What God Has For Me (13 page)

When it looked as if her daughter was making
a beeline to Zachary, Halcyon stepped in the line of fire.
“Ashanti, what did I tell you? He can’t pick you up right now. He
needs to get his rest and build up his strength.”

“He’s already strong. Daddy picks me and
Jonathan up at the same time.” Ashanti stopped in her footsteps.
Folding her arms, she pouted, clearly not happy with the
restrictions.
Too bad.
Halcyon needed Zachary fully restored
to good health.

“Can I read Daddy a bedtime story?”

The family wasn’t surprised by Ashanti’s
insistence on calling Zachary daddy. He really was the only father
figure she would have a lasting memory. So Halcyon stopped trying
to reason with her. No other man would have that honor.

“You sure can, princess,” Zachary answered,
then winked at Ashanti.

“Baby, welcome home,” Granny Rose said and
gave him a light hug. “Do you want to lie down?”

Zachary nodded. “A nap sounds good.”

Ashanti returned with her book and Zachary
reached for her hand. Halcyon could tell the effort was painful,
but he entertained her child.

She would definitely be multi-tasking for a
while. While her mother kept an eye on Ashanti and Granny Rose kept
hers on the boys while spoiling MJ, Halcyon went into Zachary’s
home office off the kitchen and worked on new accounts. As the
office manager, Halcyon wanted to make sure that his businesses ran
smoothly.

Halcyon hadn’t realized she had been holed up
at the computer for hours until everyone announced they were
leaving.

“I’m going to take Jonathan with me,” her
mother said.

“What about Ashanti?” Halcyon frowned and
walked into the living room where Zachary was asleep in the
recliner. Ashanti was on the sofa next to him. Her tiny hand was
latched on to one of Zachary’s fingers.

“Let her be, baby. She needs him as much as
you.” Her mother planted a kiss on her cheek, then left.

After seeing them off, Halcyon returned to
the living room doorway and watched them sleep. Yes, she wanted
happily ever after with one man—Zachary—and God had spared her from
making a bigger mistake.

Right before her eyes, she had the picture
perfect family she craved with the right man. Now, she just had to
convince Zachary that her heart was his and Scott could not take it
away.

The next morning, Halcyon reported to work at
Zachary’s house with the children. Evidently, he was still asleep,
because the house was quiet when she let herself in and headed for
the kitchen.

When she reached into Zachary’s cabinet, she
caught sight of the mug Ashanti had given him the previous
Christmas. There was other evidence of Ashanti’s love. Pages that
she had torn from her coloring book decorated his refrigerator door
with pride. At the kitchen table, Ashanti went to work in her
coloring book to add to Zachary’s collection as Halcyon prepared
him a light breakfast of dry toast and water. According to the
nurse, anything stronger could irritate his stomach.

Finished with the task, Halcyon strolled
across his living room to the other side of the house and tapped on
his bedroom door. She listened for movement, but didn’t open it.
“Zach, if you’re awake or hungry, I’ve made you something. Just
text me if you want me to bring it in.”

When she didn’t get a response, Halcyon
returned to the kitchen, assuming he was still asleep. She was
about to gather the children into his home office, so she could
work, but Zachary made his way to the kitchen. Although he looked
better than the day before, Zachary’s body was still was slightly
bent over, instead of his tall, confident stance she was accustomed
to.

Ashanti’s eyes brightened. She was about to
make a move when she glanced at Halcyon. Her daughter froze, waving
instead. “Hi.”

It was a struggle, but Zachary leaned down
and kissed her and Jonathan. “Hi, princess and prince.”

Jonathan whipped out his matchbox car that
Zachary had bought him and began to slide it across the table. He
placated her son as he munched on his meager breakfast. Ashanti
seemed content to stay close by his side while she colored.

Soon, Zachary looked exhausted from the
minimal exertion. “I think you need to lie back down to rest and I
can get the children settled. I do have a payroll and bonuses to
get done.

Zachary didn’t argue. Halcyon worked
non-stop, only taking a break to feed the children and prepare more
bland food for him to eat to gain his strength. Finally, when it
was time to go, she tapped on Zachary’s cracked door. She peeped
inside and saw him in the recliner, his television on and him
asleep. He stirred, then smiled.

“Hey, the children and I are about to head
home. You’re looking better.”

“Thank you for being here. I love you more
than you’ll ever know,” he whispered as his eyes twinkled, but he
still looked weak.

Yet, nothing could take away from Zachary’s
handsomeness. Halcyon had never seen him wear a beard, but the thin
shadow of what was coming was alluring. As far as Halcyon was
concerned, the man never had to shave again. “I do know, Zach. Yes,
I do.”

“Then marry me.” He didn’t blink as his
nostrils flared, and he seemed suddenly alert and energized.

Sucking in her breath, Halcyon held her hand
to her chest as her heart fluttered.
My first marriage
proposal.
She wanted it to be her last. “Yes.” Stepping back in
the hall, Halcyon closed the door, then she heard Zachary’s weak
shout of
Hallelujah
. She smiled. She upped his Hallelujah
with two of her own. Somehow, somewhere in between her prayers, she
had become an overcomer of bad relationships.

That was the most unromantic proposal on
record
, Zachary thought. Evidently, it wasn’t too pathetic,
because Halcyon said yes without hesitation. He would make it up to
her with a candlelight dinner and a band serenading them. Grinning,
he lifted a fist in the air as high as it could go without
irritating his stomach muscles.

As an officially engaged man—taken off the
market—hopefully that would put a stop to Paisley and another
employee’s subtle flirting, which he had ignored. The women were
outstanding employees and high bonus achievers. As long as they
remained professional, there never would be a problem.

Couldn’t they see that he wore Halcyon on his
sleeve? Plus, Paisley proclaimed she was getting married. Zachary
felt sorry for the man. “Lord, I need a speedy recovery, please, in
Jesus’ name.” He was on a mission to regain his strength.

The morning his doctor gave him a clean bill
of health, Zachary returned to work. His staff was glad to see him
and all sang the praises of Halcyon for doing a good job, in his
absence, of keeping the office running smoothly.

“Well, she is my fiancée, soon to be the
better half of me,” Zachary boasted to the soft pats on the
back.

“So, I guess it’s official. Congratulations,”
Paisley said with a touch of disappointment in her voice.

Zachary grinned. “Thank you. Hopefully, we
won’t take our honeymoons at the same time.” He turned to walk
away, but she stopped him.

“We broke up and I moved out.”

It was the way Paisley disclosed her news
that hinted at she was now available. Too bad. He wasn’t. His
brother’s lack of judgment had taught him well: keep those
spiritual antennas on alert when it comes to letting women know
your heart belongs to someone else. It could become a game to see
if he could be lured away.

“Good for you for moving out so God could
bless. As far as your breakup, maybe he—” Zachary couldn’t remember
her significant other’s name—“wasn’t the one for you,” he said and
kept stepping toward Halcyon’s office.

“Hey, babe.” He stuck his head in the doorway
of her office and was struck by the large vase of flowers on her
desk. Immediately, his good mood soured. “Who sent you those?” He
pointed to the bouquet, walking into the room, noting that the
children were down for a nap.

Standing, Halcyon was dressed in a hot red
dress and a warm smile. She picked up the vase and handed it to
him. “These are for you. Welcome back.”

Feeling ashamed for jumping to conclusions,
he took a few long strides to her desk. He didn’t accept her gift
right away. He just wanted a few moments to look into the face of
the woman who he knew would make him happy until he took his last
breath.

Thank you
, he mouthed before taking
the vase from her hands and putting it aside, clearing all
obstructions to her for a kiss. “I am so ready for us to get
married,” he mumbled after another soft peck on her lips. “First
things first, I need to put a ring right here.” He picked up her
left hand and kissed her fourth finger.

Halcyon sighed. “Why does it feel as if I’ve
been wearing your ring all my life?”

“Because you’ve always belonged to me. Now,
is Mom Holland still watching our rug rats while we go take care of
business later?”

She nodded, then dug in her purse for
something. “What do you want me to do with this one?” She teased,
pulling out her fake ring.

“I’ll take it.” Zachary plucked the worthless
item out of the palm of her hand. “You’ll never have to buy another
piece of jewelry again.” In a few hours, she would be wearing his
bling.

Late that afternoon, Zachary took Halcyon
ring shopping. Since she never had worn a lot of jewelry, he didn’t
really know her taste. When they entered the jeweler’s, Zachary set
Halcyon free to look as he observed what garnered her attention.
Funny, he knew her favorite color, birthday, children’s birthdays,
but it was the knowledge of these little things about her that he
was lacking.

“I see you’re lingering over this one,”
Zachary whispered close to her ear as she asked to see Actress Jane
Seymour’s Open Hearts collection. Two hearts—one of sterling
silver, the other 14K gold—were intertwined.

“It’s beautiful.” She looked up into his eyes
with so much love that he would have kissed her passionately if
they didn’t have an audience. “It reminds me of our love. Our
hearts finally aligning in perfect harmony.”

“Love is patient,” he whispered. The price
tag wouldn’t be an issue, if that was what she wanted. Turning to
the sales associate, Zachary asked to see it. Once in his hand,
Zachary scrutinized the ring from all angles. So this was her
style—elegant, but not overstated. If there were earrings and a
necklace in the collection, then Zachary planned to purchase them
for her to wear on their wedding day.

“We’ll take this ring.” Zachary grinned. “And
I’ll take this woman to be my wife.”

“And I’ll take him too.” Halcyon elbowed him,
then brushed her lips so lightly against his that he barely felt
it.

He loved watching their love bloom a little
more every day. Snuggling closer, they left the store thirty
minutes later, happy with a verbal “to do list” for them to tackle.
But there was one more thing for Zachary that wasn’t on their
shared list, but it was his top priority.

***

“Three months and counting down,” Halcyon
told Desi over the phone. She could barely get her work done at the
office. She was too keyed up. “Zachary wouldn’t budge on the
wedding date.”

“All this from a man who hasn’t even put a
diamond on your finger.” Desi laughed.

“Well, we picked it out. That counts.”
Halcyon stuck out her tongue as if her sister could see it.

She wiggled her bare finger, imagining the
look. “I am so excited!”

“I couldn’t tell,” her sister teased. “But
are you okay with that timeframe? I know you really wanted a big
Cinderella wedding.”

“Yes, I did, but now I really want Zachary
Bishop and I’m willing to downsize the event for him.” Grinning for
no other reason besides she was happy, Halcyon sighed. “Plus, I
have my sisters, mother and Granny Rose to help me pull it off.
Zachary has waited a long time for me, and it seems like I’ve
waited even longer for this type of happiness...,” her voice
trailed off when she saw Zachary in the doorway. “Look,” she
lowered her voice. “I’ve got to go. My boss just came into my
office.”

“Right.” Desi giggled. “Something tells me
you have the boss wrapped around your little finger. Bye!”

Disconnecting, Halcyon tried to feign an
innocent expression. “Yes, Mr. Bishop, sir?” She couldn’t keep a
straight face. “May, I help you?”

Folding his arms, Zachary leaned against the
doorpost. “Yes, you can. Tell me you love me.”

Halcyon’s heart fluttered at his request. “I
love you,” she said softly in awe of what she felt for him.

“That’s all I needed to hear. Carry on,
Bridget.” He winked and disappeared down the hall.

Never before had Zachary wanted to get rid of his
fiancée and his future children, but he had plans. He checked his
watch again. Halcyon would be leaving soon to register Ashanti for
pre-school and run other errands. It seemed like he held his breath
until it was ten thirty-seven.

“Bye, Daddy,” Ashanti said, vying for his
attention when he walked into Halcyon’s office. Jonathan mimicked
his sister.

Zachary lifted them in the air with one scoop
to demonstrate that his strength had returned. Escorting them to
the parking lot, he made sure they were buckled in before Halcyon
drove off. He exhaled, then tapped in Mrs. Holland’s number.

“Yes, my next son-in-law,” Halcyon’s mother
cheerfully answered.

Zachary smiled, enjoying the sound of that,
then he cleared his throat. “Do you have a contact number for
Scott?”

The line was so quiet, Zachary wondered if
she was going to answer. Finally, she asked, “Why?”

“Well, considering I’m about to be Ashanti
and Jonathan’s father, I think Scott and I need to come to an
understanding.”