Miracle of Love

by Victoria Chancellor

  "That's absurd! I know exactly what happened to me."

  "Erina, think about what you're claiming. You say you're from 1896. No one has ever documented a case of time travel. It doesn't really exist."

  "It does because Mary willed it to happen."

  He ran a hand over his face. "Your religion has become part of the fantasy. You chose me to save Colin because you believe Jerrold Kirby is the father of your baby."

  "No, I didn't choose you. The Holy Mother did. I didn't even know who you were."

  "Okay, I'm sure it seemed that way to you. I remember that you appeared confused about my identity. But that just means it's part of the fantasy."

  "Grant, do you know how crazy you sound?" She was beginning to believe that he was the one creating stories in his head.

  "What I'm proposing is based on psychological fact, not on miracles. I know it sounds far-fetched, but not as weird as traveling in time."

  "To me it sounds even more odd. But then, the time travel actually happened to me. I can understand how you'd have a hard time believin' me since you didn't experience it yourself."

  He touched her cheek, his eyes tender. "I know that you believe you're from the past, and that's okay with me. I hope that someday you'll remember what really happened, but it you don't, I'm willing to live with that."

  "Well, that's very understandin' of you, but you happen to be wrong," she said, still a bit upset that he thought she'd made up a story, even if he thought she didn't know it was a story.

  "I think that I'm right and that someday we'll find out the truth."

  The idea that they might find out the truth because she went back to the past filled her with dread. What could be more horrible than proving she was telling the truth, only to lose Grant forever?

  Arguing about who was right wouldn't solve any problems. If he was willing to accept her, thinking she'd created a fantasy inside her head, then she could accept him with his skeptical views of miracles.

  "I understand," she finally said. "Once time you said we should agree to disagree. I think that's a good idea."

  He smiled. "Good. I don't want your past coming between us."

  "Neither do I," she said, closing her eyes and resting her face against his hand. "Neither do I."

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Grant's newly discovered closeness to his mother was a tenuous thing that needed to be carefully nurtured. Instead, he was about to shock her with a rush wedding. She'd taken to the idea of having a grandchild remarkably well, but how would she react to acquiring a daughter-in-law?

  On Friday morning Mrs. Parker came to the condo to stay with Colin so he and Erina could go to Houston. He needed to tell his mother in person, hopefully with Brian in attendance. Grant had called him last night and asked him to be there. Then after all the discussions and explanations were over, they needed to plan a wedding.

  "I don't suppose you'd agree to a civil ceremony," he said as they walked toward the Jeep.

  "What's a civil ceremony?"

  "Where you go before a civil authority like a Justice of the Peace or a judge to get married."

  "And not be married in the eyes of the church? No, I couldn't do that."

  "I was afraid you'd say that."

  "And why would you be afraid?"

  "Because I'm not sure how long it takes to get married in the Catholic church. I'm sure we'll need some kind of approval. I remember when one of my property managers got married, he and his wife went through required pre-wedding counseling sessions and had to sign all kinds of documents. We don't have time for that."

  "I'm sure we can make a priest understand."

  "I hope so. If we can't, then we can get married in a civil ceremony and later have a church wedding."

  She stopped him before they got into the Jeep. "I'll not consider myself truly married until our union is blessed by the church."

  "But mainly we'll need the status for Mrs. Henshaw and the INS."

  "Yes, but I just wanted you to know that I can't be your wife . . . in every way. . . until we're truly married."

  What she was saying finally penetrated. "You mean we can't sleep together?"

  "Sleep or anything else," she stated with a nod of her head.

  "Oh."

  "And you'll not be talkin' me out of this, Grant Kirby."

  "I wouldn't even try," he said, unlocking the door for her. "I know how important religion is to you."

  "To us all," she corrected.

  He didn't say anything to that. Erina had the kind of faith that went deep and spread wide. She didn't go around trying to convert others, but she did have a way of reminding him of those abstract philosophies he'd learned as a child.

  They drove to Houston in light traffic, chatting about the sights, music, and the weather. But as soon as they neared his mother's house, Grant felt himself pull away. He wasn't looking forward to informing her of the hasty wedding, but, he kept reminding himself, his mother had taken to the idea of Colin remarkably well. Brian would be more resistant, but then, he'd made himself clear about doubts from the first.

  Brian just didn't understand the overwhelming attraction Grant felt for Erina. The way she made him feel protective of her and Colin.

  "I'm a bit fearful of tellin' your mother," Erina said as they sat in the oval driveway.

  "So am I." He took a deep breath. "Are you ready?"

  Erina nodded.

  His mother met them at the door instead of letting Maria answer it. And she seemed more relaxed. Maybe a little friendlier as they took a seat in the living room.

  "And you didn't bring Colin?" she said chidingly.

  "No, the doctors said to keep him in Galveston for now. Mrs. Parker is with him."

  "She's a retired registered nurse," Grant explained. "I hired her while Colin was still in the hospital."

  "Then she's not a stranger."

  "No, she's a fine woman," Erina said. "She reminds me of . . . someone I knew."

  "Someone in Ireland?"

  "No . . ."

  Grant knew what Erina was thinking: she couldn't tell his mother about the fictitious Mrs. Abernathy. Having this fantasy inside Erina's head must be a real problem for her because she had to constantly think about what she was going to say. If she said something about the past that seemed perfectly normal to her, others would react negatively, just as he had. He hadn't really thought about her story from that angle before. At first, he'd thought she was trying to remember or assemble a background as she went. Now he knew that wasn't the case.

  Brian followed Maria into the room, helping with coffee and tea. "What's up, Grant?"

  "Erina and I have some news," he said, reaching for her hand. "We've decided to get married."

  "Married?"

  "Yes, Mother. We think it's the right thing to do." There was no doubt about that. Once they were married, perhaps Erina wouldn't be harassed by all the legalities and suspicions.

  "Well, I can't say that I'm too surprised."

  "Really? I would have thought you'd at least give us a little token opposition."

  "Grant, you make me sound like an ogre! I never give people grief just for the fun of it."

  Grant smiled. "I didn't mean that. It's just that Brian has been trying to talk me out of rushing into my . . . involvement with Erina and Colin from the beginning. I guess I expected the same."

  "Well, Colin is your son. You should take responsibility for him. And if you cared enough for Erina to . . . get involved with her when she was obviously young and inexperienced, you should do the right thing."

  "It wasn't Grant's fault," Erina said, defending him.

  "I'm not sure we should say it was anyone's fault, dear," his mother replied patiently. "But the fact is that you're here now and so is Colin. As Brian is fond of telling me regarding real estate matters, this is not a problem; it's an opportunity."

  "Mother, I'm so glad you feel that way. We're going to need your help in getting the wedding set up. Due to the investigation o
f Erina by the UTMB social worker and the need to establish her legally with the INS, we need to get married quickly. With my name and influence, I hope to deflect some of the questions they might have about Colin's background and her entry into the U.S."

  "I'll call the parish priest right away. However, I wish you'd give me time to plan a proper wedding. Even a few months would be enough time to--"

  "Mother, we're talking a few days here."

  "Days! Grant, I doubt that anything can be arranged that quickly."

  "On thing I've come to realize lately is that anything's possible," he said, looking at Erina. "So I think we can arrange something, don't you?"

  "I . . . I suppose," his mother said, placing her coffee cup down and pacing the floor. "Yes, I'm sure we can." She turned back to Grant. "By the way, did you make a decision on that property by the church?"

  Grant smiled. "Funny you should ask. I've decided that would make a great outreach center."

  "Excellent. I'll get on the phone immediately."

  Brian raised his eyebrows and watched her retreating figure. "I haven't seen her that excited about a project in years."

  "This isn't a project," Grant said. "It's our wedding. Let's keep that in perspective."

  #

  Armed with Grant and Erina's birth certificates, they made it to the Harris County Clerk's office at noon, just in time for the lunch crowd rush. Erina looked around the large room, amazed at all the people who were here to get married. All kinds of people mingled together, something she wouldn't have seen in 1896.

  And most of the women were much older than her, lending credence to Grant's statement that she was too young for him. For the first time in years, she did feel young. Since her father's death and especially since Colin's birth, she'd been mature and responsible to the best of her ability. The idea that she had someone beside her to share the joys and the burdens filled her with hope for the future.

  Surely Mary wouldn't send her back in time if they married in the church. God's judgments sometimes seemed harsh, but Erina refused to believe He was cruel and unfeeling. He wouldn't separate a family, joined in holy matrimony, would he?

  Finally, they arrived at the counter where they would acquire their marriage license. Grant had called earlier and received a paper through the telephone, a process he called a "fax." They'd completed the form and had it witnessed and notarized at his office. Now he presented it to the clerk along with their birth certificates.

  "There is a three day, 72 hour waiting period," she said in a sing-song voice." Stamping another form, she looked up and said, "That will be 31 dollars."

  "No blood tests?"

  "No."

  Grant paid the money and received the license.

  "Now all we have to do is talk to the priest," he said.

  "I'm hopin' your mother had good luck talkin' to the man."

  "Trust me, if anyone can get the church to agree to a speedy wedding, it's my mother."

  Erina hoped he was right. "I wish we could have been married at St. Mary's Cathedral, but I understand that your own church would be important to you and your mother."

  "It's really her church," Grant explained. "I don't attend regularly and haven't for years."

  "Shame on you, Grant Kirby," Erina said, taking his arm. "I'll expect you to mend your ways. Colin needs a good example."

  Grant smiled. "I suppose you're right. I guess being a father is more complicated than I imagined."

  "No, bein' a father is very simple," she said, remembering her own da. "Just do what's right and your children will follow in your footsteps."

  "You make it sound so simple. Life isn't necessarily like that, Erina. Not anymore."

  "I think life is as simple as you make it," she said as they walked out the door into the bright sunshine. "And I know you're going to be a good father to Colin. You're a good man."

  "And that's the only criteria?"

  "Aye, I think so. What else is important?"

  Grant seemed in deep thought as they drove away from the downtown offices. Erina forgot about his mood as she looked out the windows at the tall buildings. They amazed and frightened her. How could they stand upright, so tall yet so thin? Someday she'd find out.

  They drove back toward Grant's mother's house, but turned onto another street.

  "Where would we be goin'?"

  "Back to my place. I should have taken you by before, but I didn't think about it."

  "This is the apartment where you live most of the time?"

  "Yes. It's close to my office." He pulled into a parking garage and inserted a thin card into a machine which opened the gate. "I'll introduce you and get you signed up so you won't have any problem coming or going."

  "Is every place so guarded?"

  Grant pulled into a parking place and turned off the engine. "These high rise buildings like my condo and apartment are safer. Otherwise, criminals could walk right up to the door."

  Like I walked right into your condo in Galveston, Erina thought to herself. The fact that he refused to consider her story still stung, but she was trying to be understanding of his position.

  She signed a card and met a very nice man who sat near the elevators and seemed to know everyone by name. "You won't have any problem now. Use this card to get in and out the door when the security guard isn't here. I'll get a key made for the apartment."

  "All right." She placed the card in her purse, which was mostly empty. She wondered what most women carried about with them.

  They rode upstairs to the sixth floor in a beautiful mirrored elevator with brass doors. Grant walked her down the hall, which was richly carpeted and had brass and crystal sconces on the walls.

  When she walked into Grant's apartment, she was amazed by the wealth displayed. This was the type of home she'd expect a wealthy man to have. It was far, far different from his condo.

  The walls were covered in deep green paint and a printed paper. The floors were covered in thick, richly colored Turkish carpets over wood. The furniture was a combination of fabrics and styles, much like she'd seen in magazines at the hospital. Yes, it looked very rich, but it didn't look much like Grant.

  "I know it's ostentatious," he said, leading her into the parlor. "My mother had her decorator do it." He shrugged. "All she told her decorator was that I was a bachelor and the place needed to look good for entertaining. I didn't really care, so if you'd like to change anything, feel free."

  "You'd want me to change your apartment?"

  "Our apartment," he corrected. "You're going to live here too, so I want you to be comfortable. Of course, we'll have to redecorate the guest bedroom as a nursery for Colin anyway, so you might as well do the whole place."

  "But I . . . I wouldn't know where to start!" Just the idea of buying new furniture in 1996 filled her with dread. She really didn't know where to start. If she went by her own skills and knowledge, they'd end up with a Victorian-era home.

  "There's no hurry. My mother will help you."

  "Oh." She'd forgotten that she wasn't alone. And Grant's mother did seem to be very helpful with the wedding.

  "As a matter of fact, I can call her and ask her to come over. The two of you can discuss the wedding and decorating and whatever else while I'm gone."

  "Where would you be goin'?"

  "I've got to run by the office, but I'll call Mother first."

  Erina sank down on one of the chairs, an uncomfortable piece covered in a leopard skin print. This was what Grant's wife was expected to do, she realized. She had a lot to learn about life--more than she'd expected when she lived in her own time.

  His mother would help, she realized. Erina took a deep breath. The idea of being a wife seemed overwhelming at the moment. She wished Mrs. Abernathy were here. She could ask her about the more personal aspects of being a wife. That's something she could never do with Grant's mother, especially when they'd deceived the poor woman into thinking that they'd already . . . acted like a married couple.

 
Make yourself at home. There should be drinks in the refrigerator or in the bar," Grant said.

  He walked up to the chair, placed his hands on the arms, and leaned over. "I won't be long," he said, then he kissed her.

  They'd been so busy that they hadn't kissed recently. She'd missed it, oh, how she'd missed his kisses. She closed her eyes and parted her lips so he could deepen the contact. And he didn't disappoint her. Within seconds she wished he could stay and teach her more about the passion she was just discovering.

  He broke the kiss, his eyes clouded with desire. He rested his forehead against hers, his breathing uneven. "I hope we don't have to wait long for the wedding--or more specifically the wedding night."

  "I'm just as anxious to be your wife," she whispered. "I hope I don't disappoint you. I know most women have a bit more experience than I do."

  "I don't care about experience. I know we're going to be great together."

  She smiled, believing the same thing. "I'll be waitin' for you to return."

  "Have a good visit with my mother. She's already talked to the parish priest and she'll fill you in."

  I'm sure we'll have a fine time."

  "You don't sound too convincing," Grant teased.

  "I like your mother, Grant, but she is a bit intimidatin'."

  "Yes, but I think she honestly likes you. And I know she adores Colin. I've never seen her like that before."

  "I'm so glad. I think she loves you very much."

  Grant seemed embarrassed by her observation. "I've got to get to the office. I'll see you in a couple of hours."

  She watched him go with such love inside her. Grant was a good man. He would be a good father.

  And besides, he was a hunk, she thought with a smile.

  #

  Grant arrived at Brian's office just as some of the staff were leaving for the weekend. Unless they were busy, he'd encouraged a short day on Friday. Today, Grant was glad for the semi-privacy. He wasn't sure if news of his upcoming marriage had leaked, but he didn't want to spend the afternoon getting an equal measure of congratulatory slaps and curious looks.