Let Me Call You Sweetheart Chapter 6, Page 55
Dottie walked over to the Gowen Petroleum office to look for Henry. Luckily for her he was sitting at his desk going over the drawings spread across it. He had his head resting on one hand and tapping his desk with a pencil in the other. Archie looked up from his desk and asked if he could help her.
When Henry heard Dottie's voice, he put his pencil down, looked up and smiled.
"Dottie, what a very nice surprise! What brings you here today?"
"Good morning, Henry," Dottie returned with a smile. "I was hoping to see you as I need to talk with you privately when you have time."
"I apologize Dottie for not calling on you since New Year's Eve. I was planning on asking you to dinner this week. Would you be available tonight and we can talk then?"
Dottie looked around and saw Archie watching her and when he caught her look, he quickly returned to what he was doing, grabbed some papers, and walked into the back. Henry got up and walked over to Dottie.
"Henry, I really enjoy being with you and that would be wonderful. I hope though that you didn't take my asking time to talk to you was indicating that I was searching for a date!" Dottie was emphatic.
Henry chuckled and said, "No, no Dottie. I know you just want to talk with me, but why not talk while dining? I'd love your company."
"Thank you Henry. I accept your lovely invitation." Dottie smiled.
"Great, I'll pick you up at your place about 6:00." Henry said as he gave Dottie a kiss on her cheek and walked her to the door.
Rick walked over with Pastor Joseph to Fiona's house. Rick was nervous and not sure what to do or say. He knew this was going to be a life-changing moment for him, Christy, and his baby daughter. He had talked with Pastor Joseph about his responsibility and possibilities for the future. As planned, Pastor Joseph would allow them alone time to see eachother and for Rick to meet his baby. Fiona had gone to the infirmary so when Christy answered the door, Rick just stood there frozen.
Pastor Joseph spoke up, "Good morning Christy, may we come in please?"
"Oh sure Pastor, come on in. You too Rick." Christy answered awkwardly.
Joseph and Rick came in and Christy showed them the dining table to sit down.
"Christy, why don't you take Rick upstairs to meet his daughter before we talk together. You two need some private time to catch up. I'll wait here." Joseph suggested.
"Please help yourself to coffee if you'd like." Christy offered as Rick followed her upstairs.
Joseph prayed when they went upstairs. What was about to happen would change their lives forever and they needed God's direction. Joseph heard baby Timi Anne cooing. That sound was music to his ears. As they walked down together with their daughter both Christy and Rick were grinning. Well this is a good start Joseph thought to himself.
"Pastor, I can't believe I am holding my own daughter!" Rick exclaimed. "She is beautiful!"
"She's awake and happy, but not always. Rick was lucky she's changed and fed." Christy informed both men.
"That's true, life with a baby is unpredictable to be sure. There will be times when she won't stop crying and you'll need to figure out what is bothering her. Is she tired, wet, hungry, or have an upset stomach? It can be very difficult as well as very delightful. Add to that the stress of providing care for her, such as medical, food, clothes, toys, and it's a challenge." Pastor Joseph was cautioning.
"Look at her Pastor, how could anyone turn their back on her?" Rick was shocked.
"Yes, she is a blessing! She is a gift from God and deserves love and the best of care. Now, that is how does she receive that love and care and from whom? Are you two in love?" Joseph asked directly.
Both Christy and Rick looked at each other and shook their heads no. "We are very good friends though" Christy spoke up. "Rick and I like each other and I know that Rick will grow to love Timi Anne as much as me."
"That very well might be, but will you marry? Can you Rick, support Timi Anne and Christy? Where will you live? These are the first questions you both need to talk about." Pastor started. "Then you have to think about her grandparents. You know that both families will want to see her. Will they accept her? Will they accept you both? Or will they turn their backs on you? Or should you place her with a good established family who can provide all the love and care she needs?"
Christy started to cry. "This is so overwhelming. I don't know what to do! I just know that I love Timi Anne very much and I want everything to be all right."
"It's my fault, I shouldn't have betrayed my brother. I feel so guilty knowing what we did was wrong, but I didn't mean to cause any problems. Now, I don't know how to make this right." Rick said with tears rolling down his cheeks.
After a long pause, Pastor Joseph spoke up. "First of all, confess your sin to the Lord and ask for His help. That is what will give you the strength to ask for the grace for you both to decide what's truly best for your daughter. You don't have to decide right away. Both Christy and Timi Anne are healing right now. So, now is the time to give this decision much prayer and thought. Rick, you can come over to see Christy and Timi any time Fiona offered. During this time it's probably best that you not say anything to your folks just yet. Allow time for you to adjust to this new responsibility first. All right?"
"Yes, I'm still in shock"! Rick said.
"That sounds good to me." Christy said as she reached over to Rick and put her hand on his holding Timi Anne. "Rick needs more time."
"All right then, I want you both to pray for direction and let's meet in a little while." Pastor Joseph suggested. Both Christy and Rick agreed.
Rick kissed his daughter's tiny head and gave her back to Christy. "Thank you for all your help!" Christy said with deep gratitude as Pastor Joseph and Rick got up to leave.
