Two.
At least she knew there were two.
Whisked away the next day to spend time with Aunt Beth in the south. Out of town. Out of sight. Out of…mind.
Except for Joseph, that is. Guilt-ridden, he found an excuse to make a woodshop delivery almost every day that took him by the home of Mary’s parents. He longed for just one glimpse of her. And hoped that he would not see her! What did he want, lonely safety or risky togetherness?
Week after week after week passed by. He began to lose weight. His clothes hung loosely on his sparse frame. Conflict drove him. Drove him away from others. Drove him to his knees. Night after night. Less and less talk, more and more listening.
One night-
An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20 NIV.
The next morning, fresh air and a fresh attitude gave a new spring to his step. Confident in his decision, Joseph marched up to the front door and knocked discreetly. Asking for Mary’s father, he shared his night’s dream and begged her father to let him resume his betrothal. The positive response ringing in his ears, he lengthened his stride as he continued past the house.
Suddenly, he sees her against the back fence. Hands and face raised to the morning sun, glowing with health, her figure gently blossoming with motherhood.
Hearing his step, she turns and her face breaks into a wide smile!
“It’s true!” she said, “even Aunt Beth knows!”
“And I know,” he whispered to her in his arms, “I know! His Son will be my son, our son!”
And then there were three.