Chapter 127
"Jack! Where are the Christening gowns for the babies?" Elizabeth stated as she rushed through the bedroom for the countless time in a rush this morning.
"Sweetheart, the babies are with their grandparents."
"Jack, that's not what I asked." She sighed. No matter how hard she tried, she ran behind this morning.
Jack stepped from the side of the bed and barely caught her as she rushed by. He held onto her upper arms until she stopped squirming and looked at him. She was in a dizzy.
"Elizabeth, the babies are being fed as we speak. They should be done very soon and then we will dress them. Their Christening outfits are hanging in the closet on my side. Your mother brought your Christening gown when they arrived yesterday."
Elizabeth sighed.
"Take a deep breath, beautiful. We're not running late."
"But Jack…"
She stopped when he kissed her. She huffed and was a little frustrated he wasn't matching her level of frustration or frenzy. She was in a little bit of a panic, and he was just as calm as normal.
"Elizabeth." He elongated her name. She smiled knowing he just instantly calmed her with just saying her name like that. "Everything is in order. You have everything settled. The babies' bags are backed. They're being feed. Their gowns are set. We'll changed them at the church. Frank said we could use one of the Sunday School rooms to do that. That way they won't get dirty before it's time."
She huffed because he was right. Things were ready, she was just wanting it to be perfect.
"Both sets of grandparents will be at church along with Tom and Julie, and James and Viola. Today is the day our babies are going to be dedicated. Things will be perfect."
She huffed again when he kissed the tip of her nose. She didn't like it that he could read her so well.
"Fine. I'll calm down."
Jack gave her a questioning look. She playfully smacked his arm.
"I will…I promise."
William knocked on the door holding Beth and Grace was behind him with baby Jack. "They're fed and ready to be changed for church."
"Thanks father. Lay them on the bed, I'll change them. We will be ready to leave in fifteen minutes."
"Great. We'll meet you there."
…
Elizabeth and Jack walked into a busy church foyer carrying their babies. The babies were a hit at church. Everyone loved them and wanted to see them. They didn't have much time to socialize. They had to go to the room to change the babies into their gowns. Charlette and Adam found their kids walking down hall towards the room.
"Do you want to go and help?"
"No." Charlette sighed. "They are doing well on their own."
"I'm proud of you, Charlie."
"And why is that?"
"I know you want to jump in and help. You are staying back and allowing our kids to be parents. Thank you."
Charlette smiled toward her husband. "It isn't easy, but they are doing such a great job with the twins."
"They are. Now, we need to get to the front. I think the dedication is first in the service.
…
As Elizabeth and Jack sat down with two alert babies, the piano playing stopped, and Pastor Frank stepped toward the podium.
"Good morning, church." Frank stated with enthusiasm. "It is a special day today, but before we get to the baby dedication, there is a couple we need to recognize before we love on the Thortons."
Several people stepped on the platform with Pastor Frank. There were single parents and their children to middle aged couples to older people. It took a few minutes for all the people to step on the platform. Charlette and Adam quickly recognized everyone on the platform. These were the individuals that Adam and many people Charlette have helped with varies projects. Both Adam and Charlette looked at each other with a bit of confusion.
"What are they up too?" Charlette quietly asked her husband.
"I have no idea."
When everyone was settled on the platform, Frank began. "For a few years now, we have had a special gentleman volunteer his talents in helping people through the church. He would never allow us to pay him for his time and his work. It was his way of serving and helping. Over a few months now, he has had help. He married a special woman who jumped right in and began to work beside him."
Adam and Charlette reached for each other's hands. "They shouldn't have done this." Both whispered to each other at the same time.
"Through their selflessness actions, they have made a huge difference in the lives of so many people. Standing on the platform with me are just a few people that Adam and Charlette have helped. From changing out a hot water heaters, to replacing floors, or adding a wheelchair ramps, Adam and Charlette have performed each task with a smile on their face.
"Since they wouldn't allow anyone to pay them, we have taken it upon ourselves to love on them this morning." He paused when the applause started. "Charlette and Adam, would you please join us on the platform?"
Slowly the couple stood and made their way to the platform. Charlette discreetly wagged her finger at Frank as she stepped onto the platform. Frank gave her a smirk.
When Adam and Charlette stood beside Frank, Frank leaned over and whispered to Charlette. "You can't fuss at me in front of the church."
"Do you want to bet?" She laughed.
"The church would like to love on you two this morning. Along with all the volunteer opportunities they perform through the church, this couple has taken it upon themselves to work with some high school students who would like to learn carpentry. They have ten boy and girls sigh up for the first session. The church wanted to give them use of our building, but they have most of the tools already at their shop at home. So, they have decided to do the work at their shop. In recognition of their work with the local teens, the church is presenting them a check with enough money to buy a few power tools and equipment for the teens."
"Pastor." Adam whispered. "You all didn't have to do that. We have enough to get by."
"I know that, Adam. But the church didn't want you to just get by. Here is a check from the church for ten thousand dollars to properly equip your workshop for the school program."
The church stood and applauded the couple. Charlette elbowed Pastor Frank. "You're in so much trouble after the service."
"You haven't seen anything yet." Frank winked at her.
"What?" She began until he cut her off as he stepped back to the podium.
"Now for the second reason we are standing here with so many people. We all wanted to say a special thank you for everything you have done."
Frank handed them a large vanilla envelope.
"Enclosed in that envelope, is two open ended airline tickets and a check to pay for your accommodations and other travel costs for a week of vacation out West."
"Pastor." Adam warned. "That is way too much." He stated until a young lady holding her two year old toddler stepped forward and gave Adam a huge hug. Adam and Charlette helped her with a water leak in the bathroom. She couldn't afford a plumber or a drywall guy to repair the water damage. Then an older couple stepped forward and hugged both of them to thank them. It took a little over five minutes for everyone to hug and thank the couple. Tears was freely flowing from most people on the platform and the audience.
…
When the presentation was completed, Frank stepped back onto the platform and walked toward the podium. Charlette lightly hit Frank on his arm as he walked past her. He laughed as she wiped away a tear.
Once everyone was settled, Frank began. "This is one of the best times to be a pastor. As you know, Jack and Elizabeth have been blessed with their babies. We honestly feel that their babies are our babies. We are grateful the Thortons are part of our church family. Today, they have decided to dedicate their babies. We celebrate the life of these babies and dedicate them to the Lord. Now, I would please ask Jack, Elizbeth, and baby Jack, and baby Elizabeth please come forward and stand in front of the congregation in front of the communion table."
Once they were settled, he asked for both sets of grandparents to come forward and then the brother and sisters to stand beside the grandparents. James smiled when Viola grabbed his arm and escorted him to the front with her. Frank also asked for Ms. Wilson to come as an adopted grandmother. This was truly a family affair. Frank also asked if Abagail to come forward since she is the godmother of the babies.
"Jack and Elizabeth have taken in several of the football players as their own. These twelve men asked if they could stand with the family in support of Jack and Elizabeth."
Elizabeth gasped when she looked up and saw her football boys walk down the aisle from the back of the church. Each young man hugged Jack, Elizabeth, and said hello to Baby J and Baby E. Johnathan was the only young man who kissed Elizabeth on the cheek. She cried when she noticed he was crying.
After a few moments to allow things to settle, Frank began. "Jack and Elizabeth, please stand looking at the congregation. They want to see these babies." Everyone in the sanctuary laughed. "Family, please surround this couple as close as you can."
Abagail stood beside her husband as he began to speak from memory. He talked briefly about the babies and the importance of having them in church. Frank shared Jack's and Elizabeth's desire to raise the children to be as active in church as they could and the joy of finding this church to do that.
With Abagail's hand on his shoulder, Frank began. "Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these'.
"In presenting these children for dedication you signify not only your faith in the Christian religion but also your desire that Thomas Jack Thorton and Elizabeth Marie Thorton may early know and follow the will of God, may live and die a Christian, and come unto everlasting blessedness.
"In order to attain this holy end, it will be your duty, as parents, to teach them early the fear of the Lord, to watch over their education, that they be not led astray; to direct their youthful mind to the Holy Scriptures, and their feet to the sanctuary; to restrain them from evil associates and habits; and, as much as in you lies, to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
"Will you endeavor to do so by the help of God? If so, answer, 'I will.'"
Jack and Elizabeth squeezed each other's hand and answered with one voice. "We will."
Frank looked toward the family members that were standing beside the young family.
"I ask you, Jack's and Elizabeth's family and extended family, will you commit yourselves as family members of this young family to support these parents as they endeavor to fulfill their responsibilities to these children and to assist in nurturing their growth toward spiritual maturity?
"If so, please answer, 'I will.'"
With smiles on their faces, the family stated. "I will."
Frank turned to face the congregation. "I now ask you, the congregation; will you commit yourself as the Body of Christ to support and encourage these parents as they endeavor to fulfill their responsibilities to these children and to assist by nurturing their growth toward spiritual maturity?
"If so, please answer, 'We will.'" The congregation stated at one time with the joy from each person piercing through the words.
With a huge smile on his face, Frank accepted the anointing oil from his wife. He placed a drop on both index fingers and placed them on the foreheads of the babies. "Our loving Heavenly Father, we do here and now dedicate Elizabeth Marie Thorton and Thomas Jack Thorton in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
After a short prayer, Frank reached for both babies. Jack place his little princess into Frank's arms and Elizabeth followed suit with her son. Frank began walking down the aisle on the right side of the church introducing them to several people as he walked by. "This is your uncle Henry." Frank stated as he walked by his son. "I bet he will get you into and out of trouble." The church laughed. He made his way around the back of the middle section and then began the journey down the left aisle of the church. He continued to introduce many of the people as he walked by them. "Now this is my trouble corner." Frank smirked at two retired teachers, one math teacher, and the principle of the high school. "For a group of people who have said, 'No talking' about a billion times, they sure do talk a lot." Frank and the entire congregation laughed at the educator's teacher's faces they gave him.
Once he was done, he gave the babies back to their parents. To their credit, the babies didn't cry at all during the dedication and parade around the church.
"Jack and Elizabeth, may the Lord bless you and your family." Frank stated as he kissed the babies, Elizabeth, and even Jack on the cheek.
…
The lunch following the morning service was at the Thorton's house. The whole family was in attendance along with Ms. Wilson, Frank, Abagail, and Henry. Henry asked if Emily could come. He smiled when his parents, along with her parents, agreed. Even the football boys came after Jack and Elizabeth insisted. The lunch was pizza. Grace called the pizza place and ordered several more pizzas. She knew her boys could eat a lot.
Most of the adults were at the dining room table enjoying light conversation. The babies just ate and was in the arms of Johnathan and Ms. Wilson, Grandma B. Julie and Viola was grateful their sickness was not rearing its ugly head. They were just able to enjoy the time with family and friends. Many of the football players were in the living room wrapped up in their own conversation.
Henry and Emily ran up to the dining room table where their moms were sitting side by side laughing at the conversation they found themselves in.
"Mom, would you mind if me and Emily take Rip to the pond to play?"
Abagail shot Ann a look when Emily asked the same question. They understood each other's look.
"Isn't it a little cold for that?"
"It's not that bad, plus we have jackets and gloves." Emily stated.
Ann looked at the excitement of her daughter. "Fine with me. Just wear your beanie hat."
"Thanks mom."
"Same for you, young man."
"Thanks mom.
…
Henry and Emily made their way to the pond with Rip running ahead of them and then back to them. Rip loved playing around the pond and enjoyed his time there. As they walked to the pond, they laughed at a couple of squirrels that jumped from tree to tree that was driving Rip crazy.
"That's a silly dog." Laughed Emily.
"He is, but he's a good dog."
"It's nice out here." Emily stated as the pond came into view."
"It is. I like it here, but it is a little cold."
"Don't be a sissy." Emily laughed.
"Hey, who are you calling a sissy?" Challenged Henry.
'You, dork." Emily stated as she playfully pushed Henry on the shoulder.
"A sissy and a dork…oh, you're going to get it." Henry smiled as he leaned toward Emily.
Emily saw that he was going to tickle her, and she turned to run and began laughing as she ran. She made it halfway around the pond before Henry was able to catch her. Rip was running and barking with Henry as they both chased Emily. Henry forgot how fast Emily was. Once he finally caught up to her, he grabbed the hood of her jacket which slowed her down.
"Caught you." He laughed.
"It took you long enough." She returned his laugh. "You only caught me because I slowed down."
"Sure you did."
Rip jumped on Henry's back which pushed him a little closer to Emily.
"Oh, I'm sorry." Henry stated when he bumped into Emily. Both of their faces were immediately red. For whatever reason, something was different.
"That's ok." Her face was red and not from the cold. She took a half a step to be closer to Henry.
Much to her surprise, he matched her actions and took a half a step to be closer to her.
"Emily, thank you for being my girlfriend." He barely stated above a whisper.
"Thank you for being my boyfriend."
Before either of them knew what was happening. Both slowly leaned in with their eyes open. Just before their lips connected, Emily closed her eyes, but Henry kept his open. Their lips tenderly touched. The kiss was very brief. However, it was very meaningful for both Henry and Emily. First, it was a first kiss for both of them. Secondly, both of their toes tingled.
When they pulled back from each other, both had silly smiles on their faces that were growing.
"That was nice." Emily stated in a quiet voice.
Henry couldn't really speak. He nodded his head. Henry reached for her hand, and she took it without hesitation.
"Maybe we need to head back."
He smiled at her and nodded his head.
…
Kyle and Johnathan hid behind a couple of big trees as Henry and Emily walked Rip back to the Thorton home. After the young couple walked by, Kyle looked at Johnathan and both were smiling.
"Kyle…I think we may need to have a talk with Henry."
"Yeah…and soon."
"Alright, let's go back."
"Let's give them a minute or two to get ahead of us. We don't want to embarrass Emily."
…
"Hey, where is Little E?" Asked Mason.
"I have her and you can't get her." Reid said. "I just got her. It's my turn."
Grace and Elizabeth laughed at the banter between their football boys. Elizabeth loved the noises of the full house.
"Those boys are so good with the little ones."
"Yes, mother. They are. They ask about them all the time. I never thought they would be so protective, but they really are."
"I feel sorry for the boy that shows interest in her."
"Oh…you have no idea. Jack has already threatened the boy."
"He didn't."
"I think he already has nightmares of Beth bringing home a boy."
Grace laughed. "I can't wait to see that."
"Are you two laughing at me?" Jack stated as he walked up and kissed Elizabeth on the cheek.
"We are." Grace stated. She told him what they were talking about. She couldn't help but smile at Jack's facial expression.
"That snot nosed little boy is already in trouble." Jack stated in his best cop's voice.
"Jack Thorton." Exclaimed Elizabeth. "You need to calm down. It will be years before our daughter will even think about bringing a boy home. There is no need to get worked up now."
Jack looked intently into her eyes. "And what are you going to do when your little boy brings home his first girlfriend?"
"Oh, that's easy…my little boy will never bring home a little girl. He has me." She stated with great confidence. "He does not need, nor will he want a little girl when he has his mother."
"Oh…I thought Jack was living in denial." Grace laughed. "You two will have a very rude awakening in a few years."
…
Rip walked into the kitchen when Henry opened the back door. As always, his first thing was to find his two humans. He always checked on them first. A few minutes later, Kyle and Johnathan stepped into the kitchen looking for Henry.
"Hey little man. Would you mind coming outside with us for a moment?"
Henry jumped up off the floor after smiling at Emily. He walked past his two friends toward the back porch. Kyle offered Johnathan a smile as they followed Henry to the back porch.
…
"What are they up too?" Asked Abagail.
"I'm not sure." Ann tilted her head. "Do you think something happened when they went to the pond?"
"I don't know. They didn't seem upset."
"No, but did you see their smile before they stepped outside?"
"I did." Abagail thought for a moment. "So, if they're not upset, why would they want to speak to my son?"
"Do you want to go to the window and see if we can listen?"
"More than you know, but I can't do that."
"It's not always easy being a good parent, is it?" Both ladies laughed. "Tom and I are comfortable with Henry being around our Emily."
"Thank you. We think the world of Emily. Frank and I love having her around."
…
"Alright little man, what's up with you?"
"What?" Henry stated confused.
"We went to the pond. And we saw you."
"You saw me…" He stated very slowly thinking about what happened at the pond.
Johnathan and Kyle nodded their head.
"Well…"
"Out with it little man."
"Fine. We were playing around, and she called me a sissy and a dork. I chased after her like we have done for years at school."
"That doesn't sound too bad." Johnathan stated.
"When I finally caught her, Rip jumped on my back and pushed me into her."
Kyle laughed. "I should have thought of that excuse." He rubbed his chin.
"We both stepped closer and before I knew what happened, we kissed…but I don't think we did it right."
"Why would you say that?"
"Well, first of all, it was very short. All the kisses I have seen in the movies their kisses lasted a lot longer."
"That's ok. A short kiss is good. There is nothing wrong with it."
"Well, I didn't close my eyes."
"Why not?"
"Well, they always closed their eyes in the movies, but I was afraid I would miss her face if I closed my eyes."
Johnathan and Kyle laughed.
"What's so funny?" Huffed Henry.
"You wouldn't have missed but I understand why you would think you would. I don't think it was as bad as you think it was."
"I'm not too sure…however…"
"However…?"
"Well, when our lips touched…our…our toes tingled." Henry stuttered.
"Well, that huge little man."
"A good huge?"
"A great huge." Kyle and Johnathan stated at the same time. "Now, let's talk about you being a gentleman to Emily. She is a very nice young lady."
"I think so."
"And you need to treat her like a princess." Kyle and Johnathan talked with Henry about being a good boyfriend and what to do and not to do. They spoke for about fifteen minutes and Henry soaked in everything they told him.
…
"Tom." Julie began as she laid down in bed. "Today was a perfect day."
"It was a great day. The church service was perfect. I think Frank did a great job showing the babies around the church. Lunch and conversation were pretty good too."
"I enjoyed catching up with Viola and Elizabeth."
"I always heard pregnant women always tend to gather together."
"Well, Elizabeth isn't pregnant any longer."
"True."
"Tom, I'm looking forward to this season in our life."
"Me too. I never thought of myself as a father, but I am excited about it now."
Julie gave him a smile.
"How is your student teaching?"
"It's good. Rosemary and I click pretty well. I really think teaching is my calling in life."
"I think so too."
"Tom…all of this is scary and exciting. Does that make sense?"
"Perfect sense. We never thought of this for our lives and now we can't think of anything else."
"I love how you get me."
…
Adam sat on the edge of the bed watching his wife get ready for bed. She was standing in their bathroom brushing her teeth. Adam sat there admiring his beautiful, strong wife.
"Charlie…I love you."
"I love you." She stated after spitting out her toothpaste.
"Today was a great day."
"It was. I still can't believe how much food those boys eat."
"Jack and Tom didn't eat like that when they were teens?" He asked as he pulled back the covers and crawled into the bed.
"Not to that degree, but then again they didn't play football."
"Are you ready to start the classes through the school?"
"I am. I can't believe the church did that today." She shook her head.
"I know. Both gifts were way too much."
"It was but it will be nice to have enough tools for all the kids."
"It will. When would you like to go and shop for those things?"
"Soon. We begin that program in a couple of weeks. We also need to clean out the shop a little."
"Charlie, did you really have to remind me of that?" He shook his head.
"It's' not too bad, but with the extra tools and more kids, we need to make room."
"We do. I just didn't want to be reminded of that little fact."
"With your young age, you shouldn't have any problems with the extra work."
Adam quickly made up the distance between them and began to tickle Charlette's ribs. "Listen here Cougar."
"Adam." Charlette shrieked.
Adam continued to tickle her, and he also leaned in and captured her right ear with his lips. He gently clamped his teeth around her ear lobe. He smiled knowing what that act did to her.
…
"The kids went down very fast this evening."
Jack smiled. "I think the boys and all the family wore them out."
"I believe you may be right."
"I'm not sure why but I am amazed at how the football boys are around the babies. They are so protective and good with them."
Elizabeth smiled. "I agree." She sighed as she laid down next to Jack and placed her head on his shoulder. Over the last part of her pregnancy, Elizabeth did not lay down anywhere close to Jack. She was so hot and couldn't cool off if she was close to her husband. Now she's thankful she can resume her normal spot close to Jack. Jack was grateful to have his wife close again. He missed this and he missed her hair on his face and chest in the mornings.
"I saw Kyle and Johnathan talking with Henry outside earlier. I wonder what they were talking about?" She pondered.
"I'm not sure. They weren't upset nor was Henry when he came back inside. Do you think it had something to do with him and Emily?"
"Maybe. Everything seemed fine. Abagail wasn't worried. Those boys are doing well. I think your mentor program is working very well with them and faster than you imagined."
"To be honest, I don't believe it's the mentor program. I think they are genuinely good young men. They just had a difficult home life. You and mom poured yourselves into them and that has also made a difference."
"Yes. They are good boys."
"Johnathan has taken a real liking to you."
Elizabeth smiled when she thought of the young man. He has so much potential to reach for, more than he thinks.
"People have always written him off as a dumb football player, but he really is a very bright young man. You know, he wants to be a large animal vet."
"Wow. That's great." Jack laughed. "When he crawled into your bed at the hospital, he looked like a little boy cuddling up to his mom."
"That was a sweet moment. I love all of them, but he is special."
"Just think, a young man's life truly changed just because someone cared. Now Johnathan has a chance at something more in his life just because someone show a little interest."
"Yeah…" Elizabeth whispered. "To be perfectly honest, I think I have gained more from Johnathan than he has ever gained from me."
"I think that's the best kept secret in the world."
…
As Abagail settled her head onto her pillow, she spoke as her husband sat down on the bed.
"I believe it may be time for you to speak to Henry."
"About what?"
"His relationship with Emily."
"Abagail, remember the last time you talked to him about his relationship with her? It didn't go well for you."
"Not that, Frank. I learned my lesson. I think it's time you speak to our son about how a young man is to treat a young woman. I get the feeling that Emily will be around for a while."
Frank smiled when she referred to Henry as being their son. Abagail told him about the conversation she had with Ann about Kyle and Johnathan taking Henry out onto the porch.
"Sounds like I do need to have a talk with Henry. And I agree, I think Emily will be around for a very long time. I wouldn't be surprised that those two would get married."
"Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves."
…
Henry laid in his bed with the thought of the kiss running through his mind. He greatly enjoyed the kiss. He only hoped Emily did too.
H – Are you up
E – yeah
E – what's up
H – Are you ok with what happened today
Emily smiled at the memory. It was her first kiss and she thought it was perfect.
E – I am it was nice
H – I thought so to
E – Did you tell anyone
H – No I don't know why but I felt that was just between us
E – Me to
H – Do you wish it didn't happen
E – No!
H – Me to
E – That was my first kiss
H – My first kiss to