Page 63 of A Bold Proposal to Redeem his Suffering Soul

Layla laughed lightly and said in a soft rebuke, “Mark.”

“Layla,” he replied in the same tone. He took her hand in his own and tugged on her fingertips, and she moved closer to him.

“Maybe we can try to control the winds together,” Layla whispered. Her sweet breath touched his face. He pulled at her hand a little more, urging her to come even closer still.

“I’d say it’s worth a try,” Mark murmured. Staring into Layla’s eyes, they seemed even more magnificent this close. He knew in that moment that he loved her so, truly, and he thanked God that he would be able to spend the rest of their lives taking on so many adventures as man and wife. Without saying another word, he tipped his head to the side and kissed Layla lovingly.

“LaLa! Dada!” Heath said, and Layla pulled back from Mark, chuckling slightly. He was reluctant to release her, but he knew this was just the beginning of their journey and tried to laugh along with her.

Layla collected Heath from his crib and brought him back to Mark. “Do you want to hold him now?” she asked.

“Yes,” Mark said and extended his hands toward his son.

“It’s time to go to Dada now,” Layla told Heath as she handed him over.

“Dada!” Heath said excitedly, flapping his hands about in the air. As Mark pulled Heath into his arms and readjusted the child so that he was lying safely tucked into his side, a sense of peace washed over his entire body. His throat still hurt, and he thought it probably would for some time, but now, that didn’t bother Mark. He was with his child and his wife, and he loved them more than words could express.

Layla scooted onto the edge of the bed and reached out to grab her Bible. “I found a verse earlier. I was hoping I could read it to you when you woke up. Do you mind?” she asked, peeking over at Mark. He nodded at her with a tender smile.

“Ecclesiastes, chapter forty-four, verses nine through twelve,” Layla said and cleared her throat. “‘Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.’”

“‘A threefold cord is not quickly broken,’” Mark echoed softly, and he wrapped his arm around both Heath and Layla. “We stand together as one.” Mark squeezed Layla’s shoulder.

“Dada. LaLa,” Heath said from his place, snuggled between the two of them.

“That’s right, son,” Mark concluded. “It’s just Daddy, Layla, and you. With God’s help, we three can overcome anything.”

THE END?