Mixed Blessings (20 page)

Her shoulders still jerked as she gulped in choppy breaths. Anguish painted her features. She stared blankly ahead, as if she were alone. His heart skipped a beat. Alone. She truly did feel alone. He'd denied her the comfort of a mate. He'd let her shoulder the responsibilities of caring for the boys, readjust to a new home, and instead of connecting with her and holding her hand through those changes, he'd never looked past her facade of control.

“Marie,” he said softly as he traced the shell of her
ear. “Sweetheart, please listen to me. I'm not trying to take Ricky away from you. I only wanted to share him. I hoped if we took that step, you'd feel like our marriage was stronger and safer. I told you this was forever, and I meant it. There isn't another woman. There's only room in my heart for you.”

Her lids fluttered downward, and she looked like she'd lost all hope. Peter curled around her more closely as he saw her lips moving. Her words stunned him, humbled him. They also gave him hope. Marie was praying.

He brushed his lips across her forehead, then prayed aloud, himself. He gave thanks for the boys and asked for Luke's ear to feel better. “Most of all, Lord, I ask you to heal our hearts so we can love each other as a real man and wife—not as partners, but in the fullness of a loving marriage so our hearts and minds will be one in Your sight.”

After he prayed, he continued to hold her. “My hotel room flooded, Marie. They moved me. I haven't even looked at another woman since I met you. There isn't any other woman in the world who could interest me. My heart is already taken. I know you're adjusting to so many changes, and things are hard for you. It's not fair of me to change our arrangement, but I want to—I want you to be my wife. Not my partner—my
wife.
Our marriage started out as a business arrangement, but I soon found I couldn't take my eyes off you.”

She whispered sadly, “It's hard not to like someone when they love your kid.”

“Honey, it goes far beyond that.”

“I made an utter fool of myself, and you're being noble.”

“Then I suppose you'll tell me the rings I have in my suitcase are a noble gesture, though I had no notion we
were going to have this discussion when I bought them. Marie, I bought a whole trio of rings for us—an engagement and wedding ring for you, and a matching band for me.”

“You already gave me a ring.”

“That is a partnership ring. I want us to truly be married. In the church. I want us to be free to love each other openly, to share our hearts and lives and bodies. When I was away, I decided I'd come home and court you slowly.”

“But I got hysterical and ruined your plans.”

“You were hurting too much, Marie. I couldn't stay quiet when all I wanted to do was reassure you that I'm head over heels in love with you.”

“Really?” She searched his face carefully.

Peter gave her a moment, then tightened his hold around her and stood up. He chuckled at her gasp and carried her into his bedroom. Once there, he laid her on his bed and unlatched his suitcase. There, from the suitcase, he drew out a small jewelry box.

Marie's breath caught.

He knelt by the bed and opened the box. Three golden rings glimmered on the white satin lining. “Marie, I believe God brought us together. Circumstances were strained, but He can work miracles. The boys were blessings, but they were mixed up. God created something wonderful out of that mixed blessing. Our love is a miracle. Please, sweetheart, marry me. For real. Be my wife.”

“Oh, Peter!”

“Was that a yes?”

“You love me?”

“I love you in a way I never knew possible. I've been crazy, trying to be subtle and supportive when all I wanted to do was grab you and kiss some sense into you.”

Marie let out a small laugh.

“Oh, so that's your reaction to my declaration of love?” He gave her a look of mock dismay.

“Let me make it up to you.” She leaned closer and cupped his cheek. “Far be it from me to hurt anyone—especially the man I love.” She brushed her lips against his.

Peter reached to the side and fumbled to set the rings down, then wrapped her in an unyielding embrace as he deepened the kiss. When he finally eased away a few inches, he then tipped his head forward and rubbed noses with her and murmured huskily, “So tell me you'll marry me—for real.”

“Yes,” she whispered. Joyous tears filled her eyes as he traded the eternity band to her right hand and slipped the swirling gold-and-diamond engagement ring onto her left hand.

 

Two days later, Peter slipped the matching wedding ring onto her hand. Their family surrounded them once again, but this time, they stood in the church's small, stained-glass prayer chapel. The vows spoken this time carried true meaning and heartfelt love.

After a very satisfying kiss, Peter dipped his fingers into his pocket and produced a tiny box. “Pastor Fuller and I planned a little something extra.”

Marie watched as the pastor knelt and drew both boys in front of himself. He spoke a few simple words and declared the boys brothers. She looked up at Peter, and he snuggled her a bit more securely, as if to tell her, “This is the way it's supposed to be. This is right.” Pastor Fuller opened the box Peter handed to him and latched identification bracelets on the boys' wrists. They were volubly pleased.

When they left the church, Peter's parents took the boys back to the house. Peter tucked Marie into a limousine and whisked her off to a nearby honeymoon suite where he kissed her breathless.

Finally, she whispered, “You're eager to start this honeymoon.”

He chuckled, then said under his breath, “I've waited long enough to love you, but believe me, you were worth the wait!”

“Why, thank you, Mr. Hallock.”

His eyes twinkled as he tenderly settled her in the center of the bed. “You're more than welcome, Mrs. Hallock.”

Though only three days long, their honeymoon was the stuff of fairy tales and fantasies. Even when they returned home and the boys misbehaved, life was sweeter than either of them ever dreamed it could be.

On their seven-month anniversary, Marie left the boys in Mrs. Lithmas's care for the afternoon and unexpectedly dropped in on Peter at work.

Peter looked up from his desk when she slipped into his office. “Marie! What are you doing here?”

She shrugged.

“Why don't I take you to lunch? We can drop by and see how things are going at Issac's House. They were supposed to install all of the computer equipment today.”

“That'd be nice.” She got close enough to give him a hug, and he enveloped her in his warmth. When he dipped to kiss her, she turned her head. “Peter?”

“Yeah?”

She gave him a dazzling smile. “I—I have your son.”

He chuckled. “You've got both of them, and if Luke dares to—”

She shook her head. “No, Peter.”

“So it's Ricky this time? What did that little rascal do?”

She looked down for a moment, then back at him. Tears of joy glistened in her eyes. “Peter, it's not Luke or Ricky. I'm carrying your son…or daughter.”

His arms tightened, and he let out a joyous whoop then they kissed with all of the love in their hearts.