Let Me Call You Sweetheart Chapter 6, Page 58

Pastor Joseph picked up Rick and they went to Fiona's home to talk with Christy.

Fiona excused herself and went upstairs to her bedroom to do some reading. She had just stopped at the library earlier as she hadn't checked it out since Rosemary had complained to her awhile back about not having enough 'educational' books. Rosemary was right, and Fiona added that item to her next town meeting agenda.

Everything in the town would soon be under great development with the industrial revolution gaining speed. The oil business and the lumber company would soon not be the only 2 major employers in the area. Mayor Fiona knew she was on the brink of overseeing Hope Valley expanding.

Lee was right. The businesses, school, and church in Hope Valley would need to keep up with the growth to accommodate more people. Dottie's apparel shop was not the only store expanding, the Mercantile was getting busier. When the new workers and their families moved in, they would have to build a larger building or add on. That would mean more row houses. So many thoughts were going through Fiona's mind that she needed to have a meeting soon.

Downstairs, Pastor Joseph sat at the table with Christy, Rick, and Timi Anne. It was another awkward time in the beginning, but Joseph asked Rick what his reason was to meet with Christy so soon. Rick just knew that his heart and mind were struggling to work together. "I want to provide for Timi Anne. I can't believe how much I've missed her already. My love for this sweet little girl is growing by leaps and bounds. I can't imagine living without her. That's my heart talking."

Christy watched Rick share his feelings just a few feet from her and she was swept up in his sincerity as he described the love that he was allowing himself to feel for Timi Anne. It brought a big smile to her face and she reached over with one hand and touched his. He looked over to Christy holding their baby, and felt the warmth of her touch as she was trying to comfort him.

"Rick, what you are saying is so heartwarming. I am touched by your words. It relieves me to know that you don't resent her."

"How could you think that?" Rick questioned her looking surprised.

"Because I thought most boys would feel that a child of their own would put a burden on them they wouldn't want to deal with. But then, I should have known you are not like most boys. I don't know you like I knew Timothy. He always talked about you with respect and never said anything against you." Christy reassured Rick.

Pastor Joseph spoke up, "Rick how are you feeling now about having a baby with Timothy's girl? Are you struggling? If so, now's the time to open up to me. If you feel you want to talk to me in private, we can do so, but it needs to be addressed."

"Oh at first it was a horrible guilt and I still can't help but feel bad, but Timothy would want me to support Christy and Timi Anne, so I've tried to get past that." Rick said.

"Well Rick, let's talk in private about that another time. So, we've established that you are developing love for Timi Anne. That's a good thing, she need's her daddy's love. Now, I would say that as a father myself, the most important thing I want for my daughter is to know she is loved by me, my wife and our Lord."

"Christy is going to have to move in the near future. I don't think Fiona is going to cast her out, but this is a temporary situation until both are better. Christy, have you given this any thought as to where you will go?"

"I might have to ask my family. I haven't said anything to Maggie yet as I'm not at the cabin to talk to her. I'd like someone to let her know where she can find me. If I had a chance to talk to her, maybe she could let me know if I can come home with her to talk to my parents." Christy said as she looked over at Rick. "Have you thought about telling your parents?"

"Yes, I have to. I think they would be mad at me at first because you were Timothy's girl, but at the same time, I would hope that they would be thrilled to have a granddaughter. So, I'm not sure what to do." Rick answered.

"Listen both of you, when you decide to go to your families with Timi Anne, I will go with you. I will work as a mediator. I know our Lord will want this to be a time of forgiveness and reconciliation. So, as a minister of God, this is the direction I will hope to lead all of us to." Pastor Joseph assured them. "You will need to see how this goes. If your families are willing to help that's good, but you must work out which family does what. Since you are not married, this might not be an easy solution, so I want you to be prepared that this too could be a challenge."

Timi Anne started to fuss and Christy got up to change her. Rick offered to do it and Christy gratefully showed him how. Joseph watched as they worked together to care for their baby. He liked what he saw, but he knew there would be struggles that lie ahead that these young folks had to go through. He looked up and said a prayer for wisdom as he would be there walking with them. When they finished, Rick was holding Timi Anne and she was grasping his little finger. The look of love was clear.

"Well, I can tell we have a temporary reprieve, but soon Timi Anne will want to nurse, and we'll be leaving, so I just want to ask you both two more questions to consider. First, I'd like to suggest that you have Timi Anne baptized. I have another baby to Christen soon, and being that they are two little ones the same age, would you mind having Timi Anne baptized with another baby?" Pastor asked.

"Of course, I would want her baptized," Christy nodded.

"Me too, and I don't see why it matters if they are baptized together." Rick agreed.

"Great, my second question is harder, "you both have told me that you love Timi Anne. Have you ever thought ahead to the possibility, out of your love for her, it might be better for her to be adopted by a loving, established married couple?"

Christy and Rick both looked at each other. You could hear a pin drop.