Walking into the house after two, Thomas calls Mrs. Marva to bring him a tray.
Seeing she came out and whispers, "Sir the mistress family is here, and Sir, what is this?" seeing the box.
"Never mind, I want to surprise her, and Mrs. Marva, have you fixed them anything to eat?"
"Sir, the Mistress had attended to their meals."
"Mrs. Marva, she is not strong enough, it has only been a month since her hand has been damaged, and she was not supposed to put any strain on it."
"I know Sir, but she has been very careful, Sir, the Mistress is very intelligent. She is not working for her sick hand, knowing I am keeping a watchful eye on her.
Sir, she instructed her two sisters as they prepared their dad's meal. Only we will need some extra things, her father doesn't use milk either."
"Make a list for me Mrs. Marva while I check on her." Before Mrs. Marva could inform him, she was not in the room he had run up to the room.
Thomas was hoping she like his surprise, with her getting nausea regular and cannot travel.
I thought it would be nice if her family comes, and they come at the perfect time for her birthday.'
Turning the door handle only to see it was locked, thinking 'She might be in the room.'
Checking to make sure the next thing she was asleep but it was empty. Thomas hurry and hid the bag then freshen up before entering the living room, hearing voices.
When his Father-in-law saw him he stood up. "Thomas, thank you for your invitation, I am so happy to see my child."
"Oh Sir, you are always welcome to visit, but she was unwell and could not travel and I know she wanted to see you in person."
"Thank you, Son, now I can rest comfortably when I return home. Errol sends greetings and said next month he will be visiting for a seminar so he will come by."
"I hope you will stay a few days Sir, Christa will like that very much?"
"We are just here until Sunday afternoon Thomas. The three of them have School but they didn't want me to travel alone and they miss Christa so much."
"As you see there's no need to worry she is well taken care of."
"I can see that now although Errol gives me a full report. I just can't put my finger on it, but with the constant dreams, I was having.
I became very concerned, most of the time my instinct is right but thank God she is okay."
"How do you mean Sir?" Seeing his parents very attentive.
"I really can't explain it, but I had a very cold sort of feeling. Errol thought it sounds ridiculous but my body was just feeling a chilliness that even I could not explain.
Many nights I had to cover with double blankets and sit by the fireplace to keep warm.
The two girls were also telling me of their nightmares but all is well. Now I can return home a happy Father." Thomas ponders in his heart, 'Was her family sensing her discomfort?'
Hearing the footsteps and the laughing, Thomas turns around when Shamil and her two sisters said, "Brother-in-law you are home?"
Christa heard them shout and ran towards him wondering.
'How is this possible, when it's the first time they are meeting Thomas? Did he invite them for my birthday, but I never told him it's my birthday and none of them said anything to me.'
Noticing the frown on Christa's face, it looks so questionably. 'Like exactly what is going on?' Smiling as he embraces the two girls then shakes Shamil's hand.
"Brother-in-law, the piglets are lovely and that bull, I can't believe Sis help with the delivery?"
"Your sister is very smart and brave Shamil."
"We know, she always helping Doc. home with the animals and Dad misses her until he got sick."
Looking at her Father and then Christa, "Were they having the same symptoms? So, what has changed? Christa still feels that chill if I am not home?
In the night, she cuddles up on me to get the warmth. I am not complaining, I enjoy her in my arms. And spending time with her but next two weeks I will be away for three days.
I was hoping to find a solution to that problem before leaving. Mine bringing her Father here was a means of rectifying that problem, but now hearing he was experiencing a similar thing is confusing.
Maybe now that they are comfortable and come to terms with the reality of the marriage, things might become normal with them both having a bit of peace of mind.
Returning from the supermarket hearing Shamil revealing what symptoms his father was experiencing, 'but how could that be possible?
I heard the husband sometimes or the father of the baby experience symptoms but the grandfather?'
Hurrying up to his room, Thomas expected to see her, but she was not in the room.
Checking the sister's room, then her brother, and finally reached the father's room.
Overhearing her asking her father for forgiveness for bringing shame to the family and Errol's Ministry.
Her crying was heartrending when her Father did say. "Honey, who don't make mistakes in life, but God in his mercy forgives us when we ask.
You are my child and I love you very much, Errol said you are happy. So I had to see for myself but what is confusing is your in-laws speak well of you. My child, but you are not happy, why is that?"
"Papa, I am happy there is no need to worry about me."
"Then, why do I sense this coldness from the family, my child? If you are being ill-treated return home with me, we will survive as always."
"Papa, please I am speaking the truth, I am happy, Thomas takes good care of me."
"I am not worried about Thomas, I am worried about how his family treats you. When Paul came home after he visited you, he was very angry.
His words were so venomous it started to spread in the village like wildfire but when Thomas came."
"Papa, when did Thomas come to the village?"
" I believe after Paul came and visited you, my child, his visit was a God sent, just in the nick of time.
He cleared the misconception Paul was spreading. Honey his concern for our family reassured me that he will make you happy.
And I know he will take good care of you. By his coming especially for Errol's ministry reassured me, but his family leaves me to wonder."
"Papa, look how they treated Jesus and they were his people. Jesus loves his people and was willing to die for them.
Papa, my love for Thomas's family will bring change and the Lord will keep me and them. I don't know why Jesus allows this to happen to our family.
But I am sure He has a good reason and something good will come out of it, you wait and see Papa?"
"Honey, I only want you to be safe and happy." Christa's father pleaded.
"I am very happy Papa, Thomas makes sure that I am well taken care of. And soon I will make you a grandfather again.
Papa I am just worried you don't have sufficient help on the farm. I have some monies that Thomas gives me as an allowance every month. I could send you some so you could hire someone to work."
"That is very nice of you my child, but God has been providing for our family. He has never failed us before and I know He will not now, and He will renew my strength.
To take care of the three of them and the farm. So please rest assured that all will be well. I am just so glad of your choice, I never liked Paul."