Finally My Forever (17 page)

Chapter 20

I'd been excited about going to church, but now that I was in the car on my way there, I was feeling reluctant and fearful, and wondering why I ever agreed to go there in the first place.

I gave some serious consideration to texting Micah and telling him I couldn't make it—especially when I pulled into the parking lot. I'd seen this place from the road before. I knew it was big, but pulling into the parking lot made me experience a whole new wave of doubt. I was in over my head. I didn't even know what door to enter through, much less how to find the Bennetts. I hadn't even thought to ask Micah if his parents would be there. I just assumed they would and it would be easy to find them, but the prospect of that didn't look so good now that I saw the size of this place.

I pulled into a parking spot and sat there for a few seconds, seriously considering leaving before I opened the door and made myself put one foot in front of the other. I saw people entering through a main door, but I imagined them putting some sort of sash over me that proclaimed I was a first time visitor, so went for one of the doors off to the side in hopes of drawing as little attention to myself as possible.

My plan of attack was to get to the side of the main auditorium so I could try to spot the Bennetts. If I couldn't find them, I'd slip into a spot where I could disappear.

I was walking down a long hallway toward an open set of doors when I saw a ladies room. I decided to take a second to check my face and hair one last time, and while I was at it, I used the restroom. I didn't really have to go, but I was taking my sweet time getting to the service.

My heart sank when I went to the sink to wash my hands after using the restroom. You would know that Gina Young would be standing at the row of sinks staring at herself in the mirror.

A rush of nerves and frustration washed over me, but I kept my expression neutral as if I hadn't even seen her. I turned on the sink, staring down at my hands the whole time.

"I wonder if God likes it when people start coming to church just to check out guys," she said.

I knew the comment was directed toward me, and I could feel hot blood rising to my face. I absolutely couldn't believe I heard her right. I glanced at her through the reflection in the mirror, but she was just staring at herself as if she hadn't spoken at all. My first instinct was to forget about washing my hands and walk out of the restroom without saying a word to her, but it felt like that'd be letting her win, and was just too stubborn for that.

"I wonder if God likes it when Christians try to discourage new people from coming to church," I retorted, praying my voice didn't betray how nervous I was.

She turned to glare at me with an ice-cold expression that I returned as best I could even though that type of thing was way out of my element.

"God probably doesn’t mind if I discourage the new people who are here to see Micah Bennett instead of Him," she said.

I wanted to blow my top, but I regarded her calmly with a slight smile that only made her scowl deepen. "You can think what you want to think, but I'm here for church," I said. "I can see Micah any time I want. I don't have to wait for Sunday."

I came really close to adding that I didn't have to hire him to build a patio at my house either, but I kept that to myself.

She huffed, and said, "You wish," as she turned on her heel and headed for the door, leaving me speechless and shaken.

Another lady came in just as she left and I was grateful she hadn't come in sooner. I numbly finished washing my hands, contemplating whether or not I should stay at the service or call it a day. Something felt wrong about going to a church service as angry as I was.

As I had that thought, an older lady came out of one of the stalls. I didn't know how much she had heard, so I tried to get out of there as quickly as possible. I gave her a quick nod of acknowledgement as I pulled a paper towel from the dispenser.

"Are you the young lady who's new here, or the one who's rude?" she asked.

It took me a second to register her question and once I did, I gave her a smile. "It's my first time here," I said.

She gave me an understanding smile. "Let me fill you in on a little secret," she said. "Just because someone goes to church doesn't mean they're a Christian, and just because someone's a Christian doesn't mean they're nice or they act the way you think they should act. Don't put your expectations on any man, because he, or she, will fail you every time." She reached out and patted me on the arm. "God's the only one who won't disappoint."

I offered her a smile. "Thanks," I said.

"You're not thinking about leaving are you?" she asked.

"No ma'am," I said, even though I most assuredly had been.

She smiled. "Good."

The service was just about to start when I found a seat. I wanted to go home, but I told the lady I'd stay, so I did. I glanced around for the Bennetts, but the place was huge, and it was a lost cause. It crossed my mind to look for the nice couple I met at the festival or Ms. Joan, but I didn't see anyone I recognized.

I watched in awe as Micah led the worship. His story about Bach was at the forefront of my mind because he was so gorgeous, talented, and natural up there, but it was obvious that his goal was God's glory and not his own. His humbleness only served to make me love him even more.

Micah sang four songs before the pastor took the stage. He was a tall, lanky man who looked to be in his fifties. He was funny and entertaining, and I caught myself feeling surprised that I was having a good time.

It was about twenty minutes into the message when I felt a hand on my shoulder. "Scoot over and let me sit here," I heard a voice whisper in my ear.

I smiled and shifted over a chair so Micah could sit on the end next to me. Relief flooded my body as soon as he sat down. He reached out and squeezed my thigh right above my knee once he sat down.

"You were impossible to find out here," he whispered. "I thought you'd be with my parents."

"I couldn't find them," I whispered back.

"They always sit on the other side," he said, leaving his hand possessively on my leg. "That's why it took me forever to find you."

I smiled at him. "I'm glad you did."

We focused on the message, and before long it was over. We walked out of the sanctuary holding hands, which made my nerves buzz like they did every single time he touched me.

"Did you like it?" he asked, on our way to the parking lot.

"I loved it," I said smiling.

I didn't plan on telling him or anyone else about the confrontation I had with Gina, since it wasn't even worth it.

He and I had driven separate cars, so we decided he would follow me to my house where I would drop off my car and ride with him to eat with his parents. Micah asked me why I wasn't bringing Roscoe along when I climbed into his truck, and I told him the spoiled mutt had gone on a hike with Trish and her boyfriend and would probably eat steak for lunch.

I was anxious as we pulled up in his parents' driveway. I didn't know how much he had told them about us seeing each other, if anything, and I couldn't help but wonder how they would feel about it. I caught myself doubting whether or not we could actually be classified as 'seeing each other', and figured I'd try to keep quiet and let him do most of the talking.

Micah waited for me to come around the front of the truck and he took my hand to lead me to his parents' front door.

Every light in the house was on, and the TV was tuned to what looked like a pregame show for a football game. His dad was standing in front of the screen with a remote in his hand, and he turned to face us when we came in the door. His eye instantly snapped to the place where Micah's hand held mine. I felt suddenly insecure, and as if Micah sensed it, his grip tightened. Mr. Jesse smiled and cocked his chin up to yell in the direction of the kitchen.

"Micah and Carly are here!" he yelled. We dropped hands and began to take our shoes off.

"Micahhh! Carlyyy!" I heard Thomas announce walking from the kitchen to the living room to greet us.

I knew even before I saw him that his hands would be lifted high above his head, and they most certainly were. A huge smile spread across my face as I crossed the living room to meet him and give him a hug.

"We're gonna have lunch," he said. "Can you come eat with us?"

I nodded. "I think so, if that's okay with you."

"Yes it is. Are we doing science class too?" Before I had the chance to answer, his attention shifted to Micah. "How did you get here at the same time as my baby brother?"

"We rode together," Micah said, coming to stand beside me.

Thomas stared at him as if it didn't quite register. "My baby brother sang songs at church today," he said, obviously having other things on his mind.

"I know," I said. "I saw him."

His eyes widened and his jaw dropped. "You saw him?"

"Yeah," I said. "I went to your church this morning."

"To my church?" Thomas asked, still shocked.

Claire came in the living room with her apron on to give out hugs. "Hey guys!" she said smiling and thankfully not acting surprised to see us together. She gave us hugs one by one and told Micah what a "beautiful job" he did that morning.

"Carly went to our church," Thomas said, talking to his mom.

"I know she did," Claire said smiling. "She came with Micah."

Thomas looked at me with wide, speculative eyes. "You came to my church with my baby brother?"

I smiled and nodded. "Are you okay with that?" I asked, tentatively.

Micah put his arm around my shoulders and gave me a squeeze. "Carly and I are gonna be together a lot from now on, brother."

I could see Thomas' wheels turning as he took us in with a serious expression. He stood there for several long seconds before he said, "Are you and Carly gonna get married?"

Micah looked at me with a smile, and I regarded him with shock, wondering how he'd possibly respond to his brother's question. "I haven't asked her yet," he said, not taking his eyes from mine, "but I'm sure we will. Don't you think?"

My heart was beating faster than ever before as adrenaline and sheer joy pumped through my body in waves. I smiled, hoping I was holding up. I was looking at Micah, but I knew Claire, Jesse, and Thomas were all staring at us, waiting for my answer.

"I think that's a definite possibility," I said, trying my hardest not to cry or say the wrong thing.

Micah smiled and squeezed me again as he turned his attention to his brother. "We will," he assured his family, nodding confidently.

Claire let out a happy screech and put her hands over her mouth before reaching out to hug us again. "That's so sweet," she said.

I glanced at Thomas, who was still staring at us, contemplating everything with an earnest expression. I had no idea what he was thinking.

"If you get married," he said, "what will she be?"

"That'll make her my wife," Micah said.

Thomas regarded us with a look of confusion and frustration as if Micah hadn't answered the question.

"Will she be my family?"

"Oh, you mean what will she be
to you
?" Micah said, understanding. "When we get married, she'll be your sister."

Thomas stood still for a second and then pointed at me. "Carly will be my sister?" he asked.

"Yeah," Micah said. "How's that sound?"

And just like that, Thomas scrunched up his face and lifted his fist to hold his wrinkled up nose. He let out a long, high-pitched wheezing cry that I easily recognized as the signal that he was overwhelmed with happiness. He took in a breath of air through his mouth and let out another cry, keeping his face buried in his hand.

I was helpless to stop the tears from flowing out of my own eyes. The sight of him so overjoyed at having me as his sister touched my heart so deeply that I cried right along with him.

I hugged him tightly, and he squeezed me back, alternating between wheezing a cry and breathing in. I pulled back and put a kiss on his cheek, doing my best to compose myself as I took in this precious soul.

"When are you getting married?" he asked, wiping at his face with his shirtsleeve. "Tomorrow?"

"We haven't really talked about that yet—" I started to say.

But Micah cut me off. "Soon," he said.

"Tomorrow?" Thomas asked again, looking at Micah who smiled.

"Not tomorrow, but soon."

"This is so exciting, but my green beans are burning," Claire said wringing her hands as she reluctantly turned to head for the kitchen. "You guys come in here!" she called from over her shoulder.

Thomas immediately obeyed his mom's request and walked off in the direction she'd gone, still wiping at his face.

Micah grabbed my hands and pulled me to him, looking down at me, smiling. "I'll probably catch some football with my dad," he said. "You can go see what my mom's up to or stay in here with me."

I smiled and glanced toward the kitchen and then to his dad, who was preoccupied with the television again. "I'll probably go see if your mom needs any help," I said.