My Steps Are Ordered (22 page)

Gina pulled into the driveway of her father's home. She saw Jeff peek through the window before coming outside the house to greet her. He helped her unload her kids from the backseat.

There was a huge black truck in the next space. “You have a visitor?” Gina asked.

“Yes.” Jeff wiped his hands on his pants in a nervous gesture.

Seeing Regina standing by the door, Trey and Epiphany raced inside, knowing she had special treats for them. Regina was a superb baker. She made everything from gourmet cookies to professionally decorated cakes. Gina knew she had to stay away from the mirror. She had packed on at least five pounds because of Regina's cooking.

Jeff held on to Gina's arm and led her into the house. He stopped in the entryway. Gina gave him a curious look.

“Keith's here,” he told her.

Gina felt her knees buckle at her father's words. In fact, she would have fallen if Jeff hadn't maintained a firm grip on her arm. Gina did not know why, but she felt the urge to turn and run in the opposite direction.

Yet at the same time something compelled her to run straight into Keith's arms. Her traitorous body started quivering in anticipation at the thought of seeing him. Even though her exile had been self-imposed, she missed him. She had thought about him and ached to touch him.

Her father interpreted the myriad of emotions sweeping across her face. Gina had told him the entire story of her debacle with Keith and Michael. She was grateful that she had a relationship with Jeff—it had been after several intense sessions of counseling that they'd gotten here.

He took her hand and led her into the kitchen, away from Keith, who was now playing with his children in the family room. “Gina, you can't run from your destiny.”

“I never saw Keith as my destiny. My temptation, my trial . . . but not once did I imagine that we could end up together.”

“Why not?”

“It's too complicated. I was married to his brother. Marrying Keith now would be tacky. Too impossible.”

“God specializes in impossibilities.”

“But this is just—”

“It's your life, Gina. No one else can live it for you. You answer to God. Not to society and not to me. At the end of this road, you must grab and hold on to the joy in your life. And, Gina, honey, from the time I met you, you've been miserable, and it breaks my heart.”

Gina stiffened at first at her father's words. But then truth seeped through her being. She had been miserable before, during, and after her marriage to Michael. There had been great moments, but she had never experienced what she had with Keith.

Could this be her chance?

Gina walked into the family room with a slight hesitation. She didn't know how she was going to react to seeing Keith.

Keith looked up as soon as she entered the room. He had been playing with Trey and Epiphany. They were sitting on each of his legs, and Epiphany was swinging her legs back and forth like she didn't have a care in the world.

Gina felt tears threaten at the sight of Keith playing with her children. No. Correction. Their children. The significance of that moment was not lost on either of the two adult occupants in the room. For in spite of all that was wrong about their union, their children were right. They were precious. Too precious to ever regret.

Keith held out his hand like he needed to feel a connection with the woman who had given him these precious blessings.

It was as if only a day had passed, instead of months. All the anger and hurt dissipated when she saw him. All the words she thought she'd say were stuck in her throat. Gina grabbed his hand and allowed Keith to pull her so that she sat in the chair next to him. Trey and Epiphany wandered off to the other side of the room.

She heard Keith inhale as the fragrance of her perfume drifted up to his nostrils. He leaned over and inhaled deeply. “I had to get another whiff of that scent. It's titillating my senses. I've missed you,” he said. “And I'm understating the truth.”

“I missed you too,” Gina confessed in a conspiratorial whisper. Not for one second was she fooled by Trey's apparent nonchalance. Her son's ears were well tuned in to his parents' conversation.

Keith stretched his arm across her chair, and she leaned back into the comfort of his arm.

Feeling uplifted by the promising sight, Trey ambled over to where his sister was playing.

Keith leaned in to speak to her in confidence. “Marry me, Gina.”

Gina was startled by Keith's sudden statement. Or, rather, his command. She expected outrage and at least a lot of questions. She didn't expect this and sought to put space between them.

Keith read her intentions and held on to her shoulders with determination. “You think after all these months I'm going to let you get away without a fight? Once I knew you were here—and don't think I didn't think to look—I was packed and on the highway to the airport in less than twenty minutes. After months of missing you and wanting to see my children, I refuse to let another day go by without you. I understand you. I know you. I love you.”

Keith decided that the time for small talk was over. He and Gina had wasted an eternity on begging and pleading. He was here to claim his family. He had engaged in much fasting and prayer, and he had beaten himself up enough over the situation. Even though the nation might salivate over his blunder, Keith felt assurance in God's Word.

God did not hold the sins of the past against him. All his former deeds had been forgiven. God had forgiven him. It had taken soul-searching, prayers, and fasting, but Keith had forgiven himself. Now he needed Gina to do the same.

Reaching inside his jacket pocket, Keith extracted the small box holding the three-carat solitaire. Keith didn't view marriage as a trivial commitment. He had invested his time and energy in finding the perfect ring, one that commemorated his lifetime of love for Gina.

He placed the box on the coffee table.

Gina saw the little box and understood its implications. Taking a deep breath, she put her hands in her hair, which, as she suspected, was in disarray. In fact, in her opinion, she looked a hot mess. She had spent the past six hours with the children at the zoo. She stunk like animals.

She jumped to her feet. This would not do. “If that is what I think it is, I'm not doing it like this.”

“What?” Keith also jumped to his feet.

“You waited all this time. You can wait while I shower and change.”

“Gina, it doesn't matter to me.”

“You can wait.” Gina's stubbornness was evident. She left the room in a huff. There was no way she was going to get the proposal of a lifetime in what she was wearing and when she was looking like a hot mess.

After eight years, does she thinks I care what she looks like?
Knowing that he would not win that battle against the female mind, he redirected his thoughts to his children.

Trey and Epiphany leaped over to where he remained standing. Regina came to retrieve Epiphany for her bath. He decided to take care of Trey himself. His hands shook when he helped his son undress and drew his bath. For years, Keith had longed for a family. And now it seemed as if God was about to grant it all to him.

He felt somewhat overcome with emotion and sat at the edge of the tub, thanking God. What had he done to deserve this? Keith didn't realize that tears were falling until Trey spoke up.

“Why are you crying?” Trey's hands were filled with soap, but he reached over to pat his father's hand, seeking to comfort him.

Tenderness swelled inside Keith at the gesture. “I love you and thank God for you.”

“I love you too, Uncle Keith.”

Keith noticed that Trey vacillated between calling him dad and uncle. Keith answered to either one, knowing that this was a normal period of adjustment. It would take a little time for Trey to get it right. He imagined that Trey understood a little of what was going on with the adults in his life, and knew that he needed to speak with his son about this.

“Trey, I know you must feel a little confused at times, and I want you to know that you can talk to me about anything you don't understand.”

Trey jumped out of the bathtub. He had lost interest in the assortment of toys for bath time fun, now floating, forgotten, in the tub. “Well . . .”

“Why don't we get you dressed and then we can talk?”

For a moment, Keith thought about how Gina would react to him talking to Trey without consulting her first. Then he pushed the thought aside. Trey was his son, and the sooner he assumed the role of father with both him and Epiphany, the easier the transition would be.

Once Trey was dressed in his pajamas, he ran into his bedroom and Keith tucked him in bed. Regina and Jeff popped in to see if he needed their assistance, but he waved them off. He was pleased at how adept he was at handling a precocious seven-year-old.

As soon as he was settled in bed, Trey wasted no time in asking his question. “Is Daddy going to take me and Epiphany away from Mom?”

Keith's brows quivered. An eerie sensation struck his being, but Keith prayed that he was wrong. “No, Trey. Why would you be worried about that?”

Trey whispered. It was obvious that he was frightened. “Well, Daddy used to be nice, and then he started kind of being mean.”

“To you?” Keith's breath caught in anticipation. If Michael had done something to his son, he would not be responsible for his actions. He could somewhat come to terms with his brother's pervasive cruelty to Gina, but Keith would not rationalize that behavior if the children had been on the receiving end of it. He hoped his brother was above that.

“No,” Trey said. “He used to be much nicer, but then Daddy started being mean. He was always working. He wouldn't play with me if I wanted Epiphany to play too. It had to be only him and me. That's why most of the time I would just . . . I would just . . .”

Keith watched as his son struggled to find the words. It was tempting to help, but his years as an attorney had taught him to wait for Trey to find the right phrase. He wouldn't lead or prod the boy, because he did not want to get a tarnished version of the truth. The unadulterated truth had to come from Trey's own lips, with no help from him.

“I would just play with Epiphany. I think Daddy . . . I mean, Uncle Michael . . . was mad at me for doing that, so he stopped playing with me.” Trey started to cry.

Keith's heart constricted. He sat down on the edge of the bed, hugged his son tight, and tried to find the right words to comfort him.

Michael's actions were unbelievable. In essence, Michael had forced Trey to choose between his father and his sister. Then, when his ploy failed, Michael had closed himself off from his son. His selfish actions proved why the Bible warned against holding on to bitterness and anger. Michael's bitterness had festered until it had hardened him and changed him. Keith did not think Michael knew how perceptive and discerning Trey was. He was sure that Michael had been crafty, but Trey had seen right through him.

“Your uncle Michael wasn't thinking,” Keith explained. “I love you, and I would never make you choose. You can love me, your mom, your sister, your toys, your bed. . . .”

Trey giggled, already feeling better. Then he sobered and said, “Daddy, do you think it is my fault why Mommy had to leave Uncle Michael? She told us we're going to live in a new house and we weren't going back there.”

Keith knew he would have to tread with care. Trey was already trying to adjust to his transition from uncle to dad. Keith did not want to do anything that would contribute to the emotional scars. This was a traumatic experience for anyone, much less a little boy.

“No, son. Nothing that has happened is your fault,” Keith assured him. “It's us, the grown-ups, who are to blame. You have not done anything wrong. Don't think that for a moment. I promise you that all you need to know is that we all love you and your sister.” Keith moved off the bed and lowered his body so that he could look Trey in the eyes. “I'm sorry, Trey.” Keith uttered the sentiment in a soft voice.

“That's okay, Dad. It's not your fault.” Trey grabbed on to him and started to cry. Keith saw the tears form a pool on his shirt. Trey was crying his heart out. He felt the familiar guilt rack his body. In a way, it was his fault. He had driven a wedge between Gina and Michael.

But if it weren't for him, Trey and Epiphany would not be here. He couldn't feel guilty for their existence. Children were precious gifts from God, to be treasured and cherished. Somehow, God had taken all of his faults and all of his mistakes and was now using them for good and for His purpose. His television show was evidence of that.

Keith provided soothing words of comfort for his son. He knew that the gut-wrenching pain in his own heart was something that would subside with time. But now it felt like a ton of bricks was tearing at his heartstrings as his son cried.

Keith could not stop the tears from pooling in his own eyes.

At that moment Gina entered the room to see her son wrapped in Keith's arms. Both were emotional. Gina could discern what was happening.

She gave Keith a thumbs-up sign and left the room without Trey knowing she had been there. Gina wanted to give Keith as much time as he needed with his son. They had to bond on that level.

She searched for Epiphany. She found her daughter bundled under a collection of teddy bears in her bedroom. Gina had to move a few of them on the floor before sitting on the edge of the bed.

Epiphany was not yet asleep. “Mommy,” she called out.

Gina took her daughter in her arms and rocked her back and forth.

“Where's Daddy?”

“He's right here,” Keith said. He had settled Trey in bed and come to check on Epiphany. He crossed the room to the opposite side of the bed and plopped down.

Without a moment's thought, Epiphany left Gina's arms and bounced into Keith's arms. Slanting Gina a teasing grin, he held his daughter.

“Traitor,” Gina mouthed, but her words belied her feeling. She was thrilled at the sight of Epiphany in Keith's strong arms. Somehow, Gina felt even more assured that everything was going to be all right.

Later that evening, once the children were asleep, Gina accepted Keith's proposal. Watching the ring slide up her finger, Gina felt all the sins of the past fade away. She'd waited her whole life for this moment.

Keith held Gina's hand and stared at the ring on her finger. It looked and felt right. “Thank you, Lord,” Keith whispered with reverence. “You've answered the yearning of my heart. My steps are truly ordered by you. You've worked everything out for my good.”

Gina hid her momentary surprise. This was she and Keith's moment. He'd brought God into it. She hadn't expected that.

He's a man of God, so why should that surprise you? Hmm . . . good point.
Gina felt a quiver of fear surround her heart. After all that Keith had been through, would God now come between them?