What God Has For Me by Pat Simmons Page B

to call someone?” Zachary asked,
but handed it over.
    “Yep. A 9-1-1 call to Jesus right now. Can I
read the Bible on your phone?”
    Zachary nodded and smiled. “Yes, angels are
standing by. I know you like your hard copy, but remind me to
install that app on yours—in case of emergencies.”
    Halcyon nodded, then got lost in reading the
passages until Zachary’s vehicle came to a stop at her front door.
The children stirred in the back seat. Getting out, Zachary
unbuckled them and with ease, he carried one on each shoulder up
the stairs. That was one sight she would never get tired of seeing;
the way he used his strength to cuddle her babies was alluring.
    “Leave the bags and car seats. Get the door.
I’ll come back for those,” he advised, almost on the porch, so she
raced to get ahead of him.
    Resting the children on the sofa, Zachary
went back for her things. With the task done and Ashanti and
Jonathan awake, but still in a daze, Zachary towered over her with
his hands stationed on his waist. “Are you okay, Bridget? I mean
really okay. I can stay as long as you need me to. It’s your
call.”
    The way Zachary phrased it made it sound like
he wanted to make the call. “Thanks, but I need some alone time,”
she said softly to lessen the blow. “Thank you for my birthday
gifts.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and collapsed against
his chest. Zachary trapped her in a hug. Halcyon felt secure in his
embrace and wanted to linger in his cocoon, especially when she
heard his whispered prayers. Stepping back, Halcyon swept her lips
against his, and mumbled, “I love you too.”
    Zachary responded with the sweetest, softest
and briefest kiss she had ever experienced.
    “Uncle Zach, are you going to be my daddy
now?”
    Their heads whipped around as Halcyon’s lids
fluttered open. She made a move to distance herself from Zachary,
but he wasn’t having it as he gently restrained her. Halcyon
cleared her throat. For once, Zachary had nothing to say. “Well,
ah… why do you ask, sweetie?” Halcyon finally broke free and joined
her daughter on the sofa.
    “Because you kissed him and he loves us. I
want Uncle Zach to be my daddy!” She pouted, then leaped off the
sofa and ran to him.
    Was it the kiss that brought this demand, or
was she acting out from seeing Scott, who didn’t even acknowledge
her? Halcyon honestly didn’t know how to handle this moment.
Standing, she walked toward Zachary to comfort her daughter, but
when she reached for Ashanti, she gripped onto him and started
crying. Zachary’s expression looked just as clueless as she
felt.
    Let me talk to her , he mouthed and sat
in the nearest chair with Ashanti on his lap. He cuddled her until
she was all cried out while Halcyon stood helpless. Zachary seemed
to be in tune with Ashanti’s mood and placated her without one
complaint.
    Taking a seat next to Jonathan, Halcyon ran
her fingers through her hair. Lord, what am I going to do? This was the time she really needed Him to answer.
    God didn’t, so Halcyon let Zachary stay
throughout dinner, then they watched a cartoon video before Ashanti
would let him go. Before he left, Zachary led them in a prayer that
catered to Ashanti’s needs and then hers. At the door, he wrapped
her in a hug and she closed her eyes. He didn’t say anything, and
neither did she. Finally, they said their goodbyes.
    Are you all right? Zachary texted after he
got home.
    Halcyon read the message and sighed. I’m
praying to get to all right.
    I’ll be praying for you too. See you tomorrow
at church. Love you. Z.
    We all love you too, Halcyon texted back.
Ashanti seemed back to her normal self as if what happened earlier
wasn’t even a memory, but she would have to talk to her daughter,
but not now. Halcyon went through the routine of baths, a bedtime
story, and goodnight kisses, but her heart was heavy.
    In her own bed, Halcyon stared up at the
ceiling. She was emotionally exhausted, but she couldn’t sleep.