A Very Special Delivery

arms.
    She pondered the symbolism of Jesus as the sacrificial Lamb who came that mankind might be reunited with a Holy God, of the new beginnings made possible by His life and death and resurrection, of all the fresh possibilities embodied in Easter.
    She thought of her own new beginnings, too, and a wonderful peace enfolded her. As the light of the new day spread across the land and the service concluded in glorious song, Molly felt as though she, too, had come out of a dark place and into a marvelous light.
    She hugged Laney to her chest and closed her eyes in gratitude.
    As the quiet crowd slowly broke up, going separate ways to contemplate the holiness of Easter Sunday, Ethan, in his long governor’s robes, joined her.
    He hunkered down in front of her chair and took Laney into his arms. The baby’s ruffles and lace made crinkling noises as he rubbed his nose against her neck.
    “What did you think? Did it look all right from out here?” The eagerness in him was boyish and charming.
    “Ethan, it was awesome. You were awesome. I’ve never been to such a beautiful pageant.”
    “Neither have I,” he said, grinning. “But then, this is my first and only Easter pageant.”
    Aunt Patsy reached over and patted his arm. “Well, it won’t be your last. You made a formidable Pontius Pilate.”
    “Why, thank you, Miss Patsy.” He bowed his head in mock humility. Laney grabbed one ear and twisted. With a yelp, Ethan unwound the tiny fingers. “Are you girls as hungry as I am?”
    Molly rose and folded her lawn chair, then took Laney from Ethan while he assisted Aunt Patsy. “Probably not, but coffee sounds good.”
    “The church has coffee and rolls waiting. That should hold us until ten.”
    Although they were not technically a couple, they had promised Lindsey and Jesse to eat brunch with the young couples’ class at ten. Later in the afternoon, the church was hosting a giant Easter-egg hunt for all the kids. Aunt Patsy and her group of friends had spent hours stuffing plastic eggs for the event.
    “It’s going to be a busy day.”
    “But a good one.”
    “We’ve got to get some pictures of that baby in her finery,” Aunt Patsy said as they walked toward the parking area. “She’ll only have one first Easter.”
    Ethan stopped in his tracks and turned to face the hillside, now washed in bright sunlight. “I just thought of something. This is my first Easter, too. The first one that ever meant anything.”
    Molly understood his awe. Even though she had been a Christian for a long time, today felt like a renewal to her, too.
    Smiling up at him, she hooked her arm through his. “Pretty cool, huh?”
    “Yeah.” His gaze shifted to Laney, lying across Molly’s shoulder. “You want me to carry her?”
    “No. We’re fine.” And they were, just as they had been for sometime now. She could hold Laney and love her without a racing pulse or the awful tightness in her chest and throat. She’d almost stopped worrying that something terrible would happen.
    She hugged the bundle of ruffles and lace a little closer.
    When they reached the parking area other members of the cast milled about. The rise and fall of voices mingled with engines cranking and doors slamming. A man in Roman centurion gear called out and Ethan drifted off to speak with him.
    Molly unlocked the car and bent to fasten Laney in her car seat. When she straightened, Aunt Patsy stood on the opposite side of the vehicle in conversation with an older woman Molly recognized from their church.
    “I don’t really think that’s any of your concern, Hazel,” she heard Aunt Patsy say.
    “It’s not right, I tell you, Patsy. That boy has
his nerve dating a decent girl like Molly. He never did marry that baby’s mother, you know.” She announced the fact in a low, gossipy tone as if she hoped it was news to her listener.
    “I know.” Aunt Patsy’s rosy cheeks grew redder, a sign, Molly knew, that she was getting angry. “I know about a lot of other things, too, that you apparently have forgotten. Things like Christian charity and forgiveness.”
    “Oh forevermore, Patsy.” Hazel drew herself up in a straight line. “I would think as her aunt, you would be more concerned about that niece of yours. She’s had enough trouble without getting involved with a philanderer who goes around making illegitimate babies.”
    “It’s Easter, Hazel. I suggest you think about what that means and let the Lord worry about Ethan and Molly.” Aunt