by Paula Mowery
Sean scrubbed his hands down his face. “What am I going to do? I don’t know anything about taking care of a child.” He scooted to the edge of the couch. “Is there somewhere for her to go? You know, where she can be better cared for?”
Grace fidgeted. Hope stroked her hair, and she quieted again. “Sean, you’re her father. Do you really want to throw her into foster care? You can’t be sure who she’ll end up with, and she may be moved from place to place. That’s traumatic, especially for such a young child.”
“Sounds like you know this from experience.”
Her eyes stung. She blinked to stave off the tears. Sean probably didn’t need another crying female. “I do know from experience. When my parents were killed, my living with Mimi wasn’t immediate. I bounced around from foster home to foster home for almost five months before my Mimi could get everything squared away. My parents hadn’t thought ahead like Tiffany did.”
“Hope, I’m sorry.”
She shook her head. “Sean, you can do this.”
“How?” His voice rose. He paused and lightened his tone. “How do I do this?”
An urging bubbled from deep inside Hope. “I’ll help you.” She blurted out the words before she could stop herself. “She was here last night when I called, wasn’t she?”
Sean nodded. “She went right to sleep but woke up screaming in the middle of the night.”
“What did you do?”
“I rushed in, and she pretty much did what she has with you. When I tried to lay her down to leave, she almost woke again, so I just laid down with her on my chest.”
Hope smiled. “See, you’re not as bad at this as you think.”
“I’m still in shock. I never knew about her.”
Hope smoothed Grace’s hair and studied the side of her face. “She looks like you.”
“I know.” He smiled.
* * *
Hope awoke stretched out on Sean’s couch, Grace wedged between the sofa back and Hope’s side. She barely remembered moving from the floor. Light shone in rays around the long, slatted blinds on the sliding-glass door. Grace had slept through the night. Hope winced at the thought that she had spent the night in a man’s condo. Sean Holland’s, no less. But, it had been more like a sleepover with Grace. After she saw the desperation in his eyes, she couldn’t leave him. Sean had practically begged her for help.
Hope’s hair was grimy, and she longed to rush home for a shower and a change of clothes, especially before Sean saw her. She was stuck. She feared moving, which surely would awaken Grace. Today was Saturday. No shifts to work today or tomorrow.
Light footsteps caught her attention. Sean appeared from around the corner that led to the hall. He stopped and stared down at her. “Did she sleep all night through? I didn’t hear her,” he whispered.
Hope nodded. “Yes.”
Sean lowered himself and perched on the edge of the coffee table. “Do you have to work today?”
“No. I don’t have another shift until Monday.”
Grace suddenly stirred and sat up, rubbing her eyes with her fists. “I need to go potty.” Hope swung her feet to the floor, sitting up. The girl hopped down and scampered off.
Hope turned back to find Sean looking at her. She smoothed her hair and stuck it behind her ears. “I better get home and take a shower.” She stood, scanning the area for her purse.
Sean shot to his feet. “You’ll come back, won’t you?” At that moment he resembled a scared little boy.
“Yes, I’ll come back.” She nodded.
“What should I do while you’re gone?”
Poor man. He really was quite lost in this situation.
“Tell you what. You and Grace unpack her suitcases and find a place for all her things. Notice what she has. We’ll talk about it when I return.”
“Okay.”
Grace stood at the living room entrance. “Are you leaving?” Her bottom lip protruded.
Hope closed the distance between them and knelt to the little girl’s level. “I have to run home to get a shower and change clothes.” She glanced at Sean and then back. “While I’m gone, you two get your bags unpacked. I’ll bring back a couple of surprises. Does that sound good?”
Grace nodded her head vigorously
Hope stood and grabbed her purse. “I’ll bring late lunch/early supper, okay?”
Sean nodded.
Hope stifled a chuckle. There was no denying that the two were father and daughter. Their similarities screamed.
CHAPTER TEN
Sean feared unpacking Grace’s suitcases would not fill enough time, but the task lasted almost two hours. Grace chattered about each item she withdrew from her bags. Sean had no idea that such an oratorio could be given on socks and their precise placing in the chest of drawers. When the unpacking was complete and her suitcases stowed in the bottom of her chest, another forty minutes passed as she picked an outfit for the day. As she pulled on her last sock, the doorbell rang. Sean rushed to the door and opened it to find Hope, her arms filled with loaded plastic grocery bags.
“Here, let me help you.” He relieved her of two bags and led her to the kitchen. She dropped her parcels on the counter and sighed. Sean peered into one of the bags. “What is all this?”
She playfully smacked his hand. “Don’t. I said surprise.”
He poked his lip out.
“So, how’d the unpacking go?”
“Let’s put it this way, I know all there is to know about every item.”
Hope grinned. “Sounds like a little girl.”
“I had no idea.”
Grace raced into the kitchen. “Whatcha got?” She stood on tiptoes.
Hope tweaked the girl’s nose. “You’re just as nosy as he is.” She jabbed her thumb his way.
Sean’s chest warmed. Hope did something to him, though for the life of him, he couldn’t quite pinpoint what that something was.
She reached into one of the bags and pulled out an oblong box. “How about some spaghetti and French bread?”
Grace clapped. “Yeah. Can I help?”
“Of course. Everybody can help.” Hope looked Sean in the eyes. “Where are your pots and pans and a cookie sheet?”
“I’ve gotcha covered.”
Chatter and giggles echoed throughout the condo as they worked together to prepare the meal. What had Sean missed by living alone?
They stuffed themselves with pasta and bread. Sean pushed back from the table. “I’m full. I can’t eat another bite. But, my compliments to the chefs.” He tipped his head to Grace and then Hope.
“I brought cookies.” Hope’s eyebrows wiggled.
Sean puffed out his cheeks.
Hope grinned. “Maybe later.” She stood, stacking dishes. “I brought a movie I think you might like, Grace.”
“What is it?” Grace’s eyes bulged.
“It’s a princess movie.”
“Can I watch it now?”
Hope glanced at Sean, raising her eyebrows.
“Well, sure.”
* * *
Hope went back to clearing the table.
“Why don’t you get Grace set up watching the movie, and we’ll get this cleaned up?”
Sean started the DVD and joined Hope in the kitchen. “Hope, I don’t know how to thank you.”
“You just did.” She leaned against the counter and gazed toward the living room. “She’s really precious.”
He crossed his arms. “I’ve got to tell my parents about her.”
“You sound like you dread that. Sean, they’ll adore her.”
“I guess it’s the initial shame. I mean, I was never married to Tiffany, and I know how they feel about that.”
“They won’t punish her or you for that. What’s done is done, and they need to know they have another grandchild. Not to mention the help grandparents can be.”
“Will you come with us? I was thinking about tomorrow when they get home from church.”
Her pulse kicked up a notch. “I don’t kn
ow, Sean. I might be in the way.”
“No, you won’t. Please.” He clasped his hands together like a beggar.
Hope rolled her eyes. “Okay.”
Just as Hope and Sean had the kitchen back in order, Grace slid around the corner.
“Hey, are you all ready for cookies now?”
Hope put her finger to her chin as if in deep thought. “Hmm, let me think.” She glanced at Sean for his reaction.
“I’ve never been one who could pass up chocolate chip cookies, especially warm and gooey ones straight from the oven.”
“Well, I guess that settles it. Time for cookies.”
After eating several cookies, the area around Grace’s mouth was splotched with chocolate. Her shirt hadn’t avoided goopy chocolate stains either. Hope giggled at Grace’s appearance. Had any of the chocolate chips actually made it inside her mouth?
“Looks like someone needs a bath.”
“Me?” Grace poked a finger into her chest.
“Yes, you. It’s a good thing I brought you some bath supplies, or we might’ve had to take you outside and use a garden hose.”
Grace giggled.
Hope looked at Sean. “Why don’t you wrap the rest of our cookies and wait for us in the living room?”
Sean mouthed a thank you and winked. A little shiver trickled down Hope’s back.
Hope headed home after the bath and settling plans to meet Sean and Grace after church to visit the Holland’s. Her apartment was especially quiet and lonely tonight, so she went to bed early. Her mind wandered back through the events of the day. Did God intend for her to be a mother some day? Would she ever have a family? She could pretend that the three of them were a cozy little family, but they weren’t. She swallowed at the lump in her throat. She wasn’t sure how she had gotten in the middle of Sean’s life again, but she didn’t relish the thought of being hurt by him. Surely God would guard her heart while she did whatever He willed her to do in this situation. She had always been open to His calling, but never had such an emotional stir as Sean and now Grace evoked inside her.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Sean missed Hope soon after she left for home. Not her help, but her presence. Grace skipped back into the living room. After her bath, Hope had helped her dry her hair and put on her pajamas.
“Can I watch the end of the princess movie now?” Her feathery lashes fluttered.
Sean glanced at his watch. “I think that would be fine. Then, we’ll have to get to bed. Hope is going to drop by after church, so we can take you to meet your grandparents.”
Grace sat on the couch and pulled her legs under her. Her brow knotted. “Don’t you go to church?”
“Well...” Sean hesitated.
“Me and mommy went to church. My Sunday school teacher was real smart about Bible stories.”
“Maybe we’ll see about you going next time.”
“Hope goes, right?”
“Right.”
Grace shrugged. “Maybe we could go with her?”
“We’ll see.” Sean hurriedly hit the play button to start Grace’s movie again.
Tiffany had taken Grace to church. Was he expected to carry on with that?
He wasn’t sure he was willing to raise his daughter on the Christian principles he had rejected. His chest tightened. If he was going to attempt this father role, he wanted to do it right. His parents had done a good job raising his brother and him. There was more to consider here than just what to feed a five-year-old child and keeping her and her clothes clean.
The movie’s credits began to roll, and Sean punched the button to stop it and turn off the television.
“Time for bed.” Sean stood.
“You’ll stay with me until I fall asleep, right?” She bit her bottom lip.
“Okay. You go ahead, and I’ll be there in a minute.”
She scooted off the couch and sprinted down the hall. He flicked off lights and checked the door lock. He headed down the hallway but stopped short when he heard Grace talking.
“Dear God, please tell mommy that I’m doing okay. I don’t want her to worry. I want her to be happy there in heaven. My Sunday school teacher said that when people go to heaven, we can be happy ’cause we’ll see them again. I’m glad ’cause I really miss mommy. Thank You, God, for Mr. Sean and Miss Hope. Amen.”
Sean’s eyes misted. He massaged his temples. Grace needed to go to church. He couldn’t take the hope of seeing her mother again away from her. He composed himself and entered Grace’s room.
He perched on the side of the queen-size bed until she fell asleep, which took only moments. He lingered, studied her peaceful expression, and pushed a lock of hair off her cheek. For Grace’s sake, he hoped there truly was a heaven.
You know there is, Sean.
He shook his head and quietly eased off the bed.
* * *
Sean and Grace were dressed, but Grace insisted he fix her hair in the small ponytail like Mommy always did. She tried to explain the process, but his attempts left much to be desired. He sighed with relief when Hope arrived. He handed her the comb and motioned toward Grace’s head. “Can you do this thing?”
Hope covered her mouth with her hand and her shoulders shook slightly when her gaze fell on Sean’s latest hairdo attempt. He shrugged. “I have no idea.”
“Here now, we can fix this.”
Hope talked through the steps as she made a perfect small ponytail holding back the front portion of Grace’s blonde locks.
“Do you have a ribbon?”
“Oh, yeah.” Grace raced off.
“Thank you. I’m not much of a hair stylist, I’m afraid.”
Hope waved her hand dismissively. “You’ll learn.”
As she tied the ribbon around the ponytail, Sean admired Hope still dressed in the clothes she had worn to church that morning. Her slender skirt and heels made her appear taller. The rust-colored short jacket brought out copper flecks in her green eyes. Her hair lay in soft curls on her shoulders. She and Grace were so natural together.
Grace stood straight and smoothed her dress. “Do I look pretty?”
“Yes, you both do.” The compliment slipped out before Sean could stop it. Hope lowered her gaze and her cheeks reddened.
“Good.” Grace gave an emphatic nod and reached for Sean’s hand. When he grasped it, she extended her hand to Hope. Hope accepted her hand and beamed.
Pulling into his parent’s driveway, his pulse sped up. Would they show disappointment in him when he revealed Grace? Only one way to find out. Grace bounded up the sidewalk and onto the front porch. She turned and cocked her head as Hope and Sean made their way up the walk.
When he mounted the porch, he stared at the front door.
“Do you want me to knock?” Grace peered up at him.
“Sure, go ahead.”
His mother opened the door and smiled. “Hello, Sean and Hope. And?”
“Grace,” the little girl announced emphatically.
“Come in.”
When they had settled in the den with his father, Sean drew in a breath and let it out. “Mom and Dad, I wanted to bring Grace by to meet you. Her mother was Tiffany Williams. Now, Grace is with me…because I’m her father.”
Mom’s hand flew to her chest, and her mouth formed into an O. Dad cocked one eyebrow and glanced at his wife.
Grace slid to the edge of the couch, tilted her head, and trained her eyes on the couple. “See, my mommy went to heaven, so I had to have another place to live.”
Sean’s mother reached her arms toward Grace, and the little girl stepped into her embrace. As his mom stroked the child’s hair, she focused her gaze on Sean and smiled.
Grace pulled back, looking at his mother.
“It is so nice to meet you, Grace. You can call me Nana, and he’s Grandpa.” She pointed at Sean’s father.
No critical words or disgusted expressions. Just acceptance. Grace leaned toward Nana and tried to whisper. “I need to go potty.”
> Hope stood. “I’ll show her.” She glanced at Sean and winked. “We’ll be right back.”
Sean waited until the two had left the room, and then he turned to his parents. “I didn’t know about her until a few days ago when Tiffany’s lawyer called. It seems there’s really no one else for her except a grandmother who is too disabled to care for her.” He ran his hand through his hair. “And, thank goodness for Hope.” He chuckled. “I know nothing about taking care of a five-year-old girl.”
His father leaned forward. “Son, we’ll help you.”
His mother grinned. “There is no way you can deny that sweet girl. She looks just like you.”
A lump formed in Sean’s throat. Their unconditional love was quite unexpected.
This is the love I, too, have for you.
The hair on the back of his neck stood up.
He was glad Grace raced back into the room. She stood toe-to-toe with him and looked him in the eyes.
“Do you know they have a huge-mongous tub in their potty?” Her eyes bugged.
Sean mashed his lips together to stop a laugh. “Yes, I did.”
“You just might have to take a dip in that big tub someday soon,” Grandpa said.
Nana jumped to her feet and clasped her hands. “Now, who’s hungry? I have ham.”
Grace raised her hand. “Oooh, I like ham.”
Sean’s mother grasped the child’s hand and led her toward the kitchen. Both chattered as they went.
Sean’s father stood, and Sean and Hope followed. His father took a step but turned back, and took Sean into his arms. Sean returned the embrace. His eyes stung, but he blinked back the threatening tears.
Unconditional and everlasting love. It’s still there.
His chest ached and longed for the empty spot there to be filled again. But, he pushed the urge aside. The events of the last few days and his lack of sleep wreaked havoc on his emotions.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Hope pulled her car into a parking space in front of Sean’s condo. He had asked her if she would take Grace to church. She had agreed but prayed with earnest that he would also attend. As Hope stepped from her driver side, Sean opened the door of his condo.
“Hey, I saw you pull up. Grace is almost ready, but you should probably check her hair.”
