One More Chance by Jaycelle Rodriguez

Chapter 196: New blessing

I cupped both his cheeks and gave him a quick kiss on the lips.

"Actually, I was just teasing you earlier," I giggled. But that didn't wipe off the seriousness on his face. "Yeah, those things came to my mind all of a sudden, all the memories we had here and everything, but don't worry because I'm not really affected--- I mean, I am no longer affected by them."

The kind of look he gave me made me want to pull him again in a tight hug but I was stopped and gasped when he encircled his hand around my waist pulling me over to him.

I waited for what he was going to say but a frown slightly drew on my forehead when I only heard a one-word question...

"Why?"

"What do you mean why?"

"Why are you no longer affected?"

"Seriously?" I chuckled but he didn't, instead, a poker reaction remained on his face. "Well..." I started, placing both my hands on his shoulders. "...because I'm healed. My heart has already been healed from the wounds of the past. And you know what, just right now I realized that somehow I'm thankful that all those things happened because they made me the person that I am today. Yes, it brought me a lot of tears but when you come to think of it, it was also the reason I'm still standing in front of you right now. Not only did it make me tough as a person but then it also made me find a better version of myself."

I paused, trying to read what was on his mind but I failed as he remained expressionless until now.

"Everything happens for a reason, so I believe everything that happened between us back then had a reason. It caused change not just in me but in everything including you and all the people dear to us. And I guess it was God's way for us to learn that we shouldn't be upset for not getting what we want sometimes because he has a better plan for us. Look at us now."

And again he was silent but at least his lips twitched into a small smile.

"Hmm... why don't we just walk, smell the breeze, and seize the moment?" I asked, trying to change the subject and was about to move but he pulled me by my waist again.

So I looked at him puzzled and asked the same question he asked earlier.

"Why?"

"Are you sure you've really forgiven me? Don't you regret marrying me again?"

"Oh, God! Where are these questions coming from--- of course, I have already forgiven you and the fact that I chose to marry you again means I already did. And... as for your second question, no." I slowly shook my head. "I don't regret marrying you again. First, because I love you, I believe in you and I see that you are doing your best not only as a husband to me but as a father to Cali."

It took him a few seconds to absorb the things I said.

"Thank you,"

"For what?"

and for reminding me to be a good

"Hmm...well, because you are,"

at me for a few seconds before pulling me

I still feel like all of this is a dream... that you're here

"Uhuh?"

"Hmhm..."

feel even more like a dream if you find out we now have a new family member." I bit my lower lip, suppressing the excited grin when he grabbed my shoulders and looked at me with round eyes. "I'm sorry, but with

he heard what I said but maybe

a new member of the family," I giggled, gently placing my hands on my

He uttered, slowly shaking his head but I laughed

"Yes!"

it true?" he asked again, stammering as his eyes moved

was about to say something but was stopped when suddenly he carried me by my waist and spun me

God, put me down!" I patted him on the shoulders as I laughed into the air. "I

when he realized what I said. "I'm sorry, I got carried away, I'm sorry," he kept kissing me

arms. "I can't believe this is happening to

I winked

you,"

"I love you, too,"

day with

lips, feeling

Venet

of course, but I gladly answered them one by one as we walked happily hand and hand

Lots of ups and downs in our relationship to

affected those people

as I think of them and every little thing in our lives, the more I realize that...

and building a family with new hope and a strong belief that we can face all the challenges that will come, if not tomorrow, then in the

almost an

and letting the sun kiss our skin, we decided to go back to our cottage and check on our daughter who was still sleeping in her, foom

Luke had no idea that surprise awaited him the time we reached

asked gasping as he looked at me and

Dale screamed, aiming the confetti poppers

you as well," My

and of course, Sam," It was my mother