Five Minutes To Midnight

by C. B. Stagg

  “We’ll figure it out. I just wanted to be sure you knew.”

  “I have you and a beautiful daughter. I am a rich man, Katy. Thanks to God and you, I am very rich.”

  More kisses. My favorite.

  “Okay, now. What did you want to talk to me about?”

  “Your parents. Can you tell me what happened?”

  I sighed. I’d been dreading this conversation. “My father was a very overbearing man. He believed he was made to father a boy, not a girl, and he spent most of my life always assuming the worst of me. I was a pretty good kid. I was smart, kind, and I had a good head on my shoulders. But more than anything, I wanted his approval. One day, after years of demeaning and derogatory comments aimed in my direction—petty stuff really—he accused me of sleeping around with some boys in the congregation. I snapped. That was actually the night I met you.

  “So I was a rebellious act? A big middle finger to your dad?”

  He didn’t seem angry, so I was honest. “Yes, when I left Austin that day, that was my plan. But no, you were never that. You kissed me like it was the end of the world. Like mankind would cease to exist if you couldn’t possess me right then and there. And I was yours, freely. That had nothing to do with my father.”

  He tightened his hold on me, and I wanted to bathe in the security of his arms.

  “Six weeks later, on the day of my graduation, I found out I was pregnant. I left home the next morning, and I haven’t seen either of them since. My mother was insistent that I have an abortion, but there was no way that was happening. In my mind, I would come back to College Station, find my Wade, and we’d live happily ever after as a new and unexpected, but never unwanted, little family.”

  He laid down and pulled me into him. My ear rested on his heart again. It was my new happy place. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there. If I could go back, I—”

  I stopped his words with my lips. “No more apologies, okay?” I met his eyes, pinning him with mine. “I always viewed our moment as a sandcastle: glorious in its splendor, but temporary. We were always meant to be temporary. Everything happened the way it was supposed to. I lived every day of the last six years wondering why God took my ‘happily ever after’ away from me, only to find out he was busy perfecting it for this moment. We will never get back yesterday, last week, last month, or any of the years we lost… but we have tomorrow and all the tomorrows that follow. I have you, you have me, and Waverly has us both. So let’s keep our eyes on the horizon, on our future. But no more apologies—please.”

  “What about your parents, though?” He watched me closely, measuring his words. “Are they going to be a part of our future?”

  I shrugged. That was such a hard question to answer. “I went back to Austin to find them a few years ago when I knew Waverly was running out of time, but they were gone. The house had been sold, and the church had no idea where they’d gone. It was like my life with them had never existed. I didn’t pursue it further.”

  Christian swung me around, positioning me to face him while I straddled his lap. He cupped my face in his hands. “I love you.”

  “I know.” I cupped his back.

  “I’m sure your parents love you, too.”

  I nodded, much more interested in hearing about his love for me. I’d had enough heavy talk for tonight, so we spent the next minutes, hours, days even, holding each other and sharing our hopes and dreams.

  I woke up with the sun streaming in through the window above the kitchen sink. I was snuggled up to Christian’s back, and I could hear him snoring softly. My attempt at escaping before we were discovered by Waverly ended up moot. As I studied Christian’s sleeping form, committing it to memory, I spotted our daughter. She was curled up in his arms with her head tucked under his chin.

  It seemed unfathomable to miss something I’d never had before, but watching my daughter sleeping soundly in the arms of her father, I realized that I’d missed this. I’d missed it terribly, and I never wanted to miss another second of it.

  Chapter 26

  Christian

  “JANICE, EVERYTHING SMELLS DELICIOUS, as usual.”

  I’d called ahead and asked if I could meet with Pastor John and Janice to discuss the personal business that had been keeping me occupied the last several days. But when they insisted on dinner, I couldn’t say no. Plus, it was gumbo night.

  “Well, Christian, we sure have missed seeing you around lately. I assume the family emergency that necessitated your absence the last several days has something to do with this meeting?”

  John knew I hadn’t been at work, but I’m sure the couple was also well aware of the fact that my truck had been missing the last few nights, not that I cared. I was a grown man, and I answered to no one but God. And He’s the one who had set this incredible journey in motion.

  “Yes, sir. That’s why I wanted to speak with you both.” Janice grabbed a bowl and started to serve me, but I placed my hand on her arm to stop her. “Could we wait a few minutes to eat? I need to get this out.” She put the bowl down and sat.

  “Thank you.”

  “Christian, are you okay? You’re not looking so good, son.”

  “No, I’m fine. I just need to say some things, and I need you to listen to me. Just listen before you speak, okay?” Both of them nodded, and I smiled on the inside at their reaction to my rather demanding tone. I’d caught them off guard.

  “First of all, I recently discovered that I am a father. I have a child—a little girl, Waverly—and she’s five years old. Waverly was the result of a one-night stand. It was actually the day after she was conceived that I decided to change my life, which led me to where I am now.”

  Both of them were speechless.

  “Anyway, Waverly is sick. She’s suffered for years and now needs a new kidney. As it turns out, I’m a perfect match, so in a few weeks I’ll be donating a kidney. To my daughter.”

  “Oh, Christian.” Janice made a move to stand, but I held out a finger and she halted.

  “You should know, I’m in love with Waverly’s mother. I think I’ve always loved her, I just needed to love myself first, if that makes any sense.”

  Janice released a breath. “Well, this certainly is wonderful news, isn’t it John?”

  He nodded, and I was surprised he hadn’t said more. His voice was usually the loudest when it came to condemning sin and debauchery.

  “Thank you, Janice, I can’t wait to bring her here. There’s just… ” I blew out a breath. This was it. It was about to all be out on the table. “There’s just something else I need to know.” I turned to face the man I’d respected at one time, hoping that he’d give me a reason to respect him again very soon.

  “John, why did you lead me to believe your daughter was dead?”

  I heard Janice gasp. John’s eyes widened as he stared at me. Speaking of the mysterious, missing girl was taboo, I knew, but I needed to know where his head was. “I, um, I… ” He let out a long breath. “I lied to you, Christian. You’re right, my daughter isn’t dead. She’s lost.”

  “Lost? She’s lost? You lose your keys, John, you lose a job. You don’t lose a child.” The irony of my statement wasn’t lost on me. I stood, too restless to remain in my chair. “And, if she was lost, why the hell didn’t you look for her?”

  He shook his head, slowly at first, then with more vigor. “I did. I did look for her. I’ve spent years looking for her.” I looked at Janice, who was crying. She nodded, confirming his story. “It’s like she disappeared. Like she never existed at all.”

  “John, do you love your daughter?” I was standing over the man with no fear, no regrets. “I mean, do you really love her? Do you miss her? Would you do whatever it took to see her one more time? Even if it was just long enough to tell her how wrong you were for letting her go and for not being the father you should have been?”

  The man was nodding so hard I thought his head might pop off. “Yes, Christian, I would. I would give anything to see her again. Anything.
” I didn’t know John all that well, but at that moment, I believed him. He’d suffered through the years he’d been without his daughter.

  I took a few steps back to catch my breath and calm my pounding heart. “Good, John, that’s really good. Because I love your daughter and I’m going to marry her. I’m also going to give a kidney to my daughter, your granddaughter. And I would like nothing more than to bring both of them here so we can all start our lives together with no secrets and no stress. But right now, I am speaking as the head of my family, and not as your associate pastor. She may be your daughter, but in a matter of days, she will be my wife. Mine. And I take care of what’s mine. That goes for Waverly, too. You will not speak down to them or treat them with anything other than the love and respect they deserve.”

  “I am a peaceful man, John, and I’m a patient man, but you have caused Katy a lot of pain in her life. And I want to make it crystal clear that any animosity you feel toward the woman I love stops now.”

  “You allowed a scared, pregnant little girl walk out of your home six years ago and face a cruel and unforgiving world all alone. Before you see her again, you need to know that she has grown into a strong, resilient woman. She worked hard and supported herself through a very difficult pregnancy. She gave birth to not one, but two beautiful babies—one of whom she had to say goodbye to that same day—and then spent months in a hospital watching the other one fight for her life.”

  “John, your daughter is a wonderful mother. She has raised the most amazing child you’ll ever meet. Despite her childhood with you, she’s made something of herself. She runs a diner, and she’s also in college. She’s an amazing writer.” I pinned him with my gaze, “John, do we have an understanding?”

  He nodded, and it was then I noticed the tears on his face, fat drops soaking into his dress shirt. I’d made my point.

  I walked to Janice, kneeling down in front of the now sobbing woman. “How much gumbo do you have? Do you have enough for two more?” She nodded vigorously. “They’re in the cottage. Give me a second. I have to see if Katy will even come. She has no idea you’re here.”

  “Hi, Daddy.” Waverly’s sweet voice rang out the second I walked in the door. “I put all your big books in those two boxes.” I’d tasked my girls with packing up some of my belongings, but I think they may have overestimated my upper body strength. I wasn’t getting those huge boxes of books out of here with anything less than a crane.

  While Katy had been busy catching up at work, Waverly and I had spent hours looking at houses and the instant we found the right one, I put in an offer. I was still waiting on a call from my realtor, but I’d offered asking price, so I couldn’t imagine why the owners wouldn’t take it.

  “Hi, sweetie.” Katy popped a kiss on my lips, natural and automatic. “You have some beautiful suits. I cannot wait to see you in one.” Then she growled and squeezed my pec. Feisty, that’s what my future wife was.

  “Katy, baby, I’d like to take you next door to see the preacher and his wife. They’ve invited us over.”

  She was studying me through narrowed eyes. “What do you smell like?”

  “Gumbo.”

  Her eyes widened and her breath caught, but she regained her composure almost immediately. “Okay. Grab Waverly and we’ll just… We’ll go see the preacher and his… wife.” I watched her smooth her hair and check her clothes.

  “Stop fidgeting. You’re beautiful.” She shook her head, and I watched a tear slip from the corner of her eye. “Hey, look at me.” She did. “Do you trust me?” All I got was a quick, curt nod. “Katy, look into my eyes. Do you think I would ever let you or Waverly walk into a situation that would result in either of you getting hurt?”

  She shook her head, and I swiped another tear away before it fell. “Of course not.”

  “Then let’s go in there and introduce Waverly to two more people who want nothing more than to love her and her mother.”

  She breathed deeply. “I love you, Christian Clark.”

  “I know you do, baby.” I smiled. “Come here, Little Fish,” I hollered over my shoulder. “Let’s go eat with some really nice people.”

  Waverly bounded around the corner and jumped into my arms. Taking her mother’s hand, we walked in silence along the brick path to the main house, where Katy’s past would meet her future.

  Janice stood in the open doorway and I could see John lingering just behind her. They’d been watching us walk the stone path that led straight from my back door to their back door. I knew the second Katy spotted them because she stopped in her tracks. But I continued on, trying to keep things light and normal, and as stress-free as possible for Waverly’s sake.

  “John, Janice, this little fish is my daughter.” She stuck her hand out, and Janice stepped out onto the porch and took it. From Wave’s position in my arms, she was eye level with her grandmother.

  “Hi, I’m Waverly Anne Clark.” She giggled. She loved her new last name and used it whenever she had the chance. “And this is my dad.”

  “Oh, Christian, she looks just like you. But this right here,” she extended her finger, gently tapping the tip of Waverly’s nose, “and these little hands, with the little dimples on each knuckle? They’re all her mother.” Janice turned. “John, look at—”

  He’d been there just a second before, but he wasn’t any longer. I turned to see if Katy had caught up with us. At some point, John must have slipped out while Janice and Waverly were talking, because Katy was still on the path where she’d stopped, wrapped in the arms of her father. He held her head to his chest and her arms were wrapped around his midsection. His head was bent and he was talking, low words meant for her ears only. And while I couldn’t hear what he was saying, Katy’s body language spoke volumes. I could physically see the years of pain and rejection Katy had carried like an albatross slipping away.

  Janice took in the scene, then ushered Waverly inside, but I stayed back in the event Katy needed me. She hadn’t though, and by the time John and Katy joined us, Wave was parked in a chair at the table where her gumbo had just cooled down enough to eat. “Mom, this is so delicious. You have to try it.”

  Katy laughed as her daughter devoured the bowl of gumbo and rice. Though her face held the telltale signs of a good, hard cry, her eyes were bright as she walked straight to her mother, who pulled her in and hugged her close.

  “Mom, who is that?”

  “She’s my mom, Waverly.” Her reply was muffled by Janice’s embrace.

  “Wait.” She abandoned her spoon in the bowl as a wrinkle formed between her big sapphire eyes. “My mom is your little girl?”

  “Yes ma’am, she is… but she’s not so little anymore, is she?” Waverly shook her head and continued eating. “But when she was a little girl just like you, she used to love my gumbo.” Katy sat next to me while Janice fixed her daughter a bowl.

  “So, that man there is her dad?” Her question was directed at Janice, but Waverly pointed at John. He was smiling ear to ear. The woman nodded. “Wow, good job, Mom. I have a new dad, and you have a new mom and dad.” She clapped a few times, applauding what she saw as a major accomplishment. “Can I have some more rice, please?”

  “Christian?” My head turned at the sound of Pastor John’s voice. For the first time, it wasn’t stern or cold, but full of emotion, almost human. “For what it’s worth, you have my blessing.”

  And that was that. The four of them fell into semi-comfortable, light conversation, while I sat back to marvel at how it only took one little girl to provide the healing balm needed to fix an impossibly broken family.

  Chapter 27

  Kaitlin

  September 2012

  “QUIT FREAKING OUT! They won’t bite.”

  It was so easy for him. They were his family. Of course he wasn’t nervous. I peered into the back seat, biting the inside of my cheek. Waverly had fallen asleep in her car seat, blonde curls stuck to her face in sweaty clumps. It was astonishing how much she looked like Chr
istian. How had I not noticed?

  “So, this is it, huh?” I blew out a breath, displacing the hair that fell over my forehead. “It looks like the rest of the gang beat us.” I sighed again, taking in the cute little neighborhood and the abundance of cars parked haphazardly around a large, paved cul-de-sac.

  The front door of the house opened and out stepped a pretty, redheaded woman with a short, pixie-style haircut and a smattering of freckles across her face. She was thin and stylishly dressed in a long maxi skirt and a fitted tee—adorable and completely intimidating. I patted my hair down with one last glance in the mirror before opening the door of the truck. It was showtime.

  She approached the end of the sidewalk just as I eased the back door open. I held up a finger, expecting to find a sleeping girl, but was met with wide eyes trying to stare through me.

  “Are we at CC’s house?” she grumbled, stretching her arms with a big yawn. I nodded, opening the door wider, then leaning through to unbuckle the car seat. “Um, Mom? There’s a lady with orange hair and face dots behind you.” Her whisper, which was never even close to a whisper, drew a giggle from behind me.

  “That’s no lady. That’s just Vaughn.” Christian had made his way around to our side and greeted his sister-in-law warmly, but she slapped his chest when he leaned in for a hug.

  “No lady, huh? No wonder you’ve stayed single so long.” I put Waverly on the ground for a proper introduction to her new aunt, but that lasted about a millisecond before Christian scooped her up.

  “You must be Waverly. I’m Vaughn. I’m married to Christian’s brother,” she announced, poking a finger into Christian’s arm.