Being used to the constant noise and movement of Greyton, even at night, Casey began to feel frightened and alone. Filled with dread and fear at the unusual quiet, she wandered anxiously out into the shadowy kitchen, her bedside lamp giving just enough light to see her way. TJ and Ben's bedroom door was open and she could hear the gentle breathing of the two adults but the quiet, unfamiliar house tormented Casey’s imagination, provoking a overwhelming desire for comfort.
Trembling and looking for reassurance, Casey stood in the doorway to the bedroom and nervously whispered, "TJ!...TJ!"
TJ stirred, having the ears of a mother of three and flicked on her bedside light. "Casey, what is it sweetie?" TJ's voice croaked from sleep.
"I..I..I'm frightened."
Ben stirred at the sudden light and TJ threw back the covers. "Ben, move over, honey."
Ben moved to the edge of the bed and Casey climbed in beside him. TJ climbed back into bed, too, folded the blankets back over the three of them and draped her arm across Casey.
"How's that, sweetie?"
"I feel like such a coward," Casey shivered.
"Don't you mind about that. Just get some sleep."
TJ flicked the lamp off again.
*~*~*~*
Hannah-Jean woke early and peered into Casey's room and became concerned when Casey's bed was empty and her light was still on. She wandered up to her parents' room to raise the alarm and found Casey fast asleep between her mum and dad.
She sighed and giggled, "How sweet."
Then running to get her camera, she stood at the foot of her parents’ bed and snapped a delighted shot of the sight.
"Our first family photo," she decided.
*~*~*~*
Chapter 20
Casey was rudely woken by someone bouncing on the bed and it took her awhile to realise HJ and Ben were tease fighting. HJ took a run up from the door and launched herself onto her dad and they tussled, ending with Ben tickling his daughter and HJ screaming with delight. Casey watched the strange routine in shock, dodging HJ’s wildly flailing arms and legs and her delighted, piercing screams as her dad tickled her.
"It's alright, Casey," TJ explained. "They have done this since she was a toddler. I should have warned you."
Casey watched with pleasure as HJ and Ben concluded with a hug and then their usual…
"I love you, Daddy."
"I love you too, Hannah-Jean."
HJ reached over and kissed her mum. "Love you, Mum."
"I love you too, sweetheart," TJ replied tenderly.
"And welcome to you, Casey, into your first morning in the Brekman household," HJ hugged Casey.
Casey appeared sheepish and tried to explain why she had wandered into TJ and Ben at night because she was frightened. HJ cut her short.
"Don't sweat it, Casey. If we have a thunderstorm, just remember to leave room for me, okay?"
Casey tried to smile and come to terms with her first morning but all this was brand new to her.
"Anyway, if anyone tried to harm any of us, my dad would soon put that right," HJ cuddled into her dad. "One small scream and my daddy comes running."
Ben's big arms surrounded her. "Ain't that the truth, HJ," Ben declared.
"So you see, Casey, being a Brekman girl has definite advantages. I do hope you will accept us as your family, Casey," HJ pleaded.
Casey was feeling strangely at ease already. Mum was right. TJ and Ben were trustworthy and they just seemed to have endless supplies of love, patience and fun.
Casey returned to her room, dressed and made her bed. As she did, she opened Tabbie's old Bible and again, saw her mum's handwriting. To my beloved Father, Sergeant Major Pell (Bluey) Burns. All my love, Tabbie, and just below that, To Casey… my beloved daughter... all my love, Mum. I will be waiting for you!
Casey followed the writing with the tip of her finger and stood, pondering the message.
A knock came at the door and TJ opened it. "Casey, breakfast is ready, honey."
"Thanks, TJ."
TJ turned to leave.
"TJ?"
TJ turned back to face Casey. "Yes, Casey."
"What does this mean?" Casey pointed to Tabbie's inscription in her Bible.
"It means that when you die, if you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, as Tabbie and all of us have, we will see our loved ones who have died before us, again, in Heaven. So long as they have accepted Jesus, too. We are all eternal beings, Casey, which means our spirit lives forever. If we don't have Jesus when we die, we will live forever without God, in a painful place of torment. But if we do, we will live forever in a wonderland, with all our loved ones."
Casey pondered TJ's explanation. "So, what you’re saying is, if I accept Jesus I will live with Mum forever and we won't ever be separated again?"
"Yep, that's about it, sweetheart, and that’s why she wrote she’ll be waiting for you."
Casey looked like a mountainous question had just been answered.
TJ peered at Casey curiously. "Did that answer your question, Casey, or is there something else?"
Casey struggled for a moment and then answered, "Just before Mum died, we prayed a prayer and asked Father to remove me from Greyton and make it so Tabbie and I could be together, forever. When Mum died, I thought that Father hadn’t answered my prayer and He was just angry with me for my past and it seemed like the prayer could never be answered."
"And now, you see that He has removed you from Greyton and He is giving you the opportunity to live forever with your mum," TJ explained.
Realisation started to dawn on Casey. Father was answering, but not the way she expected.
"Casey, you can be sure that Father hears our prayers; and like your mum, Father is anxiously awaiting our decision to accept His Son and come home to live with Him forever. Once you have accepted Jesus, no one can take that away from you and you become one of His children, in His extended family forever. Your future and your destiny is assured." TJ held out her hand to Casey. "Come and have some breakfast. The others are waiting. You can ask them questions, too."
Casey took TJ's hand and they walked out to breakfast together and as she entered the kitchen, Casey noticed the table was set with mouthwatering goodies. HJ and Ben had cooked pancakes and waffles and were eagerly awaiting Casey and TJ to join them. As Casey and TJ took their places at the table, the three bowed their heads and said a prayer of thanksgiving to Father for providing their food and for safety during the night. Ben waited for the womenfolk to take all the food they wanted and then helped himself. Casey stared in disbelief at Ben's manners.
"The men and boys at every institution I have ever been in always took the food first. If you waited, you’d miss out."
"Well, Casey, if a man can't treat a woman with respect then that man is no man at all, but is acting just like an animal. Father tells men to always look out for his womenfolk and treat them as the gentler partner, requiring great respect. The man's role is to protect and to provide and to give of himself unselfishly and to be accountable to Father for the welfare of his family."
Casey couldn't believe what she was hearing. "So... Father holds you responsible for my welfare?!"
"Exactly!" TJ broke in. "That’s why we have to respect Ben as the head of the family. He has to report directly to Father for our welfare."
"But where does that leave my choice?" Casey worried.
"Like Mum said, it all comes down to respect, Casey," HJ added. "I know my dad and he won't take my decision away from me, but I like to discuss my choice with him and ask for his help. If he’s dubious about something he will tell me so and tell me why he is dubious. He hasn't let me down yet and I know if he doesn't know, he will take it directly to Father, for His wisdom."
"Respect is so important in a relationship of any kind and especially, in a marriage. If a woman doesn’t respect a man, she will quickly despise him. If she despises him, then she won’t love him and then the whole thing falls into a heap. Ben's
job is to model that respect for us women so we learn what to look for in a life partner and how to act as a woman of God," TJ added, admiring her husband.
"Whoa! This is all foreign to me," Casey exclaimed.
"The men of the world don't respect women, Casey. That’s why so many girls get abused and mistreated," Ben chipped in.
"Like me…" Casey whispered.
"What would you prefer, Casey? To be loved, cherished and protected by your dad? Or go it alone and take your chances?"
Casey suddenly realised what she was hearing. Ben was offering to be her dad AND be accountable to a higher power for her welfare. A power that would hold him accountable for her treatment.
"I..I would like very much for you to be accountable to Father for me."
The cry went out, "Family hug!"
The three people around the table left their seats and gathered around Casey, engulfing her in a huge hug. Casey smiled and giggled; these people were nuts, but she was beginning to love their fun ways.
*~*~*~*
Chapter 21
Casey was lying face down on her bed, musing at her mum's girlie things. She had her head lying against Tabbie's old Bible and her feet were hanging lazily over the edge of the bed, deep in thought about the things she had learnt from Tabbie and the unusual respect and love that Ben, TJ and HJ had for one another. She missed Tabbie terribly, but being in her old room always reminded her of the connection and Tabbie's promise.
I’ll be waiting for you, my beautiful daughter.
Feeling warm and protected, Casey’s eyes began to close in lazy lethargy when Hannah-Jean appeared at the door and climbed onto the bed next to her.
"Hey, Casey, Mum and Dad would like to talk to us."
"Okay," Casey managed, shaking the sluggishness from her mind.
Casey and HJ ambled out into the kitchen and sat down at the table together, where Ben and TJ were already seated.
"Casey, these documents," Ben pointed to a large envelope on the table, "came today. They concern you and our family."
Casey appeared concerned. "What are they, Ben?"
"Just before your mum died, she organised for them to be sent out to us. But let's get one thing clear; they’ll only be binding if you decide you want to do this."
TJ could see Casey's concern and prodded Ben to put her out of her misery.
"They’re adoption papers," Ben explained with all seriousness.
Casey's eyes were wide. "Adoption papers? You mean… adoption papers?!" Casey struggled to get her mind around the idea.
"We, with your approval, want to officially become your parents and it means we will be legally responsible for you until you turn eighteen."
Casey was stunned. "My parents?!"
"If you decide to take us on as your parents and want to take the Brekman name, Tabbie has requested one thing…" Ben paused.
"Go on, Ben; don't tease her!" TJ chided.
"Tabbie has requested that you hyphenate your name and become Casey Brekman-Burns."
Casey couldn't believe what she was hearing. This was serious and these people weren't kidding.
She was speechless.
"Why would you want to do this?! I am not worthy of taking your name and you don't know my past," Casey worried.
"Casey, Father's love has nothing to do with acceptance because we are good, but because we have made mistakes in the past and we are sorry for our mistakes," TJ explained.
"He loves us, in spite of ourselves and we have to love others, in spite of their mistakes," HJ added.
"Tabbie knew your past and she loved you. That's good enough for us," Ben stated firmly. "You don't have to sign the papers today or even make a decision today, but we have to lodge the papers by the end of the month. Otherwise, Child Welfare can come in and take you away from us."
Casey remembered Tabbie's portrayal of Gwendolyn's story and the interference of Child Welfare in destroying Gwendolyn, and her own miserable encounter with the dreaded department. She nervously picked up the pen and searched for the place to sign the document.
Ben pointed out three places and explained exactly what she was signing. As her hand passed over the last signature box, TJ and then Ben countersigned the rest of the document before placing the record in a new envelope and sealing it. Hannah-Jean squealed with delight and jumped up and down, hugging Casey as she realised she was now officially her sister. Everyone stood around in a circle, also hugging Casey.
"Welcome to our family, Casey Brekman-Burns."
It was a strange feeling for Casey to finally have a family and belong to people who really wanted her and loved her, for no other reason than she was Casey.
"Casey, Ben and I are proud to call you our daughter," TJ announced. "You now officially have two mums and two dads."
Casey pondered TJ's statement... "Huh?!"
"You have Tabbie and me; and Ben and Father in Heaven."
"Oh!"
*~*~*~*
Hannah-Jean's eyes sparkled in the early morning light with mischievous intent and crept into Casey's room, shaking her awake. "Come on, it will be fun. I’ve already warned Mum and she’s up, doing the washing."
"HJ, I can't! Ben won't appreciate it."
"Listen, girl, are you a Brekman or not?"
"Yes, but…"
"But nothing. Let's go!"
Hannah-Jean pulled Casey by her hand and led her to the proposed crime scene, standing at the entrance to their parents' bedroom and with the door open as usual. TJ stole around the back with the camera and waited for the ambush to happen. Ben was fast asleep, until two small bodies descended onto him at lightning speed. TJ clicked the camera and the two girls screamed with absolute delight as Ben tussled and tickled them. Casey was enjoying the closeness and cuddles of a man who had her best interests at heart and was accountable to Father for her welfare.
For the first time in her life, she felt safe within the arms of a powerful man.
Ben was now her dad and she enjoyed the benefits of being a Brekman girl, as HJ so adequately put it. Like the respect and love they showed for each other, the ambush became another Brekman tradition. Casey was settling in fast with TJ and Ben, responding to their constant love and fun. She remembered again Tabbie's statement about being sent to Disneyland and her life was rapidly becoming stable. Casey was doing well at school, too and she and Hannah-Jean were best friends, as well as sisters.
Ben would often read from the Bible at meal times and explain what he read as they ate. Casey found herself being drawn into the words of Scripture and would often stump Ben with good, sensible questions, sending the big man searching through his books to find Casey an answer, while her thirst for knowledge of the Scriptures became insatiable.
TJ and Ben cried with delight when Casey finally found Jesus. She knelt at the kitchen table with Hannah-Jean, TJ and Ben leading her into Jesus' arms.
The cry went out, "Family hug!"
They all crowded around Casey and engulfed her in another Brekman tradition.
"You guys are nuts and I love you to bits," Casey voiced emotionally, teary eyed and holding the hands that held her.
"Sssh! Did you hear that?" Ben teased.
"What?" Casey asked of her new dad, finally feeling at peace with herself.
"I just heard Heaven cheering," Ben played.
Casey suddenly realised that her Heavenly Father had just answered the prayer she’d prayed with Tabbie and now would spend forever with her mum in a wonderful place. Casey longed for that day, but still some questions puzzled her.
*~*~*~*
Chapter 22
Lying awake into the night and thinking about Gwendolyn and Tabbie's unfinished story, Casey’s questions began to form in her mind and left no room for sleep. If Hannah and Bluey had only one child, which she thought was Tabbie, then where did TJ fit in? If TJ was their child, then where did Tabbie fit? The more she teased her thoughts the more confused she became. Both women claimed to be Hannah and Bluey's child
ren, and TJ said that Tabbie was her sister.
Where did Gwendolyn fit and why was it so hard for Mum to tell her story?
Granted, Gwendolyn's story was shocking from what Tabbie did tell her. Casey turned onto her side, rolling the blankets as she turned. TJ said her name was Tabatha-Jean. Casey thought that was Tabbie and now, TJ turns out to be someone else. She sighed and stared at the bedside clock illuminated in the dark, watching the red digital numbers changing minute by minute.
Her mind drifted back to her own mother, but she’d become a symbol of pain to Casey, in stark contrast to Tabbie. Casey smiled when she remembered the love Tabbie offered her and had unselfishly given of herself to a street rat, as her own mother had called her.
Casey's eyes grew heavy and she drifted off into an uneasy sleep.
*~*~*~*
"No, Mother! Don't hit me again!" her voice echoed in a deep, dark place, lifting her arm to deflect another blow.
"YOU USELESS CHILD! YOU'RE JUST LIKE YOUR FATHER! A NO-HOPER AND A STREET RAT!"
"Casey...! Casey, wake up!" a voice dragged her from her sleep. "You were having a nightmare, sweetie."
HJ could hear her moaning from her room next door and pulled Casey into her arms. Casey loved the way the Brekmans were always there when things got dark and the way they supported each other.
"Do you want to tell me about it, Casey?" Hannah-Jean comforted.
"It was just a dream about my past, Hannah-Jean. It isn't even worth giving breath to," Casey whispered.
Hannah-Jean was okay with Casey's decision. "Well, if that is the situation, Casey Brekman-Burns, it's ambush time!"
Casey's face lit up. She threw back the covers and hurriedly followed her sister out into the kitchen. They lined up Ben's large sleeping frame, gave a scream and jumped all over him.
*~*~*~*