That made him smile and relax his shoulders and I did the same. "I preached from Isaiah forty-four-twenty-two," he said.

It was automatic when I said, “I have swept away your offenses like a cloud. Your sins like the morning mist."

And it was automatic when Jeremy finished for me, “Return to me for I have redeemed you."

The awkwardness was gone now and so with a full smile on my face and in my heart, I could say, “I'm happy things are going well for you, Jeremy."

He hesitated for a moment before he took a step closer to me. "They'd be better if-"

I held up a hand, my palm in front of his face. "I'm here for the kids.”

From the look on his face, I could tell that he heard the words I didn’t say following I’m here for the kids — nothing more.

Dru and I were still in sync because that was the moment she and the kids stepped into our space with Jasmine and Jayden ecstatic about their Strawberries and Cream Frappuccino’s.

"Mom, Dad’s taking us to TGI Fridays. Are you coming?" Jayden asked.

"We're going to Fridays on a Sunday!" Jasmine laughed.

Jayden shook his head at his sister and I ruffled her hair that flowed to her shoulders in curls today.

I said, "No, Sweetie. This is Daddy time. But here’s what you came for.” Reaching into my purse, I handed his Nintendo to him. “We know you can’t live without it.”

“Thanks Mom,” Jayden said, and turning to Jeremy he said, “And thanks, Dad for bringing me to get it.”

“Of course, son.”

“Okay,” I said, “You guys get going. I’ll be at the hotel waiting on you guys, so just enjoy your dad."

Jeremy's eyes were filled with longing, his gaze, telling me he wanted me to be there to share their meal. But all he said was, “Okay, we’ll see you at the hotel in a few hours.” He turned to Dru. "Thanks for coming to the services. We miss you at New Kingdom."

I was glad to see the warmth in Dru’s smile. It had taken her a long time, longer than me, really. He'd hurt her best friend, but she did have the heart of Christ — it was time to forgive.

I said my goodbyes to my children with kisses and my ex-husband with one of those church hugs where our hips were miles away from each other, and then Dru and I watched Jasmine skip and Jayden and Jeremy stroll out.

When they were out of our sight, Dru sighed and turned to me. "Did I tell you how proud I am of you?”

"You’ve mentioned that a time or two.”

"You could've destroyed him."

"But I didn't want to, never wanted to."

"That's why you're my She-ro."