Chapter 9

Joy waved as Christian drove off and exhaled. Christian Andersen tempted Joy to believe in fairy tales. The kiss was coming. She knew it. When he retreated, her lips didn’t like it.

But it was for the best. After all, she had fallen hard and quick for Jada’s father without really knowing him. This was only the third time she and Christian had seen each other. Plus, it wasn’t like she had been searching for male companionship, but after tonight, she craved his presence. The question still lingered, why her and her brood—four children?

She proceeded to tidy her family room before turning off the lights. Joy had no idea what she was getting into with Christian. Joy giggled. Did the man know what he was getting into when he accepted her dinner invitation? The children watched him as if he was the main course.

He was ultimate fine with a laid back persona and his patience with the children…whew, she needed a dose of what he took for that. As Joy climbed the stairs, she wondered what he meant by a Christian Christmas. It didn’t matter. She still dreaded the thought of dragging two, three and four year olds around, and although Bethani was obedient, it was Joy’s responsibility to keep an eye on her as well. At least, Christian offered to drive.

Once upstairs, Joy quietly entered the bedroom the little girls shared. She gazed down at her daughter before tucking her under the covers, then checked on Darla in the other bed, kissing her cheek. They were only one year apart, but they would grow up as sisters.

She crossed the hall to Bethani who had the larger room next to Joy’s master bedroom. Her niece was so much like her mother at that age. Joy’s eyes watered. Finally, she peeped in on Shane.

Retiring to her own bedroom, Joy prepared for bed, thinking she would call her parents in the morning. Sliding to her knees to pray became easier with the passing of time. Not long ago, Joy had been too angry with God for letting Regina die.

But time did bring about a change in her attitude. Now, most nights, she would just ask for strength to make it for one more day. That night, she not only thanked God for supplying the food for the meal, but Christian’s presence. There was something about him that made her feel like she had hope again. “Jesus, if it’s Your will, let whatever is supposed to happen between Christian and me happen in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

***

The next morning, Joy jolted awake from the annoying sound of her cell phone. She answered it, mumbling, “Hello.”

“You’re not up?” Christian teased in a deep baritone tone that made her want to drift back to sleep for another round of dreams about him.

She groaned and struggled to open one eye. Joy checked for room guests. Surprisingly, no one had sleep walked to her bed during the night. “No, and don’t want to be.”

Christian’s rich laugh caused her to open the other eye.

“Aren’t you the one who is supposed to be braving the mob for that one-of-a-kind toy?”

“Clothes first,” Joy corrected and laughed. “All I need is fifteen more minutes of sleep. Plus, I’ll still be able to catch some good sales.”

“Request denied, Miss Knight. Get your crew up and be ready to go in two hours,” he ordered.

“How did you know that I would need that long?” Tossing back the covers, Joy begrudgingly got out. While angling the cell phone on her shoulder, she made her bed.

“I notice everything about you, including how much you love the children. Now hurry up, I really want to see you, Joy—my Joy to the world.”

“Umm-hmm.” She hadn’t heard that since she was a little girl from her mother. Once they disconnected, Joy jumped into the shower. When she went to wake the children, Joy wasn’t surprised to see Bethani already awake, dressed, and in the girls’ room supervising their bed-making skills. Joy smiled at her niece. Bethani was truly the sunshine in her life.

“Good morning, sweetie.”

Her daughter whipped around. “Hi, Mommy.” Jada raced to her and offered a hug.

Not to be outdone, Darla ran for a hug. Sometimes, her niece called her auntie. When she was tired, Joy was given the mommy endearment.

“Thanks for getting them up, Bethani. I’m going to wake up the little terror and get him ready. If only I could get that boy potty trained, I wouldn’t have to give him a bath almost every morning.”

“I’ll brush their hair, Auntie.” Bethani beamed, offering to help.

The phone rang as Joy was about to enter Shane’s room. She backtracked to her bedroom and checked the caller ID. Smiling, Joy answered, “Hi, Mom. I guess you weren’t going to give me a chance to call you back.”

“I might have been waiting a long time,” Francine Knight good-naturedly scolded her daughter. “Bethani said a Mr. Andersen was your guest. She talked about ice cream and on and on. Since you’ve never mentioned him, I became a little nosy.”

Joy laughed. Her mother was never a little about anything. She was vocal about her opinions. Joy championed Francine when she told Langston what a disgusting human being he was to desert his children. Her mother didn’t mince her words either about Steven’s irresponsible shenanigans. That was after reminding Joy that she expected better of her daughter. No one could accuse her mother of not being an equal opportunity tongue-lasher.

“Bethani said he is very nice and likes you.”

Joy rolled her eyes.

“So now I need a big girl’s translation. What are the facts, Joyce Knight?”

“It’ll have to be abbreviated because Christian has offered to drive us around while I shop.” She paused. “Mom, I’ve never met a man like him. It’s almost like he’s not real.”

“Humph. Or it’s been a while since you’ve come in contact with a real man.”

Joy could imagine her mother’s defiant attitude with her arms folded and chin lifted.

“There’s so much I don’t know about him and it’s not because he’s not willing to share. Your grandchildren are vying for his attention, too, and he tries to oblige them. Can you believe he’s patient with them?” She chuckled. “Bethani says Christian is an angel.”

“Well, you need an angel after that devil you had. That no-good Steven. If I had—”

“Okay, Mom, I know. I’ve got to go and get ready. You had only two daughters. I have three girls and one boy to get ready.”

“Okay, hon.” Her voice softened. “I wish your father and I hadn’t retired so soon so I could be there for you. Then with his disability…” Francine continued babbling as if she hadn’t heard Joy say she had to go.

“I’ll be fine. I don’t know when, but the children and I will get to North Carolina soon, maybe next summer. Love you. Bye.” Joy exhaled when she disconnected. She loved her mother dearly. It was split down the middle about what they agreed upon. One thing for sure, she and Christian needed to get to know each other better. She was still curious about his women’s underwear conversation with Mrs. Thomas.

Joy got Shane bathed and dressed in record time. When she entered the kitchen with Shane, Bethani was pouring juice in the girls’ cups. It was the apple juice included in the extra groceries Christian had sent. While preparing breakfast, Joy had to field endless questions about Christian. The doorbell rang as they were finished eating. Although Joy had showered, she wasn’t dressed to go.

Walking out the kitchen, she wished she had at least put on makeup, but she was a mother and basically, what Christian saw was what he got. Her hair was swept up into a lopsided ponytail, and she was wearing blue socks, a pink T-shirt and purple bottoms. She opened the door with a smile. “I guess it was God’s will…” the words died in her mouth as her jaw dropped. Dressed in all black—sweater and fashionable jeans—Christian was crazy fine, or at least he made her crazy.

“Yes, isn’t God’s will amazing that I can see your beautiful face this morning?”

Joy blushed. “Evidently, you aren’t a morning person. I don’t plan to walk out of my house like this.”

“It doesn’t matter. You’re still hot, Miss Knight, whether in kiddie house slippers or your business suits. You don’t need the so-called beauty enhancements.” Christian winked as he shook off his hooded jacket and removed his gloves as his fan base stood behind her waiting their turn.

“Hi, Mr. Christmas.” Jada waved to get his attention, suddenly acting bashful.

He tugged on her bushy ponytail. Shane shoved his way in front and stretched out his arms. Christian didn’t hesitate to scoop the toddler in his arms.

He nuzzled the boy’s neck until he squealed his delight. The sight stirred a melancholy moment. Look at what the children were missing. If she was a cursing woman, Joy would chew Langston out for not being there for his children, especially his son who needed a father figure.

Could that be the reason why it was taking her so long to potty train the boy? Langston didn’t even call to wish his children happy Thanksgiving. Loser. Christian was temporary, too. No doubt, they all would feel the void when he moved on.

“Me too,” Jada shouted.

Flexing his muscles, Christian obliged.

Eying her shy niece, Joy doubted Darla would ask. As if sensing the girl’s hesitation, he shifted Jada to the arm holding Shane, then lifted Darla.

Christian grunted. “You all are so heavy. What did you eat this morning?”

Through the giggles, they shouted what had been on the menu. With a slight bow in his swagger, Christian strolled into the living room and gently deposited them on the couch.

“Bethani, will you watch them while I put on something that matches?” Joy asked. At the top of the steps, Joy heard the children trying to outtalk each other. “Yes, Christian, we will miss you when you’re gone,” she whispered.

She quickly changed into warm wool clothes, then slipped into ankle boots. Next, she brushed her curls. She put on light makeup and a dab of lip gloss. When she rejoined them downstairs, Christian rewarded her appearance with a twinkle in his eyes. “Wow, wow, even more beautiful.”

Joy glowed at his compliment. Yes, Lord, thank You for Your will today. “Okay, let’s go.”