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.