“How long should that take?”
Was it his imagination, or did Noelle already sound bored with the conversation? “Probably a few hours. And then we’re going to paint our nails afterward.”
“Girl stuff, huh?”
“Yeah.”
“You don’t sound too excited.”
“Am I supposed to with everything that’s going on right now?”
He hated the dejected note he heard in her voice. Trying to give her some words of encouragement, he said, “Just hang in there. Things will get better. I promise.”
“No offense, Pierce, but I don’t see how you’re in any position to make that promise.”
“Trust in the Lord, all right?”
Pierce held his breath until she finally agreed. “All right. But, Pierce, this is so hard.”
“I know, sweetheart,” he consoled her. “It’s hard for me too. But we’ll get through it. I’ll be right beside you, Noelle. I’m planning on being with you for the rest of my life.”
Her quick intake of breath came through loud and clear. Yep, she’d heard him, all right. He’d let her think about that for a while. “Well, I have a couple of errands I need to run. Have fun tonight and at the bridal shower in the morning. I’ll see you soon.”
“Okay. See you soon,” she repeated.
Funny. Her voice didn’t sound quite so flat anymore.
An hour later, he pulled up in front of the Jensens’ house, noting that the property was devoid of Melody’s car. He tugged at the collar of his short-sleeved, button-down blue shirt. Noelle’s father answered the door when he rang the bell. Looking mildly surprised, he greeted Pierce. “Did Noelle know that you were coming over? I’m afraid she isn’t here.”
“No, sir. She doesn’t know that I’m here. Actually, I was wondering if I could take a few minutes of your time.”
Samuel ushered him in, waving him to the couch. Little beads of sweat formed on his hands and neck. Okay, so he was nervous. He’d never done this before. And hopefully, he’d never have to do it again.
Before he could begin, Brenda Jensen, looking elegant and regal as ever, appeared. “Samuel, have you seen—oh!” Pierce stood and waited courteously for her to continue. “Hello,” she said in a clipped voice. “I wasn’t expecting company.”
“Have a seat, Brenda. Pierce was just about to explain why he’s here, although I think I have a pretty good idea.” He winked at Pierce, who smiled amiably. Maybe it would be all right, after all. “Something tells me this has to do with Noelle?”
Glancing first at her father and then her mother to gauge their reactions, Pierce announced, “I would like to ask your permission to marry your daughter.”
TWENTY-FIVE
PIERCE LEANED AGAINST his Explorer and opened the jewelry case one more time just to convince himself that this was real. There it was, a square-cut diamond shimmering with tiny lights that danced in the sunlight. Last evening’s interview had gone well with Noelle’s parents, though he’d answered what had seemed like a thousand questions regarding his plans for providing for her and their children. He wasn’t surprised that they’d known of the conflict concerning his schooling, but when they’d seen his sincerity in his decision to wait on the Lord, knowing that it had been a difficult one to make, they’d given their approval for him to propose.
He noted the time, thinking that Melody’s bridal shower should be finishing up soon. He clicked the ring box closed and pocketed it, taking a deep breath. He hoped that Noelle had enough faith in him to give him a chance.
“Wow! That was so fun! Thank you so much, Lori and Noelle!” Melody hugged her bridesmaids one at a time, clearly in awe of the favorable turnout. “You outdid yourselves.”
“It was definitely a success, if I do say so myself,” Lori responded happily. “And you make quite the blushing bride,” she teased.
As if on cue, Melody’s face turned a becoming shade of pink. Noelle would have thought it amusing had she not felt so distressed. She had sat through the two most difficult hours of her life since Chase had broken up with her, listening to the guests ooh and ah over the ultrafeminine and beautiful gifts she opened. Add to that her uncertainty of knowing where she and Pierce stood and her mood was quickly going downhill.
After another round of profuse gratitude, she, along with Melody and their mother, packed all of Melody’s new belongings into the trunk of their mother’s car and drove home. From the backseat, silent tears fell down Noelle’s cheeks. Angry at her weakness and not really knowing the reason behind it, she rushed into the house and ran upstairs, needing to be alone.
Melody was a really sweet sister. And even though Noelle didn’t love Chase any longer, she was still struggling with her feelings of jealousy and inadequacy. If only she had been more accepting of Pierce’s news. If only she hadn’t complained or tried to make him feel guilty for wanting to succeed. He’d been incredibly patient with her and had shown her how to trust again.
She loved him with all her heart and she didn’t want him to go. She cried into her pillow until her tears were spent. After a time, she kneeled down and prayed, pouring her heart out to her Father in Heaven as she had done countless times before. This time, a warm feeling blossomed in her heart and expanded as another part of her patriarchal blessing came to her mind. You will be sealed to a man of your choice in the house of the Lord for time and all eternity. This is a tremendous blessing. She’d read those words so often through the years, she had them memorized. But thinking of them now initiated such an incredible feeling of joy within her heart as to make her bow her head once again to thank Him for hearing her prayers.
The doorbell rang downstairs and Noelle experienced a sudden, inexplicable urge to check her face for any telltale signs. Viewing herself critically, she decided that she’d look okay if she quickly retouched her makeup.
A knock sounded on her bedroom door a moment later. “Noelle,” Melody called, “Mom and Dad want you to come down to greet our visitor.”
Noelle frowned at Melody’s odd choice of words. Opening the door and crossing to the stairway, she spotted Melody through the open door of her bedroom sorting through her gifts. Melody glanced up and grinned at her. Noelle smiled back before taking a fortifying breath. Then she went downstairs, stopping midway down from the staircase, her heart thumping rapidly at the sight of Pierce’s brown hair and deep brown eyes following her every move. His lips turned upward appreciatively.
“Hey, beautiful.”
“Pierce!” Noelle flew down the staircase straight into his arms and hugged him fiercely, loving his solid strength and the comforting warmth of his embrace.
They pulled apart just long enough for their lips to meet in a fervent kiss.
Obviously appalled by Noelle’s forwardness, Noelle’s mother gasped from across the room. “Noelle Grace Jensen!”
Noelle and Pierce broke apart simultaneously. However, Noelle wasn’t ready to let go of him yet. She encircled him with her arms again, resting her head sideways on his chest while addressing her mom. “I can’t help it. I’m just so glad he’s here!”
Her dad, who was sitting next to her mom, chuckled and gently took her mom’s hand in his and serenely stated, “Isn’t it wonderful to see Noelle in love?” Her mom regarded them thoughtfully for a moment before nodding her head and smiling demurely.
Melody came down the stairs just in time to see Pierce kiss Noelle again. The amusement in her voice was unmistakable. “I think you’d better start planning another wedding, Mom. And soon.”
Later that afternoon, Pierce and Noelle stood outside of the Gilbert Temple, holding hands while gazing at the magnificent edifice. Since it was May and the sun had just passed its zenith, they didn’t want to linger too long. The leaves of the palm trees swaying in the slight breeze offered practically no relief from the heat, but here beside the cascading water fountain, with the sunlight shining directly on the water, he could see the silhouettes of himself and Noelle and imagine their lives bec
oming just as clear and beautiful as their reflections.
“So your middle name is Grace, huh?” He smiled at her while leading her to a bench underneath a nearby stone structure.
She blushed under his scrutiny. “Yes. It doesn’t really fit me, however, since I’m not very Grace-ful.”
“Yes, you are,” he acknowledged easily, grasping her hands lightly. “How many other women would have forgiven their sister for taking their boyfriend? It wasn’t easy for you, but you overcame your hard feelings and now you and Melody are closer than ever. I’m proud of you.”
“You are?” she breathed in disbelief.
“And you know what else?” She shook her head. “You helped me to reconnect with my dad. You handled being thrown into that lion’s den with grace and dignity. I’ll always be grateful. But that isn’t all.”
“You mean there’s more?” she joked.
He nodded seriously. “I knew that you felt uncomfortable praying beside me in the Snowflake Temple, but you did it anyway. I love your faith, Noelle, and I love your charisma. I love you,” he said emphatically.
“I love you too! And now that I know what it feels like to be truly loved, I don’t want this feeling to ever end.”
“That’s the good thing about temples, sweetheart. It doesn’t have to.” Going down on one knee, he withdrew the ring box from his pocket and opened it to her. “I love you, Noelle, and I want you to marry me. Will you become my wife?”
She looked at him uncertainly. “What about Stanford or Idaho?”
“I’m staying here.”
Her brows furrowed. “But, Pierce, this is your dream. You can’t turn them down. What will you do?”
“Noelle, I want to marry you for time and all eternity and have a family with you. If it’s right for me to pursue the biomedical engineering program, the Lord will bless us with the right opportunity. If it isn’t, then He’ll lead us another way. I’m not going to be afraid anymore, and I’m not going to let my career come between me and my family.”
“I’m not going to be afraid anymore, either.”
“Then you’ll marry me?”
“Yes,” she answered, smiling lovingly at him. After placing the ring on her finger, Pierce kissed her tenderly. “And soon.”
The longer he kissed her, the more he agreed. “The sooner the better.”
Their marriage and sealing was scheduled for eight o’clock sharp in the Gilbert Temple on this sweltering July morning. Noelle’s parents had scrambled to put together a beautiful wedding in the eight short weeks Pierce and Noelle had given them. The monsoon season was in full swing, with the humidity becoming unbearable toward the middle of the day. Thankfully, they had already taken their wedding pictures yesterday morning.
Pierce had loved seeing Noelle in her light blue bridesmaid dress for Chase and Melody’s reception. But he thought she looked absolutely gorgeous in her white gown, which was quite different from her sister’s. It matched her personality—fun with a bit of flair. The skirt was tucked at various points to create scalloped ruffles in layers that went to the floor.
Her bouquet held pale pink and white dogwood flowers that they had specially ordered. Noelle had chosen to use them in honor of Tamara’s Southern roots. “Something to remind you of home,” Noelle said as she handed the corsage and boutonniere to Jared and Tamara. Tamara’s eyes watered as she pulled Noelle into a warm hug. “Thank you so much, sugar. They must have been hard to find so late in the season. However did you manage it?”
Noelle then turned to Pierce, who caught his dad’s mischievous smile and said, “We had a little help from Dad.”
Noelle smiled and added, “We are so blessed to have three mothers instead of two.” As far as Pierce was concerned, he’d been blessed with this beautiful woman who had proven once again that her middle name was indeed a perfect match.
He’d never forget the wonder and thrill he felt as the sealer pronounced them husband and wife, sealed for time and all eternity through the sacred priesthood keys that he held. As he danced with his bride at their reception later that evening, he marveled at how far they’d come through their trials. He would forever thank God for sending Noelle into his life. This feeling of love was so much more intense than climbing up a steep rock or jumping off a bridge into frigid water. Marriage was going to be the ultimate adventure.
EPILOGUE
NOELLE LOGAN PEERED down at her infant son, loving the feel of his tiny hand gripping her finger as he dozed. Dressed in white, his tranquility added to his angelic appearance. She glanced over at her sister, who was holding her ten-month-old daughter, Lily. They shared a smile. “It’s amazing, isn’t it, being a mother?” Melody whispered. “There’s no other feeling like it.”
Noelle nodded her agreement, wanting this moment to last forever. Soon, however, the bishop stood and announced the baby blessing for Caleb Blake Logan. Noelle kissed his downy head before handing him to her doting husband.
Walking to the front of the chapel, Pierce tried to still the butterflies in his stomach. All of their family members had come to support them for this important occasion. He wanted to do it right.
As he waited for the others to join him in the circle, he sought Noelle’s gaze from a few rows back. She sent him an encouraging smile. She was even more beautiful now than when they’d married two years ago. She had completed her degree and been a substitute teacher for a semester, and then she taught at a local elementary school for one year while he attended classes through the post-graduate program at Arizona State University. He had received an acceptance letter from them almost immediately after turning the other two down. It was amazing what could happen when a person placed his trust in the Lord.
Chase stood to Pierce’s right between his father-in-law and Noelle’s brother, Ryan. His other brother-in-law, Blake, was standing next to Pierce’s own father almost directly across from him. Craig and his stepfather, Eric, flanked him on the other side next to the bishop and first counselor.
Pierce looked at his dad squarely and smiled his gratitude for changing his life and being here for him. His dad returned his smile meaningfully. They’d formed a stronger bond once he had let go of the regrets and hard feelings of the past. Pierce and Noelle had been in the San Diego Temple for Jared and Tamara’s sealing last year. He was thrilled for his dad. Their relationship had grown in ways that Pierce could not have imagined.
Looking around the circle, Pierce felt absolutely amazed by the miracle that been wrought among his family members. The Lord surely had melded them into a stronger and more compassionate family. The one regret Pierce felt while scanning the circle was that Gage was not in it. Though he’d cleaned up his language and appearance, he still had not accepted any of the family members’ invitations to come back to church. Something was holding him back. Gage’s brief marriage while he’d worked in Tucson for the University of Arizona’s marketing department probably had something to do with that. Pierce knew his parents were worried about him. Now, at least, Gage was living in Mesa again and working for the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. Pierce prayed for him every day, hoping that someone would come into his life who could encourage him in the way that he needed.
Pierce felt the power of the priesthood envelop him like a warm cloak as he held his infant son and took a calming breath before he began. When the blessing concluded, Pierce looked up at his dad and knew that he had literally come full circle. He would be a good father to his son. Sitting down next to Noelle, he vowed once again to be a good husband to his wife.
Suddenly, the baby, who had been blissfully asleep through the blessing, began to whimper. It wasn’t long before his small cries turned into ear-numbing wails. Pierce made room for Noelle to exit the pew to take care of Caleb. He caught his mother’s all-knowing grin from across the aisle and matched it with one of his own. Let the parenting adventures begin!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Were Melody’s reservations over Pierce justified? Why or why not?
Did Noelle’s parents show equal love toward their daughters? Justify your opinion.
Pierce is surprised to learn that his father married a Southern belle. Have you ever experienced a time when someone did not meet your expectations? Share how this experience affected your relationship with that person.
Have you known couples who seem to be polar opposites of each other, such as Noelle’s parents? What makes their relationship work?
Have you ever known a person like Chase? Why is it important to pay attention to a person’s nonverbal cues or small discrepancies in their dialogue?
How did you anticipate Melody and Chase’s relationship developing toward the end? Should she have married him? Why or why not?
Was Pierce’s invitation for Noelle to accompany him to California appropriate? How has society’s perception of dating changed in the past few decades?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Laura Walker grew up in southern Arizona. She met her husband, Rob, at Northern Arizona University where she earned her bachelor degree in elementary education. They are now raising six beautiful children. Her hobbies include water aerobics and sewing. At the end of the day, Laura loves to curl up with a good book or write one of her own. Pierced by Love is her first published novel.
© 2014 Laura L. Walker
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form whatsoever, whether by graphic, visual, electronic, film, microfilm, tape recording, or any other means, without prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief passages embodied in critical reviews and articles.
This is a work of fiction. The characters, names, incidents, places, and dialogue are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. The opinions and views expressed herein belong solely to the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions or views of Cedar Fort, Inc. Permission for the use of sources, graphics, and photos is also solely the responsibility of the author.
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