by Jillian Hart
Aubrey stopped before him, unaware that she was standing exactly where she’d been that first evening, holding a crying Madison, when he’d fallen, unknowingly, in love with her. Because he realized it now. Could see it for what it was. He didn’t need the brush of evening’s gentle rose light falling over her to know she was his future and his heart’s reason for beating.
“You were right, Aubrey. We can’t go back to being friends. I don’t want to be friends.”
Her eyes widened. She stood before him, so vulnerable and dear. “You don’t?”
Was she really so surprised? “No. I’m in love with you. One hundred percent. Down to the soul. Forever and ever. I should have realized it. I should have—”
“You love me? That’s why you’re here?”
It was the hardest thing he’d ever done to see the pain in her eyes. To know his fears had done this. That’s what made him take the final risk, and lay all of his heart on the line. “It’s why I’m here. To ask you to forgive me. To ask if you love me like this, too.”
“Forever and ever?” she asked, as if she were weighing and measuring what remained in her heart. “Down to the soul?”
He couldn’t breathe or even blink. He’d never been so vulnerable.
Then she smiled. “Yes. That is exactly how I love you.”
Relief left him dizzy. Until this moment he hadn’t been sure. “I’m glad we have this deep love in common, too.”
“This feels like a dream.”
“I think it is. I found my dream, my heart, my purpose, and it’s you, Aubrey.”
She felt blinded by the overwhelming strength of her love for him. It grew stronger with each passing second. Each breath. Each heartbeat. Hope filled her until she couldn’t speak, only feel.
She finally had her own happily-ever-after.
Epilogue
“It’s time to throw the bouquet!”
Aubrey looked up at the sound of her twin’s voice. Sure enough, there was Ava on the gazebo in her grandmother’s backyard. She’d seized control of one of the microphones for the string quartet to make the announcement.
“All you single ladies, line up. C’mon. Don’t be shy!”
William’s hand tightened around hers. “I guess that means you, technically.”
“You haven’t official proposed, you know.”
“I was waiting for the right moment. It’s hard getting you alone. You have a lot of family.” He smiled wide enough that his dimples showed. “First there was Katherine’s wedding shower. Then your grandmother’s homecoming. And now the wedding. There hasn’t been a lot of time.”
“I know. It’s the hazard of having a large enmeshed family.”
“That happens to be the kind I like.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Go on. If you don’t, your sister is never going to stop talking into the mike.”
“It’s true.” She left him chuckling, but in truth, she was so happy she didn’t think her slippers touched the ground as she floated toward the gazebo where Katherine had taken her flower-launching position.
He trailed after her and took a spot on the sidelines. Oh, he looked like a dream in his black tux. She stood there, oblivious to all the festive cheers and speeches, simply drinking in the sight of him. He was her own love, her true romantic hero. Each day spent with him was happier than the last. She had her best blessings in him.
“Okay!” Katherine’s joyful voice vaguely pierced Aubrey’s thoughts. “Is everyone ready? Catching stances, girls. Here it comes!”
Aubrey loved how the evening’s sunlight seemed to find William. It caressed the strong line of his wide shoulders and highlighted him. He was a man of such strong character and kindness, this man she would love for the rest of her life.
Something smacked her against the side of her head.
“Aubrey!” It was Ava, scolding her. “You were supposed to catch it.”
“What?” Okay, she was a little preoccupied. Being in love could do that to a girl. Sure enough, Katherine’s lovely bouquet was at her feet. And something was glinting there. Something tied on to the lovely pink satin ribbon.
William knelt to pick up the bouquet. The glint became princess-cut diamonds on a platinum band. “I have a question to ask you.”
“How handy that you’re on one knee.”
“Exactly.” His smile was her heaven. “Aubrey McKaslin, will you marry me?”
The cheers from her family started and so she didn’t bother saying it loud enough for everyone to hear. She leaned close to whisper, so that he could know first. “It would be an honor.”
William’s hand was shaking as he slipped the ring on her finger. The diamonds sparkled like all the promises he intended to make to her—and to keep.
He swung her into his arms for a romantic kiss—much to the delight of the wedding guests.
He’d found his happily-ever-after, too. He was, after all, a deeply hopeful man.
Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for choosing Everyday Blessings. I hope you enjoyed reading Aubrey and William’s story as much as I did writing it. William has given up on living and on love—until Aubrey comes into his life. If you’re going through a tough time, please take heart. There are so many wonderful, everyday blessings God has in store for all of us.
Please watch for sister Lauren’s story, A McKaslin Homecoming, available next month.
Wishing you the best of blessings,
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
At the beginning of the story, Aubrey believes that she’s a sensible, average kind of girl. She’s afraid to even think about dating. Have you ever felt this way? What does it say about Aubrey’s character?
What is Aubrey’s first impression of William? How does her impression of him change after learning his history? How does this change her feelings toward him?
William is able to see Aubrey’s inner beauty. What does this say about his character?
How has William’s life experience affected him? How has that kept him from trusting others? What fear keeps him from falling in love with Aubrey?
How is God’s leading evident in their romance?
What does the photograph that William takes of Aubrey represent? Why does this affect her so deeply? How does this help her to come to terms with the sensible woman she is?
How does God guide William to hope?
How important are the values of family to Aubrey? How has she helped her family through hardships and how have they helped her? How important are those values to William? How does this influence their growing relationship?
How important are the values of compassion and service to others in this story?
Life is often a combination of sweet and sad. How is this theme evident in Everyday Blessings?
ISBN: 978-1-4268-8398-9
EVERYDAY BLESSINGS
Copyright © 2007 by Jill Strickler
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
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*The McKaslin Clan
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