The Problem with Dreams

Chapter 60 - The Baptism

"I'll get it!" Jessie shouted.

"I'll go with her," Greg assured his wife as she attempted to rise awkwardly from the kitchen table where they were working.

"Thank you," Susan said, as she slowed her efforts to move, rising more carefully before following Greg upstairs.

"Mom?"

Susan heard a familiar but unexpected voice calling for her from upstairs and quickened her pace.

"Matthew?" Susan called back as she hurried up the stairs as quickly as she could manage.

Relatives had flooded into the living room when Susan emerged from the stairs, and instantly her eldest son was in her arms.

"Oh Matthew!" Susan exclaimed. "I didn't expect you until tomorrow!"

Matthew grinned at her obvious surprise and pleasure at seeing him.

"I know. Dad probably won't be here until late tomorrow. But Grandpa called me. He told me about Zack, and I had money saved from my job, so I bought my own plane ticket and flew on ahead," Matthew said. "I want to be here for Zack, Mom."

Susan's smile spread. "Me too. I'm so sorry I wasn't able to be there for you when you were baptized."

Matthew regarded his mother with an understanding expression. "I know that, Mom. You couldn't help it. The Lord had other plans for you ... I understand that now."

"You do?" Susan asked in surprise.

"Yeah, I do." Matthew turned back towards Zack, Jessie, and Greg. "Merry Christmas, you guys ... even you Greg."

"Thank you Matthew," Greg said seriously. "I appreciate the sentiment."

Matthew grinned.

"So Grandpa picked you up at the airport?" Susan guessed still catching up.

"I did," her father told her as he stepped into the room too. "Merry Christmas, Susan."

"Merry Christmas, Dad, and welcome back," Susan said as she hugged her father.

"Aunt Susan, you're really big!" her niece Amber exclaimed.

"Yeah, you are Aunt Susan," Lisa agreed looking at Susan doubtfully as is wondering what happened to her previously slender aunt.

"That's 'cause Mama's going to have a baby," Jessie told her.

"Ohh!" the two girls exclaimed in surprise. "Really?"

Susan smiled. "Really," she told them. "Well, welcome everyone. Come on in, Chris, how are you?"

"I'm fine, Aunt Susan. Thank you for having me," Chris said politely. "Should we bring the luggage in?"

"I think that is a very good idea," Mr. Abernathy said. "We should just have time to get everybody settled before it's time to get ready for Zackary's service. What are you planning for dinner, Susan?"

"Dinner after the service tonight instead of Sunday Supper, Dad. We thought it might work out better with everyone's schedule," Susan explained.

"Good thinking," he said approvingly. "Boys, shall we?"

"We can help too, Grandpa," Lisa told him firmly.

"Yes, you can; but I want your Aunt Susan to stay here," he told them.

"I agree," Greg told his wife firmly as he too went to help with the luggage.

With most of their guests planning to stay for more than a week, and Matthew planning to stay permanently, there was a lot of luggage to bring in, and Susan directed them to set it all down in the living room initially.