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My grandparent’s wedding picture, though this is not their story.Β I am posting an extra story today as an early Christmas gift.
The situation Joe had most dreaded had come to a head at Anyaβs most vulnerable time.Β Making a run for it with two little ones and a newborn would be futile.Β Heβd just have to face this situation straight on.Β No one was going to hurt Anya and rip his family apart after theyβd struggled so hard to be together.Β
Seeing Anyaβs joy in Rose Anya was bittersweet, knowing what heβd have to tell her, but he could let her have this day unmarred.Β Emma had left a pot of soup bubbling on the hearth.Β Joe decided to do nothing but necessary chores and store up the joy of this day.Β When Anya wasnβt holding Rose Anya, he was.Β The little ones played happily in the warmth of family.
Joe didnβt allow himself to think of the preacher and sheriffβs impending visit.Β The sheriff didnβt wait a few days, just showed up with the preacher the next morning, probably to avoid the problem of having to pursue them.Β Joe greeted them gruffly.Β The sheriff was a definite threat, and Joe had never known kindness, only judgment from church folk.
βI know why you are here.Β I ainβt gonna let you make trouble for us.Β My wife just gave birth to an early baby and she ainβt strong
βWe need to talk to her.Β I just need the preacher to say if sheβs the same woman you married.Β We wonβt take much of your time.β The sheriff stood his ground.
Β The preacher rocked back and forth with his hands clasped behind him.Β βLord knows we hate to bother you, but the sheriff says this has got to be done.Β Iβd be obliged if we could get it over with so I can get back to town.Β I got a couple that wants marrying.β
Grudgingly, Joe showed them in.Β βAnya, this here is the sheriff and the preacher what married us.Β I know you remember him, even though you was so sick.β
Anyaβs eyes widened in fear, taking the situation in.Β βWhy shore I do.Β A woman donβt fergit her weddinβ.Β Welcome preacher.Β I cainβt git up cause Iβm nursing my baby.Β Sheβs a mite early anβ I donβt want to jostle her.Β She ainβt strong anβ needs to nurse.β
βWhy shore, Maβam.Β Good to see you again.Β That baby is a tiny little thing.Β I wouldnβt want to unsettle her. Itβs good to see things working out so good for you.βΒ Anya took heart from his kind words.
The sheriff took his cue.Β βMaβam, Iβm sorry I had to bother you, but I needed to git the preacher to identify you.Β I am glad everβthing worked out so good.Β Joe, you take care of this fine woman anβ that purty, little baby.Β I got to be going.β
βSheriff, if you can wait a few minutes, this little one needs christening.Β Itβs a long trip to town anβ I can git the job done as long as Iβm here,β the preacher addressed the sheriff.
βWhy shore.Β Iβll just wait outside.β He left them alone.Β
The preacher faced Joe and Anya.Β βI donβt know how I done it, but I realized after yβall left that night I never gave you a certificate.Β Β Iβd like to marry you again anβ make sure everβthingβs right before I christen that baby if thatβs alright with you. I disremember the date, but you can help with that. Then we can git that little feller taken care of.Β The Lord wouldnβt want me to leave a job half-done.β
A giant load was lifted off Joeβs heart.
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