Thomas had invited Bill and Jill to join them the Saturday for dinner also his family, but as always they didn't bring the children and Jerome didn't come.
When mom and dad see my friends and the family Saturday evening knowing dad had already restricted them, saying no coming on weekends.
Especially if they weren't going to be in Church. They wanted to know what was the occasion?
"Mom, yesterday was Christa's birthday, I had gotten her a birthday cake to cut after dinner, but as you know she was asleep.
So I decided to give her a small surprise party. I ask Mrs. Marva to prepare things she eats. I told the others and invite Bill and Jill for dinner, seeing that her family is here."
"Thomas, shouldn't you be helping her before she comes downstairs if that is the case?"
"You are right mom, I should go to her seeing it's a surprise and someone say something to her?"
Observing how his brother and sisters keep looking at him as he runs up the stairs.
Noticing the others how curious they were, Massy, went near Cynthia and ask, "Mom what is the occasion Thomas seems happy?"
"Thomas said yesterday was Christa's birthday so he planned a surprise party for her."
"Mom, we didn't know and we didn't get her anything," Carla replies.
When Aliza walks through the door with a big gift bag. The others surround her asking, "Aliza, did Thomas tell you it was Christa's birthday?"
"No, why do you ask?"
"Well, you came with a gift and dulls up."
"Carla, I knew it's her birthday, so I came straight from work, but is there a problem?"
"Yes, Thomas planned a surprise party for her and he didn't let us know. And now it will be very embarrassing because we haven't brought her any gifts. Carla said to Aliza, "And Aliza her family is here."
"You mean her father?" They see the fear in her eyes.
"Yes, and her two sisters and her brother."
"Did he get angry with her, and where is she?"
When her father came out of his room, it seem he wasn't aware of Thomas's plans either. Aliza look at him, seeing he was appropriately dressed.
As he raised his hand bidding everyone good evening. Then her two sisters heard Laura asking, "What is going on?"
Seeing the sisters covered their mouths and went to their father's side. "Papa, did you know brother-in-law was having guest, we could have dressed more appropriately?"
"No my child, but this is nice, it will help your sister to relax and you two look beautiful."
Seeing everyone turn towards her room Thomas had tied a scarf over her eyes as he held her hand. She was wearing a beautiful peach color lace dress straight, but not too fitted.
It seems as though she has lost a lot of weight since what had happened with the Jerome episode.
Thomas had warned everyone, not to disturb her, so I haven't seen her in about three weeks and more.
Thinking I will come and drop off the gift for her but Massy and Carla said he invited them.
So why didn't he call me, was he afraid I knew it was her birthday and might tell everyone?'
Focusing her attention when Bill bounces her walking towards the step. She look amazing and the dress was looking magnificent on her.
The front around the neckline had three rows of white pearls beads, making the dress more outstanding, from the right shoulder to the left shoulder.
The sleeve was short almost to the elbow and only made with lace and the dress reaches just under her knees.
She was wearing a white sandal about one inch high. Admiring how beautiful she looks.
Standing near Bill giving him a hunch, as he smiles, "She looks so beautiful from the last time I saw her."
"I know pregnancy has a tendency, to do that to most women, but she was even more beautiful in her wedding gown, that is what caught Tom's eyes."
"What are you saying, Aliza?" Holding his hand Aliza pull him aside so no one won't hear her.
"Bill, she is my friend, I invited her to be my chief bridesmaid, but when Stephan didn't show up at the church and everyone was gossiping,
Tom asked her to marry him so the gossip will stop. As you can see he seems to have fallen in love with her."
"Whispering to Aliza, "So are you saying they never met before?" Curious to know the true story of how Tom met Christa.
"Only when he went to pick her up at the airport. Before that no and look how beautiful she looks they are perfect together."
"They sure are, "Bill just stares at them recalling the dinner they had before looking at them now, he was so confused that when I ask her age than in the library.
They seem like strangers then, recalling when he had asked him to help look for her he seems to be going out of his mind.
So why is it I never felt that way about Jill? I know I love her but I thought Tom was just exaggerating.
But looking at him now I can understand he is madly in love with her.'
"Aliza tell me why didn't she get married before? She is so beautiful how come no one had snatched her away from her parent's home before this?"
Hearing Aliza laugh, "You know she is a Christian right?"
"I suspected that much."
"Well the truth is she was engaged to get married two weeks after me, but she so wanted to help me and the family that she accepted Tom's proposal.
Oh and another thing, she never advertise her beauty, because she used to wear weird-looking clothes. Just look at her smaller sister?"
Noticing Bill turns to look, hearing Aliza describing Laura. "You are right Aliza she is beautiful but Christa is more beautiful in a different sort of way, I really can't explain it."
"I know exactly what you are talking about, she is a true friend and she helps me out in college but when she volunteers to help Tom to stop the gossiping.
I believe at that moment she didn't think about Paul or even what her father would do to her, all in her mind was to stop the gossiping at the Church."