The Greatest Gift (22 page)

Soldiers ran in different directions, as Augustus demanded his workers find hiding places for cover. An emerging fog obstructed Michael’s and Elizabeth’s vision as they rushed to the deck. The workers dropped a small boat overboard and threw two oars down.

“Help the prisoner to the boat,” Julius said. “Hurry.” He approached Michael. “The boat is not big enough for two more people,” he said.

Michael pushed Elizabeth toward him. “She will go.”

She shoved back. “I will not. I am not leaving you here with those butchers coming.”

Julius waved his arms in the air. “Decide. One will need to go. Rome demands it. Go to the boat now.” He walked away.

“Elizabeth – ”

“Hold on, Dad. Can you hear that?” she asked, looking over the railing.

“What?”

“The noise. Come here.”

“We do not have time to sightsee, Elizabeth.” He grabbed her arm, but she wrestled his grip away.

“Listen, Dad.”

A small buzzing sound hovered several yards away. He leaned over the railing. “Quiet,” he said.

Out of the fog, about fifty yards away, emerged a big ship with several Roman soldiers lined up in military fashion, amassed on the deck. A man shouted from a top tier of a bridge. As they drew closer, the man’s shouting became more audible. “You have a prisoner of mine,” he yelled.

“Get the plank,” Julius demanded. Two workers grabbed a long, wide wooden board and extended it out into the ocean. It was big enough to march soldiers two by two across. “Hold,” he told the workers. He climbed up and took several steps out.

Michael grabbed Elizabeth’s arm and dragged her to the other side of the boat. “Get down,” he ordered.

They watched Julius take two more steps as the approaching ship stopped. “We have our instructions to take the preacher of Jerusalem to Rome, Titus. My orders are clear.”

“It is not the preacher I seek,” Titus said. “I am looking for a man named Michael who kept company with my sister-in-law.”

“What are you talking about?”

“This man Michael of Jerusalem has committed many crimes against the Roman Empire.”

“What crimes are they?”

“Obstructing a trial. Freeing a Jew and her peasant daughter. The women are wanted for the murder of Marcus, a decorated Roman soldier. The man is also wanted for assaulting a Roman soldier.”

“I know about your brother. My condolences.” Julius put up his hand.

“Let me examine the ship,” Titus demanded. “I have a right as a Roman soldier.”

“No need,” Julius said. “I will seek this man out. Perhaps he has hidden somewhere.”

“You must go now, Elizabeth,” Michael whispered. “One of us should be with Paul. Take these.” He handed her the tablets in the cloth.

“I won’t be safe going to Rome,” Elizabeth said.

“You’re not going to be safer on this boat. We have to take a chance with you going to Rome.”

“Where will we meet?” she asked.

“Just keep your eyes and ears open.”

“That’s not an answer,” she said as she was helped by one of the workers into the small boat.

“It’s the best one I have.” Michael glanced at Alexander, who stood frozen, glaring.

“Go,” Augustus pleaded to them. “Now!”

Michael crawled to the opening of the stairway and tumbled down the steps. He opened a cart and grabbed his writing tool.
I guess this will have to do. What a way to defend myself. It better be mightier than a sword.

“What are you doing down here?” asked Julius as he entered the lower deck.

“Just getting some rest,” Michael said, lying.

“Where is your daughter?”

“I told her to go. My friend will need her.”

“Good. Titus will not let this ship move until they have someone. I do not want him boarding this boat because I have cargo that would be of interest to him.”

“I will surrender,” Michael said.

Julius nodded and looked around. “What you did to save your daughter is noble,” he said. “I must now save my cargo.”

Michael walked past him and up the stairs. Julius instructed Augustus to push the board closer to the other ship while Titus stepped onto the wide board. “We will take the prisoner now,” Titus said. He met Michael in the middle, aided by one Roman soldier wielding a spear. They pushed Michael ahead a few steps. “You are hereby arrested for aiding two women accused of murdering a decorated Roman soldier. You will be tried before a court at the Antonia Fortress in Jerusalem.”

Titus pulled Michael’s hands behind his back and tied them with a thick rope. “Walk slowly,” he said.

“I am, you jerk.” He swung his hands back, hitting Titus.

“Janikus,” Titus said. “If he jumps, bleed him with your spear.”

“Yes sir,” he replied, keeping his weapon pressed into Michael’s back.

The buzzing sound escalated to a low hum as Michael inched his way along.
What is that?
He looked up and saw a bit of clearing in the fog. The hum rose louder, and he moved a few more steps to get a better view.

“Slow down,” said Titus.

Michael could see the deck of the other ship and stopped. Soldiers were moving up and down, swinging their spears.
Looks like locusts. Or is it? Something is certainly wrong.

“Keep moving,” said Titus.

“I am not taking another step.”

Janikus poked his back. “You heard him. Move.”

“I do not think it is wise to move this way anymore.”

“Shut up and walk,” Titus shouted.

The hum closed in and surrounded them. Michael froze and pushed the spear away. He stared as the cries from soldiers rang out.
They are jumping into the water.

“Sir,” Janikus said. “Our ship. What is happening?”

Titus and Janikus edged past Michael. “What is going on?” Titus yelled to the soldiers in the water.

Michael moved a few steps backward. “See you on the other side, boys.”

“Janikus, do not let him escape. Kill him if you have to.”

The Roman lunged at Michael as he backed away from the spear’s edge.

“Whoa,” Janikus said, stumbling. He steadied himself on the plank. The board wobbled and Titus fell, holding on with one hand.

“Sir,” Janikus said, reaching down. “Are you all right?”

“I cannot swim. My leg is wounded. Help me.”

The board bumped up and down when Janikus fell to his knees, letting his spear fall into the water. Michael slipped and tumbled into the sea.

“Help me,” Titus screamed.

Michael submerged several feet. He kicked and flailed away. Titus grabbed his leg as he struggled.
Get off of me.
He kicked him several times, pushing him away.
Oh, Lord. I don’t want to die.
He kicked harder, struggling with the knot.
I am not letting my daughter grow up alone. I am going to hold my grandkids.
He twisted his hands and wrists, managing to loosen the knot. He swam to the surface about thirty yards from the ships.

Michael coughed up some water and gazed at what was in front of him – white birds hummed and floated around Titus and his soldiers. Their ship’s deck was empty.
My God.

“Sir, I cannot hold onto you any longer; you will need to swim,” Janikus yelled to Titus, releasing his grip. He stood and shouted at some soldiers floating in the water several yards away. “Help him,” he said.

Two soldiers started to swim toward Titus. Michael looked back and watched as he reached Augustus’ ship. The swarm of birds drew closer, skimming off the water. “They’re doves,” Augustus said as one flew past him.

“There have to be hundreds of them,” Michael said, looking up in amazement.

“Grab my hand, my friend,” he said.

Michael grasped it and was pulled back onto the deck by two other workers.

“Row,” Augustus shouted to the men. Their oars struck the water, and the ship began to move. The plank fell. “Faster. Faster. Move your arms. Faster.”

The ship created some distance between the two vessels. The doves continued to hum and swarm as the soldiers waved their hands in frantic gestures, trying to keep them away.

Michael and Augustus stood side by side, staring. Michael tried to communicate his thoughts, yet he couldn’t muster any words. The doves swirled around the soldiers much like a tornado. Michael walked to the far end of the ship to get a better look. Some soldiers covered up their faces and others kept submerging, avoiding the swarm.

“I have never seen anything like that before,” Augustus called out. “Have you?”

Michael shook his head. “Never.”

When there was enough distance between the two ships, Michael shook himself out of his daze. He rushed down the stairs. “Julius, I escaped.”

“I was a witness. It is time we get you to Rome.”

“My daughter?”

“She left a while ago with the prisoner.”

Michael dropped to his knees. “Thank goodness.”

Julius bent over. “You must leave this ship once we reach land. They will hunt you down. I hope you made some friends on this boat.”

Michael nodded.

Julius walked away and climbed the stairs.

Michael looked across and saw Alexander glaring at him.

The child was washed and cleaned on a table a few yards away from Virginia. The nurses wrapped him in a long, white baby blanket as Connie filled a plastic cup with ice and water. She gave it to Virginia and wiped her forehead with a towel. A nurse offered her tea or juice and placed some crackers in front of her.

“You did great,” Connie said, holding her hand.

“We haven’t known each other long, but I feel there’s a reason why you’re in my life now,” Virginia said.

Connie smiled. “I was thinking the same thing.”

“Where did your friend go?” Virginia asked, sitting up.

Connie looked behind her and noticed Hewitt had taken his coat. “Maybe he needs some air. Men aren’t as strong as we are.”

Virginia laughed. A nurse pushed her forward and removed a pillow, replacing it with a fresh one. Connie helped her adjust. “How are you doing now? I was worried. You sounded worried about everything.”

“I’m all right now,” Virginia whispered. “Thank you. It’s okay because of you. You’re like the big sister I never had.”

“Sister?”

“Yes.”

Connie let go of Virginia’s hand and moved away from the bed. “I guess I can live with that.”

The nurse handed Virginia the baby. She smiled. “My God, he does have blue eyes. I wonder if he will keep them.”

“Like the father?”

“Yes. He does have the most beautiful eyes.” She paused and looked up at Connie. “When I met you, I was so freaked out about becoming a mother.”

“You were scared,” said Connie, moving back to the bed. She put her hands on the metal railing. “I could see you had the deer-in-the-headlights look. I’ve seen it a few times when I’ve looked in the mirror.”

“Really,” said Virginia as she touched the baby’s hands, placing her finger inside.

“Yeah, on my wedding day.” Connie laughed.

“You know the night we went out to talk at the diner? First, thank you for answering my call so late at night.” She paused and stroked the baby’s light brown hair. “I wasn’t in a good place.”

“I didn’t think so. I heard the desperation in your voice.” Connie watched her whisper a few words to the baby, then kiss his rosy pink cheeks. “I’m always here for you. Always. Okay?”

Virginia put a blue cap on the baby’s head. “Can we continue to talk? About anything?” she asked her.

“Anything?” Connie hesitated. “Sure. I can handle whatever you need from me.”

“It was an emotional time for me. I’ve been under a lot of stress.”

“I know,” Connie said, turning away for a second.
Where is Hewitt?

“I guess it’s true what they say about a mother and her baby,” she said.

“What’s that?”

Virginia sighed and rubbed the baby’s back. He cooed a little. “Once you hold your baby, you can’t let them go.”

Connie nodded and rushed to get her purse. She dropped it back to the seat and put on her coat.

“Do you want to hold him before you go?”

She took a few steps toward the door and turned around, noticing Virginia was holding the baby up.

“Please, Connie, I want you to be his godmother.”

She nodded. “That would be nice,” she said, wiping away a tear.

Virginia handed the baby to her, and Connie rocked him back and forth in her arms. “You are so beautiful,” she said. “You have the best looking eyes.”

“He does,” Virginia agreed.

“I’m going to sing you a song. I sang this many years ago for my niece. Are you ready, young man?” She glanced at Virginia and saw her eyes were moist. “To market, to market to buy a fat pig, home again, home again, jig a jig, jiggety-jig.” Connie steadied her emotions and began the next verse. “ … home again, home again, away from that cranky nurse.”

Virginia laughed and wiped her eyes with a tissue.

Connie handed her the baby. “Talk soon,” she said, picking up her purse. She rushed out of the room, down the hallway, and out into the nearly empty parking lot. She sat on the curb and lowered her head.

“I’m sorry,” said Hewitt. He placed his hand on her head and sat beside her. “Come here.” He gave her a hug.

She looked up at him. “Did you know she wouldn’t go through with it?”

“I peeked in and saw her reaction when she held the baby. I’ve seen it a few times. It’s much like when I’ve reunited kids with their parents. That first touch is much like the first touch when reunited.” He handed her a couple of tissues.

“You’re so prepared about life,” said Connie.

He gave her a faint smile. “No. I’m lost.”

“I should have realized this would happen,” she said.

“How would you know? You opened up your life and offered a wonderful solution to a broken-hearted mother. There’s no greater gift you could give to a mother in need.”

She wiped her eyes. “Since when have you become so wise about relationships?”

“I can grow as a person too.”

“We both have grown, haven’t we?”

He touched the top of her head. “Yeah, we have. Once you stop your whining and feeling sorry for yourself, you can actually see how wonderful your life really is. Even someone like you can be tolerable.”

She smacked him on his shoulder. “Tolerable?”

He laughed.

She put her wet tissues into her purse.

“You know you can still adopt,” Hewitt said.

“Takes time. Takes a lot of money.”

“Yes, I know. I’ve been doing some research. But it’s worth it.”

“When have you been researching this?” asked Connie.

“The past couple of days. I know you would be a great mother. Haven’t I said this already?”

She nodded. “Can we take a walk down Main Street?”

“Sure. Let’s enjoy this Christmas.”

“There’s a novel concept,” Connie said. “Enjoying Christmas.” She took a deep breath and gazed at the evening sky. As they walked through the parking lot, she felt her worry return for just a brief moment.