* Love keeps no record of evil. *
***
Meanwhile, at the reception Joseph kept pacing about until he felt a pat at his back. “ Hey, little man. ” It was Aiden Evans, his mentor, hearing his voice he turned around and embraced him tightly.  “ Hey... ” The older man held him like a child, clearly understanding what the latter was going through. 
“ Thanks for coming. ” Joseph gave an appreciating smile, after detaching himself from his embrace. “ You are welcome. ” Malissa answered for both of them as she walked towards him and gave him a brotherly hug.  “ Mira will be fine, Kay? ” He nodded, feeling more at ease. 
From the corner of his eyes, he saw his parents walking into the reception. 
“ Joseph. ” He didn't know how to react at first, seeing the concerned gaze in his Dad's eye. Yes, he had forgiven them, but it still felt weird. 
The connection that took years to build, had been lost a long while ago and it hadn't been returned yet. Joseph knew that will only happen if both parties put in the work, but who will reach out first? They or him? 
  “ Dad. ” He tested to see how naturally the word flew in his mouth, but to his dismay, it didn't flow so naturally, rather it felt forced. 
Then he realized that there are some things that are way out of his control. But why hadn't it been the same for Mira? Despite the fact that they've been separated countless times, the bond was still there in spite of it all. 
Why had their bonds of friendship become stronger than the sacred bond he was meant to have with his parents? They are his flesh and blood, so why does it feel so strained? 
His gaze caught sight of Nanny who had her eyes closed, it was obvious she was praying for Mira and then he understood. Indeed, it's not only about bringing a child into the world, it's also about taking care of it and always being there for them.
Nanny had always done that part, but his parents hadn't. Now he understood.
“ If my father and my mother forsake me, then the lord will take me up. ” The verse of scripture rang in his mind as his mother approached him.
“ Is Mira okay? ” He nodded.  “ Yeah. I'm still awaiting word from the doctor. ” 
“ Son, you need not to worry, God is in this story, Kay? ” His words made Joseph pause in shock. God? Did his dad just mention him? From what he'd known, his dad had stopped attending church years ago. So what now? 
As if understanding his thoughts, his Dad gave him a look of, “ We'll talk about this later. ” He sighed, realizing that there are more pressing matters to deal with now. 
And the most important one is his wife who was in labor.  “ I can still recall that night I went into labor for the first time. ” Beatrice's words rang beside him, gripping his attention.  “ It was a long one and I was so scared. ” hearing her sniff, he wondered why, still he kept quiet, not showing any interest though the truth was, he was super interested. Who wouldn't be? Especially when it's about him coming into the world.
Who wouldn't be? Especially when it's about him coming into the world. 
   “ There were complications. ” She paused, staring at Joseph's Dad.  “ The doctors lost hope at a point, but it was at that moment that God intervened. ”
“ You didn't cry when you were born, Joseph. But you did as soon as I held you in my hands. That moment was one I could never forget. It was priceless. ” Beatrice paused to control her emotions. “ I'd loved you from the very first moment and even now, I still do. ” Joseph fought the urge to laugh hearing her words, if it weren't for the current circumstances. He would have asked her why she abandoned him when he needed her most. After all, one of the greatest proof of love is presence - Just being there, when you are needed the most. 
    He had tried a thousand times to understand the circumstances that made her do it, yet it still doesn't make sense to him.  “ Can a mother abandon her sucking child? No. But even if she does, I'll never abandon you. ” Another verse of scripture rang in his mind.
“ Um... ” He nodded. 
“ I'd also never forget this moment years ago, when I was to become a father for the very first time. It felt so surreal as I have almost given up hope of ever becoming one. My heart sank when I heard of the complications. “ Will my joy be short-lived? ” I had thought to myself that day. I literally counted the hours till the door opened and the good news was announced. My joy knew no bounds. ” Though Joseph wondered why they were recounting the past to him, nevertheless he felt thankful that they were doing that as it kind of helped him put his mind off worrying about Mira. 
“ You know what, Joseph. Beatrice proceeded, having gotten his full attention.  “ Though the labor was super long and painful, yet I was able to forget about it all after you were born. It's like the pain had never existed. At the moment, it was all worth it. It was worth it all! ” 
“ Hm... Thanks for telling me this, mom..” he gave a smile before taking a seat beside Nanny on the iron chairs. 
Nanny put her arms around his shoulders.  “ Mira will be fine, you'll see..” He nodded. 
As the minutes passed, he prayed with all his heart and just when he said the word, “ Amen. ” 
The emergency doors opened and the attending doctor came out, he removed his nose mask to reveal a bright smile on his face. 
Joseph walked briskly towards him. “ Congratulations, Mr Winfrey. You've been blessed with a set of identical twins. A boy and a girl. ” For a moment, Joseph didn't know how to react until he felt the doctor's pat on his back.  “ You are favored, Identical different gender twins are very rare, more like one in a million. ” 
“ Wow! ” Joseph finally reacted, embracing Aiden who was now beside him.  “ I'm now a father of twins! ” He screamed in excitement, hugging the older man tightly. 
“ Congratulations, Newbie father. ” Aiden joked and they all laughed.
“ Congratulations, Joseph! ” They all congratulated him one at a time.
“ I'm sure you are going to be the best father ever. ” Nanny cried, embracing him. Joseph sobbed understanding the depth of her words. 
Nanny had watched Joseph over the years take up the role of a big brother and a father perfectly in Mira's life. How much more will he do for his own kids?
How much more? 
“ I wasn't a great father to you, Joseph. ” He paused his lips in guilt. “ But I believe you'll be a great father, because you were raised by the best of all fathers. ” He patted his back. 
“ Thank you. ” He smiled, indeed he was raised by the best of the best. So why won't he be a great father when he was raised by the creator of the universe who had adopted him when his parents forsake him.
Why won't he? 
....
A/N : What do you think, guys?