Saved for Ben: A Growing Family

By Jacquelyn B. Smith

This is the sixth book in the series. Ben and Wanda Davis and their growing family continue to serve their community. As parents and entrepreneurs, they seek help with family responsibilities, as they grow the family empire. His siblings, David and Mary, continue on their quest to discover all that God ha

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jacquelyn B Smith
• Release date: Apr 11, 2024
• ISBN: 9781964097114

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Copyright ©2024 by Jacquelyn B Smith.

ISBN 978-1-964097-10-7 (softcover)

ISBN 978-1-964097-11-4 (ebook)

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual locales, events, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Printed in the United States of America.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Help Is on the Way!

Chapter 2. The Lifesaver

Chapter 3. Meeting Jeremy

Chapter 4. Meeting the Family

Chapter 5. Undiscovered Love

Chapter 6. New Family Addition

Chapter 7. Labor Day Weekend 1983

Chapter 8. Café Celebration

Chapter 9. The Medical Report

Chapter 10. Welcome Home

Chapter 11. A Familiar Face

Chapter 12. Christmas Presents and Promises

Chapter 13. Christmas JOY! Jesus, Others, and Yourself

Chapter 14. Getting Ready for the New Year

Chapter 1

Help Is on the Way!

Little Ben’s second birthday party was a success. He enjoyed his day and was shown love by all. All the family, which included Wanda’s parents, Uncle Robert and Auntie Charlene, David and Dee, Mary, and Mom. Of course, friends James, Pam, and Ms. Bessie were invited. A few of the neighbors including Mrs. Boatwright and two couples from the church also attended. Mary entertained the six toddlers with balloons and water games. The food was delicious, and Wanda cooked enough for everyone to take home leftovers. When everyone was not showing love to little Ben, they were adoring the twins. Faith and Charity made their grand appearance to all. Everyone loved on the twins and took their turn holding the beautiful bundles of joy.

The next day was Sunday. Wanda was up early cooking breakfast. This would be the first day that the entire family left the house at one time. The twins were now seven weeks old. Their one-month-old appointment with the pediatrician went well. They were gaining weight and growing. Their hearing and vision screenings were fine. The two-month-old appointment would be in one week. But today, everyone was going to church as a family. Wanda had matching outfits laid out for the kids. Sunday school started at ten o’clock and church service was at eleven o’clock. At 7:30 a.m., little Ben woke up hungry as usual. Wanda had already breastfed the twins and was setting the table.

Little Ben ran in the room and greeted, Good morning, Mommy!

Wanda bent down and gave her two-year-old son a big hug and replied, Good morning, Ben! Did you sleep well?

Confused, little Ben said, Uh! I sleep!

Wanda laughed and explained, Well, that’s an indication that you slept well!

Little Ben exclaimed, I help!

Passing little Ben each plate to put on the table, Wanda smiled and said, Thank you!

Ben walked into the dining area with both twins in his arms and greeted, Good morning!

Wanda took Charity from him and said, Good morning, sweetheart. I tried to let you sleep later.

Ben laughed and said, I know. Thank you!

Little Ben said, Good morning, Daddy. I help!

Ben hugged his son and said, I can see. You’re a great helper.

Everyone sat down and enjoyed breakfast. Ben and little Ben cleaned up the kitchen while Wanda got the twins ready for church. After the kitchen was cleaned, Ben washed little Ben off and brushed his teeth good. Everything was going according to schedule until Faith threw up her breakfast. Unfortunately, Wanda had to clean her again. Then she decided that she wanted them both to wear matching outfits, so she had to change Charity’s clothes too. At 9:40 a.m., the entire family was finally ready for Sunday school. It took another ten minutes to secure the three kids in their car seats.

Driving out of the driveway, Ben stated, I need a nap now. The last two hours have been hectic.

Wanda laughed and agreed, Yes, it has. I’m sure we’ll get used to this. It’s not easy getting three small children ready to go anywhere.

Ben commented, I know that you plan to develop a workout routine to get back into prebaby shape. I want to work out with you, but we’ll need someone to watch the children.

Wanda said, I’ve been thinking about that too. Do you have any ideas?

Ben replied, What do you think about Ms. Bessie helping maybe three mornings a week?

Wanda answered, That would be great. I think the other ladies can handle Mrs. Boatwright now.

Ben agreed, I think so too. We can talk to her after church.

***

Sunday school and church service were very good. Everyone was happy to see the Davis family back. Everyone oohed and awed over the twins and little Ben. After church, Ben and Wanda were able to pull Ms. Bessie aside.

Ben complimented, Ms. Bessie, you have done a great job with Mrs. Boatwright.

Ms. Bessie replied, It’s been my pleasure. She’s doing well.

Wanda stated, We know that you have experience raising children. Would you be interested in helping us with our children?

Ms. Bessie smiled and replied, That would be an honor. What did you have in mind?

Ben stated, We were thinking initially, maybe you can come three days or mornings a week. We can schedule our meetings, appointments, and workouts during that time.

Ms. Bessie said, That sounds great. Would I be able to continue to oversee the ladies that care for Mrs. Boatwright?

Wanda answered, Yes, we still need that. We don’t want to overwhelm you, so if you need to hire an additional person to help with Mrs. Boatwright, that would be fine.

Ben agreed, Yes. Also, if you find that the children are too much for you, we can figure something else out!

Ms. Bessie said, That sounds great. When would you like for me to start?

Wanda suggested, Tomorrow would be great. We can start with eight o’clock to twelve noon.

Ms. Bessie said, I appreciate the opportunity to help you. I’ll see you tomorrow.

Ms. Bessie hugged the couple then walked to her car. Ms. Bessie’s last employer had given her a car. The car was about ten years old; it had a few problems. Right after Grandpa died, Ben paid the auto shop to repair all that was malfunctioning with the car and installed new tires. Ben also paid for regular maintenance and any repairs that were needed. Ms. Bessie was very appreciative.

After Ben and Wanda had secured their children safely in their car seats, Ben said, The twins are hungry. We need to get home so, you can breastfeed them.

Wanda agreed, I know. Little Ben is hungry too. I ordered a breast pump three weeks ago. It should be here soon. That will give me some flexibility. I can pump the milk then freeze it. Then the babies can be fed with a bottle anywhere.

Ben said, That’s a great idea. You’re always on top of everything.

Wanda smiled and replied, I try. I also put a chicken in the crockpot with some potatoes, carrots, and green beans before we left for church. So dinner will be ready when we get home. I just have to cook some bread.

Ben said, You take great care of us. Thanks!

Wanda complimented, You take great care of us too! You’re a wonderful husband and father.

Ben smiled.

Little Ben said, Daddy, I hungry!

Ben said, We’re almost home. I think you can wait a little while longer, but we will be eating soon.

Little Ben asked, Snack?

Wanda answered, No snack. We will have lunch. You can have a snack later.

At that time, Faith started to cry, which made Charity cry.

Little Ben complained, Mommy, too loud!

Ben laughed and said, Yes, Ben, it’s loud right now. Soon your sisters won’t cry like this.

Little Ben asked, Today?

Wanda laughed and encouraged, No, not today, but soon!

Ben drove a little faster to get home. When they entered the house, Wanda quickly fed the twins. Ben laid out play clothes for Ben to put on and changed clothes himself.

Little Ben said, Daddy, I cook!

Ben laughed and said, You can help set the table. Dinner is ready.

Ben and little Ben set the table. Wanda put one of the bassinettes in the dining area. Her plan was to put one baby in the bassinette while she breastfed the other. She used one of the cloth diapers to drape over her breast while the baby fed.

Ben suggested, We don’t need corn bread. We can eat these dinner rolls.

Wanda laughed and agreed, That’s much quicker!

Little Ben was hungry. He ate all his chicken, potatoes, carrots, and green beans. After the twins were asleep, little Ben played with his LEGOS. Ben and Wanda ate dinner.

Ben said, I have a meeting with the Macon store manager tomorrow. I can take Ben with me.

Wanda suggested, He can stay home. Ms. Bessie is coming tomorrow, so it’ll be good for her to get used to all the kids at home.

Ben said, I’m glad that she agreed to help. We need to figure out how much more to pay her.

Wanda agreed, You’re right. I have no idea. I’ll call Timothy tomorrow and ask him to research the going rate for an in-home childcare provider.

Ben said, Timothy is a great accountant, project manager, and so much more. He will help us determine a fair wage. I don’t want to pay her like she’s just babysitting.

Wanda agreed, You’re right. I expect her to take care of our children, just like we would, not just watch them until we get home.

Ben stated, You’re right. She’ll be like a nanny.

Wanda smiled and said, That’s right, a nanny! I found an identifying mark on Charity.

Ben asked, Are you talking about the mark on her right thigh?

Wanda said, Yes. Faith does not have that mark!

Ben laughed and said, I saw it this morning. It looks like an apple!

Wanda laughed and agreed, You’re right, it does!

After lunch, Wanda put little Ben down for a nap. She and Ben sat in the living room and watched the 1983 Miss Black America pageant. It had aired on little Ben’s birthday. Wanda recorded it using the video cassette recorder (VCR).

Wanda asked, Do you think, there will be a time when we won’t have a black pageant and a white pageant?

Ben answered, I think so. That still falls under the separate but equal premise. I feel some blacks can compete equally with their white counterparts. However, these separate opportunities allow our people a chance to be recognized for their talents. I’m not against them.

Wanda said, I agree. I also feel that one day soon, our people will have more opportunities to compete in whatever contest they want and win! One day, we may have a black president!

Ben laughed and said, That would be amazing.

The doorbell rang. Ben quickly went to open the door. Mary, his sister, was standing there.

Mary greeted, Hi. What are you doing?

Ben replied, Nothing. Come on in.

Mary hugged her brother and sister-in-law.

Wanda complimented, Mary, you look beautiful. Where are you headed?

Mary replied, I have a date!

Ben exclaimed, I can’t believe, you have a date. Who?

Mary laughed and said, There’s a guy that attends the University of Georgia with me. I gave him my phone number before I left for summer break. He called last night and said his family had been in California since May. We’re having dinner in Macon.

Surprised, Wanda said, You said yes! You’ve been saying no to every young man who asked you out!

Mary agreed, I know! A few years ago, you said that I would say yes to the right one. He’s a nice guy. He’s from Atlanta. He’ll also be a senior in August. His major is Business. His parents own a marketing firm in Atlanta. He has a younger sister, who will be attending Georgia State University in the fall.

Ben inquired, Are you driving to Macon to meet him?

Mary answered, Yes. I feel better about that. If I don’t like how the date is going, I can leave.

Wanda laughed.

Ben complimented, You look fantastic!

Wanda asked, Where will you meet him?

Mary replied, The Dovetail! The restaurant where we celebrated Ben getting his master’s degree.

Ben exclaimed, That’s a nice restaurant, and it’s not cheap!

Mary said, Yes, I know. That’s why I suggested it.

Wanda laughed and said, Mary, you told me that you had certain standards that you were looking for in a man. Don’t settle!

Mary said, I won’t. I’ve waited this long. I can wait some more if he’s not the one. I would rather be alone than with the wrong man.

Ben stated, I know that you can take care of yourself. Before you leave to come back, please give us a call. Do you still have your long-distance calling card?

Mary answered, Yes I do! I’ll call you!

Wanda asked, What did Mom say when you told her you had a date?

Mary replied, She asked the same questions that you did and said that she would be praying for me to have a nice time.

Ben asked, What’s this guy’s name?

Mary replied, Jeremiah Peterson! Everyone calls him Jeremy.

Wanda asked, Do his parents own the Peterson Marketing Firm in Atlanta?

Surprised, Mary said, Yes! You know them?

Wanda said, No. I don’t know them. I know of them. In one of my business classes, I had to do an analysis of a small or medium company. I chose them. They have been in business for over twenty years and have several high-profile companies and celebrities that they do marketing for. I think the company is worth about fifty million dollars.

Mary remarked flippantly, Then he can afford to take me to the Dovetail.

Ben laughed.

Mary said, I have to go. I’m supposed to meet him at six o’clock.

Wanda encouraged, Be careful and have a good time.

Ben reminded, Don’t forget to call us!

After Mary left, Ben said, Of course, I knew this day was coming, but I’m not ready for Mary to date!

Wanda laughed and said, "I can understand that. She’s your younger sister, who you’ve protected and taken care of. Well, eighteen years from now, you’ll be saying the same thing about Charity