Page 39 of Muskoka Miracle (Muskoka Shores #7)

D ecember passed in more games, two short road trips, and more appointments accompanying Sarah.

The more he got to see Sarah with Dr. Feldman, the more he thanked God for this woman who seemed to connect with Sarah on a way that had only drawn resistance with Dr. McKinnon.

It helped too that the next scan confirmed the previous one, and showed a significant improvement in the left side of the baby’s heart.

Or maybe that was simply the fact that Sarah seemed so much more relaxed than before.

His prayers, and those of her parents and sister, were answered, as Sarah was slowly returning to writing music, a special project, she’d shrugged, but not for Heartsong.

But the fact her music seemed to have helped renew her love of God—and her love of him—helped Dan also settle into finding hope among the uncertainties.

For uncertainties remained. They’d agreed to have an ultrasound that Dr. Feldman had suggested, but not demanded, and one of the scans had drawn her concern.

“What is it?” he’d asked, as Sarah clutched his hand.

“I just will keep an eye on the spine and brain. It’s likely nothing to be worried about.”

“Dr. McKinnon once said our chromosome incompatibility might lead to water on the brain.”

Dr. Feldman’s brow furrowed. “Chromosome incompatibility sounds worse than what it is,” Dr. Feldman said. “A man and a woman cannot be genetically incompatible so that it’s impossible for them to have children together, but not with another partner.”

Bands across his chest eased. He’d once thought that.

“Is that what you were told?”

“Words to that effect,” he’d admitted.

“But Dr. McKinnon did say something about hereditary recessive disorders,” Sarah said.

He gripped her hand. He would not let her spiral again into doubts.

“That can be a factor, in a very small amount of cases, but from what I’ve seen of your blood tests, and from the ultrasound scans, I don’t see you belonging in that category.”

“Then why the concern now?”

“Some doctors,” she’d eyed them over her glasses, “have an abundance of caution, and, may encourage testing to ensure the healthiest possible outcome for a child.”

Sarah’s clasp tightened. “You mean they encourage parents to test and determine whether a fetus is viable.”

She cleared her throat. “I do not like to use the term fetus with prospective parents, but yes. More common in IVF, but it can happen with natural pregnancies too.”

“Survival of the fittest.”

Dr. Feldman winced. “I don’t like to say that.”

In other words, yes.

“Which is why I’m advising you two, who are committed to raising this child no matter what, to put that from your mind.

As a fellow believer, I love to encourage my Christian patients to keep trusting God, no matter what.

He is the divine Healer, and in cases like this, there are miracles that can occur in the womb, but also through surgical intervention upon delivery.

Which is why,” she eyed them sternly, but with a twinkle in her eye, “I want you to take time to relax this Christmas and holiday season, and don’t give fear an inch to dwell. Okay?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Dan said.

“Amen,” agreed Sarah.

Their interpretation of their “doctor’s advice” meant they had an excuse to get out of unwanted holiday obligations.

Not that he wanted to get out of spending Christmas with his family, difficult as they could sometimes be.

At least this year was better than the last, when it had been a case of striving to overcome his envy at Luke and Marguerite’s children, while wondering why he still had none.

This time, their hope for April, along with Sam’s recommitment and new job—and bringing Alexa to join the festivities again—made it a lot more enjoyable.

Sarah seemed to think so too, her conversation with Alexa about her recent travels adding zest to the usual family intoning of finance-based conversations, Sarah’s hand on his thigh under the table reminding him they needn’t stay late.

Dinner, presents, dessert, then they’d need to go home to “rest.”

He caught Sam’s smirk across the table. “What?”

Sam shrugged. “I was just thinking it’s nice to see you two looking relaxed.”

“And here I was thinking how cute you two look together,” Sarah said. “Alexa is a catch, huh?”

“I thought you said I was a catch,” Sam mock-complained.

“I did. And you were.”

Dan chuckled at his little brother’s look.

“But now I know Alexa loved her time in Australia, well, she’s an even bigger catch.” She winked at Alexa.

“I’m sure I’d love my time in Australia too,” Sam insisted.

“I know you would. Don’t worry, I still think you’re a pretty good catch. Especially with your new job. Cheers!” She lifted her glass of lemonade and there was a clink of glasses.

“Thanks, Sar bear,” Sam said, using Dan’s nickname for her.

Her nose wrinkled. “Speaking of catches, it looks like Alexa has caught you.”

Those privy to the exchange laughed, except for Sam, who shifted in his seat to face Alexa more directly. “Except I haven’t officially caught you, have I?”

“Officially?” she murmured, wide-eyed.

“Well, there’s nothing like a gift at Christmas, and so I wondered if you’d like this.”

He put a ring-shaped box in front of her as the rest of the table held their breath.

“Sam,” Alexa whispered, looking up, then glancing around at everyone, her cheeks pinking.

“Open it.”

Sarah put her head on Dan’s shoulder, both hands around one of his, as they watched. He would never have expected his little bro to be so bold. At the family Christmas table, no less.

Alexa’s fingers were shaking as she opened the box. Then laughed.

Laughed?

Then she held up a Fruit Loop.

“What the?” someone muttered.

Then Sam slid from his chair and captured her hands in his. “I know this is probably not what you expected when I asked you here today, but if you’re willing to be caught by a Fruit Loop, then I’d be honored to love you for the rest of my days.”

“Sam,” she murmured. Then she kissed him. “Yes.”

“Ohh.” Sarah clapped her hands, almost vibrating in excitement. “That was just the most beautiful thing ever.” She sighed, as the happy couple kissed, oblivious to everyone’s congratulations, including Mom and Dad’s shock.

“More beautiful than a proposal in Sydney?” Dan murmured in Sarah’s ear.

“Okay, second most beautiful.”

“Good answer.”

She rolled her eyes. “Always so insecure.”

He wasn’t, but was reminded later that complacency had a soft underbelly that could be prodded.

Such as when he caught Sarah watching Luc and Marguerite’s children be the center of attention.

His mom seemed determined to shift the focus from Sam’s surprise proposal to a blue-haired photographer, and place it squarely on her grandchildren, almost forgetting she had another on the way.

While Adam and Lucy were cute at almost four and two years old, they were a reminder that if their baby had lived, they too would be sharing in the joy of watching a little person’s excitement at their first Christmas.

A couple of times he caught Sarah looking at Adam and Lucy with a pensive expression on her face.

He recognized the longing. He went up to her, wrapped his arms around her. “You okay, Princess?”

She twisted in his arms, turning around to kiss him, before leaning back in the circle of his embrace. “I’m fine. I just can’t help wishing…”

“I know.”

He placed a hand on her stomach, on the little one who still lived there. “This time next year, Princess.”

She tilted her head up, smiled at him, her green eyes holding stars. “Amen.”

* * *

Sometimes when she first stirred in the morning, in that place between sleep and wakefulness, she forgot all the drama that swirled around her. Forgot the pressures, the numerous medical appointments, the worries. It was just her, and God, and peace.

Then she woke fully, and the pressures crowded in, and she was forced to fight to stand still, to know that God was in control. To rest in the knowledge of His faithfulness and grace.

Often an encouraging text message would come in, from her parents or Bek, or her friends like Jackie, or Serena, Bree, or Holly.

Words to lift her soul just when she needed it, as if God had prompted people to do so right then.

Other times she’d feel a sudden calm, like somebody else had just prayed for her.

Sometimes, if Dan wasn’t there, she’d even sing aloud, declaring to the atmosphere and her heart that Jesus was in control, and that God loved her.

Your love is beautiful. Your love so undeserved.

Your love stretches out forever to me. As she sang, it was like her worries rolled off her back and were placed at God’s feet.

There was a lot to be thankful for. Thank You God for Your mercies. Thank You God for Dan. Thank You for my family. Thank You God for friends. Thank You for this child. Thank You for the last scans showing improvement. So much to be thankful for. So much.

Such as this new year being quieter than the last. Last year had been filled with busyness: attending games and team functions, Heartsong, her podcasts, travel, and Zoom meetings and catch ups.

This year, however, while she still attended the occasional game of Dan’s, she was more selective about which ones.

Such as games when she might talk and encourage a wife or girlfriend of one of Dan’s teammates.

Or see one of his Original Six friends, or their wives.

Heartsong was shelved, as far as her involvement was concerned anyway.

The podcast was too. Her energy levels varied, but when she had energy, she wanted to spend it on writing the love songs for the album she’d agreed to do. Not that she’d told Dan yet.