Sweetheart Reunion (21 page)

“And I only saw what I thought I wanted,” she replied. “If I ever talk to Mr. Sonnier again, it will be about packaging some of my dishes for distribution, nothing more. Except maybe a cookbook. Things I can do right here.”

Julien’s eyes shined brightly with pride. “There you go. You can do that, Alma. You owe it to the world, all the wonderful food you cook.”

“And you could live with that?”

“I told you, I love you. I can live with anything as long as I know you love me back.”

Alma saw the questions on his eyes, but before she could answer, the doors to the emergency room opened and two doctors came walking toward them.

“Julien?”

“I’m right here,” he said, turning her toward her sisters and the doctors.

Alma gathered with her family, holding tight to her sisters and to Julien. “How is he?” she asked.

“He’s a lucky man,” the intern said. “He has a concussion but it’s a mild one. He just needs to rest and take it easy for the next few days. His vitals are good and his heartbeat is strong. Your daddy is one stubborn man. He told us he’s survived worse than this, many times.”

“That’s true,” Callie said, tears streaming down her face. “He is tough.”

“He’s asking for all of you,” the doctor said. “Oh, and he especially asked for Julien.”

“That’s me,” Julien said, giving Alma a blank stare.

After the doctor left, they started toward the emergency room. “I guess he’s gonna tell me to get lost since my baby brother just about killed him.”

“It’s okay,” Alma said. But she couldn’t predict what her father might have to say.

They all went behind the curtain separating her daddy from the other patient who shared the room. “Daddy,” she exclaimed, running to hug her father close. His bear hug proved that he was as strong as ever.

After more hugs, tears and laughter, he finally looked up at Julien. “And you—”

“I’m so sorry,” Julien began, his hands palm up. “Pierre shouldn’t have taken that boat out in that storm.”

“I asked your brother to take it for a spin,” Ramon said. “I made him let me take over once we got out there, but I wasn’t gonna let that boy get on that boat by himself and drink, no sir. Turns out, we had a right fine discussion.”

“You could have been killed,” Brenna said, glaring over at Julien.

“But I’m here,” Ramon replied. “Before…before the storm hit, Pierre and I had a long talk. I think he’ll straighten up just fine. I told him about my own grief.” He stopped, his eyes misty. “Then I told him if his brother marries my daughter, he’d be part of our family. And our family expects more outta a person.” He grinned, winced, then said, “I wasn’t completely passed out after I hit my head. I heard that boy apologize to me so many times, I had to take me a little nap. And dat was dat.”

Alma saw Julien’s broad smile. Then her father held up a beefy hand. “But, son, your skiff is…gone.”

“I saw that,” Julien replied, shaking his head. “I’ll build another one, even better.”

“I’ll help you,” Ramon said, nodding. “Now dat you for sure gonna be my son-in-law.”

Julien turned to Alma then. “Will you…marry me, that is?”

Alma’s heart opened wide as a warmth and understanding moved through her. “Yes.”

More tears. More hugs. More promises to be honored.

Soon a nurse came in and told them Mr. Blanchard would be moved to a room for overnight observation. They all piled out into the waiting room.

Jacob Sonnier was waiting for them. “How’s your daddy?”

Alma explained what had happened. “He should be just fine.”

“That’s good,” the older man said. “Just wanted to check.”

Alma glanced at Julien then turned back to Jacob. “I think I’d like to take you up on that offer to distribute my gumbo, Mr. Sonnier.”

“Really?”

She nodded. “Just give me some time to get things in order.” Then she grinned and pointed toward Julien. “Starting with my wedding.”

Mr. Sonnier let out a hoot of laughter. “Son, you’ll be marrying one very smart businesswoman.”

Julien kissed her forehead. “I couldn’t agree more.”

A few minutes later, Julien’s mother and Pierre, followed by Tebow and Mollie and Mrs. Laborde, came charging in with food and clean clothes. Mrs. LeBlanc had brought enough to feed the entire emergency room staff. “Reverend Guidry says the street dance is back on tonight,” she announced.

Jacob Sonnier took it all in. “Ain’t that good?”

“Very good,” Julien said in Alma’s ear.

She turned to stare up at him. “I love you, too,” she said.

Julien kissed her again.
“Veux-tu danser avec moi?”

“Yes, I’ll dance with you. Tonight,” she promised.

* * *

A few hours later, a slow song drifted out onto the night, its notes touching the stars while the only couple left on the dance floor gently swayed to the music.

Julien held Alma close, taking in the scent of flowers surrounding her soft, long hair. “We’re gonna be okay, aren’t we,
chère?
”

“Better than okay,” she replied.

“No regrets?”

“No regrets,” she said. “I have everything I’ve ever wanted, right here in Fleur.”

“Why did we wait so long?”

Alma glanced up at him, her eyes warm and bright. “God’s own time, Julien. We had to have this reunion to appreciate how deeply our love runs.”

He held her face in his hands, amazed that she was his at last. “A sweetheart reunion. This time, I won’t let you go.”

Alma kissed him then giggled. “I think this is why I never left in the first place.”

The music stopped, but Julien held her there. This was one dance that would last a lifetime. He had his Alma back, at long last.

* * * * *

Dear Reader,

I love reunion stories. I think I appreciate these stories because they show us that we always have a second chance. Alma and Julien had this second chance after many years of trying hard to ignore each other. When Julien had his epiphany, he knew it was a sign from God that he needed to settle down. He wanted to do that but not without Alma.

I hope you enjoyed watching Alma and Julien rekindle their love. I purposely set this story in south Louisiana, near the Gulf Coast, because I love the resilience of the people in that particular part of the state. They are strong and hardworking and durable. They have survived storms and heartache, but they always bounce back. I believe God gave us the ultimate reunion story when he sent Christ to be the buffer in our reunion with him. We always have a second chance to be reunited with someone we love, thanks to the love of Christ.

Until next time, may the angels watch over you always.

Lenora Worth

Questions For Discussion

1. It took Julien many years to realize he wanted to win Alma back. Why do you think it took him so long?
   
2. Have you ever wanted to reunite with a loved one or a friend but were afraid to take that first step? Did this story help you with that?
   
3. Why do you think people grow apart? Can being a Christian help you deal with losing a loved one in anger?
   
4. Why did Alma hold back from accepting Julien’s love? Do you think her worries about getting sick like her mother were valid?
   
5. Have you ever had to deal with the death of a loved one from cancer? If so, how have you learned to cope?
   
6. Alma comes from a strong, close-knit family. Did this help her or hinder her in dealing with Julien’s love?
   
7. Why did Alma wait before planting the iris Julien gave her?
   
8. Julien wanted to help his brother, Pierre. Have you ever had to deal with a loved one who is in trouble in this way? How did you handle that situation?
   
9. Do you think Pierre was acting out because of watching Julien do the same? Or maybe because he missed his father?
   
10. Alma and Julien live in an area hit hard by both nature and life in general. Do you find this to be realistic compared to today’s world?
    
11. Fleur is a small community where everyone comes together to help each other. Do you live in such a community? Have you found that this type of community helps you in your faith?
    
12. Why do you think Ramon Blanchard got on the boat with Pierre?
    
13. Do you think Pierre will straighten up and make a life with Pretty Mollie? Should she stick by him?
    
14. Alma wanted a career and to marry Julien. Why was it so hard for her to accept that she can have both? Do you believe she can have both?
    
15. Why was Julien so afraid of letting Alma spread her wings? Do you believe couples can compromise and still have a solid marriage?