A/N: I'm all churched out y'all! That was/is truly amazing! The Dedication/Christening I made tweaks so if you haven't read the updated version might want to. That chapter really, really did something to me I read it myself and just wow I woke up this morning to this review/comment, "Had me on youtube looking up old COGIC songs getting my praise on! He's a wonder... In myyyyyyy soul! Come on somebody! woooo!", and I too ended up there but first I started singing the song. I too was raised COGIC [if you care to know] Anyway moving on to this chapter. THEY GO HOME! YES! That's all I'm telling y'all.
Happy Reading Guys (:
Hopefully you'll enjoy this read.
Mercedes POV
I just thought after Uncle Julius got up there to do the benediction that we'd meet and greet some of the saints that stayed behind and take some pictures and head on home. Oh, no the power fell again and he danced. We were danced out and greeted those who were left which were quite a few people then we took pictures.
"Let's take a photo with TJ and his god sister and god brothers. Say cheese."
"CHEESE!" I snapped a few photos because I was going to post them to my IG.
"One with TJ and all of his godfathers" Sam yelled out and he started snapping. We took a lot pictures. TJ with Bishop Butts and his wife, TJ with his grandparents, TJ, with Sam and I, TJ and all of this godparents, TJ and each individual one, TJ along everyone photo combination we could think of and cheesed it up. My cheeks hurt. I never imagined a christening so beautiful I'm glad that my mother hired the videographer and the photographer I was too caught up in my emotions. Sam and I singing to our son was everything but what really touched my heart was seeing my son shout, that did it for me he was picking them up and putting them down I think I saw Sam too cut a step. I'm not saying this because TJ is my son but that was one of the best christenings I've ever witness my mother went above and beyond!
"Mom… Mom you did an amazing job planning TJ's christening. It was everything I envisioned." I said pulling her into a hug.
"Thank you and it was everything I imagined. You know what did my heart good?"
"What?"
"Seeing my daughter, son, Sam and TJ, shout what more could a mother ask for now it's time for part 2 of this part 1 and I can't wait for you to see the cake and why I wanted 3 scriptures. See you at the house baby."
"Alright mom." I turned to see Sam waiting for me by the truck. "Waiting on me?"
"Yeah, baby. I'm itching to get home because Bishop Butts talking about the menu man I'm hungry not to mention I shouted myself into an appetite." He rubbed his stomach.
"You did! I thought I saw you. It was you that took me by the hand."
He nodded his head meeting half the way to the vehicle. "Yes, it was something hit me and I just let go." He gave me a kiss.
"I know that feeling. Did TJ ride back with one his many godparents?"
"No, he's in the backseat sleep. I think all of that shouting and cheesing tired him out." He opened up the door for me and I got it in and he went around to the driver side and got in. "Let's get home, get out of our Sunday best and eat. You know the best thing about this day on top of TJ being christened."
"Went to church as a family."
"Right, that was the best. I think we need to find a church home. What you think about that?"
"It's a good idea." The ride home Sam and I talked about the service, our favorite moments, and how Bishop Butts was just running off the menu, the service was like an hour and a half we didn't think it would be that long but when the power falls you just let it have its way. We pulled up the house with a huge banner that read, "Happy Christening Day Thaddeus Joshua", with the date, month and year.
"That wasn't there when we left she's still decorating." I said unbuckling my seat belt looking up at it. "Is that that piñata?"
"No, I don't think so. Come on I can smell the food from here." We exited the car and TJ was still sleep so Sam carried him inside, once inside he woke up, must have been the smell of the food.
"Daddy I'm hungry."
"I know. Daddy is too but first we're going to change our clothes and put on some comfortable clothing and then we'll eat." Sam changed TJ and I went on ahead and changed as well and headed on outside wherever one as.
"Mercedes your mother went all out! I've never been to a christening that…that. I can't put it into words. I still am just…" Tana couldn't get her words. "I thought my prayers were something out this world your uncle and PawPaw. WON'T HE DO IT!" She yelled!
"He will! I know what you mean. Whew! That was something and my mother hired a videographer so all of y'all will be getting copies."
"For real! I thought that person was the videographer for the church."
I shook my head no. "No, it was not." My mother came over to me. "Where's Sam? Bishop Butts is about to bless the food."
"Here I am. I took a quick 5 minute power nap."
"He's here bishop bless the food."
"Everyone hold hands, God our Father, Lord and Savior Thank you for your love and favor, thank you for this day of which we christened TJ Lord Bless this food and drink we pray And all who shares with us today. Amen"
"Amen." We all said.
"Okay children's table is over here. Your parents will fix your plates." Mom ushered them to their table." All of us adults went and fix out plates, Kurt fixed TJ's plate and we alls at down at the table, dined and laughed it up.
"Well, TJ has something or all of his godparents, a little gift from him to you." Mom handed out the bags which were white with the font of her choosing. "You can look inside." Inside each bag was a personalized photo frame to each godparent with a photo of TJ, cologne for the guys, perfume for the ladies, a photo album from TJ's beginning until today the photo and the end was of each of them who took photos at the christening, their favorite candy, a keychain, a mug, and a t-shirt. She then, bought out 3 little bags. I didn't even know she did this for Gabby, Ian and Logan.
"Mom you did something for them too?!"
"Yeah, I didn't want to leave them out. Ian, Gabby, and Logan this is from your god brother." She handed them their bags, inside the boys bags were, action figures, slinky, cars, cups with their names on it, mini football, bubbles and candy. Gabby was the same except she had little girl things.
"Thank you TJ."
"You're welcome." They each gave him a hug.
"Now it's time for the cake! Sam, Mercedes and TJ over here now I know you were wondering Mercedes why I had 3 scriptures picked. Well, 3 bible verses are for you Sam, and TJ's is James 1:17 Proverbs 31:25-30 is yours Mercedes and Psalm 103:13 for Sam. TJs James 1:17, reads, Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Mercedes Reads: Proverbs 31:25-30 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Sam's Psalm 103:13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him."
"Mom, this is beautiful!" TJ ran his finger across the side of the cake bringing his iced up index finger to his mouth. I stopped it before it reached its destination his mouth. "Sam, hand me a napkin. TJ you do not do that." I wiped his hands my mother cut the cake and handed out slices. Bishop and his wife took theirs to go Sam and I walked them to the door.
"Bishop Butts I want to thank you again for coming out here and performing TJ's christening."
"It was no trouble at all that was a service to remember to see the Jones family all shouting together that brings back so many memories of your grandmother and grandfather with your parents, JJ and you in the floor and now TJ and Brother Sam are in on this. My God! Mercedes and Sam, God Bless you, thanks for the fellowship whenever y'all return to Lima don't forget to drop in."
"We won't Bishop. We won't." After we saw the bishop and his wife off we returned outside and PawPaw was telling TJ about his great-grandmother.
"TJ, you have a guardian angel in your great-grandmother she dreamed about you before I knew that you were to be born. Everywhere you are she is. Remember that."
"Yes PawPaw."
"TJ you gave us a beautiful gift I had this made especially for TJ." Rachel handed TJ a little box and he opened it. "It's a dog tag with Finn's picture on it and engraved on the back are the words, I'll Stand By You."
"This is beautiful, Rachel. TJ you know who that is? Rachel what made you do this?"
"Yeah, Uncle Finn."
"Well, TJ has two guardian angels PawPaw your wife and Finn. It was a few weeks back actually where I found this out, see TJ had to pick who he wanted to ride with to the mall everyone was trying to bribe him all except me and while the other godparents at the time where flipping coins and doing rock, paper scissors to see who would shop with TJ first, he saw a picture hanging off my rear-view mirror and he asked who it was, I told him it was Finn and he said, that you Mercedes told him about Finn once and that when you found out that you were pregnant with him you sang, "I'll Stand By You", so when you called me 4 nights ago to ask me to be one of TJ's godmothers I was wearing my Finn, necklace and I thought what can I give my godson that would connect him to Finn so, there you have it. Seeing as if Finn was still here he'd be TJ's 12th godparent."
"Awww…you're right. What do you say to Aunt Rachel TJ?"
"Thank you." He went over to Rachel and gave her a hug.
"Now this is the fun you've all been waiting for! J3 go get it." J3 ran around the back and come out with the blue piñata in the shape of the cross. "Hit the piñata!"
"Yeah!" All the kids yelled and they ran over to J3 I looked back for Sam and he was right here with them.
Sam's POV
"Thanks for coming Rachel and Logan! When you get in hit my phone or Mercedes phone so that we'll know y'all made it back home." I waved and closed the door.
"That was an amazing christening!"
"That was beautiful! One of the ladies said that she loved it when we all were shouting but what sent her in was watching TJ cut a step. That boy got footwork! I wonder where, did he get that footwork from?"
"Me!" JJ said coming into the living room. "That was a christening right! Mom you bought down the house with The Lord's Prayer. Then you said, "It is so". That did it. Man! After that it was done! Can't wait to watch the video."
"Me either! Did you see Sam cut a step? I was going to cut one myself but I had to watch that go down and Sam has footwork too."
"What?" JJ and J3 looked at me. "When are we getting the video of this?"
"I asked the videographer and I told him to rush us the copies of it." I headed towards the step. "Sam, where are you going?"
"Upstairs, to see if Mercedes is done giving TJ his bath." I went upstairs and came in on a personal moment between TJ and Mercedes. I watched from the door.
"Are you sleeping with daddy and me tonight TJ?"
"No, mommy hearing that I have two guardian angels protecting me I feel safe sleeping in my room."
"Okay but if you need to come join us our door is open." She pulled the covers up around him and sat on the bed. "You said you had something to ask me after your prayer. What is it?"
"Mommy, can you sing me to sleep?"
"Sure, what song you want me to sing?"
"The song you sang to me when I was inside of you and the song Uncle Finn sang to the picture, "I'll Stand by You."
"Yes. Oh, why you look so sad? Tears are in your eyes Come on and come to me now Don't be ashamed to cry…I'll stand by you, I'll stand by you Won't let nobody hurt you I'll stand by you" She got to the end of the chorus and TJ was asleep. Mercedes kissed him on his cheek, rubbed Chew-Chew left his room and jumped when she saw me standing there.
"Sam!" She hit me on my arm. "You scared me!" She whispered looking back in on TJ making sure he was still asleep and I turned off his light. "How long were you out here watching us?"
"Long enough to hear you sing him to sleep that was beautiful baby." She turned around and I hugged her from behind watching TJ sleep. "He slept in his room with his cousins last night, he'll be fine baby."
"I know. I know. He didn't even mention him at all today and yesterday because his cousins were here, he told me that he has his guardian angels to protect him so he feels safe and that makes me feel good to know he has them both watching over him."
"Me too." I kissed her on the cheek.
"Sam."
"Yes, baby."
"I think I might be pregnant."
A couple of days later…
"Is that everything?" Pops asked J3 as he ran back upstairs.
"I don't know. I'm going to check."
"Um…Mr. Jones, may I talk to you outside right quick before y'all head back to the airport."
"Sure." I followed him to the backyard and closed the door behind me and I checked to make sure that no one was in earshot range. "What is it that you want to talk about?"
I rubbed my hands together. "Mr. Jones, I've been anticipating this day from the moment I first laid my eyes on your daughter. I've been practicing in the bathroom on what I was going to ask you for the last few years but seeing as we're already married I still want to do it the right way. I love your daughter and I love our son, now I have plans for us to have more babies and family adventures with the Evans, Jones and New Directions family but none of that can go forward until I have your blessing."
"Tell me why you want to spend the rest of your life with my daughter if I give you my blessing?" He folded his arms.
"She completes me, she's my better half, my heartbeat doesn't go thump, thump, when I hear my heartbeat it beats 'Cedes, 'Cedes." I answered patting over my heart. "Tell me, Mr. Jones, I have your blessing for Mercedes hand."
"Samuel you're a good man. I've seen how you took my daughter and grandson in without any hesitation you stepped in and filled a void where it was hugely missed. Hearing what my daughter went through over the years and how my grandson was conceived and what he saw and how he now has a permanent smile on his face and my daughter is happy you have my blessing. Sam, you are okay in my book."
"Thank you. Thank you." I hugged him and shook his hand.
Mercedes POV
"Where is Sam? TJ you seen your father?"
"No." He answered not taking his attention away from the TV one of his christening gifts from his Uncle Stevie was a PS4 of which Stevie will be by later to play with.
"Um..he's outside with dad. Ooh….the PS4 is finally set up." J3 came into the game room sat down on the couch and took the controller from TJ's hands.
"Hey!"
"J3 shouldn't you be loading up the car."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." I took the controller from his hands and gave it back to TJ. "Why did you do that cuz?"
"You are supposed to be loading the car. I know you not done." I exited the game room and I saw Sam hugging my father, I opened the door and whatever they were talking about I couldn't hear.
"What's up with this bromance forming between you and my dad?" Sam and my father jumped. "Did I scare y'all?"
"Maybe. Has J3 finished loading the car?"
"J3 is in the game room daddy."
He sighed. "That nephew Sam, can you."
"I got it." He kissed and I watched him go into the house closing the door behind and then I had to pry.
"Daddy, what were you and Sam talking about?"
"Sam didn't ask me anything we were just talking about football. Let me say my goodbye to you right here because I know your mother is going to take it up once we get to the car." He pulled me into hug. "Mercedes I've truly enjoyed this visit I don't want it to end but I have to get back to my practice."
"I know daddy it was great having you and mom along with the rest of the family out here."
"It was. Last time I laid my eyes on you we had it out over your relationship that I didn't approve of because you believed that he was the one but I knew that you deserved better than what you settled for. I had your best interest at heart then and now I can step back knowing that what I envisioned for you is coming true although Sam still has to ask me for your hand, he still hasn't asked me yet maybe he'll ask me later but when he does I'll say yes and I can't wait to stand beside you to walk you down that aisle and give you to Sam. He's the one for you I've known that all along I'm glad you found him he told me that you make him complete and he has made my family complete."
"Daddy, do not make me cry." I wiped my tears away. "Come on…too much."
"Sorry 'Cedes I just had to tell you that, Ms. Jones."
"Daddy it is Mrs. Evans."
"Not in my book until I give you away. You think Sam might let me officiate the wedding I am a pastor." We walked arm in arm until we reached the back door.
"Give me away and officiate I don't know. Don't you just want to watch it happen?"
"I need something to do keep me from crying."
"Daddy you're going to be crying anyway." J3 or TJ wasn't in the game room which meant Sam got him to load the rest of the bags. We walked out front and my mother was hugging TJ crying.
"She's started."
"This day came to quick! I don't want to return back home already. Do they need you to come back and help out? Can't you just go home and I stay here?"
"No, baby we've stayed long enough and we need to give the house back to the Jones-Evans family."
"It's the..." Sam was about to correct him but I put my finger to his lips.
"Don't. We know."
"You're right. You're right. Mercedes." She pulled me into a hug. "Don't you want me to stay with you for another week? Tell your father that you need me here to watch TJ?" She looked back at dad.
"No, she doesn't. She's capable of watching TJ besides he has his Aunt Stacey, Uncle Stevie and Uncle JJ, besides you have to pack up his stuff and send it out here. She's grown, baby."
She pulled back and cupped my face in her hands. "You're right she kissed me and then yanked Sam into a hug. "Sam, take care of my babies okay. Call me for anything morning, noon, night, midnight, if anything happens. Better yet FaceTime me, J3 just showed me how to do it and I can't wait to try it once I get home. I might even call y'all when we get in the car."
"Don't." Uncle Julius told her and she rolled her eyes. "Mercedes and Sam thank you for putting up with us I know we probably messed up your routine of…" He nudged Sam.
"Oh, we've been getting it in all the while y'all were here." I hit Sam. "What?"
"Don't tell my uncle about that!"
"I figured ain't no way y'all weren't I knew I heard the squeak of the bed. 'Cedes keep in touch and I'll send you the information for the family reunion."
"Y'all bed squeaks mommy?"
"TJ say bye to PawPaw and J3."
"Okay."
"Bye PawPaw, Bye J3."
We went back on to the porch and waved to them as their cars exited we went inside the house sat on the couch TJ ran off to the game room. "I wonder if anyone else is going to show up. What did you ask my dad while you were outside?"
"Nothing baby we were just talking about football. That is all. You want to go upstairs and take a nap?"
"Yeah a nap sounds good." We were heading upstairs when the front door opened.
"Hi Sam, Mercedes your family is already left?" Mary asked.
"Yes, left about 15 minutes ago."
"So, now that Mercedes folks are gone you think that you and here can now fill your father and I in on what has been going on because we been out of the loop."
"You want to do it now?" Sam asked his mother rubbing his forehead.
"Yes, now I've been waiting long enough. Your father and I will be waiting for you in the dining room."
"Baby, I don't want to talk to them about this now. We had a beautiful Sunday, great Monday without hearing or mentioning his name and I promise you. I promise that once we go in that dining room and sit down the first words out my mother's mouth will be, who is Tank?"
"Wait. How she knows about Tank?"
"Remember the day your mother came up with the idea to plan TJ's christening. Well, when TJ and I went to go visit Stevie my parents weren't in his room, they said he was sleeping and they wanted to be out I guess to see other faces then Stevie's and their own.. We sit down to talk and mom mentioned to me back when they first saw Stevie hospital and she asked me who did it and I told her I didn't know.
"Yeah."
"Well…they talked to the detectives and he or she I don't which one told her that Vito shot Stevie, she then asks me if Vito was the one who got in TJ's face that sent him off the deep end, TJ tells her it wasn't that it was Tank."
I covered my mouth. "No."
"Yes. I covered his mouth but it was too late he, she's trying to piece together this puzzle of it all and I really don't want to talk about it now."
"Sam! Mercedes! Come on I have questions I need them answered."
"See." He was gently hitting his head against the well.
"Come on Sam. Let's just go answer their questions." I took his hand and we went into the dining room.
"Finally nice to see y'all join us. Have a seat." We both sat dawn and Mary stood up.
"WHO IS TANK?!" She yelled as the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it!" JJ yelled.
"Who is Tank?!"
"He...he...T-Tank...he."
"OH HELL NO!"
A/N: Y'all knew the happy times wasn't going to last long.
