Let Me Call You Sweetheart Chapter 7, Page 74
Sunday morning arrived for two little ones whose big day was finally here. Clara and Jesse were up early and taking turns getting bathed and dressed for their first public appearance as a family.
Clara was a little bothered about not fitting into her clothes as nicely as she had.
"Jesse, look at me, I have extra weight around my middle still and I feel embarrassed to go out in public." Clara moaned.
Jesse looked carefully at his wife, now a mother, and appreciated her new figure. "Honey, don't be so hard on yourself. I see a beautiful mother with curves in just the right places."
"Really, Jesse? I wish I looked better in my dress. All I see is a bump that should be gone." Clara sighed.
"Don't fret," Jesse walked over and wrapped his arms around Clara, "today is Michael's day and everyone will be so happy to meet him and to see you!" As Jesse finished dressing, he went over to get Michael ready.
Clara found a skirt and blouse she liked better and swept up her hair with a pretty ribbon. Then when she went to her jewelry she found a gold cross necklace that Abigail had given her. She held it to her heart and realized how much she missed her. She was so blessed to have known her mother-in-law and had hoped she would have been back now to see Michael. It didn't seem she could come back anytime soon, but she did tell Clara that there were some of her things left behind and one was Peter's christening gown. Abigail wanted Clara to have it for Michael, as she was sure Abigail's son, Clara's late husband, would want her to.
Jesse walked in with Michael who was happy as usual. "Don't you look sweet all dapper just like your daddy!" Clara gave her a little boy a kiss.
"Time for your big day!" Jesse smiled. "Ready?"
"As ready as I can be." Clara nodded.
At the O'Neill house Mary and Sean were also getting ready. Sean had been much happier with the arrival of baby Timi Anne. It was like he had a new way of looking at life. Mary, Sean and Rick had even gone to church together since Pastor Joseph spoke to them all. Every Sunday, they would stop at the cemetery to pay respects to Timothy after church but then they would go home to work on the farm getting it back in order.
"Mom, Dad, are you ready?" Rick asked.
"Indeed we are!" Mary came to the door to leave. Sean was right behind her.
"Are we meeting Christy and the Lipinskis at church or should we pick her up?" Sean asked.
"No, we won't be picking her up. All the Lipinski family is going to the baptism and the reception, so you'll get to meet the whole family." Rick told them both.
"I hope they don't ignore us." Mary sighed.
Christy was dressed and ready to go. Her parents were running around checking on her siblings as she dressed little Timi Anne in her daddy's christening gown. Her mother was not pressing the issue anymore about Timi Anne's gown and that helped diffuse the tension, but Christy knew she had to have a good heart to heart conversation with her mother and soon.
"There's my little God daughter!" Maggie Lipinski smiled at Timi Anne. "Doesn't she look beautiful Ronny?"
"Christy, I hope I do everything right today. I don't want to disappoint you." Ronny was just as excited to be her Godfather.
"I'm just so glad that you both are as happy as I am. Thank you for being there for Timi Anne, Rick, and me!" Christy hugged her siblings.
At church the Lipinskis easily took up the whole pew and part of the next. So, the O'Neill's filled in the rest of the pew. Christy and Rick sat together with Timi Anne.
Across from them were Clara and Jesse with Michael who were sharing their pew with Rosemary, Lee, and Paul next to Molly and Bill. It didn't take long for Cooper to ring the bells as they waited for the rest of the congregation. Pastor Joseph welcomed everyone and then Dee led the choir singing "Amazing Grace."
Joseph instructed the congregation on the importance of baptism. He referred to John 3, Unless you're born again in the water of the spirit, you cannot enter the kingdom of God. We want to give our loved ones the gift of eternal life in heaven, therefore through their faith, the parents of Timi Anne O'Neill and Michael Lee Flynn will come forward with their children and Godparents.
Timi Anne was the first to be baptized so the Godparents, Maggie and Ronnie went up with Christy and Rick. Anne and David watched from the pew as did Mary and Sean. As the water ran over her head, Timi Anne's little face scrunched up and she squeezed her eyes shut and let out a little whimper. Everyone smiled and were delighted to watch her reaction. Christy and Rick were so proud of her and had her back in their arms snuggled next to her daddy. Pastor introduced her as Timi Anne Maria O'Neill and held her up.
Michael was not as quiet. Rosemary held him as he was baptized and the whole congregation heard about it and laughed. Clara, Jesse, and Lee enjoyed watching him quiet down when Rosemary propped him over her shoulder and let out a burp. Pastor introduced him as Michael Lee Joseph Flynn and held him up. As the christenings concluded, everyone clapped and welcomed them both.
Afterwards, there was a luncheon just for the families and close friends over at Billees as Rosemary had planned. Being that Rick worked there for Bill, Sam was on his own but the teens were back to help out. Since Jesse worked for Lee, both Lee and Bill provided the meal as their gift to the newest little ones in Hope Valley. The food was delicious as usual and everyone was relaxed and enjoyed themselves.
Clara and Jesse just felt good to be out of their home together and really appreciated being with Rosemary and Lee, Bill and Molly.
The day was one of the best for Christy and Rick as they sat together and held hands, the parents noticed, and couldn't help thinking they were both falling in love. Rick took Christy aside and told her that he wanted to spend more time with her and hoped that maybe they could go out some time soon alone together. Christy smiled excitedly and told him that would be wonderful and she'd love to. Rick leaned forward and pulled Christy close so he could kiss her. They both held tight for a little longer than usual.
