Redemption

Chapter 21

Austin

"Pops," I call as I step into the basement, slipping into the home gym he's built down here. From barbells, to racks, benches and kettlebells, he's got it all down here. He's squatting at the bar but he racks the weight on he has on his shoulders upon hearing me. His face glistens with sweat and it's obvious he's been here for a while. He's wearing his usual garb of shorts and a sleeveless shirt that reveals muscles, showing his hard work.

"Austin," he turns to the speakers beside the rack, turning down a podcast on theology he was listening to. Pops turns back to me, approaching me with a smile, but then he stops, studying me, noticing something.

"You alright?" I open my mouth to answer yes, but that's not what I end up saying.

"I...the Lord, Pops. He's got me. He always had me." His eyes widen and he moves to me, taking hold of my shoulders and looking at me. He's silent and I see how his eyes swim.

"What?" he asks. "Austin...what is it you're saying?" He knows, but he just wants to make sure.

"God had me all along, and I just saw that. I was just blind before. That was the only thing that I needed to see to look back to Him, Pops. I-" my breath catches as I think back to last night and my eyes sting with fresh tears. It took something huge to open my eyes. The Lord was watching over me—He even reached out to Rose to save me.

"He's been right here beside me the whole time. He's been faithful to me," my words catch. "I had to ask for forgiveness. He didn't give me what I thought I needed, He gave me what He knew I needed, and more. Seeing that now...I can't help but turn to Him-I can't help but turn to Christ." He's silent for a moment more and his mouth quivers a bit before he wraps me in a bear hug.

"I've been waiting for this day, Austin. We've been praying for you and waiting for you to come back home. We've always-" his voice shakes a bit. "We've always kept our hearts open to the fact that you may come back. We trusted the Lord to take care of you either way, and He did."

He did.

"I-," he stops and pulls back to look me in the eyes. "I want to rush off to share this with the others, but where are you on that?" It's a good question. Once I announce it now, I'll be moving forward with this. There's no going back anymore. But that's alright, I don't want to go back anymore.

I smile. "I'd love that," I say. He grins, swiping at his wet eyes before throwing an arm around me as we make our way upstairs.

"Joe, what is going on?" Aunty asks after we've rounded everyone up in the library. It's only eight in the morning so I don't blame them as they look at us with tired expressions, questions on their faces. I notice though that Rose looks like she hasn't slept at all.

"Whatever it is, it must be important for him to wake us up like this," Nova says, slumping onto the couch her mother sits on and placing her head on her shoulder. Ty stares at me in silence, studying me. His eyebrow lifts as if to ask if it's about me and I nod. He frowns at first, taking in my expression before adopting a curious one.

Pops walks over to Aunty, kissing her before pressing a kiss to Nova's head as well. He beckons Ty and Rose closer and has them all hover near the couch before kissing their heads in excitement.

"Dad," Ty playfully groans in annoyance, only causing him to cheese more. Aunty watches him, her brows knitting together as she sees how giddy he is.

"Joe?" she questions but he shakes his head, turning his eyes to me. One by one they all look at me as I step away, standing in front of them. Nova sits up and looks back at her dad, frowning lightly.

"What's going on?" she asks tentatively. With what happened yesterday, I don't blame her. I give a reassuring smile and take a breath, reveling in the contrast in how I feel. No, things aren't perfect, but there's a peace within me and it's unlike anything I've felt recently. My situation hasn't changed, but my perspective has.