Love Beyond The Rite

Chapter 18

Elijah

As the sun began to set, Benjamin, Jacob, Zachariah, and I finished our farm work for the day. The wind had made it a grueling day, but I was relieved to be heading back to the house.

My mind wandered to Ember, who would be joining us for dinner tonight. A little worried as She hasn’t been around our culture in ten years. wondered if she still remembered our ways. Would my family welcome her back with open arms?

A flutter of anxiety stirred in my chest. Did anyone else know about my carnal knowledge with Ember? How would she react to seeing my daughters, but no wife? The thought sent a pang of guilt through me.

I pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on the present. Dinner would be a time for reconnection, not confrontation. I hoped.

I made my way upstairs to change out of my work clothes. As I put on my white shirt, black pants and suspenders anxiety coursed through me. Everything will be fine I tell myself.

Walking downstairs into the kitchen, I was met with a warm, inviting scene. Ember, surrounded by my sisters, was expertly chopping vegetables, her simple dress accentuating her curves. The sight sent a flutter through my chest, and I couldn't help but notice the a little stiffness to my c*ck, she was stunning.

Her presence, so natural and effortless, stirred something deep within me. I felt a rush of emotions, a mix of nostalgia and longing. My sisters, oblivious to my distraction, continued their lively conversation, while Ember's eyes sparkled as she worked.

My girls' faces lit up as they spotted me entering the room. "Papa! We missed you!" they exclaimed, rushing to envelop me in a warm hug.

Lydia, always the curious one, asked, "Have you met Emmy? She's so nice!"

I chuckled, a mix of nostalgia and pride swirling within me. "Yes, I know Emmy very well. I met her when I was your age, maybe even before that. I agree, she is nice," I replied, smiling.

Ember's eyes met mine, a hint of surprise and curiosity flickering within them. I could sense her wondering about my relationship with my daughters.

Everyone in the room seemed to be smiling.

"Ember's helping us with dinner," Lydia said, tugging on my hand. "She's really good at chopping veggies."

I smiled, impressed. "I'm sure she is. Ember always had a way with things."

Ember's cheeks flushed slightly, and she returned to her task, her hands moving deftly.

The kitchen grew quiet, filled only with the sounds of sizzling meat and simmering vegetables. My daughters chattered excitedly, while Ember and I exchanged occasional glances.

My brothers and nephews, now freshly changed, took their seats, and the room fell into a comfortable silence. Dinner was almost ready, and everyone began to take their places, preparing for the traditional pre-meal prayer.

As each person greeted Ember with a warm smile, my heart swelled with nostalgia. Benjamin, Jacob, and Zachariah welcomed her in again with open arms, their faces lighting up with genuine interest.

"Hello, Ember," Benjamin said, his voice filled with warmth. "It's great to see you again."

Ember's smile radiated kindness, and she returned their greetings, her eyes sparkling with delight.

God, I have missed this, I thought, feeling a sense of peace wash over me. The familiarity of this moment, the warmth of my family's love, and the gentle presence of Ember all combined to create a sense of homecoming.

I noticed Ember look around the room, looking for someone? Everyone was in their place. Father at the head of the table, mother on the right. Us siblings following suit by ages, boys on right and girls on the left. Zachariah with his two almost teenage sons. My daughters next to me and Ember sitting next to my mother and Mary both directly in front of me.

She looked over by the girls with a look of wonder on her face.

Before I could question it father started prayer.

“Dear Heavenly Father, we thank thee for this food, for the blessings of our family, and for the bounty of the earth. Bless our hands that prepared this meal, and our hearts that share it. Amen."

It’s been about a month since I first saw Ember again. She looks a little healthier, still frail but better than she did. More color in her cheeks.

I knew Mother had prepared some of Ember's childhood favorites tonight to make her feel welcome. Noodles and chicken, it had been Ember's requested birthday dinner as a child, always followed by a decadent sugar cream pie. I watched closely as Ember ate, hoping she would consume most of it to regain some much-needed strength.

But as I observed her, I noticed something that unsettled me. Ember was taking tiny bites, eating with an unnatural slowness. Her usual hearty appetite had given way to a hesitant, almost fearful, approach to food. It was as if she was savoring each morsel, yet struggling to swallow.

I felt a pang of concern. Ember's eating habits had changed dramatically since her return. She would pick at her food, pushing it around her plate without finishing. Her eyes would dart nervously, as if she was waiting for someone to judge her.

I couldn't understand it. Ember had always loved food, had always eaten with such joy and abandon. What had happened to her? Why was she struggling with something as basic as eating?

I gave Mary a subtle nudge under the table, trying to convey my concern without drawing attention. She looked up at me, and I had her eyes follow my glance at Ember, who was eating with an unnatural slowness.

Mary's expression softened, and she seemed to notice my worry. She tried to make Ember feel more at ease, attempting to lighten the mood.

"Mother, this is really good! I might have to have seconds!" Mary exclaimed, her laughter infectious. "Emmy, eat up before I eat it all!"

Ember forced a smile, but her eyes betrayed her distress. I watched, feeling helpless, as Mary continued to try and coax Ember into eating more.

The table fell silent as Father cleared his throat, his eyes fixed on Ember. "So, Ember, what have you been up to? What kind of work are you doing these days?"

Ember's hands paused mid-bite, and she looked up, her eyes meeting Father's. "I'm a graphic designer, Father. I work freelance, taking on projects that interest me."

Benjamin's eyes lit up. "That's amazing! What kind of projects do you work on?"

Ember smiled, launching into a detailed explanation of her design work. The men at the table listened intently, their faces filled with genuine interest.

I watched, feeling a mix of emotions. It was good to see Ember connecting with the family, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I wanted to force feed her.

Father nodded thoughtfully, his eyes sparkling with interest. "That's fascinating, Ember. You know, some of our Amish businesses might be interested in your services. We've been looking for someone with your skills to help with our marketing materials."

Benjamin chimed in, "Yeah, and our quilting shop could use a graphic designer to create some new logos and branding."

Ember's eyes widened, clearly intrigued. "Really? That sounds like a great opportunity. I'd love to discuss it further."

I watched, feeling a sense of hope. Maybe this was the start of something positive for Ember.

Father leaned forward, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "We could set up a meeting with the business owners and discuss potential projects. I'm sure they'd be interested in hearing your ideas."

Ember nodded, a smile spreading across her face. "That sounds wonderful. Thank you, Mr.Toyer."

Benjamin added, "We could also use your help with our website. It's been a bit outdated for years."

The conversation continued, with the family discussing potential projects and collaborations. Ember's excitement grew, and I could see the tension in her shoulders begin to ease.