A week passed. The kids had new clothing, and Lily began to find a new rhythm to her days in caring for three children. Grant spent time praying with them in the morning, and sometimes, Simon joined him in the barn to learn the chores. Colleen learned how to collect eggs and help with the baby. Tobin settled into a regular pattern of eating and sleeping, and began to fill out. Lily wondered if she would ever sleep through the night again.
Sunday was upon them. It would be their first time taking all three children to church.
“I get to wear that?” Collen asked as Lily held out a dress she had worked on all week for the little girl, made of fabric she had saved for a dress for herself. It was light green with some darker green and white trim. Lily washed and brushed Colleen’s beautiful auburn hair until it glistened in the morning light.
“Yes, Colleen, I made it for you. We all own what we call our Sunday clothes. Special clothes we wear to church to show honor and respect to God. We want to give Him our very best in everything we do, and so we try to do that in the way we dress when we go to worship Him.”
Colleen waited until Lily tied a bow in the back of the dress before she twirled in a circle. Her new boots peeked out beneath the hem. “Oh, thank you, Mama! Thank you!” Collen hugged Lily around the waist before spinning again. Lily grinned. She remembered her own childhood joy at a new dress and the fun of spinning so the skirt would flare. She’d intentionally made it longer than normal as she suspected this child was going to sprout up soon. Seams could be let out and the longer skirt provided extra warmth. Colleen’s joy chipped away at the grief she still carried.
Simon had been dressed with care by Grant in a smart new shirt, pants, and new boots. His curly brown hair was combed back off his face into orderly waves, which probably wouldn’t stay that way for long. His blue eyes twinkled.
“You look wonderful, Simon,” Colleen exclaimed.
Lily wrapped Tobin warmly to place in a box to sit in the back with the two children who would also be wrapped in warm quilts. Soon, they were on their way.
The family garnered nods of approval as they strode into the small white church and took up a row. Collen and Simon sat between Lily and Grant, and Tobin slept on Lily’s shoulder.
After the service, the adults crowded around to meet the newly expanded family and offer support to the young couple. Other children came to meet Colleen and Simon, and soon, the younger children were playfully chatting amongst the wooden pews of the church with the smallest ones running between the benches.
Mrs. Hughes was the first by Lily’s side. “The baby is healthier under your loving care.”
Warmth filled Lily at the compliment. “He’s been a good baby. I miss sleeping, though.”
The midwife laughed. “Someday, you’ll get to sleep again. How are the other children adapting?”
“This morning, Colleen called me Mama for the first time. From what I understand, they had a difficult life.”
Another young matron, Jennifer, shook her head. She had been a neighbor to the O’Neill’s. “True. Did you name the infant?”
“Tobin.”
“Tobin. It fits him. You are doing a wonderful thing by taking them in.”
Lily frowned. “God knew I needed them.”
Mrs. Hughes smiled. “I will continue to pray for you all. Tobin can never replace the child you lost, but love him well, and he will be a comfort to you.”
“I will do my best, Mrs. Hughes.”
With farewells spoken, the young family was bundled up and in the carriage for the trip home. Lily anticipated an afternoon of reading, talking, and playing games with the children. Other than necessary chores, they attempted to keep the Sabbath holy as Scripture dictated.
* * *
Grant climbed into bed, drew his wife close to him, and kissed her. “We need to think about Christmas. It’s coming up soon, and now I need to provide for three children.”
“Do you have any ideas?” Lily asked in a whisper.
“I want to build a truck with moving wheels for Simon. It’s been hard to start since he’s become my shadow, except for when he takes his afternoon nap. When the weather is fair, I need to be out in the fields finishing up the corn harvest.”
“It sounds perfect for him, and there is time. I want to make a rag doll for Colleen, but find it difficult as well. She is underfoot, and when I’m not teaching her about homemaking, I’m working on teaching her letters and numbers.”
“What about Tobin?”
“I’ll use some scrap material to make some soft rattles for him to play with and chew on.”
“And what does my lovely bride want for Christmas?”
She paused, sighing heavily. “I wish our son was with us, but he is in heaven with Jesus. These children are only beginning to learn about our Savior.”
“They seem to fit in here, but it’s only been a week since they’ve lost their parents.”
“I agree, and they moved too quickly past their loss. It worries me. What if the adoption falls through? I doubt I could survive losing all three children.”
“They are orphans. We don’t need to adopt them officially. I want to do it so they know they are wanted.”
“Is it wrong to take their last name from them?” She moved Tobin to the new crib.
“They can keep it as part of their middle names and heritage. I won’t ask them to forget or deny their lives before they came here.”
“You are right, as always.”
“I’m always right?” Grant chuckled softly.
“Well, of course,” Lily teased as she kissed his neck, tickling him.
“It’s good to know that you realize it, dear.” He tickled her with his beard before giving her another kiss and snuggling her close as they fell asleep.