Page 31 of Biblical Knowledge
My voice broke, and the fury crumbled into something smaller, something helpless.“I couldn’t bear it.I walked out of that confessional shaking.No, not walked—I bolted.And when I hit the steps outside, I fucking spit on them.I spit on holy ground.”My fingers dug into the couch cushion.“That’s when I knew I couldn’t go back.That everything I’d built my life on was gone.And I hated myself for feeling so damned relieved.”
I dragged both hands through my hair, tugging hard, my breath ragged.“So I went searching for you.Because after all that, all I could think about was you.I don’t even know what that means, but God help me, Noah—I wanted to be here.With you.”
Noah’s hand slid into mine, warm and steady, and I felt the rough pad of his thumb brush against my knuckles. “I have something I need to confess too,” he said, his eyes locked on mine.
I lifted my free hand to swipe at the dampness on my face.My tears embarrassed me, but Noah only squeezed my hand harder, like he was grounding me.
“Henry,” he said softly, his voice catching in that way that made my pulse throb in my throat, “I’m so damn proud of you.Learning who you really are—it isn’t easy.Letting go of the beliefs that have cut you down your whole life?That’s one of the hardest journeys a man can ever take.But you’re walking it.You’re surviving it.And you’re stronger than you realize.”
His words pierced me deeper than religion ever had, reaching that raw, hollow place in my chest that had been starved of comfort.
Noah inhaled, then let out a shaky laugh.“And the truth is, all I can think about is you.I’ve never had feelings like this before.I was fine being on my own—sometimes lonely, sure, but fine.Until you.You’re not just handsome, Henry.You’re strong.You’re brave.You’re…” He faltered, his grip tightening on my hand.“I don’t even know if I’m saying this right, but—would you ever consider… us?Being something more?”
He rushed ahead before I could even breathe.“I don’t want to pressure you.I know you’re going through so much, and I’ll wait, I swear I’ll wait, but—”
I couldn’t let him finish.His words, so raw and full of yearning, shattered the last of my restraint.I leaned forward and kissed him, hard and hungry, pouring into him everything I’d been choking down for years—my fear, my longing, my desperate need to be wanted, to be seen.
His lips parted beneath mine, and I lost myself in the taste of him, in the heat of his breath, in the way his fingers clutched at me like he’d never let go.The kiss deepened, and for the first time in my life, I didn’t feel like I was sinning.I felt like I was finally alive.
When I pulled back, my forehead rested against his, both of us breathing hard.My voice was ragged, torn straight from my chest.
“Yes,” I whispered, then firmer, with a conviction I hadn’t known I possessed.“Yes, Noah.I can’t think of anything I’d love more.”
Epilogue
Noah- Three Years Later
Song of Songs 8:6-7 – Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave.Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away.
* * *
The sunlight slanted through the lace-curtained windows of my childhood bedroom, painting everything gold—my dresser, the shelves of childhood trophies, the worn rug that had seen every scraped knee and heartbreak of my youth.And yet, somehow, it all felt brand new today.Today, Henry and I were getting married in the very house I’d grown up in, and for the first time, every corner seemed to hold a promise rather than a memory.
My sister Hannah was bustling around us, her energy impossible to resist.She stood in front of Henry, carefully adjusting his crisp white shirt and straightening his tie.“Honestly, Henry,” she said, tugging gently at the knot, “I can’t believe you’re marrying my baby brother.You look… ridiculously good in this.Ridiculously.”
Henry’s face was a little pink under the collar, his nerves evident even through the calm he tried to project.“I just—” he started, his voice catching, “I just can’t believe I’m standing here with him.”
“You mean me?”I teased, looping my arm around his shoulder.His head tilted toward mine, and my heart stuttered like it had a pulse all its own.
Hannah smirked.“Both of you.But seriously, Henry, I know no one from your family would come, but you’ve become one of us.Our family would be lost without you.And look at you—you fit right in.I swear, if Dad saw you now, he’d be crying in the corner.Which he might do later anyway, so be ready.”
Henry gave a soft laugh, finally relaxing a little under her ministrations.Hannah’s chatter moved on, as it always did.“Did you hear about Beth?”she whispered, leaning closer.“Our cousin?She had a baby and refuses to say who the father is.It’s fucking scandalous.”
Henry raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching into a grin.“Sounds dramatic.”
“Dramatic doesn’t even begin to cover it,” Hannah said, rolling her eyes.“Anyway, tie’s perfect, Henry.You’re officially ready to steal my brother’s heart forever.”
Before I could respond, there was a polite knock at the door.“Come in!”I called.
Dr.Scheinbaum stepped through, chic as ever, carrying two carefully wrapped gifts.The scent of her perfume, somewhere between lavender and sandalwood, hit me instantly, and I felt a strange, happy flutter in my stomach.
“Congratulations, Noah,” she said, handing me a box wrapped in soft cream paper with a gold ribbon.“This one’s for you.Congratulations on being hired at Claremont, and your students will love you.Your wedding present is waiting outside with the others.”I took the gift, feeling the weight of her pride in her careful, exacting way.
She turned to Henry, who had straightened, standing tall despite the last traces of nerves.“And Henry, this is for you,” she said, handing him a smaller, square package.“I hear you’ve just published your first novel—The Redeemed Heart.What a beautiful, brave story.Congratulations.”
Henry blinked, touched, and I could see his throat working against a lump.I squeezed his shoulder.
Dr.Scheinbaum smiled at the two of us, a mixture of pride and affection lighting her usually sharp features.“I just want you both to know how proud I am of you.Henry, you’ve found your voice, and Noah… well, you’ve found your person.Never let go of each other.”
