"Here it is." Jo lifted the delicate white gown from its storage place. "Jamie and I were both christened in this gown, and so was my Mom. My grandmother brought it over from Poland."
"I was goin' to offer the gown Clay was christened in," said Doug. "It had been in Mary Frances' family for several generations, but I can see how it would be more appropriate to use yours."
Doug drove his family to the church, where they met with Father Hanadarko and waited for Bethany's godparents, Grace and her brother Leo, to arrive. They both showed up only moments later, and the ceremony began.
Father Hanadarko read some passages from the Bible, and then Jo, Doug, Grace, and Leo all made the sign of the cross on Bethany's forehead. "I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father. Through Him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation He came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate, He suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, and the Son, who with the Father and Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward the the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen," Father Hanadarko, Jo, Doug, Grace, and Leo all recited in unison.
"Bethany Rose Norman, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," Father Hanadarko continued as he poured holy water over Bethany's head. The infant immediately began to cry, and Jo held and comforted her. Next the priest anointed Bethany with a mixture of olive oil and balm, dressed her in the christening robe, and lit the candle, and the ceremony was complete.
"Lovely, wasn't it?" Jo said to her husband on the way home.
"It was nice." Doug looked as if his mind were miles away.
"Is something wrong?" asked Jo.
"No," Doug said quietly. "I was just thinking about when Clay was christened. I still have the video of it, if you'd like to see it."
"Aw, Dad!" Clay moaned from the back seat.
"I wanna see it!" cried Jamie.
Thirty minutes later, Doug, Jo, and Jamie sat together on the sofa watching the video of Clay's christening. An embarrassed Clay was hibernating in his bedroom.
"She was really beautiful," Jo commented at the sight of Mary Frances holding her infant son.
"She was," Doug said softly. "Leo was the one who found her body, you know," he added.
"You're kidding!" Jo was shocked.
Doug shook his head. "He told me that she looked so peaceful, like she was just sleeping. That was the main thing I'd been afraid of, that she'd suffered. I couldn't bear the thought that she might have had an agonizing death. Leo said that from the expression on her face, it was obvious that she never even knew what hit her. That gave me great comfort."
"How did you feel when Timothy McVeigh was executed?" asked Jo.
"Although I'm personally opposed to the death penalty, it did give me a sense of closure that I'm not sure I could have gotten any other way," Doug admitted. "Do you think I'm a bad person for feelin' that way, Jo?"
"No, I think it's only human to feel that way," Jo replied. "I wonder whether they'll ever find Osama bin Laden."
"For your sake, I hope he will be," said Doug. "You know what? This is the first time I've ever been able to watch this video without crying."