Page 51 of Hope
She didn’t know it could be like that. Sweet, giving, tender, loving. It replaced the ugly memories of Manny’s forcefulness with ones of love. Her heart swelled and she thought it would burst with her love for Carl.
The kiss ended.
Carl’s hand didn’t leave her neck. He rubbed his thumb against her skin. “I don’t want this to end.”
“Me neither,” she whispered, near tears in a state of happy delirium.
“Ever.” He swallowed, and his voice shook. “I’m not the most romantic guy. This is about as high as my romance level gets, but I can promise you that I’ll always love you, provide for you, and protect you. I’ll respect you and your opinions, and I’ll do anything I can to make your life easier. I’ll love Skye and Mercy as my own daughters and raise them with you. I’m crazy about you, Luna, and head over heels in love with you. Will you marry me?”
She never realized joy this deep existed. The tears poured over, and she threw her arms around him, and hugged him with everything in her. “I love you, too. Yes.”
Epilogue
Father’s Day, The Next Year
Carl stood outside the church with Hope. They’d put her in a fancy dog dress which was completely frivolous and impractical, but sometimes life called for a bit of whimsy. Hope played a vital role in bringing him and Luna together, and it only made sense that they would include her in their family’s special events.
Last June, she’d dressed as a flower girl as with Mercy and Skye in his mom’s wedding. She reprised the role for his and Luna’s wedding in September. She’d walked down the aisle, carrying a basket of flowers in her mouth, out of which, the girls threw petals.
Luna opened the double doors to the church, wearing a new dress of sunshine and flowers. Mercy and Skye stood on either side of her wearing matching yellow dresses. “It’s almost time to start.”
Skye petted Hope. “Can she sit next to me, Daddy?”
He had a hard time telling her no, especially when she called him Daddy. He couldn’t love her more if they shared DNA. “Let’s see how she does first, okay? If she doesn’t get overly excited, then she can stay by you.”
Initially, Pastor Ted wasn’t ecstatic about welcoming a dog into today’s service, but he’d conceded given the circumstances.
The five of them walked into the church and sat in their usual pew. Mom and Jeff sat one pew in front of them. They basked in their role of grandparents, and it meant a lot to Carl that Jeff had come with them on Father’s Day, which he usually spent with his biological son. They sang the opening hymns, and then Pastor Ted stood at the pulpit.
“I see a lot as a pastor, but one of the most rewarding things is to witness a family growing together to serve the Lord. Today, on this day we honor fathers, we have a family who’d like to publicly come forward and dedicate their children to the Lord. Carl and Luna, would you please come up with your girls. Family, you’re welcome to join, as well.”
The congregation chuckled when they saw Hope. A handful of the members already knew her because she’d been training to be a therapy dog at the hospital. Carl stood with Luna to his right and his parents on his left. Skye and Mercy stood in front of them, and Hope laid down in front of the girls.
Pastor Ted began speaking again. “Many of you know Carl and Luna’s testimony, and today we celebrate their decision to raise their children in a godly home, but there is more. What you may not know is that on Friday, the adoption paperwork was finalized, and Carl is fully and legally the father of Skye and Mercy Thomas.”
Thunderous applause circled the sanctuary. Carl barely noticed, as his mind heard his last name as Skye and Mercy’s. His chest puffed with pride. He prayed every day that he’d be the best father possible, and that God would guide him in raising these two sweet girls.
He glanced at Luna, his wife he fell more in love with every day and squeezed her hand. Together, they looked at the pastor and nodded, granting him permission to share their news.
The pastor grinned and spoke again. “They’d also like to take this time to announce that they’ll be participating in another child dedication next winter.”
