by T. I. Lowe
“Good. Now get out there and be all you can be.” He pops my backside with considerable force with his drill sergeant tone infusing each word.
“You’re pep-talking me with an Army slogan?”
He shrugs. “It’s a good one.”
“Enough already. Did you give it to her?” Jack scoots in the room.
I wiggle my finger in front of him.
“’Bout time. Now come on. Your fans have waited long enough to meet you.” Jack takes my hand and leads me out of the room and over to a table filled with every book I’ve written to date. “They’re all here to see you, darlin’,” he whispers in my ear before releasing my hand.
“I’m here to see them, too.” I grin while meeting as many sets of eyes as possible.
I see life now and have no plans of ever going back blind to the vast wonders it offers. And that’s the best part about it. It’s all there for the taking. The only thing anyone has to do is stop hiding from their fears, surrender it all to God, and claim it like a boss.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 NIV
Epilogue
It wasn’t a perfect life, for Lana and Roark were not perfect people. Instead of focusing on the flaws present, they chose to appreciate them, knowing God was doing a work in their lives. It had been a slow process with several rewrites due to circumstances. They both were learning to delete things hindering them and add as many sweet scenes as possible. One day, the couple’s life would be written completely. Until then, Lana and Roark promised to live it to the fullest.
“That’s it. Time for a break, Mrs. Author.”
Before I can retaliate, I find myself tossed over Sergeant Bossy’s shoulder and being whisked out of my office.
“Come on, now. We agreed I work five days a week, eight hours a day!” I slap at Beck’s butt, but it doesn’t slow his long strides one bit. He laid the law down about me living in my office and working an obscene amount of hours, but sometimes a writer just needs to get the words out no matter the time.
“Yes, but you got up in the middle of the night last night and worked for several hours. Time for a break to spend some special time with your husband.” He doesn’t slow until we are at the foot of our bed, and then playfully tosses me onto the center.
Grinning up at him as I watch his shirt disappear, I say, “Well, how can I resist that.” I motion toward him, causing Beck’s incredible grin to join mine.
The next hour or so is quite special…
“What are you laughing at?” I mutter, half asleep.
“You were snoring.”
“Was not.” I snuggle closer and feel Beck’s arms tighten around me. Divine.
“Okay, go back to sleep.”
“How long have I been out?”
“About an hour.”
“Ugh. Why’d you let me sleep for that long?” I try rubbing the sleep from my eyes.
“You needed the rest. Plus, I’ve been enjoying watching you drool all over my chest.” He chuckles quietly.
I use the blanket to mop up my mess, realizing I was more exhausted than I thought. My husband always knows, though. After I dry his chest, I snuggle back down and revel in his warmth and soapy scent. A while back I did some internet research on pheromones and chemical reactions to try to make some sense as to why Beck’s scent drives me crazy in such a good way. Some say such reactions are only found in animals, but I beg to differ. Never has soap had this effect on me until meeting this amazing man. I think it was all God. He wanted to make sure I was so drawn to Beck, I wouldn’t be able to run away. It worked, that’s for sure.
“You love women drooling over you,” I tease and take a deep inhale of my most favorite smell in the entire world—my husband.
“Only one woman. Don’t mistake me for Jack.”
“Ah, but he’s not so bad anymore. There are only a few women who seem to be drooling over him at church nowadays.”
“I need to warn them about his wicked mouth.” Beck snorts.
We like to tease Jack about his wicked mouth, but the man has the purest of hearts. It didn’t take long after I gave my life over to God that Jack found it appealing enough to do the same. He has closed his Italian restaurant every Sunday for the past one and a half years, so that our church family can meet there. I’ve lost count of how many meals he’s had waiting for everyone at the end of services. This Sunday will be the last meeting at the restaurant. It will be bittersweet.
I trace the smooth, black lines of the harp tattooed over Beck’s heart and ask, “Have the pews been delivered yet?”
“Not until this afternoon. Jack is going to meet me over there and help install them.”
“That’s great.”
“Yeah. It’s even greater that someone’s anonymous donation funded the entire rebuild of Oceanside.” Beck squeezes me a little tighter for emphasis, but I ignore it.
I know that he knows the donation came from my bloated bank account, but we don’t acknowledge it. I’ve been beyond blessed, so that I can bless others. It’s also led me to fund a charity for young women struggling with any type of addiction, whether it is food and the eating disorders that come along with it, substance abuse, sexual, or even shopping. A group of women from church help out with it and it’s become nationally recognized. Yes, I use any book event to plug it, but that’s a perk to this newfound fame. Admittedly, it’s helped me stay sober as well. A few chapters have been difficult, but keeping my focus in the right place and the support of my loved ones has helped.
“I’m gonna grab a quick shower and go with you.” I untangle myself from his arms and the sheets, but not before Beck pulls me back for one more kiss.
“I love you,” he whispers against my lips.
“And I love you,” I whisper right back.
After a little more kissing, I head to the shower with the last few years swirling around in my head. One of the most important lessons I’ve finally grasped is forgiveness and letting things go. My love for internet searches led me to look up the definition of opinion one day while contemplating how negative I felt against my childhood church.
Opinion is a view or judgment formed in the mind about a particular matter.
We all have an opinion, even though it may not line up with everyone else’s. Funny how my transformation has changed my opinion. I’ve visited my parents and attended church with them several times recently. I go to church to praise God nowadays and not to nitpick His people to death. Sure, some are the same as they ever were, but now I just feel sorry for them. They’re cheating themselves out of a sweet relationship with God by focusing on their rituals. Here’s praying they change their opinion someday soon.
As for me, I’m gonna keep my focus on God and allow Him to pen the rest of my unwritten life the way He sees fit.
Life Unwritten Playlist
“Way Down We Go” by Kaleo
“Sober” by P!nk
“When I’m With You” by Citizen Way
“Perfect” by P!nk
“Flowers in Your Hair” by The Lumineers
“Magnify” by We Are Messengers
“Welcome to Your Life” by Grouplove
“Send the Rain” by Aaron Butler
“Brand New” by Ben Rector
“Live Like You’re Loved” by Hawk Nelson
Other Inspiring Books by T.I. LOWE
Lulu’s Cafe
Goodbyes and Second Chances
A Bleu Streak Christmas
A Bleu Streak Summer
The Reversal
Coming Home Again
Julia’s Journey
A Discovery of Hope
Orange Blossom Café
Orange Blossom Bride
Path to Love
For a complete list of Lowe’s published books, biography, upcoming events, and other information, visit http://www.tilowe.com/ and be sure to check out her blog, COFFEE CUP, while you’re there!
She loves to connect with her reading friends.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
A special thank you to my lovely readers. Your enthusiasm over my stories and unwavering support touches my heart more than I can express in words.
My honest and dependable beta readers, Sally Anderson, Trina Cooke, Lynn Edge, Linda Saylor, and Jennifer Strickland.
Thanks for your guidance in making this story better.
My Lowe family, Bernie, Nate, and Lydia.
You make my life brighter and sweeter. Love ya!
My Savior Jesus Christ, thank You for being the lamp to my feet and the light to this blessed writing path.