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"The rest of the family are headed to Manitoba for the naming ceremony but I want nothing to do with it. When we go to Addy's place, I plan to tell Mom that we will head straight to the house."
Jaira glanced over her shoulder making sure her children were unable to hear.
Terrell glanced over at her, then focused on the road ahead. They'd barely had any time alone since she'd returned a few days ago.
"I'm going to swing by the house so you can say goodbye to my parents and I can let them know what's happening. I'm sure they will love to meet your children too."
Jaira nodded. They were early anyway.
*****
MRS. MOSELY WAS BUSIER than she had been in the first forty years of her life, and that was saying something as she had never been a lazy woman.
At fifty years old, she had shocked her family by enrolling in Bible College. The rest, as they say, was history. Perhaps that is why she had an even greater fondness for Jaira who shared her heart for ministry. Being an incurable matchmaker was just an added bonus.
She spotted Jaira as soon as she opened the mission's side door, "Come My Love!"
Jaira didn't have to be asked twice, her arms around her children, introducing them to the plump Jamaican woman who enveloped them in her arms without a moment's hesitation.
"Come in! Come in! I have some cookies downstairs. Would you like a glass of milk with them?"
Terrell walked ahead, disappearing into the kitchen for the treats his mother had offered.
Mrs. Mosely took that moment to hold onto Jaira's arm, voice lowered, "He is a good man and you've made him so happy...It's been more than three years since the divorce. He's ready for love again and you know, we've always thought of you as the daughter we were never blessed with..."
Jaira flushed, scuffing her foot on the faded carpet.
"He's been a wonderful friend..." Jaira admitted.
Terrell's mother rubbed her hands together - there was more than friendship between these two. Why fight the inevitable?
****
JAIRA DIDN'T NOTICE Terrell standing in the doorway. He cleared his throat, announcing his presence.
"What did I miss?" He grinning, noticing Jaira flush scarlet.
He reached for her hand, leading her to the table, "Did you tell Mom?"
"No, I was waiting for you."
Terrell nodded, "Mom, Jaira is moving back to the island where her folks are. I don't know how things are going to work out yet, but I'm driving her and the kids down. I am hoping to stay at least for a few days."
Or forever...
The Moselys were the only ones to shed a tear at the thought of not having her nearby.
"We've appreciated your help so much, but God may be opening another door to a greater ministry. Let's pray and ask for God's blessing over you and the children. Come here Darlings, I want to pray for you..."
"Jaira Blossom, Terrell wants to speak with you," Pastor Mosely winked at his wife after they'd prayed for Jaira's children, then stood together, stepping out into the entrance.
"Babe, I love you and I think you know that. I want us to be a family. I am willing to leave everything behind and move with you to the island. I'll be by your side. I want to be your man if you'll have me," he glanced over at her children who'd just finished eating the last of their cookies, "I know you told me you are barren, and I am glad you shared your heart with me, but it doesn't matter to me. We can adopt if you would like to. I already have children and you have yours...do we really need a baby? I don't think so. Our love is enough. Jaira, Darling, will you be my wife?"
Terrell dropped to one knee.
Jaira hesitated. Oh, it wasn't that she didn't want to be Mrs. Jaira Mosely. Everything in her body screamed for her to say, "Yes!" but she hesitated. If he had gotten baptized after the service, it would have been different, but she truly believed that unless he was baptized in Jesus Name, not the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, he was going to hell. Why couldn't he have just gotten baptized? The golden opportunity to redeem his soul had been lost. Jaira didn't even think of William who had no idea she even wanted a divorce.
"Get up please," she was clearly embarrassed, "I need time to think of this. I will be living with my parents so can't exactly be married."
Terrell stood, his complexion so dark she would never have been able to tell if he was blushing or not.
"I already know your answer," he grinned, "You've wanted to be a Mosely for as long as I've known you."
Was she that obvious?
Mrs. Mosely's musical laughter filled the room.
"The next time I see you, we will have a wedding to plan. Goodbye, my dear girl, may God grant you travelling mercies."
She hugged Jaira's children, waving as they piled back into the car.
"She'll be back," Mrs. Mosely blinked back tears, turning to her husband who had joined her in the doorway.
"Let's get you guys to your parent's house," Terrell reached out for Jaira's hand.
He purposely didn't use the word 'home.' Jaira wouldn't be home till she was in his arms.
Why couldn't Jaira see it?
****
ADELAIDE FELT BAD ABOUT how things had ended between her and Jaira.
She called Jaira's cell phone from the car, "Hey, where are you?"
"I'm not going to the synagogue."
"You don't have to. We can always meet up somewhere after the service. Mom is worried that the kids aren't near her - she does have custody of them," she lowered her voice. "I'm serious, you need to head back."
Jaira rolled her eyes. Sure her parents had custody, but she was the one who had given birth to them. The government should never have taken them in the first place.
"We have to head back," she informed Terrell, "Mom's freaking out."
"Why?" Terrell asked before turning down her sister's street.
"Cus she has to have eyes on my kids at all times apparently," Jaira's mood foul again.
The men stood outside the vehicles waiting for Terrell.
"I took an extra week off," Debbie leaned against the car, "I know Mamma will like to see her other children down east, so we will come but need to leave after the reception."
Adelaide stood beside Gavin, holding his hand, "So why don't you follow us? We'll just have to go slower so the trip doesn't tire Granny out too much."
Josiah agreed, "Yes, we will need to travel slowly. This trip is very hard on Atarah..." he glanced back at the car. "We should call ahead and book a hotel for the night. Gavin, you've made this trip before, what are your suggestions?"
Gavin appreciated being included and, in this case, almost looked up to. "I usually stop at the Quebec and New Brunswick border for the night."
Josiah raked his fingers through his hair.
"Then will you make hotel arrangements? I'll pay when we arrive."
Gavin nodded, turning to his wife, "Call the hotel."
Adelaide looked up to see Terrell turn into the parking lot but focused on her phone, looking for the number.
"What's going on?"
Terrell rolled down the window, having expected everyone to already be in their vehicles waiting for him.
Gavin looked up, "We are just making arrangements for the hotel for tonight."
Jaira looked at Terrell and blushed crimson.
"I'll be right back,"
Terrell glanced over at Jaira, then left the car to get the hotel number from Addy. He'd book his own room.
They finally piled into their vehicles, Azrael choosing to ride with Isabella. Sheila and Rivkah once more with Granny and Debbie, Gavin leading the way.