215 William’s baptism

Maureen starts to plan the baptism with HeJin and Aisling. While Onacona Steve and Astila finish with the gazebo and getting the yard ready for the baptism party. Steve is walking to the creek when he sees Crystal pouting. Going over he sneaks up on her and tries to scare her, she just gives him an agitated look . Sitting down beside her he asks her 

"Hey imp what is wrong , why are you sitting here by yourself?" She shrugs her shoulders and sighs. 

"well that doesn't sound to good, come on tell your Cookie what's wrong?" He urged her to talk to him. 

" I am upset because I wasn't able to help you when you were sick. I wanted to but couldn't , you needed William not me. Now he is going to be your Godson and I'm not needed." Steve ruffles her hair and tells her. 

" if you had not dream walked and came to me I would be with Norma right now. You coming to me when things were their darkest saved my life. How can you say you didn't help me. You gave me hope and a reason to fight. Crystal you are always loved and needed. You know your Mom never baptized you or appointed God parents would you like for your Aunt and I be them. I know she was waiting for you to be older for you to be baptized . How about we do a dedication service , would you like that?" Crystal hugs Steve and tells him. 

"I would love that and I love you my Cookie." Steve hugs her back and tells her. 

"I love you to my little imp, you are such an amazing person ." They head back to talk to Remi. 

Since baptist don't baptize Maureen asked the local priest to do it with John saying a few words. The good thing about having such a diverse family is that they respect each other's views. When Maureen went to John she was fearful that he would be upset with her. Maureen has John come over to the house so she can talk to him. When she arrives at his office he is in the sanctuary praying. Sitting in the back Maureen bows her head in prayer as well. When John finishes his prayer he quietly goes to sit next to her . When Maureen raises her head from prayer she lays her head on his shoulder. 

"John you know that I'm catholic and that I want William to be baptized in the Catholic Church. Will you do me the honor of doing a joint service with the priest and do a dedication for William as well. I want him to know all aspects of his family so when he gets old enough to make the decision of which religion to choose he will know which one his heart is drawn to. Before the baptism Inola will do the naming ceremony. Even though he already has a name we still need to honor his Cherokee heritage. Are you ok with this or are you upset?" John kisses Maureen's forehead and tells her. 

The two sit for awhile just enjoying the tranquility and warmth of the sanctuary. When john's assistant Paster came in he was surprised that the Paster was sitting with a younger woman holding hands with her head on his shoulder. He snaps a picture then goes out and gives the Paster's wife a call. 

" umm I'm not sure what to do? I think that John is having an affair in the church. I sent you a picture of the woman. I am not trying to cause problems but I thought you should know, especially since this behavior is grounds for dismissal." The assistant Paster thinks that he may have found his opening to get john's job. John's wife takes a look at the picture and begins to laugh at the young man. Though they really cannot explain who Maureen really is they have just been saying she is family. The assistant Paster doesn't understand why john's wife is laughing, when her husband is cozy with another woman. 

"that is not a girlfriend, that is his close relative from Tennessee. She moved here months ago and just had a baby. She probably fell asleep while they were talking about the baby's dedication. My husband is very close to his family as you know and has family from all over the country. You just haven't taken the time to notice her. Don't go spreading rumors and damaging peoples reputations. It will only cause you trouble. Look I know you want my husbands position and you will get it soon enough. He is not far from retirement so don't go making waves with the board and congregation ,it will only make you look bad."  John's wife hangs up thinking to herself she is going to need to do some visits to the board to ensure that this man has not hurt her husband because if he has she is going to have Maureen hex him. With how protective Maureen is of the family she Feels sorry for anyone messing with them. This man better be careful if he wants a trouble free life. 

Steve catches Remi before she goes to work at Marshal's bar. Steve asks if they can talk for a second. 

"Would it be ok if we do a dedication service for Crystal? She is feeling a little left out since William has been born. I'm worried that she is sad because she doesn't have God parents . She is jealous of HeJin and I being Williams godparents to be exact. " 

Remi motions for her uncle to sit with her. 

"I didn't do a dedication service or choose Godparents because I didn't want to hear gossip about her birth. I was afraid of choosing the wrong ones for her. You were so far away and going on such dangerous missions I was afraid to ask. Uncle john and Auntie would have done it but auntie was always so critical of me as a parent. I thought many times of Norma and Audis but was afraid to offend someone in the family. So I just never did it. Now that she has chosen for herself it is time to do it. So it is fine by me to have it. We can let her talk to uncle John herself to tell him what she wants. That way she will feel grown up and in charge , what do you think?" 

Steve agrees with Remi that they should let Crystal make the arrangement with John. Letting Remi go to work Steve goes to talk to HeJin and Crystal. He finds them in the kitchen , Crystal is making her and Brayden a snack to take to the tree house. Steve ruffles her hair and tells her. 

"mommy say ok but you have to be the one to talk to your Uncle Reverend. " he watches her face light up as she cheers that she will have godparents just like William. Brayden's face looks dejected when he sees how happy she is. HeJin asks him what's wrong. 

"I want Marshal to be my dad, if I can't have him as my dad do you think he would agree to be my godfather. That way he is still like my dad. I don't need a godmother I already have my mom and Salali. I just need a godfather. If Salali was my godmother then when she marries Randy he would automatically become my godfather. I really want Marshal to marry my mom and be my dad. " 

HeJin watches him with a heavy heart, she knows that biological father is not a good father but he wonders if he would be willing to allow Marshal to adopt Brayden. Giving her husband a concerned look. Steve raises his hand to her letting her know he will look into the situation. HeJin smiles at him, feeling grateful that he is better and at peace with himself again. They walk with the kids to the old tree house and Steve sees the targets are still up from bow practice. He wants to help with the classes while he is here so he asks HeJin to remind him to talk to Marshal about it. Thinking to himself while listening to his wife play with the two children. He wonders if she has ever regretted not being able to have children of her own. He was exposed to agent orange in Vietnam and it caused him to become sterile. He knows she has always been happiest when she is around the children. Closing his eyes he remembers when the kids were little she taught lessons in martial arts when they would visit. How she loved teaching them the exercises and watching their progress. To bad their visits was always so short. Now that he is retiring maybe she can teach these youngsters.