Love Times Three

Issues

The kids were dressed in their Sunday best as Asher and Dallas carried them. This was the first time they all had been to church since they got back and for some reason Lily was nervous. She wasn't looking forward to the stares and the gossip, but she had missed church. She missed feeling so close to God. The guys dropped the kids off at Kids Church while Lily went in with Madere.

Madere showed Lily off like she knew she would. She laughed with old acquaintances and cooed over pregnant bellies and newborns. "Lily." She smiled before turning around. He looked so handsome in a pair of navy slacks and a white button down. "Hi Jack." Lily said hugging him tightly. His arms just felt right around her waist and they stood like that for a while until they heard a throat clear. Lily looked over at a brooding Dallas and a red Asher and sighed.

"Jack this is Dallas Lewis and Asher Reynolds." Jack held out his hand to shake them. "Fathers of her children." Dallas spoke out causing Lily to groan quietly. "I know. We met in the ER. I heard Austin is doing well, so that's good." Asher looked between them. "How did you hear that?" Lily rolled her eyes causing Dallas' eyes to widen. "He's who you're dating?!" Lily shushed him. "Will you two cut the crap and shut up!" Lily hissed.

"Will you be sitting with us?" Madere cut in looking at Jack. "I'd love that, Mrs. Johnson." Lily smiled at him as he held out his arm. She turned to glare at Dallas and Asher before walking with Jack. Service was going well enough. The message was on forgiveness and Lily felt like God had a giant magnifying glass on her. She knew she hadn't forgiven the guys for what they did to her. She knew that she was hurting still after all these years and she hated it. She needed to let it go. She needed to forgive them even though they still had yet to apologize.

"We'd like to take this time to call those in need of salvation to the alter. Our resident soloist has returned home and we're so happy to have her. Lily Beth, why don't you come here and sing for us." Lily's eyes widened as she looked around before landing her eyes on Madere who smiled sheepishly. "What did you do?" Lily bit out in her grandmother's ear. "Go praise the Lord, baby." Madere said with a push.

Dallas and Asher chuckled as Jack gave her a loving pat. Lily made her way to the alter where she was handed a microphone. Behind the keyboard was an old church pal, Bo Ogah, who was always her go to partner musically. She found out he was now in charge of the choir and it just made sense how Madere would get her tangled back into the church's music scene.

"Oldie, but goodie." Bo whispered before the instrumental to a song the two had sang as children often began playing. Lily smiled before she said a quick prayer that she said every time she sang. Lily prayed her voice would make a difference. She prayed her voice would speak to someone. Lily prayed that the words of whatever she sang brought peace, joy and happiness.

Dallas and Asher looked at her in awe. It had been years since they last heard her sing and it felt like the biggest tragedy. Her voice was unlike anything they'd ever heard. It was unlike anything anyone had ever heard, which was why so many people loved to hear her. They watched men and women walk towards the alter and smiled. She was an angel. Their angel and as Asher looked at Jack who stared at her with such admiration, he realized they had lost her.

"You were amazing," Jack said as they congregated outside of church. Lily smiled at him before hitting him playfully. "It was nothing. I enjoy singing especially in church. I forgot how much it centers me." Jack nodded. "That's how I feel when I play the violin. There's just something about music." Lily nodded before she saw Kinsley running up to her. "Mama! Look!" Lily took the drawing after picking up the three-year-old and smiled.