Grace Alive: a Christian Romance (13 page)

“Work,” my dad repeated, and I could see his
mind churning with dark thoughts. He was going to disown me.

“Yes, work. We hung out a couple times, and I
heard the Lord speak to me about him. He is the one for me. That’s
why I’ve been having such a hard time with Jacob, Dad. It felt very
wrong, and Branson just feels so right,” I finished before I could
choke on my words. Now they knew.

“I want to meet him,” Dad said, and I
instantly felt a punch in my gut. “I don’t agree with you, but I
want to meet this guy.” Dad stood to his feet and paced the floor.
“Zoe, you’re making a mistake. A big, big, mistake.” He snapped his
eyes toward me. “You will regret doing this. You won’t be happy
with this guy. Jacob is the one for you, I know he is.”

“I appreciate your concern, Dad, but I know
that it was God. I heard Him tell me several times,” I defended, my
lips trembling. I was so afraid.

“Are you sure it was God, sweetie?” my mom
asked as she dusted off the front of her dress. Dad looked like he
wanted to kill something. My mom just looked exhausted.

“Yes, I’m sure.”

Dad called Jacob for me the next day and
talked to him for over an hour. I had no idea what they were
saying, but my dad didn’t sound very happy. He probably was telling
him that I was going to go to Hell. Dad wanted to meet Branson
immediately, and I was panicking. I hadn’t even told Branson that I
felt like he was the one! He was going to run for the hills once he
found out! That was so stupid of me. I didn’t work til’ one, so I
figured I had better call Branson and tell him my lovely news. I
picked up my phone and dialed his number. It rang twice before he
answered.

“Hello?” He sounded horrible.

“Branson? This is Zoe.” I sat down on my bed
and began to play with the corner of the bedspread.

“Hi, Zoe, what’s up?” His voice was
strained.

“Are you okay?” I asked feeling concerned for
him.

“I’m okay, just dealing. Why did you
call?”

“Can I meet you at the café?” I looked over
at my alarm clock.

“Oh, sure. What time?”

“Now?” I heard shuffling on the phone, and a
baby crying.

“Now? I have Bree Bree, but sure. I’ll get
her ready to go. See you there soon.”

“Okay. See ya,” I said and hit end on my
phone. This was it. This was going to be the end. Once I told
Branson what I’d told my parents, he would surely shut me down. He
sounded so bad. I wondered what was wrong with him. I got ready to
go and headed toward the café where we’d first talked. The place
had only a few cars for which I was thankful. I didn’t see
Branson’s car yet, so I went inside and found a table. I grabbed a
high chair for Bree and calmly waited. What was I going to say to
him? Hi, Branson, you are my husband okay? The door opened, and he
walked in carrying Bree in his arms. He waved to me and put her in
the high chair. He looked like he had, had a rough night.

“You okay?” I asked as he sat down across
from me.

“Umm..” He looked at Bree and gave her a few
toys that he had in his pocket. She smiled in contentment and
played.

“I’m going to grab a coffee, you want one?”
he asked. I scanned his face. I wish I could know what he was
thinking right now. Something was definitely wrong. I had been a
jerk to him and rubbed his past in his face though.

“Sure. I’ll take a mocha,” I said as he
walked toward the counter. He ordered our coffees and then just
stood waiting for them. I looked at Bree and saw a small bruise
near her eye. Weird. Baby’s bumped their heads all the time, so it
wasn’t unusual, but I soon noticed a few more bruises on her. I
gulped. What was going on? She sniffled as she bumped her little
arm against the table. Her lip quivered.

“Oh, Bree Bree, it’s okay. Here ya go.” I
pulled out my cell phone and let her play with the glowing buttons.
She loved that. Branson soon returned with our coffees and set them
down on the table. Bree reached for Branson’s, and he smiled sadly.
She soon picked my phone back up and started punching at the
screen.

“You wanted to tell me something?” Branson
asked as he distracted himself with his coffee. He added sugar and
cream. I thought he liked it black? I ignored the way his hand
trembled as he did it. Was he okay?

“Yeah, I did, but are you okay? You seem
really shaken up.” I gripped my coffee but didn’t drink any. He
looked away from me his chest rising and falling. I could feel his
sadness.

“No. I’m not okay. I just don’t know what to
do about it is all. I’m not…” He looked up for a minute and then
put his head in his hands. “I’m not one to judge. I mean…he
frickin’ hits her!” he exploded suddenly. He pounded his fist
against his palm and leaned forward. Bree looked up in surprise but
then kept playing with my phone.

“Rachel lets him!”

“Who hits who?” I asked in worry, wanting to
touch his hand.

“Some idiot loser boyfriend Rachel has. He
knocks her up, and he’s bruised up Bree. Look at her! They say she
just falls a lot. She’s barely ten months old! She started walking
a week ago, and they say she just keeps falling. I don’t know.” He
sucked in a breath, his eyes smoldering.

“She kept crying last night because she was
sore. He’s hurting my daughter, and I don’t know what to do about
it.”

Suddenly my problems seemed really dumb as I
looked at this little baby who was smiling and happily breaking my
phone. Well, I hope she wasn’t breaking it. Thank God for
Otterboxes.

“Can you talk to someone about it?” I asked
and watched his face for a reaction.

“What, and tell them her dad used to sell
porn? Who are they going to believe?” He pressed his face into his
hands and just drew in some deep breaths. Bree grabbed at him.

“Dadadada….” she said and waved my phone. He
looked at her heartbroken and kissed her soft red curls.

“I can’t even protect her,” he said very
quietly, and I could hear the strain in his voice.

“I’ll help you, Branson,” I said and took his
hand. He looked at me in surprise.

“I thought you said…we couldn’t be friends
because of that guy. Jacob was it?”

“Yeah, that’s what I came to tell you about.”
I took a drink of my coffee to build my confidence. He took a drink
of his own coffee waiting for me to continue. I could hear the soft
chatter of people around us.

“I told my parents I wasn’t going to court
Jacob. That God had spoken to me to court you. I told them we were
already courting.” I got through it, but I could feel his complete
shock.

“Wait you did what? You heard God?” He sat
back against his chair.

“God told me you were mine,” I said the words
before I could talk myself out of saying them.

“You believe I’m your husband? After all of
this?” he said, and I heard the quiver in his voice. He cleared his
throat and softly cupped his daughter’s chin. “You want to court
me? Isn’t courting an intention on marriage?” he said in shock.

“Yes,” I said and smiled at him. It felt good
to say it. I don’t think he knew what to do. He stared at Bree then
back at me.

“Wow. I don’t know what to say. Because that
day I met you, God told me you were my wife. I was scared to death
because I have three kids and my rep…” He let his voice trail away.
“Well, it’s not like I’m Prince Charming or something.” He laughed
nervously. Bree slammed her little hands against the table. He
pulled out a bottle from a backpack that he’d hauled in. She put it
up to her mouth and turned her big green eyes on me. She smiled as
she sucked on the bottle and milk dripped down her little chin. Ah!
She was so adorable! God had told him too?

“This is freaking me out, but I have to tell
you one more thing. My dad wants to meet you. Please, Branson,
don’t mention your past. Please. At least not the first time. I
want him to know I’m courting a normal Christian guy. He’s already
freaking out about Jacob. He thinks I’m screwed up now.” My nerves
were shot. I can’t believe he didn’t run out the door.

“No problem. Don’t mention the porn,” he
whispered and laughed. How could he laugh about that? Wow. It was
just amazing to me that he didn’t have a ton of guilt weighing him
down every day. How could he just accept God’s love so easily after
all he’d done?
Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been
forgiven--as her great love has shown. But whoever has been
forgiven little loves little.
The scripture sorta drifted
through my mind.

“When?” he asked.

“He wanted to meet you as soon as possible.
Are you available today?” I would have to call into work.

“I have Bree all day today. She doesn’t go
back to her mom’s until tomorrow morning. Can I meet him tomorrow
afternoon?”

I had the next day off.

“Yeah, I think that would work. I’ll tell
him. He’ll want to meet you in his office at the church. Please,
don’t say anything about your kids,” I said.

“I won’t I promise.” He smiled at me. We
finished our coffee. This was crazy. Complete insanity! I was going
to court Branson? Wow. How was Jacob going to take this?

The next day, I sat nervously in my dad’s
office. My mom was making coffee, and my dad was shuffling papers
around. Branson was already a few minutes late. Dad was going to
freak out. It was 1:08 when Branson knocked on the office door. He
came in with an apologetic smile.

“I’m sorry I’m late. Something came up.” He
shot me a look, and I knew it had to do with one of his kids. He
had dressed up really nice and was wearing a button down gray
shirt, with a light suit jacket over top of it, and black pants.
His hair was nicely gelled, and he was clean shaven. He looked
amazing. I looked at myself and felt underdressed. I had worn my
green button down sweater and a pair of jeans.

“Dad, Mom, this is Branson Tate.”

Branson held out his hand, and my mom and dad
both shook it. I let myself be distracted by my dad’s décor. There
were pictures of him shaking hands with big named ministers, a
picture of our family, and signs that read scriptures. The back
wall had a dark wooden bookshelf, tons of books, and a few more
pictures.

“Nice to meet you, Branson. So, my daughter
tells me you two are going to court.” My dad threw a look at me
showing his displeasure. My mom cleared her throat and attempted a
smile at both of us.

“We think that’s just wonderful. Zoe has
waited for this for a long time.” I think my dad was about to pop a
vein when my mom said that. Maybe mom didn’t think I was a complete
idiot. I mean one look at Branson and any girl would swoon.
Duh.

“Well, we have some rules we need to talk
with you about. Since Zoe is bent on not listening to me about
Jacob, whom I’m sure she’s told you about, I want to make sure the
man my daughter plans to marry isn’t corrupt.” My dad pulled out a
notepad and paper with a list of questions. Was he going to
interrogate Branson? Holy crap, Dad! I wanted to say but kept
silent. I felt Branson’s fear, but he seemed to hide it pretty
well.

“Yes, sir,” he said. My dad ushered for all
of us to sit, and he folded his hands across his desk. I was
freaking out. Dad was going to read him the third degree, and for
some reason he could tell when people weren’t telling him the
truth. He had a gift.

“Would you like any coffee? My wife Carol
made a whole pot.” Was this dad’s attempt at being a host? If so
wow.

“I’m okay, thanks.” Branson fidgeted slightly
in his chair. Everyone fidgets underneath my dad’s stare. It’s like
looking at the face of God Himself. Yikes. My dad nodded once.

“Tell me Branson are you a virgin?” my dad
asked.

No! Why in the world would my dad ask that
question first! I blushed severely as Branson blanched. He hadn’t
expected that.
Please, lie, please!
I said to myself. I
didn’t condone lying but at this moment I wanted nothing more than
to hear him lie.

“No,” he said in a whisper. “I’m not
sir.”

My dad stood up in a growl.

“Zoe Grace!”

Did he think I wasn’t a virgin anymore
too!

“Did you sleep with that man?” he roared and
came around his desk and grabbed Branson by the collar. “I swear if
you corrupted my little girl I will kill you and call on every
curse from God on you.” A vein bulged on my dad’s forehead.

“Dad! No! I’m still a virgin!” I screamed and
blushed in embarrassment. My dad was acting like an insane person!
I heard my mom start to cry and felt shame wash over me. Who was I
to put my parents through this? Branson’s eyes were so wide I
feared he was about to run out the door. My dad let go of Branson’s
shirt and stepped back.

“Okay. This is over now. This is not your
husband, Zoe, I don’t care what you heard.” He walked back to his
desk and grabbed his phone.

“Dad…” I said and walked over to him. I
pulled the phone from his grasp. “I am courting Branson and that’s
that. He may not be a virgin, but he gave his heart to Jesus after
he did all that stuff. Haven’t you told me that when you accept
Christ the old man dies?” My eyes pled with my dad.

“Zoe, we have prayed for you to have a virgin
since you were born. Why would God give you someone who was
corrupted by the world? You are going to court Jacob, and that’s
final.” My dad grabbed his phone again. Our conversation was done.
Tears started pouring down my eyes, and I ran out of the room. What
had I expected? For them to embrace this man that I felt was the
one for me? A man who was so loving, kind, and joyful? One who
actually listened to me when I talked, and was the most loving
father I’d ever seen in my life? What had I expected but judgment?
I ran into the girls’ bathroom and started bawling. I wrapped my
arms around my shoulders as I bent on the floor. I don’t know how
long I did that, but I eventually heard a knock on the door.