“That’s all?” Eli drew back and glanced at Kate. Her arms were crossed, her expression unreadable.
“It’s been a couple of weeks, Jonah,” Eli said. “You owe them updates. You should be sending them pictures, reassuring them Atlas is in good hands. You shouldn’t ignore them, son.”
“I’m not,” he shot back. “I don’t know what to say. I mean, their daughter died. Is it right to send pictures and say, ‘Look how cute your grandson is?’ That doesn’t feel right, either. I just don’t know what’s the right thing to do.”
“The right thing to do is not cut them off or antagonize or worry them. They have enough on their hearts right now.” Once again, Eli looked at Kate, expecting her to back him up.
But she remained silent, clearly deep in thought, wearing her most analytical expression.
Finally, she leaned forward. “How did they contact you?”
“They called.”
“So they’ve had your number,” she said, glancing at Eli. “If they were worried or antagonized, they would have called sooner. My guess is they’re using this time to get their legal ducks in a row.”
“Legal ducks?” Eli scoffed. “Their daughter was tragically killed. I’d be surprised if they made it out of bed or brushed their teeth every day.”
“Exactly,” Jonah said. “And I didn’t want to make it worse by sending pictures of Atlas.”
“It might make things better,” Eli said. “How did you leave it?”
“They want to see the baby.”
“All right,” he said, calm and deliberate. “Then we invite them, and we host them for as long as they like.”
Jonah blinked. “What?”
“They’re grieving,” Eli continued, feeling certain about this approach. They would offer hospitality, love, kindness, and peace. That was truly the faithful way to handle the situation, and God would bless them. “They just lost their daughter. And now they’re trying to understand where their grandson fits into their lives. We open the door. We show them love. That’s what Carly would’ve wanted.”
“They didn’t sound very… loving,” Jonah muttered.
“They don’t have to sound that way,” Eli said. “They’re scared. Angry. Hurting beyond description. Of course they have to come and stay here. Let them see Atlas is safe and loved and healthy. Do you want me to?—”
“They might try to take him,” Kate said flatly.
Eli turned toward her, blinking at the statement. “We don’t know that.”
“We don’t know that they won’t,” she replied. “You can’t just open this house to complete strangers.”
“They’re Atlas’s grandparents! They have as much right to love him as I do.”
“They want to take him from Jonah,” she countered. “They’ve said they would. What if they kidnap him in the middle of the night?”
Jonah sucked in a breath and Eli whipped around to look at him.
“Do you think they might?” he asked.
“I honestly don’t know them that well,” Jonah said. “I mean, I don’t think so but, you know, in their minds, I kidnapped Atlas.”
“You brought your motherless newborn to the safety of his extended family,” Eli replied firmly. “You hardly kidnapped him. There are no police at the door.”
Jonah blew a breath, looking from one to the other, scared and confused.
But Eli wasn’t confused. He knew exactly what to do. “We will give them the benefit of the doubt and treat the Danes family like our own.” He dropped his elbows on his knees and locked his gaze on Jonah to underscore his point. “Because theyarefamily, and they deserve respect and kindness.”
“Eli.” Kate took a breath, her tone cool as she put a hand on his arm. “I appreciate your good heart, but we have to be cautious and logical.”
“There’s nothing illogical about this family losing their daughter and wanting to see their grandson,” Eli said, feeling very much on the side of the other family in this. “It’s emotional and gut-wrenching.”
