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“Next week we’ll finish our discussion on the book of Ruth. And please plan to join us after that message for our church-wide mixer; beginning at 2 p.m. I’m looking forward to seeing all of you there. Until then, be blessed and have a great week.”

The pastor stepped down from the altar and greeted the members of the congregation who were waiting to speak to him. Bellamy Assembly was active as usual for a Sunday.

“Do you think any of this ever goes to Dad’s head?” Bella Barringer asked her mother.

Caroline shook her head. “No,” she responded and smiled as she watched her husband have a very animated conversation with two older ladies. “Your father is pretty well grounded. He’s wanted to be a pastor since I met him, and I think he knew what he was in for long before he started giving sermons. Besides, both he and I know God wouldn’t be too happy if he started getting prideful.”

“I don’t think so either, however, how someone could not get a high from all that attention is beyond me.” Bella commented as she motioned to where the tall, dark-haired man was standing. A warm feeling rushed over her as she watched her mother and father exchange silly half smiles and nods. Hopefully I’ll have a love like that someday she thought dreamily.

That was one of the many things she loved about being so involved in the church. With married couples in society today calling it quits after mere days of marriage, it was refreshing to be surrounded with people who know what it meant to be in love and commit to it. Bella wasn’t blind to the fact that couples in the church more than likely experienced struggles, but they didn’t seem to associate struggles with immediately giving up.

Bella knew her parents were still in love. She’d often catch them snuggling on the couch together or holding hands as they walked through the store. In Bella’s mind, what was more important than that, however, was that David and Caroline Barringer obviously had a deep love for their three children. Bella was the oldest at fourteen, Reagan was six, and Caleb was the youngest at five.

“Mom, I’m going to pick up Reagan and Caleb,” Bella announced as she walked away.

Caroline smiled. “Thanks, sweetie.” She noted that David was now walking towards her, but before he joined her, Erica strolled up and tapped her arm.

“Hey.”

“Hi.” Caroline reached out to hug her friend. “How are you?”

Erica shrugged. “Not bad.” She put a blonde haired boy down on a chair next to them.

“Hi Isaac,” Caroline bent over and tousled the young boy’s hair.

Isaac leaned closer to his mother’s leg and Caroline giggled.

“He’s worse than Noah was at this age,” Erica commented. “Actually, he’s nothing like Noah. Once he realized I wanted him to walk, he would never let me hold him. Isaac, on the other hand, refuses to let go of me. I tell you, carrying a seven-year-old is not easy.”

Caroline nodded. “I’m sure. Caleb’s only five and I don’t have the strength to pick him up. David, on the other hand…I don’t know where he gets the energy to play with those kids.”

“Hey,” Erica smiled as the current object of the conversation joined them.

David reached out to hug her. “Hello, Erica.” He rubbed Isaac’s head. “Hey buddy.” He turned to Caroline. “Is Bella getting Reagan and Caleb?”

“Yup.” Caroline nodded. “Want me to wait for you?”

David shook his head before giving Caroline a small kiss. “Not necessary. I was actually planning to see if Case wanted to have lunch. We haven’t talked too much lately and now that his father’s in the hospital…” he let his voice trail off.

“He’d appreciate that,” Erica agreed. “He’s been kind of down lately.” She glanced at Caroline. “Got any plans?”

“Nope. I think Reagan, Caleb, and Isaac would enjoy a play date. Let’s go to the park.”

Erica nodded. “Okay. I’ll stop and get lunch for everybody.”

“Sounds good. I’ll meet you at the playground we always go to.” She rubbed David’s arm. “And I’ll see you later?”

“Definitely.” He wrapped his arms around Caroline.

“Okay, enough of the PDA, you guys,” Bella huffed with an annoyed chuckle as she rejoined the group with her two younger siblings and Noah. She cast a glance at Noah when she heard him snicker. “Oh, come on. You don’t find that annoying?”

He shook his head. “No way. It’s sweet.” He smiled at Bella. “Besides, aren’t you always telling me that you think your parents are so cute?”

“Maybe,” Bella cocked her head. “Or maybe I just like giving them a hard time.” She laughed.

Noah leaned closer to her. “Or maybe you’re jealous.”

Bella tried to come up with a witty retort, but she was drawing a blank. She just shook her head and blushed slightly. “So, uh, Mom,” she cleared her throat. “Are we doing anything special this afternoon?”

“Actually, I think the five of us are going to the park,” she responded; motioning to Erica, Isaac, Caleb, Reagan, and herself. “You’re more than welcome to join us if you’d like.”

Erica nodded and gripped Noah’s shoulder. “You too, son.”

“I don’t know,” Bella shrugged. “I haven’t started on my history project yet. Maybe I should stay home and work on it.”

Reagan pulled on Bella’s arm. “Please, Belle. Come to the park with us.”

“Yeah, Belle. Come to the park,” Noah chuckled. “A few hours won’t set you that far behind. Besides, that project’s not due until next month.”

Bella cocked a curious eyebrow at Noah.

“Miller…sixth period,” he said with a smirk.

Bella nodded. “Right.” She had momentarily forgotten that Noah had the same class as her, just later in the day. She squatted in front of Reagan and tousled the young girl’s blonde hair. “Alright, Ray. The park it is.”

“Yay!” Caleb joined in. “Will you push me on the swings, Belle?”

Noah chuckled.

“Well, it sounds like you guys have your afternoon pretty well set,” David commented and he picked up his son. “I’ll see you later, okay?”

Caleb threw his arms around David’s neck and hugged him tight. “Daddy, are you going to be okay if we’re not around for you to play with?”

“I’ll muddle through,” David laughed. “I’m actually going to hang out with Uncle Case; you know, so he’s not lonely without Isaac.”

Reagan nodded. “That’s nice of you.”

“Thanks.” David kissed Caleb’s head and put him down before hugging Reagan. “I’ll see you guys later, okay. Have fun at the park.” He hugged Bella.

“Bye, baby.” Caroline reached over and kissed David quickly. “Give me a call if you want to join us.”

David nodded. “Will do. Bye Erica, Noah. Later, Isaac.”

“Are you coming too, No?” Isaac asked after David walked away.

Noah smiled. “You talked me into it.”

oooooo

“Higher! Higher, Belle.” Reagan’s squeals of delight could be heard drifting through the humid air.

Bella looked to Noah, who had a look of competition plastered to his face. “I think you beat Isaac, Ray,” she snickered.

“No!” Noah whined. “One more chance. I know my little brother can swing higher than your sister.”

Bella held the chains so Reagan’s swing slowed down. “Don’t be a sore loser. Besides, I need a break,” she pulled Reagan off the swing and the two of them sauntered to the water fountain, flashing grins over their shoulders.

“We’ll get them next time, Noah,” Isaac said and patted his back.

Noah nodded. “I know.” He pointed to the water fountain. “Are you thirsty?”

“Yeah,” Isaac ran to where the girls were standing.

After the kids took a drink, Bella leaned over the fountain, but she didn’t notice Noah slide his hand under the steady stream. Before she knew it, she not only had a mouthful of water, but beads were dripping from the bridge of her nose. “Noah!” she shouted as she straightened her back.

“What?” he asked innocently.

Bella scowled. “You know what,” she took hold of a giggling Reagan and walked over to where her mother was. “I think I’m going for a walk,” she announced when Caroline and Erica looked up at her.

“Okay, sweetie.” Caroline smiled.

“Will my son be joining you?” Erica asked.

Bella shrugged. “I didn’t ask him. But it’s a pretty safe bet,” she chuckled.

“Mommy, I’m tired,” Reagan complained and curled up in Caroline’s lap.

Caroline nodded and rubbed her youngest daughter’s head. “Be back in about half an hour.”

“Okay.” Bella checked her watch and jogged off in the direction of the nature trail. She slowed her pace as she met up with Noah and Isaac. “Want to join me for a walk?”

Noah nodded. “Sure,” he pointed at the blanket where Erica was sitting. “Go see Momma, Isaac.”

“Okay,” he ran off and Noah smiled at Bella.

“Race you.”

Bella didn’t even have time to agree or disagree. Noah was already sprinting toward the trail. She took a deep breath and caught up with him with ease, passing him like a shot.

“No fair,” Noah called out. He stopped running and was resting his hands on his knees and panting. “You have track experience behind you.”

Bella turned around and walked back to Noah with her hands on her hips. “Maybe next time you’ll remember that before challenging me to a race.” She poked his nose and sat down on a wooden bench.

“Doubt it,” Noah replied with a smirk and sat next to her. “Do you think that we would be friends if our parents weren’t?”

Bella frowned. “Where’d that come from?”

“Nevermind,” Noah looked away shyly. “That must be the lack of oxygen talking.”

Bella bumped his shoulder with her own, “that must be it.”

Noah looked up quickly and caught his reflection in her eyes. “I never noticed that before.”

“What?” Bella furrowed her eyebrows.

Noah pointed at her eyes. “You have one green eye and one blue.”

“Oh,” Bella shrugged the revelation off. She had noticed her differing eye colors every time she looked in the mirror, but never gave it much thought…until now.

“Don’t your parents both have dark eyes?” Noah continued. “Wonder how that happened.”

Bella laughed nervously. She didn’t like the ideas that were swirling through her head…like what if her parents weren’t really her parents? “No idea,” she said as she pulled him off the bench. “Come on, we only have half an hour.”