Chapter Two

        As Michael put his girls to bed that night the only people he could think of were Sarah and Connor.  Kayleigh and Adalyn had both enjoyed that afternoon very much.  He had enjoyed getting to know Sarah as well.  He had invited Sarah and Connor to go to the zoo with him and the girls that Friday and they had accepted the invite.  He knew it had to be hard on Sarah raising Connor all by herself, just as it was hard on him raising his girls on his own.  The girls and Connor had become very good friends already.  Michael crawled into his bed and right before he went to sleep her prayed,

        “Lord, I don’t understand why you took Julie from me, or why you took Matthew away from Sarah, but I pray that you’ll allow us to be a help to one another.”

        Sarah was putting Connor to bed as well that night and could only think about Michael and the girls.  As she was tucking Connor in she told him,

“You didn’t think you would make any new friends today, but you certainly did!”

        “I know I didn’t think I would, but Kayleigh introduced herself right away when she saw me in Sunday school.”

        “She and her sister are really sweet aren’t they?”

        “Yes they are.  Do you know who Mr. Jones reminds me of mom?”

        “Who is that Connor?”

        “He reminds me a lot about dad.  He kind of sounds like dad, and he laughs like dad.”

        “You know what, I thought the same thing.”

As Sarah went to bed that night she prayed the same prayer that Michael had. 

The week went by fast and finally Friday arrived.  Kayleigh and Adalyn were up bright and early Friday because they were so excited about their trip to the zoo!

“Daddy wake up!  We need to get ready!”

“Kayleigh and Adalyn it’s 6:30 in the morning.  We’re not meeting Sarah and Connor until 10:00.  Go back to bed for a little bit and I’ll come wake you up!”

The girls headed back to their room and both crawled into Kayleigh’s bed and were back asleep within five minutes.

        At 8:30 Michael came in to wake the girls up and could not help but smile when he saw them asleep in the same bed.  His girls had pretty much become inseparable since their mother’s death.

        “Girls, are you ready to get up and eat some breakfast and go to the zoo?”

This immediately woke both of them up and they answered in unison,

        “Of course we are!”

This made Michael laugh so hard!

        “Ok then, get ready and then come on downstairs for some food!”

Michael headed downstairs and the girls started getting ready.  Fifteen minutes later when the girls had not made it downstairs yet Michael decided to check on them, and he came upon a very interesting conversation.

        “Kayleigh?”

        “Yes Addie?”

        “I really like Miss Sarah!  She reminds me of mommy!”

        “I agree Addie, but why did you tell me that?”

        “Kayleigh, I want Miss Sarah to be our new mommy!”

This part of the conversation caught Michael off guard, and he listened intently to what Kayleigh would say.

        “You know what Addie?  I hope she does too, but let this be our little secret!”

Michael quickly slipped back downstairs so the girls would not know he had heard their conversation.

        As Sarah was making breakfast for her and Connor her thoughts were once again on Michael.  She had only known him for a week, but she almost felt they had a connection.  She was just about as excited as Connor about going to the zoo.  Sarah had gone upstairs to get Connor and as she approached his door she heard him praying.

        “Dear Jesus, thank you so much for the day you’ve given us.  Thank you that I get to go to the zoo with my friends.  I ask that you’ll make Mr. Michael my new daddy, and tell my daddy I said hi!  In Jesus’ name, Amen!”

This brought a tear to Sarah’s eye.  Connor missed his dad so much, but he was also ready for another man to come into his life.

        Right at 10:00 they all met at the church.  Immediately the children were talking about all the animals they were going to see at the zoo.  Once again as Michael and Sarah talked they were being watched from afar by Pastor Matthews.  He knew in his heart that this was part of the reason his daughter and grandson were brought back to the area.  He also knew that everything would work out in God’s timing.

        Five months had passed since Sarah and Connor had moved to the area.  They had done something with Michael and the girls every week.  Michael and Sarah had also had a few dates themselves.  One Sunday morning after church Michael had asked Pastor Matthews if he could meet with him privately in his office.  When they got to the office Pastor Matthew asked,

        “What can I do for you Michael?”

        “Pastor, I have fallen in love with your daughter, and would like your permission to take her hand in marriage.”

        “Yes Michael, you may take my daughter’s hand in marriage.  I was wondering when you were going to ask!”

This made Michael laugh.

        “Pastor, I’d like to ask her after I sing the special in the evening service.”

        “That is perfectly fine with me!”

        Sarah was looking forward to the evening service.  Michael was singing one of her favorite songs for the special, and she loved to hear him sing!  After Michael got done singing Sarah noticed that he was walking toward her while she was still at the piano.  When he got to her he got down on one knee.

        “Sarah Stephens, I have fallen in love with you.  Will you marry me?”

Sarah was speechless, but she was finally able to find her voice.

        “Of course I will!”

Immediately the entire church was on their feet clapping.  The next thing Sarah knew she had Connor, Kayleigh, and Adalyn up next to her, and the girls were saying,

        “Hurray!  You’re going to be our new mommy!”

This made Sarah so happy that all she could do was cry.  Her prayer had been answered!