Page 76 of With All My Heart, Joy

Joy shot a questioning look at Isaac.

“Tell you later. But I promise you’ll love the story. Here, this is my mom, my stepdad, and my sister.”

After introductions were made and Joy felt thoroughly welcomed by Isaac’s family, she found herself standing beside the Christmas tree, Isaac’s arms draped around her from behind. She looked at the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree and smiled.

“Now do you understand why I love Christmas so much? It’s a season for miracles.”

Isaac leaned to press his cheek to hers. “You’re my miracle, Joy Halverson. And I won’t let you forget that for the rest of our lives.”

As Joy turned in his arms to press a kiss to his cheek, she closed her eyes in absolute wonder, knowing that her new purpose had found its home—in Isaac.

She knew with all of her heart.

Epilogue

Two years later

Joy dropped a kiss on the feathery dark hairs that covered Isabella’s head before gently settling her into the crib her mom kept in Joy’s old bedroom. There were enough grandchildren now that her mom had several nurseries in the house.

“Out like a light,” she said softly as she stepped from the room. Isaac waited in the hallway with a languid smile.

“In case I haven’t told you before…you’re a wonderful mother.”

“I wouldn’t be without you.” She rose on her toes to plant a kiss on his lips, but when she started to pull back, he mumbled “nuh-uh” and wrapped both arms around her to keep going.

So typical.

They had gotten married seven months after Christmas. She found out she was pregnant the following December, and Isabella made her debut three months ago in September. As Joy had braced herself for, postpartum depression ravaged her. The first two months were brutal. Dark and ugly and not something she wanted to relive. But with Isaac at her side every night, every day, encouraging her, loving her, and, yes, counseling her, she made it.

A few weeks ago, the light had broken through, and over the last two weeks, she found her rhythm. Motherhood was a miracle, and to be actually enjoying it now, another miracle she would not take for granted.

What she would have done without Isaac, she didn’t want to consider. God knew what he was doing when he played matchmaker. He knew Joy needed a counselor in her life.

Her depression still came and went, as it always had. Isaac didn’t pressure her, but he was there when she needed him. She had decided to give medication a try and didn’t like the side effects, but if things got too bad, she was willing to try again.

Isaac slowly released her, his arms loosely looped around her. “By the way, you’re stronger than you think. Don’t doubt yourself. You would do life on your own just fine.” He nuzzled her nose. “But I’m glad I get to do it with you.”

He told her the same thing every day, and she chose to believe him. But she certainly was glad she didn’t have to do life without him, either.

“I found them,” TJ’s exasperated voice called out from the top of the stairs. “Making out again.”

Joy’s cheeks filled with heat as her brother appeared in the hallway, but Isaac shrugged and pulled her by the hand. “She’s my wife. I see nothing wrong with it.”

They followed TJ down the stairs as he grumbled about leaving the love at home.

“You’re one to talk,” Joy said. “You haven’t kept your hands off Melody for the last three years.”

The grin he threw over his shoulder was smug. “And the proof is coming in six months.”

“TJ!” Joy broke Isaac’s hold and launched herself at her brother, nearly sending them both bowling down the stairs. “Mel’s expecting?”

“Don’t let Mom know I told you before her. She might not feed me.”

With laughter among them, they joined the rest of Joy’s growing extended family in the dining room. Lucy and Silas had a one-year-old and a full-time nanny, allowing Lucy to continue her photography business. While Joy could choose to envy their easy life, she chose to remain in awe of her own life. She wouldn’t trade it for anything. God had given her the life that was perfect for her, and he’d done the same for Lucy.

Charity had given birth to twins in August, and Joy grew closer and closer to Ben. If anything, they got together more than the other siblings. Making up for lost time.

Victor had moved back to Silver Lake City with his kids two months after Leah passed. He took her death hard. The grief hadn’t let up yet, and Joy missed his happy-go-lucky personality. She could only hope it would come back little by little and maybe, one day, he would love again.

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