A Family of Their Own - By Gail Gaymer Martin Page 0,70
this one, Kelsey.
Chapter Sixteen
Ross unwrapped the large box and pulled off the tissue. A photograph of Ruthie at his wedding adorned the cover. His heart surged, and he raised his eyes to Peyton. “You made this?”
She nodded. “Look inside.”
Somehow, Peyton had found photographs from the past. Memories coursed through his mind. Peyton as a baby, a toddler, Ruthie reading her a book, her first birthday. She’d decorated it with hearts and baby rattles stickers. He shook his head, amazed that she’d created something so special. “I’ll bet you had lots of help on this.”
“She didn’t.”
He gazed at Kelsey, a smile bursting from her face.
“No?” He’d guessed Kelsey had done most of it.
“I found the scrapbooking equipment, and she did it all. Lucy helped with the photos.”
“Thank you.” He flipped to another page where she had created a tie-shape design with a photograph of Peyton and him in a suit, standing by his old sedan. “Heading for the Easter service here.” He tapped the photo.
His heart swelled as he turned pages, watching his life flash past—the Christmas tree with gifts beneath and Peyton trying to snoop, a backyard barbecue, and Ruthie just home following a long stay in the hospital. A “Welcome Home” banner hung from an archway with Peyton’s crayoned message.
Another page decorated with flowers took his breath away. Photographs of Lucy and Kelsey scattered across the page, and on the opposite side, he studied the precious shot of Lucy and Peyton skating together at the roller rink, the day things changed. He grinned as he focused on the laughable snapshot of Kelsey and him on roller skates.
The last photograph framed in white and decorated with a cross and a large bridal bouquet decoration showed Kelsey and him standing together in front of the Lexie’s fireplace the day of her wedding to Ethan. It seemed long ago when he and Kelsey stood beside them to witness their wedding. He sensed that the Lord had been at work in his life that day.
They’d struggled a long time to make themselves accept God’s plan for them. So much seemed to be against the rationale that two people with seriously ill children could find love and contentment together. But they had.
“I love this, Peyton.” He rose and wrapped her in his arms as he kissed her forehead. “You did a beautiful job, and Lucy…” He looked over his shoulder so he could see her as she hung over the back of his chair. “Thank you for the photos of you and your mom.”
“And you, too, Kelsey, for providing the album and all the decorations.” He slipped his arm behind her waist and shook his head. “I’m surrounded by women. You two girls are so grown-up. It seems as if every day—”
“But we aren’t old enough to have babies yet.” Lucy’s voice sent his thoughts scattering. “Peyton will have them before me.”
He stared at her, dazed and confused. He sought Kelsey for help.
She looked as startled as he felt.
Peyton slammed her fists into her sides. “Lucy, you weren’t supposed to say that.”
He eyed Peyton. “She wasn’t supposed to say what?”
Kelsey held up her hand. “Girls, why don’t you two go into the kitchen and get the cake ready so we can eat. And snap the button on the coffeemaker. It’s ready to go.” She shooed them away.
Peyton hadn’t moved until Lucy gave her one of her looks. “Let’s go.”
They bustled into the kitchen, and Kelsey sank beside him. “I’m sorry, Ross. I didn’t have time to tell you.”
His face burned with indignation. “You gave Peyton a talk on womanhood and didn’t tell me. Didn’t ask me?”
She drew back as if he’d slapped her. “Listen to me, Ross.” She glanced toward the kitchen doorway and lowered her voice. “How many times have you told me you wished Ruthie were alive to talk with Peyton? I didn’t choose to do this. Lucy asked me a question about Peyton’s maturing figure, and one question led to another. Did you want me to lie or be evasive?”
“No, but—” But what? She was right. He’d dreaded the day he had to explain Peyton’s maturing body and all the things that were beginning to happen to her. “I—I.” He closed his eyes and focused. “I’m just startled. I suppose I wanted time to prepare. What if she asks me questions? I won’t know what you told her or how to answer her.”
Kelsey rose and stood over him. “Tell her the truth. I’m sorry, Ross. It happened. She wanted to know