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"I heard," Shaul entered his brother's home that still smelled of fresh wood.
Josiah had been meticulous in designing it as a gift for his bride but had not yet lived in it for twenty-four hours.
They'd be leaving again within days now that Atarah was in labour. He joined Josiah by the window facing the Mount of Olives, eyes fixed on the trees in the distance as he prayed for Atarah and for wisdom for Josiah who needed to stay in the Holy Land.
In full view from Josiah's new home, was the Temple Mount. The fact that Josiah had chosen this location for their home spoke volumes. Was his brother not following his heart, even subconsciously? This is clearly where he belonged.
"Josiah, please stay here. After the ceremony, come home," his eyes were still on the mount where Jesus promised He would return to at the end of the age, "You can always visit Canada but you know you belong here. Your family belongs here. There is a ministry for you here. Why don't you give Lachlan more responsibility? I believe he is more than able to run The Resistance without you while you prepare..."
Josiah turned, looking back at Lachlan. He had never thought to give Lachlan such a position but yes, as he stood at the window he realized Shaul was right. He always had been. "I will return with my family... Excuse me while I speak with Lachlan."
He turned from the window, rejoining Lachlan and Granny, "We need to talk."
*****
THREATENING TO DROP Jaira off at the train station was just that - empty threats. It wasn't that Adelaide wasn't concerned, the fact was they didn't have the finances.
"Fine, you can stay, but we will drop you off in Quebec on the way back."
Besides, Adelaide couldn't exactly make the decision, their mother making it clear Jaira was expected to move down to the island as well.
Jaira sighed audibly ignoring her jetlag.
"Well, in that case, I'm going to head to the mission. I'll see you tonight."
Gavin brought the suitcases into the house, talking with his nephews. Tall, strapping young men, they filled the doorway.
A sports car pulled up in the driveway moments later.
"Hey," Terrell grinned as Jaira waved goodbye to her family without a backward glance.
"That was great timing," she leaned over, kissing Terrell, not caring if Addy saw.
Jaira was an adult and could control her own life and destiny. It was luck that had brought her and Terrell back together. She couldn't exactly say it was God, her conscience not allowing her to go that far.
They sped back to the mission to prepare for the evening rush.
"I missed you!" Terrell reached for her hand.
Jaira's trademark pout captured his attention.
"My sister and her family are moving - I think I told you that?"
Terrell nodded. He'd been making arrangements since she'd told him and hoped to join her when they left.
"Ya well, Addy wants to drop me off in Quebec on the way! Can you believe it? She is insisting I have to return to William."
"What? You told me it was a loveless marriage. What's the status of your divorce?"
"I've filled out the papers, but haven't filed them yet."
"You better not wait then Darlin'," he pulled into the mission parking lot.
"Your mom's coming today," Addy called out to Azrael who was playing in the living room with Isabella. "They should be here any minute."
Adelaide didn't tell him the babies had been born, leaving that up to Atarah.
"Let's get you cleaned up, we are going to church in a little bit."
Azrael obeyed his aunt, used to attending church every night of the week since he had returned. No one but his cousins really bothered with him, but Auntie Addy had been proud to introduce him to her friends.
Adelaide turned to Jaira who stood in the kitchen doorway, "Atarah should be arriving at any moment. I was thinking tonight you could maybe bunk with Sarah? Isabella could have the top bunk bed"
She tried to think about how she would squeeze her guests into her tiny townhouse. Boxes lined the walls, ready to be taken out to the moving truck.
"I was hoping to give Atarah and Josiah your room - it is only for tonight but they have the babies and could use the extra room." She didn't wait for an answer, "Gavin, can you please bring up Isabella's crib from the basement?"
Why she had held onto the crib for so long was a mystery. No longer able to have children, it was pointless. Her sentimentality came in handy now.
"Don't worry about me Addy, I'm heading out soon anyway..."
"I thought you were coming to church tonight," Addy frowned.
"Ya, well, I'm getting a ride with Terrell. He said he would join us. I'm just...I just can't handle oohing and aahing over those babies, not after I lost mine."
Addison nodded, understanding, but Jaira continued, "The thought of seeing those babies makes me wanna gag."
She'd said too much when she heard Addy gasp, "Jaira how can you say something like that!"
Jaira wasn't listening, "I've finished packing my stuff. I'll just crash at the Mosely's house tonight."
Addy had learned she couldn't argue with her sister.
"Okay, see you at church then - don't be late."
Gavin appeared within ten minutes, carrying the crib up the stairs with Joshua's help. Amber and Peter stayed at the house too, only Mark travelling back to Victoria Island. He said he couldn't wait for the others to arrive, having something urgent to attend to.
Lachlan had remained in Israel working on his assignment. David and Rose returned home after the wedding, leaving Shaul to ride in the front seat with Josiah, Atarah sat in the backseat in between the car seats. Debbie and Granny rode in the first car, Rivkah and Sheila in the backseat.
Josiah glanced back in the rearview mirror, "We should be there within five minutes. Are you alright?"
"Yes, just very tired."
Atarah looked exhausted.
"I am hoping to leave right after the service tonight. I don't feel comfortable inconveniencing your family when there are so many of us. We are running late. I think we should just meet at the church."
Atarah blanched. She wasn't looking forward to stepping into Pastor Cookes' church.
****
ADELAIDE ORGANIZED the bath schedule for the kids.
"Hurry up okay, we don't want to be late for church."
When Azrael was finished and dressed, she hopped into the shower as well, washing quickly. Pulling on a hunter green dress, she was just brushing her hair when the phone rang.
"Hello? Oh hi Josiah, yes, of course, we can meet at the church. Okay, here's the address..."
Gavin and their family arrived at the church first, followed by Terrell and Jaira. They shook hands, Jaira standing by her sister.
"I thought Atarah was coming tonight."
"Yes, but they decided to just meet us here."
Jaira nodded, "Okay well, we are going in."
****
TERRELL RAISED AN EYEBROW but followed Jaira into her church. Pastor Cookes was standing by the door when she stepped into the dimly lit room.
They chose a seat close to the front, and directly in front of the pulpit. Oh, Jaira loved Terrell, there was no doubt about that, but he needed to be baptized in Jesus name and receive the Holy Ghost before their relationship could go any further. This had to be the night.
She lowered her head, praying for his soul.
"Let the Fire fall tonight..." unaware of the stares she was receiving from her church sisters.
****
RIVKAH HAD ATTENDED the mission twice, but that was just a mission whose sole purpose was to feed and clothe the poor in Ottawa. This was vastly different, she assumed, as they pulled into the parking lot, the first out of the vehicle. She opened the back door of Josiah's car, helping to unfasten her grandson from his car seat. She slipped the baby out of his seat, then passed him to his father who sheltered him in his arms, bringing the blanket over his face. The breeze was very cold in comparison to the heat they'd left in Israel.
Josiah motioned Azrael to come close, giving him the first glimpse of his sibling.
"I brought you a brother," he kissed Azrael's cheek, "What do you think?"
"He's my brother?" Azrael asked in shock, peering at the tiny face nestled beneath the soft, powder blue blanket. "What's his name?"
"He doesn't have one yet, not until tomorrow."
"So what do we call him then? Can I call him 'No Name'?"
"How about 'Brother' for now?" Josiah smiled.
Azreal released his hand, racing the few steps to his mother, hugging her legs with all his strength.
Atarah laughed, bending to hold her son close.
"Do you like your little brother? You have another surprise..." She reached for her daughter, still in the car seat.
"Two babies?" Azrael's eyes widened, incredulous.
"Yes Sweetie, God answered your prayers with two babies to love."
"Their mine? I can keep them?"
Josiah laughed, reaching out his free hand to Azrael, "Come, son."
Waiting for Atarah to walk on the other side of Azrael, Addy led the way into her church.
The building seemed to vibrate from the beat, worship music reaching them in the parking lot.
Josiah met Atarah's eyes, wishing he could hold her hand, give her assurance, but he could not.
Once inside, Addy peered down at the baby Atarah clutched close to her heart.
"Twins!" she breathed again, "I just can't get over it!"
Atarah held out her arms for the baby. Like her brother, she had Josiah's cornsilk blonde hair, her celestial blue eyes squinting against the light. Wrinkling her nose in protest at being woken up, she wormed her way into Addy's heart,
"They are so precious! Come, let's grab a seat. The service should be starting soon."
"Thank you, but I would like to sit at the back," Atarah hesitated beside the last row.
It would be more convenient if she needed to slip out to feed her children.
"Are you sure?" Atarah frowned, Rivkah finding a seat in the row Atarah indicated. "Yes, thank you. I'll see you after the service."
Josiah had followed Gavin's lead, sitting in the front pew.
"Okay then," Addy shrugged, "If it's okay with you, I'd like to keep this little sweetheart with me. I'll bring them back to you before the sermon begins."
Seeing her sister nod, she headed to the front to join Granny who sat beside Josiah, her hand resting on his arm and her mother who sat on the opposite side of Granny. Amber sat on Josiah's other side, oohing over her baby cousin. Josiah smiled, holding his son out to Amber.
Jaira jabbed her daughter, "Sit back here with your mother."
Hanging her head, Amber obeyed. Shaul scooched over, holding his nephew against his heart before Josiah lifted Azrael onto his lap. Only Atarah and Rivkah sat in the back row, but that suited them just fine.
"Where's your kippah, Son?" Josiah whispered close to his ear.
Azrael's bottom lip quivered, "Uncle Gavin wouldn't let me wear it. They made fun of me for being a Jew so I have to go back to being Christian."
"What?" Josiah frowned, turning Azrael gently around to look at him, "What happened?"
"My cousins wouldn't let me play with them if I was a Jew, so I have to be Christian now. Uncle Gavin took my kippah," his teary brown eyes proved he was telling the truth. "I don't want to be a Jew anymore..."
A tear tumbled down his cheek.
Josiah frowned, holding Azrael closer. He should have kept Azrael in Israel, certain the child wasn't telling him everything.
"I'm here now, it'll be alright. I thought you would have a lot of fun with your cousins. I am so sorry for not keeping you in Israel with us."
The cousins had treated Azrael differently than they had when in Israel, now that they were back on their own turf with no one to defend him. They were just children, but they'd obviously picked up the family antisemitism.
"I need some air!" Jaira groaned, sitting behind Adelaide's pew. It was too much to bear watching the newborns be the centre of everyone's attention.
Terrell squeezed her hand but said nothing as she stepped over his legs, headed for the exit.