Pieces on Earth Read online

Pieces on Earth

  a Christmas novella

  by Cathy Bryant

  Pieces on Earth

  Copyright 2015, Cathy Bryant

  Published by WordVessel Press

  All rights reserved.

  This novella is a work of fiction. Names, character, places, and incidents are either

  the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.

  ISBN-13: 978-1-941699-09-6

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Part One

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Part Two

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Part Three

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Ministry Support

  Letter to Readers

  About Cathy

  Cathy's Books

  To my three beautiful grandchildren. You are my legacy to the world. My heart's prayer is that you will come to know the One who made you and who loves you first and best. I also pray you will experience the perfect peace only He can give. Nana loves you always and forever.

  * * *

  You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You. ~Isaiah 26:3

  PART 1

  I heard the bells on Christmas day

  Their old familiar carols play

  And mild and sweet their songs repeat

  Of peace on earth, goodwill to men.

  Chapter One

  Liv finished filling out the necessary paperwork in the medical clinic waiting room, doing her best to keep her fears at bay.

  She rose to her feet and carried the clipboard with the completed paperwork to the receptionist. The harried woman took the clipboard without so much as a glance her way. "Have a seat. A nurse will call you back momentarily."

  Liv trudged back to the worn gray chairs and slumped into one of them, once more cognizant of her reason for being here. October marked her second month without her period. For most women her age, that would be a sign of promising things to come, but no such luck in her case. She'd known since her daughter's birth that having more children just wasn't in the cards for her. A fact that made Chesney's life even more miraculous.

  She gnawed the inside of her lip and watched a little boy--probably about two years old--playing in the floor with a toy car. Without warning, the fear returned, bringing with it only one thought. Was it possible that she'd somehow inherited the gene that lead to the ovarian cancer that claimed her grandmother's life? Was that the reason for her current symptoms?

  Liv pressed her lips together and forced her thoughts to happier ones. How wonderful it would be to add a fourth member to their clan. Chesney would make such a great big sister, and Jeff would be ecstatic to have another child. Since being promoted to lieutenant a few months ago, he had qualified for a stateside assignment as an instructor pilot at Pensacola NAS. How wonderful would it be to be able to raise a child with his or her parent actually around to help out? Even the few short months of having her daddy at home had made a huge difference in Chesney.

  A pent-up sigh whooshed from her lungs. This current line of thought was landing her nowhere except in the dumps. There wouldn't be another baby. She grabbed her large sack of a purse and rummaged inside until she found an old envelope. Forcing the baby blues away, she started a to-do list of things to accomplish for her family's first Christmas together since before Chesney was born.

  Get the Christmas shopping done. Well, that was a no-brainer. But this year it was especially important, since they'd also be buying gifts for nieces, nephews, siblings, aunts, and uncles. How fun it would be to have both sides of the family all together again in the mountain cabin vacation rental her mother had located online.

  Now happy thoughts wound their way through her insides. Liv leaned her head back against the Plexiglas partition and allowed the happiness to wander unchecked. Warm sweaters, cups of cocoa, a gigantic tree stuffed with presents, laughter of loved ones, and fluffy white snow.

  Though she loved the sunny weather of Pensacola where Jeff was stationed, during the holidays she always yearned for the cold weather and snow of her Colorado upbringing. This year it would finally become a reality.

  She straightened in her seat, checked the clock above the receptionist window, and returned to her list. Buy Chesney some cold weather clothing. Hmm, maybe she could order a ski bib online, since there was very little to no chance that she'd find one in Pensacola.

  One thought led to another, and Liv scribbled as quickly as possible, unwilling to let even the smallest detail escape. A few minutes later, she brushed some escaped frizzy hair from her face and once more scanned her list. Yeah, that should do it. Now if she could just get these health concerns out of the way so she could concentrate on more pleasant tasks.

  Liv glanced at the clock once more. Unbelievable. She'd been here for a half hour already. At this rate, she'd never make it to Chesney's preschool in time to pick her up. She grabbed her cell phone and hit speed dial for Darcy, one of many military wives in her group who all looked out for each other.

  Her friend picked up immediately. "Hi Liv. What's up?"

  "My blood pressure."

  Darcy's contagious giggle sounded through the phone. "Let me guess. You're still waiting to see the doctor."

  "How'd you guess?"

  "Umm, 'cause I've been there and done that. Need me to pick up Ches?"

  "Yeah, if you don't mind. And if a miracle occurs and I get out of here in time, I'll shoot you a text."

  "Sounds good."

  Liv had just dropped the phone back into her purse, when a short blond nurse in pink scrubs called her name from the doorway that lead to the exam rooms. She followed the nurse through the door where the dreaded scales awaited. After getting off the scales, fresh resolve took root in Liv's mind to cut back on carbs and lose those ten extra pounds that had plagued her since Chesney was born. Four years was way too long to lug around the unwanted weight. She followed the woman down the hallway and dutifully entered the room to which she motioned.

  The nurse smiled and pulled the door toward the closed position. "Dr. Amy will be with you soon."

  Liv perched on the edge of the exam table, once more on pins and needles about the potential problem. Lord, please let me be okay, and please, please, please, don't let this affect our Christmas plans.

  * * *

  The exam hadn't taken long, but Dr. Amy seemed preoccupied as she asked Liv question after question. In the end, the doctor had done nothing but order urine and blood tests. Now came the worst part. The waiting. Liv took a cleansing breath and wiped sweaty palms on her Capri pants.

  As if on cue, the door opened, and the doctor entered, closing the door behind her. "Well, I think we have your diagnosis." Dr. Amy wore an enigmatic expression as she took a seat on a rolling stool in the exam room.

  Liv swallowed to hopefully relieve her mouth of the immediate dryness. Was this news she was prepared to hear? And if her recent symptoms had to do with the "C" word that plagued her family, did she really want to know? She exhaled a quick puff of air through pursed lips. "Okay. And?"

  A brilliant smile broke out on the middle-aged doctor's face. "You, my dear, are pregnant."

  Her jaw dropped. "But how is that even possible? I
thought--"

  "According to your previous doctor's records, there was always the remote chance, Liv." Dr. Amy checked the file folder in her hands.

  "I know, but the odds--"

  "--were definitely not in your favor."

  Liv allowed the news to truly sink in, and the smile Dr. Amy wore transferred to her own face. "I'm going to have another baby." The words came out in hushed wonder. Chesney and Jeff would both be thrilled, especially since they'd all given up hope of it ever happening. She ran fingers through her hair, partly to curb unruly strands, but mostly just to have something to do with her hands that had gone all flighty as soon as the doctor broke the news. "How far along am I?"

  "Just a few weeks. For a due date, I'd say an Independence Day baby."

  She gave her head a shake. This was the perfect gift for Jeff for their first Christmas together in several years. Already, a date with Pinterest loomed in her plans for the immediate future. There had to be a unique and Christmas-y way to pull off the baby announcement to both her husband and their families. "Wow. I'm still trying to wrap my head around this."

  Dr. Amy laughed. "That's understandable, but I'm sure it will get real soon enough." The woman's face sobered a bit. "Not to worry you or anything, but with your medical history, you will need to be especially careful."

  Liv nodded. That was to be expected. Chesney hadn't made it full term, but at least she'd made it long enough to survive, even if it had meant an extended hospital stay.

  The doctor stood, opened the door, and faced Liv once more. "Be sure you stop by the front desk on your way out to schedule your next appointment. I'll see you in about a month."

  A few minutes later, Liv stood outside in the beautiful Florida sunshine, her heart as free as the seagulls who cried out their typical sea breeze joy. One would never guess it was October by the balmy temperature. A fact that didn't bother her in the least. Because come December, she and Jeff and Chesney would be up high in the mountains of Colorado, surrounded by their families and crystal white snow.

  The years of struggling to make it through another Christmas alone entered her thoughts, but she forcefully shook her head. Not this year. And with Jeff now in a training position, hopefully never again.

  Liv checked her watch. Just enough time to pick up Chesney from school, after she sent Darcy a quick text.

  Chapter Two

  Once back at the house, Liv looked on as her daughter scaled the kitchen island bar stool and scooted around until she sat facing Liv in the kitchen.

  Liv spread peanut butter on one half of the bread slice and grape jelly on the other half. "I've been meaning to ask you about the Bible stories Daddy's been telling you at bedtime. Do you like the new Bible story book Grandma Hope sent?" Liv smiled as she thought of her mother. Though generally quiet and retiring, as well as diminutive in stature, the woman's faith was larger than life. And when it came to her grandchildren knowing about God, she left no stone unturned. Her mom had rightfully earned the title of faith warrior for their families, determined that all of her grandkids would be with her in heaven some day. Liv folded the bread and slid the sandwich plate across the counter toward her daughter, waiting for an answer.

  Chesney picked up the sandwich and took a big bite, nodding her head at the same time. "Yeah."

  "What are the stories about?"

  Speaking around bites of sandwich, her daughter answered. "Well, there was one about King Daniel."

  "You mean King David."

  Her daughter's face went blank, and she stopped chewing momentarily. "I thought David was the one in the fiery furnace."

  "No, that would be Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego."

  "Oh, those three guys."

  Liv couldn't help the smile that flitted to her lips.

  "So those three guys were in the fiery furnace and the lion's den?" Chesney had her head cocked to one side, her dark red wavy hair dangling down.

  Now Liv laughed outright. "No, Daniel was in the lion's den."

  Chesney licked a blob of peanut butter and grape jelly from her fingers. "They all get tangled up in my head." She finished off the sandwich and chewed, once more talking around the food. "Can I go play in the backyard?"

  "Yes, you may."

  As she watched her daughter scuttle to the sliding glass doors and out into the sunny yard, Liv considered her daughter's words. Yes, it was good that Chesney understood the individual meaning from each story, but her daughter was missing the bigger picture. Liv skewed her lips to one side. Somehow she had to find a way--not to relay a bunch of unrelated stories--but to tie them all together for her young daughter, so she got a good grasp on the overall message of the good news of God. After all, knowing her mother, Grandma Hope would probably give each of her grandkids a pop quiz at Christmas.

  Liv finished a quick clean-up of the kitchen, washed and dried her hands, and then checked to make sure Chesney was still in the backyard. Her daughter played happily in the sand box Jeff had built for her this past summer. Feeling free and lighthearted at all that had transpired that day, Liv snatched up her tablet and moved to the sofa to check out baby announcement ideas on Pinterest.

  Later that night, after bath time, Liv approached Jeff, who sat at the dining room table reading the newspaper. She'd been especially carefully not to be too exuberant, or her detail-oriented husband would know in a heartbeat that something was up. "Jeff, if you don't mind, I think I'll switch things up with Chesney's bedtime story."

  He looked up at her, a slight furrow between his dark eyebrows. "Was I not doing it right?"

  Liv laughed. "You were doing it just fine, but I want to try an approach that will hopefully help her see the big picture of the Bible. You on board with that, sailor?"

  A grin popped on her husband's face at the naval terminology. "Sure. Want me in there with you?"

  "Always." She sent a teasing wink and headed down the hallway to their daughter's room, her ever-helpful hubby on her heels.

  A few seconds later, they all lounged on Chesney's bed, leaned up against the frame, with their daughter cradled between them. Liv reached for the Bible she'd placed on the nightstand. "Time for a bedtime story."

  Chesney looked up at her like she'd lost her mind. "That's a big story."

  Jeff laughed out loud. "The biggest story of all time." He tickled Chesney under her chin until she giggled and ducked away from him.

  Liv's heart immediately fluttered. He'd always been a great dad, in spite of his frequent tours of duty. God, thank You for this new baby for all of us, but especially for Jeff. Liv tried to speak in a normal voice. "And it's a story we're a part of." She smiled down at Chesney.

  The statement had the intended effect. "We're in the story?" Chesney's eyebrows crinkled in a comical way.

  "Yes. But the part I'm going to tell you tonight is about God and the very first man and woman."

  Chesney's face brightened. "I know this story. Daddy told it to me not too long ago. God made the world and everything that was in it, then put Adam and Eve in the garden of Even."

  "You mean the garden of Eden?" Liv over-pronounced the "d" so Chesney would get it right.

  "Oh, okay. That place."

  Jeff leaned down near their daughter's face. "But do you know how God made the world?"

  Chesney lifted wiggling fingers high in the air, her face overly dramatic. "Alacajamkazoo. And poof, there it was."

  Liv giggled. "Well, not quite. All God had to do was say what He wanted and it happened. He said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light."

  Their daughter's eyes were wide with wonder. "That's amazing. Is that how he created Adam and Eve, too?"

  Jeff joined in. "No. The Bible says God stooped down and made Adam by shaping him out of the dirt."

  The expression that landed on Chesney's face clearly revealed that she found that idea totally preposterous. "Like a mud pie?"

  "No, silly." Liv opened her Bible to Genesis and read the passage directly from the Bible.

&nb
sp; "And what about Eve? Did God make her out of dirt, too?"

  "When God saw that Adam was lonely, he put Adam to sleep, took out one of his ribs, and created the woman." Jeff spoke the words reverently, then looked up at Liv with a gleam in his eyes. "Adam was very happy about having a helper."

  Liv's stomach did a quick somersault. The good news she hid inside threatened to spill out on the spot. She caught a quick breath and captured her daughter's attention. "But what is really cool is that God made the garden first, and He included everything that Adam and Eve would need to live and be happy. He made it perfect just for them."

  "So they could live happily ever after just like us." With those words, Chesney wiggled down under the covers and smiled up at her parents. "Good night, Adam and Eve."

  All of them shared a laugh. and after good night kisses, both Liv and Jeff laughed all the way out of the room.

  Her eyes a-twinkle, Liv handed the Bible to Jeff as he closed the door behind them. "Here you go, Adam. Put that away for me, will you?"

  Chapter Three

  Later that same week, Liv snatched one of Jeff's bright white t-shirts from the laundry basket and folded it. Just as she laid it on the stack of other t-shirts, the bedroom door opened and Jeff stepped inside, a beleaguered expression on his face. Liv reached into the basket for another piece of clean laundry. "You're home early. Everything okay?"

  He didn't speak, but strode into the master bathroom and closed the door behind him. A second later, from within the bathroom, water spewed from the faucet. Then the faucet went silent and the door opened, the grim look still firmly implanted on her husband's face.

  His expression brought on a moment of panic inside of Liv, but determined to not let her fears get the best of her, she took a cleansing breath and motioned to the bed beside her. "Okay, mister, park it, and tell me what's going on."

  Jeff dropped his weight onto the bed, his upper lip pulled between his teeth and his gaze averted. Finally he released a heavy sigh. His lips clamped into a thin line, and his head shook from side to side, like he wasn't quite sure what to say. Or how to say it.