Signs of Love

by Kimberly Rae Jordan

  When she rejoined Beth upstairs, her friend gave her appearance the once over and then smiled. "You look nice."

  "Thanks." Alana accepted the compliment as a balm to her tattered soul. "What can I do now?"

  "Daniel's out back cooking the meat so we can start taking out the other stuff." She slid a stack of paper plates and plastic forks and spoons across the counter. "Just put that stuff on the table with the tablecloth."

  "Are Caden and Genevieve out there?" Alana asked, suddenly aware of the quiet.

  "Yep. Daniel took them out."

  She picked up the things Beth had set out and walked out to the deck. Before her was a beautifully landscaped and expansive yard. The kids were at a play structure a little ways away from the deck. Caden was on his knees in front of Genevieve. As Alana watched, he did two signs for Genevieve and then waited.

  "What's he teaching her?" Daniel's voice drew her attention from the kids. He stood at the open barbecue, tongs in hand, his gaze on his daughter and Caden.

  "He's signing swing please."

  "Okay. I thought I recognized please."

  Caden took Genevieve's hands in his and formed her fingers into the sign for swing then he pointed to the swing on the structure.

  "Thank you for deciding to stay on with us," Daniel said as he lowered the lid of the barbecue. "I know you think we're doing you a favor, but honestly, when I see things like that with Caden, I think you're doing us a favor by staying here."

  And yet more balm for her hurting heart. "I think he feels a certain kinship with her since he knows she's deaf too."

  "Do you ever think of having more children?" Daniel's question momentarily robbed her of thought.

  "Ummm...not really. I mean, I knew I didn't want to have any more children with Caden's father. And now..." Alana shrugged. "There's no reason I would be thinking about more children. But are you asking because of the possibility of having another child with hearing loss?"

  Daniel nodded, his gaze on Genevieve. "We always thought we'd have two or three children. But now, I'm not sure what to do."

  "Are you worried about having another child face what Genevieve's facing?"

  "Actually, I'm more worried about how Genevieve would feel if she was the only one with hearing loss."

  "It's all in how you approach their hearing loss. I look at Caden and see him with Genevieve and know that he'd make a wonderful big brother. I think Genevieve will be the same way. And just think how much broader your other children's experiences will be. I tell Caden there's nothing wrong with him, that he's just a little different than people who can hear. But then I point out that being different is never bad because God has made us exactly how He wants us to be."

  Before Daniel could reply, a group of people spilled through the gate at the side of the house. A smile spread across his face as he spotted them. Alana put the paper plates on the table next to the barbecue and turned to go back inside when Daniel stopped her. Three of the four people in front of her had blonde hair similar to Daniel's while the fourth had jet black hair that she wore in a pixie cut. All of them were smiling at her.

  "Alana, these are my sisters, Rebecca and Abigail, though we call them Becca and Abby. And that tall guy there is my brother, Luke and his girlfriend, Sam. Guys, this is Alana. She's the one who's been helping Beth and me with our sign language. Her son, Caden, is over there playing with Genevieve."

  Only the kids weren't still over there. Having spotted familiar faces, the little girl was moving as fast as her chubby little legs would go towards them. Abigail caught the little girl and swung her up in the air. Caden moved more slowly and slipped past Daniel to stand at Alana's side. She looked down at him and smiled as she signed the introductions. Once she finished, he pressed against her hip as he waved to them. Each of them responded with a friendly smile. Luke held out his hand for a high-five. Caden immediately reached out to smack the man's hand, a grin on his face.

  "He sure looks like you," Becca commented as her gaze moved between Alana and Caden. "He's a gorgeous little boy. Could I take pictures of him some time? Actually, I'd love to photograph you both."

  "Pictures?" Alana looked over at Daniel.

  He waved the tongs at his sister and said, "She's a photographer. She tends to view everything and everyone through a camera lens in her mind."

  "Well, sure. If you really want to." Alana was still a little taken aback by Becca's request.

  "Well, sure, I want to. The pair of you are breathtaking."

  Alana was sure her eyebrows nearly reached her hairline. Was this woman serious?

  "I knew I should have brought my better camera tonight," Becca groused as she crossed her arms.

  "Really, Becca. Why didn't you? You knew I was going to be here," Daniel said with a grin at his sister. He dropped the tongs next to the barbecue and struck a pose with his muscles.

  "And that's exactly why she didn't bring it," Abby said. "You would have broken it."

  Becca looked unimpressed with Daniel's display as Caden and Luke both started to laugh and any nervousness Alana had about meeting Daniel's family slipped away.

  "Now that's what I like to hear. The laughter of my children."

  All the adults swung around toward the owner of the voice. After Daniel hugged her and greeted the tall gentleman with her, he once again turned to Alana. "Alana, this is my mom, Emily, and her boyfriend, Elliot."

  Alana watched as the woman approached her with arms held wide. Before Alana could react, she was gathered into an embrace that was all softness and Chanel. So this was what a mother's hug felt like. Alana slipped her arms around the woman and fought back tears. How could this woman who had never met her before hug her in a way her own mother never had?

  Emily pulled back a bit and looked Alana right in the eyes. "Thank you for helping my loves and their baby. And just so you know, I'm adopting you and your little guy, so if you want, you can call me mom like the rest of them do."

  Alana was speechless, and she was sure it showed on her face. Emotion had tightened her throat so all she could do was whisper, "Thank you."

  She felt a tap on her hip and looked down, knowing it would be Caden wanting to know what was going on. Moving back from Daniel's mom, Alana signed that the woman was Genevieve's grandma. She watched as his gaze went to Emily then Elliot then back to her.

  "Will he let me hug him?" Emily asked. "I don't want to overwhelm him when I can't really communicate with him yet."

  Alana smiled and signed to Caden she wants a hug. His face lit up, and he instantly moved to wrap his arms around the woman's ample figure. While her son experienced what she just had, Alana's gaze went to the man standing behind the two of them. He was tall and very distinguished looking and wearing an expression of complete adoration as he watched Emily with Caden.

  So much love. She wondered if Daniel and his siblings realized how fortunate they were.

  "Hey! Anyone want to give me a hand?" Beth's voice grabbed the attention of Daniel's siblings, and they immediately headed for the back door.

  Alana moved to follow them, but Emily put a hand on her arm. "Let them work a little."

  "Don't even bother trying to argue with Mom," Daniel advised. "She always manages to get her way."

  "Daniel Edward Olson!"

  Elliot slipped an arm around Emily's waist. "Now, baby, you know that he's right. You do manage to love us all into doing exactly what you want."

  Emily grinned then, apparently not at all offended by Elliot's observation. Soon Beth led the others back out with the rest of the food and drinks. In the midst of getting it all on the table, Justin appeared.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  "Justin! Sweetheart! How wonderful to see you again." Just like with Alana, Emily didn't hesitate before grabbing him into a hug.

  Though Alana wasn't too sure how she felt about seeing him, she couldn't help but smile to see the tall, muscular man stoop down to return Emily's hug. For just a brief moment, she allowed herself to reme
mber what it felt like to be held in his arms. She turned to help Beth with the food on the table, trying not to let her thoughts go any further down that path.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Beth give Justin a quick hug. "Glad you could make it."

  "Wouldn't miss it," Justin said. "Looks like you've got enough food to feed an army."

  "Well, I think you, Luke and Daniel pretty much qualify."

  "Hey there, Caden!"

  Alana turned in time to see Justin lift Caden into his arms. Keeping one arm across the back of Caden's legs, Justin lifted his other hand to high five and then fist bump with her son. She let out a sigh. Seeing her son this happy...well, even if it hurt to still have to see Justin so much, it was worth it.

  "Hey, Alana. How're you doing?" Justin asked as he set Caden back down.

  She saw his gaze travel down her body, his eyes widening slightly as he took in her bare arms. When their gazes met again, she could read the question in them, but she wasn't going to answer it.

  "I'm doing good. You?" She tried to hold his gaze, but it was hard. She was grateful when she had to move to get out of Daniel's way as he moved the meat, even though it forced her to move next to Justin. At least she didn't have to look into his eyes.

  "I'm doing really well, actually," Justin replied.

  "Well, if it isn't my favorite muscle man." Becca greeted Justin with a wink and ran her hand up and down his arm. "When are you going to let me take some pictures of you? I'll even agree to pictures with you not smiling."

  "Not gonna happen, Bec. The only way you might get a shot of me is at my wedding or funeral."

  Alana took a step away from Justin. The knot in her stomach told her more than anything that she was not okay with Daniel's sister touching Justin like that.

  "Well, I can hardly take pictures at my own wedding now, can I?"

  Pressing a hand to her stomach, Alana turned away, her gaze searching for Caden. Spotting him on the play structure again, she walked away from Justin and Becca, swallowing several times to keep her emotions under control.

  You ready to eat? she signed to him when he spotted her.

  Push me first, please? Caden asked with a beguiling look on his face.

  Not for too long.

  She walked behind him as he settled himself on the swing. Once she was sure he was secure, Alana pulled back on the chains and then let him go. When he swung back her way, she gave him another shove.

  He loved to swing. Had even from the time he'd been a baby. He knew how to pump his legs to swing but seemed to prefer to have her do it for him. And she didn't mind. As he came back toward her, she pressed her hands to his lower back and then ran forward, ducking under the swing as he went up. She swung around to see him grinning as he laughed with delight. He didn't make a lot of sounds though he could say a few words so hearing him laugh always lifted her mood. This was what she wanted to see on his face every day of his life. And that was all that mattered. Caden's happiness and joy.

  ~*~*~

  Justin watched Alana as she pushed Caden on the swing. Even from this distance he could tell that Caden was having a blast. It seemed that the boy found joy in everything he did. Justin knew that it was in no small part because of how Alana approached life with Caden. She didn't ever make it seem that Caden was living less of a life because he was deaf.

  "Let's eat!" Dan called out.

  Alana reached out and grabbed the chains of the swing and brought Caden to a stop. She signed something to him and helped him off the swing. Once his feet hit the ground, he signed something to her before taking off toward the deck. She immediately began to follow him, her long curls blowing in the breeze as she raced after him.

  Alana's smile as she chased her son brought a smile to Justin's face. His gaze went back to Caden in time to realize the boy was heading straight for him. Justin braced himself and held out his arms as Caden catapulted himself into them. He couldn't help but laugh as Caden shot a fist into the air in triumph.

  "Well, blow me over," Becca said. "Not only do you smile, but you also laugh. Guess you just needed the right motivation."

  Justin shifted Caden to his other arm and looked down at Becca, still a little ticked at her for her joking comments earlier. They'd met when they'd been partnered at Beth and Daniel's wedding. She'd flirted outrageously with him, but he'd let her know he wasn't interested in anything but friendship. She still liked to jerk his chain and most the time it didn't matter. But tonight he thought it might have hurt Alana and that wasn't okay. "Guess so."

  Alana had slowed to a walk as soon as Caden had reached him, and her smile faded as she joined the rest of them on the deck. She stood off to the side, her arms crossed over her waist. Justin waited for her to look his way, but she never did.

  "Thanks for coming, guys," Dan said once everyone had quieted. "In addition to celebrating such a beautiful day to share with family, a little birdy told me that Justin has a reason to celebrate as well."

  "Justin?" Beth's gaze bounced between him and Alana, a curious look on her face.

  "As of last night, I am the proud owner of a house."

  Beth gave a squeal. "You bought it?"

  Justin nodded. "Put an offer on it last Sunday and got everything finalized yesterday."

  "When's it yours?"

  "The sellers were very motivated which helped things to move quickly and it's already empty so I'm getting the keys on Monday."

  Beth clapped her hands. "I can't believe this. How cool will it be to have you so close?"

  "Very cool," Dan said as he slipped an arm around Beth's waist. "But let's pray so we can eat while you get more details."

  Beth grinned as she nodded.

  Caden wiggled in his arms so Justin set him down and he made a beeline for his mom. She went down on her knees so they were basically at the same height. As Dan started to pray, Justin kept his eyes open and saw that Alana was interpreting the prayer for Caden. He knew he should close his eyes, but he found himself entranced by Alana's movements as Dan prayed. At the very end, Alana put her hands together and Caden covered hers with his.

  As she got to her feet, she was smiling again, and it dawned on Justin that the one thing guaranteed to stir joy in Alana was Caden. He remembered that from his mom and saw it each time Dan's mom was around her kids. Their children moved them. But for both his mom and Emily, the men they loved also brought those smiles to their faces. He wanted to be that man for Alana. After all, she and Caden were able to get him to smile more than anyone else ever had. He wanted to do that for her, too.

  ~*~*~

  Alana bent over to slide the meatloaf into the oven then put the foil wrapped potatoes on the rack next to it. Beth and Daniel had taken Genevieve for a doctor's appointment, so she had offered to make dinner. Meatloaf was the one meal that she felt confident in making. She just hoped they liked it.

  She was cleaning up when she heard the front door open and a voice call out, "Anyone home?"

  Her hand grasped the cloth she'd been using to wipe the counter. She'd assumed that Justin would be there for supper, but it was only three-thirty. She stood frozen, hoping maybe he'd just leave if no one responded to him. Caden was sitting at the table with his tablet, but of course, he was oblivious to Justin's arrival.

  Justin appeared in the doorway of the kitchen. "Hey, there you are."

  So much for that hope.

  "Hi." Alana gave him a quick smile before turning to rinse the cloth in the sink.

  "Hey, Caden."

  She glanced over to see that Caden had abandoned his tablet to come greet Justin. They went through their normal high five-fist pump greeting and then Justin straightened and looked at her.

  "Look what I got." He held up his hand and dangling from a ring on his finger was a set of keys. Jerking his head to the side, Justin invited, "Come have a look at the house with me?"

  Alana searched for a plausible reason why she shouldn't go, but coming up empty she said, "Okay. Just let me get my shoes
."

  She went to the basement and found a pair of sandals for herself as well as Caden and brought them back up to the front door. Caden had his on first and went out the front door with Justin. When she came out, she found Caden showing Justin the sign for truck. The man stood there with his hands on his hips, watching as Caden did the sign, touched the truck and then did it again.

  Her heart skipped a beat when Justin repeated the sign Caden had just showed him. Her son nodded proudly when Justin got the sign right. Granted, it was a fairly simple one, but it showed her that he was willing to learn and follow Caden's lead. As she walked up to them, Caden did the sign for Justin and then truck.

  Justin glanced at her then said, "Is that his way of saying it's my truck?"

  She nodded, confirming what the two signs represented. "Justin truck."

  The smile that spread across Justin's face completely transformed the hard planes of his face into something softer and, as always, it took her breath away.

  "What's the sign for my?" Justin asked.

  Alana showed him then watched as he turned to Caden and signed my truck. Caden smiled and gave him two thumbs up. She sighed as she watched them together.

  "Should we go look at your house?" Alana asked, not so much eager to see the house as she was to escape the emotions that crept to the surface whenever she saw Justin. Especially when she saw him with Caden.

  "Sure thing," Justin said as he took Caden's hand. He started toward the house, pausing for a bit when she trailed behind. Once she'd caught up to them, he began to walk again.

  When they reached the front door, Justin used his keys to open it. They came right into an entrance way where there was a closet and another door that apparently opened into the two car garage they'd passed on the way to the front door. A set of stairs ran down to the basement and another short flight led to the main floor.

  "Let's go up first," Justin suggested.

  Even though it was completely empty, Alana had no problem filling the rooms in her mind. She wondered if Justin had enough furniture or if he'd have to buy new stuff. They made their way through an open living/dining room area to the kitchen at the back of the house. There was also a sunken family room with a fireplace. The windows at the back of the house looked out over a backyard, not unlike Beth and Daniel's. The main difference, however, was the presence of a pool.