Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21861 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 109(@200wpm)___ 87(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21861 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 109(@200wpm)___ 87(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
It took her a moment to understand what this meant.
Oh!
"You mean..."
The four Heart's Match wives nodded.
"But you all seem so..."
"Perfect for each other?"
"Yes!'
"If you only saw how Nicholas and I were at first," Tabitha said with a wrinkle of her nose, "when he thought I was more suitable for his son."
"Or Logan and me," Tilly said with a grin. "I started out as his nephew's nanny, you know."
Hope turned her face into the shower spray, letting water sluice away the day's makeup. Their stories had reassured her in ways she hadn't realized she needed. The unusual beginning of her relationship with Colin wasn't a flaw to be overcome or a secret to be hidden, but simply the first chapter in a continuing story.
All of this, God. It's because of You. Only You.
The shower door opened behind her, cool air briefly interrupting the steam before Colin's warm presence filled the space. His hands settled at her waist, lips finding the sensitive spot where her neck met her shoulder.
"Happy birthday," he murmured against her skin, the warm water creating rivulets between their bodies.
Hope leaned back against him, accepting his solid strength. "Thank you," she whispered, steam swirling around them in delicate patterns.
Colin gently guided her toward the built-in marble ledge at the far end of the spacious shower, sitting down and drawing her onto his lap. Water cascaded over them both, catching the light in diamond-like droplets against his bronzed skin. His hands settled at her waist, thumbs tracing small circles that felt both comforting and intimate.
Her husband looked down at her, his dark eyes softening as they met hers through the misty air, his gaze questioning. It was obvious he had sensed instinctively that it wasn't just the party she was being grateful for, and just this inexplicable connection alone...
Even this was a gift from God, Hope thought, and speaking of gifts...
"Thank you," she whispered again, droplets clinging to her eyelashes as she blinked up at him.
"For what, kyria?" His voice was low, barely audible above the steady rhythm of water against tile.
"For being in this journey with me." She was already crying even before she finished speaking, her tears mingling with the shower spray streaming down her cheeks, her heart feeling so full as the loveliest memories played in her mind. Colin saying yes to praying with her. And later on, Colin reading the Bible on his own. And her husband even being the first to wake up to have quiet time with God.
Colin brushed wet strands of hair from her face, the tenderness in his touch making her heart clench.
"I love you, Hope."
"I love you, too," she sobbed, her hands finding purchase on his slick shoulders, "and I love you so much more because of how you love God, too."
"Ah." Steam curled around his smile, softening the strong lines of her husband's face.
"W-Who knew I'd be such a big crybaby at this age, r-right?" She attempted a laugh, the sound echoing softly in their sanctuary of glass and marble.
"I think it's cute," her husband said gravely, water droplets catching in his dark lashes as he studied her face, "but if I may ask for one thing..."
Hope perked up at this. Finally! Colin had never asked her for anything while she was always so excited and eager to give him everything. "What is it?"
"I think we need to pray that you don't cry so easily." His hands tightened slightly at her waist, the shower's steady stream creating a private cocoon around them.
Oh. Okay. Really?
She tried not to sound disappointed as she asked, "That's it? Really?"
"It's of the utmost importance."
"Why?" Hope struggled not to worry and overthink as she waited for his answer.
"Because it's clear you haven't noticed..." His gaze traveled slowly over her face, his expression softening further as water traced paths between them.
Oh no.
It was really getting harder and harder not to worry now. Had Colin suddenly realized he could have married someone younger and prettier and—no, wait, she wasn't allowed to think that, was she? Colin was no longer the old Colin. Colin was—
"The changes in you..."
Had she gotten fatter? Uglier? What changes could he be—-
"You, my beautiful wife, are pregnant."
—joking about?
She was about to laugh when their gazes collided through the steam, and her smile faded while her heart raced.
Oh, my Lord...
She and Colin were having a baby?
Was there no end to how wonderful life could be, truly?
Why was God so, so good?
The End