Chapter 18

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Carissa



er desk in her office, diligently organizing files and updating records. Since becoming First Lady, she had taken on additional responsibilities, but she remained deeply committed to her work in child welfare. As she flipped through the files, she noticed several cases of children who needed to be placed in foster homes.

Her heart ached for the children, and she knew she needed to act quickly to find them safe and loving environments. Carissa made a note to call potential foster families later in the day and set up meetings to discuss placements. Her dedication to these children was unwavering, and she felt a deep sense of purpose in her role.

As she continued to work, Carissa's thoughts drifted to her upcoming wedding. She realized she needed to plan her bachelorette party, a celebration she looked forward to sharing with her closest friends and family. She smiled, thinking about the fun and laughter that awaited them.

Just then, her phone buzzed with a message from Amethyst, her maid of honor. "Hey Carissa, don't worry about planning anything for tonight. We have a little something special planned for you."

Carissa's curiosity was piqued. "A little something special? What do you mean?"

"You'll see," Amethyst replied with a wink emoji. "Just be ready at 6 PM."

Intrigued and excited, Carissa decided to focus on her work for the rest of the day, knowing she had something to look forward to later. She made several calls to potential foster families, arranging meetings and ensuring that the children would be placed in caring homes as soon as possible.

As the clock approached 6 PM, Carissa wrapped up her work and headed home to change. She chose a lovely outfit, feeling a mix of anticipation and happiness. Theodore noticed her excitement and gave her an encouraging smile. "You look amazing, Carissa. Have fun tonight!"

"Thank you, Theodore," Carissa said, giving him a quick kiss. "I'll see you later."

She arrived at the designated location, only to be greeted by a chorus of "Surprise!" from her friends and family. The room was beautifully decorated, and everyone was beaming with joy. Carissa's heart swelled with gratitude and love as she realized they had planned a surprise bridal shower just for her.

Amethyst stepped forward with a big smile. "We wanted to do something special to celebrate you, Carissa. You've been working so hard, and you deserve a night of fun and relaxation."

Tears of joy filled Carissa's eyes as she hugged Amethyst. "Thank you so much, everyone. This means the world to me."

The evening was filled with laughter, games, and heartfelt toasts. Carissa felt overwhelmed with love and support from her friends and family. It was a night she would cherish forever, a beautiful reminder of the incredible people in her life who stood by her side.

The bridal shower continued in high spirits, with an air of love and support filling the room. After the laughter and games, it was time for everyone to share words of encouragement for Carissa. The guests gathered in a cozy circle, each taking turns to offer heartfelt messages.

Amethyst stood up first, her eyes shining with pride. "Carissa, you have been an incredible friend, and I am so excited for this new chapter in your life. Your love and dedication to Theodore and your family are truly inspiring. I know you will be an amazing wife and mother."

One by one, friends and family members shared their thoughts, their words wrapped in warmth and admiration. Brielle and Taylor, Theodore's sisters, spoke of Carissa's kindness and how happy they were to have her as a sister-in-law. "Carissa, you bring so much joy and positivity into our lives. We're so grateful to have you in the family," Brielle said, her voice filled with sincerity.

Carissa's mother, Alayshia, fought back tears as she spoke. "My dear Carissa, I am so proud of the woman you have become. You have a heart full of love and compassion, and I know you and Theodore will build a beautiful life together. Remember, you are never alone—your family will always be here to support you."

As the words of encouragement flowed, Carissa felt a deep sense of love and connection with everyone in the room. It was a moment of pure gratitude, knowing she had such a strong support system.

After the heartfelt messages, it was time for the gift opening. Carissa's friends and family had put so much thought into their gifts, each one reflecting their love and care. As she opened each present, there were gasps of delight and rounds of applause.

Carissa carefully unwrapped a beautifully wrapped box from Nayima, revealing a stunning set of personalized stationery. "This is perfect, Nayima. Thank you so much!" Carissa exclaimed, hugging her friend.

Amethyst handed her a gift bag filled with spa essentials. "For when you need some relaxation and self-care amidst all the wedding planning," Amethyst said with a wink.

Brielle and Taylor presented Carissa with a beautiful photo album, filled with pictures of precious memories and spaces for new ones. "We can't wait to fill this with more memories from your wedding and future family moments," Taylor said, smiling warmly.

As Carissa opened the last gift, a gorgeous necklace from her mother, she felt overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. "Thank you all so much. Your love and support mean everything to me," she said, her voice choked with emotion.

The evening ended with warm hugs and promises of more celebrations to come. Carissa left the bridal shower with her heart full, knowing that she was surrounded by love and ready to embrace the future.

******

The next evening, Carissa and Theodore arrived at the church for their third pre-wedding counseling session with Bishop Thaddeus. The serene ambiance of the church and the familiar presence of the Bishop provided a comforting setting for their ongoing journey of preparation.

Bishop Thaddeus greeted them with a warm smile as they entered his office. "Welcome back, Carissa and Theodore. It's wonderful to see you both again. How have you been?"

Carissa smiled, feeling a sense of peace. "We've been well, thank you, Bishop. We're excited for today's session."

Theodore nodded in agreement. "Yes, we've been looking forward to this."

"That's great to hear," Bishop Thaddeus replied, motioning for them to take a seat. "Today, I want to focus on the importance of trust and intimacy in marriage. These are essential components that help strengthen the bond between husband and wife."

He began by explaining the significance of trust, emphasizing that it is the foundation of any strong relationship. "Trust is built through honesty, transparency, and consistent actions. It's important to communicate openly with each other and to always act with integrity."

Carissa and Theodore listened intently, nodding in agreement. Bishop Thaddeus continued, "Intimacy, on the other hand, goes beyond physical connection. It's about emotional closeness and understanding each other's needs and desires. It's about being vulnerable and supportive."

The Bishop then gave them an exercise to practice at home. "I want you both to take some time this week to have an open and honest conversation about your dreams, fears, and expectations. This will help you deepen your emotional connection and build a stronger foundation of trust."

Carissa and Theodore looked at each other, feeling a renewed sense of commitment. "We will, Bishop," Theodore said, his voice filled with determination. "Thank you for guiding us."

Bishop Thaddeus smiled warmly. "It's my pleasure. I can see the love you have for each other, and I'm confident that you will have a beautiful and fulfilling marriage. Remember, I'm always here for you."

As the session came to a close, Carissa and Theodore felt a deep sense of gratitude for the wisdom and support of Bishop Thaddeus. They left the church hand in hand, ready to continue building their future together with trust and intimacy.

******

They had a bridal shower for her and then the third pre marriage counselling 

More to come 

Be sure to comment and vote 

Bye 

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