Let Me Call You Sweetheart Chapter 6, Page 62

As the Lipinskis continued their reunion, the O'Neills arrived to the gathering. Rick's face was white and showed how upset he was with his folks because they had sharply disapproved of his involvement with Christy. His father told him in no uncertain terms that what he did was not only wrong but a betrayal to his brother. Rick seemed relieved and grateful to see Christy and his daughter.

As he walked over to them, Christy turned to her Mama and Daddy and introduced them to Rick. Rick was polite and shook David Lipinski's hand and greeted Anne Lipinski with a nervous smile and nod. Then after the formalities he turned his full attention to Christy who was holding Timi Anne. His face immediately warmed up and a big smile stretched across his face as he reached for his daughter. In his arms her eyes met his as she seemed to smile back and relaxed snuggling into him.

The O'Neills had already greeted Pastor Joseph and were watching their son. They started to walk over when Christy broke the ice and met them halfway. "Hello Mr. and Mrs. O'Neill, I just want you to know that I am so very sorry about Timothy. I am devastated about what happened to him and..."

"And what young lady? Devastated so much that you and Rick fornicated?" Sean O'Neill said angrily.

"Don't you blame Christy for your anger!" David Lipinski warned.

Pastor Joseph stepped in and stood firmly in front of Sean. "Mr. O'Neill, we're not here to blame anyone. We all know this is not the way we wanted things to turn out. If things had worked out the way we all wanted, chances are Timothy would be married to Christy now. The truth is, Christy and Rick have repented for their brief time together, but look at your granddaughter, she is beautiful. A gift from God. She is your flesh and blood. She won't ever take the place of Timothy, but Christy named her after him. I know you want to meet little Timi Anne."

Mary O'Neill had been listening to the men and felt the need to speak up. "I can only speak for myself, but I see how my son, Rick, is holding his daughter with love and I for one want to rid this room of any bitterness or anger! This little one is deserving of all of our love." She walked over to Rick and peeked over his arm to see her granddaughter. "Oh my Rick, she is beautiful!" Christy and Rick were smiling.

"Mom, would you like to hold Timi Anne?" Rick offered. Christy nodded. Mary held her arms out for her. Rick gently gave her to his Mom. Tears shimmered in her eyes and she began to softly sing an Irish lullaby "Toora Loora Loora" to her granddaughter. Everyone in the room quieted down.

Sean O'Neill joined them and looked at his precious grand baby watching his wife singing to her with their eyes locked at eachother. He reached for her tiny hand and just like she did with her daddy, Timi Anne grabbed on to Sean's little finger tightly. This little girl had her grandfather literally wrapped around her little finger.

Pastor Joseph knew that she was the one who could diffuse any tension and was doing it all on her own. Sean began to chuckle and so did Mary. Rick was overjoyed and couldn't help but put his arm around Christy. This didn't go unnoticed by David and Anne. Anne nudged David and they just smiled at eachother.

Sean looked at Christy and apologized for snapping at her. Christy just looked away but Mary still holding Timi Anne handed her back saying, "Christy, I only wish I could've helped you had I known you were on your own. I'm so sorry. You are a good mother and I will do whatever I can to help you now. Please let me.

Rick was so thrilled to hear his mother offering help. Sean looked at Mary and agreed. Then he spoke, "Rick, you know I have been grieving your brother for months. If it wasn't for Pastor Joseph, I still would be. Your mom spoke wisely and challenged me to stop acting like I was the only one who lost Timothy. You have been there through it all and I didn't realize how much you missed your brother too."

"Dad, he was my hero too." Rick looked down shuffling his feet.

"What do you mean 'too'?" Sean asked.

"I know you really loved him. You always boasted he was your firstborn and so smart. He was your hero dad." Rick shrugged his shoulders.

"Oh Rick," Mary was stunned, "is that what you thought? I had no idea."

"Mom, it was obvious. I could never measure up. Christy, well, she liked me and never compared us. I feel good when I am with her. She makes me happy." Rick said as he looked tenderly at Christy and his daughter.

Sean put his big hand on his son's shoulder. "If that is how you feel, I am here to tell you now that when I saw the way you went right to Christy and took Timi Anne in your arms I knew first hand that what Pastor was telling me about you was the real deal. I am so proud of you!" then he pulled his son to him and they hugged.

Tears flowed freely from Rick's face and he was relieved and felt loved by his father in what seemed like a very long time. Rick and his mother hugged afterwards.

Pastor Joseph spoke out, "I have to say Praise God again!" as he couldn't help but laugh. "Now then, let's talk all together. We have quite a few decisions to make!"