Chapter 22

Sunday had come quicker than John and Kate had hoped. The morning was hectic, they were running around trying to get everything ready before they had to head over to the church. "John, Pheonix is all ready to go, are you?" asked Kate as she put her daughter in her stroller. "Yeah, I'm coming.....", called John as he walked out of the house. "Okay let's go", he said as he gave Kate a soft kiss on her lips.

Arrving at the church, John and Kate saw that everyone was already there. "Well, we weren't sure if you guys were going to show up", said Brady as he walked up to his dad. "Hey there little sis". said Belle as she and Philip walked up behind Brady. "Okay, we have to get inside, you can talk to your sister later", John said as she hurried everyone into the church.

"Sorry father that we're late." said Kate as she and John approached him. "That's quite alright. Are the god parents here yet?" asked the father. John and Kate looked at eachother, "John...go ask them..." whispered Kate. "I'll be right back" said John as he headed out of the church.

"Marlena....Roman, do you guys have a second?" asked John as he ran up to them. "Sorry we're late John..what's up?" asked Marlena. John was hesitant but finally spoke, "Kate and I were wondering......." started John. "Wondering what John?" asked Roman. "Wondering if you and Marlena would like to be Pheonix's godparents?" he finally asked. Both Roman and Marlena looked at eachother, and smiled. "Yes..we'd be honoured to be her godparents." Marlena said as she pulled John into a hug, Roman shook his hand. "Well now that's settled, we better get in there", said John as the three of them walked into the church.

"Are the godparents here yet?" asked the father. "Thier hear, father." called John as he, Marlena and Roman walked up to the alter. "Well than...let's get started shall we." said the father.

"Today, we have gathered with friends and family to see the baptism of Pheoix Michelle Black. John and Kate would like to ask the godparents of this child to step forward" Roman and Marlena stepped up to the basket where Pheonix was. Picking her up the father started, "These two people have been chosen by John and Kate to care for thier child if anything shall happen to them ,they have been chosen because of their love for one another, and the love that they share with others. Roman and Marlena, do you swear to help this child develop both physcially and spirtually?" Both Marlena and Roman nodded thier heads and said yes. " Now repeat after me, "I swear with all my heart and love that I will help this child grow, whatever the needs be". Marlena and Roman repeated after the father, than each placed a drop of water on Pheonix's head to show their love and support.

"John, Kate, do you swear to love this child, no matter what the needs, no matter the time of day, no matter the mood one another is in? If so repeat after me. 'I solemly swear to love this child, with all of my heart and soul, she is our gift from the lord and we will cherish her till the day we die'. repeated John and Kate as they both dropped some water on their daughter's head. "With this holy water as I pour it onto Pheonix's head, it represents life, death, cleansing and growth for her. The spirit of the holy savoir will help her make out the sinful world of that inwhch we live." said the father as he carefully placed Pheonix's head in the holy water.

"Now if you would all join me in prayer, Heavenly Father, we pray that Pheonix will grow in the knowledge of Your grace and in faith in You. We thank You that, through Christ crucified, we can die to our sin and rise to a newness of life. Give Pheonix Your Holy Spirit and strengthen her so that she may live a righteous life following the example of our Saviour Jesus Christ. We thank You for calling us to be Your children and may we, as the church and body of Christ, fulfil our obligation to encourage, support and train Pheonix as she continues to walk with You. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. John, Kate, I present you with your beauiful baby girl, may she walk with the lord always and be cared and loved for no matter where she is."said the father as he handed Pheonix over to John and Kate.

After the baptism, Belle and Philip walked up to John and Kate. "Why didn't you guys tell us that you we're going to ask mom and Roman to be the godparents?". "We weren't sure what they'd say, after everything that has happend, but we've all moved on. It's what we wanted." said John. "Dad, I gotta get going, congradulation, I'll see you later. Bye Kate, Pheonix" said Brady as he headed off out of the church. "Yeah, we should get going too, love you. Take care" said Belle as she hugged both her father and Kate. "I'll see you later mom, bye Pheonix" said Philip as him and Belle left.

"Well that sure was something John,. I never expected either of you to ask my parents to be the godparents of your child",. Sami said as her and Lucas walked up beside John. "Sami, it's something that I thought was right and so did Kate." defeneded John. "I know, and I could think of a better choice than the two of them". said Sami as Roman and Marlena walked up to them. "Kate, John, congradulatoins...on everything", said Roman. "Thank you Roman, that means alot to both of us". answered Kate.

"Well we have to get going, we're going to pick up Will from grandpa Shawns. Take care, both of you." said Lucas as him and Sami left. "So what are you guys going to do now?" asked Marlena, John and Kate both looked at eachother, "Well I was thinking of taking our daughter for a walk in the park" said John as he placed Pheonix in her stroller. "That sounds like a wonderful idea", Kate said as she smiled at John. "Well, I guess we'll see you guys later." said Roman. "Thank you Roman...Marlena for everything". said John as he extended his hand for Roman to shake. "That's what friends are for" said Marlena as she gave Kate a hug.

Ask me how much you mean to me
And I wouldn't even know where to start
Ask if this love runs deep in me
And you won't find a deeper love in any heart
You could say you couldn't live one day without me
You could say all of your thoughts are about me
You could think no other love could be as strong
But you'd be wrong, you'd be wrong

As they continued to walk through the park, John laced his hands through Kate's. "I love you, you know that right?" asked John. Kate stopped at looked him in the eyes, "John, of course I know that you love me. This year has been full of so many up's and down's I don't know what I would have done if I didn't have you. I love you so much John, more than you could ever realize...and you gave me the greatest gift of all...Pheonix", said Kate as she pulled John into a passionate kiss.

If you say that you love me
More than anybody
Than anyone's ever been loved before
As much as you love me
Baby, I'll still love you Baby,
I'll still love you more
I'll still love you more

Ask me just what I'd do for you
And I'll tell you I would do anything
Ask if this heart beats true for you
And I'll show you a truer heart could never be
You could say there's not a star that you won't bring me
You could say there'll be no day that you won't need me
You could think no other love could last as long
But you'd be wrong, you'd be wrong

If you say that you love me
More than anybody
Than anyone's ever been loved before
As much as you love me
Baby, I'll still love you Baby,
I'll still love you more

"Katie girl, you were also part of brining this baby girl into the world. She's so beautiful" said John looking down at his sleeping daughter. "I love you so much, from now on it's only going to be you and me.....and Pheonix. We're a family, and that's the way its going to stay,,,I promise" said John as he returned the kiss. "Come on, let's head home". said Kate as she placed her hand in John's and started to walk home.

And for ev'ry kiss
I'll kiss you back a hundred times
And for ev'rything you do
I'll just do more
And for all the love you give
I'll give you so much back, you'll see
Got so much love for you inside

If you say that you love me
More than anybody
Than anyone's ever been loved before
No matter how much you love me
Baby, I'll still love you Baby,
I'll still love you more
I'll still love you more