"Papa you are very stubborn and you don't understand Paul, he is very nice if you get to know him."
"Nice, you should have seen him when he returns. I have never seen such anger in any human being and he continues to speak evil of you, up to this day."
"Papa, that's because I hurt him, when an animal is wounded two things could happen.
They could become very vicious or they could lie down and allow someone to care for them, or die.
Papa, Paul just retaliates to the rejection and disappointment, please don't take it to heart.
Come let us have dinner and stay a few days longer, Thomas won't mind."
"No child, we will be returning Sunday, Kate and Joy are attending to the house.
While Stephen and Jason are helping with the farm so these three could be here with you for a few days. You know they have school and they wanted to see you so badly.
They were crying when they heard I was coming. But Thomas was generous enough to send tickets for the four of us.
My child he is a good choice you have made. Now I don't want you to be disheartened but we really cannot stay longer."
Thomas heard the way her father was comforting her, "Now, now don't cry, you know I love you very much.
If your Mother was here she would have been so proud of you, and if you change your mind, and want to return home with me, I don't have a problem with that.
You know your mother and I have taken care of all the others when they were having their babies. And I could take care of you.
Tell me why did you have to run so far away from home and get married? It will be hard for me to come and visit you often."
"Papa, when I am feeling better and Thomas isn't busy, I will come and visit you, but I have to go to the clinic for my hand, then I have to join the prenatal clinic.
I am just so glad you are here, what more can I ask on this special day."
Seeing the tears, "Christa my child I know you keep saying you are happy, but what is wrong? I know you are not telling me everything?"
"Papa, I have only stayed away from home a few months and it seems you have forgotten all about me?"
"Oh my child, I will never forget about you. When your mother leave us you were my strength.
You are so much like her, I see all her good qualities in you, and why do you feel that I have forgotten you?"
"Then tell me haven't you forgotten something that was supposed to happen today?"
Thomas knew she was speaking about her birthday. 'But with all the excitement her father seems to forget.'
When he rest his hand and began pronouncing blessing after blessing upon her. Thomas sees the way her face lit up.
When she hugs him saying, "Thank you, Papa, I thought this year I will miss out on your blessing."
"No my child you may have thought I have forgotten, but Thomas thicket came at the right time for us to travel and be here today."
Not wanting to hear anymore Thomas walk away leaving them to enjoy their time together.
I should do something special seeing that her family is here. 'I will get Mrs. Marva to do some special preparation for tomorrow.
Speaking to Mrs. Marva then Thomas returns to his room. 'They are missing each other and my stupidity has the two of them hurting.
But then I might have never met her or even experience what it meant to be truly in love with someone.
At the dinner table, Christa and her Dad were not there.
Returning to the room I knock then enter. Seeing them both asleep in each other arms.
Their closeness to each other is nothing like our family, we lambaste each other.
Thomas ponders in his heart, 'I don't think if one of the girls had done what Christa did.
Any member of the family will visit or even step foot in the premises where they are married.
Our stature is more important than our feelings for each other.' Recalling the way her face lit up as her father blessed her.
'No gift she might receive could bring that amount of joy and happiness I saw in her face. In this house, they announce to everyone what gift they want.
As memories flashback on his wedding day, his only concern at that moment was to save the family name and to fulfill his promise.
When she said she won't tell her family anything, her intention at that moment was to go far away.
But my accepting her, pushes her to send word to her family immediately.
She didn't care about the outcome, her concern was her family getting the news of the marriage. When Errol visited, his main concern was her happiness.
Seeing the tears stained on their faces, Thomas leaves quietly and returns to the others at the dinner table.
When his mom asks "Where they were?"
"Mom, they are sleeping."
"Thomas, Christa needs to eat."
"I know Mom, I will get Mrs. Marva to fix a tray for them."
Before starting to eat, Shamil said, when he see Thomas's parents were about to begin their meal without praying.
"Don't you bless your meals before eating?"
Thomas said to him, "Will you do the honors Shamil and bless the meal."
Thomas watches silently how his family stayed quiet when Shamil and the two girls close their eyes.
Just like when Christa sits at the table and blesses the meals.
As he prays and blesses the meal giving God thanks for providing, they all listen.
Thomas observes as his parents talk while eating, but the three of them just eat silently.
Then after dinner, they ask excuses then hurry along to the kitchen and help Mrs. Marva clean up and fix their Dad tray.