Ibrahim beamed at Joshua.

"And now I know...  It was God Himself who held me during my panic attack and, I now suspect, helped it to end."

"A little," Joshua confirmed.  "I could have stopped it entirely but..."

"It needed to happen," Ibrahim finished.  "I understand.  It was my wake-up call.  I realized how much of my life was being lived for other people... and not in a good way.  I became an imam because my mom wanted me to.  I was going to the courthouse every day because I thought I needed to make a stand.  And those weren't bad things... but they weren't meant for me.  I don't have it in me to be a public figure... at least not right now.  Right now... I just want to be a husband and a father and a friend."

"And you're doing a wonderful job with those," Liyana assured.

"Thank you, my love.  I... I want to model healthy behaviors for Judah.  I want him to find what he's really passionate about and pursue that... even if he's in his thirties and still trying to figure it out.  Speaking of..."  Ibrahim looked to Joshua who smiled encouragingly at him.  "I think I might have a lead there.  I realized that while I really miss talking to our congregation one-on-one, I'm probably not at a sturdy enough mental place yet where I could do any sort of counseling like that.  But I'd still like to do something to give back.  So...  Arthur offered me a job at True Light and I've decided to take it."

The others cheered and congratulated Ibrahim as he beamed.

"Thank you.  I'll be working a lot with the logistics... ordering supplies, keeping inventory, etc.  But I'll be part of the community and that's what I really want."

"I'm so happy for you!" Joshua gushed, hugging the man.

"Thank you...  And thank you for getting me to this place in my life, Josh."  Ibrahim returned Joshua's hug then beamed at his wife and child.  "And thanks to my beautiful wife for her unending support... and to this little guy for being so absolutely adorable that I can't help but smile."

Liyana squeezed her husband's hand.

"We're both very, very blessed to have you in our lives, Ibrahim.  I... I couldn't have picked a better father for our son."

"Love..."

Yosef smiled tenderly as he took in the touching scene.  He clasped Maryam's hand then gazed at Joshua.

"Children are truly among God's greatest gifts," he intoned.

"They are..." Maryam agreed, also looking to her son.

Yosef's eyes misted as he thought of one of his most recent experiences with Yeshua. 

Seeing the look on his Abi's face, Joshua guessed at his thoughts and remembered.


"Right this way, please, to the visitors' room," the corrections officer directed Joshua and Yosef.

The two men followed their host into a nondescript room with little more than two couches and a clock on the wall.  Cracked and scuffed tile covered the floor and most of the walls were taken up by large windows.

"He'll be in soon.  An officer will be with you at all times."

"I understand.  Thank you."  Joshua smiled calmly at their host.

"Right...  Well, have a good visit.  I hope you get whatever it is you're looking for."

"Thank you.  Me, too."

The guard peered at Joshua, shook his head slightly, and departed.

Once they were left alone, Yosef studied his son whose head was bowed.  Over two thousand years had passed but the carpenter remained in awe of his boy... God and man.  He had seen Yeshua enthroned, overseeing the affairs of his many, many worlds.  He'd witnessed him command legions of angels.  He'd seen him confront Satan himself... and seen the latter cower. 

But, somehow, these quieter, smaller moments shook Yosef even more.  The Great I Am was sitting in a jail visitation room... preparing to meet with the man... his own child... who had tried to kill him.

"Abi?  You okay?"

Yosef stirred, wiped at his eyes, and squeezed Joshua's hand.

"Yes, yes.  Only... thinking."  He brought Joshua's hand to his lips.  "I love you, Yeshu."

Joshua embraced Yosef.

"I love you, too, Abi."

"How... do you think it is going to go?"

Joshua sighed and dragged a hand through his hair.

"I'm not sure.  I just know I have to try."

"Yes..."

Some movement caught Joshua's eye.  He looked out a window and saw Cameron approaching, flanked by two guards.

"Here we go..." he murmured.

Yosef nodded and patted Joshua's shoulder.

As they'd discussed, neither stood as Cameron wheeled himself into the room.  Joshua hadn't wanted to loom over him.

"We'll be watching," a guard barked at Cameron.  "So don't try anything."

"I'm not stupid.  Like this, even the old man could take me out," Cameron retorted.

The guard rolled his eyes then looked to Joshua. 

"We're going to leave you alone... per the D.A.'s request.  But we'll be watching from just outside."

Joshua could tell the man didn't approve of this change in protocol so he smiled sympathetically.

"I understand.  Thank you very much."  He stood and held his hand out.

Taken aback, first one guard and then the other shook his hand.

"So... just right out here..."  The second guard motioned to a window.  "Yell if you need anything... sir."

Yosef smiled to himself.  Sometimes people found themselves awed by Joshua without really knowing why.

"Absolutely will do," Joshua assured.  "Again, thank you."  He smiled at them both then sat back down.

After nodding in reply, the two guards moved into the hallway and closed the door behind them.

Joshua gave his full attention to the young man.

"Hello, Cameron.  How are you doing?"

He shrugged.

"How do you think?"

Joshua ignored the question.

"This is my father, Yosef."

Cameron looked at the man and, for just a moment, his color faded.

"Your... necklace."

Confused, Yosef reached up towards his neck then smiled.

"Ah, yes.  A friend's little girl made it for me." 

Joshua beamed as he thought of how proud Daisy had been of her handiwork, created especially for her daddy's namesake.

"It's... a Jesus fish," Cameron balked.

Yosef nodded.

"So it is."

"But..."

Confused, Cameron looked back and forth between the two men. 

"So you're not Jews?"

Joshua flinched at the hateful inflection on the last word.

"We are," he affirmed.

"So then you shouldn't have that," Cameron spat out at Yosef.

Yosef's face hardened as he clasped the ichthus. 

"He has every right to wear that," Joshua insisted.  "He believes that Jesus... Yeshua... is and was the Son of God... God Himself.  But even if he didn't, it's not your job to police other people's jewelry.  Do you think Jesus would be upset if someone just happened to like the 'Jesus fish'?"

Cameron smirked at Joshua.

"I don't know.  Why don't you tell us... 'Jesus'?"

"He would not be," Joshua replied without hesitation.  "He'd find it infinitely more troubling when someone professes to be Christian and yet embraces hatred."

For the second time, Cameron blanched but the reaction was only momentary.

He muttered something under his breath.

"What was that?" Joshua questioned.

With a wicked gleam in his eyes, Cameron grinned at Joshua.

"Just saying that I wish my aim had been a little higher... right through the heart."

Yosef jolted and moved to stand.

Joshua held his arm out in front of his Abi.  He didn't take his gaze off of Cameron as he spoke.

"Do you think that would have made you feel better?  Would you have felt like you'd accomplished something?"

"I don't care what you believe.  You're still a dirty Jew who made friends with terrorists."  Cameron spat at Joshua.

Unflinching, Joshua continued to stare as he casually brushed the spittle away as if it were nothing more than a bit of lint.

As horrified as he was, Yosef had to stifle a laugh.  His son had swagger...

"Says the man who shot at innocent people while he hid...  You couldn't even face us?"

Cameron's face flushed red.

"I think you were scared to face us," Joshua continued.  "I think, deep down, you knew what you were doing was wrong.  And if you heard so much as a tiny, humanizing snippet of conversation, you knew you'd lose your nerve.  So you had to hide."

Cameron gripped the arms of his wheelchair tightly.

"If you saw the wedding ring on Raheem's finger... or the locket around Salma's neck... if you looked into my eyes..."  Joshua sighed then smiled softly.  "You know, thanks to you, I've reunited with a young man I met while playing Jesus.  He's been a blessing to me and to my friends in the wake of your violence.  But there's something only you and I and the Father know.  Isn't there, Cameron?"

Surprised, Yosef peered at Joshua, hanging on his next words.

"I've actually reunited with two young men who I met at St. Genesius'.  Haven't I?"

"Him?!" Yosef cried out.

Joshua nodded.

"How... how do you remember?" Cameron demanded.  "You must have met hundreds, if not thousands..."

"I remember everyone," Joshua replied, his voice gentle.  "I remember that your grandparents brought you.  But you didn't want to go.  You'd already started reading and watching all that hateful, awful stuff on the Internet.  You hated the changes we'd made.  The Shema... Joseph and Nicodemus... Kaddish...  Because you didn't want to remember that Jesus was Jewish.  And you didn't want to remember that he was brown, either."

"How do you..." Cameron repeated before Joshua continued.

"You mumbled a hello to me when your grandma prompted you.  And I commented that I liked your shirt... and I did.  I'd been to that Hard Rock Cafe.  Good times!  That's when you finally met my gaze.  And, for just a moment, you softened.  The hatred started to melt away.  You saw me as a real, live, human being with feelings.  And on the day of the shooting... you couldn't risk letting that happen again.  So you hid."

"Shut up!  Shut up!  Shut up!" Cameron screamed.

The guards moved to the door but when Joshua held his hand up, they stopped.

Yosef calmly and proudly looked on.

"How do you know this?" the young man seethed.

"I know you, Cameron."  Joshua's eyes welled.  "I just wish you knew me... really knew me... like you used to."

"I don't know what you're talking about!" Cameron shouted.  "I think you're crazy!"

"My son is not crazy," Yosef defended.

Joshua briefly smiled at his Abi then turned back to Cameron.

"Your grandma had a nativity set that was a family heirloom.  She loved it.  One Christmas, she unpacked it and the baby Jesus was missing.  She was devastated."

The color began to drain from Cameron's face.

"She called your mom in a panic.  You overheard her side of the conversation and, immediately, burst into tears.  You went into your room and retrieved the figure... which you'd taken after the previous Christmas.  You'd been five and you didn't want Jesus to be stuck in a box for eleven months.  It didn't even occur to you that, by taking it, you'd hurt your grandma."

"My... my mom must have told you," Cameron guessed.

Joshua shook his head.

"Your grandma talks about it often, though."

"But... she died two years ago."

Joshua's only reply was a tender gaze.

The three were silent for several moments.

"I... I'm tired," Cameron declared, his voice weak and boy-like.

"We'll head out then.  I'll be praying for you, Cameron," Joshua promised.

"And I will, as well," Yosef added.

Cameron made no reply as the two stood up and walked to the door.

The nearest guard opened the door for Joshua and Yosef.

"Everything go okay?  Looked a little heated."

Joshua nodded.

"It went fine, thank you.  My father and I will be on our way now.  Thank you so much for your time and cooperation."

Yosef smiled.  The guards were beaming as they shook Joshua's hand and then his own.  The first officer reappeared and, after Joshua looked once more at Cameron through the glass, he escorted them out of the jail.

Cameron remained in the visitation room, staring down at his hands.

"Burke, let's go," one of the guards shouted.

Cameron flinched and wheeled himself out of the room.

"I love that guy.  Just something about him," a guard mused as they made their way back to Cameron's cell.

"His family cracks me up.  So he's Joshua... and then his dad is Yosef... and I read that his mom is named Maryam.  So that's Jesus, Joseph, and Mary.  And then their last name: Davidson.  Like Son of David... get it?"  The second guard chuckled to himself.

Cameron felt tears welling in his eyes.  He said nothing as he wheeled himself into his cell and the door was shut and locked behind him.

Once alone, Cameron moved towards his cot.  With some difficulty, he got onto it and laid down.  As he stared up at the ceiling, he began to feel chilled.  When he stuck his hands into his sweatshirt pockets, his right made contact with something.  Shocked, he withdrew the item.

With a mixture of delight, awe, and horror; Cameron studied the object in his hands.

It was a tiny baby Jesus, exactly like his grandma's in shape and size.  But this one had dark skin and black hair... like Joshua.

"'Jesus, Joseph, and Mary...  Like Son of David... get it?'"

Cameron began to quake as the guard's words came back to him along with the memory of Joshua's soft gaze and all the things he had known about him.  He was overcome as the enormity of it hit him.

He had tried to kill God... and those who God loved.

"'I don't care what you believe.  You're still a dirty Jew who made friends with terrorists,'"

"'I wish my aim had been a little higher... right through the heart.'" 

Cameron howled as his own words returned to him.  His own heart ached as he wept bitter, sorrowful tears.

"I'm sorry...  I'm sorry..." he cried out.  As he thrashed, he toppled off the bed and landed on the cement floor. 

Joshua was gone.  He'd had a chance to apologize but he hadn't taken it. 

After an attempt to lift himself, Cameron gave up, collapsed, and continued to weep into the concrete.

"He can still hear you."

Startled, Cameron lifted his head.  He was surprised to see sandalled feet only a few inches from him.

"Let me help you there."

The mysterious man grabbed Cameron around his chest and hefted him onto the cot.

Cameron gaped as he got a full view of the man.  He wore a red robe over a light blue tunic.

"Who... who..."  Cameron lifted his hand to his throat.

"Made yourself hoarse from crying it seems.  I know the feeling."  The man smiled.  "You and I have more in common than I'd like to admit, young man.  But we'll have plenty of time to talk about that.  For now..."  He held his hand out.  "My name is Paul.  Paul of Tarsus."

Cameron's eyes grew wide.

Paul chuckled and sat down beside Cameron.

He nodded resolutely.

"I think this will be fun.  Nice place you got here, by the way.  Oh, don't look at me like that!  You should have seen some of the places I found myself in."

Paul laughed again then clapped Cameron on the back.

"So, my dear Cameron, in the name of God our Father and our Lord Yeshua, the Messiah... let's talk."


Outside the jail, Joshua hugged his Abi tightly. 

"Thank you for coming.  It made it easier... having you there."

Yosef patted his son on the back.

"You are most welcome, my boy.  It means so much to me when you include me... I know you do not need your old Abi any more."

"Don't need, no.  But want?  Very much."  Joshua beamed at Yosef. 

His eyes filling, Yosef squeezed Joshua's hand.

"And now... what will happen to him?"

"That's up to him.  We'll see how well he listens to his new tutor."

"Tutor?  Is he seeking a degree?"

Joshua chuckled. 

"No..."

Yosef grinned.

"What did you do?"

"I may have gotten a little tired of a certain someone begging to come back down here so... I put him to work."

"Cephas?"

"No.  He still has to be patient."

"Hmm...  Mary?"

"She's waiting, too.  Think... very opinionated."

Yosef chuckled.

"Paul..."

Grinning, Joshua nodded.

"Yeshu, I mean this with all respect but... I think I feel a little sorry for Cameron."

Laughing, Joshua slung an arm around his Abi's shoulders.

"I do, too, Abi.  I do, too..."


Joshua smiled to himself.  Paul was still meeting with Cameron every evening... and progress was definitely being made.  He hoped, one day very soon, to receive a phone call from the jail, requesting a visit. 

"Joshua, the kids brought something up on the way here," Hura began. 

"And what was that?" Joshua inquired, smiling at Amala, Christopher, and Iz who, with Ichabod, had joined them.

"Do you all celebrate Chanukah?" Amala asked.  "Like... do you light a menorah?"

Joshua looked to Andrew.

"We do actually..." 

The angel of death stood and stepped into the storage room.  He returned soon after carrying a silver menorah and a box of candles. 

"An assignment gave this menorah to me many, many years ago.  I've lit it every year and, when I moved here, JenniAnn agreed that we should keep the tradition going.  It's going to be especially meaningful this year, having Joshua and his family present."

"Do you think we could come tomorrow night?" Christopher prompted with an eager smile.  "I've never actually celebrated Chanukah."

"Sure!" JenniAnn agreed.  "I figure people will be hanging around, anyway.  We don't do the whole traditional thing, I'm afraid.  I'm still not entirely sure how dreidels work but..."

"Ooh!  I can teach you!" John offered.

JenniAnn laughed at his boyish excitement.

"But, it seems, John will give lessons.  Thank you, John."

"And maybe we could make latkes and jelly doughnuts?" Andrew suggested with a hopeful, mischievous grin.

"I would be more than happy to do that," Maryam agreed with a laugh.  "I'm sure Yemimah will help me.  It'll be good to do something for our hosts."

"Aww.  You know you don't have to do anything," JenniAnn reminded.

"But... doughnuts..." Ibrahim murmured.

He sounded and looked so crestfallen that the rest of the group erupted in laughter.

Joshua patted Ibrahim on the back.

"No worries, my friend.  We'll make absolutely sure you get some doughnuts.  Although I do wonder if we'll be so eager come tomorrow after we've eaten our weight in cookies..." 

Everyone looked to where Joshua had gestured.  The Albany clan was approaching... with a half-dozen trays of cookies.

"Ho!  Ho!  Ho!" Caleb greeted as he and Lacey entered the ballroom. 

"We come bearing lots and lots of cookies," Lacey added.

"So I can see!"  Smiling, Joshua rose and embraced them once they'd set the cookies down.

"Well... Kylie's gone into nesting mode and Dot eagerly jumped in.  So they've been baking up a storm.  I'm afraid all Caleb and I managed was a couple dozen no-bake cookies."  Lacey smiled at her husband.  "Half of which he's eaten."

Joshua laughed and clapped Caleb on the back.

"I don't blame you!" 

Randall was the next to enter with Felix wriggling in his arms.

"Dow!  Dow!" the little boy begged.

"Down," Randall repeated, stressing the last syllable.  "And all right!  You would have run right into a snow drift if I'd put you down earlier and you know it, ya ragamuffin!"

The toddler only grinned and, once down, made a beeline for Ichabod whose tail wagged wildly as he realized yet another person was going to pay attention to him.

Edward and Clay hurried in to deposit the heaviest trays.

"Hi all!  Be right back.  Have a squalling baby to help free from her winter clothes," Edward announced in a rush.

"And I have a very pregnant wife to help out of her boots," Clay added.

Smiling, Joshua followed the two out into the entryway where Adam was helping Ada-Marie to remove her coat, mittens, scarf, and cap while Dot hovered over Kylie as she lowered herself into a waiting chair. 

"Oof.  Sorry, Ky.  Can't say I miss that," Zadie commented, wincing over the other woman's discomfort.

"Oh, I'm fine.  Just get winded so easily.  But only another week or two!" Kylie cheered as Clay replaced her boots with comfortable slippers.  "And then we get to see this little one."  She patted her belly.

"I can't wait," Dot cooed.  "Another little one to cuddle and spoil!"

Clay chuckled.

"You and Randall are definitely good at that."

"Gramma..." 

Dot turned to Ada-Marie whose lower lip stuck out.

"What is it, baby?"

"My hair..."

"Oh, it did get a bit mussed didn't it...  Here, let me fix that for you, sweet pea."

As Dot tended to Ada-Marie, Kylie's eyes filled.  She peered up at Joshua, silently thanking him for bringing the Romanos, and Dot especially, into her life.

Joshua smiled back and gently squeezed Kylie's shoulder.

"What's wrong, my dear?" Clay quietly asked his wife as he thumbed away some tears.

Kylie laughed and shook her head.

"Oh, it's just me being emotional.  Just watching Dot with Ada-Marie... such a good grandma.  I... I'm so grateful the kids have you and Randall, Dot.  And so do Clay and I.  And this little one will be so blessed, too..." 

"Oh, Kylie..."  Dot hugged her tightly.  "You've all been such a blessing to us."

"And it's been a delight seeing all of you grow closer," Joshua complimented.  "I can't wait to keep watching your journey together."

"And I think I speak for all of us when I say, we can't wait to continue this journey," Edward replied as the others nodded.

"But for now... let's focus on getting you comfortable."  Clay carefully helped Kylie to her feet and the group joined the others in the ballroom.

Ibrahim smiled.

"The more people who show up, the less guilty I feel about arriving so early."

With a chuckle, Andrew shook his head.

"No one needs to feel guilty.  JenniAnn and I understand that when Joshua's here, people could drop in at all hours and that's more than fine with us."

"Absolutely," JenniAnn agreed.  "But since we have some time...  Any body have more stories for Ibrahim?"

"Ooh!  I can watch the littles," Violeta called from the doorway.

"Hey there!" JenniAnn rose and hugged the young angel.  "I didn't hear the door."

Ivy approached with Sy at her side.

"We came through the basement.  I was feeling wimpy and didn't want to brave the cold.  G'morning!"

"And I definitely wasn't fighting her on that.  I just wish I could have tunneled from the portal to their place," Sy jested, shivering dramatically.

"Hmm...  Maybe we can work on that sometime.  But for now...  Good morning to you all!  Violeta, if you're sure, I think we'll take you up on that.  Raquel and Nico are already in the library with Belle and Avi, reading stories, but could probably use a hand once more kids start showing up."

"I'm sure!"

"I'll go with you," Jemima offered before turning to the others.  "Not that I don't want to hear the stories but... I love spending time with the little ones."

"We'll make sure you're filled in later, Jemmy," Joshua promised.

"Thanks!" 

With promises of stories to hear, toys to play with, and more pets to visit, Ada-Marie and Felix were easily persuaded to go with Violeta and Jemima.  Baby Etta was less agreeable and so remained in Zadie's arms.

"Iz, maybe you should..." Hura began.

"There aren't any kids my age here yet," Iz interrupted.  "Can I stay?"

Joshua looked to Kylie, knowing she wanted to speak.  She nodded back to him.

"Iz, you can stay.  But if you have questions, speak up," Joshua encouraged.

"Okay!"

"Well...  There was something I got to thinking would be good for you to know about, Ibrahim.  I think it really drives home how Joshua has really perfect timing," Kylie begun.

"So I'm learning."  Ibrahim smiled at Joshua and then at Kylie.  "I'd love to hear your story."

"Great!  So this actually happened the day before the Archbishop's party for Joshua..."


Kylie fought back tears as she pinned some laundry onto the clothes line. 

She felt selfish for feeling as she did.  If things had gone just a little differently, she could be at a funeral right now... Joshua's funeral.

The mere thought sent shivers down her spine and more tears welled and began to trail down her cheeks.

"Kylie!"

Startled, Kylie turned to the source of the voice.  A very concerned looking Dot was standing nearby.

"Sweetie... you're crying!"

Without waiting for a response, Dot pulled the younger woman into her arms. 

The tenderness of the gesture broke what remained of Kylie's reserve and she began to sob.

"Come on, baby girl...  Let's sit down and talk.  The laundry can wait."

Dot guided Kylie back into the house and sat her down at the kitchen table.  The two visited each other so often that Dot easily found some tea and started a kettle boiling.

"I... I'm sorry.  I'm really okay.  This week... it... it was just... a... a lot and..."

Dot stroked Kylie's hair.

"It really was.  I imagine it'll take a while for all of us to move past this... even though Joshua's doing so well.  It's still..."  Dot shook her hair.  "So awful to think about..."

Kylie nodded.

"It is but... I mean I do think that's probably a lot why I'm so... out of control right now."

"Kylie... crying doesn't mean you're out of control."

"I know... but just that... I can't stop it.  I... I need to go check on Felix," she announced abruptly.

"Okay."

Kylie left the kitchen and checked on Felix.  To her relief, he was still napping peacefully.  Kylie whispered a prayer of gratitude that Adam had taken Ada-Marie to the zoo for the day.  She wasn't there to witness her mother's distress.

After stepping into the bathroom to scrub her face, Kylie returned to the kitchen where Dot was pouring tea.

"Sorry.  He's still napping."

"Good.  Now... tell me what's going on.  Please."

Kylie took a sip of tea then inhaled and exhaled deeply before meeting Dot's gaze.

"I... haven't exactly been feeling well.  It started shortly before Joshua showed back up.  I... I was going to make an appointment but then everything happened so... I decided to look into the most obvious possibility myself and... I'm pregnant.  I took a test this morning after Clay left for work."

Dot's face lit up and she moved to jump to her feet and celebrate but then thought better of it.

"And... that upset you?" she asked carefully.

"I... I mean... I'd love to have another baby.  So much.  And... and I know Clay wants more children but... so soon?  We... we're doing okay.  But money is tight and..."

"You know Randall and I would help however we can!"

"I do."  Kylie reached over to squeeze her friend's hand.  "I really do.  But Clay wouldn't like that.  We'll find a way.  We have to.  I just don't want to stress him out more and... that made me feel guilty... guilty that my reaction wasn't pure joy.  Because... cause something awful happened... something that... that could have... have killed Joshua or... or Salma or Raheem or the imam or... or... all of them.  And here's this little life that God's trusted us with.  I... I should be celebrating."

"Oh, Kylie..."  Dot moved her chair closer and hugged her, giving her a shoulder to cry on which Kylie readily took.  "God understands.  Life can be so complicated.  He knows that you're just concerned... but that you love and want this baby."

"I... I do..."

"So we'll pray on it and I'm sure you and Clay will find a way."

"Yeah..."  Kylie nodded against Dot's shoulder.

"And... I suspect, because I know it's true for myself, that you've not been sleeping very well since the shooting."

"No... not really," Kylie confirmed.

"Everything seems much more drastic when you're sleep deprived.  So... I think you need to take a nap, little mama.  I'll stay here and listen for Felix."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely," Dot confirmed.  "I'd love to spend time with my grandson when he's up and around."

Kylie hugged Dot.

"Thank you.  I... I'm so glad that we have you and Randall to be there for the kids since Clay's parents are so far away and my mom... well...  Thank you.  And I'll take you up on that."

"Good girl."

Dot followed Kylie to her room and tucked her into bed.

Kylie smiled as Dot kissed her forehead.

"Night, night, sleep tight, Ky."

"Thank you..."  Kylie smiled at Dot then snuggled into her pillow.

Within a few moments, she had drifted off to sleep.


Later that afternoon, Dot was sitting on the porch, rocking Felix, when she saw Clay approaching.  There was a spring to his step that made her smile.

"Hey there, Dot!" Clay greeted.  "Is Kylie inside?"

"Yep.  She's laying down for a nap."

"A nap..."  Clay frowned as he stroked Felix's wisps of hair.  "Is she okay?"

"Just a little rundown by everything going on.  You should go see if she's up," Dot encouraged.

"Yeah... okay."

Still concerned, Clay wasted no time in making his way to his and Kylie's bedroom.  To his relief, he found his wife sitting up in bed, reading her Bible.

"Hey, Ky.  How are you doing?" Clay asked softly as he perched on the edge of the bed and rested a hand on Kylie's forehead.

Smiling, Kylie took his hand and brought it to her lips.

"I'm fine.  Just got tired and Dot kindly offered to watch Felix while I napped."

"Yeah.  I saw them when I came in.  You're sure nothing else is going on?"

Kylie bowed her head.

"Well... actually, I... I have some news."

"Good news?" Clay asked hopefully.

"I... I think so."

"Great!  Because I have some good news, too!  We need some good news after last week...  Do you want to go first or..."

"Maybe I should go first."

"Okay, go for it."

"Well... I just haven't been feeling very well lately."

Clay frowned.

"That doesn't sound like good news, darling."

"No...  But... but maybe the reason is." 

Once again, Kylie clasped Clay's hand.  This time, she rested it over her abdomen.

Clay's eyes widened.

"You... you're pregnant!" he exclaimed.

Kylie nodded.

Clay laughed.

"Damn... we're fertile!"

Giggling, Kylie nodded again.

"Apparently...  I didn't think it was likely since I'm still breastfeeding.  But..."

Clay hugged his wife.

"That's wonderful news!  I mean... it is, right?"

"It's only... money's already tight and..."  Kylie sniffled.

Clay lifted her chin and grinned.

"Well... I think that's where my good news comes in.  Ol' Reggie told me today that he's retiring.  And... he put in my name to take over as head coach.  We met with the principal and there are still details to iron out but... it'll be a fairly substantial pay hike.  The only downside is it will mean more time spent at the school... away from you and the kids.  So I said I had to talk to you about it but..."

Kylie could tell how much the offer meant to Clay.  His eyes were gleaming.  The basketball team had given him a sense of camaraderie that she knew he missed from the army.  The boys were in awe of him and quick to his defense whenever a rival made a crack about his face.

"You really want this," Kylie finished for him.  "And... I think you should definitely accept the offer."

"Really?" Clay double-checked.

"Really," Kylie stressed before kissing him.  "The kids and I can get used to eating hotdogs and pretzels for dinner so we can be with you at games.  Congratulations, coach!"

"And congratulations, mama!"  Clay again rested his hand on her belly.  "I can't wait to meet you, little one."

"Me neither!  Oh, Clay...  I'm so relieved!"  Kylie hugged him and kissed his neck.

"I... I just...  Sometimes I think about where I was only a few years ago...  Desolate in a hospital bed.  And now... here I am with my beautiful wife and a third kid on the way and a dream job and..."  Clay sighed happily.  "So many friends and Joshua..."

"We are very, very blessed," Kylie murmured.

"We are..."  Clay rested his forehead against hers and they prayed in thanksgiving for the life God had gifted them.


"Now...  His answers aren't always that quick... and sometimes they don't look like what you're expecting or even wanting but... they do come," Kylie affirmed. 

"So I'm learning anew," Ibrahim agreed.  "You know, shortly before Joshua arrived, I'd been praying to Allah for a renewed sense of clarity in my mission.  Things just felt... off.  I definitely wasn't expecting to find myself as a Christian with a new job but... here I am.  And I feel better... more myself."

"And we're all very glad for that."  Raheem beamed at his cousin then turned to Clay and Kylie.  "And glad for your newest bundle of joy."

"Have you chosen any names, Clay and Kylie?" Maryam asked. 

"Well... sort of," Clay replied.  "We could abandon them once we see the baby.  But we're thinking Oliver for a boy."

"And Maisy for a girl," Kylie added.

"Aww!  I love them both," Emma, who along with Peter and Sawyer had arrived mid-story, complimented.  "And Maisy would go so cute with Mercy if..."  Her face flushed and her voice trailed off.

"Mercy?" Zadie questioned.

"If?" Caleb echoed.

Peter laughed and stroked Emma's back.

"I'm afraid the cat's out of the bag, my dear.  Might as well tell them."

"Guess so!"  Emma laughed then smiled at the others.  "Peter and I have decided to start trying for baby number two.  Sawyer's still so little that we thought about waiting but..."

"But I'll be pushing forty soon so...  No time like the present."  Peter squeezed Emma's hand.

"That's so exciting!" JenniAnn gushed.  "And, yes, Mercy and Maisy do sound super-cute together.  So I'm guessing you've picked Mercy for a girl?"

Emma nodded.

"Of course, we'd be very happy with another boy."  She smiled at Joshua.  "But... it is fun to think along the lines of girl stuff.  Although..."  Her smile faltered.

Raheem noticed that Hura was peering at the other woman, her gaze especially gentle.

"It's kind of difficult, too," Emma finished.  "I know bad things can happen to boys... do happen to boys... but I guess because of what I went through, girls just seem so much more vulnerable."

Protectively, Zadie snuggled Etta closer.

"If we do have a girl, I'm afraid I'm going to be very, very over-protective of her and stifle her," Emma admitted.  "And I don't want to do that."

"I'll be there to help you," Peter vowed.

"And the rest of us can speak up if we feel we need to," Dot promised.

"I... I know..."  Emma smiled again.  "That helps.  It really does."  She caught Hura's gaze.  "There's just a lot to think about."

Joshua looked back and forth between the two women, knowing they were each thinking of an afternoon some weeks before.


As Emma lay on her exam table, Hura gently traced a few of the scars on the woman's abdomen.

"Are they ever painful or itchy?" the doctor asked.

Emma shook her head.

"No.  They're just... there."

"Okay.  Good.  You can lower your shirt and sit up now."

Emma did so then looked expectantly at Hura who settled onto a stool.

"So..."

"So I think I can definitely help," Hura assured.  "I can't say they'll disappear completely but... they could fade.  But before we talk about treatment options, I think we need to talk about goals.  Would you be happy if they were simply faded?"

"I think so.  It would be nice if they weren't so obvious.  But..."

"But?" Hura prompted gently.

"Am... am I vain for even thinking about this?"

"No!  Trust me, I see plenty of vain people in here... please don't repeat that."

Emma laughed.

"I won't."

"Like it or not, so much is tied up with the way we look... self-esteem, chiefly." 

"Yeah..."

"Now... I'm asking this as a friend and not as a doctor.  Because as a doctor, I believe you should have total autonomy over your body.  But... have you talked to Peter about this?"

"He knows I'm here," Emma replied.  "He's supportive.  He said the scars have never bothered him but, if they bother me, then it's worth exploring options."

"Good man.  I'm glad you're not feeling pressured."

"Oh no!  Definitely not.  I... well, I've actually been thinking about it since Sawyer was born.  I... I was so happy that Peter and I were going to have a baby but..."  Emma peered down at her hands.  "A few times, I saw nurses whispering with each other and... I felt like it was probably about my scars."

"Oh, Emma..."

"I mean... I get it.  They don't know how far I've come.  They were probably a little scared about a woman who cuts herself having a baby."

"You're more charitable than I am, apparently.  Whispering around a patient like that is very unprofessional."

"I suppose...  Anyway, Peter and I have started talking about trying for another baby in the new year and... and I really, really want a girl this time.  I mean I'd love the baby no matter what.  But I... I suppose I want a chance to do better for my baby girl than my mom did for me.  And, yes, maybe it's a little bit about the superficial stuff like tiny dresses and big hair bows and those itty bitty patent leather shoes."  Emma smiled dreamily as she imagined it all.

Hura also smiled, her eyes misting as she thought of her baby girl, now almost a woman.

"Those shoes are adorable," she agreed.

"Uh huh...  And I've found myself reading articles about raising girls in today's world and one was about how, if you're comfortable with it, you should sometimes let your daughter see you get dressed so she can see a 'real' woman's body and not just have visions of impossible super models in her head.  And that seemed like a really good idea to me.  And I remembered Diana saying she did that with her girls and Hailey and Kendra are so healthy and well-adjusted.  But... what would my daughter think when... when she saw me?" Emma implored with tears in her eyes. 

Hura clasped Emma's hand.

"Emma, she would see that her mother is a strong woman who has overcome a lot in her life...  That's what I see.  I know that's what Peter sees."

"Yeah..."

Hura went to Emma's coat which was hanging on the door and retrieved a handkerchief from the pocket.

"How did you know that was there?" Emma asked as she gratefully accepted it.

Hura smiled.

"Don't we all have them?"

Emma returned her smile and nodded.

"Yeah...  Maryam's so good to us."

"She is.  Speaking of... have you talked to Joshua about this?"

"A little.  I kinda casually mentioned that I had an appointment with you.  I... I suppose I thought I needed to give him a chance to stop me.  Maybe he wants me to keep the scars as... as penance for..."

"Emma...  That doesn't sound like Joshua," Hura gently countered.

Emma heaved a sigh.

"I know..."

"So what did he say?"

"He said he thought it was a really good idea."

"If you asked... maybe he could heal them?" Hura suggested.

"I'd feel weird about that...  And he didn't offer.  But... maybe he'd help whatever treatment plan you have in mind along.  I mean... this isn't like the time Randall was dying.  I don't need to be scar-free to live."

Hura shook her head in wonder.

"I heard that story... Randall told it to Raheem and me after he heard about what Joshua did for Raheem.  Amazing.  And you're right.  And, in my experience, sometimes the process of healing scars is very therapeutic emotionally.  It might not be the same if, poof, suddenly they were all gone."

"Especially since I put them there," Emma replied.  "And, yes, the penance angle was wrong.  But I just mean... I chose to cut myself over several years.  I feel like I need to choose treatment, too.  Even if it also takes years.  It doesn't feel right to just have Joshua wave them away."

"I understand that.  But I don't think we're looking at years.  But probably months.  And since I think laser treatment would be the most effective, we'd stop if and when you get pregnant.  And, like I said, it might not be full-proof.  But I think we could get noticeable improvement," Hura informed.

Emma nodded resolutely.

"I want to go for it.  And... I'm glad I'll be going through this with a friend."  She clasped Hura's hand.

Hura gave her hand a squeeze back.

"Absolutely.  All your sessions will be with me, I promise."

"Good."  Emma beamed at Hura.  "Oh and... please don't mention the baby thing just yet.  I don't want people to be on a 'bump watch.'"

Hura chuckled.

"I promise I won't.  I know how that is.  I was the first of my siblings to get married and my mother hounded Raheem and me.  She stopped just short of measuring my waist circumference every time we visited."

The two women laughed and exchanged more banter before settling into more serious discussion of the treatment options that would help Emma.



Joshua smiled appreciatively at Hura before turning his attention to Emma and Peter.

"The baby you do get will be blessed to have you as parents," Joshua encouraged.  "And to have Sawyer as a big brother."

"Did you ever wish you had a big brother, Joshua?" Iz asked.

"Nope.  Because he had a fantastic older cousin," John replied with a grin.

Joshua smiled and rolled his eyes at John before giving Iz his full attention.

"Sometimes when I was little.  Especially when other kids could be kind of mean.  My Abi and Ama always stood up for me."  He smiled at them.  "But I thought it would be nice to have a big brother.  And then I sort of did.  After an aunt and uncle died, my parents adopted my cousins.  Two of them, Yosef and Yaqob were older than me, although not by much."

"That's cool.  I sometimes wish I had an older brother," Iz confessed.

"Sorry, bud," Raheem apologized.  "But your mom and I did give you a pretty great older sister, huh?"

Iz smiled at his sister and nodded.  Then his gaze traveled to Christopher who was seated beside Amala.

"Could you be my big brother?" 

Christopher blinked in surprise and stared at the little boy with his wide, expectant eyes.  He blinked again to ward off tears.

Amala squeezed her boyfriend's hand.

"I... I'd like that a lot, Iz.  I always wished I'd had a younger brother."  Christopher beamed at the boy then happily accepted his hug.

"Aww!" Hura exclaimed, wiping at her eyes.

"And to think you didn't want Amala going out with him," Raheem whispered, giving her a wink.

"Oh hush!"  Hura playfully swatted at her husband who chuckled.

"Very good!" Joshua cheered.  "And now... I think the onslaught has begun."

He gestured to the window beyond which several more of the Friends were making their way from the portal to Willowveil's front door.

Soon, the ballroom was brimming with people, all excitedly chatting and checking out the many, many cookies and other treats awaiting them.

In the midst of the gaiety, only JenniAnn frowned as she and Andrew stood in the doorway.

Noticing, Andrew squeezed her shoulder.

"What's wrong, Laja?"

"Oh... just noticing how packed in we are.  I think in a few years, we'll have outgrown the ballroom... and it's the biggest room any of us have access to.  Well, except the auditorium at St. G's and that's not ideal with all the bolted down chairs."

Andrew looked around, deciding she was right.

"Hmm...  Well, maybe we could knock down that wall and expand into the living room.  We hardly ever use the parlor.  We could make that the new living room."

"Good idea.  But... can you do that?  It's a bit more than building chairs and tables and carving."

The angel of death smiled.

"I've done construction and remodeling before.  Maybe, given it's for a good cause, Joshua could be persuaded to return those skills to me... need to know basis and all.  Because you're right.  We're going to need more space."

"It's a good problem to have," JenniAnn mused.

Andrew wrapped an arm around her waist and squeezed.

"That it is, Laja.  And we'll figure it out.  But for now..." he raised his voice.  "Let's get this caroling party started!"

Hearing Andrew, the others cheered.

"Everyone, get what snacks and drinks you want and then find a seat," JenniAnn invited. 

The group happily obeyed and within fifteen minutes, they were sprawled around the ballroom, facing the makeshift stage.

"So I guess I got volunteered to emcee this thing," Eli announced.  "So here's how this is going to work: if you want to perform a particular song, grab one of the scraps of paper scattered around and write down your name/names and the song.  We'll pass a bowl around to collect them.  Don't worry about duplicating.  We can all listen to the same song more than once if it comes down to it.  After we get through those, we'll do some group singing.  Everyone say hi to Logan at the computer.  He's going to be projecting lyrics for us."

Logan stood and bowed dramatically to cheers and applause.

"And, of course, to Tess who will be accompanying our singers on the piano when appropriate," Eli continued.

"Hey, babies!" Tess cried, momentarily rising from the bench.

"Now to start us off and give you time to fill out those cards, we have Emma and Kylie with Faith Hill's 'A Baby Changes Everything,'" Eli announced.

While the others cheered, Joshua made his way to his mother's side and sat beside her.

Maryam's eyes welled as the song began and she rested her head on her Yeshu's shoulder.

"Teenage girl, much too young, unprepared for what's to come... A baby changes everything," Emma sang.

"'Not a ring on her hand, all her dreams and all her plans...  A baby changes everything.  A baby changes everything...'" Kylie followed.

"'The man she loves, she's never touched.  How will she keep his trust?'" Emma implored.

Yosef sighed and clasped Maryam's left hand in both of his, grateful as always that he'd followed his heart and God's will.

"'A baby changes everything...'"

 "'A baby changes everything...'" Kylie echoed.

"'And she cries... ooh, she cries,'" they belted out together.

In the crowd, Liyana peered down at her sweet, sleeping baby.  She looked across the room at the Davidsons and tried to imagine Joshua so small in Maryam's arms.  Her heart ached as she thought of Maryam having some idea of what was to come for her little one. 

Guessing his wife's thoughts, because they were also his own, Ibrahim stroked her back and let tears trickle down his cheeks.  His tears increased as the song neared its end.

"'My whole life has turned around...  I was lost but now I'm found.  A baby changes everything.  A baby changes everything...'"

When Kylie and Emma finished, Ibrahim rested his forehead against his wife's. 

"I... I feel like it's doubly true for me.  Joshua... and Judah," he murmured.  "They changed everything."

"I know the feeling, my love."  Liyana kissed his cheek then stroked Judah's hair. 

Both parents smiled when Judah emitted a soft coo.

"Thank you, ladies!  Beautiful!  Maryam, good thing you gave everyone handkerchiefs," Eli jested.  He looked down at his note.  "And you may not want to put those away yet, ladies and gents, because next we have a choral number especially dedicated to someone in this room who is not Joshua."

As the group chuckled, a number of the men rose to their feet and moved to the stage.  By the time they were all assembled, the group included Fr. Mike, Rabbi Yakov, Kyle, Mason, Zeke, Sy, Peter, Adam, Henry, Andrew, Max, Shane, Eric, Edward, Caleb, Arthur, Eliot, Jeff, Tyson, Tim, and Owen.  Eli remained with them and spoke.

"So many of you probably realize that, up here, we have most of the male cast and crew of our first production of Jesus Christ Superstar plus a few others.  We wanted to get together to honor someone who many of those up here on stage met for the first time during those days.  I think Fr. Mike found the perfect song for us to sing," he explained.

The audience listened curiously as they began.

"'The great forerunner of the morn, the herald of the Word, is born.  And faithful hearts shall never fail, with thanks and praise his light to hail.'"

Grinning proudly, Joshua craned his neck to look at his cousin who was gaping at the men.

"'With heavenly message Gabriel came, that John should be that herald’s name.  And with prophetic utterance told, his actions great and manifold.  John, still unborn, yet gave aright, his witness to the coming Light; and Christ, the Sun of all the earth, fulfilled that witness at His birth.'"

"Aww..."  Seated beside John, Jemima noticed he was moved to tears and wrapped her arms around him.

Still smiling, Joshua rested his hands over his heart then waved them to his cousin, sending his love.

Still stunned, John mimed the message back to Joshua.

"They're singing a... a song for me..." he murmured.

"Of course they are you big, beautiful lug," Jemima teased.

"'But why should mortal voices raise, the hymn of John the Baptist's praise, of whom, before his course was run, the Father said unto the Son:  "Behold my herald who shall go, before your face, your way to show, and shine, as with the Day-star's gleam, before your own eternal beam.'"

The next lyrics flashed onto the screen and, together, the group sang the final verse.

"'All praise to God the Father be.  All praise, eternal Son, to Thee, Whom with the Spirit we adore, forever and forevermore!'"

As soon as the song was over, the crowd erupted in cheers.  John made his way to the front of the room, receiving several pats on the back along the way, and began to hug each one of the men.

Jemima made her way to Joshua's side.

"Did you know about that?" she asked.

Joshua nodded.

"Fr. Mike visited with me about it.  There are always songs for me, of course.  And usually a handful for Ama and Abi.  And John, good sport that he is, just smiles and listens and sings along.  It was about time he get some love during one of these.  They thought about performing it at St. G's but decided this was better... more personal."

"Well... he was definitely verklempt," Jemima reported.

They smiled up at John, along with Maryam and Yosef.

When everyone had settled down, Eli stood alone on the stage, holding a bowl. 

"Well, I for one loved that!  Oh geez...  John, watch where you're..."  Eli cringed as the baptizer stumbled on his way back to his seat.

"Sorry!  I'm okay!  Just a little misty eyed still," John reported, beaming.

"Good.  I was just about to check your egg nog," Eli joked.  "So now... I'm going to draw a name out of the bowl to see who goes next..."  He reached in, plucked out a piece of paper, and unfolded it.  "And... we have Takoda with 'The Huron Carol.'  And he has a special guest!" 

Takoda took the microphone and smiled out at the Friends.

"So, umm, this song is very special to me.  It was written by Jean de Brébeuf, a Jesuit missionary who worked among the Huron people in Canada in the 1600s.  It sounds really beautiful in the Wyandot language which, regrettably, I can't speak.  So... I asked my supervisor to be here."  He pointed to Wahkan who had snuck into the room.

Wahkan smiled and made his way to the stage, first stopping to embrace Joshua.

Once he had joined Takoda and hugged him, Wahkan spoke to the crowd.

"It's my honor to be here with you.  I wish to extend my gratitude to all of you for befriending Takoda and helping him to heal.  As a small token of our appreciation, Takoda and I would like to share this song with you.  It was taught to me by Acona, the principality of the Wyandotte Nation," Wahkan introduced.  "We would love it if you would sing the chorus along with us.  Takoda will sing it once for you... don't worry.  It's in English... well, with a tiny bit of Latin," he added with a grin.

The crowd listened, transfixed, as Wahkan's deep, clear voice sang out.

"'Estenniayon de tsonwe Iesous ahatonnia onn' awatewa nd' oki n' onyouandaskwaentak ennonchien eskwatrihotat n'onyouandiyonrachatha Iesous ahatonnia, ahatonnia. Iesous ahatonnia...'"

Wahkan began to beat on a drum as Takoda took over the song.

"'Twas in the moon of wintertime, when all the birds had fled, that mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel choirs instead.  Before their light the stars grew dim
and wandering hunters heard the hymn... 'Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born... in excelsis gloria...'"

Seated among the children, Joccy looked in awe at Takoda.  She began to sway along to the beat of Wahkan's drum.

"'Within a lodge of broken bark, the tender Babe was found.  A ragged robe of rabbit skin enwrapp'd His beauty round.  And as the hunter braves drew nigh, the angel song rang loud and high.'"  Takoda raised his hand.

"'Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born... in excelsis gloria...'" the group sang together.

Intensely moved, Joshua peered around him.  His gaze settled on Joccy briefly then traveled to Takoda.  Briefly, he closed his eyes and prayed as Takoda continued to sing.

"'O children of the forest free, o sons of Manitou, the Holy Child of earth and heaven is born today for you.  Come kneel before the radiant Boy Who brings you beauty, peace and joy...'"

"'Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born... in excelsis gloria... in excelsis gloria... in excelsis gloria.'"

"'Iesous ahatonnia...  Iesous ahatonnia... Iesous ahatonnia...'" Wahkan finished.

As Takoda beamed, the crowd clapped furiously. 

"Takoda!  You've been holding out on us!" Peter shouted.

"Yes!  That was even better than when you sang at the prayer vigil!" Emma gushed.

Wahkan proudly patted his protege on the back as he blushed and bowed his head.

Andrew stepped onto the stage and hugged Wahkan.

"That was amazing!  You sounded awesome!  Please tell me you're staying," he encouraged.

Wahkan chuckled.

"I do have to get back to an assignment... but I think I can swing taking the afternoon off.  Those cookies do like absolutely amazing.  And I do have a soft spot for cocoa."

"You can definitely take the afternoon off," Joshua asserted as he embraced both Takoda and Wahkan.

"Good."  Wahkan grabbed Takoda's sleeve before he attempted to slip off the stage.  "Make sure you see me before I leave.  I have something for you."

Guessing it was the present for Joccy, Takoda's eyes lit up.

"Sure.  Thanks!"

Wahkan cocked his head towards where Joccy sat.

"Go on now."

Joshua approached Eli.

"Can you call a quick break, please?  I want to introduce Wahkan around."

"Absolutely, Boss!"  Eli turned on the mic.  "Folks, we're gonna take a few minutes.  Refill those drinks and those plates.  But don't wander too far away."

Joccy was beaming when Takoda reached her.

"That was awesome!  I know I've heard that song before.  I think Sarah McLachlan sang it.  But your version..."  Joccy squeezed the angel's hand.  "You really should try out for the next show St. G's does."

"Oh, I don't know about that..."

"Well, I think you should.  Kids, don't you think Takoda sounded amazing?"

Takoda laughed as the children shrieked with glee.

"Maybe.  We'll see.  I'm just glad you liked it."

"Definitely!  I really wanted to take video to show Jayden.  I think he would have loved it.  He loves world music.  But I didn't want him to ask where I was."

Takoda's smile faltered at the mention of the boy Joccy had befriended... or possibly more... at college but he recovered quickly.

"Yeah, well, umm, maybe I can sing it at St. G's next year where we don't need to be so secretive."

"I hope you do!"  Joccy hugged the angel.  "It really was beautiful.  Anyway... I'm gonna go get more cookies.  Could you watch the kids?"

"Sure."

As Takoda sat down amongst the children, he felt a strong hand rest on his shoulder.

Turning around, he saw Nick.

"Oh, hey, Nick."

"Have hope," the saint whispered.  "I don't see this Jayden thing lasting."

Takoda laughed uneasily.

"Oh, I... I'm not..."  He shook his head.

"I may be dead, technically speaking, but I'm not blind, young fellow," Nick informed with a wink and cheeky grin.

For just a moment, Takoda thought he truly looked like Santa...


After the break, the children delighted the adults with a rendition of "Away in the Manger."  It didn't matter to Joshua that they were highly off-key and that some of the littlest ones had spent the number silently gaping at their beaming parents.  He knew they loved him and, after they were finished, they crowded around him, vying for a knee to sit on or a hand to hold.  They settled for Maryam, Yosef, and Nick, rotating every few minutes, so each had time with Joshua.

After a few more numbers, Eli pulled the last card from the bowl.  He smiled appreciatively.

"It seems we have a first time solo singer.  Raheem would like to perform 'The Glorious Impossible' for us, accompanied by Amala on piano," he announced.

As the group clapped eagerly, Tess vacated the piano bench and hugged Amala who replaced her.

Blushing, Raheem took the microphone from Eli.

"Thank you, Eli.  I wanted to, umm, to perform a song for Joshua... who has given us so much.  And given this is my first real Christmas, I eagerly listened to many, many songs that were new to me.  I loved so many but 'The Glorious Impossible' stood out to me because I feel like so much of these past few months was impossible... at least based on human imagination and ability.  And yet... here I am.  Healthy and whole, surrounded by my family and more friends than I ever thought I would have.  And with a new faith... and with a greater appreciation for the immense and unending love of God.  So..."  Raheem drew in and let out a deep breath, peered lovingly at Joshua, and began.

"'See the Virgin is delivered, in a cold and crowded stall.  Mirror of the Father's glory, lies beside her in the straw.  He is Mercy's incarnation.  Marvel at this miracle!  For the Virgin gently holds the Glorious Impossible...'"

Joshua rested his chin gently on Omar's hair, his eyes full of love and joyful tears.

"'Love has come to walk on water, turn the water into wine, touch the leper, bless the children.  Love both human and divine.  Praise the wisdom of the Father, Who has spoken through His Son.  Speaking still, He calls us to the Glorious Impossible.  Hallelujah...  Hallelujah...  Hallelujah... Glorious Impossible!'"

Hura sat, with her arms around Iz, and tears streaming down her face.  She had heard her husband practicing often enough to know what came next.  Her enamored gaze shifted from Raheem to the carpenter... the king... the messiah.

"'He was bruised for our transgressions and He bears eternal scars.  He was raised for our salvation and His righteousness is ours.  Praise, oh praise Him, praise the glory of this lavish grace so full.  Lift your souls now and receive the Glorious Impossible!'"

With a wave from Raheem, the others joined in for the closing.

"'Hallelujah...  Hallelujah...  Hallelujah... Glorious Impossible.  Hallelujah...  Hallelujah...  Hallelujah... Glorious Impossible.  Glorious Impossible...'"

When the song was over, Amala raced to her dad's side and hugged him as he wept, overcome by the song.

Promising the children to return, Joshua joined the father and daughter on-stage and embraced them both.

"Thank you...  Thank you both for that beautiful gift," he effused.

"Thank you for... for saving my daddy," Amala squeaked out as she wept.

"Twice..." Raheem murmured.

Joshua nodded and smiled tenderly.

"I... I'd do it again," he vowed.

"I... I know you would," Raheem replied solemnly before breaking into a grin.  "But please don't.  I don't think our collective nerves could take it."

Joshua laughed and, once again, pulled the two into his embrace.

"What a beautiful note to end this segment on," Eli praised, his eyes glistening. 

"Thank you," Raheem replied.  "But now... I'm ready for my first-ever caroling session!"

Amid excited hoots and hollers, the stage emptied save for Tess who returned to the piano and, with a few clicks from Logan, the lyrics for "Angels We Have Heard on High" appeared and the singing resumed.




After an afternoon spent taking their caroling and cookies on the road to True Light, the Chrysalis, the Phoenix Inn, the V.A., and Olivia Olsen's assisted living facility; many of the Friends returned to Willowveil to commemorate the first night of Chanukah.

"You should say the blessings," Andrew encouraged as he and Joshua moved a table onto the stage so, from anywhere in the crowded room, the menorah could be seen.

"No... this is your home, Andrew.  You should say the blessings.  It's tradition," Joshua countered.

Andrew considered.  He did like saying the blessings... and he definitely liked how JenniAnn looked at him when he spoke Hebrew.

"How about I recite the English translation?" Joshua offered, knowing by the pink tinge to the angel's face exactly where his thoughts had gone.

"Yeah!  That would be great.  Best of both worlds," Andrew agreed.

"I think so."  Joshua patted him on the back. 

"Good.  Joshua, there's something I've been wanting to talk to you about since yesterday afternoon."

"Oh?"

"Well...  JenniAnn noticed how crowded the ballroom's been.  So I was thinking maybe we could knock out the wall there and make the living room and back hallway part of the ballroom.  So we'd have more room.  But we can't exactly hire contractors so..."  Andrew smiled hopefully.  "Could I maybe have my construction know-how back, please?"

Chuckling, Joshua nodded.

"Sure."  He rested a hand of Andrew's arm.

Suddenly, Andrew's mind was buzzing with so many ideas and possible solutions.

"But..." Joshua continued, "leave it until the new year.  Enjoy the holidays.  We can go over plans before I leave."

Mentally filing his plans away, Andrew smiled and squeezed Joshua's hand.

"Of course.  Thank you.  I appreciate it."

"My pleasure.  I certainly don't want anyone kicked out into the entryway when we get together." 

Joshua grabbed a tablecloth and draped it over the table.

Andrew centered the menorah on top of it.

"There...  Looks nice," Joshua complimented.  He glanced out the window.  "It's almost sunset.  Let's let everyone in."

"Sounds good!" 

Andrew ran through the ballroom and pulled open the doors.

Soon, the room was filled with Friends and the enticing scent of doughnuts, latkes, and brisket courtesy of Adam.

Once the sun had set, Joshua and Andrew returned to the stage along with Yosef and Maryam.

As the others sat in hushed silence, Joshua smiled at his parents.

"Ama and Abi, could you please tell us the story of Chanukah?" he requested.

Smiling as they recalled the many, many times their little boy had begged for the stories of his people, the couple assented with nods.

"Once, nearly two hundred years before Yeshu was born, there was a king named Antiochus.  He was not, as you say, multi-cultural," Yosef shared, causing chuckles throughout the room.  "He wanted everyone to worship the Greek gods.  This was, obviously, very wrong for the Jews because it would mean breaking the first commandment: 'You shall have no other gods before Me.'  And who would want to worship them, anyway?  That Zeus was a philandering, disgusting ra...'"

"Yosef..." Maryam quietly cautioned.  "The children."

Joshua chuckled.

"Ah, yes.  Of course.  Well, many of the Jews decided to fight back against Antiochus.  One brave man, Judah the Maccabee, was the leader of these fighters.  Despite being at a disadvantage, they drove the enemies out of Jerusalem."

"Unfortunately," Maryam continued, "the king and his people had dishonored the Temple.  And so the Jews had to clean it up and rededicate it.  They wanted to light the menorah but found they had only oil enough for one day and yet... miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days and eight nights, lighting them as they restored the Temple and reminding them of God's love for them.  And so, at Chanukah, we light the candles to remember the victory of the Maccabees and God's miracle of the oil."

"Thank you, Ama and Abi."  Joshua smiled at them both then rested a hand on Andrew's shoulder.  "And now we're going to light the first candle.  You'll notice there will be two candles."  He touched the middle one.  "This is the shamash, the helper candle.  We'll use it to light the other candles.  And now... the blessings.  Andrew will recite them in Hebrew and I'll follow in English.  Andrew, please."

After ensuring his yarmulke was straight, Andrew lit the shamash and prayed.

"'Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tsivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.'"

"'Praised are You, Our God, Ruler of the universe, Who made us holy through Your commandments and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah lights,'" Joshua translated.

"'Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, she-asah nisim la’avoteinu bayamim hahem bazman hazeh,'" Andrew continued.

Amidst the crowd, JenniAnn beamed at Andrew as she swayed with Avi.

"'Praised are You, Our God, Ruler of the universe, Who performed wondrous deeds for our ancestors in those ancient days at this season.'"

Andrew lit the first candle.

"'Baruch atah Adonai, Elohenu Melech ha’olam, shehecheyanu, v’kiyimanu, v’higiyanu la’zman hazeh.'"

"'Praised are You, Our God, Ruler of the universe, Who has given us life and sustained us and enabled us to reach this season.'"

"Amen," Joshua, Andrew, Maryam, and Yosef concluded together.

"Amen," the others echoed.

"And now..." Joshua grinned.  "We eat!"

Excitedly, the Friends began to enjoy their meal, the first Chanukah meal for many of them.  After a few minutes, John and Jemima began making the rounds, teaching whomever wanted to learn how to play with dreidels.

"So... what do you think?" Joshua asked as he sat down beside Christoper who had been so eager to attend.

His face stuffed with doughnut, Christopher only stared at a laughing Joshua for a few moments.

"It's... yummy," he replied with a grin.  "But, really, I loved it.  I think I'm going to need to get my own menorah."

"Well... as it happens... Andrew, Abi, and I thought there might be a run on menorahs," Joshua explained.  "So we've carved several in our spare time over the past few weeks.  They're in the entryway.  Why don't you go pick one out?"

"Really?!" Christopher exclaimed.

"Yep, really.  Go, see what you can find."

"Okay, cool!  Thanks!"

Joshua chuckled as Christopher hurried out into the hallway.  He'd no sooner disappeared than Raheem approached.

"Hey, have you seen Amala?" he asked.

Joshua nodded.

"She's in the entryway.  Andrew, Abi, and I carved some menorahs for everyone.  I told her she could pick one out for your family," he answered.

"Oh good.  Well, I'm sure she'll find a good one.  Thanks, Josh!"

"You're very welcome... and I'm sure she will."

Raheem wondered at the mischievous gleam in Joshua's eyes but supposed he was just happy.  With friends and doughnuts, how could he not be?


Christopher smiled when he stepped into the entryway and spotted Amala.  She was standing just to the side of the menorah and candle laden table, staring up at something.  When she heard her boyfriend approaching, she smiled.

"Hi!  Joshua told you about the menorahs, too, I take it?"

"Yep!  How amazing is that?"

"Very!  Hey, what's that?"

"What's what?"

"Come here..."  Amala waved the boy over then pointed above her.  "It's some sort of decoration, I guess.  But it's not like anything I've seen around here."

Christopher's face flushed.

"That, umm, that's mistletoe."

"Oh...  I've heard of that.  Just never knew what it looked like.  It's so high up, I almost didn't see it."

"Well, it is poisonous.  With all those pets and kids, Andrew and JenniAnn probably didn't want to take any chances.  Kinda surprised they have it.  The tradition is pretty pagan."

Amala shrugged.

"According to what I've been reading lately, a lot of Christmas traditions have pagan origins.  Like Christmas trees.  But I don't think it matters.  God created trees.  God created mistletoe.  And, besides, Andrew and JenniAnn are pretty romantic.  I can see them going for it."

Christopher's blushed deepened as he realized Amala knew about the mistletoe tradition... and they were definitely standing beneath it.

Amala smiled.

"I don't believe in luck.  But I do think tradition has its place, ya know?"

Christopher nodded.

"Uh, yeah..."

It was Amala's turn to blush.

"Do you wanna..."

"Uh huh..."

After exchanging shy smiles, the two teenagers moved closer together and kissed for the first time.

Ivy and Sy, who were just about to enter the hallway to select their menorah, spotted the two and immediately returned to the ballroom.

They smiled at each other.

"You think that was the first?" Sy asked in a whisper.

Ivy nodded.

"I do."

"Our first kiss was at Christmastime," Sy recalled.

"It was..." Ivy assented, her smile dreamy.

Sy cupped her chin.

"Bodes well for them, I think."

Ivy glanced at her engagement ring and then peered up at her fiance, caressing his face.

"I think so, too."

As they exchanged kisses, the couple in the entryway stood with their foreheads rested against each other.

"Ya know," Christopher mused.  "I've heard comedians joke about how Chanukah gifts don't come close to Christmas gifts.  But... I think that was one heckuva Chanukah gift."

Giggling, Amala nodded.

"The best," she agreed.  "But now... menorahs."

"Menorahs," Christopher repeated.

Smiling, they drew apart, both still giddy.


The next morning, JenniAnn awoke while it was still dark outside.  With a sigh, she turned to the alarm clock.

4:05

Avi no longer nursed at 4:00 but sometimes her body forgot that.

After spending a few minutes trying to get back to sleep, JenniAnn gave up.  Careful not to jostle Andrew, she got out of the bed, donned her robe, and tip-toed to Avi's nursery. 

Her sweet baby boy was fast asleep.  She brushed some hair from Avi's face... it had begun to grow so quickly... then left the room.   Next, she checked on Belle.  She smiled when she saw that, at some point, Belle had left her own bed and snuggled up with Shelby whose overnight stays had become increasingly common.  After admiring the adorable scene for a few moments, JenniAnn made her way to the kitchen.

Despite the early hour, coffee didn't appeal to her.  She settled on some tea and started a kettle boiling.

Deciding she'd like some company, JenniAnn loaded up a tray and headed to the attic apartments, hoping the one person who consistently rose at such an early hour was there.

"Come in," a deep, smooth voice called after JenniAnn's knock.

JenniAnn glanced down at her tray.

"Umm..."

A moment later, the door opened and Marty appeared.

"My apologies.  I didn't think..."  He sniffed the air.  "Rooibos?"

JenniAnn nodded.

"It was calling to me this morning.  Would you like some?"

"Yes, please."  Marty waved to a nearby bistro table then hurried forward to pull out a chair for JenniAnn.

"I hope I didn't interrupt."

Marty shook his head.

"I was writing... but that can wait."

"If you're sure..."

"I am."

Marty smiled at JenniAnn as she handed him a cup.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome.  So... what were ya writing?  If you can say, I mean."

Marty glanced at his book, picked it up, and set it before JenniAnn.

"The official record of the Friends' Christmas thus far.  As I was writing, I realized that, so often when I write about the Friends, I use a word I very seldom do in my other records."

"Oh?"  JenniAnn laughed.  "Let me guess...  Eccentric?  Sappy?  Frenzied?"

Laughing, too, Marty shook his head.

"I can't say those words haven't come up but... no.  This one."

JenniAnn stared at the golden word he'd pointed to.

"'I...'  The word is 'I'?" she questioned.

Marty nodded.

"I'm a part of things here," he murmured.  "I don't editorialize in my records.  'I' only appears because I was actually a part of these events."

JenniAnn's eyes misted.

"Well, I am very glad you are, Marty."

"Me too..."

JenniAnn thought she saw a tear trickle down the angel's cheek but he quickly brushed at his face.

"The community you and Andrew have built..."

JenniAnn shook her head.

"Joshua built," she corrected.

"Yes.  He is the Master Builder," Marty agreed.  "But it's no coincidence that it was during one of Andrew's assignments, with you at his side, that Joshua appeared.  It's no coincidence that your household welcomed him in.  And it's no coincidence that it's still your household where everyone gathers."

JenniAnn looked around the room with renewed awe.

"And to think I only came here because I was an angsty teen who wanted to live independently from my parents but couldn't afford rent anywhere."

Marty laughed.

"Well, it wouldn't be the first time God used a teen girl to change the world."

JenniAnn smirked.

"True.  Although Maryam's motives were much, much purer." 

"Still..."

"Still..." JenniAnn repeated.  "It was one of the best decisions I ever made."

"Yes, I would say so," Marty concurred.  "And..."  He hesitated before deciding to continue.  "I think you and Andrew are more influential than you realize.  You make the whole anam cara thing look very appealing to certain younger angels."

JenniAnn sighed.

"Yes...  Violeta is rather too often talking about a boy from her classes.  He has no idea she's an angel of course but...  Wait... angels?  Plural?"

Marty nodded.

JenniAnn thought then her eyes went wide.

"Takoda...  I mean...  I know he and Joccy are friends but..."  She frowned.  "I was getting the impression that Joccy is rather hung up on a boy at her school.  And Takoda's never said..."

"With all due respect to your Violeta, she gets a tangle in her hair and everyone knows about it."

JenniAnn giggled at Marty's assertion.  She couldn't argue with it.

"Takoda is much more reticent.  Reminds me of a much older angel, come to think of it..."  Marty winked.

"Andrew..."

"Yes."

JenniAnn frowned.  Andrew had said nothing of his own feelings during her entire relationship with Eliot.  It was only much, much later that she'd learned how truly he had been hurt by the distance she'd thrown up between him.  That didn't seem to be happening yet with Joccy...  But it could if things progressed with that fellow.  And there was another matter to consider, too...

"I love Takoda," JenniAnn stressed.  "And maybe this is a little rich coming from me given I was seventeen when I met Andrew... who is ancient... but... Joccy is only nineteen.  Takoda is nearly thirty."

Marty shrugged.

"Not exactly a fair comparison.  Takoda has only been in the mortal realms for..."

"Nineteen years," JenniAnn realized.  "He'd mentioned that he stayed in Heaven for the first ten."

Marty nodded. 

"He was even in my department for a while... mostly just doing filing.  Very naive to the ways of the human worlds."

A sudden thought occurred to JenniAnn.

"By any chance...  Do you recall when he first came to Earth?"

"I do..."  Marty said no more.

"So what do we do?" JenniAnn inquired.

"Not much more we can do than pray.  He's not owed Joccy's affections, of course."

"Of course.  I just... I don't want to see either of them hurt."  JenniAnn stared into her tea cup.  "Love... well, it sucks sometimes."

Marty chuckled.

"Maybe so.  But I presume you wouldn't relinquish the... suckiness... knowing it got you to where you are now, correct?"

JenniAnn twirled her ring and smiled.

"Correct."

"Then we have to trust that whatever God has planned for Takoda and Miss Jocelyn, whatever difficult turns their stories take, they will view it as worthwhile in the end."

"Yes..."

JenniAnn sighed, her eyes glazing.

"You can go back to Andrew.  I'll bring the tray down later," Marty offered.

JenniAnn smiled at him.  As stand-offish as Marty sometimes was, he was adept at reading emotions.

"Thank you.  I'll see you later."

"I shall look forward to it.  Thank you for the tea... and the time."

JenniAnn squeezed the angel's hand.

"Thank you for being here."

"I am very grateful to be here." 

With a final exchange of smiles, the two parted.

Marty took another sip of tea then took up his book again and resumed writing.


Andrew stared at the clock, wondering if JenniAnn would come back or if she had gotten up for the day.

He was just about to rise when he heard her footsteps approaching.  Settling back against his pillows, he waited.

"Ah, you're up," JenniAnn whispered as she entered the room.

"Awake.  Not up," Andrew replied with a smile.  "I was just debating with myself whether to get up and look for you... or continue to hope you'd come back to our nice, cozy bed... which could be cozier."

JenniAnn giggled when he winked and held a hand out to her.  Happily, she settled down beside him.

"I couldn't get back to sleep so made some tea then chatted with Marty for a bit," she explained. 

Andrew kissed her hair.

"He, umm, he's pretty convinced that Takoda's hoping Joccy is his anam cara," JenniAnn explained.

The angel of death sighed.

"I can't say the thought hasn't crossed my mind.  I was just hoping it wasn't true.  Joccy's mentioned wanting to get married, have a family."

"They could still have a family... just in a different way," JenniAnn reminded.

"I know but... sacrifices would still need to be made."

"Yes..."  JenniAnn nuzzled Andrew's neck then kissed it as she softly stroked his chest.  "But... Arthur and Monica made it work.  And... there's a lot to be said about sensuality apart from sexuality..."

Andrew buried a hand in her hair and nodded.

"That assumes Joccy feels the same about Takoda, though.  It... it's not always that way."

The angel's mind drifted back... back to a time when he thought he had lost JenniAnn, back to a time when Joshua had given him permission to take a few months off in Paris because he couldn't bear watching her plan her wedding to Eliot.

"Love..."

Andrew roused and smiled at JenniAnn.

"Sorry."

"It's okay.  You just got all... distant all of a sudden.  If I didn't know better, I'd think you had one of my seizures."

Andrew shook his head as JenniAnn caressed his face.

"No, no.  Nothing like that.  Just a nostalgic moment."  He'd never told JenniAnn about the aborted Paris trip... and now didn't seem like the time given her concerns for Takoda and Joccy. 

"Ah."  JenniAnn rested her forehead against his.  "Maybe we could enjoy the here and now for a little bit?"

Andrew smiled at her suggestion and nodded before kissing her.

They were still in an embrace several minutes later when enthusiastic knocks interrupted them.

"Maja!  Dad!  Come see!" Max called through the door.  "Landon just walked clear across the bedroom!"

Drawing apart, Andrew and JenniAnn smiled sheepishly.

"Be right out," Andrew shouted, not taking his eyes off JenniAnn.

"So awesome!" JenniAnn added as she brushed mussed hair behind Andrew's ears.  "Yay, Landy!"

They could hear Max's giddy laughter and then him rushing back to the room he, Rose, and Landon were staying in.

"I'm so relieved," JenniAnn murmured as she slipped out of Andrew's arms.  "I know it was worrying them a bit that Landon was still so shaky on his feet."

"Me too.  Thank God!"  As Andrew rose, he couldn't keep from smiling... both out of joy for his grandson's accomplishment but also the knowledge that the girl he had thought he'd lost was now raising children... and a grandchild... with him.

Once they were both presentable, Andrew and JenniAnn left their room, hand in hand, and went to shower praise on their little walker.


Later that morning, Joccy peered into Joshua's room.  She smiled when she saw him sitting in his window seat, calmly sipping coffee as he watched the snow gently fall.

Sensing her presence, Joshua turned around and smiled at the girl.

"Joccy!  Good morning!"

"G'morning!"  Joccy held up the carafe she was holding.  "I don't mean to interrupt if you're wanting alone time but... JenniAnn thought you might need a refill."

"I've had enough alone time," Joshua replied.  "A refill would be great.  Come join me?  It's very relaxing."  He glanced back at the window.

With a smile and a nod, Joccy agreed.  She refilled Joshua's mug then sat down beside him.

"Are you excited for Zoe and your mom to get here?" Joshua inquired.

Joccy nodded.

"And I know they're excited to come see you," she replied.

"And you," Joshua added.  "They've missed you, too.  Very much."

"Zoe wants to come to New York for college.  It would be nice to have her closer... I mean she and mom are both just a few steps away with the portal.  But there's just something about living in the same place as a person."

"There is," Joshua agreed. 

"Are you upset with me?" Joccy blurted out after a few moments of quiet.

Joshua wrapped an arm around the girl and gave her an affectionate squeeze.

"Joccy, Joccy... no.  Why would you think that?"

"It's just... Jayden.  I... I really like him.  But... I don't think he's Christian.  I tried to ask him once but he was all 'I believe there's truth in all religions and God is love.  You have to follow your heart.'"

"Joccy, many, many devout Christians have had relationships with non-Christians.  And, yes, many times that resulted in the spouse converting... even amongst the Friends... and I rejoice in that.  So, no, I'm not upset with you.  But...  I want you to have someone on your side who you can have open, honest, meaningful conversations with.  You say you 'don't think he's Christian' which tells me that, after his initial answer, you maybe let it drop?"

Joccy bowed her head and nodded.

"And that's okay," Joshua assured, patting her back.  "But if it was important enough to you to ask, you should get an answer.  And I know that's hard for you.  I know you grew up being taught not to rock the boat, not to say or ask anything that might upset your father.  But that wasn't healthy, my own.  I know that's one of the many reasons you love being amongst the Friends and in the Tunnels.  No question is off-limits.  Everyone knows they can speak freely."

Smiling, Joccy nodded again.

"I do love it..."

"And you were the first one brave enough to challenge Takoda... to draw him out.  That was no small thing," Joshua reminded.

Joccy smiled fondly.

"I just couldn't understand how anyone would give up a chance to spend time with you!  I mean..."  Her smile faded.  "I can't imagine going through what he did but... still... to... to be with you in Eternity..."  She sighed.

Joshua gripped her hands tightly and peered into Joccy's eyes.

"We'll have that some day, Joccy.  We will.  But please remember... I'm with you in this life, too.  Even when you can't see me.  Always."

Joccy smiled at Joshua then rubbed her nose against his, just as she used to do with her grandfather.

Joshua smiled and patted Joccy's cheek.

"I'll remember," Joccy promised.

"Good.  And now... now I think the both of us need to get some breakfast!"

Before she could answer, Joccy's stomach growled, causing both her and Joshua to laugh.

"Like I said..." Joshua teased.  He stood and held out his hand to Joccy who continued to clasp it as they made their way to the kitchen.


That afternoon, in the Tunnels, several of the Friends expectantly watched Ibrahim as he held a goblet.

"All right...  First sip of wine," he declared, bringing the cup to his lips.

"We maybe should have given him something else first," Logan opined, too late.  "Once you've had Joshua's wine..."

"The five bucks Trader Joe's stuff will never do again," Owen finished.

"Wow..."  Ibrahim sighed with contentment.  "That... that's some... wow..."  He took another sip.

Raheem chuckled and patted him on the back.

"Pretty great, huh?"

Ibrahim gave an enthusiastic nod.

"I'll look forward to trying some one day.  But for right now... the grape juice remains wonderful, too," Liyana complimented, raising her glass to Joshua who was holding Judah.

"I'm glad to hear it.  I'll make sure you get some once you're done nursing, Yana.  And I'm glad you're enjoying the wine, Ibrahim."

"Very much...  I could get used to this.  Responsibly, of course.  What is it they say?  One glass of red wine a day?"

"For women," Portia added.  "Men can have two... lucky.  All those antioxidants!"

A clanging sound prevented further response.  The group turned to Catherine and Vincent who were proudly smiling at the front of the room. 

"Ladies and gentlemen," Vincent began, "as many of you know, it was twelve years ago tomorrow that Catherine and I welcomed our beautiful boy into our lives... our sweet, smart, creative Jacob.  In honor of his impending birthday, Jacob has made a request of us all.  He'd like to dance the Hora.  And... he wants his fellow birthday boy to join him on a chair." 

Vincent beamed at Joshua who smiled and turned Judah over to his Aunt Hura.

"Sounds like a good time to me!" Joshua cheered as he hugged a smiling Jacob.  "Happy early birthday to you, dear Jacob!"

"And happy early birthday to you, Joshua!  Ya ready?"

"I'm ready!"

The two sat in the chairs that had been placed in front of them and, as the joyful music started up, they were lifted from the ground.  As everyone twirled around them, Joshua and Jacob gave each other high fives every time they came near each other.


Cameron tilted his head this way and that as he watched video of Joshua and company dancing the Hora at the previous spring's health fair.

Paul smiled at the young man's obvious delight in the music.  Slowly, over the past month, he'd been filling Cameron in on some of the goings on surrounding Joshua.

Once the dance was over, Cameron handed the tablet back to the saint.

"Is that something you and Joshua would have danced to in your time?" he asked with genuine interest.

"It's not unlike dances we'd do at weddings and other joyous celebrations.  But that particular form only came about in the early part of last century."

"Got it.  Everyone looked so happy..."

"They were."

"I... I'm glad I didn't take that away from them."

"Me too."  Paul squeezed Cameron's shoulder. 

"Do... do you think maybe Joshua would be willing to see me?"

Paul sat down on the cot so he could be at eye level with Cameron.

"He's always been willing, Cameron.  But he wanted you to want him here."

Cameron raised his head and met Paul's encouraging gaze.  He nodded.

"I... I want to see him again.  When... whenever he's available."

Paul beamed.

"Then I'll let him know," he promised.  "But for now..."

"Onto the book of Hosea?"

"Onto the book of Hosea," Paul confirmed.

"'The word of the Lord that came to Hosea son of Beeri during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and during the reign of Jeroboam son of Jehoash king of Israel,'" Cameron read.  "'When the Lord began to speak through Hosea, the Lord said to him, “Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord.”  So he married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son.'"

Paul listened, praying that in the tale of Hosea's devotion to his philandering wife, Cameron would find a reminder of God's unfailing and unconditional love for him.


The following morning, Joccy again made her way to Willowveil very early in the morning, hoping to spend a few moments alone with Joshua.  The previous evening, word had arrived that Cameron Burke had asked to see Joshua.  Not knowing what that reunion would be like, Joccy wanted to send Joshua along with fresh memories of love and adoration. 

She was starting a pot of coffee when she heard someone entering the kitchen behind her.  Turning around, Joccy smiled when she saw it was Takoda.  Her expression became quizzical when she noticed he was holding a wrapped box.

"G'morning, Takoda!" she greeted.  "I was just making some coffee for Joshua... or anyone.  Would you like some?"

Nervous, Takoda shook his head.

"No...  Just... umm...  I thought you might be here and... I got you something.  For Christmas.  And I know you probably want to spend tomorrow morning with your mom and sister so..."

Takoda held the box out.

Joccy's smile widened.

"Oh, Takoda...  You shouldn't have!  I mean... I did get you a little something, too.  And I wish I had it on me right now but..."

Takoda shook his head.

"It's fine.  Really."

"I'll bring your present by later but... should I open this now?" Joccy checked.

"Yes.  Please," the eager angel encouraged.

Excited and curious, Joccy tore the paper away.  She looked up at Takoda, her eyes questioning, when she saw the white box stamped with the name of a jeweler. 

"Umm..."

"It... it's not like diamonds or... or pearls or anything weird like that," Takoda assured.

With a nervous laugh, Joccy nodded.

"Okay..."  She lifted the lid and stared at the box's contents. 

"It's an Algonquin design," Takoda explained.

"It's... so beautiful.  I just can't..."

Takoda bristled, praying she wasn't going to refuse the gift.

"I just can't believe you... you got me something so... so beautiful.  So special..." Joccy murmured.  She looked into Takoda's eyes, her own brimming with tears.

"I'm really grateful for your friendship, Joccy.  And... and I wanted you to... to have something to remind you of that," Takoda replied, his own eyes filling.  "Could I help you put it on?"

"Yes... please."

After carefully moving Joccy's hair to one shoulder, Takoda took the necklace and fastened it.

Beaming, Joccy turned around to face him.

"How do I look?" she asked.

"Beautiful..."

Joccy blushed.

"Thank you.  It's the perfect gift.  Truly.  It... it reminds me of where I came from.  And who I want to be... where I want to go."

"I... I hope I'm there to see... where you go," Takoda choked out.

Joccy stepped forward and kissed the angel's cheek.

"I hope you are, too," she responded softly.

Blushing, Takoda considered saying more... telling her how he felt about her... all that he felt.

His cheek felt warm where she had kissed him... and it was enough.  He smiled at Joccy.

"Merry Christmas, Joccy."

Beaming back, Joccy squeezed Takoda's hands.

"Merry Christmas, Takoda."


Later that morning, Salma pensively perched on Joshua's window seat and watched him get ready for his visit to Cameron in jail.

"Which sweater do you think I should wear?" he asked, holding two out towards her.

Salma eyed the bright blue cardigan and the beige pullover.  She reached out and touched each of them.

"Definitely the beige.  It's softer and more... traditional."

"Beige it is."  Joshua yanked the sweater over his T-shirt.  "Thanks."

Salma rose to tame a few curls that the sweater had tousled.

Joshua smiled.

"Thank you again."

Salma returned his smile and caressed his cheek.

"Are... are you sure you don't want me to go with you?" she checked.

Joshua hugged the nun.

"I am.  I won't tell you that you can't go.  But... they do a pat down at security and even though they try to keep you away from other prisoners... they can't entirely.  And... they can be... uncouth.  I don't want you to feel uncomfortable."

Salma sighed.  The entire ordeal sounded triggering... even with Joshua at her side.

"You won't be going alone?"

Joshua shook his head.

"Raheem and Ibrahim are going with me.  I'll visit with Cameron alone first... but they'll be nearby."

"Then... I think I'll stay... and wait... and pray."

Joshua kissed her hair.

"I appreciate that.  We won't be long," he assured.  "There are limits on how long these visits can last."

Salma nodded.

Joshua again pulled her close.

Closing her eyes, and in the safety of her beloved Zmaray's embrace, Salma allowed herself to recall that awful day when she had held him in her arms and watched the life drain out of him.  Now she had to forgive the man who had shot him...

Salma drew in and let out a deep breath then reached into the pocket of her dress.

"Could you please give this to Cameron?" she requested.  "The other sisters and I have been making them."

Joshua peered down at the crocheted, cross-shaped bookmark.  It was green... Cameron's favorite color.  He had told Salma that and she had remembered.

"I will absolutely do that.  It's a beautiful gesture, Salma.  Thank you."

"You're welcome.  I figured he could use it as St. Paul goes through the scriptures with him."

"I'm sure that's exactly what he'll do."

Joshua kissed Salma's forehead and cradled her face in his hands.

"I'll come back here as soon as I'm finished at the jail.  And then I'd like to stop by El-Chanan and spend some time with your sisters and Reuel and whomever's about.  And then... then we'll come back here and make my parents tell my birth story."

Salma smiled.  There was no "making" Maryam and Yosef tell the story.  They loved to do so.

"Sound good?" Joshua checked.

"Sounds good."

"Then... let's go."

Together, the two made their way downstairs where Andrew, JenniAnn, Raheem, Hura, Ibrahim, and Liyana were waiting.

"You ready, Josh?" Raheem asked.

"I'm ready," Joshua affirmed.  "Ibrahim?"

Ibrahim, who was clasping his wife's hand, nodded.

"Just give me a call if the subway's backed up and you want me to come get you afterwards or anything," Andrew offered.

"Will do.  Thanks, Andrew."  Joshua squeezed his shoulder.  "But I think we'll be fine." 

A round of hugs started and, soon, the three men were in their coats, hats, and gloves.

"We'll be waiting here," Hura promised.

"And praying all goes well," Liyana added.

"Joe said to call him if you need any help," JenniAnn reminded.

Hura grabbed her husband's arm.

"Don't let him out of your sight," she urged in a hushed tone.

Raheem kissed her cheek.

"I won't.  I'll either be right with him or only separated by a bit of glass."

"Okay..."

"I love you, Joshua."  Salma gave his hand a final, encouraging squeeze.

"I love you, too, sweet Salma."  Joshua smiled at her then turned to Raheem and Ibrahim.  "Shall we be off?"

The two nodded and followed Joshua out the door.  Once they were gone, the group hurried to the ballroom and watched the trio make their way to the portal, praying that all would go well for them on the other side of it.


"Burke, it's time!" a guard called after rapping on Cameron's door.

Nervous, Cameron turned to Paul who was calmly reading an essay that he'd assigned.

"Are... are you going with me?"

Paul looked up and shook his head.

"No.  You don't need me.  You misspelled 'diaspora,' by the way.  Only one r."

Cameron chuckled, the correction oddly calming him.

"I'll remember.  Thank you."

Paul smiled.

"You'll be fine.  Remember, Joshua is less of a stranger than I am.  And you feel comfortable with me."

Cameron nodded.

"Yeah... thanks."

The door opened.

"Really starting to wonder about your mental health, Burke," the guard commented.  "Always yammering to yourself."

Cameron shrugged.

"Well, let's go.  You don't want to keep Mr. Davidson waiting.  He's an important man."

Cameron bowed his head and smiled.  Near as he and Paul could tell, the guards had no idea who Joshua was.  But that didn't stop them from fan-boying over him.

Cameron wheeled himself into the hallway.  Before the door closed, he looked once more at Paul who smiled and waved.

But as they made their way to the visitation room, the calmness that Cameron's mentor had passed along to him began to fade.  Cameron's mind raced with all he wanted to say to Joshua... or maybe he was meant only to listen.  And then there were the other two men... the two men he had shot at.  Joshua had said he was bringing them along.  What would Cameron say to them?  "Sorry" seemed so shallow...

The visitation room came into view.  Cameron could just make out Joshua behind the glass.  He was standing and speaking with the other two men... Raheem and Ibrahim.

Spotting Cameron, Raheem and Ibrahim stepped away from Joshua and joined two other guards outside the room.

Cameron's guard, Jerry, opened the door for him.

"In you go, Burke."

Cameron wheeled himself inside. 

"Good morning, Cameron," Joshua greeted.

Cameron moved closer.  He peered up at Joshua, opened his mouth to return the greeting, and then, seeing the immense love and compassion in Joshua's eyes, bowed his head and began to sob.

Joshua stepped forward and rested a hand on the young man's shoulder.

"Cameron..."

Still not looking up, Cameron wrapped his arms around Joshua, rested his forehead against Joshua's sweater, and continued to weep.

"I... I... sor... sorry..." he choked out.

"I know, Cameron... I know."  Joshua stroked Cameron's hair as tears trailed down his cheeks.

"So... sorry..."

"I know...  I forgive you, Cameron.  I do," Joshua stressed.  "I love you so much."

At last, Cameron lifted his head.  Through a blurry haze, he met Joshua's gaze.

"I... I love you, too."

Joshua beamed.


Outside the visitation room, Raheem and Ibrahim wept in each other's arms.  To their side, one of the guards was gaping.  Beside him, another crossed himself and began to pray.

The cousins continued to watch Joshua and Cameron.  At last, the latter released the former.  Joshua sat down on the couch and listened intently as Cameron spoke to him.  After a few moments, Joshua stood again and knocked on the window.

"Raheem and Ibrahim, come in, please," he requested.

After quickly drying their eyes, Raheem and Ibrahim joined Joshua and Cameron inside the room.

"Raheem, Ibrahim... this is Cameron.  Cameron, this is Raheem in the red.  And this is Ibrahim... formerly the imam at the Manhattan Mosque," Joshua introduced.

Cameron's face fell.

"Formerly...  Did I..."

Ibrahim found himself oddly compelled to comfort the younger man.

"I was unhappy as an imam," he answered.  "Not because I didn't see value in Islam," he hastened to add.  "I did... and still do.  But... I can't be an imam any more, anyway."  Ibrahim smiled at Joshua.  "I've converted to Christianity."

"Me too," Raheem added.

Cameron looked to Joshua in surprise and then let out a ragged sigh.

"What I meant for evil... God meant for good," he recited.

Smiling proudly, Joshua nodded.


"And he told us how sorry he was... how wrong he now realizes he was.  We forgave him, of course.  If Joshua could, how could we not?  Then we just chatted... like old friends," Raheem told several of the Friends who had gathered around him and Ibrahim upon their return.

"And you should have seen Cameron's face when Joshua gave him a cross bookmark that Salma had made for him.  You'd have thought he'd been handed treasure," Ibrahim relayed.

"Amazing..." Rabbi Yakov marveled.  "Though not surprising... knowing our Joshua."

Raheem looked around and spotted Jemima.

"He asked Joshua to find a way to extend his apologies to the nurse he mistreated.  Joshua promised he'd get word to you, Jemima.  He asked me to tell you."

Smiling, Jemima peered up at the ceiling and whispered a prayer of thanksgiving before responding to Raheem.

"I'm so glad!  Not so much for me...  It hurt in the moment, of course.  But it didn't last.  I am glad for Cameron, though.  It was so sad watching Joshua, well, mourn him.  But now he never has to again!"

Ibrahim nodded.

"Even though he's in jail... I suspect this may very well be the merriest Christmas of Cameron's life."

"I imagine you're right," Andrew agreed.  "To be free of all that hate... and now to be free of the guilt."

"Joshua promised to come visit Cameron another couple of times.  He'd like to apologize in person to you, Yosef."

The old carpenter squeezed Maryam's hand and nodded to Ibrahim.

"Of course, I will go," he vowed.  "I am so pleased for the young man."

Joccy let out a shaky sigh.

"And... and then I imagine Joshua will go back Home.  He said he'd stay through Christmas... and a little into the new year.  That's not long now," she lamented.

Takoda patted her hand.

"No...  But he won't stay away for long.  He never does."

"He loves you all very, very much," Maryam reassured Joccy.  "Yeshu will come back."

Zoe hugged her sister.

"And we'll fill the time with lots of fun stuff.  Like campus visits for me!"

"Welcoming Kylie's and Clay's baby!" Emma reminded.

"You want to help me pick out a prom dress?" Amala offered.

"Do you want to help me make wedding favors?" Ivy added.

Joccy laughed and nodded.

"Yes to everything.  And you're right... the time will fly.  And... we still have at least a week."

"We do," Peter concurred.  "And tonight... tonight will be very special as always."

The others smiled at Maryam and Yosef, awaiting their annual story.


That evening, as stars illuminated the sky beyond the windows of Willowveil's ballroom, the Friends all gathered together. 

Maryam, Yosef, and Joshua sat closest to the fireplace with the smallest Friends clustered around them, each holding LED votives.

"Ama... Abi... tell me the story of when I was born, please?" Joshua requested with a smile.

Beaming, the couple began.

"It all began when I was visited by an angel.  He came with the most wondrous news... a baby was to be born to me... a son... my son... the Son of God," Maryam relayed.

"And that same angel appeared to me and told me to not be afraid and to marry Maryam... my beloved," Yosef continued.  "And so I did."

"And we were happy... and nervous... and very excited.  And then news came that we had to travel to Bethlehem for a census.  And so, with Yoktan, we set off.  We had only just arrived in Bethlehem when my labor pains began..."

As Joshua continued to look with love upon his parents, his mind filled with the voices of so many, across time and space; past, present, and future; who had told his story.

"There was no room for them in any of the inns," Yohannan preached to those gathered around him in Sheol as they awaited Yeshua's arrival.

"So they were shown to a stable," Cephas told the men with him in prison.

"And in the stable, Maryam brought forth Yeshua and wrapped him in swaddling clothes," Tzipora proclaimed, smiling at her children and grandchildren.

"And she laid him in a manger," Mattay preached in Ethiopia. 

"At that same time, there were shepherds in the fields, guarding their flocks," Loukas spoke to himself as he wrote.

"An angel of the Lord appeared to them and God's glory shone around them and they were scared," Cora whispered to the baby in her womb.

"But the angel said to them..." Sophia intoned as she swayed with baby JenniAnn.

"'Fear not!  I bring you good news that will bring joy to all people!'" Eli exclaimed.

"'Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord!'" Renata recited as she bounced Peter on her knee.

"And more angels came," a sleep deprived Andrew murmured as he rocked with Belle.  "And they said 'Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.'"

"Then the angels left, returning to Heaven.  And the shepherds went in search of the miracle... the baby... the savior...  And they found him with his parents, laying in a manger," Yehuda told his family in Heaven.

"They spread the word... and all who heard them were amazed," Lucius recalled as he gazed out at the lights of Manhattan.

"But Maryam treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart," Mary added reverently, moving to stand beside her beloved and take his hand.

Joshua sighed happily as he saw the couple in the little apartment, humbly decorated but filled with love.  Mary had come... and all would be well.  He opened his eyes and gazed across the room to where Joccy and Takoda sat, shoulders touching.  A final voice came to him.

"'The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told,'" an older and wiser Takoda read to the baby in his arms.

Joshua looked out at the starry sky and smiled at his Dad, thankful for that glimpse of the future.  His attention returned to his parents and to the Friends.  He smiled at the Azizis... Liyana listening intently with Judah in her arms and Ibrahim's arms around her, his eyes filled with joy.  His gaze traveled to the Khalids, all listening in rapturous attention along with Christopher who was clasping Amala's hand.   Near them, Salma sat with Isra and Behnam and their children.  She caught Joshua looking at them and returned his smile.

For a few brief moments, theirs lives had hung in the balance... Ibrahim's, Raheem's, and Salma's... but they had been saved.  Now so had Cameron.  The tragic, painful, hate-fueled moment that had joined them was redeemed.

Joshua knew that another time of trial was coming for the Friends.  Once again, they would find themselves packed into a hospital waiting room.  Once again, they would worry that they would need to make a good bye that they weren't ready for.

But then they would find themselves gathered at Willowveil, celebrating the miracles they had witnessed, thanking God for answered prayers.

"Yes," the Birthday Boy reminded himself, "all will be well."


Works Cited: