New Beginnings (28 page)

“James tells us you gave a great speech in Chicago recently.”

Fern’s cheeks colored. “I’m not sure about great, but James and I did have a lovely weekend.”

James spoke up. “Our boys wanted to come see Rafael get his medal.” He motioned Gideon and Nelson closer.

“Just look at the two of you!” Elena exclaimed, her arms held wide open. “Gideon, you’re taller than your father.”

“Yes, ma’am.” His grin sent a twinkle to his blue eyes. “Dad says I’m finally growing into my size 13D shoes.”

Laughing, she turned to Nelson. “And what a fine-looking young man you are.”

“Thank you. Gideon got all the tall genes in the family, and I got the good-looking genes and the brains.”

Gideon threw a mock punch at his younger brother.

“Please, find yourselves a seat,” Elena said, knowing, despite the new meds, that it was difficult for Fern to stand on her feet for too long.

Elena noted several of Rafael’s high school friends and the fellows from the band had arrived. They’d all been at the house the prior evening, and their laughter and music had rocked the foundation until after midnight.

Several of Rafael’s academy classmates, dressed in their uniforms, were seated near the back. Apparently their teasing of Rafael about his heroic actions masked a certain amount of shared pride as well.

Candace, Heath, and their two children hurried across the expanse of green toward the ceremony area.

“I’m so glad they haven’t started yet,” Candace said. “We left home a little late and had a terrible time finding a parking place.”

She and Elena exchanged hugs and air kisses. “All that matters,” Elena said, “is that you made it. I’m so glad you’re all here.”

“Wouldn’t have missed it,” Heath said.

Elena greeted Brooke and Howie and then turned back to Candace. “I heard you were looking for me at the hospital Friday. With all the excitement, I left work early. Was it something important?”

“Not really,” Candace said. “I wanted to let you know I’ve given notice. I’m going to work through the end of the month and then become a stay-at-home mom.”

“Oh dear…” Elena took both of her hands. “I’m going to miss you. But I know quitting is best for you and the babies. But just think—Anabelle’s already gone, you’re leaving, and James is one of the big bosses now. Everything is changing.”

Candace placed her hand on her midsection, her pregnancy increasingly apparent. “Changing for the better, in my case.”

“I know. But still, I’ll miss you.”

A young police cadet approached Elena. “Mrs. Rodriguez, Chief O’Hanlon asked me to tell you we’re about to begin the ceremony. If you’d like to have a seat…”

Her stomach jumped into her throat. “Yes, thank you.”

The chief had reserved seats for Elena, her family, and closest friends right up front.

Elena took the seat in the center of the front row with Izzy between her and Sarah. Elena’s mother and grandmother were present as well. Her hospital family filled the rest of the front two rows, Anabelle claiming the chair on Elena’s right.

The audience began to quiet in anticipation.

“When is my daddy going to come out?” Izzy asked in a stage whisper that probably could be heard in all four corners of the town square.

“Soon, angel,” Sarah whispered. “Remember how Buela said we’ll have to be very quiet and very still during the ceremony?”

“I know. Like when I’m in church.” Unable to touch the ground with her feet, Izzy’s legs swung back and forth like a pair of restless pendulums.

Anabelle took Elena’s hand. “Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.”

“If you say so.” Elena forced a quavering smile. “It’s just that I’m so proud of my boy.”

“We all are.”

From the back of the assembled crowd, a voice ordered, “Attention!”

With much rustling and shifting positions, the audience stood.

With military precision the members of the small Deerford Police Department, led by Mayor Donald Armstrong and Chief of Police Brian O’Hanlon, marched toward the stage. Right behind the chief marched Pastor Tom, the hospital chaplain and the police chaplain, when needed.

Toward the back, Cesar marched beside Rafael, both of them handsome in their sharply pressed navy-blue uniforms and their campaign hats set squarely on their heads.

Elena’s breath caught in her throat. She’d dreamed of this moment, the two men she loved striding beside each other, both proud and strong. Both her own personal heroes.

“There’s my daddy and Tito!” Izzy squealed, waving wildly before Sarah had a chance to tone down her daughter’s enthusiasm.

Chief O’Hanlon, a brawny man in his early fifties, stepped up to the podium. “Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.” Turning toward the flag, he and his officers snapped salutes and the chief led the pledge.

When the pledge concluded, the officers remained standing at attention while the audience resumed their seats.

Pastor Tom, wearing a dark suit and his white clerical collar, stepped to the podium. A slight breeze ruffled his graying hair.

“We’re here to honor a man for his bravery, for running into a burning house to save a mother and her two children, who are here with us today.

“I am struck that this man’s bravery was not unlike that of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego when they walked into a fiery furnace, trusting the Lord would keep them safe. We are grateful that the Lord protected Rafael Rodriguez and the young family he rescued. Let us pray.”

Pastor Tom bowed his head. So did Elena, noticing Sarah encouraged Izzy to do the same.

“Dear Lord, thank You for the lives of the three people whom Rafael saved, and bless him for his courage. Help us all to be as brave in the face of danger and give us courage as we face our daily trials and tribulations, trusting in Your strength and love. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

The audience echoed his amen, and the mayor stepped to the podium.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s a rare privilege to be able to bestow a Medal of Honor on a young man who risked his life to save others.

“We ask a great deal of our police officers…”

As the mayor continued to praise Rafael, Elena watched her son. Never before had she seen him stand so tall, appear more confident. His eyes forward, his back straight, it seemed as though he’d grown into a man overnight. So much like Cesar, his proud father, standing next to him.

Where was the little boy who had crawled through her kitchen pushing toy cars and trucks, making engine noises? The son who had come home from play with skinned knees and elbows more times than not? The young man who had rebelled against his father’s strictness, exploring his own talents and pursuing his dreams?

Somewhere inside this new man, the child remained. His love. His courage. Even his impetuousness. All of his best attributes melded and strengthened by the crucible of the passing years.

Love for her son expanded in Elena’s chest, so great that she thought she might burst. Tears crept down her cheeks.

The mayor concluded his speech. He opened a velvet box and held it up so the audience could see the medal inside.

“Who has been chosen to place this medal around the officer’s neck?” he asked.

Sarah stood. The mayor beckoned her forward, and slowly, with great dignity, her blonde hair shifting gracefully at her shoulders, she walked up the steps onto the stage.

Beside Elena, a soft gasp escaped Anabelle’s lips. “You’re not going to put the medal around Rafael’s neck?”

“Rafael talked to me and Cesar,” Elena whispered. “He wanted to know if it would be all right for him to ask Sarah to do it. I told him that would be fine.”

Anabelle’s eyes widened. “Oh.”

A tiny smile lifted Elena’s lips.

“Cadet Rodriguez, step forward,” the chief ordered, “and remove your cover.”

Rafael took one step forward, removed his hat, and tucked it under his arm, never once looking at Sarah.

The mayor removed the medal from the velvet box, letting the wide red, white, and blue ribbon hang free. He handed the medal to Sarah.

With confidence, a smile teasing around her lips, Sarah lifted the ribbon over Rafael’s head and adjusted the medal in the center of his chest.

“Congratulations,” she said.

He looked down at her. For a moment, their eyes met. And then he kissed her.

Not just a little peck. But a serious, lingering kiss.

Anabelle leaned toward Elena. “I bet I’ll be making a wedding circle quilt for that young couple sooner rather than later.”

Smiling, tears still in her eyes, Elena nodded. “I hope she lets me make her gown. She’ll make a beautiful bride.”

Before Elena could stop her, Izzy hopped off her chair and marched up onto the stage. She tugged on Sarah’s skirt.

“Mommy, I want a turn to kiss Daddy too,” she announced in a full-throated, seven-year-old voice.

The titters from the audience turned into delighted laughter.

With one arm still around Sarah, Rafael scooped up his daughter and perched her on his hip. “Here you go, mi bonita.”

As he kissed Izzy, Elena and Anabelle exchanged knowing looks. The audience stood and applauded, a few of Rafael’s friends added whistles to the tribute from the crowd.

Elena said, “I think Izzy is going to get her wish soon.”

“To be a family with her mommy and daddy,” Anabelle added.

Nodding, Elena realized that her son and each of her friends, in their own way, were starting new lives. She prayed the Lord would watch over them, keep them safe, and bring them happiness.

As the crowd dispersed, James helped Fern across the uneven lawn toward the sidewalk.

“Watching the ceremony,” he said, “I was struck by how much my friends at the hospital have become our extended family.”

“That’s true,” Fern agreed.

Still holding Fern’s arm, he made sure her footing was secure when she stepped onto the sidewalk. “They’ve all witnessed our boys growing up, and we’ve seen Rafael change from being a pretty wild kid into being a father and now a police officer. And I’ve loved vicariously enjoying Anabelle’s excitement over being a grandmother.”

Fern patted James’s hand. “And if you define
family
to include all those people you love and who love you, we’ve been very blessed.”

He glanced up into the cloudless sky and smiled. Fern was right.
Thank You, Lord
, he prayed silently. He knew that his friends at Hope Haven had indeed become his family, and although they were all experiencing new adventures, the strength of their friendship—their family—would last a lifetime.

Charlotte Carter has been telling stories since a very early age when she and a friend acted out
Bambi
stories. Her friend got to play the role of Bambi; Charlotte was Thumper. Now the author of fifty published novels, Charlotte’s books have appeared on Waldenbooks best seller lists and been translated into a half dozen different languages. Her honors include a Career Achievement Award from
Romantic Times
and winner of both the National Readers’ Choice Award and the Orange Rose contest.

A native Californian, Charlotte and her husband of forty- eight years have one spoiled cat, two married daughters, and five grandchildren, who they are occasionally allowed to babysit. In her spare time, Charlotte pursues her lifelong goal of performing stand-up comedy.

Charlotte Carter can be reached through her blog at
CharlotteCarter.com
.

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