Love and faithfulness meet together;
righteousness and peace kiss together.
Psalm 85:10 (NIV)
The Glass Castle Restaurant
Evergrace, Texas
Saturday, December 31, 2016
New Year’s Eve
“Thanks for inviting me out.” In a navy blue suit, Justice stared across the candlelit table at Freedom Forrester-Evergrace, listening to the instrumental music drifting through the air and admiring Freedom’s shimmering royal blue gown. Her hair was piled on top of her head, but dark-brown spirals fell alongside her light-brown face, spilling onto her shoulders. As always, she looked elegant and quite enchanting.
Freedom sipped her ginger ale, then lowered the glass to the table. “You and I have a conversation pending. So, this seemed like a great place to come, especially on New Year’s Eve.”
Justice laced his fingers, confronting her face-to-face. “I’m just glad you’re not avoiding me and ignoring my calls anymore.”
Freedom sighed. “I needed time, space.”
“Away from me?”
She nodded. “That kiss was intense, just like our first kiss seven years ago.”
So that was the problem. Their kiss. “I apologize if I went too fast and put too much pressure on you, especially with that kiss.” Justice raised his glass of ginger ale, then sipped from it, his thoughts swirling like the liquid in the glass. He had just found his first love after so many years, and he wasn’t about to lose her or his kids, not again. That meant he had to calm down, slow down, and keep himself in check. He couldn’t bulldoze Freedom into a relationship with him, nor could he leap into daddy mode with his kids. He had to be patient; he had to wait, as long as it took, to get everything he ever wanted, everything he ever dreamed of for himself—the wife, the kids, the family.
“I’m not the same woman I was during the snowstorm,” Freedom said, planting her hands on the table on either side of her plate. “I’m a sincere believer now, and my heart belongs foremost to Jesus, to God, so if you’re trying to come between me and Jesus or God, I can’t be with you at all, especially physically.
“Likewise, I’m a mother of seven, and my kids are my life, so if you’re trying to swoop into the picture, just because you can, to usurp my authority and place or entice them away from me, just because you’ve missed out on six years of their lives, you’ve got a fight on your hands because I’m not losing my kids, even to you.”
Justice reached out, covering her left hand with his right. “First, I’m not trying to come between you and God. Even though I haven’t always been spiritual or faithful, godly or devout, I’m not an atheist or agnostic. My parents raised all of us in church, so I believe in Jesus. I believe in God. I’ll admit I was angry at God for years after my sister’s death and then after Julianna’s death. But recently, I’ve come back to Him, like the prodigal son, and I’ve been reading the Bible, listening to sermons on the radio, or watching services online or on the television. At this time, I just don’t have a church home or church family.”
He gently squeezed her hand. “Second, I have no intentions of coming between you and the kids or suing you for full custody of them. More than anything, I would love for us to be one unified family—you, me, and the kids.”
Freedom’s eyes got big. “What are you proposing?”
He smiled. “The same thing I’ve been proposing since we met—that you and I get married.”
Freedom slid her hand from beneath his, lines in her forehead. “Shouldn’t we be better acquainted before we get married? Shouldn’t we see if we’re compatible? Spend time together at church? With each other’s family too?”
He quirked his eyebrow. “Are you inviting me home to get your family’s approval? To church to see if I’m really saved?”
She folded her arms, meeting his stare. “I love my family, and I love God. I can’t be with a man or even kiss a man who doesn’t love my family, revere Jesus, or love God.”
He leaned forward, then palmed his hands over his plate. “Are you testing me?”
“Of course I am,” she said. “But I want you to pass too.”
“Why?”
“So I can share everything I love with you, including my faith.” She unfolded her arms and exhaled. “But mainly because I like you, maybe even love you still. That’s why.”
She might still love me. Justice leaned back in his seat, his heart thumping his chest. “I like you, too, and I still love you too; otherwise, I wouldn’t have proposed that we get married.”
Tears gleamed in her green eyes. “I don’t want to be alone and heartbroken, and I don’t want my kids to get hurt or be disappointed either.”
He grabbed her hand and laced his fingers with hers. “I love our kids, and I love you, and I have no intentions of knowingly hurting them or you. So, if you want me to meet your family and attend church with you, I’ll do so gladly.”
She fingered her tears dry. “Thank you.”
He kissed her hand, then placed it back on the table. “No problem.”
She motioned toward the couples already swirling around the dance floor. “Care to dance?”
“With you, always.” He pushed his chair back, then extended his hand to her.
Freedom stood up, then grabbed his hand, and they walked to the center of the room and began dancing, swirling and twirling around the floor with the others as instrumental music floated through the air. “I love dancing with you,” she said, laying her head against his chest. “You make me feel so graceful, so light on my feet.”
“You’re my best dance partner,” he said. “With you, I feel like I’m superman, soaring through space and time, flying effortlessly around the world.”
Freedom laughed. “The kids will love you.”
He stepped back so he could see her face. “Why?”
“Because they’ve always wanted a dad in their lives, and they love superheroes, and what better superhero for a six-year-old kid than a strong, loving, courageous man who’s a military veteran and police officer?”
Justice twirled her around on the dance floor. “Tell me about them.”
Freedom smiled, and her eyes twinkled. “They’re the best—all seven of them—and they’re really great kids. Everson is the most serious of the bunch, and he’s such a natural leader, even at age six. Eston is the most independent, often going off on his own and trying new things because he’s the most athletic and adventurous. Essam is light-hearted and playful, very creative and artistic too. Given is one of the most gifted and talented of the boys, and he’s also the most kind-hearted and helpful.
“Everly is the most organized, compassionate, and encouraging. She loves helping others do better and feel better, and she’s got a love and passion for animals. Echo is the quietest and most introverted, and she loves reading and collecting books. Then, there’s the baby girl, Gift, who is the most precious, loving, tender-hearted, trusting, and spiritual of the seven. She loves Jesus, she loves God, she loves the Bible, she loves music, and she loves people.”
Her entire face glowed as she spoke of the kids. “I couldn’t live without any of them; that’s how much I love them.”
“When can I meet them officially?” he asked.
She grew sober, quite serious. “How about tomorrow?”
“New Year’s Day?”
“Do you have plans?”
“None that can’t be changed.”
“Then, we’ll set up a meeting with the kids.”
“Where? When?”
“Wintergrace—at the gazebo—after church. Three o’clock.”
“May I bring my service dog, Storm?”
“Of course!” she said. “The kids will love that too. They’re crazy about animals.”
Suddenly, the lights flickered, and the countdown for midnight and the new year began. More than anything, Justice wanted to kiss Freedom. However, he also knew that most likely wouldn’t be the most appropriate thing to do, especially since she had reservations about having any kind of physical intimacy with him, at least until they got to know each other better.
But it couldn’t hurt to ask. “May I kiss you at midnight?” Justice asked, already anticipating the new year—one that included her and their seven children.
“On the cheek or the forehead.”
“No lips?”
Freedom raised her arms, placing them on his shoulders. “No more stolen kisses, especially on the lips, until we’re better acquainted, and most definitely, no more sleeping together until we’re properly married.”
He hated the thought of not kissing her, but he knew he had to respect her wishes. “So be it, my lady.”
She kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”
Just from that kiss, that touch, his body felt electrified, and his heart beat faster. Being around Freedom was definitely going to wreak havoc on his emotions. Since she had returned to his life, he had done nothing but think about her, dream about her, and spin his hopes around her and their kids. If he had his way, they would already be married and living together as a family. But Freedom wasn’t in that physical space or that emotional place yet. So, he had to be patient. He had to give her time.
At the stroke of midnight, Justice raised his hand and caressed Freedom’s face. “I love you,” he said, “and I’m willing to wait on you as long as it takes.”
“My mom always said the best things were always worth waiting for.”
Justice pulled her closer until she was snug in his arms. “Sounds like a wise woman.”
Freedom smiled through tears. “She was, and my dream has always been to be just like her.”
Justice lowered his head near her ear, then whispered. “My dream has always been you.” He kissed her forehead, then each cheek. “Happy New Year!”
She lifted her head, meeting his gaze. “Happy New Year!”
He hugged her, then stepped back so he could see her face. “Do you have a date for church tomorrow?”
She laughed. “Of course not!”
“Now, you do.”
Her eyes grew round, large. “You’re coming to church with me?”
“Of course I am,” he said. “Just tell me the time and location, and I’ll be there.”
“Nine o’clock,” she said. “The Tree of Life Community Worship Center.”
“It’s a date then.”
Freedom pulled him closer and hugged him. “Thank you!”
“I’ll do anything for love,” Justice said. “Anything for you.”