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Thank you, Lord. For a magnitude of blessings.
How had she gotten here? For so long she’d prayed to turn her life around. She hadn’t really been living life to the fullest when she was married to Mason. She’d been like a bird stuck in a gilded cage. Now she was free. Free to love Parker. Free to raise their son with love and compassion and a love of the Lord. That was the very best gift of all.
She’d made a lot of mistakes in the past, as well as errors in judgment. But God was a forgiving God. A mighty God. He’d shown her grace and the power of forgiveness. He had allowed her a chance to redeem herself. For so long she had felt broken. She had learned to accept her own human frailties. But the love she felt for her son and Parker had allowed her to crawl her way back toward the light. And now she was running toward it with both arms outstretched to receive all the goodness the world had to offer. She’d forgiven herself as well. It hadn’t been easy though. She was no longer hating herself for Mason’s duplicity. Being loved by Parker had freed her from the pain of the past. In turn, she’d set Parker free as well.
Cadence had decided to live in love. Loving Parker and Logan would be at the forefront of her world. Surrounding herself with loved ones and treasured friends in Pelican Bay would soothe all of her wounds. She was a stronger woman now—one who had been through the fire and ash and survived. Although she had chosen not to hate Mason, she still intended to testify against him in Keith’s murder trial.
The last place they wanted to visit in Paris was the Cathedral of Notre Dame. Cadence had a special prayer she wanted to offer up at the historic church. She held Parker’s hand as they stood in front of Notre Dame, marveling at the sheer beauty of the monument. The gothic architecture of the cathedral was stunningly beautiful. From the moment they walked in, Cadence felt she was in a sacred place. The stained glass windows were breathtaking and elegant. The candles being lit by visitors made the church glow with a spectacular light.
They found a seat at the front of the church. After a few minutes they knelt down on the kneelers and began to pray. Cadence prayed for two people she loved with all of her heart and soul. Penelope and Jude.
Dear Lord. Please help Penelope and Jude. They’re at a crossroads in their marriage. They’ve lost hope. They’ve let go of one another. They’ve stopped believing in each other. Please grant them the grace to be humble and to admit their mistakes with each other. Please show them that nothing is stronger than love—not pride or rejection or hurt feelings.
Amen.
Her heart was full with the beauty of Notre Dame and the love she and Parker shared. After lighting a candle for both of their families, Cadence and Parker left the church with their arms entwined.
On their way back to their hotel they walked by the River Seine and watched the boats glide effortlessly along the water. It was a gorgeous night in Paris—one they would always remember. The moon shone down on them with a luminescent brilliance.
Cadence looked up at her husband. “Thank you for making this wonderful honeymoon a reality.”
Parker raised her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss on it. “Merci ma femme. Thank you for being my wife and for making all of my dreams come true.”
“Paris has been amazing, but I’m ready to go home, Parker. A honeymoon is a dream, but our life is already so incredibly special. I don’t need a dream. Our reality is just as good. All I’ll ever need is to have you by my side.”
“You’re never getting rid of me, Mrs. Donahue. We’re bound for life,” Parker said, his voice infused with tenderness.
She reached up and placed a tender, searing kiss on Parker’s lips. Love was in the air. They were reaching out and grabbing it like a brass ring. And they were never going to let go of it.
THE END
