Page 121 of From Ice to Grace
There’s nothing I want more right now.
But I promised I’d do this right.
“Declan, I didn’t do any of this right with Axel,” I whisper, placing my hand on his chest, feeling the beat of his heart beneath my palm. “I promised God I would do it differently this time. That I would honor Him, and obey Him and His lead in whatever comes next.”
He watches me, silently, waiting for whatever comes next.
“That means if I kiss you, I’m going to mean it,” I continue softly. “If I kiss you, you’ll be the man I’m going to kiss for the rest of my life. Is that something you’re alright with?”
A smile spreads on his lips, his dimple deepening as pure joy sparks in his dark eyes.
“You love me that much, Snow?”
Hearing him say it, naming what I’ve been too afraid to admit, shifts something deep inside of me. Fear grips my heart. Because I do love him. I’m in love with Declan Murphy…and it terrifies me.
He tips my chin up, his touch gentle and almost reverent. Then he presses a kiss to the tip of my nose.
“I want to kiss you now,” he murmurs against my skin, his voice rough with emotion.
His lips brush my cheek. “I want to kiss you tomorrow,” he breathes, his warm breath tingling against my skin.
His lips trace along my jaw, coming to a halt a mere breath away from my own. “I want to kiss you forever, Avah.”
I close the distance between us, thanking God for this while asking Him to breathe life over the two of us and our new relationship.
He breaks the kiss suddenly, a small frown forming between his eyes.
“The ring?—”
“I tossed it in the Hudson,” I interrupt him before pulling him back to me again.
It’s in this moment, with Declan’s arms enveloping me, his heart beating against mine, I find the truth in God’s promise of grace and redemption.
Things might not look the way they’re supposed to, but it doesn’t matter to God.
He redeems what we thought was long gone.
He saves what we thought lost.
And He restores love to hearts that once felt beyond saving.
EPILOGUE
DECLAN
Two years later
“What if this is a bad idea?” I ask my wife, who’s sitting next to me in the truck.
Avah’s long platinum hair is now cut shorter, brushing her shoulders as she caresses her very pregnant belly.
In the past two years we’ve been here a couple of times. Boston feels different now with every trip, lighter…like it’s been calling to us in a way. We love visiting Aunt Kat, and come as often as we can. It’s good for Brady too, to get his mind off work, so Avah insists on dragging him along whenever we can.
“Forgiveness is never a bad idea,” she says, laying her hand on my thigh. “The little wiggling princess agrees with mommy. Besides, I want to see Aunt Kat. She made something for the baby, and I’m dying to see what it is.” She reaches for the door handle, excitement in her eyes. “So, let’s go.”
I stop her before she can open the door. “Hold up, Snowflake.”
I take a deep breath. I’ve known this day would come from the moment I met God in that rink. I knew there were things I’d have to leave behind and that includes the unforgiveness, bitterness, and resentment I’ve been holding onto for so many years.
