Forever Mine Final Chapter- As sure as the Dawn

One year ago…

Anse Georgette

Praslin island, Seychelles

The night was clear. Stars lit up the dark velvety sky, their ethereal glow casting a silver sheen alongside the pale crescent moonlight. The island was at peace, like an oasis of tranquility. The tamed palm vegetation around rustled in hushed tones as the wind blew. The air was fresh, like it came directly from God’s breath.

Abigail stood at the shoreline, watching the clear ocean sleep. Its waves seemed tired, barely reaching the shoreline. She stood, barefoot in the sand, allowing the gentle breeze play with her hair and satin night dress. The symphony of the night held her spellbound. Nature was indeed beautiful.

She shut her eyes and breathed in the fresh air, emptying her mind of whatever cares she bore. It was their honeymoon. No other thoughts were permitted to invade her mind. This was a dream she never wanted to wake up from. But yet, that was what troubled her the most. The very fact that all of this could just slip away in an instant plagued her heart.

After all, life was fickle and fleeting. Nothing good ever really lasted, nothing ever really went as planned. There were no guarantees in this broken world. Time and time again, she had experienced the elusive nature of good things. Why should she believe that this dream was any different?

Did anything good really last in this fallen world? In a reality, where everything was doomed to meet an end, could love truly boast of a ‘forever’? Could it be as sure as the dawn? Could it break forth when the inevitable night that our own humanity brings upon ourselves comes?

Strong arms curled around her waist from behind, pulling her briefly from her deep soliloquy. The familiar scent of vanilla wood filled her nose. She smiled gaily, feeling her husband pull her into himself. She relaxed into his frame, drinking in the sensation of his nearness. Soft laughter escaped her lips, feeling his beard tickle her neck.

“I knew I’d find you here…” Jacob whispered, his breath hot against her neck. His linen shirt stayed unbuttoned, parted wildly by the whistling wind.

Twisting her frame, she turned to face him, her arms now snaked around his torso. His eyes held the same enchanting look that made her run to the altar with him. In them, she had always seen vows of love and acceptance, even before he had proclaimed them at the altar. Passion and commitment were all they professed. But there were days she couldn’t help but wonder, for how long? Pushing the thoughts aside, she gazed into them some more.

“I’ve been waiting for you…” Abigail giggled softly, her dulcet voice sounding amorous. She gently pressed her lips against his, her arms wrapped around his neck. For a moment, the island disappeared. He pulled her in, their bodies pressed against each other. The wind whispered around them, as though gossiping to the ocean about their passion.

Abigail had never felt more safe, and Jacob had never felt more sure. In that moment, everything was perfect.

Together, they walked along the shores in comfortable silence, the sound of the ocean tide filling the silent void. The moonlight bathed them in its silver hue, their shadows intertwining as they walked side-by-side. They didn’t speak, allowing their tender smiles and occasional glances at each other do the talking.

“This is perfect…” Abigail finally said, shooting him another loving gaze. He smiled back, feeling his heart warm. There was nothing more true. He had prayed for days like this, for a woman like her. Now, he was walking in his own daydream.

He took both her hands, halting their love walk. His eyes held hers, the love in them unhidden.

“It’s more than perfect, and it’s not because we’re on this island. We could be anywhere in the world, and it still wouldn’t make a difference. It’s perfect because you’re right here with me.” He started, softly caressing her cheek. “I don’t care where I am, being with you is the perfect place to be.”

Abigail’s eyes glistened, feeling her smile broaden. His words carried a sense of rawness, devoid of any flattery. They were vulnerable. They were true.

“My heart has found a home in your nearness, in the sound of your laughter, in the whisper of your breath. After salvation, you’re the next best thing that’s happened to me. You will always have a place in my heart, from now, until death do us part.” Jacob professed.

Pleasantly stunned, she said nothing. Her eyes did all the talking. They spoke of the gratitude she had for that moment. She thanked God repeatedly for the gift of him. It wasn’t logical, how much her life had changed since she had met him. For the first time, she felt life was actually on her side.

Jacob held the object of his affection, his eyes never leaving her. His heart swelled up with pride and immense passion. He had found the one. In that moment, there was nothing she would ask for that he would not provide if he could. His friends had often teased him that he was under a spell. He would laugh it off, but he couldn’t deny how spellbound he felt around her. There was something her loving gaze did to him that words couldn’t explain. He was in love, completely at the mercy of his feelings.

However, amidst their loving gaze, a sullen look flashed across her face. He caught it. His eyes narrowed.

“What’s wrong?” He asked, inching closer to her.

She lowered her gaze, her head swarming with the secret fears she harbored. Uncertainty had gripped her heart.

“It’s nothing…” She said, breathing out a nervous laugh. She didn’t want to ruin the night.

“Abby, please… what’s bothering you?” He asked softly, his eyes bearing a humble plea. She bit her lip, cursing the insecurities that plagued her heart. Squeezing his hand, she looked at him, resisting the emotions from reaching her face.

“It’s just… everything is so perfect right now. What’s to say that it would always be this way?”

Jacob gave her an incredulous look. “What do you mean?”

She sighed, pulling her hand from his. He wouldn’t get it. She faced the ocean, her head toward the darkened horizon. The feelings wouldn’t go away. She’d wrestled with them from the moment he proposed. They had plagued her while they stood at the altar. And now, they had followed her on her honeymoon.

She felt his gentle hand on her chin, turning her face till their eyes met. “Abby, let me in…”

She could see it in his eyes, the willingness to offer her the world. That’s why it was difficult to voice these thoughts out to him. It would sound like she doubted what he had shown her countless times. She bit her lower lip, her troubled eyes blinking rapidly.

“When imperfect people are given perfect things, it doesn’t usually last. This has been the case with me. Nothing good ever really lasts for me, Jacob. Every time I feel like everything is perfect, something always happens. What if this doesn’t last too? What if we crash and burn like every other thing that’s happened in my life?”

“That’s not going to happen, okay? It won’t…” Jacob said instantly. He wanted those thoughts out of her head.

“You say that, but can you really promise it? Can you really promise that it’ll always be like this? Like this moment?” She asked, the fear in her eyes now unhidden.

Jacob held her shoulders firmly and brought his face close to hers, his eyes flashing with reassurance.

“Listen to me, Abby. When God gives, He also protects what He gives. There is no sorrow added in His gifts. We might not be perfect, but we have a perfect God who is inside of us, who is intentional about us. If God is the only sure thing in this fallen world, then it is a good thing that He is with us.” He said, his gaze becoming more intense.

“And as for me? I made a vow to you under heaven. For better, for worse. I’m not going anywhere, Abby. No matter what happens, I will fight my way back to you. I promise.” He said finally, his tone firm like the rocks around them.

The fear in her eyes began to fade. His loving gaze melted it away. She breathed out and nodded, the love in her eyes returning. Jacob smiled, watching the insecurities go under again. If only she knew how much he was willing to fight for her, for what they had.

“C’mon, let’s head back inside. It’s starting to get cold out here…” He said, beaming his warm smile again. He took a step back and spread out his arms for her. She smiled and walked into his loving embrace. What a man she had married.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

St Martin’s general hospital

4:50am

Heavy silence hung over the fluorescent-lit waiting room. The air was tense, pregnant with unspoken words and inaudible prayers. Anxiety filled the room like thick fog. Jacob sat alone, feeling his heart beat irregularly.

He sat alone on the lengthy waiting room chair, hunched over with clasped hands, gripped by silent panic. His clothes were still damp, his head swirling with various negative thoughts. He glanced at the clock for what would be the hundredth time. Its hands moved sluggishly, as though mocking his morbid unease.

His eyes returned to the tiled floor. She will not die. She was not going to die. He shook his head in denial, his breath becoming shaky. His hands trembled in the agonizing wait. The door to the ER swung open. His head snapped up, his heart leaping into his throat. It was a nurse hurriedly carrying some files. He sighed in exasperation, biting back the curse that nearly left his lips.

Why? Why did this happen? Why would she do this to herself? Was it because of him? The questions hovered around him like an unseen prosecutor, badgering him for an answer. He clenched his teeth, desperately fighting off the thought of losing her. His eyes began to water, fear waging war in his heart.

The nurse at the nearby desk got up, leaving him alone in the room for a moment. The silence worsened. Jacob shut his eyes for a while, desperately fighting the feeling of loss. Time felt completely frozen in place.

“It doesn’t matter anymore now, does it?” A calm voice said.

Jacob’s head snapped to the side, the anxiety in his expression unhidden. It was the boat rider that had helped them. How was he here? When did he come in? He was seated next to him on the long padded chair. Jacob exhaled sharply, the horrid sequence of events flashing before his eyes again.

He was back on the bridge, watching the water ripple roughly where her body landed, too stunned to do anything. She didn’t struggle with the water. She just sank. Before long she was out of sight, embraced by the cold arms of watery demise. He had moved away from the railing, his eyes frozen in fear. The air around him refused to move into his lungs. His chest had seized. He couldn’t let her die. It wasn’t supposed to end like that.

Without thinking, he had removed his jacket and dived in after her, determined to pry her away from death’s grip.

Distant shouts were heard as he plummeted. He assumed that somebody must have seen him dive in.

The shock of the cold water had engulfed his body, but adrenaline coursed through his veins, numbing his senses to the chilling embrace of the dark lagoon. He had swum with everything in him, his arms slicing through the water as he dove deeper toward her sinking body.

Finally, he had found her limp form, grabbed it and swam for the surface. Her weight pushed against him, but sheer will and determination made him fight until he reached the surface. Gasping for breath, he had gazed at her face, his left arm flailing to keep them afloat. It was pale and nearly ashen. Fear gripped his tender heart. He had screamed her name amidst drawing breath for himself. No response.

They had floated for a while before the sound of a speed boat hurtling in their direction was heard. It reached them in seconds, and a strong arm pulled them on board. It was this same man, who delivered CPR on his wife, pounding and breathing into her until she coughed out water. However, for some reason, she had stayed limp. The man had sailed them to shore, and they managed to called an ambulance that arrived shortly. Abigail had been put on oxygen, and her body covered to combat the hypothermia.

He looked at the man, who seemed to be in his late forties, wondering about the strangeness of his question. How was he here? All the way from the docks?

“What do you mean?” Jacob asked, his voice hoarse from the emotions that ceased his breath.

“…All her imperfections. Everything she’s possibly done wrong until this very moment. It doesn’t matter to you anymore, does it?” The man asked again, his gaze fixed on the door to the ER.

Jacob blinked, the question taking him aback. He stared at the man, the words beginning to trouble his already flailing heart.

“All that matters to you now, is how much you want her alive and in your arms…” The man said softly, his voice carrying some emotion.

Jacob’s suspicious look died down. He turned away, finding truth in the man’s words. He was right. Abigail was fighting for her life. His wife was in there. Nothing else mattered. The drama of the past few weeks seemed trivial to that moment. He just wanted her alive. He begged God to keep her alive. He remembered the doctor’s face when he had narrated their ordeal amidst the chaos of rolling her into the ER. It hadn’t looked encouraging. God, please, he prayed.

“Many times, people wait until tragedy strikes before the veil of bitterness and resentment is removed from their eyes. It’s sad how a fault can grow so big in your eyes, that you completely forget how much love is in your heart for someone…” the man said again.

Jacob turned to him again, strangely feeling the subtle barb. Why was he talking like he knew him? What was this unsolicited lecture?

“What exactly are you implying?” Jacob asked, feeling deeply uneasy with the oddity of his words.

The man finally turned to face Jacob. His clear dark eyes held a strange calm that was out of place to the situation at hand.

“I’m saying, Love is not so weak to be overcome by any fault, is it?” The man asked calmly, his tone completely serene.

“Even when the fault cuts deeper than the sharpest of blades?” Jacob blurted, his tone slightly abrasive. The words had gushed out without thought. Was this man blaming him for what happened?

He watched the man’s lips curve into a small sullen smile. Those deep dark eyes, they gave Jacob a familiar feeling.

“Do you love her?” The man asked.

The question grazed a nerve. Jacob’s jaw tightened, his eyes flashing with annoyance.

“How can you even ask me that? How can you even… I literally dove into deep waters to save her. I put my life at risk for her. Why would I do all that if I don’t love her?” Jacob seethed, his tone growing harsh.

“Then why have you convinced yourself otherwise?”

The words pierced through his heart like a burning spear. Jacob winced, swallowing against the lump in his throat. He turned away, grimacing at the truth in his words. The tears fell through.

He shut his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, his face contorting in deep pain. The truth faced him squarely. He loved her, even when she had hurt him. He loved her beyond what she did. But his rage didn’t let him see how much he did. Anger had convinced him to walk away. Resentment had given him reasons to leave.

It was easier to walk away. But the truth remained the same. He loved her, in-spite of what she did.

“Forgiveness starts with brutal honesty. To admit and confess love in the midst of undeniable pain. To choose to walk in it despite the sting of human ego. It is often never easy to look the fool, to endure the shame of remaining with someone who has wronged you, especially in a world that knows not what real love looks like. You would have to die to yourself, for the Love of God to prevail. That is the only way Love prevails over a fault. It will fight until the sting is gone, and trust is fully restored.”

Tears flowed seamlessly down Jacob’s face, the words piercing deeper into his heart.

“Everything has an end in this world. The versions of charity that this age has created will never survive the storms that come with humanity. It is only the love of God, that can stand. It is only His Love, that never fails. That is why He has put that Love in you…” The man said, his eyes gleaming like the morning.

“I-I don’t even know who you are. W-Why are you telling me all this?” Jacob asked, his tear-smothered eyes on the man beside him.

The man’s expression remained the same – peaceful and solemn. He gave Jacob a small smile, his eyes looking at him with strange compassion.

“I think you know, Jacob…” the man said softly, then gave him an affectionate wink. Jacob’s eyes widened, his head rising.

“How do you-“

The door to the ER suddenly swung open, stealing Jacob’s attention away from the man. The doctor, clad in a white coat, approached him with an unreadable expression. Jacob rose to his feet, feeling the air around him thicken. He held his breath, willing himself to stay composed.

“Mr. Ukonu…” the doctor started. Jacob’s throat went dry. His heart lurched, his eyes studying the ones behind the doctor’s glasses. They revealed nothing.

“Your wife is stable. The tests we ran came back fine. However, we’d like to keep her for observation for a while. She’s been transferred to a private ward. She’s asleep now but you can go in.”

Jacob breathed out. His lungs finally took in air, his entire body flooding with relief. He turned to face the man that sat next to him. He owed him gratitude for saving them. But the man was gone.

“Umm… did you see where that man went?” He asked, his eyes narrowing in confusion.

“I’m sorry, what man?” The doctor asked, sounding confused.

Jacob turned to him, this puzzled expression deepening.

“The man dressed in blue overalls. I was talking to him before you walked in. He was sitting right there, next to me…” Jacob explained, pointing to the spot where he had sat.

The doctor shook his head slowly. “I’m sorry, I didn’t see anyone with you when I walked in. You were alone.”

Jacob’s eyes widened. He turned to the spot and then to the doctor, his confusion even more visible.

“Ummm… Mr Ukonu. If you don’t mind, I have a few questions I’d like to ask you.” The doctor said, half-wondering why Jacob looked bewildered.

“Ummm… sure.” He replied, reluctantly turning to face the doctor. He could’ve sworn the man was right there.

“How long did you say your wife stayed under water before you were able to perform CPR?” The doctor asked with a skeptical look.

“I’m not sure. But if I were to estimate, I would say, a little over fourteen minutes. Why?” Jacob asked.

The doctor stared at him blankly, like he had told him something utterly ridiculous.

“Mr Ukonu. The EEG scan shows that your wife still has normal brain activity.” The doctor said, adjusting his glasses. He looked like he was slightly confounded.

“I’m sorry, Doctor Abiye. Isn’t that a good thing?” Jacob asked.

“Yes, of course, it is. But it’s also virtually impossible.” The doctor declared, folding his arms.

“What do you mean?” Jacob asked, leaning in.

“If what you’re telling me is true, then your wife should be dead or in a vegetative state. Clinical time before brain death after drowning is six minutes tops. You say your wife stayed fourteen. It’s a miracle she’s even alive.” The doctor said, a small smile tugging at his mustached lips.

Jacob’s lips parted, but no words came. His brain stuttered, trying to digest the information. He turned again to the chair the man was sitting, staring at it long and hard.

“Would you like to see her now?” The doctor asked, gesturing to the open hallway.

“Umm… sure…sure.” Jacob replied, turning to follow the doctor, still trying to understand everything. Who was that man?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The morning sunlight trickled through the sheer curtains, caressing her skin. Her eyes fluttered open, the colors and shapes in the room appearing blurred. The distant sound of beeping machines became more audible, the soft medical rhythm filling the room. She groaned softly, overwhelmed by the sudden attack on her senses. Her body felt sore.

Grunting, she managed to pull herself up. Her vision cleared up. Glancing around, her eyes landed on the figure seated next to her bed. His head was down, his hands clasped, his lips moving silently. He was praying, his soul entrenched in his inaudible treatise.

The memories came rushing in like a flood. Her weak gaze widened, remembering everything in detail; the bridge, the lagoon, the fall, the sound of his anguished scream. She gasped sharply, rousing her husband from his intense prayer.

Jacob’s eyes met with hers. Everything froze. The tension between them seized the air. Abigail’s breath came out shaky, her husband’s gaze holding her joints captive. Words fled her floundering mind. Her lips trembled, the sight of his glistening eyes making it hard for her to breathe.

“Abby…” he breathed, throwing his arms around her abruptly. He clung to her, as though she would disappear if he didn’t. His embrace tightened, feeling his emotions overwhelm him.

Abigail’s body grew stiff. Her arms stayed by the side, too stunned to hug back. How was she here? How was she alive? The last thing she remembered was sinking to the bottom of the lagoon. She was sure she had drowned. How was she here?

“I thought I’d lost you…” Jacob breathed, his eyes nearly watering. He noticed her stiffness. He pulled away, his arms resting gently on her shoulders. His eyes stayed on her, the love in them unhidden, but she didn’t look back. She couldn’t. Her eyes avoided his gaze, her breath still shaking.

“Abby…” He whispered softly.

No response. Her eyes stayed anywhere but on him. They watered, her mind searching for words to say. Painful silence ensued.

What was she supposed to say? How could she face him? What words could possibly explain? Nobody plans any conversations after a suicide attempt. She was supposed to die. Why didn’t she just die?

Jacob recognized the look in her eyes. He had seen it the night he came home after finding out about her and Zamani.

Guilt.

“Abby… Baby, c’mon, just look at me, alright? It’s okay, I promise.” he whispered, his palm placed on her cheek. He tried to shift her gaze but she resisted. He moved his face in-front of hers, but she lowered her eyes. Her tears had started falling.

“Abby…” He called again, almost pleading. The look in her eyes made his heart bleed. It ached him terribly that she couldn’t look him in the eye. He wanted her to know it was alright. She didn’t need to worry. He held no grudge. His offense was gone.

Abigail’s eyes stayed down. Her tears crawled down her moist cheeks. The sound of her name on his lips pricked her heart over and over. She had wanted to set him free. She had wanted to be free from the guilt of hurting him too. Why did she survive? Why didn’t she just die?

“Abby, I know that things haven’t exactly been rosy between us. But I want to let you know that everything’s fine. Okay? I promise. I love you. I mean that with everything in me…“ Jacob said, his voice starting to break. His words were raw, dripping with vulnerability.

Abigail’s eyes filled up again. She blinked tightly, sending the fresh batch of tears down her face. She exhaled shakily, feeling the emotion behind his words.

“These past few hours of my life were by far the scariest. I thought I’d lost you. I don’t know what I would’ve…” Jacob whispered, his voice cutting off. His emotions seized his face. He pursed his lips, pushing back the desire to cry.

Silence hovered around them. The private room filled with echoes of their shared pain. Words weren’t enough. Jacob hated that words weren’t enough. He loathed the fact that her eyes still avoided his. How could he convince her that it didn’t matter anymore? How could he declare his willingness to look away from the past in a way she’d believe?

For a brief moment, he understood how it felt when God forgave men but they remained in their guilt.

Finally, Abigail raised her head, her puffy red eyes gazing into his. His pained expression brightened, his ears eager to hear her voice. Her lips trembled, struggling to find the words that could bridge the invisible chasm between them.

“I know, Jacob. I know that you love me.” She started, her voice hoarse. “That’s the one thing I will never doubt. It’s a fact. You’ve proven it to me over and over again. But that’s the problem. You love me this much, and I still managed to hurt you…”

“Baby, please, I promise you, I don’t care anymore. All that matters now is that you’re here, you’re alive …” He said, cupping her face with both hands.

Abigail’s face squeezed in the pain. She clutched the hand placed on her cheek, weakly trying to pull it away.

“Jacob, you don’t want to be with me. You’re just briefly consumed by the reality that I nearly… drowned.” She sobbed, pursing her lips.

“Someday, you’ll remember my betrayal and feel the hurt all over again. Every time I’m on the phone, you’re going to wonder who I’m talking to. You’re going to ask yourself whether I’m really at work or where I say I am. You’re going to face the stigma of staying with someone who’s scandal is probably all over the internet by now. I couldn’t let you go through all that…”

“-But that’s my choice to make…” Jacob breathed, his tone nearly in protest.

“No…” Abigail breathed, drawing a sharp breath. She shook her head painfully. “You’re a good man. You deserve peace and happiness. You deserve to retain your respect in the world. You deserve someone who would love and respect you too. Someone who would listen to you, who would trust you when you tell them something’s wrong…”

“Abby, that’s just guilt talking…”

“Well, maybe it is!” Abigail snapped, her eyes flashing painfully. “For God’s sake, Jacob! Look at me! What more could I possibly do to hurt you? I mean, I slept with another man… I threw myself off a bridge! Tell me, am I wrong to feel like I’m not worthy of any affection from you? Am I not guilty? Am I not? I’m guilty of every charge you’ve thrown at me. Selfish, naive, petulant, disrespectful, unfaithful. I have no defense. I am guilty. So please, don’t say to me that it doesn’t matter, because I know it does. It’s only a matter of time before you see it too…”

Her words hung thick in the air. Jacob’s face beamed shame and regret. Those were his words she echoed. Words he had screamed at her over the past month. He lowered his head, memories of their heated arguments pouring into his head. He felt sorely ashamed, remembering the vision and the words of the strange man in the waiting room. He had used such words on the woman he was mandated to love.

It was all very clear. He saw his part in everything. His anger and rage had pushed her away, allowing evil take advantage of her vulnerable state. If he hadn’t walked so much in the flesh, maybe he would’ve gotten through to her before anything happened. He sighed, feeling the Lord’s conviction. He failed to be the man he claimed to be.

“You’re right, Abby…” He said defeatedly. Raising his head, he held her hands again. “What’s happened may not go away easily, but I’m willing to fight until they do.”

Abigail blinked, her tumbling emotions settling after his response. She looked into his eyes, searching to see if he meant what he said.

“I have faults of my own too-“

“Jacob, please-“

“No, It’s true, Abby…” he said, squeezing her hands affectionately. “I parade myself like the perfect man but honestly, I’m not. I get angry, I get jealous, I use words I shouldn’t. And the worst part of all this, is that I didn’t show you the love you deserve…”

“That’s not true…” Abigail breathed. How could even say that? Why was he trying to take the fall for her? This was all her doing. He did nothing wrong.

“The past twenty four hours have shown me that I fall ridiculously short of God’s standards. I took an oath to love you like the Lord loves His church. I was doing so well in my own eyes, I forgot there was a standard I was held to…” He continued, breathing out a sad laugh.

“And when my Love was tested, I abandoned you, my bride. I chose to run, instead of standing to fight. Not anymore…”

Abigail stared at him in disbelief, wondering what manner of man he was. How could he possibly be finding fault in himself? After all she’d done? Then, it finally hit her.

“You’re never going to let me go, are you?” She asked, sounding like she was just realizing it.

“Never…” he breathed, his gaze steady on her. “I may not have realized it then, but it’s clear to me now. It’s why I dove in after you when you tried to drown. It’s why I’m sitting right here next to you. You’re my wife, now and always.”

Abigail’s eyes smarted, feeling her heart swell. He did what? She hadn’t thought about how she was saved.

“…you mean, you dove in… after me?”

Jacob inched his chair closer, holding her gaze. He smiled, feeling the renewed love in his heart burn.

“Remember when we were on our honeymoon, in Seychelles? You asked me if I could promise you that things would always remain the same between us, just like in that moment.”

Abigail nodded slowly. She remembered that moment like it was yesterday.

“I promised you that no matter what happened, I would fight my way back to you. I’m sorry it took this long, but I’m ready now. I’m ready to fight through this. I’m just grateful that the Lord helped me see just how much I was losing by walking away…”

“…but what if you lose this fight? What if it’s too hard for you to win?” Abigail asked, her gaze intense, her breath shuddering.

“Then, I’ll fight harder. I won’t lose, Abby. Because Love never fails. And I won’t be the first of its champions to lose. I’m not fighting by my own strength. I’m fighting by the strength of the One who has commanded me to love. Through everything that’s going to come our way, because I know it’s coming, I will stand by your side. I will follow you into the eye of this storm. All I’m asking, is that you fight through this with me. Don’t give up on yourself, because I’m not giving up on you…”

Abigail’s eyes teared up. She whimpered, overwhelmed by the love she felt for him. She fell on him, finally hugging him tight.

“I don’t know what I did… to deserve you.” she whimpered, feeling his arms around her. It felt like time had unpaused, and the world was finally revolving again. The heaviness in the room had lifted, and renewed passion bloomed between them. Biting her lips, she muttered the words- Thank you, God.

“I’ll never hurt you again… I promise you…” she whispered, holding him closely.

Jacob smiled, knowing she meant it. The journey had begun, and he knew, he trusted, that God would help them finish it.

THE END… for now

In a broken world, where evil doesn’t sleep. In an age, where nothing seems to last. We have hope, we have comfort, that God’s love will last. It is eternal, it is everlasting. It is stronger than our mistakes, it seeks us when we fall.

Everything will fade; prophecies, tongues, philosophies, miracles, wonders, riches, fame, and every kind of knowledge. But the Love of the Father is older than this cosmos. It will remain for all eternity. Lean on it, for it has no shadows. It neither grows nor withers. It is the same everyday. It is as sure as the dawn.

THE CHARACTERS WILL RETURN IN BOOK TWO

Thank you for reading! Do you have testimonies? Let me know in the comments! Spread them on social media! Tag me in, I’d love to see how this book touched you.

Special thanks to the lovely people who embarked on this journey with me; Eseoghene Okpewho, Bukky Larissa Amoboye, Ife-Grace Dada, Adeyemo Tioluwashe. You deserve a lifetime of flowers for the role you played in editing and previewing this.

Special mention to Oreva for the words of encouragement. Heaven knows how much I valued your words, and how encouraging they were. Btw, listen to her album, Harmony, and thank me later!

For all the feedback and encouragement, you all have all my love. Honourable mention to my chief, Dr. Marvie Inioluwa, thank you for availing yourself. God bless you.

And now, to my baby, for your unwavering support, and constant words of reassurance, I love you B.E❤️

Mostly, I thank God, for being able to do this, and for His Grace through which this would not have been possible. I have pledged, to continue writing for Him, for as long as His breath sustains me.

Till next time, I remain your brother, Onuoha Edward aka The Wordsmith M.D.✝️

Twitter: @onuoha_edward, instagram: @edwardonuoha

If you’d like to send an email with a testimony, here: onuoha.edward@yahoo.com