Page 127 of Better Together

Sure enough, Sawyer Henson was wrestling against his dad. When the kid caught sight of the whole congregation watching them, he took the opportunity to call out, “Y’all pray for me!”

Colt burst into laughter, though he tried to cover his mouth. Stella grabbed a hold of his arm and rested her forehead against it as her shoulders shook with laughter.

A second later, another boy, Abel Nicks, darted out of a side door toward the front of the sanctuary wearing a velvet cape and a gold crown. He propped his hands on his hips and stuck out his chest before shouting, “I’m impossible!”

The same moment Abel finished his declaration, Remi caught up with him and gently herded him backstage. She gave everyone a cheerful wave and a smile as she pushed Abel along.

Laughter rang out in the church louder than any song he’d ever heard, and Colt couldn’t stop laughing. Stella wrapped her arms around her middle. When she straightened, she wiped tears from her eyes, but it was no good. She fell into another fit, and the tears started up again.

Lauren quieted her own chuckles and announced, “Okay. Let’s start over.Now, we would like to bring you the story of Jesus’s birth.”

There were still some random laughs when a kid dressed as an angel entered from stage right. Within minutes, Ben was on the stage dressed as a shepherd, and Abby stood with a group of girls as angels. Despite a few boys using the shepherd’s hooks as swords and one kid picking his nose the whole time, the whole play was perfect. It took Colt a second to understand how young kids could understand the birth of the Savior enough to teach adults the significance of every event, but they’d done it. Watching Abby shout “Hallelujah!” and Ben’s bow before the manger would be forever seared in Colt’s memory.

Stella bumped him with her elbow. “You did well,” she whispered.

“Me? Remi and the kids did all this.”

Stella shook her head and grinned up at him. The shallow wrinkles around her eyes grew deeper as her cheeks lifted. “No, you did well.” She pointed to the front of the church. “Look how happy they are.”

All of the kids held hands and bowed as the church applauded as one. Remi stood to the side with a goofy grin on her face. He’d never seen her so radiant, and he’d never been so thankful to belong to her. She fought against his dream of a home and a family for so long, but he knew without a doubt that she didn’t regret the push that brought them together. God’s love and grace had smiled down on him in more ways than he could count.

He caught Remi watching him and shot her a wink. Her shoulders pulled in as her smile grew. She’d started blushing lately, and it was his favorite thing about her. If he loved her well enough, she’d be this happy in his arms forever.

Chapter36

Remi

Remi’s eyes slowly blinked open. Rolling onto her back, she rubbed one eye and then the other. The sky outside the bedroom window was dark, but a faint light bloomed at the windowsill.

She turned to look at the clock. It was just before six in the morning, and the kids weren’t rustling yet.

On her other side, Colt lay on his stomach with both hands tucked under his pillow. His dark hair stuck out in all directions, and the peaceful expression on his face reminded her that this home–this family–was real.

Remi turned to look up at the ceiling and closed her eyes. She repeated the same prayer in her mind every morning, but the words never lost their power.

Thank You for this happiness.

It was one sentence, but it held reverence for every joy and every blessing the Lord had given her, even some new ones lately. It held the promise of forgiveness for all those years she spent running. It held a faithfulness that she’d had to learn through trials. It held an assurance in the Lord’s perfect plan for her.

She opened her eyes and slowly lifted the blankets. Colt stretched beside her and groaned.

When she looked at him, his morning smile stopped her short. It was like an explosion in her heart. This man loved her, and he loved her with a resolve she’d never believed in before seeing it and experiencing it for herself.

“Morning, princess.”

The endearment had her head spinning. She’d worried that Tasha’s spying would ruin it, but after the investigation showed she’d been following them for days before showing up at Camille’s office, her attempt to steal something precious and private had backfired.

Remi was still his princess, and she knew without a doubt that she was the only one.

“Morning. I’ll get the coffee started.”

Colt threw a heavy arm over her and pulled her close. The force of his capture stole her breath.

But when he snuggled close to her, she relaxed against his warmth.

“I can’t believe the kids aren’t up yet,” he whispered.

“I bet they stayed up late hoping to catch Santa in the act.”

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