Chapter 7

After Joseph's acceptance of God's child. The whole family had been called together for a meeting on how to go about with the whole situation on ground. Joseph's father and mother had arrived from Nazareth and had come to Pennsylvania. Mary's pregnancy had began to show and whispers could be heard everywhere of how a missionaries daughter could be pregnant.

'The whole town has been talking about Mary for the past one week and there's nothing we can do about that!' Mr Abraham said as they discussed the issue.

'I suggest that they get married as soon as possible.' Joseph's father had chipped in. The word as soon as possible struck them hard as Mary and Joseph had not thought about getting married anytime soon.

'That isn't possible, no they can't do that. She's just sixteen and still needs to be around me at all times.' Mary's mother was definitely on the edge and had lost all hope of taking care of her daughter. The thought of her brothers not having an elder sister to take care of them, not having Mary to cuddle them when they are to sleep. 'Who will take care of her? Obviously not Joseph, he's still taking care of himself. Oh Lord this isn't right, not my baby.'

She had walked out of the meeting and hadn't come out of her room for days.

The meeting ended up with a decision that Mary and Joseph be married when they are legal. The whole situation was making her family fall apart. Making her fall apart.

$$$$

A few days after the elders of the church called upon Mary and Joseph alongside her parents.

'We heard about the pregnancy' He looked down at Mary's tummy as if to get confirmation. 'And I can see that it is true. She is pregnant.'

She's a disgrace to the church. She's not worthy of having any position in the church. The child she carries is a bastard. Yank her off her position, make her pay for her wrong doings

A dark voice filled the air. It was obvious they were not alone. Mary looked down and held unto Joseph's hand.

'We are surprised that you could have involved yourselves in the highest sin possible against your bodies. You being in the choir, you are a disappointment to everyone in your department.'

Mary looked up and gave the Elder a bloodshot look. They didn't know anything about her and yet here they were telling her she was a disappointment. She was carrying the savior of the world. The son of God who will save this world and save her from the clutches of the society.

'You'd be suspended till you give birth to this child and you'd have to leave the choir department for a time being.' The church was meant to be an Haven for those who had lost their path, not to yank her off her position in the church.

'Is there anything you'd like to say before we bring an end to this meeting?'

Mary stood up and greeted the elders. 'Take you for having us today. First of all I'd like to bless God for today and for giving me this baby.' Joseph looked at Mary and knew exactly what she was about to do. 'Secondly, I thought the church was meant to take care, embrace those who went off the path of God and ended up messed up. You intend to yank me off my position in the church and you think that would do me good?' She took a deep breath and got ready for what she was about to say. These people were going to accept her and her baby by all means possible. 'This child I am carrying is not by an unclean act of fornication and I hope you would all see that someday. This child will be the glory of the world.' Mary sat down feeling achieved. She placed her hand on her tummy and sat down.

She has gone mad. A bastard being the glory of the world? She seems to have lost her mind. Make her pay for her blasphemy.

The Elder looked at Mary's parents and shook their head. 'Your daughter has shown the highest disrespect of all times. How dare she talk to me like that. I hope you know how to put her in control before she behaves more unruly.'

Her parents apologized and walked out in shame. They had lectured her on they way back home. Their daughter had taken the rough part in dealing with her pregnancy.

$$$$

Two months after, Mary had received several calls from her friends telling her about their choice of school. June and Janet had gone to Oxford University. Thomas was on his way to complete his admission to Conerstone University. Elizabeth had decided to wait a year and find a trade to do. Mary could have been on her way to university and pursuing her parents dream of becoming a lawyer. She had always dreamt of becoming a psychiatrist. The way the human mind worked fascinated every inch of hair that stood on her back. She had a new dream now;To be with Joseph and to love him exceedingly, to love the child God had blessed her with. As she looked outside the window and imagined loosing the child she had formed an inseparable bond with, she couldn't place a feeling to it. This child already had life and had started performing wonders in her life. Things she would never wish for in a lifetime.