Chapter 2: Blessings

When the Flemings returned home after their two weeks away, they were stunned by the sight. No amount of description could compare with the reality of their once shabby home now solidly rebuilt with a fresh coat of paint. They walked inside to see the floors refurbished and the walls painted. Yet within the newly rehabilitated surroundings were their own things, their furniture, the children's toys, and all the other clutter that made their house a home.

When the issue had come up of the condition of the furniture, Pastor Paul had shaken his head,

"Enough is enough. Joni and Eliot are entitled to their dignity and pride. If you replace everything that they own with things that are new and better, you will make them feel like a charity case. You have saved their home for them. That is what really matters"

"I am working with the VA to try and secure the funds that are needed to keep the family on their feet and get Eliot proper medical attention," said Fr. Bob. "It is time for this government to stand up and take responsibility for its actions. And we will watch them closely. We'll make sure that things don't get so bad again."

It was hard to argue with that. No one wanted to spoil the good work that had been done by overdoing things.

The kids were very proud of their work. The Flemings were overwhelmed by the care and effort that had gone into the job.

"I don't know what to say," said Joni. "Thank you."

"No, Mrs. Fleming, thank you," said Topher, speaking on behalf of all the kids. "This project has given us the chance to do something that really matters. We all did stuff this summer for ourselves, but this was for you. We made new friends, learned new skills, and now know the joy of doing the Lord's work. And it was all because of you."

"And ma'am," said Jim. "I can't tell you how much I enjoyed getting out of that nursing home every day and feeling useful. After you sit around there for a few years, it feels like everyone has forgotten you and there's not much point in being around anymore. This job has made me feel ten years younger."

"I think that we can all agree," said Pastor Jason. "That this experience has changed all of us for the better. God put us all here, with our various strengths and talents, in the same place and at the same time, so that we could help you. You owe no debt to us. In fact from a faith perspective, you have given us much more than you received."

"Thank you again," said Joni. "Just like Mr. Just Jim over here, we thought that we were alone and forgotten. Now we know that we are part of a much bigger family."

Prudence couldn't resist the temptation to put in her two cents, "That's because we all know that love makes a family!"

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It was time for the official blessing of the house. The yard was filled with friends and neighbors and the many volunteers who helped in one way or another. As luck would have it, there were just enough tee shirts to pass around to everyone. The effect from the back was stunning. Set on the black fabric, across the shoulders of each shirt, white angel wings had been printed. Two weeks ago, with everyone moving around, they were noticed but not particularly noticeable. Now with everyone facing in the same direction, there was no missing it.

Of course, Harvey Sloan was there and commented, "Looking into the yard of the Fleming home on Elm St. one cannot help but be struck by two seemingly miraculous visions. The first is the house, which has been transformed from an unsightly blight on the neighborhood to a well maintained, beautifully refinished home. The second is the vision of the angels, a reminder that this situation has brought out the best in our faith communities here in town. Four churches, one Catholic and three Protestant, put aside their theological differences to save a family in need. Let's get closer so that we can hear Pastor Paul, of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, pronounce the blessing.

"Dear Lord, we ask your blessing on this home for Joni and Eliot Fleming and their six children, Nick, Sue, Molly, Ella, Chris, and Jack. May you bless and keep them all the days of their lives. In the garden, in accordance with a Catholic tradition, we now bury a statue of St. Joseph, the stepfather of Jesus, upside down. This symbolizes the strength of the home and family.

"Dear Lord, we also ask your blessing on all those who worked so hard to bring us to this day. They have willingly shared their time, treasure, and talents to make this miracle happen. To all believers, this is a clear example of Christ in action. Jesus has walked through this house. Amen."

"Amen." There was no applause or clapping. It didn't seem appropriate. In fact, no one knew what to do until Pastor Jason's voice rang out with the words, "God is good."

"All the time," answered the crowd.

"All the time," he repeated.

"God is good," came back the response.

"And the people said . . ." he declared.

"Amen!" they shouted back and then the applause and the hugs and tears began.

Looking on with Emmeline from the side, the Professor asked,

"Are you a believer?"

She looked a bit sheepish. "Not really."

"I would have said that three weeks ago," admitted the Professor. "But I have seen too many coincidences and faith happenings now. I believe that my scientific skepticism has been forced to yield to a deeper faith in the message of Jesus. And talk about changes in faith and belief, look over there."

Standing, with her arm around her younger sister, was Phoebe. She was smiling and giving an interview to Harvey Sloan.

"I wasn't expecting to see her on camera," said the Professor.

"Now Professor," said Emmeline patiently. "Don't you see that she's doing all the talking? Did you really think that we would trust Trelawney to talk to the press herself? Lord only knows what she would say."

Hal smiled in agreement. "Only the good Lord knows."

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Everyone was very happy to return home that night. On the one hand they were sad that the project was over, but on the other, they had the satisfaction of a job well done. They were also ready for it to be over. Next week school would begin for everyone and it would be good to have a few days to recover and get ready.

After dinner, Prudence was eager to present Nanny with a project of her own.

"I drew all the pictures and Cousin Emmeline helped me with the words and showed me how to put it together," she said proudly.

Phoebe and Hal were sitting side by side on the couch. His arm was resting comfortably around her. Phoebe flipped the pages, being careful to examine each picture thoroughly.

"See, I drew all the plants in the garden" said Prudence. "And the animals. And everyone in the family."

Phoebe reached the final page and looked very much like she wanted to explode in laughter. Hal looked skyward and said, "Prudence!"

Phoebe was no longer able to contain herself, and started laughing. The others crowded around to see what was so funny. Within seconds, everyone, except poor Hal and a bewildered Prudence, was rolling with gales of laughter.

"What's so funny?" she asked, a little bit hurt by the reaction. On the very last page she had drawn a picture labeled "SOMEDAY." In it, Phoebe and Hal were standing, labeled "Mommy" and "Daddy." They were obviously kissing and prominently displayed on Phoebe's hand was a ring with a large gem!

Poor Prudence had missed the irony of the picture and thought that the others were laughing at her rather than with her. To sooth her injured feelings, Phoebe thanked her for the wonderful blessing of the handmade book. She said that she would treasure it forever.

The little girl beamed with pleasure.

When everyone was in bed later and they were finally alone, Hal seemed to be sulking. His wounded feelings could not be so easily healed. Phoebe tried to cheer him up by nuzzling his neck, but he didn't want to be cheered. He was still smarting over Prudence's picture and the family's reaction. Finally Phoebe gave up and said,

"Hal, you really need to step back and consider the picture 'from whence it comes,' so to speak," she said.

"I know 'from whence it comes,' he replied testily. "Prudence is trying to hint that I am not moving fast enough."

"Hal," she answered softly. "It's not about you, it about her. She wants a mommy. She knows that it will happen 'someday,' and she knows that 'someday' will only happen after we are engaged. "

"And I want a wife," he said, still feeling grouchy. "I want you, but, well . . ."

"You're trying to make everything perfect," she finished. "I don't need perfect, I need you."

"Are you saying that I'm not perfect?" he asked.

"I'm saying that I love you as you are, and if you were anything other than as you are, I wouldn't love you as much," she said with a smile. "You are the greatest blessing of my life."

He smiled and then yawned. Shifting so that he was lying back on the couch, he settled her comfortably in his arms. She snuggled in beside him and sighed.

"Me too," he said as he drifted off.

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It was long after the children were in bed when Professor Everett awoke on the couch in the living room where he had fallen asleep with Phoebe in his arms. Her slow even breathing and the soft curve of her lips told him that she was peacefully sleeping. There were no unicorns intruding on her sleep tonight, the darkness had been driven away. His heart was filled with an enormous desire to make her, his own, his wife.

His feelings were not based on his sexual desires. He loved her and wanted to make their commitment permanent. Not, that it wasn't in both their minds, but he was longing to see his rings on her finger when he looked at her hand. He was wishing that even when she wasn't there, he could look at his own hand and see the symbol of their promises to each other. And once those promises were made, he had other promises to keep.

Until those rings were safely on her left hand, he would not realize his vision of her large with his child. He could feel that her longing was palpable at times. He tightened his grip on the sleeping form in his arms and gently kissed her head. Drowsily she looked up and he softly whispered, "Bedtime, sweetheart. I'm afraid that there isn't much left of the night, we have just enough time to get upstairs before the troops are up and about. "

Still half-asleep, she nodded and allowed him to walk her up to her own bed and tuck her in beside Emmeline. After she heard the door close, she snuggled down under the covers to get back to her dream. She wanted to pick where she had left off, when she was walking down the aisle . . . toward the light.

The End

Will the Professor finally keep his promise? Of course, but only the good Lord (and Helena Mira) knows when.