The Girardi family hung around by Clayton's request after the rest of the guests left.
Charity had brought her song and guitar with her. "I have a present for Briana," she said.
"For me?" she asked.
Charity nodded. "It is your birthday," she said. "I wrote a song."
Briana smiled. Briana climbed up into her father's lap.
Charity found something to put her music on and she put the strap around her shoulder. "The song's called Fallen Angel," she said.
"Sounds like a pretty song," Helen replied.
Luke sat back against the couch and Jo, who had developed a crush on him, laid her head over onto his arm and wrapped her arms around it. He looked at Joan, who smiled.
Charity started strumming the guitar and started singing.
I'm just another fallen angel
Looking for someone to take me home
To rescue me from this cruel world
God, reach down to me and pick me up
And take me home with You.
I'm a little blond girl
Lost in the world
Scared and all alone
Waiting for God's angels to come and rescue me.
I'm just another fallen angel
Looking for someone to take me home
To rescue me from this cruel world
God, reach down to me and pick me up
And take me home with You.
I'm scared and I'm weak
And when I think that things could get no worse
I meet an angel sent by God
She tells me everything will be ok.
I'm just another fallen angel
Looking for someone to take me home
To rescue me from this cruel world
God, reach down to me and pick me up
And take me home with You.
I see her standing there
She helps me find my way
She helps me get a new family
And when I look into her eyes
I know she knows what I'm going through
She's a fallen angel, too.
Charity finished the song and blinked back tears. Briana clapped and everyone joined her.
"Encore!" Kevin said, his voice booming over the clapping.
Charity smiled and shook her head. "Don't think so," she said.
"Well, I do," Kevin replied.
"Take a bow, Charity!" Will said. Charity took the guitar off and bowed. She looked at Luke who was smiling, he turned away from her. She dropped her eyes to the floor and then sat down.
"Thanks," Briana said. She stood up and walked over and hugged her. Charity hugged her back.
She hugged Joan, too. "Thanks for saving me," she said.
"No problem," Joan replied.
Pretty soon Jo and Briana grew tired and Will herded the Girardi family and Charity out of the house. "Thanks for having us over," he said.
"No problem," Clayton replied.
"Luke you go with Kevin," Helen said. "Will and I have to talk to the two ladies."
Charity and Joan knew they had to explain the whole dream thing but they were ready. They smiled at each other and then climbed into Will's car and explained everything (except for Joan's talking to God) to Will and Helen the rest of the way home.