Fourth of July (37 page)
“I knew your parents were believers but you never told me you...”
“Yes.”
“You misled me.” Turning her back on him, she tried to make sense of this information.
“Will you forgive me?” Chris reached for her, turning her towards him.
Alexis looked into his warm gaze and had to remind herself why she was upset.
“Maybe, but why didn’t you just tell me?”
“I don’t know.”
“Will you tell me about it now?”
Chris sighed. The water and rustling of the leaves were the only sounds for half a minute.
“Where do I begin? I was only twenty-three when my parents were killed. Like I said, I blamed the Lord. The bitterness grew until I didn’t want anything to do with church. You probably think I’m terrible turning my back on my faith.”
“No, no. I don’t think you’re terrible. I just, how on earth could you do that?”
Chris retrieved a stick from the ground, using it to trace patterns in the dirt.
“I was so full of faith at the time. On a spiritual high, I guess you’d call it. When my parents,” he cleared his throat. “When they were shot, um-hmm, oh man.” He swiped at the tears on his face. “My mom was killed instantly....”
His voice trailed off. Alexis reached out a hand to comfort him, and then pulled it back. She tried again, resting her hand on his arm. He looked at her. The sadness in his eyes tore at her heart.
“My dad was in critical condition. The doctors gave him a 50-50 chance of making it. My brother and I caught the next plane to Jerusalem. I prayed the entire way. I was so sure my faith could heal him, keep him alive. When we got there. He was already gone.” Chris shook his head. “I never even got to say goodbye. I’ll never forget seeing their bodies. I questioned the Lord. I turned bitter inside. I thought Heavenly Father had turned his back on me.”
“I’ve seen miracles in my life. Prayed for people who shouldn’t have survived yet the Lord preserved their lives. Then when I needed His help the most.” Chris shrugged helplessly. “He took away my family. I was so angry. I let it fester. I stopped going to church, stopped reading my scriptures and even stopped praying. But then yesterday...”
He continued looking at the ground as if organizing his thoughts. The silence ran on too long.
“Yesterday when you were shot?” Alexis prodded.
Chris glanced at her. “Before that. After I left your apartment, Dylan suggested I go by the church and check if you were there. The speaker was talking about loving your enemies, doing good to those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”
Alexis didn’t move as he relayed the story. Had he returned to the gospel? She didn’t dare hope. She prayed as she reached for his hand.
“I was angry when he said it.” Chris rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb. “The whole way to the FBI headquarters the words, ‘Love your enemies,’ ran through my head and it made me mad. I stormed into Yusuf’s interrogation room prepared to scare him into giving up the location where they were holding you, Rachel, and Tyler.”
His grip tightened around Alexis’ hand.
“I slammed him into a wall, and then I heard a voice in my head again, ‘Love thy enemies.’ It stopped me cold. After I left the room I went to my office and I prayed.”
“You prayed?” Hope stirred in her heart.
“Yes.”
“How did you feel?”
“I felt warm, peaceful. I’ve prayed several times since but it’s going to take some time. It’s not like I’m healed yet. I can’t be a different person in a day.”
“I know, but it’s wonderful you’re trying. I’m sure your parents are so thrilled.” Alexis felt a surge of love for the man seated next to her.
“Do you think so?” Chris looked like a homesick little boy as he gazed at her.
“I’m sure of it.”
Chris dropped his eyes. “Thanks. I hope you’re right.” He tossed the stick and lifted his eyes to meet hers. “I want to be with you.”
“You do?” She bit her lip.
“Will you give me a chance? Even after hearing all of this?”
“Of course.”
“Someday I’ll be the man I used to be, the man my father was, full of faith, strong in the church, but it will take some time. Are you okay with that?”
“It’s an answer to
my
prayers,” Alexis’ eyes glistened with tears.
They sat in silence for a long time, both busy with their thoughts. Alexis broke the peaceful hush.
“So what would you like to do now?”
“I’d like to spend some time getting to know you better.” The sides of Chris’ mouth curled. “How about I start by familiarizing myself with your lipstick-less lips?”
Alexis watched his mouth coming closer to her own. She placed a hand on his chest, enjoying the feel of striated muscles beneath her palm. “Wait a minute. This relationship can’t be based on physical attraction.”
“No?”
“No.” She pushed him farther away.
Chris pursed his lips, shaking his head. “What can we base it on then? I can’t think of anything else we have going for us.”
Alexis gave him a little shove. “What?”
“Okay.” Chris slowly removed his hands from her. “How about we work out a compromise? We can talk for twenty minutes, and then you have to give me a kiss. We’ll keep the pattern up for a few hours and see how it works.”
Alexis grinned. “Sounds good, but let’s reverse the cycle.”
She grabbed Chris and pressed her lips to his. He didn’t offer any resistance.
LABOR DAY
ALEXIS SMILED AS WATER RIPPLED between her fingertips. “I love this lake.” She squinted at Chris against the glare of the sun on the clear water. She really loved that she was in a swimming suit and wasn’t embarrassed about her scars. “Thank you for bringing me here.”
“No problem.” Chris tread water next to Alexis’ floating lounge. “I hope you don’t mind sharing the day with Dylan and Rachel.”
“Are you kidding? There’s nothing better than being around Maddie and Tyler.”
Chris pushed on the side of Alexis’ flotation device. The lounge flipped upside down, spilling Alexis into the water. She came up sputtering, wiping water from her face and hair.
“Why, you.” She grabbed his head and shoulders, struggling to shove him below the surface.
She wasn’t quite strong enough and eventually conceded defeat. They swam to shore to play with Madison and Tyler on the sandy beach. Several hours later, Rachel called everyone to the picnic table.
“Dinner is served,” Rachel announced.
“Thank you.” Alexis walked toward the picnic table framed with fir trees and wildflowers. Wrapping a large towel around her waist, she secured it at one hip. “I’m sorry I didn’t help.”
“Playing with the kids is plenty of help,” Rachel reassured her. “Besides, this isn’t anything fancy just salads and chips. You have to roast your own hot dog.”
“It looks delicious. I thought you loved the water. Why haven’t you been swimming today?”
“Because she’s getting so fat,” Madison chimed in. “We’ve searched and searched but we can’t find a suit that looks good.”
“What?” Alexis stared at her tall, thin friend for an explanation to Madison’s rude comment.
Dylan and Chris approached, interrupting any reply Rachel may have given. Dylan asked Chris to say the prayer. The other three adults relished the sound of Chris’ strong tenor thanking the Lord for their many blessings.
“Daddy, why do you ask Uncle Chris to pray every time he and Alexis come with us?” Madison asked.
Dylan shrugged. “I just like to hear him do it.”
“Me too,” Alexis said.
Everyone took their time roasting hot dogs to perfection, and then piling plates high with the salads and chips. Alexis noticed Rachel picking at a tiny bit of pasta salad and fruit.
“Why aren’t you eating?” she asked.
“Well, I’m not really hungry.” Rachel’s pale face confirmed her queasiness.
“Is this because of what Maddie said? If you think you’re fat, you’ve got another thing coming. You look amazing. I hope I look half as good after having two children.”
“Madison said you were fat?” Dylan chuckled.
“Yes,” Alexis replied, indignant. “I was absolutely shocked. Maddie usually has good manners, but I don’t think that’s something she should say to her mother.”
Dylan couldn’t contain his smile. “Alexis, Maddie wasn’t trying to be rude.”
“It’s not rude to say Mommy’s fat,” Madison insisted. “She’s got a baby in there pushing her stomach waayyyy out.”
“What?” Chris said.
“You’re expecting?” Alexis shrieked.
Rachel nodded.
Alexis knocked her plate over, rushing to embrace her friend. “That’s wonderful. Congratulations.”
Chris and Dylan chuckled at Alexis’s exuberance.
“That’s great.” Chris patted Dylan on the back. “I hope she’s as pretty as Maddie.”
“No more sissies. Have little bro-bro to play with me.” Tyler jammed a chubby finger into his round chest. “No more dollies, princesses, or dresses.”
Chris chuckled. “Well I hope he’s as cute as you, little man.”
He swooped Tyler up and threw him high in the air.
“Again, again,” Tyler yelled.
Chris complied a few more times until Rachel insisted Tyler eat some of his food. Everyone was finished eating when Alexis caught Chris whispering into Madison’s ear.
“I’m ready,” Madison returned, two notches above a whisper.
Alexis eyed them curiously but she was too interested in pumping Rachel for information to notice Madison and Chris disappear.
“When is the baby due?” Alexis asked.
“March 18
th
,” Rachel said.
“Where you this sick with Maddie and Ty?”
“Only Maddie.”
Alexis nodded. “So, it might be a girl.”
Madison appeared before them, her face hidden behind a huge bouquet of flowers.
“What are these for?” Alexis wondered what Chris was up to. She smiled at her young friend.
“Uncle Chris and I love you very much.”
“Well, thank you. I love you very much.”
“We want you to be with us forever,” Madison continued.
Chris appeared with his hand behind his back. Alexis gaped at the sight. His dark hair curled with wetness, his dark eyes complemented his tanned face, and his white t-shirt barely covered his broad shoulders. Her heartbeat increased significantly when he bent down, kneeling on one knee.
“Can I be the flower girl?” Madison asked.
Chris grinned. “I’m sure you can. Let me have one second.”
“I get to be the flower girl. I get to be the flower girl,” Madison chanted.
Dylan ushered Madison a short distance away from the couple.
Chris gazed at Alexis, a slight smile on his lips.
“Half-pint,” he began. “I love you. I love you more than I ever dreamed I could love anyone. Will you marry me?”
Alexis couldn’t speak. She blinked back tears as Chris stared at her. Flinging herself into his arms, she kissed him to answer his question.
“I love you,” she finally managed. “I love you so much. Of course I’ll marry you.”
Neither of them noticed Dylan’s family fading away as they kissed for several wonderful minutes. Chris finally managed to open the ring box, revealing an exquisite diamond solitaire mounted in a simple gold band.
Alexis covered her mouth with her hand. “Oh, my heavens, it’s beautiful.”
Chris glanced at the ring, then into her eyes. “It was my mom’s.” He paused. “I understand if you want something different, we could go ring shopping.”
Alexis grabbed his hand. “I love it.”
He swallowed. “I thought you might.”
She smiled at him. Her hand trembled as he slipped the diamond onto her ring finger.
“Forever,” Chris promised, bringing her hand to his heart.
Alexis could feel his strong heartbeat as she drew his face closer to hers.
“Forever,” she repeated.
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The Fourth of July
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