When they got home, Gini was so excited, she couldn’t sign or speak fast enough to tell of her joy. Debbie wrapped her arms tight around her. “Slow down, baby. I take it it went well, and you like the place.”
“Oh… yes.” Gini told of the beautiful organ music, Pastor Daniel’s soothing voice, and the kindness of Reverend Gilbert.
“Did you like it, Robert?” Debbie asked.
“Yes, very much. I think Jessica will be welcomed with open arms. The ministers are coming here on Thursday to meet her.”
“Here?”
“Yes.”
“What time?”
“Around seven-thirty.”
“I’ll make myself scarce.”
“Eet, be… uff, o, k. Sir…cha, take, lees…be… in. Guiney, ask. Et, be… uff, o, k.” She grinned.
“Robert!” Debbie gasped.
“Be… uff, o, k.” Gini hugged Debbie tight.
Later, when the house was quiet, Debbie came out of her room into the great room. She glared at Robert. “I can’t believe you asked.”
“I didn’t. Gini did.”
“Robert, that’s my business.”
“She didn’t say why she was asking. She just asked the question.”
“So you didn’t say anything about me?”
“Nope!”
Debbie was relieved and sat back. “Good. Do you want some coffee?” She stood.
“Sure, if you’re making some.”
She started to leave the room, then turned back. “Maybe bourbon would be better.”
He laughed and went to get the drinks.
When the doorbell rang Thursday night, Robert answered it carrying Jessica in his arms. When the clergymen entered, they both greeted the child, who turned her face away shyly, then went to Gini to greet her. Then they sat on the couch next to Robert, who had Jessica on his lap.
“You must be Jessica,” Daniel said in his baritone voice.
Alyssa sat off at the kitchen table, in case they needed her for Jessica. The richness of his voice immediately got her attention.
Debbie had parked herself deep in the kitchen out of sight.
When Daniel leaned forward toward Jessica, she stuck her face into Robert’s chest. And then almost as quickly, she sat up and looked at Gini, who was in her recliner across the room. Gini’s eyes were open and focused on her daughter. Jessica turned back and sat straight-backed with her hands in her lap, looking toward the two men.
“You’re a very pretty little girl,” Daniel continued.
“I’m a princess,” Jessica said shyly.
“Why, yes you are, I see that now. A beautiful princess.
“Your mommy and daddy are going to come to a place called church on Sunday. I hope you will come with them. There are a lot of kids your age, and they have so much fun in Sunday school. They color and sing… do you like to sing?”
“Yes.”
“Can you sing me your favorite song?”
Jessica hadn’t taken her eyes off him. “When you wish upon a star…” she started singing, quietly.
Daniel went down on one knee in front of her. “Makes no difference who you are…” he joined in. His beautiful voice filled the whole house.
Alyssa sat forward in her chair, and Debbie walked closer to the table as Jessica and Daniel continued the song.
“Your dreams come true…” Jessica was now singing at the top of her lungs. Daniel was holding her hands in his.
“Oh, thank you, Jessica. That is one of my favorite songs too.” He stood up slowly, letting go of her hands. “I hope you’ll come to church so we can sing some more.”
Jessica giggled and leaned back on her dad again, this time comfortable and relaxed. Robert looked at Gini; she was smiling.
Reverend Gilbert bent forward to look around Robert. “And who’s over there?”
Alyssa stood and came into the room. “I’m Jessica’s nanny, Alyssa.”
Both men stood when she approached, and she followed Daniel with her eyes as he rose above her.
“And…” the Reverend said after greeting Alyssa, still looking into the kitchen.
“Is that you, Ms. Pierce?”
“Yes,” she said, now feeling she had to make an appearance.
“It’s been some time since I’ve seen you at the hospital.”
“I’ve been Gini’s private nurse for several years. Haven’t worked there since her accident.”
“It’s good to see you again. I hope you will all join us Sunday morning.”
He turned his attention to Gini. “I have something for you.” He reached in his bag and took out a box. Kneeling in front of her, he opened the lid and took out a white Bible with gold lettering on the front. “I don’t know if you have a Bible, but I wanted to give you this one. It has large print.” He put it in her lap, and she put her hand on top of it.
“Thenk you,” she said, smiling.
Robert walked the two men to the door, holding Jessica’s hand.
Daniel bowed down to the little girl. “It was nice to meet you, princess.”
She giggled and wrapped her arms around her father’s legs.
The subject of attending church only came up one other time, when Robert announced he and Gini wanted to go to the late service, which started at ten forty-five.
Sunday, a little after ten, Alyssa came from their rooms with Jessica, both dressed and ready for Robert.
“You’re going?” Debbie asked.
“Yes, I miss church. Not that I went every Sunday, but I did go some growing up.”
When they got there, Robert opened the wheelchair for Gini, and Jessica sat in her lap—Gini’s white Bible tucked between her and her body. He decided the chair would be easier for Gini since there would probably be a lot of people, and Gini—although she was much better at controlling it—was very anxious when she went to new places with crowds.
Jessica sat proudly on her mother’s lap, like a princess in her carriage. Robert wheeled them in while Alyssa parked the car. He pushed them
