“So what is this about anyway?” Portia slipped on her sunglasses. “I thought the Christmas service was last night on Christmas Eve?”
Derek pulled his car into the parking lot of their church in Queens. “This is more of a...private service. We were all invited.”
Portia waited for her brother to come around and open the door before she continued her questioning. “Who’s we?”
She looked around the parking lot and got part of her answer. She spotted Morgan’s black Lexus parked a few spots over as was Milo’s old clunker which Portia was shocked had even turned over in this cold weather.
“Mom, do you know what this is about?” Portia glanced back as Derek opened the door for their mother.
Her mother shook her head. “No. But you can never have too much of the Lord’s house.”
That was all Portia got as she walked with her mother and brother towards the church entrance. The morning continued to be dazzlingly bright, with the sky blue and clear. The cold was just as dazzling and likely responsible for the crunchy snow that was still on the ground. But as Portia held on to her brother’s arm for support on the occasionally slippery driveway, she had no complaints. A few days earlier, she thought she would have to spend Christmas day inside a hospital room. But God had brought her home to spend the day with her family. It was a Christmas blessing she was grateful for and she was happy to spend a few moments inside His house on a weekday to thank Him for it. He had been so good to her, how could she ask for more? How could she offer any less?
A single usher stood in the foyer. He smiled and welcomed them inside. When they opened the doors, Portia saw that the crowd was small, roughly a dozen people, many of whom she already knew.
Her eyes widened when she saw familiar green eyes meet hers with a smile.
“Kristoffe?”
She let go of Derek’s arm and hurried to the front, hugging the taller man like he was an old friend.
“It’s great to see you again, Portia. We’re glad to know you’re okay,” he said when she stepped back. He reached out his arm and a shorter woman with smiling eyes and brown shoulder length hair moved to his side. “This is my wife Mandy.”
Portia grinned and reached out a hand. “Hi, I’m—”
“Portia. I know,” the woman laughed and folded her into a hug. “The number of times I’ve heard your name, I feel like I know you already.”
Portia squatted to eye level with two little blonde boys, clutching their mother’s legs. “And you must be James and Jason. Your uncle talks about you all the time.”
“Are you my uncle’s girlfriend?” the slightly taller one asked, still holding on to his mother’s leg. “Your picture is on his phone.”
From behind her, Portia heard Derek cough back a laugh. She smiled at the boys. “I am a girl and I am a friend of your uncle, so yes.”
Derek snorted. “I don’t think that’s what they meant— oww!”
Portia looked up to where her brother stood, rubbing his arm. Morgan was beside him. Portia shot her friend a grateful look and gave Morgan a hug.
“Merry Christmas,” Morgan whispered in her ear. “I am so glad you’re home.”
“Me too,” Portia moved back to meet the woman’s smile. “Best Christmas gift I have gotten so far today.”
Morgan’s eyes twinkled. “You never know, the day is still young.”
Portia was about to ask her what she meant when a throat cleared from the front to gather everyone’s attention.
“Merry Christmas everyone and thank you for coming.”
Portia looked up surprised to see her pastor at the front in his robe.
“I know some of you may be wondering why you were invited here today,” Pastor Greg grinned. “But today, on Christmas day, we will be having a very special service for a special young man who is close to all your hearts.”
Portia’s mouth fell open as Khai walked out from the side door. He was barefoot and wore a robe similar to the one Pastor Greg was wearing. Portia’s heart pounded in her chest. Was this what she thought it was?
Her eyes followed him as he made his way over to where Pastor Greg stood, grinning with every step. His eyes flowed over the crowd and stopped at her. When he winked at her, Portia knew that it was indeed.
“I met Khai a couple weeks ago,” Pastor Greg said. “And the moment I met him, I knew something was special about him. But I could see he was in a struggle. I know all of you have been praying for him and in the few weeks I have known him, I have seen him have a life-changing encounter with God. It’s the kind I hope everyone can have. And because of it, he has chosen to give his heart to God and to show it through the symbolic act of baptism. I want you to know that this was his choice. He wanted it done today. He wanted to start the new year right. And when God moves someone to Him, we don’t dare stand in the way.”
Portia covered her mouth. She blinked rapidly, willing the moisture back and stilling her heart from exploding. She couldn’t believe what was happening. She couldn’t have prayed for this. She would never have been so bold. But her God was a big God, and when He answered prayer, He answered big.
Khai cleared his throat as he moved to the mic. “I just want to thank you all for coming. You all have been…really important to my life. And you are a big part of why I am here doing this today. Kristoffe, Mandy, Dad, Pamela, Morgan,” His eyes met hers once more. “Portia. All of you. Your faith was the testimony I needed. And I thank God for bringing all of you into my life.”
“You’re welcome.” Kristoffe called out and a murmur of laughs broke the heaviness of the moment.
Portia’s heart was still heavy though. Heavy and overflowing with emotion. She couldn’t speak. She held her mother’s hand tightly as she watched Khai and Pastor Greg enter the pool.
“Because you love the Lord, because you have accepted him as your Savior, because you desire to a be a part of His family, I now baptize you in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
There were cheers and whistles as Khai went down into the water and came up drenched, but somehow looking lighter than he had moments before. This time, Portia couldn’t stop the tears that flowed down her face. Someone shoved a tissue into her hand. She looked up to find Mandy drying tears of her own.
She pulled Portia close and whispered quietly. “I know what you’re wondering, and I can assure you, he didn’t do it for you. You might have helped him along the way, but he chose this for himself.”
Portia hugged the woman and nodded. “Thank you.”
“He set me free one day. He set me free...”
Morgan started singing and soon everyone else joined in. Kristoffe played the piano accompanied by clapping and the harmonious blend of voices. When was the last time Portia had experienced this? Real, genuine, spontaneous praise. Real joy from being in the presence of Jesus and seeing the work of the Holy Spirit in bringing a heart to Him. Was this what it was like in heaven when someone gave their heart to God? If God loved everyone else as much as Portia knew He loved her, and she knew He did, then it was a party every time.
They sang one song after the next, with Portia, her mother and a woman who had to be Khai’s stepmother taking turns starting new selections. The voices blended seamlessly together and for a moment Portia felt like she was in heaven. They sang until Khai came back dressed and dry and continued to sing as he went around hugging and receiving congratulations from everyone present.
“Happy tears?” he asked as Portia threw her arms around him, holding tight.
She nodded against his neck. He laughed. When she finally let go, he grabbed her hand and tugged her across the room with him. “There’s someone I want you to meet.”
“Dad, Pamela, this is Portia.” He met Portia’s eyes. “Portia, this is my dad and my stepmom Pamela.”
Portia looked at the tall stocky man. It seemed like the men’s hair got lighter as they got older because his father’s hair was an even lighter blonde than Kristoffe’s, almost white. With his athletic build, the man looked like he could still be in his late fifties. Maybe it had to do with the equally fit looking mahogany toned woman standing beside him. Portia smiled. Now she knew where Khai’s preference of chocolate over vanilla came from.
“So you’re the reason I barely see my son anymore.” The older man’s eyes twinkled as he took Portia’s hand. “Bill Rochester. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too,” Portia slid her eyes over to Khai and grinned. “Mr. Rochester.”
Khai rolled his eyes before giving her a half smile. She knew they were thinking the same thing.
“Pamela Rochester, but you can call me Pam.” The woman put her arms around Portia. “So nice to finally meet you. I love the effect you’ve had on my stepson.”
“Not me,” Portia shook her head as she pulled away. “That’s all God.”
“Well, I want to hear everything.” Pamela’s eyes brightened as she squeezed Portia’s hands. “You have to join us for Christmas dinner tonight,”
“Oh, I couldn’t leave my mom—”
“Yes, you can,” Yvonne called out from a few feet away. “The house will be full with your aunts, uncles and cousins. Ain’t nobody gonna miss you.”
Everyone chuckled except Portia who threw her mom a look.
“Okay, fine I’ll be there.”
Khai eased her hand from Pamela’s and tugged her closer to his side. Portia went willingly.
“They’re all staying at my place for Christmas, so it’ll be a full house. Come by anytime after five,” He grinned at her. “Or earlier if you want.”
She laughed and shook her head. “Five will be fine. I’m sure everyone wants to spend as much time with you as they can while they’re here.”
She reached up and encircled him in an embrace. “I’m so proud of you. You know that right?”
He nodded. His beard tickled the soft skin of her cheek. “I know. So much has happened...there’s so much I want to tell you.”
She touched his cheek, unable to draw her eyes away from his, which were shining bright with a joy that had nothing to do with her.
“I know.” She smiled. “And I want to hear all about it. I hope you can make some time for me later.”
“Oh, I definitely will.” He held her hand against his cheek. “Because we have a lot to talk about.”
Shivers ran across Portia’s spine at his words and the meaningful look in his eyes. Yes, there was a lot she wanted to say to him, but now was not the place. Later. Definitely later.