thirty-five
KELLI AND BRIAN STOOD ON THE FRONT STEP LOOKING down the street, an April breeze whipping through the trees. Kelli rubbed her arms against the slight chill. “Didn’t he say they were leaving an hour ago? What could be taking so long?”
Brian shrugged. “Traffic, maybe?”
“On a Sunday afternoon?”
The front door opened, and Stephanie stepped out. “They’re not here yet?”
Kelli and Brian shook their heads.
“Wait, I see something.” Kelli took a few steps down the front walk to get a better view. “It’s them!”
As they got closer to the house, Stephanie chuckled. “Cedric driving that big SUV is so funny to me. I’m still shocked he gave up the convertible.” She opened the door and yelled inside, “They’re here!”
Lindell, Francine London, and Cyd’s parents, Bruce and Claudia, showed their excited faces.
Cedric parked in the driveway and got out. “I think we saw each and every one of you this morning. Why didn’t anyone tell us you were headed over here?”
“It’s called a surprise, silly,” Stephanie said.
Cedric had a big smile. “You got me. Momma, you said you were on your way back to Little Rock.”
Francine hugged him. “We wanted to capture this moment. The three of you coming home for the first time. Now help your family out of the car.”
“Oh.” Cedric pulled the door handle, where Cyd was comfortably ensconced in the back, her head leaning over the car seat in the middle.
“Let me help you, babe,” Cedric said. When Cyd was slow to move, he added with a smile, “He’ll be okay without you for a minute.”
Cyd turned and took Cedric’s hand. Kelli was amused when Cyd’s face showed surprise. Was she just now noticing them?
Cyd waved for the video camera in Lindell’s hands as she stepped out, then turned to her parents. “Mom and Dad, you were with us at the hospital a little while ago. How’d you beat us over here?”
“Cedric must’ve been like Bruce when you were born,” Claudia said. “I think he drove five miles an hour on the trip home from the hospital, worried something might happen to you.”
“Scariest ride of my life.” Cedric was on a knee in the back, trying to unhook the infant seat. “This little guy’s whole life is in my hands.”
“Wait till you’re ready to give him the keys,” Bruce said. “You’ll be a nervous wreck.”
“I’m on day three, Dad,” Cedric said. “I can’t see anywhere beyond that.”
Everyone gathered around the car to get a fresh look at the baby as Cedric lifted the seat out.
“Look at him,” Stephanie said. “He’s squinting at the sun. Is that the cutest thing or what?”
Lindell moved closer to film the baby’s face. “Welcome home, Chase Kyle London. Wave at the camera.”
“Cover him up better, babe,” Cyd said. “It’s a little windy out here.”
Cedric pulled the blanket up more as they moved into the house. Reese jumped on him, then tried to jump on the infant seat to get a gander at this bundle claiming all the attention.
“Uh-oh,” Cedric said. “How do we get Reese to calm down around the baby?”
“We didn’t think it through yet,” Cyd said. “For now, she needs to go in the kitchen.” She bent down and rubbed her fur. “Sorry, little sweetie.”
“Come on, Reese,” Kelli said. She gated the dog and joined the others in the family room.
Cyd had taken Chase out of his seat, and he was nestled against her in the overstuffed chair. She let out a huge happy sigh, looking at Cedric, who sat on the floor beside her. “I think it’s finally sinking in. I’m a mom. You’re a dad. We have a baby.”
Cedric looked overwhelmed. “A healthy baby. I’ll never forget the moment he came into the world. I didn’t think it would affect me like that. A baby’s birth—the whole process, really—is an absolute miracle.”
Kelli and Brian glanced at one another on the love seat. Without a word, they knew what was on each other’s mind.
Francine was beaming, standing over the baby. “And I think it’s finally sinking in that I’m a grandma, after all these years!”
“Tell me about it,” Claudia said. “Now we’ve got someone to spoil to our hearts’ content.”
“Ma,” Cyd said, “you already bought more clothes than this boy could possibly wear, more toys than he’ll ever have time to play with—”
“Cyd.” Cedric patted her knee. “Don’t even try to fight it. They’ve waited this long. Let them have at it.”
“Now that’s the spirit, son.” Francine brought her hands together in a big clap. “And by the way, I haven’t unloaded my trunk yet. I need one of you boys to go get those gifts. Might take two of you.”
Cedric shook his head.
Kelli’s phone dinged, letting her know she had a text. She got her phone from the coffee table, read the message, and smiled. “Heather says she’s coming Wednesday. She can’t wait to see the baby.”
“Mm-hmm,” Stephanie said. “That’s not all she can’t wait to see.”
“That’s probably true,” Kelli said, sitting back down. “Last time she visited, I hardly got any time with her—and she was staying here with us. Seems like the move only made her and Logan grow closer.”
“I miss her,” Cyd said. “Tell her we’re thrilled she’s coming.”
Kelli typed out a response, then looked up again. “Cyd, can I hold the baby? I didn’t get a chance at the hospital.”
“Of course. Here.”
Cedric lifted him gingerly from his mother’s arms. He stretched his little body, as if wondering why the interruption. “Come on, little man. Let’s go see your Aunt Kel.”
Kelli grinned as he placed the baby in her arms. “Everything is so tiny. I can see why you were nervous, Cedric. You feel like something will break.” She traced his little eyebrows, handled his little fingers. “It’s definitely a miracle”—she spoke almost to herself— “the way God forms all these parts.”
Brian moved closer to get a better look. “He’s beautiful.” He put his arm around Kelli and spoke in a low tone. “It’s not easy, is it?”
Hearing him say it brought tears to her eyes. “No. It isn’t.” She looked to see if anyone else was listening, but they were all engaged in their own conversations. She looked at Brian. “I wonder if ours was a boy or a girl.”
“Don’t do that to yourself, Kel.”
“I’m not. I was just . . . wondering.” She thought a moment. “I guess the baby’s always in my mind, though, because that’s the song people want to hear.”
“Still amazes me. That song has brought healing to a lot of people.”
Kelli had been going on the road with Brian, mostly to churches that invited them. During the concert, they always took the time to share their story, and the grace and mercy of God. They each had a box of letters and printed e-mails that people had sent, sharing their own stories.
Chase yawned and opened his eyes.
“He’s so precious,” Kelli said. She held him in her lap so she could look directly at him. Never had her heart been so moved. “I pray God blesses us with a whole house full of children,” she said.
“That would be—” He looked at her. “Wait. What did you say?”
“I said I pray God blesses us—”
“I know what you said. I mean, what are you saying? You said us—as in, together?”
Kelli smiled. “What I’m saying is I couldn’t be more sure . . . that is, if you’re still sure.”
He shook his head as if shaking loose cobwebs. “Kelli, I’m not assuming I understand anything here. Are you telling me you’re ready to say yes to my proposal? You’ll marry me?”
“Still got the ring?”
“Kel, humor me. I just need to hear one word. I’ll even get back on my knees.”
“Oh, don’t do that.”
Brian knelt before the love seat, and suddenly everyone stopped talking. Lindell grabbed the video camera.
Brian took a breath. “Kelli London, will you marry me?”
Kelli looked into his eyes, those beautiful brown eyes. “Yes, Brian. I’ll marry you.”
He gazed into her eyes, and she knew he was choking back emotion.
“Kelli, I promise you,” he said, “I will love and cherish you for the rest of my days.”
Cheers rang throughout the room.
“Hey, Brian,” Cedric said, “don’t know if you know this, but the vows usually come later, at the ceremony.” He walked over to him. “Congrats, man. You’ve got a special girl there.”
Brian stood and hugged him. “Don’t I know it.”
Lindell stopped filming and hugged him too. “I couldn’t be happier for you two.” He looked down at Kelli. “But that was brutal, sis, making him wait all this time.”
“You leave my baby girl alone,” Francine said. “It’s a woman’s prerogative to take as long as she needs. They’ve got the rest of their lives to enjoy one another.” She looked over at Kelli, eyes dancing. “That being said, I was wondering what was taking you so long, sweetheart.”
Kelli laughed, gently stroking the baby’s thin hair. “So I’m the bad guy, huh?”
“Not at all,” Brian said, sitting next to her again. “God did a lot over these months. For one thing, I didn’t think it was possible to love you this much more.”
“Aww.” Stephanie smiled from the sofa. “And can I mention that neither of you lovebirds has thanked me?”
Kelli looked her way. “For?”
“For bringing the two of you back together after all those years. If I hadn’t approached Brian at that conference for help with Monica and then asked to use his laptop, you wouldn’t have recorded your song on there, he never would have known about it, and you wouldn’t have worked on the album together. Shoot, I’m responsible for that album too.”
Brian laughed. “You know, there’s some truth to that. This is one of those It’s a Wonderful Life moments. What would our lives be like without Stephanie?”
“Hmph.” Stephanie curled her legs behind her. “A few of y’all would be in trouble. I’m just sayin’.”
Cyd reached for the pillow behind her and threw it at her.
Brian laughed again, shaking his head. “I really do love y’all. You’re the closest family I have. I’ll even claim the fearfully and wonderfully made ones who have to wear Spanx.”
“Oh! Did you really go there?”
The room exploded in banter.
Kelli brought the baby to her bosom, cuddling him closer, inhaling the sweet smell that made her heart ache. For years she’d thought her dreams had turned to dust—dreams of music, dreams of a future with Brian. God had brought the dreams back, but in ways she never could have imagined . . . out of a pain she never would have thought she could endure. Would she have dreamed those dreams, had she known?
She still had dreams, like the babies she hoped she and Brian would have. But what she wanted more than dreams was God’s purpose and plan, the things He’d mapped out before time began . . . for her—and Brian.
Kelli looked at him now, in animated conversation with her family, and smiled. She couldn’t wait to tell him—she would love and cherish him too, all the rest of her days.
Acknowledgments
I AM SO THANKFUL FOR THE WAYS IN WHICH GOD SHOWS us He cherishes us. With respect to this book, His love and care were shown through the people He sent to aid in the process of writing and getting it into your hands. I’m indebted to the following people:
To my editors, Amanda Bostic and L.B. Norton—you are invaluable, insightful, and plain fantastic to work with. Amanda, thank you for being a sounding board when I had little more than a rough idea for the book, and helping me flesh it out. You are always there, and I’m so thankful for your friendship, not to mention your brilliant editing skills. J L.B., thank you for your knack in taking a completed manuscript and zeroing in on the exact things needed to make it better. And I’ll tell ya, I’m going to get that destination wedding yet!
To my publisher, Allen Arnold—you are an “exceedingly abundant” blessing. Thank you for being available, thoughtful, creative, and prayerful. You’re an amazing leader, and I’m so grateful for your support.
To Katie Bond, Eric Mullet, Becky Monds, Kristen Vasgaard, and Ashley Schneider—your talent and creativity amaze me. Thank you for your energy, your ideas, and the immense work you put into Thomas Nelson Fiction. Love those roundtable discussions!
To singer/songwriters Nicole C. Mullen, Alex Williams, and Tony “prof. t” Tolbert; Christian rapper Travis “Thi’sl” Tyler; and Artist Manager Gessie Thompson—your know-how, experiences, and anecdotes about the business were invaluable to this book. Thank you so much for letting me pick your brain about something I’ve loved since I can remember—music!
To my literary agent, Tina Jacobson—thank you for believing in me from the start and encouraging me every step of the way since. To Tami Heim and Shannon Litton—thank you for that aha! moment of seeing what God had been building in my ministry and helping to shape it. And Tami, always thankful for the long talks at the Heim B&B. To Gessie Thompson—thank you for being not only a partner in ministry, but a true sister in Christ and accountability partner.
To the cherished members of my prayer team—I can’t thank you enough for praying me through the writing of this book and tons more. Thank you for allowing me to be vulnerable and transparent, and always responding with love and encouragement.
To my mother, Edna J. Cash, who’s so much more than a mom—thank you for being a personal intercessor and having the discernment to see what God is doing in my life. Your love and wisdom are priceless. To my dad and stepmom, Earl and Joyce Cash—so thankful for your enthusiastic support and encouragement, which have never wavered. I’m a blessed daughter!
To Bill, Quentin, and Cameron—you see me in the good moments and the not-so-good, when life is hectic, deadlines are looming, and patience is wearing . . . and you love me right through it. I thank God for you. I cherish you. I’m privileged to live life with you.
To the God I cherish, because He first cherished me—without You, Lord, I can do nothing. Thank You for Your grace and strength. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for moving me to pen a story that highlights the breadth of Your forgiveness and the depth of Your unconditional love.
To the readers—thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your support fuels this ministry. Your notes of encouragement fuel my passion and energy. I thank God for you and I pray for you, that He would meet you as you read, speak to your heart, and draw you close. May you be keenly aware of how much He cherishes you!