated that and more. So much more. She fell asleep, knowing she’d found more than a new start in Kirkwood. She’d found a new life.
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from THE FIREMAN FINDS A WIFE by Felicia Mason.
Dear Reader,
Science is a marvel. We live in an age where so much can be done to cure disease, aid the chronically ill and help infertile couples. Because of that, we question the wisdom of what we do daily. Knowing we can do something doesn’t always mean we should.
Gianna Costanza and her husband, Michael, wanted a family. They seized the scientific means available to them and then life changed. Suddenly. Drastically. But when Gianna’s conscience began to dwell on her two frozen embryos, her faith brought her to the only decision she could make. She longed to offer them a chance at life. Their only chance. She made a bold move, and did it at great personal sacrifice, because that’s what parents do.
Seth Campbell’s disastrous marriage showed him the error of his ways. He learned that both people need to be invested in faith and family for a marriage to work. He lost his wife and the daughter of his heart. Experience has taught him so much
, but too late. Or is it? Not with God. With God, timing is in His hands, His care. And when prayer and faith bring his precious child back to him, Seth begins to realize that even though he’s a big, strong sheriff’s deputy, God’s looking out for him while he looks out for others.
Sacrificial love. It’s what Christ exampled to us. It’s what we saw in the story of Ruth in the Old Testament. It’s what the true mother demonstrated when Solomon offered to have the child cut in two. The true mother was willing to sacrifice her time with her son to save his life.
I hope you loved reading this sweet story! I delight in hearing from readers. You can reach me at [email protected], visit my website at ruthloganherne.com, visit me and a host of inspirational authors at www.seekerville.blogspot.com or stop by my blog, www.ruthysplace.com. And you can always snail mail me through Love Inspired Books, 233 Broadway, Suite 1001 New York, NY 10279. As always, I look forward to hearing from you, and thank you for reading Seth and Gianna’s love story!
Ruthy
Questions for Discussion
Righting old wrongs is hard. Gianna’s quiet pregnancy was kept secret for multiple reasons, but was it the right thing to do? Have you ever had to keep something to yourself to avoid the rash of public opinion? How did that work out?
Seth’s sadness at losing Tori wore on him, but he stayed the course valiantly. Do you know people like that? The kind who seem to overcome whatever life hands them? Does your faith help you to embrace that?
Gianna loved her big, busy and somewhat nosy family. But she’s a little quieter, like her grandmother. Is it difficult to be around people you love, but whose lifestyle differs from your own?
Grief wears on people like water on stone. For Gianna—losing her husband and then her second pregnancy—the grief overwhelmed. Have you felt awkward trying to help a grieving person? A widow, a parent, a child who has suffered loss? What has helped you be a good friend to the grief stricken?
Loving the Lawman Page 20