Chapter Twenty-Four

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Thomas: I thought about it. Maybe you'll try and crawl back to me, whatever it is, I guess I can give you a moment of my time. Don't miss me too much.

It was a new year's surprise.

He left her on read for a few days, after sending the middle finger emoji, and now on January 2, he responded.

Selene stared at the message and called Gunnar. And while the phone rang, she prayed, "God, help my heart rate,"

"Hi, Selene, you alright?"

As always, he could tell when she was upset.

"Not really. Thomas finally texted me back, I'll screenshot it and send it to you," She did as she said and sent it to him.

"I'm completely against telling him because of his message, but I have to overlook that and do what God wants. It's just that he's really annoying and haughty, like my father," She explained.

"I can see what you mean, dove. I surely am proud you still want to obey God, and I will be with you. If he says somethin stupid, I'll hush him real quick." Gunnar promised.

Selene felt comforted. "Thank you, Gunnar. I guess I'll text him back, do you think we should do this sooner? Or later?"

"I say get it out the way, but don't try to rush. Ask God,"

Selene hummed. He was right.

Maybe they could do it this weekend.

"Could we go this weekend? If you're not busy,"

"I ain't never busy for you, dove. Maybe we can make this a nice day trip, I never been to San Diego, not even California." He wanted to spend nice time with her.

"Oh, well, I'd like that, but only for the day. I'm not ready to be there long, and maybe we can go somewhere low profile," She explained.

She didn't want to damper their time, but she was still a celebrity and the drama hotspot was in San Diego.

"I'm sorry, dove. You know, I do forget you ain't just my sweet love. You got admirers, we can go wherever you like,"

Selene giggled. He was sweet and cute.

"I'm glad you forget, one day I will too. But could we go to a nature observatory or something," She couldn't focus too well, not now.

"I think that'd be just right. I know how to find stuff on the computer, had Hunter help me before, so I can handle that. You just get ready to talk with Thomas, and remember, God is bigger."

"You are so so Mr. Congeniality, always," She sighed in delight. "Thank you for always being with me and pointing me back to God's truth. I need that," She admitted.

"You got me blushin, darling. I'm gonna find what we need, you send that text. Call me, text me, whatever you need when you need,"

"Okay, bye."

She ended the call and stared at Thomas's text.

Selene: This Friday, meet me at the Cove in San Diego at 11:30am.

The sooner in the day they spoke, the sooner she could enjoy nature with Gunnar.

And the sooner she could be home.

"God, I need You more than anything," She was extremely nervous, whatever word was more than nervous.

-

"I don't want to do this. I-i think I've had enough of facing the past, I think we should just go to the airport," Selene was filled with anxiety.

Thomas didn't scare her, but she was afraid that memories would invade her mind at the sight of him.

Bad memories.

"Selene, we made it all the way here. We can do this together, you ain't alone and never will be. God's with you forever and I'm with you when I can be." Gunnar said to calm her nerves.

He knew that this was hard for her.

But as she was with him to meet Genesis, he was with her.

And he wasn't letting her speak to Thomas alone.

"You can do all things through Christ, He gives you strength. If you feel weak or afraid, know that He will sustain you. He won't send you to face a lion without a spear,"

Selene furrowed her brows at his analogy, but it made sense.

Thomas was her lion and God was her spear. He would handle everything, just as long as she went with Him. He was more than a spear, but she got what Gunnar meant.

"I like that,"

"Can you do it?" Gunnar asked honestly.

And Selene nodded proudly. "Yes, I can. But please, if I'm silent, understand that it's only because I could be recalling the past." She didn't want Gunnar to think she was stunned by Thomas's presence.

She wanted to be a million miles away from him.

But, she didn't want to feel that way about him. It wasn't good.

She only knew because of God.

She would never be friends with Thomas, but she wanted to know that he wasn't her tormentor anymore. Only a man in need of God.

"How'd we get here so quickly?" She asked as they pulled into the parking lot.

Gunnar chuckled.

"Time flies when you thinkin," He parked the car and left to open her door.

Something he did that always made Selene glad.

He did it without flinching. It was his nature. Nothing forced.

Selene looked around before taking Gunnar's hand.

She felt like she was being watched.

And it was a common thing.

She was back in her old home.

And she was a famous face.

"Don't you go thinkin, dove. Breathe," Gunnar instructed her and breathed along with her.

Selene shook her thoughts away and allowed Gunnar to lead them into the Cove.

"Uh, do you know that you're THE Selene Brassard?" The hostess asked in astonishment.

Selene nodded. "Yes, but please, I'd like to remain a regular customer. For privacy," She explained to the jittery girl.

She didn't miss this.

"Oh, okay, I guess I can do that. But wait until I get home," The hostess trailed off with a smile. "Table for two?"

Selene shook her head. "For three, I have a reservation under Hendrik," She said, taking Gunnar by surprise.

She used his last name.

That alone made this pit stop worthwhile.

"Oh, well, you're table is ready and I'll lead your other guest to you when they come," The hostess grabbed three menus and led them to a secluded dining area.

Selene booked a private room. She wasn't sure how Thomas would take the news, so this was a safety and privacy precaution.

Bottled water was seated before every chair.

"Fancy," Gunnar murmured and picked up the strangely shaped bottle.

Norkos.

Selene laughed faintly. Gunnar was refreshing.

He pulled out a chair for her and she sat. "Thank you,"

"Who's the old dude, Lenie?"

Selene's heart dropped to her stomach.

Thomas walked into the room with a smug look on his face.

His hair was tied perfectly in a bun.

"Is he your lawyer or something? You better not be trying to sue me, I've got proof you said yes to everything,"

Selene scrunched up her nose and rolled her eyes.

The man was atrocious.

"If I am or not, you don't talk that way to people. Be respectful," Gunnar told him strictly and sat beside Selene, holding her hand.

Thomas looked at Selene, waiting for her to defend him, but she didn't.

She changed.

"Just tell me what you want, Selene. I don't have all day," Thomas sat down and huffed.

Selene opened her purse and placed the envelope with a copy of her ultrasound in it to Thomas.

"Before you open it, I'd like to tell a story. You can choose to listen or just ignore me, but I'm going to talk," She explained confidently.

Thomas flipped the envelope on the other side and held it up to see what was inside.

Gunnar watched him intently.

If he acted out, Gunnar would correct him.

This was too important for tomfoolery.

And so Selene took a deep breath.

"Almost two years ago, I found out some news. I was excited to learn this news and I couldn't wait to tell everyone. Most importantly, I couldn't wait to tell you,"

Thomas narrowed his eyes as she spoke.

He was hoping to figure it out before she finished speaking.

"I waited to tell, I wanted to find the perfect time, but that time never came." She blinked away the tears that formed. She could do it. "I-i was pregnant, Thomas. But I miscarried at four months, a few days before I planned on telling you," She covered her face and cried quietly.

Thomas was still.

His heart was in his stomach.

He was guilty.

He was upset.

He was a terrible man.

He remembered when her mood changed for the worse.

He was pissed off with her because of it.

She was depressed and he didn't want her frowns to ruin their pictures.

"Oh, god." He mumbled feeling sick with guilt.

He looked at Selene, but she was crying in her hands.

The older man with her had her in his arms.

Oh.

Oh.

Thomas caught sight of the ring on her finger.

That made him feel a little better, but he felt disgusting for hurting her. For cursing at her.

For everything.

"I-i'm sorry, Thomas. I didn't know how to tell you, I-i couldn't tell you, you would've hated me even more," Selene cried ruefully with her eyes downcast.

Her words were bullets in Thomas's heart.

He was sorry. He was sorry. He was in the wrong.

And he came in with a haughty attitude.

"No, Selene. I'm sorry. I can't even ask you to forgive me. I knew something was different, but I didn't care. I'm sorry," He felt like a blubbering idiot.

He didn't want to hear his own voice.

It made him sick.

Selene had to deal with that alone. And she still had the heart to tell him.

"I can't even believe that you told me, Selene. You should curse me and  go on, I was a fool, I'm still a fool, I'm talking so much, but I don't even know what to say," Thomas gripped his hair and opened the envelope.

Selene pressed her face into Gunnar's chest so she wouldn't see his reaction.

It was so much to deal with.

Thomas's lips trembled and the picture fell from his hands.

He didn't understand how Selene could face him.

He couldn't face himself now. Not after knowing this.

He probably had something to do with her loss. He had to.

Selene tapped Gunnar's back.

"I-i can't be in here anymore, I need to go to the car," She couldn't.

It was too much.

He nodded and let her up.

Thomas watched her rush out of the room and he looked at the man she was with.

"I-i am sorry, sir. You take the best care of her, and I know you can give her what she deserves. I've never seen her so relaxed, even with doing something this hard," Thomas's hands shook.

Gunnar nodded. "I will. You get right with the Lord, Thomas. How you feeling shows you got some repentance in your heart somewhere, don't let this eat you alive."

Gunnar patted his shoulder.

"And she forgives you. Know that," He told the heartbroken man.

Thomas wiped his eyes and looked at the man.

He was strange. Any other man would've taken the opportunity to hurt him, to repay him for what he did to Selene.

This man offered advice. And he was genuine.

"I don't deserve it,"

"The kind we don't deserve is the best kind. Let it lead you to the One who died to save your life, Jesus." Gunnar left the room.

He had to be with his love.

-

"This is pretty, but I like the one back home," Selene commented as they walked around the flower observatory.

Gunnar eyed her. "Tell me how you feel after that, dove? Don't hold it in,"

When he made it to the car after talking to Thomas, Selene had dried her tears and had their next stop in the GPS.

He understood it was her way of keeping cool, but they both knew better than to let her cope that way.

Selene sharply turned her head and winced. "I felt like a microwave with a knife and three forks in it," She said simply.

Gunnar sighed and hugged her.

"But, when I started speaking and I started crying, I felt relieved. I wasn't keeping a secret anymore, and I was surprised to see how emotional Thomas got, that touched my heart and I saw him as human, not my former tormentor," She held Gunnar's back and breathed. "And I'm not afraid of him anymore, and if I think of memories from his abuse, I think I can brush it off. Seeing him so shattered opened my eyes to the truth. He needs Jesus, and God has already avenged my case with Thomas,"

She was avenged by God and it was evident.

She had salvation, faith, trust, family, friends, wisdom, Gunnar, and most importantly, she had God.

And she knew that Thomas, Maggie, nor her parents had any of those.

Instead of feeling glad to have a blessed life, not that she wasn't glad, she felt for them all.

They were missing out on new life. A life filled to the brim with the faithfulness of God.

"I feel sorry for them all, Gunnar. What more do they have other than meaningless things? For some reason, they take pride in hurting me or holding something over my head, but that's okay with me. I've seen how protected I am in their presence, but they have no protection. They live godless lives and it's sad,"

Selene sighed on his neck and then kissed his cheek. "Thanks for asking how I felt,"

"Always and forever, Selene. And you got a big heart, real big and thoughtful, I never thought you would say that bout your family and nem, it's beautiful." Gunnar was beyond proud of Selene.

Her growth was astonishing and it all glorified God.

"I love you, dove, almost Mrs. Hendrik." He told her wholeheartedly.

Selene winked playfully.

"I love you too, Mr. Dove, Mr. Hendrik,"

-

It was now January 15, the day before Beau and Honeydew's wedding.

Everything was going according to plan and tonight was Honeydew's last night as a Landon.

Tomorrow she'd become Mrs. Honeydew Aurore Carpenter.

She was thrilled to enjoy her night with her mother, Renee, and Selene.

They had played board games, apples to apples, and now they were watching Sister, Sister.

Renee was intrigued, she didn't tear her eyes away from the screen.

And it was a funny sight.

"Now, how come I've never seen this? Where was I when it aired?"

Danica scoffed playfully.

"Watching the Seinfeld or Growing Pains,"

Renee stared at her blankly and threw a pillow at her. "Hush, Danica. I was watching Living Single, just because I'm white it doesn't mean I watched those shows," She told her with sass.

"Ohh, I get it now! Beau was raised on beautiful black women, that's why he's marrying one,"

Honeydew facepalmed. "Ma, stop. We're trying to watch the show, your speculations are, just please stop,"

Danica shrugged. "Everyone knows I meant no harm and I'll let this slide, you're just nervous and antsy like those Bridezillas,"

Honeydew groaned and shoved a handful of popcorn in her mouth.

She was nervous and antsy.

But she knew that nothing bad was going to happen tomorrow, but still.

"I'm going to bed, I need to sleep before I lose my mind," Honeydew got off the couch and yawned.

Danica laughed and nudged Renee.

"She's just ready to wake up and go on that honeymoon,"

Selene covered her mouth to keep from laughing, Honeydew's face was scrunched in annoyance.

"Beau's probably asleep too, that boy," Renee noted with a giggle.

Honeydew wanted to throw pillows at them both.

So she did just that.

"I know you did not just throw that at me, Honeydew Aurore!" Danica took a pillow and chucked it at Honeydew's head.

Honeydew dodged it and it smacked Selene in the head.

"Oh, it's on!"

This was a perfect way to calm Honeydew's nerves and get her frustration out.

-

"Oh, wow, you look like, I don't even know, wow," Selene couldn't believe her eyes.

Honeydew was a picture-perfect bride.

"My Lord, you are stunning," Renee added.

Danica shimmied her shoulders. "Yeah, I helped pick it out, my little Honeydew, she's all grown up," She dabbed her tears and shook her head.

Honeydew felt gorgeous, magnificent, beautiful.

And she knew that Beau was going to love everything about her today.

And tomorrow, the next day, and forever.

"Ladies, please, let's all get in place," Sally, the onsite wedding coordinator said peeking her head into the bridal suite.

Honeydew nodded and motioned for the ladies to come to her.

"I'd like to pray really quick," She said and took their hands. "God, we thank You for a beautiful day, a beautiful wedding, peace, love, harmony, and Your will being done in all of our lives. We love You and thank You always, in the Name of Jesus, Amen,"

They all hugged her briefly and left the room.

Sally lined everyone up, Steven and Renee first, as Beau was already at the altar.

Hunter followed with the ring and a nervous smile.

Selene and Gunnar followed with fast heart rates and minds imaging their turn.

"Jace, remember, blow to both sides, be yourself, and if you want to stand, do it, but if not, sit with your grandparents," Sally told the boy and handed him the bubbles with a white rose attached to it.

Jace nodded with a serious stare. "I will be that boy today, a good, human, and smart boy. No mess-ups," He saluted her and walked down the aisle.

With every blow, he nodded politely and winked once he reached the altar.

"Aww,"

Jace's cheeks turned red and he hurried to sit with Renee and Steven.

The Kiss score from Princess Diaries played and Honeydew was revealed.

All eyes were stuck on the beauty in all white.

Her parents held her hands as they walked her to the middle of the aisle.

Beau couldn't comprehend how lovely his bride was.

Something was different.

She was still as beautiful as before, but when he looked at her, maybe his heart knew there was no wait.

They could give each other their all.

Maybe.

Honeydew's parents stopped midway on the aisle and kissed her cheeks.

And Beau met her to bring her to the altar.

Both of their arms shook as they held each other.

Happy nerves and jitters.

"You look beyond words," Beau whispered as they stood before each other.

Honeydew smiled. "You too,"

"Today we come together to join Beau Carpenter and Honeydew Aurore Landon in God's holy matrimony." The pastor announced.

"Marriage is created by God for His glory. We stand here to agree with God's Word, marriage is more than two people living together for a long time. No. Marriage is a way of life. No longer will these two live for themselves, no. This marriage of God is selfless, faithful, and promising. To stay in God's will, we must obey Him, give Him our everything, and do whatever it takes to please Him,"

"Now, you won't be perfect, but that's what forgiveness is for. God knows that we aren't perfect, the only way we can be found righteous is when we repent. In your marriage, repent before God and each other. Love, love, love. Love God, love your spouse, and love yourself. Give grace, mercy, and seek to find peace even when things are upside down."

"I think I've said enough, little Jace is dozing off," The pastor said and chuckled.

He was right.

Jace was nodding off.

"I shall ask this question and their vows will follow, Beau Carpenter, do you take Honeydew

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