Peace from the Trials Part Three

 by Emma A.

Part Three

*Puget Sound*

 

  Libby looked around at their new surroundings. She sat down on a trunk and watched Mitch unpack in the white room.

  Then feeling as though she had to do something, she stood up and slowly went outside. Through downcast eyelashes, she watched people stroll past, laughing and talking. I used to be like that.

A sudden pang made her consider her past actions. Maybe she had been thinking too much of her own grief. Libby stopped in her tracks, brow furrowed.

  Mysteriously, she was hungry to find out how she could overcome her grief. She was about to turn back when a young child’s voice made her turn. Behind white pickets and a carefully, but casually laid out garden, sat a child about three years old. The little girl held in her chubby fists a bouquet of daisy’s.

  She toddled over to a woman, who Libby had not noticed, and said sweetly, “Mama, I bwought dees for ooo!”

The young woman smiled, taking the flowers. “Thank you, my darling.” Even from a distance it was clear the young lady was an attractive, charming woman.

The little girl grinned, her dimples showing.

The woman looked over at another one of her children, a young infant lying on a blanket looking up at the sky and sucking its fingers.

Libby took a deep breath, trying to hold back a sob. Faith would’ve been like that by now.

A sob broke forth and the woman looked up. “Are you all right?” Her musical voice floated over the space between them.

Strangely, Libby was drawn forward. The woman gathered her skirts and came over quickly. “Has something happened?” The woman was even more striking up close.

Libby swallowed the lump in her throat and croaked out, “My baby’s dead and I’m tired of holding onto my grief!”

She threw herself onto the woman’s shoulder and wept. The woman waited until she had calmed down, then said, “Come with me. I have tea set up inside.”

Libby followed her into a white, homey cottage. The woman sat down at a humble, hand-carven table and called, “Dolly, could you please bring the tea? I have a guest with me.”

A young girl, around fifteen, came out with a tray. Carefully setting it down she said politely, “Do you need anything else, Mrs. Grant?”

“No, Dolly, I think that's all. Run along home and tell your mother thank you for lending you to me for the day.”

Dolly curtsied and smiled. “I will ma’am.” The girl exited, leaving the two women alone.

Mrs. Grant took Libby’s hand. “You said you lost a child… am I right?” she added when Libby didn’t answer.

Libby nodded slowly. Mrs. Grant suddenly seemed as though she had gone back in time. Her gaze was on a picture hanging on the wall and she sighed. Looking back to Libby she said gently, “I’ve lost a child as well. Although it has been over five years, it is still fresh in my mind.”

Libby stared at her. She has lost a child too? But where is the grief… the pain? Shouldn’t she be mourning?

Mrs. Grant smiled. “I know what you are thinking. You’re wondering why I’m so carefree and happy when a loved one has passed.” She leaned closer. “The truth is I was depressed and sad but then I realized God had lost his son as well. Though it was even worse since Jesus died on a painful cross. Have you ever thought about that?”

Libby sat still staring straight ahead. Then suddenly she burst into tears and buried her face in her hands. “God! Forgive me!”

Mrs. Grant wrapped Libby in her arms.

After a few minutes Libby stood up and said firmly, “I have to go to my husband and ask for forgiveness. I’ve let him be alone for too long.”

Giving a final hug Libby ran outside and back to the cottage Mitch had rented.

Pushing open the door she flung herself into Mitch’s arms and cried, “I’m sorry Mitch! I’ve been so neglectful of you when you needed me most!”

Mitch’s big hands cupped her face and he whispered, “Libby, Darling! You just needed time, that's all.”

“No! I held onto grief when I should have held onto the hope that I shall see my child again in heaven. Forgive me, Mitch!”

The next moments where the sweetest Libby had ever known. She was once again with her husband and they could now heal together.

Suddenly looking up at Mitch she asked, “The woman’s name was Mrs. Grant. Is she related to Jenny Grant?”

Mitch shrugged. “I think there is a sister-in-law of Jenny who lives here. Her name is Rachel Grant, wife of Eli Grant.”

“She is a wise woman.” Libby wiped tears from her eyes. How great you are, O Lord!

 

*eight years later*

“Mitch! Your home, darling!” Libby rushed towards her husband.

Mitch dropped his hat down on the table and opened his arms. Libby flew into them and laughed. “You’ll never believe what Jimmy did today! He pulled himself up on my skirts and pushed off. He took two steps Mitch! Two steps!” Her eyes twinkled in delight.

Mitch laughed and kissed her ruby lips. Wiping some flour off her cheek he peeked around her. “Where are the rest of the children?”

“I think they said they were playing in the barn.” 

“Do you think we should go to them?”

Libby looked over her shoulder at the pile of dishes awaiting her attention. She shrugged them off and eagerly took Mitch’s suggestion. “Let's go!”

Holding hands they ran to the barn and heaved its big wide doors open. Slipping inside they heard voices laughing and whispering.

Libby peered into the darkness to find her children but couldn’t see any figures. Mitch pointed up and Libby almost fainted. All the children were lined up in a row sitting on one of the beams that held up the barn!

Mitch’s strong voice called out, “Come down from there! Hasn’t Uncle Chad scolded you enough times about climbing up there?”

Libby calmed herself and sweetly said to her eldest son, “Tyler, darling, come down to Mama. Please.”

Mitch hushed her and said, “Do you want us to join you up there?”

Libby stared at him and started to protest. But Tyler’s seven-year-old voice interrupted her. “Yeah! Come up here, Mama and Papa! It’s fun!”

Mitch grabbed Libby and they climbed up to the loft. Jumping up onto the beam he reached down for Libby. Once both were up they made their way over to their children.

Tyler, Louisa, Anne, Emily and Jimmy sat on the beam swinging their legs casually. Mitch climbed over them and sat on one side. Libby pushed her skirts into place and situated herself next to Louisa.

Libby told Mitch, “Please hold on to Jimmy, dear. I don't want him to… fall.”

“He’ll be okay, Libby. I have my arm around him.” Mitch smiled.

Libby relaxed. So long as everyone remained safe and didn't fall into the loft, everything would be okay.

She started singing a song and everyone quickly joined in.

A bellow interrupted them. “What in tarnation are you doing up there?”

Everyone looked below to Chad Carter, who stood in the straw arms crossed. He tapped his foot and when no one answered barked, “Answer me! What are you doing in my barn, sitting casually on death’s ledge?”

Mitch shrugged. “Leave off, Chad. I can take care of my own family.”

Chad shook his dark-haired head. Lifting up his hands he said brusquely, “Emily, jump down. I’ll catch you.”

With a hesitant look at her father, five-year-old Emily obeyed her uncle’s demand. Pushing off she gave a small squeal before Chad caught her.

Each of the children fell into their uncle’s arms. Libby stood up and with a pointed look at her brother-in-law she made her own way down to the ground. Mitch jumped down and rolled onto a pile of hay.

Chad breathed out deeply. Clapping his brother on the back he said softly, “I’m sorry for getting upset. It just scared me to see all of you up there and…” his voice trailed off. “I’m sorry.”

Mitch grinned. “We probably shouldn't have been up there anyway. Thanks for saving us, big brother.”

Chad ran a hand through his hair. A small smile pulled at the corners of his lips. Then he heaved Emily up into his arms and said, “Supper’s waiting, kids.”

                                             ******

Libby looked over at everyone seated around the table. This table had had to be enlarged over the years as more children were born. So far Justin and Lucy had four, Chad and Ellie had three, Mitch and Libby had five, Kate and Troy had their trio, Melinda and Peter lived in town with their two children, and Andi and Riley had five at Memory Creek Ranch. Altogether that was twenty-two grandchildren for Elizabeth Carter to love and enjoy.

Moving her hand under the table, she found Mitch’s hand and clasped it tight. Tears pricked her eyes. They had been through so much together. They had celebrated their engagement, they enjoyed together the beauty of being husband and wife, wept together over the loss of their firstborn, rejoiced at the birth of five healthy children and now were basking in parenthood and each other’s presence.

Mitch looked over at his wife. Libby wiped her eyes with her napkin. Mitch leaned over and whispered, “Are you okay?”

Libby nodded, her throat too choked to speak. Mitch squeezed her shoulders with a

a small smile.

After the meal was over, Libby and Mitch slipped out to the porch. Watching the sunset, Libby cuddled in Mitch’s warm embrace.

  As Libby held up her face to kiss Mitch, the front door banged open and five squealing children ran out. They circled their parents giggling and poking each other.

Mitch and Libby smiled. They could scarcely have a moment alone without their children blowing in like a fresh breath of air, but that was the way they liked it best.

She whispered, “I love our family, Mitch. God has surely blessed us.”

“He has and He did.”