Let Me Call You Sweetheart Chapter 7, Page 72

Dee was so excited when she got notification from Rosemary to come to Dottie's Apparel after school. She had after school classes for those who were still taking voice lessons. It was hard to stay focused, but these students were doing so well that they deserved her full attention. Karen was still the best soloist, but Opal and Emily were almost just as good. It was such a delight to have them hit notes that seemed out of reach when school started. The breathing exercises seemed to be making a difference and soon they would all be soloists in their own right. Harper was going to graduate, but he had a deep voice and her only base. Some of the boys' voices hadn't changed yet, so they decided to learn an instrument instead.

Music was a challenge, but a good one. It taught them discipline and music can always be uplifting especially with a teacher like Dee.

After school, Dee hurried over to Dottie's Apparel. "Do you have good news for me?"

"Yes, we do! Your dress is here!" Dottie was relieved and Rosemary was very excited for Dee.

"Oh, I can't wait to see it!" Dee was looking all around the room for it.

"It's hanging up in the dressing room," Rosemary pointed that way.

After just a few seconds, Dee came out and hugged both Dottie and Rosemary, "Oh, gosh, it's so lovely!" was all she could say.

"It is beautiful indeed!" Dottie agreed.

"Go on and try it on." Rosemary shooed her towards the dressing area.

When Dee stepped out with her dress on, she was flushed but looked as if she were in heaven.

"Oh my!" Rosemary grinned, "doesn't seem like we need too many alterations." she said with quick relief.

"The fitted bodice really accents your womanly curves my dear!" Dottie smiled.

"The skirt is so full and will flow when you dance. You'll feel like a princess!" Rosemary said with flair and laughter.

"Let's get to work here and see where we need to nip and tuck." Dottie grabbed her tape measure and Rosemary brought over the pin cushion.

When Dee stood still she could see out the display window and saw a figure walk by that seemed very familiar. It was Nathan, so she looked away. "Whew, that was close! Nathan just walked by." Dee sighed.

"He can't see in, unless he stops to look, so relax, we're almost done." Dottie chuckled. "Before you take it off, we need to make sure the height is right, so it's a good thing you left your shoes here after the shower. Good thinking on your part Dee!"

Over at the church, after school let out, Pastor Joseph was waiting for his two couples to arrive. He was so happy that he would be welcoming two new babes to the congregation and baptizing them as new children of God. When the couples came in, both of the babies were awake. Michael and Timi Anne were close in age and the look on their faces when they saw eachother was priceless. All the adults were enjoying the babies' reactions of flailing arms and kicking their legs.

"Wow, Michael sure is excited!" Jesse laughed.

Rick nodded, "He noticed what a cutie Timi Anne is" Rick laughed too.

Pastor Joseph asked who were the Godparents for the baby Michael. As he wrote down the names of Rosemary and Lee Coulter, he nodded in agreement as great choices.

"We didn't have a middle name for Michael. We just had named him after Jesse's uncle, so when we talked about his baptism name we decided to give Michael a middle name of Lee, after Lee Coulter." Clara shared.

"Then, we decided that we would give him the baptism name of Joseph after you Pastor!" Jesse finished.

"So, he will be known as Michael Lee Joseph Flynn." Pastor Joseph was impressed. "Why, thank you, that's quite an honor." He went on to explain to both couples what to expect at the baptism.

Clara and Jesse left and then Joseph turned his attention to Rick and Christy.

"So what is Timi Anne's baptism name going to be?"

Christy explained that Anne was her mother's name and Mary was Rick's mother's name, so she would be Timi Anne Maria O'Neill. Pastor Joseph looked at them thoughtfully and asked what their plans were for their little family.

"We haven't talked much about the future yet." Rick explained. "Right now Christy is raising Timi Anne over at her family's home. But, I'm trying to save money to build my own home."

"It's one day at a time for you. I know you're both trying to give Timi Anne the best life possible under your circumstances. Have either of you thought about caring for Timi Anne together?" Pastor Joseph asked.

Rick looked at Christy and held her hand. "Pastor, I am hoping that someday if I get a little house built, I can bring Christy and our daughter to live with me."

When Christy heard this, she squeezed Rick's hand. "I would really like that" she told Rick tenderly.

"How is everything going with your family, Christy?" Joseph asked.

"It's all right, but my mom, who I love very much, seems to want to be Timi Anne's mother and not her grandmother. I know she means well, but it really bothers me." Christy was still holding Rick's hand.

"How about your father? He was the one who told you to leave, but you both seemed to be reconciled the last time we were all together." Joseph continued.

"He's been busy with the farm. He holds Timi Anne at night when my mother hands her to him and he seems to enjoy her. It's just that my mother is very obsessive of her. So, no one, not even me, is able to take care of her. It was really nice when I went to Rick's house for a visit. I enjoyed being with Rick and where it wasn't so noisy. I felt relaxed and I think Timi Anne was too." Christy added.

"Are both families coming to the baptism?" Joseph asked. They both nodded yes.

"Well, let's see what happens at the luncheon afterward. Right now, we'll have Timi Anne baptized and go from there." As he stood up, he shook Rick's hand and complimented them both for handling their situation with such grace.

Joseph watched as Rick held his daughter gently as Christy linked her arm through Ricks. He couldn't help but smile.