I glanced over at Shay while I was driving, and noticed she had fallen asleep. As I stared at her it hit me how abnormal this entire situation was. Here I was driving my fiancée home. My beautiful, young and innocent fiancée. It never ceased to amaze me how calm, cool, and collected she had remained despite the fact she was having to marry, well...practically a stranger. I had no idea how, through everything, she kept an attitude of...well...joy. Now I don't mean she was happy all the time, because this marriage threw both of us for a spin, but she seemed contented no matter what happened. It was miraculous. She was my little miracle. And I guess that's why I was so relaxed about this entire thing, I was finally gaining a friend, a true friend. One that would be there for me no matter what, or at least more than anyone else had before.
Pulling up to her house I stopped the car and leaned over placing my hand on her shoulder. Trying to be as gentle as I could, I said,
"Shay. Hey Shay, wake up. We're here." When all I received in reply was mumbled, "No, I wanna sleep. Five more minutes...", as she snuggled closer into the leather, I figured I needed to change tactics. Grabbing the keys from the ignition, I got out of the car and went around to her side. Once I opened her door I gently slid one hand behind her back and the other beneath her knees. Lifting her out of the car I shut the door with my back, then proceeded to make my way to the front door. About halfway up the drive, Shay woke up, and a blush crept onto her face.
"Uh, Ben," She said, turning a shade redder, "you can put me down now."
"Hmm," I replied, grinning down at her, "what would be the fun in that?"
"Benjamin Smith!" She exclaimed, trying to act like she was mad. "You're a...a...troublemaker!"
"A troublemaker? How about knight-in-shining-armour?" I responded, cockily.
"No, I like troublemaker better." She replied grinning in triumph.
"Okay. But I'm your troublemaker." I replied smirking.
"Alrighty, Mr.Troublemaker, please put me down." She requested realizing we had reached the door.
"Whatever you say, Mrs.Troublemaker." I replied still grinning.
"Uhuhuh," She said, wagging a finger at me, and searching for her keys with the other hand, "not yet mister."
"Alright then, Soon-to-be-Mrs.Troublemaker." I corrected myself, as she held up her keys in triumph.
"Goodnight Ben." She said, back to her normal sweet tone.
"Goodnight Shay." I replied watching her step into her house and shut the door, but not before I noticed the grin on her face. Turning, I began to go back to my car, when I heard the door reopen.
"Ben!" Shay exclaimed in a loud whisper, coming back out of the house. "Would you want to join me on Wednesday at my church. We just kinda hang out and have some worship time. And if you want to come, I could introduce you to..our..um..bridesmaids..and..uh..groomsmen?" Shay asked.
"I'd love to." I answered, receiving me a giant hug around the neck.
"Oh thank you! I'm so excited!" She said letting go.
"So, I'll pick you up at five?" I asked, not exactly sure when it was.
"That's perfect." Shay responded. "See you then!" She said, running back into her house.
"See you then." I said.
I couldn't wait til Wednesday!
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That night when I got home (or should I say early the next morning?) I tossed my keys down, and made my way over to the couch. Sinking into the soft leather, I flipped through some T.V. stations, until settling on the news. After temporarily zoning out of the report on increased hamburger prices, I pulled my laptop over and checked the status of Shay's birthday present. Awesome, it'll be ready tomorrow. Turing my attention back to the television, I was greeted with yet another report of a deadly crash on 194. Not wanting to sit through another 'heart-wrenching' report, I flipped the T.V. back off, and went to get ready for bed.
Changing into some flannel pants and a comfy t-shirt, I slipped into the bathroom to brush my teeth. As I stood there, scrubbing away, those feelings I had earlier, when Shay had told me about this Jesus, returned. Feelings of emptiness, longing, and a true need. I felt like there was a hole in my heart, and for the first time, in a long time, I had no clue what to do about it. So I fell into bed, and began a long night of attempting to sleep, but constantly being awakened by my racing mind, and thoughts full of questions.
YOU ARE READING
My Past, Your Past, Our Future (arranged marriage)
RomantizmI knew the moment he walked through that door, and into my life, everything was about to change. For better or worse, I didn't know. But one thing I do know is that I'll never forget him and all we went through. This is our story. (Christian Romance)
