Aideen's Answer

-Chapter Thirty-Eight-

Aideen was surprised at how easy and enjoyable courtship with the prince was turning out to be. He never ceased to delight her and always seemed to know just how to make her laugh. Her parents were positively thrilled at the fact that she was finally open to the idea of the courtship, and that she was willing to at least explore what God may have in store for them.
Time passed slowly, but neither one of the young couple seemed to notice as they spent most of each day in each other's company. They took long walks and rides, talking all the while and learning all they could about one another. Garrett described everything he could think of regarding his family and homeland, and Aideen was greatly amused by his stories of his relationship with his brother.
"Your family seems to be very close," Aideen remarked one day as they took a walk through the gardens.
"That we are," Garrett replied. "I suppose that it was rather unavoidable, as there are only the four of us."
"I think I should enjoy meeting them all," She said thoughtfully.
"Actually, I had hoped to discuss that very thing with you," Garrett said, watching her closely.
"What do you mean?" She asked, suddenly wary.
He chuckled, "No need to look so apprehensive, my dear. But I would like to have my parents come visit. To meet you."
Aideen found her thoughts swirling. She knew that she cared for Garrett, but she had cared for Kevin once too. What if she was making another terrible mistake? She could not bear to go through that again, and if she met his family and it turned out that they were not right for each other, it could lead to even more hurt on both sides! What if-
Her thoughts stopped abruptly up when Garrett pulled her into his arms and rested his chin atop her head.
"You are worrying, my dear. I can see it in your eyes. Why does the idea of my family frighten you so?"
She rested in the comfort of his arms, and happily laid her head on his chest as she contemplated her answer. How great was the temptations to avoid answering at all! To simply enjoy this moment between the two of them. But, for his sake, she struggled to find the right words.
"Garrett, I truly believed myself in love once before. Now, I realize that was all a sham and I have begun to care for you. But, I am dreadfully afraid of making another gross mistake! I suppose that is why I continue to hold myself back. There are so many 'what ifs'."
"So, you would rather live your life in fear of what could be, rather than embracing that which already is? Does the Scripture not say that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and sound mind? Only you can choose which path you will take, but I truly hope that you will choose the one that ends with us. Together."
Aideen bit her lip as she returned his gaze. How was he able to do that? To sum up her fears so completely, then neatly reason them away. Why, with him at her side, she felt sure that she would be able to overcome any fear that came her way in the future!
The very thought made her smile, a motion that was not lost on the crown prince.
"Well, Aideen?"
"You are right. I can not continue to allow myself to be plagued with doubt, but I also can not guarantee that it shall never happen again. I will most likely need your help. When you force me to confront my fears so logically, they do not seem large at all, and I am able to move past them."
Garrett gave her a smile as if he had just been handed a diamond.
"My dear, if you are honest with your fears, I shall be glad to help you overcome them. Always."
"In that case, Garrett, send for your family, for I shall be honored to meet them."
Garrett gazed at her with the softest eyes she had ever seen, before lowering his head and gently placing his lips upon hers.
As they walked back to the castle, Aideen could not remember why she had ever been afraid in the first place.