He took her hand in both of his. “I love you and want you to be my wife and raise our children together.”
Alyssa choked up and started to cry.
“I loved you, Daniel. But you just left, left without saying any of this.”
“I tried, but you made it pretty clear you didn’t want to leave New Haven, and I had to go to my new church. And then when we talked on the phone, you became more and more distant. I wanted to ask before I left. But I knew what the answer would have been, and I couldn’t bear to hear it. So I want to try again. Not for you to marry me now, but tell me if it could ever be possible. I need you in my life.”
She put her fingers on her mouth to steady her quivering lips. “I… yes, I want to be your wife, but I’d have to think about my job.”
“See, that’s the thing. Reverend Gilbert is retiring, and I’m going to be head pastor here in New Haven.”
“Oh my gosh.” Alyssa threw her arms around his neck. “I can’t believe it. Yes, yes, yes! That is so fantastic.”
The whole family was not only happy for Alyssa and Daniel getting back together, but also that he would be their new pastor.
Robert and Alyssa had several long talks. Robert reassured her they didn’t need a live-in nanny any longer. Robbie was eleven and didn’t require constant supervision.
Debbie was excited for Aly. She’d been afraid that Alyssa would wait too long to get married and miss her opportunity to have a family. She was so wonderful with kids, it would be a shame for her not to have her own. And she had wiped the tears from Alyssa’s cheeks many times after Daniel had left. She knew Alyssa was in love with him and had been for a long time.
Daniel would start at the New Haven Christian Church after the new year.
Gini’s health continued to decline. The main issue was keeping her blood sugar level. Debbie had to check it hourly some days; other days, it seemed to stay in check, but the ups and downs were taking their toll on Gini’s strength and clearheadedness, leaving her drained and lethargic.
Chapter 20—Virginia Anderson
Jessica looked forward to the Christmas holidays, being with family and seeing her friends. Jason told her he couldn’t wait to see her. The two families would have their annual Christmas Eve celebration.
That morning, Jessica went to Gini. “Mama, look at this cute hairdo. I think it would look really good on you.” She held a magazine up.
Gini moved close to the page. “Oh, yes.”
“Good, let’s go get you pretty.” Jessica helped Gini out of her recliner, and they slowly walked to the master bedroom. Gini heavily relied on Jessica’s assistance.
Debbie walked up to Robert sitting at the kitchen table flipping his finger down his tablet to read news stories. She put her hand on his shoulder. “I’m glad Jessie’s home. Her mother needs her.”
“Me, too. We have a great daughter. I miss her, but I’m not going to tell her that too often. She needs to start her own life.”
“Do you think she and Yuri will ever get married?”
“I don’t know. Doesn’t seem to be a pressing issue with either at the moment, and that’s good. She has a lot of school ahead of her.”
“Yes, I just wish she was closer, for her mother’s sake.”
He patted her hand. They both knew that Gini’s life expectancy wouldn’t be that of a normal healthy person, but neither was ready to accept that she would go so young.
Everybody had arrived except Jason. Jessica had styled Gini’s hair, dressed her, and put some makeup on her eyes and lips. They walked into the room.
“Sweetheart,” Robert said, walking up to meet them. “What a beauty.”
Gini opened her eyes wide and smiled, both of which she hadn’t done much of lately. “Boo… tea… full.”
“Absolutely.” He kissed her.
The doorbell rang, and Jason walked in with a girl on his arm.
“Hey, everyone, I’d like you to meet Jennifer, my fiancée.”
“Fiancée!” Jessica exclaimed and ran to them, threw her arms around his neck, and then pulled back.
“This is Jessica,” he said to Jennifer.
“I figured. Jase has told me what a great friend you are.”
“Congratulations.” The two girls hugged.
“Did you know about this?” Robert asked John.
“He told us last week, and we had to promise not to tell. She’s a great gal.”
“Gini, this is Jennifer,” Jason said, taking her hand.
“Mrs. Young, I’ve heard so much about you and, I believe, they’re called braille cards.”
Gini giggled. “Oh, yes. Be, of, ween.”
“That’s what I hear, you always win.”
“Yes, yes, ween, yes.”
Everyone was there except Aly, who had gone to be with Daniel in Maine for his last week. Once they got back, they’d start planning their wedding for June.
After church, they decided not to go caroling because it was very windy, snowy, and cold. Jason and Jennifer went home with the Youngs.
“Jason and Jennifer,” Debbie said. “Has a nice ring to it.”
Gini quickly turned to Robert. “Jay… son, Jen… ney… fer, bay… be.” She put her hand on her abdomen. She repeated it over and over.
He wasn’t sure what she was trying to say. “No, they’re not going to have a baby; they aren’t married yet.”
“Yes, yes, yes, Jay… son, Jen… ney… fer, bay… be.”
He hugged her close. She was confused about something.
Jason, Jennifer, and Jessica all went upstairs and talked and played games until late in the night. Jason told Jessica she had made a great impression on him about not getting married until they finished college. They were in for a long engagement, but both were
