Chapter 1: Farewell

© Copyright 2009 by Rachel Rossano
www.freewebs.com/anavrea
rachel-rossano.blogspot.com



After saying goodbye to Paul, Daniel gathered his coat from the rack in the foyer. Shrugging into his jacket, he headed down the familiar hall to get his nephew. He was going to miss this church. Five years had passed since he had become a member. He was going to have hard time finding another church as united as this one. Of all the goodbyes that he had to say the one coming was going to be the hardest.

Stopping outside the door to the nursery, he listened, but heard nothing. As he opened the door, he was greeted by a beautiful sight. Mid-afternoon sunlight flooded the nursery. Near the center of the room, among scattered toys, Anne sat cradling Dean in her arms. Dean, fast asleep, was curled into a comfortable crescent with his head on her chest. She was playing with his curls as she rocked back and forth.

As he stood there, Daniel tried to imprint this picture in his mind for the lonely months ahead. The sunlight on her hair would cheer him on the gloomy days. In her eyes was the soft warmth that he loved to see. It made her brown eyes seem even larger and more beautiful.

"Daniel?" Her voice was soft as she looked up at him. Looking down at the child she continued. "He was so tired. I just let him sleep. I hope that was all right." She looked up at him hesitantly. Her eyes brought a flood of memories to the surface of his mind.

Daniel nodded. "That’s fine. Do you want me to pick up?" he nodded toward the toys that littered the floor.

"No, if you take Dean. I’ll pick them up."

"Okay." He leaned down to take the sleeping toddler before she could get up. After straightening, he moved Dean into a more comfortable position. He waited as Anne adjusted the blanket around the little one. When she reached up to adjust his collar, Daniel glimpsed a sad look in her eyes. "What is wrong?" he asked softly.

She turned her face down to avoid his eyes. "I am going to miss you."

"I am going to miss you too," he said. Something in his voice made her look up. As she did, he caught sight of a tear sliding down her cheek. Daniel had never seen her cry before. She was obviously trying to hold it back.

He slipped his free arm around her shoulders and gave them a gentle squeeze. She leaned her head against his shoulder and his heart jumped. When she started to cry, he rested his chin gently on top of her head. They stood like that for a few minutes. By then Anne had gotten her tears under control. Stepping back, she wiped away a few stray tears as she went over to get Dean's bag.

When she turned back toward him, Daniel asked, "Will you write?"

She smiled up at him and nodded. "Yes."

“You are more than I deserve," he said.

As a response, she put a hand on each side of his face. Trying not to look into his eyes, she eased up onto her toes and kissed him on the cheek. As she tried to back away, Daniel stopped her with his arm. Leaning down, he firmly, yet gently, kissed her on the forehead. Then without looking back, he walked out of the nursery.

“Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” he reminded himself as he approached his car. He wondered how much their relationship would grow from this. Looking down at Dean, he began to feel better. She would write. It would be almost as good as talking to her on the phone. He was better at writing than phone conversations anyway.




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