Total pages in book: 19
Estimated words: 16684 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16684 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
"I want a family; that's what I really want. And speaking of no problems, my dad wants me to take over his business. He's been talking about it; he was saying it last night. I have a job here in town, and ...."
"Really?" she says. "You could stay in Briar Valley?"
"It seems like a nice place to raise a family. After all, it's where we grew up, and we turned out all right."
She laughs. "I feel like most love stories have some sort of conflict. Like every book I've read or movie I've watched, there's some big horrible scene that happens that pushes everyone apart and ...."
"Stop it," I repeat. "We don't have to be like any other story. We're ours: Silas and Miracle. That can be it. That can be everything."
"I love you," she says. Then she starts laughing. "I actually love you. I've been thinking about you forever, and then all of a sudden, here you are, and here I am. And here, it's like our whole life just unfolded for us, just like that.”
“Let's not say no,” I tell her. “Let's say yes all the way to the altar."
"Okay," Miracle says. "I do."
EPILOGUE
MIRACLE
One year later…
Silas and I got married in a wedding at the church. Our families were there, and so were our friends, and it was beautiful, and I wore a big white dress. It was quick, right after we were engaged, the fourth week of January. I was pregnant by the time we walked down the aisle.
We laughed, eating our wedding cake and toasting with glasses of sparkling apple cider to our future.
When we looked for a house, we found a perfect home in the heart of town. It had three bedrooms and a big kitchen. Enough space for me and Silas and …our twins.
Because yes, we didn't just have one baby; we had two perfect baby girls.
And now it's our first Christmas together in the house. The babies are sleeping, and Silas and I are sitting underneath the Christmas tree, remembering last year. "I can't believe they're both sleeping at one time," he says.
I laugh. "I know, but you haven't even opened your Christmas present."
"You didn't have to get me a present. You literally gave me my dream come true this year. We got married. We had our babies. Amber and Rose are the most beautiful little girls in the whole wide world."
"I know, but still," I say, handing a box to him. "You gave me this ring last Christmas, and I gave you nothing."
"You gave me more than nothing last year," Silas laughs. “You gave me your virginity.”
I giggle. "Oh my gosh. We were ridiculous. Weren't we?”
“We were happy, and we were young."
"We still are." I smile. "I love that we just went all in."
"Me too," he says, untying the red ribbon on the gold wrapping paper. He peels open the box. "What is it?"
I squeeze my eyes shut, knowing he's going to scream.
"Oh my word," he says, pulling the test stick out of the box. "We're pregnant?"
I laugh. "Yep, we did it. Another baby or two, who knows?"
"We're pretty lucky considering we got pregnant the first time we tried."
Silas runs his hands over me, pulling me to him. "The babies are still sleeping in their room," he says, "which means…"
I smile. "Which means you should ravish me under the Christmas tree before my belly's too big for it."
He smiles. "How did we get so lucky?"
"I think it's because we're doing what our hearts are saying for us to do. We're not scared of anyone or anything. We're just going all in with our deepest desires. I think that's what gives someone a happy life."
"That, and you pray every damn day," he says.
"Yeah, I guess maybe we have some angels on our side too, looking out for us."
"I love you Miracle," Silas says. He undresses me slowly, tugging my nightgown up over my shoulders and off my head. My breasts are full of milk, and he's gentle with me. Soft.
"Are you feeling okay?" he asks. "How long have you known?"
"Just a few days."
"A few days," he says, leaning me down on my back, placing a pillow behind my head. The floor is carpeted and soft, and we're alone in the living room. The blinds are drawn. He tugs off his pajama pants, and then his hard length is before me, and I run my hands over it. More comfortable now. Familiar. This man of mine is my husband, my lover, my best friend, the father of my children. I close my eyes, amazed at the miracle of our life.
"I love you," I whisper.
"My mom is going to be over the moon," he tells me.
"And my dad and my sisters, everybody is going to be so happy for us."
That's one thing about this year: Silas and I declaring our love and making a family has brought everyone so much joy. It's made me so sure in my decision to follow my heart and leave the convent.