Okay so for everyone who questions this conversion story.
But the righteousness which is of faith speaks thus, Say not in your heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
But what says it? The word is near you, even in your mouth, and in your heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach
Romans chapter 7 verses 6-8
Rant over xxx
Francine woke up, yawned and slid out of bed to make her and Arthurs morning cup of coffee. When he arose he noticed she was alot more perky than the night before. He thanked her for the drink and inhaled the scent of perculated espresso.
"Ahhh you know how to get it just right" he grinned. "Its easy when we both like it the same huh sweetie?" She replied, sitting beside him to sip her strong coffee with two sugars and just a splash of milk.
"Strong n sweet" Like you and me" he said with a wink.
He always knew the right thing to say even in the early mornings when they were both tired and in need of a decent sleep in. She smiled at him. He admired her silk red robe and the way her hair fell casually over her face in the morning.
She loved that mornimg smile he gave her when she handed him his coffee and the way Arthur looked in his blue cotton PJs. How he always said "thank you My sweet" when she served him breakfast and pressed his suit for work the next day neatly on the dressing table. He liked watching her get dressed once they'd had their coffee and prayers as Husband and Wife. She always wore earrings and often tied her hair back in a pony tail. She did have nice soft hair which she maintained.
Not one to dress slutty, Francine had taken a liking to figure hugging jeans in light and dark blue and had her favourite pair of skinny jeans and a variety of silky tops and soft pink and purple baby tees. She had dresses and tonight being bible study night meant Arthur and Francine would share a bath together once the children were in bed st 7:30pm then get dressed in casually formal attire.
Arthur liked it when his wife wore her hair down so she did. Arthur was a fantastic provider and Father. He adored his wife who belonged to him which had always made her feel secure. Its hard when family dont embrace the same faith but she had her own family now and responsibilities which Arthur adhered to aswell.
Francine seldom disagreed with her husband's decisions on financial matters and matters of the heart such as her desire to sing, hence her happier demeanour that morning. That was partly bevause he always talked with her first before rushing on ahead. He wanted her to be happy so the choices he made were for the benefit of the entire family.
After watching her put on her denims and do her hair and make up he got himself dressed and gave her a big kiss. "Im glad you're happier this morning" he smiled, pressing his nose against her neck.
She giggled. "Well, I have reason to be", " Im excited about singing again "
He led her into the kids room to wake them up. "Good to hear" he grinned.
"Now ill get these sleepyheads out of bed" he said, going into their bedroom.
"Toast?" She asked, knowing he would say yes. "Lots of it this morning thanks honey" "and keep the coffee coming"
"Sure thing" she grinned heading downstairs.
Once Arthur had managed to wake Naomi and Jake up he told them to sit at the breakfast table. They politely asked for what they wanted while Francine prepared Arthurs toast and coffee with two fried eggs and butter on the side. "Not too much butter Arthur" she warned wuth a smile.
"Ah its fine" "cholesterols not a worry just yet"
She sighed and prepared herself some toast and the kids their cereal while Arthur explained how Mommy was going to be singing in Church regularly.
"Yay" They chimed. "You're a pretty singer" Jacob smiled. "Aww" Francine kissed her son on the head. "I think you mean she has a pretty voice" Naomi corrected. "Which she does"
"Naomi" Arthur said. "Please don't refer to your Mother as she, you know its rude" "but you're right, Mom sure has a good voice, so we need her to use it" he explained.
Francine was so excited and really overwhelmed with love for her husband. He was respectful of her, kind and considerste but also firm with the children. He kept everyone in line and Francine loved him for it.
"I wonder what George and Ferns big news is?" Arthur said in between mouthfuls. "I can guess" Francine replied, biting into her toast.
Arthur figures what she meant. "Oh?" "Well good for them"
The kids giggled then put their bowls in the dishwasher while Arthur cleared his plate and kissed his wife goodbye. "Oh could you get some extras at the grocery store today?" He asked. "I'll be home for lunch, so maybe you could make some BLTs for us?"
She nodded. "Okay but.." She held him close.
"You have to kiss me again"
"Gladly Mrs Read" he replied. "Bye Mommy I love you" Naomi waved. Jacob gave her a cuddle. He was a little less independent than his sister. "Have a good day sweetheart" she said, patting him on the head.
"Dad" Naomi said stepping in the car. "You're not going to be our English teacher when we get to middle school are you?" "Yeah that would be way too weird" Jacob added.
"Im not sure what Gods plan will be by then for me"" who knows?" "How about we discuss that later on down the track?" He smiled at them, backing out of the driveway.
"Thats means a few years later right Dad?" Naomi asked. "Yes my smart little girl it does" he replied. "Now lets get you too school" Arthur said and they drove off...
"Yay drums for me and" piano today for youyou" Jacob bounced in the back seat excitedly.
"Okay you two" "sit still" Arthur told them, diving down the suburban streets.
Francine cleared up, cleaned the kitchen and made the beds while she planned in her mind what to buy for bible study snacks.
So naturally once the groceries were put away, Francine had been into town for a coffee and finished preparing dinner early, as the kids and music practice that afternoon she needed something quick and easy she could store in the fridge. By the time Arthur came in she was already tired and had completely forgot about making lunch.
"Hey sweerheart" he said with a kiss. "Hey" she yawned. "Its been a mega busy morning"
She gasped. "," Oh lunch", she held out two cans of coke and cringed. "Im so sorry my minds been racing and i forgot" "I have the drinks" ..."sorry Im just tired Arthur" she sighed sitting at the table.
He laughed and pulled out to freshly made. BLTs with cheese, the way Francine liked it. Plus a apricot danish for her later.
"Ahh you read my mind" she grinned, giving him a large hug. "Well cant a husband get his wife some lunch for a change ?" He grinned kissing her lips.
"Not just on weekends" Francine smirked. "Nope" he replied placing the filled rolls onto two plates. "Whenever I say honey". " Any day"
Francine nodded her head in approval. "Well you're the boss Mr Read" she winked, biting into her large roll. "As long as you keep this up" she winked at him.
"Dont you start eyeing up my Danish though" she warned him. He chuckled. "You and your food"
The witty banter between them continued which was onevof the many reasons they clicked so well together. They laughed over the same things and remembered the dumb stunts they piulled at school.
"Hey at least when I said that I was eight" Francine would reply. "Well I was only twelve when..."
"Ha I win" Francine jeered sipping on her coke. Arthur rolled his eyes. "You like to think so" he smirked.
She ran up to hi!m and jumped on his lap, giving Arthur a gentle punch in his shoulder...
They then discussed work, the children and singing. Good things were on the horizon.
"Hmm a lovely lunch" she wrapped her arms around him and presed her lips against his.
"Better with you" he replied."The kids have music lessons at 3:30-4:45, remember?" "So youll pick them up and Ill see you at dinner."
"Thanks honey I certianly will" she replied..."see you later"
Later that nightnight
When music practice had ended, Francine arrived home and Arthur wasn't far behind. He was swamped in paper work. "Grading assingments" he signed rubbing his eyebrows while marking each paper. "Theres this student, Doria and shes a mixture between Muffy and Binky, I swear"
"Haha how can such a kid exist?" Francine joked, draping her arms over him.
"Yes well..she does" "disruptive and rude but then shes got this really kind side" "Shes got an A thid time, compared to a D last essay" "its so strange"
"Hmmm let me guess she's part bulldog right?" Francine smirked. "No" he replied. "For your information shes a monkeyvark" "Ironic huh?"
Francine gasped. "Okay thats funny" she kissed him on the ear.
"Glad our little ones aren't like that" she said.
Arthur stood up and would grade the remaining papers later.
"Mom whats for dinner?" Naomi asked. Jacob was setting the table.
"Just some cheese and pasta bake, you can reheat it" Francine replied. "Now wash your hands okay sweetie?"
Arthur took the meal out of the fridge and placed it into bowls and heated them.
"Here you go" he served the kids then Francine. "Thanks hon"
"You do enough around here" he smiled,kissing her on the head.
She was very loved and in turn loved Arthur alot.
Naomi had a little bit more of the Read gene in her, while Jacob was more Frensky. So this often meant when the bad sides of both kids came to surface it was somewhat catastrophic and needed to be nipped in the bud. Arthur and Francine weren't about to let that bad behaviour slide like their parents often did when they were growing up.
Jacob pushed his plate away and said "Yuk" while Naomi asked why there was no meat in it.
"What are we?" She spat. "Vegetarians?"
"Youll eat your dinner" "Give it a try now please and be thankful" Francine ordered. "Don't you two start up" "you've eaten this before and you'll eat it tonight"
You heard you're Mother" Arthur scolded. "She works hard for this family and you will respect that" "or no dessert and straight to bed after dinner got it?"
Both kids nodded and Naomi kicked her legs in frustration. Jacob reluctantly ate his meal while Naomi ate a few mouthfuls.
"In full" "I dont want dessert either" she grumbled.
"Very well then" Arthur replied, taking her bowl. "I dont want you to go to bed hungry so you can eat the rest before bed" Arthur informed her.
"If you're really not hungry you dont have to sweetie but I dont want you going to bed hungry" Francine said giving her a kiss on thr head.
Jacob gave his Dad a big hug. "Thats my boy" "now lets get you in the bath then you can play upstairs for a bit"
"Sorry Mommy" Naomi wept. "Hey its okay" Francine gave her a large hug then she went to her dad. "Its alright sweetheart" he kissed her. "Lets head upstairs"
Mommy sings a lulluby.
Jacob had a popsicle because he ate his dinner and was still humgry.
By the time Fern and George had arrived for their bible study group, Arthur had everything prepared while Francine tucked the twins in at night and samg lullaby's to them
"A wise old owlsat in an oak The more he heard the less he spoke The less he spoke the more he heard Why aren t we all like that wise old bird?."
"So..it means don't gossip and none of it will come back to you" she informed them.
"Oh" Jacob replied. "Did you gossip Mommy?"
She sighed. "Yes honey I wasn't a good kid at school, well I did well in my studies and was good at sports" she then thought back to her kindergarten days and elementary school years. "I didn't say alot of kind thinfs to others but I learned later on to steer clear away from people who talk bad about others" ",In midxle school even your Daddy said some bad things but we learnt be cause when it happened to us it hurt alot"
The children listened and took what she was saying on board for now but all teenagers and preteens haveva tendency to speak behind others backs. Francine could only hope and pray she and Arthur would teach them the right way to act.
"Mommy you said what you thought alot" Naomi said. Francine sat on the side of her bed."Aunt Dora told us and our Aunt Muffy"
"Hmm I bet thethey did" she muttered. "They say mean things too about Daddy and sometimes I hate them" Jacob grumbled. "Why do they not like you and Daddy?"
Francine felt sad and a bit unsure how to answer. "Sweetheart I don't know why they say those things, it all happened years ago" she stroked his face. "Dont hate them honey" "its hard for Daddy and me too, we feel upset when people are rude to us too" "but ,"she sighed heavily. " We pray for them and right now its best to just...keep our distance "
"You mean stay away from them?" Jacob asked. Francine nodded. "Yes" "think of all the nice friends you have and your grandparents, they love you very much" "Uncle George and Aunty Fern do too" "Mrs LaDonna" as they called her, "is a good friend and you have the neighbourhood kids" "oh and Molly and Ladonnas kids to play with" she smiled when she spoke.
Despite the past and certian family and old friends trying to bring it up or drag Arthur down, they thought of their friends and focused on the good people in their lives.
"I love Aunty Kate" Naomi smiled. "Me too" Jake said. Francine smiled. "Shes great, I like her too"
"Now do you want to say you're prayers?" She asked.
"We said them with Daddy" Naomi replied with a yawn. "He took out my pig tails see?" She swished her brown hair back and forth, just like her mothers.
"Daddy said you had pretty gold clips when you were little like me" she grinned.
"oh wow thats right I did" "Ill have to find them and give them to you" Francine grinned. She kissed her daughter on the head.
"Jesus loves me this I know" she sang, tucking them in and giving them each a goodnight kiss. "For the bible tells me so" "little ones to him belong" "they are weak but he is strong"
They drifted off to sleep while she waited for them to start breathing in their sleep to make sure they were properly asleep.
She left the door ajar. "Goodnight my little darlings" she whispered.
She pushed the past out of her mind as Fern was sitting in the lounge with a smile spread actoss her face. Arthur was giving George a high five.
"Francine" Fern was on the couch. Francine sat next to her and looked in her eye with a knowing smile.
"Im pregnant" she announced. "We found out last week, Im eight and a half weeks"
"Congratulations" Francine replied, throwing her arms around her new best friend.
George was grinning from ear to ear when Francine gave him a mighty hug. "Well done" she said
"Thank yoy, Im really happy" "we have both dreamt of this for awhile now"
Just then Ladonna walked in. She was greeted by Arthur who gave her a sympathetic hug. "Buster told me you left him" "that hes living with Molly now"
Ladonna nodded. "Yuppers thats the story plesin n simple" she sighed.
"Hey" Francine gave the bunny a hug. "Heya Francine" LaDonna replied.
"Come in, make yourself at home" "I'll. get some hot tea for us" Arthur offered.
"Just a herbal for me" Fern said. *ooh sounds mighty good, me too please" Ladonna asked.
Francine sat beside Ladonna while Fern told her the news.
"Well boy howdy that sure is great, Im happy for ya both"
"Thank you" George warmly replied.
"Il just get the food and then we can start" Francine announced.
In the kitchen Arthur discussed the situation with Buster to her. "Im going to have a word with him" he said partly angry. "He has a responsibility here"
"He does and Donna is his daughter too" Francine replied, placing the cakes and little cookies on the plate.
"What a mess" she sighed. "Trials will come along my dear" Arthur replied, pouring the tea. "We just have to ride them out with the Lords help"
Francine nodded her head. "You're so strong and spirituality confident Arthur" she smiled.
He put the tea tray down and gave her a kiss. "I try sweetheart" "now come on we have guests waiting"...
In the living room. Francine sat beside Arthur while they talked about pregnancy.
George has already brought "what to expect when you're expecting" she gushed. "Hes so intkinto this" Fern clasped her husbands arm. "Off course" he grinned. "Nothing about child birth or breastfeeding bothers me..its our job as fathers to know what our wives experience aswell"
Fern felt tears in her eyes. "Oh you see why I married him?" "Hes the Watson to my Sherlock"
Francine laughed. ",Yeah you two were into that stuff weren't you?" She asked while Arthur handed the cookies and some of his Fathers homemade cupcakes around.
"Yeah we still enjoy watching Vigue Watteau" George added, rubbing Ferns tummy while she muched on a frosted cup cake.
"Arthur totally freaked when he found out we were havimg twins" ",he was looking around fot two sets of everything, and he wouldn't let me help" she sighed, resting her head against him.
"Youre always a worrier weren't ya?" Ladonna staded.
"I thought it was sweet" Francine said while Arthur kissed her head. " I didnt want you to exert yourself "he said in protest.
"I know honey" she smiled.
"Cabbage leaves do wonders for pain I swear. No word of a lie I used em every mornin durin feeds with Lil Donna"
"They soak up the milk and stop the sweling" Francine added. "Youll still need some decent pain releif though and bottles" "You need a breast pump, I still have mine if you want it" she offered.
"Oh thankyou yes Id love that" fern replied. "George wants to feed them too"
"Mr hands on Daddy huh?" Ladonna grinned. George nodded proudly. "Definetly"
"Buster helped when he werent workin til midnight" she sighed. "Or drinkin and screwin round"
Arthur sat beside Ladonna and gave her a hug. "This is not ypur fault" "none of us knew"
"Im a sinner though, real bad" she frowned. "I had Lil Donna we aint hitched and now Ima single momma like my sister Maddison" she started to cry which was rare for the strong southern gitl.
"Hey" Arthur held her hands. "We all sin, none of us are perfect" ",you're forgiven already" "we can pray about it tonight"
"Yeah sounds good" she sobbed. "I know my Jesus died and rose again no doubt but Ive sure stuffed up alot"
"All fall short Ladonna" George replied. None of us are worthy" "but you're forgiven and we're always around to pray with you"
Fern agreed. "Definetly, being pregnant wont stop me dancing or helping at the church outreach" she smiled. "You're welcome at our place to vent or cry or just pray with us anytime"
Ladonna felt really blown away. "Wow that sure is kind of y'all" "Id like some company"
"Well we're busy but never too busy for a friend okay?" Francine smiled kindly. "Come over for coffee and maybe Fern could join us?"
Fern nodded. "Sure, I know I'm only eight weeks but I'm feeling fine" "it would be great"
George gave his Wife aprotective hug. "Youve had a few queasy spells at night though and I dont like it when you drive if youre unwell"
Fern snuggled into her husband.
"Ill pick er up no problem" Ladonna said. "Thankyou" George replied. Fern sighed. "Okay Mr protective"" she teased.
"Arthur was the same" Francine laughed. "Its good though" she glanced at her Aardvark holding a happier Ladonna. He winked at Francine. "What sort of husband would I be if I didn't care?"
Francine knew she was on to a good thing with Arthur but he didn't think that she realised anymore what a great catch she was herself. He needed to help her regain some of that confidence she used to have by the truck load back again...
That night they prayed together in bed.
Arthur held his wife's hand while she closed her eyes and spoke to Jesus
Dear lord thankyou for tonight. Thankyou for the time spent with friends, thankyou that Im not that girl I used to be and you have moulded me into a servant of you, well at least I try to be. I do pray for safety over pur children tonight as they sleep. That your angel's protect them and Arthur and I as we sleep. Dear lord I pray That I will be strong, loyal and obedient às you command For my Husband Arthur who provides for and protects my children and me. I pray you will bless our marriage and honour our commitment to each other. Forgive me my past transgressions as only you can. By your grace may I move on from my desires to constantly please my sister and leave her in your hands. Lord that my Father will open his heart fully as he has his mind to you and come to know you as the Messiah and prince of peace. May you fill our hearts with your love, that our family and friends are blessed and protected and thankyou for Arthur, for David and Jane. Thankyou for their love and openess toward me. Thank you for Arthur, after years of friendship we are one within you. May our roles and duties to each other be fulfilled. Let me be the best wife I can to and for him. Keep us strong and healthy for Jacob and Naomi. Please look after Ladona and her daughter and give her the strength to cope with what lay ahead and for Busters salvation and Molly lord. That the dreams in my heart will come to pass as I sing at church this Sunday. Thank you for our home, our families and our children thankyou for Arthur again, and our union together and lord for his encouragement. Bless everyone in our lives who are struggling including Catherine and DW. In your precious name I thank you for your death and resurrection and the promise of heaven, in your name Amen xo
Arthur gave her a tiny kiss and prayed.
Dear lord we come to you this evening grateful for the opportunity to host our friends and spend time with them. I pray for oyr lovely children and thst you will protect them this night as they sleep. Please be with My family and Francines. Let their hearts be open and receptive to you I want to dincerely thankyou for the most important woman in my life and childood friend...My wife, my helper my blessing, My Francine. Dear lord please open her eyes. That she may see the same as what I do every morning and throughout the day. A lovely caring beautiful woman and Mother of my children. Someone who tends to my needs and listens to my plans for our future in you lord. That she be aware of the amazing change you have done within her life dear God. That she is not someone whom is rude or unworthy but the oposite in fact. That her desire to serve you engulfed her heart the minute she received you as her saviour. May she go to sleep tonight fully engrossed in your love and safe in the knowledge that she has two children who love her to bits they really do and a Husband who will always be here for her, to hold her hand as we walk through fhe dark valleys and stand upon the mountain together. Let her know when she cuddles into me tonight that shes my special companion and more than a best friend and a helper. Shes the woman I love. Thank you for bringing us to each other all those years ago when we were not much older than Jacob and Naomi. Thankyou fot Francine lord. Bless our families and her Father Oliver that he will know you in his heart one day. Be with Fern and George as they take on a new life into their family, a child whom I pray will be healthy. Give Fern the strength to cope and be with George lord and his kind heart for you. Be with Ladonna and her little girl Donna thst she is aware of your prescense in her life. Dry her tears jesus I pray and please open Buster and Mollys eyes and those we dont see. Be with Catherine and DW that one day we will be reconciled. Let Francines desire to sing grow from Church to something posdsibly greater if thats your will lord. Protect us as we sleep tonight, knowing that you could come at anytime. Thankyou for your blood on the cross that set us free for eternity. Amen
They hugged and closed their eyes in bed together. "Love you" She murmured.
"Love you more" Arthur whispered.
TBC