“Really?” He ran a hand through his hair making it spring up beneath his fingers. “It wasn’t all that long ago I thought I’d never be a father at all …”
He grabbed both her hands and squeezed tight. His eyes met her gaze directly. “I would’ve never risked your life having more, but the thought of enlarging our family … I’m thrilled.” His smile lit up the room as he shook his head in disbelief.
He sunk back into the couch and folded both hands behind his head. “Two kids,” he said, grinning. “I like the sound of that. I’m up for it if you are.”
He pulled her into his side and threw an arm around her shoulder. She snuggled in. They sat in silence for a few minutes, mesmerized by the glowing embers, each lost in their own thoughts.
“Oh, yeah.” He jumped to his feet and jolted Anna from a drowsy state.
“I can give you your Christmas gift now. I didn’t feel right earlier—” He pulled out a large beautifully wrapped present from behind the tree. “Here you are.”
With a smile that split across his face making his dimple dance into view, he placed the gift on the coffee table in front of her. He plopped on a chair across from her and leaned forward.
Anna took her time carefully removing the bow, the tape, and lastly the wrap. When she went to fold the paper before opening the cardboard, he threw up his hands.
“Oh, my goodness, Anna, don’t tell me you’re one of those. You’re killing me here—open the box already.”
She laughed at his impatience.
“It’s part of the pleasure,” she said, “To savor a gift, to respect the fact someone has taken time to choose, purchase, and wrap—”
He reached out. “I’ll open it then.”
She squealed and held on tight. “Okay, Okay.” She slid her thumb through the tape, opened the end, and pulled. A lovely black and white painting cradled within an antique frame met her eyes. A sheen of tears misted her view. Words got stuck in her throat, and the best she could squeeze out was, “Matt, this is incredible.”
She traced her fingers over each tiny face. There on the canvas were the three cherubim faces of her children, all at the three-month stage. The picture of Melody was one she had not seen before. The artist had masterfully blended three chubby faces into a collage.
“How?” She bubbled. “How did you manage to get the photos of the boys?
“From Lana. She said it was the least she could do.”
“But, Matt, why did you hold off giving me this?”
“Well, when you were standoffish all day, I got a little insecure. Thought maybe our future was doubtful, and I shouldn’t involve your boys.”
Anna interrupted. “Standoffish? Is that how you took it? I knew I was going to tell you I was madly in love with you today, and after that kiss this morning, I didn’t trust myself.”
“Madly in love?” he teased. “I didn’t hear that. Go ahead, Anna, tell me how madly in love you are, because I really like the sound of that.”
“You’re going to get a smack,” she said with a tease in her voice.
“Anna, all kidding aside, I want you to know that all your children are important to me. Though I’ll never be a father to the older two, they’re an important part of my life, because they’re an important part of yours.”
Anna stood and bent across the coffee table to kiss his cheek. “Matt, thank you. This gift is beyond amazing.”
“And we can always have a new one painted to add one more if Lorena’s baby joins our family. I know the artist,” Matt offered.
He stretched back in the chair, placed his hands behind his head, and closed his eyes. “This is the best Christmas and birthday ever,” he said with a sigh.
“What?” she squealed. “It’s your birthday too? You’re a Christmas baby?”
He laughed. “Ha, I was going to pull the ‘It’s my birthday,’ had you not wanted to spend Christmas with me, but when you agreed, it no longer seemed important. You’ve given me the best birthday gift possible, Anna. I’m truly the happiest man alive but—”
A shadow flashed across his face.
“What?”
“I haven’t introduced you to my life, Anna. As much as I want to get married immediately, I need you to understand my work, my family, my past. If we’re going to make this marriage a success, I don’t want anything between us.”
A slight chill of fear ran up Anna’s spine. She liked the cocoon they had created within the boundaries of her life. The thought of entering his world held little appeal.
What should’ve been the happiest time of Anna’s life in many years was marred by the persistent demands of her eldest son. He felt she should respect and honor his father’s memory by remaining single the rest of her life. He continually spouted off Scripture used out of context to suit his opinion. Anna felt exhausted. Only ten minutes into his weekend visit, and she wondered how she was going to get through.
“Don’t you care how this looks?” he demanded. “Doesn’t the Scripture say it’s better for a widow to remain single? And I heard that doctor has women falling all over him and a not so stellar past.”
Anna’s heart skipped a beat. Fear niggled. “Mark, honey, is this about your concern for
