"So Todd took it really well?" Christy's best friend Katie Weldon asked through the phone while Christy stared unpacking her room.
"He took it great! He was really happy when I told him." Christy had told Katie the whole story about talking with Todd. Katie lived in Africa and Christy cherished the few times they did get their schedules in line so they could talk.
"That's so exciting! Remember the first kid you have I am jumping on a plane and going straight to new port beach! Poor Eli will just have to deal with me being gone." Eli was Katie's husband. They have been married for a year and live in a missionary center run by Eli's parents.
"Well it may not be for a while, I just wanted to see if he was open to the idea."
"Well of course he was. Christy you are literally his whole entire life. He never had much of a childhood and I think he's looking forward to experiencing it with you."
"That's true. One time while we were still dating he said that all of that stuff would be up to me. He never had birthday parties or anything normal kids would have. I think he's excited because our kids will have what he never did."
"Well he will be excited and I am going to be the greatest aunt ever! Y'all better come see me when I have kids! I will be disappointed if y'all don't."
"Oh don't worry I've always wanted to come to Africa."
"Well it looks like I have to go. Eli has some sort of project he wants to show me. I'll call you as soon as I can! Bye." Christy hung up the phone and grabbed her purse. Todd was at work and Christy was going to see her aunt Martha and uncle Bob.
"Christy dear, it's so good to see you! Is Todd with you?"
"No he's working today. I just wanted to stop by and see how y'all were." Christy loved her aunt. Marti and Bob had always treated her more like their own daughter than a niece. She looked up at Marti and noticed the familiar glow she had been carrying around since she gave her life to The Lord last month.
"Well things are going good here," Marti fixed the flower arrangement on the table as she spoke, "Bob and I have a meeting at the church later. Did I tell you about the Africa missions organization Bob and I are sponsoring?" Marti was so excited about this missions project. She had shared it with Christy about 3 times. Christy loved finally being able to share her love for The Lord with Marti. Now her whole family could enjoy his blessings and talk openly.
"Yes aunt Marti. I really think it's a good idea. Speaking of Africa, Katie said to tell y'all hi when I got the chance. I talked to her this morning and the water well project she and Eli started is going really well."
"Oh that is so great! I miss Katie. Tell her she is going to have to come visit us very soon! Her and Eli both, we would love to have them." Christy wasn't surprised by this because aunt Marti knew all of Christy's friends and had adopted Katie as her own family. Marti's kindness made Christy realize how great The Lord really is.
"Well tell uncle Bob ill be by soon. I'm sorry I missed him. I just wanted to stop by for a bit. I'm going to get some groceries before I head home."
"Well thanks for stopping by," Marti gave Christy a kiss and hugged her goodbye, "see you later." With that Christy headed out the door and made her way to the store.
Later that day Christy sat on the edge of her bed looking at some pictures. She had finished unpacking their room when she got back from the store and the last box had pictures and posters in it. All she had to do was finish putting up these pictures and her house would be complete. She went to work setting up and hanging several pictures some from their honeymoon, pictures they had taken together, and pictures of the gang. The last two things in the box were a picture from their honeymoon on top of their bridge and the poster Todd had given her for her 16th birthday. The poster had a picture of the same bride they stood on in the photograph. Christy stared at both of them and remembered the day it was taken.
~
Christy sat curled up next to Todd in the jeep as he drove down the Hana road. She took in the beautiful scenery and remembered the time they spent here the summer she turned 16. She had wanted to just be with Todd like she was now in this moment, but now she was glad that they had saved it until now. Todd steered with one hand and had his other arm wrapped around Christy. They had finally arrived at the beach and set off straight to the water fall. They sat behind it admiring the way the water fell from the rock and merged with the pool of water below. The last time they were here they they couldn't admire the water fall the way they were now, in this moment. All of the sudden Christy turned her head towards Todd with an excitement she could hardly contain. She twisted suddenly to face Todd who looked concerned until he saw the excitement on her face.
"I want to jump." Todd looked at her with wide eyes at her sudden declaration.
"What?"
"The bridge. The jump. I want to do it."
"Are you sure?" Christy was more sure now than she had been about anything. She wanted to jump and it was her own idea. Todd smiled at her knowing that this was her decision and he took her hand guiding her out of the waterfall as they headed for the trail.
Todd held Christy's hand as she looked out toward the ocean.
"I'll jump first and as soon as I give you the signal you come down, okay?" Todd spoke firmly to Christy to calm her down. No matter how nervous she was she still wanted to jump.
"Okay." Todd held her face in one hand and kissed her. The touch was gentle and made Christy melt. Todd looked at her and then jumped off of the bridge not making a sound. Christy scanned the water waiting for him to pop up just as she had 7 years ago. Todd soon came up and Christy focused on the spot she had to aim for.
"Go head. The waters nice and warm. Come join me!" Todd sat in the water smiling at Christy. She took a deep breath and launched herself off of the bridge leaving the safety of the wood against her feet with a small squeal.
The next thing she knew Christy felt the rush of the cool water and surfaced floating straight into Todd's arms. He beamed with excitement.
"I am so proud of you Kilikina. You have no idea."
"Well Todd Spencer I'm just glad I had someone to catch me." Todd gazed at her with that look that made her blush. He didn't seem to mind as they made their way over to the shore where their jeep was.
~
Christy smiled as she hung the poster beside their bed and put the picture on their bathroom counter, the black frame matching perfectly with the color themes.
