Forever Blessed (Women of Prayer) (33 page)

“I didn’t think about that, mom. That would make me real sad.” Joy looked up at her mom. “But mom, he hurt you the worst. I want you to be safe.” She started crying all over again.

Laney placed her hand under Joy’s chin. “Hey, I’m going to be okay, you’ll see. God has given me a peace in my heart about all of this. He has a plan, Joy, and I know everything is going to work out. Can you trust me on this? Can you pray about it and learn to trust God, that he can take care of us, no matter what?”

“I’ll try.”

“I know, sweetheart, it is hard after everything we’ve been through. But I promise you this. I know that God is bigger, stronger, and wiser than you and I put together. He knows how to handle your dad and we are going to trust him. Deal?”

Laney extended her pinky; Joy half-heartedly wrapped her pinky around her mom’s. “Deal.”

             
             
             
Chapter Forty-One

Spring had officially arrived. Sheila opened up her house windows, exchanging the stale winter air for air that was laced with the smells of the season. She could smell her neighbor’s hyacinths on the gentle breeze that was dancing with her curtains.

She looked around their little dining room, wanting everything to be perfect. She had set the table with her best linens and her new china.

Laney had volunteered to have the boys spend the night and had picked them up right after school, so she had the whole day to herself.

The lasagna was ready to go in the oven, the salad was made and she had even put together a lemon meringue pie earlier. He would think he’d died and gone to heaven.

She couldn’t wait. Austin had spent the day in Chicago finishing up some business he had there. He was on his way home and should be home in a couple of hours.

She laid out her clothes then took a quick shower. Tonight was going to be perfect.

The lasagna smelled delicious and she had just put on her diamond studs when she heard the car door. She greeted him at the door with a glass of red wine.

He stood paralyzed on the doorstep. “Wow, what’s the occasion?”

“Can’t a woman do something special every now and then for her man?”

“Honey, you can do this kind of special any time you want.”

She pulled him close and whispered, “Why don’t you take a quick shower and get cleaned up. Dinner is almost ready.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice.”

He disappeared through the hall and it wasn’t but a minute before she heard the shower running. She grinned and shook her head.

Sheila had dinner on the table when he emerged fifteen minutes later. “Lasagna, my favorite.” He pulled the chair out for her and went to pour her some wine.

She put her hand over her glass. “None for me, thanks.”

Austin refilled his glass and sat back, enjoying the scents and scenery of the evening, especially the scenery seated directly across from him, his wife. “You are beautiful. I am so blessed to be your husband.” He lifted his glass. “A toast to you.”

She sipped the water from her own goblet, remaining quiet, enjoying the moment.

He looked around then noticed the table was only set for two. “Where are the boys?”

“They are spending the night with Matt. Wasn’t that nice of Laney to volunteer?”

He grinned, appreciatively. “I’d say.” He raised his glass again. “Here’s to Laney!”

They both laughed.

He picked up his fork, which was so small he wouldn’t have been able to pick up a pea. He looked at it questioningly, but she had to give him credit, he didn’t say a word. He went to the kitchen and retrieved a different fork. Sheila wondered what he was thinking.

He ate his meal without mentioning the silverware. He had to retrieve a new spoon for his dessert as well. “This is delicious.” He didn’t notice she was picking at her food, pushing it around on her plate without really eating it.

She started cleaning up the table and he chipped in. He approached her from behind and whispered in her neck, “Can the dishes wait till later?”

Sheila laughed. “No, I’m just going to rinse them off really quick. It won’t take me but a minute.” She had their plates in her hand so she motioned with her head. “You go ahead and sit down, I’ll be right in. I got us a movie to watch. I thought it would be nice to be able to watch a whole movie without interruptions.”

He made himself comfortable on their reclining love seat and turned on the television and DVD player while he waited for her. She had already put the movie in. “Nine Months?” He tried to remember this one. “Hey Sheila, have I seen this movie? I don’t remember what it is about.”

She poked her head around the entryway of the living room, “Hon, we’ve only been married for five months. How do I know if you’ve seen the movie or not?”

He grinned and stood up, taking the dishtowel from her hands and tossing it on the dining room table. “Good point. Now get in here and sit with me.” He untied her apron and led her to the love seat. “Now this is nice.”

They both reclined and he started the movie.

Hand in hand they laughed their way through the ups and downs of finding out a couple is having a baby. Austin loved Dr. Kosovich. “Robin Williams is so funny. I’m glad you got this movie. You know, I don’t think I have ever seen it before.”

Sheila agreed with him, while watching him intently.

At the end when Hugh Grant was holding his baby, Sheila was crying full force. Austin grabbed the tissues. “Honey, are you okay? It’s just a movie.”

“It’s not just a movie. You don’t get it.” She sobbed. “I’m pregnant.”

“You’re what?”

“I’m pregnant. I had this whole evening set up with clues so you would get it and you don’t get it.”

“You’re sure? You ‘re really pregnant?” He jumped, then scooped her up in his arms. “We’re having a baby?”

She nodded
yes.

He wiped away her tears. “Then what are you crying for? You have just made me the happiest man alive. I love you, Sheila. And I love our baby.” He placed his hands on her stomach then looked at her like she alone set the stars and moon into place. He carried her into their bedroom and closed the door behind him.

*  *  *  *

The next morning Sheila sat at Laney’s table, sharing the good news with her and telling her all about Austin’s reaction as well as her own emotional reaction.

“It’s normal. You’ll cry about anything when you are pregnant.”

“Really, how do women stand it?”

Laney laughed. “When you hold her in your hands, you’ll know why.”

Sheila raised her eyebrows. “A her?”

“Or a him, I guess. I’m sticking with a girl though.”

“So is Austin. He is sure of it.”

“Daddy knows best.”

“You should have seen him. He was so careful. He was treating me like I was made of glass. I told him I’m still me.”

Laney looked wistful. After everything she had gone through with Paul, it was a miracle she had healthy babies. “Some guys are like that.”

Sheila placed her hand on Laney’s arm. “I’m sorry, that was insensitive.”

“It’s not your fault my husband was a lousy one. Don’t you dare be sorry for having a candidate for the best father of the year. You hear me?”

“Yes, ma’am!”

The two friends spent the rest of the afternoon making lists and talking about doctors.

“I’m so glad you’re here. With my mom gone, I wouldn’t know who to turn to with all my questions.” Sheila gave Laney a hug. “I better get the boys and get going. Austin’s parents are coming up and spending the night. I have a ton of lasagna left. I wonder if they’ll mind eating leftovers?” She called the boys. “We need to tell the boys when we get home. I hope they are okay with having a new baby brother or sister.”

“They’ll be fine.”

The boys thanked Laney for having them then followed Sheila out.

Laney waved. “See you tomorrow at church.”

             
             
             
Chapter Forty-Two

The next morning Laney slipped into her regular pew and waited for Ella. Sunday school let out a little late today and she knew Ella tried to get to the bathroom before service started. She hated to leave during worship and be an interruption.

The musicians started playing softly, the countdown on the screen hit zero and worship began in earnest. Laney closed her eyes and allowed the presence of the Holy Spirit to wash over her. She was learning to let go and worship. Sometimes it was difficult. This style of worship was completely new to her, but she loved it.

She appreciated Mark and Jessi and was thankful for their leadership. Matt was flourishing under Mark's example. She was thankful he had a good role model. Laney felt a kinship to the other attendees. They had given her so much support and love when Matt was abducted. She looked around the room and recognized so many people who either brought her a meal or went out of their way to search high and low for her missing boy. The ladies from prayer group spent more time on their knees than anyone. She would never be able to convey just how much this church meant to her.

She turned and looked toward the back of the room. Ella’s Sunday school room door was open and it looked like there was still a couple of people in there milling about. Maybe she had stayed to ask a question.

Laney turned her attention back to worship. She sang along. The words to the worship song filled places in her she didn’t know she had. She wept as she sang about God being everything she’d ever need.

Laney lifted her hands and let the sweet presence of the Holy Spirit wash over her. Tears were streaming down her face. She continued to sing. She was that person. Her whole world changed because of Christ. Her heart emptied itself at the feet of her Savior. She left every other thought, every worry or concern at his feet as well. For this moment, her only desire was to worship him. Laney had never felt so free, so alive. She had no idea what she had been missing.

Service went a little long. Pastor Mark had started a series titled “Our Many Layers: What Makes Us Who We Are.”

He was obviously excited about it and forgot to set his watch on the podium as a reminder. He apologized and dismissed in prayer, telling everyone he would continue next Sunday.

Now Laney was truly worried about Ella. She asked some of the ladies in her Sunday school class only to be told Ella wasn’t there today.

She gathered up the kids and quickly walked home. As soon as she deposited her Bible on the table, she hurried out the door and crossed the lawn to Ella’s house. She knocked. No one came. She knocked again. Nothing.

If Ella had been going somewhere, she would have told her. Something was wrong she just knew it.

Laney ran home to get Ella’s door key. She let herself in, calling out to the woman in case she was in the bathroom. She didn’t want to scare her to death. “Ella, it’s me Laney. I used your key to get in. I’m just checking on you.” No reply.

She walked further into the living room, looking around. No one was in the small kitchen. The coffee pot was about half full.

She turned to the bedroom. The door was closed. She slowly opened the door and peeked inside. Ella was lying on her bed, tears streaming down the sides of her face. “Ella, oh my gosh. What’s wrong?”

Ella tried moving her mouth, but the words that came out were garbled and not making sense.