Page 50 of Beneath the Flames
Rushing back inside, she asked Sir, “Did you see my journal, Sir? Please, please, tell me you did!”
Going to his office, Sir came back out, carrying it. “It is extremely important not to let this out of your sight, babygirl. You wouldn’t want this journal getting in thehands of someone else.”
She blushed, appalled by the thought. “I can’t imagine anything worse!”
Thinking of Hope, she muttered, “Before I know it, our little munchkins will be reading. I’d better find a safer place for this journal.”
“I wholeheartedly agree,” he chuckled.
As she headed to the bedroom to find a secure place for it, Sir called after her, “I’m glad to see you’re journaling again.”
She turned to smile at him. “Me, too, Sir. It’s been far too long.”
Brie tucked her journal away on the top shelf in the back of their closet and smiled to herself, wondering if Sir had taken a peek at her newest entry.
Compassion
Brie woke with a start. Lying back on the pillow, she was overcome with a clear sense of urgency. Assuming it was the remnants of a dream, she attempted to go back to sleep. However, the moment she closed her eyes, a vision of Marquis Gray flashed in her mind. Following Sir’s advice, she immediately concentrated on sending Marquis good thoughts and settled down to rest.
But as the day progressed, that sense of urgency returned and grew even stronger. Concerned, she went to speak to Sir about it. “I feel as if I should visit Marquis Gray. I know he said he doesn’t want visitors, but I feel a need to see him, Sir.”
Sir furrowed his brow. “An unexpected visit is not bound to go well, babygirl. The last thing I want is for you to be hurt, considering the current state he’s in. There is a reason he’s chosen to remain isolated.”
“I know, Sir…” she agreed with sadness. “However, this pull on my heart is something I can’t ignore.”
Sir nodded thoughtfully and considered her request. “If you feel you must go, then I support you. We can visit him tomorrow, after I finish work.”
Shaking her head, Brie explained, “Sir, I feel like I need to go now—as in right this very minute.”
“Unfortunately, I can’t break away today.”
After staring at Brie for several seconds, he finally sighed. “I’ve always advised you to trust your gut. That remains true now.”
Holding out his arms to Brie, she rushed into them and he kissed her on the forehead. “If you are feeling that strongly about it, you must honor that impulse. I will inform Celestia that you are coming.”
“Thank you, Sir!” she cried in relief, hugging him tightly.
Once she’d made the decision to go, she felt the tension ease up. Grabbing her purse, she gave him one last kiss.
But, as she was heading out the door, Sir called after her, “If things do not go well, leave before Gray has any chance of saying something you both will regret.”
“Yes, Sir,” she replied, feeling both anxious and resolute as she headed out the door.
When she arrived at their house, Brie was disgusted to see their home swarming with reporters. As soon as Brie hurried up to the house, Celestia opened the door before she had a chance to ring the doorbell.
“Please come in,” she whispered, quickly usheringBrie inside and shutting the door. Celestia’s normally radiant face was marred with lines of worry and stress.
Brie immediately stopped to hug her. “It’s going to be okay.”
Tears came to the sweet woman’s eyes. “I have never seen him like this. His soul is tortured and nothing I say or do has any effect. I’m at a loss at this point.” Celestia’s face crumbled into more tears when she confessed, “I feel like I’m losing him…”
Brie hugged her tighter, wanting to impart her strength onto Celestia. “You are his guiding light. He will not lose his way with you by his side. You must believe that.”
She nodded, quickly wiping the tears from her face. “You’re right. I cannot indulge in doubt. It does not honor my Master or my belief in God.”
Brie hugged her again before turning to face the door to the study.
“Would you like me to go with you?” Celestia offered.
