Page 61 of Jobe

As long as you’re in my life...we got this.

20

The next evening found Mackenna and Jobe pulling up to his parents’ house with Penny in the back seat.

Looking over her shoulder, Mackenna said, “Mom, the Delaro’s are going to be so surprised at how much you’ve progressed since using the gym and pool at the new place.”

“Ah know,” Penny said, her lopsided smile exuding her pride. “An ah can speak so much bet-ta now.”

As usual, Rachel ran out on the porch and was down the steps before Joseph ambled out of the front door. She grabbed Penny in a hug before turning to throw her arms around Mackenna in an equally exuberant greeting. Finally turning to her son, she beamed up at his face as she wrapped her arms around him. “Oh, baby boy, to see you smile does this old heart so much good.”

“Let the man go, Rachel,” Joseph admonished, offering his son a shrug. Shaking his head as he shook Jobe’s hand, he whispered loudly, “You’d think your mom’s never seen you before, the way she carries on.”

A playful slap on his shoulder had Joseph turning around, pretending to be surprised that Rachel heard him. Jobe laughed as he threw his arm around Mackenna, ushering her into the welcoming home. They moved into the large kitchen, where Miriam, Rebecca, Hannah, her husband and their children were all gathered. Cooking for a lot of people was no challenge for Rachel and within a few minutes they had all heaped food on their plates and settled around the dining room table that had been extended by a cloth covered card table at the end.

Good food and good conversation flowed as the family enjoyed each other’s company. Miriam was pleased with Penny’s progress while Rebecca enchanted them with stories of her fourth-grade students. Hannah’s children ate quickly and then ran to the living room to play, leaving the adults to finish their meal.

Jobe and Mackenna continued to glance at each other, trying to decide on the right moment to tell their parents, but just when the time seemed right someone else would begin talking and the opportunity passed.

Joseph had been staring at his only son throughout the meal, knowing that Jobe was anxious. Not in the way he had been when he came home from the Army, but he noticed the way Jobe constantly sought out Mackenna’s hand underneath the table. And the way her eyes cut over to Jobe’s.

Mackenna finally rose from the table and grabbed her purse, still lying on the counter. Pulling out two small bags, she walked back over as Jobe stood as well. The others watched them carefully, uncertain what was happening. Looking up at Jobe, Mackenna gave a nervous smile and he answered her silent question with a nod.

“Mom, Rachel,” Mackenna began. “We wanted to give you two a little something, for…um…well, for just being great moms. We’d like you to open them together if you would.”

Jobe took the two gift bags from Mackenna’s hands and leaned over the table, offering one to Penny before giving one to his mom. “Mom,” he said softly, capturing Rachel’s gaze, “open it slowly, along with Penny.”

Rachel nodded, understanding that Penny needed a little bit more time to get the gift opened. She kept her eyes on Penny as she reached her hand into the bag at the same time. Both women felt a piece of cloth in the bottom of their bags and pulled them out together. Their eyes landed on baby bibs with the words, “World’s Greatest Grandma” printed on the front.

A quiet second of shock followed by shrieks of joy filled the room. Mackenna rushed to her mother as Rachel bounded out of her chair to throw her arms around Jobe. Joseph leaned back in his chair, fighting unshed tears as he held the gaze of his son over Rachel’s head. Jobe smiled at his father, accepting his nod of approval, as his mother continued to squeal.

Penny held her daughter tightly as tears ran unchecked down her cheeks.His sisters all moved to hug Mackenna as well, filled with questions of due dates and if they knew the sex yet.

Suddenly Rachel reared back looking up at her son. “You’re not married! You’ve gotta get married. No grandchild of mine is going to be born—”

“Rachel!” Joseph spoke sternly, never having raised his voice to his wife, instantly gaining her attention. “Our son’s come back to us, now. Lost him for a long time, but he’s back. And with this beautiful woman who brought him back into her heart has now brought him back to us. So whatever they decide to do is good by me.”

Duly chastised, Rachel nodded her agreement. “Oh Joseph, you’re so right,” she agreed, but then turned to Jobe and said, “But you want to get married, right?”

Throwing his head back in laughter, he hugged his mother again before moving to Mackenna and wrapping his arms around her, pulling her back into his front. “Yes, we do want to get married. But we talked about it and we’ve agreed on doing things Mackenna’s way.”

The family all looked to her and she was glad that Jobe’s arms were tightly embracing her. Licking her lips, she said, “I just want to be married to Jobe. As soon as possible. No big wedding…just a simple ceremony with family and friends. That’s all. No dress, no cake, no big party. Just the people we love sharing the love we have for each other.”

She braced herself for the moms’ wails or the onslaught of protestations. She felt Jobe’s arms tighten as well, knowing his thoughts were the same. But all that met them were smiles.

“I think thas love-ly,” Penny said, standing to hug both Jobe and Mackenna.

“I do too,” Rachel agreed, smiling. “I think you two deserve to have all the happiness in the world.”

Letting out the breath she had been holding, she smiled back. “Thank you all. We were thinking about this weekend.”

Jobe looked at his dad and asked, “Pop, would it be okay if we had it in your back yard? We can get our friends here and have a justice of the peace.”

“Our minister will be glad to come, if you want him,” Rachel added, hope filling every word.

Mackenna smiled and, gaining Jobe’s approval, she said, “That’d be lovely.”

“I can bake a cake,” Penny said.

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