Second to last chapter.

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The stage was set.

Francine stepped up to the stage to rounds of applause from a crowd of thirty thousand people. She wore a long black dress that was made with silk and velvet. Sleevless and added with a silver choker and crystal earrings. Dark lipstick and a made up face was a complete change from the life she'd grown used to. Now this was her turn for the dream she had to come true. The spot light shone on her as she held the microphone under a myriad of purple and yellow lights.

Then she closed her eyes and sang

"When peace like a river attendeth my way" applause followed as her tone held and echoed throughout the stadium.
Arthur stood backstage with Jacob and Naomi nicely dressed and filled with excitement for their Mommy who had sacrificed her own dreams of vocal stardom to be a stay at home wife and Mother.

Now two years on her dream had finally come to pass...

"When sorrows like sea billows roll"
"Whatever my lot, though has taught me to say"
"It is well, it is well with my soul.."

The song she first sang two years ago at her congregation was the very song recorded first onto her album Saved By Jesus which went platinum on the Christian and Gospel music charts in 2017.

To get to this point, the two years of recording, Saving a lost soul and witnessing a friends birth was to happen first.

Two years earlier.

Fern was trying to get comfy on the couch but it was becoming extremely difficult as her pelvis and back were extremely sore and it was hard for her to walk. George was speaking with Arthur while glancing at his wife the entire time.

"Two months to go"Fern groaned. Her belly was protruding and the baby was kicking again

" I cant do eight more weeks of thus" she winced. The pain, the need to pee and the sore legs which were getting harder to walk on were all weighing heavy on poor Fern. She found herself crying at night just praying for it to end. Her pregnancy was unlike Francine's. Fern experienced depression at times and prenatal depression and fears were getting to her. Prayers with her friends and a wonderful husband like George helped her get through this immensely

"I know what it's like believe me" Francine pressed her legs onto a pillow. Imagine what you're going through, only with two of them kicking and literally stretching your entire body out" she shuddered thinking about it again.

"The best thing to do is keep your legs elevated and try not to lay still on your back" Francine said.

"Its easier said than done" Fern grimaced, rolling onto her back for relief.

"It is". She smiled sympathetically. "That's true but on your side with a pillow between your legs propped up will help your back"
Francine assured her.

"It doesn't hurt taking some paracetamol either" "very low strength pain relief""every six hours is fine."
Massage helps too" She added, starring at George.

"Aha, "I think you are being summoned" Arthur said while pointing to his wife glancing in Georges direction.

"I want to avoid pain relief" "Thanks anyway, but this massage sounds good."

"Her idea, not mine" George added. "Id go and get anything safe for her to take to ease the pain"

"That's sweet." Francine smiled. "Don't push yourself though and hopefully you'll go into labor before forty weeks"
"If not the OBGYN will induce me" Fern said, feeling a little better while George rubbed her back.

"You had twins and were still forcing yourself to go walking everyday" Arthur said. "Remember?"

Francine rolled her eyes. "Yes well" "I was able to" "Besides I think someone who has been there would understand."
She tilted her head toward her husbands direction.

Arthur laughed. George tended to fern while Arthur sat with Francine on his lap.

While George and Fern discussed their birthing plan and next visit with the doctor, Francine spoke with Arthur.

"Thank you again for this" she said with a kiss. "Recording this album is just...well"

Arthur grinned."A dream come true?" his arms were wrapped around her pink baby tee.

She nodded. "Yes" "Its harder on you though" she sighed. "You've got much more to do around the house now", "on top of working"

"I chose to take on more responsibility in the house , "I insisted you record an album, didn't I?" He replied looking directly at her.
"Its to make up for the sacrifices you make, well have made" he stroked her face. "Its only one or two days a week anyway."

Francine agreed the time spent recording took a whole day up but she was able to compromise by using two days out of the week. Family and looking after the house were important to her, being the perfectionist she was.

While Naomi and Jacob were at school was when Francine would head down to the studio the musical director from their church congregation owned to sing.

She got pretty exhausted after practicing all day then coming home to two over active kids who needed to be fed and have their baths and prayers etc. They also wanted some time with their Mother. Arthur often cooked on the nights Francine recorded and came in later than him while Ladonna gave the children a ride home from school.

They had their music lessons which Francine took them to on her grocery shopping day and to get everything prepared for the next day including Arthur's clothes and the kids washing folded. Her and Arthur made the bed together on the weekends and took the children out both days. They had Sunday afternoons to themselves and the occasional weekday when school was closed for whatever reason. Middle school was different so the days Arthur had free differed from the children's new Elementary school days.

This afternoon was one of those days Arthur had free

"They're six already" Francine sighed. "I know" Arthur replied. "Makes you want to have more don't it?" He joked using poor English on purpose.

She laughed and pushed Arthur flat into the couch. "No no no" she laughed, planting a kiss on him.
"Only joking my sweet" he tapped her on the nose.

"It will take time though." She sighed, moving off her Husband. "Things don't happen over night"

Arthur knew she was thinking about Oliver. He had been visiting lately and asking more questions about the bible. Oliver was a little more husky and balding but ever the sweet quirky man with a child like personality and favorite of the grandchildren he just adored.

Arthur moved off the couch and went into the kitchen to make everyone a cup of tea. Francine followed him in.

She leant against the bench and watched while he poured the water into the ceramic tea pot.

"He will get there sweet heart" Arthur said. Francine arranged the cups and spoons while Arthur placed the tea on the tray.
" It wont happen over night that's true, but trust me" "Prayer works"

Francine nodded. "Yeah you're right". She replied with a smile. "Prayer does work."

Oliver

Not so much as four months later Oliver accepted Jesus Christ as his lord and Savior. He was with his daughter and Arthur. Francine felt that a miracle had taken place. She had led her Dad to the truth and could not stop crying for her happiness had overwhelmed her.

"Dear lord"
"Forgive me" He said on his knees.
"I did not know, the followers of you were my people" "You were Jewish by birth and your blood was shed for all"
"You chose us as your people to spread the word of god, of the messiah and instead, sin came in and has forced a divide between religions and practices." "Our people are constantly blamed, their is conflict in the world that wont end and I know that now until you come" "I am thankful Lord for my Franala, and her faith in you." "Her dedication to her children and that powerful soulful voice of hers" "Thank you for Arthur, her loyal Husband who showed her to you." "I pray my wife whom I love and cherish will not judge me harshly but if that shall happen, I pray for your strength oh lord." "Let her eyes be opened and my sweet little Catherine" "Thank for dying and rising again for me." "Please come into my life as my Savior, that I will stand with you on that day."

"In the name of Yeshua HaMashiach, the Savior of the world. ..."
Amen

"Daddy" Francine wept into his arms. "I'm so happy" Oliver wiped tears of his own.

"I just feel so, lifted" He smiled. "I don't feel bound anymore.." Oliver said while cuddling his daughter.?
"Its an amazing feeling" she said while snuggling into him. "You're so special to me."

David and Jane came over and David helped explain some things, considering he was on the pastoral team at his church.
Naturally Oliver had questions, the children were really excited that their "Grandpa Oliver" had become a christian and were cuddling him and asking him to play but he had a lot he wanted to discuss with David and Jane as well.

"Okay kids, leave your grandpa alone for awhile." Arthur said, taking them upstairs for cuddles and prayers. "You can have some ice cream if you get changed into your Pjs and Grandpa will say goodbye before he leaves okay?"

"Yay" Both little Monkeyvarks cheered. Francine decided to stay beside her Father. Arthur thought it was important his wife was near her Father at this time. It would be an emotional one and a very testing one with the rest of his family on the Frensky side and Laverne's side as well.

"Welcome to the family" Arthur said grasping his hand. "The family of the lord."
Oliver held back tears and thanked him for showing his daughter over eight to nine years ago the truth about Jesus and his followers.
"I guess we are important" he replied. Arthur nodded and told the children to give their grandpa a kiss goodnight.

"Love you grandpa" Jacob said. "Me more" Naomi said, planting a kiss on her grandpas cheek. "We can have a big celebration can we please?" They asked looking up at Arthur.

Francine rested her head against her father who grinned. "Well I did always love the all you can eat buffet down past Chester street"
"YAAAY" Was heard by the kids and naturally Francine who wanted to go out and celebrate the best way any good Jewish person would with food and family (I know I do ;)

"Okay then its settled" Francine said. "Ill look into to booking us a table tomorrow but now my little ones," "up to bed with Daddy okay?"
They nodded and hugged their Mommy good night, gave David and Jane good night kisses and cuddles and Arthur led them upstairs feeling pretty proud, accomplished and filled with elation for Oliver and his Wife. The smile on her face was so bright, he not seen that since she held the twins or said I do at their wedding. It was a smile reserved for especially important times like this.

David began talking with Oliver while Francine held her Fathers hand.

"You see when Christ comes into your life" David explained. "Your spirit is immediately changed but you still have emotions, appetites and attitudes you will need to work on". "Everyone of us, be it a long time follower of Christ or a new christian struggles with things that we cannot seem to understand". "Do not listen, and I cannot stress this enough Oliver" David began. "To those who say "If you're christian then why do you do act like that?" "Why are you turning against your faith?" "why do you...such and such?"

"God is working in YOU and will use you and help you through the trials that come" "He will also open your eyes to some wonderful new experiences" "He will never ever give up on you Oliver"

As they spoke, David knelt beside Oliver and prayed again while Jane wept with tears of joy. Francine rubbed her fathers back and thanked the lord Yeshua for this moment and to get her father through what was to come...

Yes Laverne was upset. She had many questions and asked them with tears in her eyes. Catherine felt sour toward the Man who had raised her but spat at him when he went to visit her and Chip, saying Francine was always "Daddy's little perfectionist" "The girl who could do no wrong has brainwashed you too"

The words stung Oliver but he stood firm. This was HIS decision after a good couple of years of reading, researching and looking into what his daughter believed, he found himself interested in the faith that had changed his daughter into such a giving Wife and loyal devoted parent instead of a materialistic fame seeker.

Laverne did still love Oliver and she always would. Their relationship however would remain strained until his death eight years later.
Catherine and Chip moved to Canada and Laverne lived with them.

Francine would be ever grateful the day her father accepted Jesus, knowing on his dying day he would be clinging to that saving hand who would take him to glory.

"Do you hear them?" "The angels are calling my name?" were his last words.

"Yes Dad" Francine wept, holding his hand. "I do, they're taking you home"...

Many people apparently have said that right before they die they hear the angels calling, they hear the bells and the sounds...
Laverne never forgot her sweet husband and remained in contact with Francine but things between them would always be awkward but Francine was used to that. She was happy to be able to tell her children when they asked what their Grandpa Oliver would be doing today in heaven? she would always tell them "He is walking with the Angels" "Probably playing some soccer up there too." she giggled.

Which brings us to the concerts END...

Fern
Fern went into labor at 38 weeks and had a beautiful little Dogmoose called Belle. She was like her Mother only with antlers and a sweet smile like her father. Fern was fortunate to make it through her first birth with a few minor tears and grazes which did need stitching afterward and an epidural which helped take the pain away but her labour was twelve hours so she need to eat and sleep in between contractions so the Epidural insured she had no pain. Pushing at the end felt weird because you are unable to feel yourself push the baby out, so the drug sometimes wears off near the end or the baby is removed by the OBGYN via forceps and a cut to the perineum, not a nice thing to happen at all. Fern managed to push the baby out without medical intervention and she felt that.

The pain was unlike anything she had experienced in her life before. "AHHHHHH" she had never screamed like that before, gripping onto Georges hand while Arthur and Francine prayed for her in the other room.

Fern only wanted her Mother and Husband in the room which was fair enough.
"one more push, just one" "The baby's whole head is out" "we just need the rest of her to come out now" The nurse said while the OB monitored her blood pressure and fluids with an IV drip stuck to her hand.

"RAAAAAAAAAAA" she howled like a wolf. George had never heard Fern cry out like that before.
Arthur and Francine could hear it and gasped. "The baby is out" Francine smiled. "That's the big push"

"How would you know huh?" he teased. Francine gave him a look. "Don't you even start Mr Read" "You think because I had a c section, I wasn't prepared for what could have been?" "That could have been me in there?"..."And another thing.."

"Shhh" He pressed his index finger to his wife's lips. "I know sweet heart, I was joking" "Okay it wasn't very funny" he sighed.
She hugged him. "It doesnt matter" she replied, snuggling him. "Im glad you like to rile me up" "Its funny"

"Funny?" He raised a brow. "How so?" "Is it because I think you are super cute when you're angry or frustrated?" he smirked.
Francine pressed her lips against his to quieten him. They started kissing, giggling and then intensely kissing on the seats outside in the waiting room. "I love you" he whispered. "You too, always" She whispered back.

Mrs Walters came outside and caught the Married couple kissing and giggling to each other. "Hey you two, Ferns had the baby" she said.

"Oh" Francine jumped out of her seat, leading Arthur in behind her.

"She is just...beautiful" Arthur said while Francine held the little girl in her arms.

"We're calling her Belle" George stated while Fern was given some fluids to drink and a cheese and pineapple sandwich. George was doing his best to keep his wife comfortable but the epidural was still helping keep the pain from the stitches away so she was very tired.

"Babies dont need to be fed the very first few hours after birth" Francine added.

"OH?" The nurse said. "Quite the expert we have in our midst here?"

The group laughed. "No, I just have two little ones, well not so little anymore" Francine replied, all the while keeping her eyes fixed on the little puppy with ferns eyes and small antlers like her daddy.

"You're going to be a good girl, I can tell, yes I can" she cooed. "Now let your Mommy rest and you can eat tomorrow"

"Its amazing how long a baby can go without food but we try to get the mother to feed within the first twelve hours." The nurse explained.

Arthur congratulated George and told him he had a beautiful baby.

"I never thought Id see the day." "I became a father" he smiled with a few tears down his cheek.

"I cut the chord and held her first" "It was just a father daughter moment...ill never forget" he said while holding Ferns hand.

She was still asleep but would wake up in the next couple of hours.

"I have a new found respect for women, I can tell you that much." George sighed happily. He kissed his wife on the forehead.
"What they do, its just amazing"

Arthur agreed. "Yup, carrying little lives in their bodies, keeping them safe and warm and then...what they endure to bring these little blessings into the world" "It really is something."

Arthur felt Francine wrap her arms around him. "It sure is." She smiled. "We women are pretty damn awesome"

Arthur handed belle back to George and looked at his wife.

"I'm even more happy for you sweet heart, you gave us our twins" "Now I'm giving you your chance." "Your dream."

She threw her arms around him. They were both still in their night clothes as Fern went into labor at 1am since waters breaking and labor do not have scheduled dates.

He lifted her up so her red robe trailed the hospital floor. "Gee how romantic" she teased.
"My Francine" He said, pressing his mouth up toward her, ready to lean in for a kiss.

"Yes?"

"Promise me you ll never change". "I love you just the way you are"
"My feisty, friendly, loyal, funny, stubborn, talented, sweet and some times crazy Francine."

She kissed him back and then back again and again all the way to the car park.

I think Arthur got the message

Back to Two Years onward.

ON stage the final verse of her favorite song began...

"Lord haste the day when my faith shall be sight."
"The clouds be rolled back as a scroll"..
"The drums shall resound, and the lord shall descend.
"Even so, it is well with my soul"

"It is well with my soul, it is well it is well with my soul"

She ended the concert with a song she told the crowd she would sing to her children before they fell asleep at night.

" Jesus loves me this I know, for the bible tells me so"
" Little ones to him belong, they are weak but he is strong"
" Yes Jesus loves me, yes Jesus loves me" "Yes Jesus loves me"
" The bible tells me so" "The bible tells me so"

" Yes, Sometimes I'm lonely but never alone"
"For the bible tells me" "For the bible tells me"
"For the bible tells me...so"

So Oliver accepted Jesus and lived another happy eight years until the lord took him home.
Fern and George had a beautiful little girl and the lord had other things in store for them

Epilogue will explain what happens to Fern and George.
What is next for the Read family?