Luke shook his head. “That doesn’t seem to be the case.”
“No, it is always the case. It is the loving that is important. Achieving that, that is the purpose of life. Whether or not you are together isn’t the point.”
“Then I don’t see the point.”
Father Peters sighed. “It’s a difficult concept. On the other hand, I don’t think that once God brings two people together he means for them to be apart. That is why we say in the marriage vows “what God has brought together, let no man break asunder”.
Luke looked into the man’s eyes and the priest nodded. “Thanks, Father.”
“I hope things work out for you. Now,” the priest smiled, “unless you care to join me, I have to prepare for my service.”
WHEN EMILY PULLED IN her driveway from work she found a motorbike parked in her spot and Luke sitting on the rocking chair on the porch. Her heart sped and danced a crazy rhythm. “Luke? What’re you doing here?”
“Please hear me out.” He stood. “If you still say no, then I’ll walk away and never bother you again. There’s something I have to know.”
“What is it?” He shouldn’t be here. If Evan was lurking somewhere and reporting to the police, everything could be ruined.
“Why didn’t you visit me that summer?”
Emily hung her head. She knew what he was talking about and was surprised he hadn’t brought it up the other day. “My parents wouldn’t allow me. My dad, well, he was only trying to protect me.”
“From what?” He threw his hands up in the air. “And now? They won’t allow you to see me?”
“No! It’s just that things are complicated with Evan and my court case.”
“Fuck Evan!”
Emily looked at him, shocked.
“And for that matter, fuck the court case! Em, are you seriously going to tell me that you’re going to let bullshit like this get in the way of us?”
“Luke, please,” pleaded Emily.
“No.” He shook his head. “It’s time for you to grow up, Em. I’m a man, an adult, and I’m not going to play these high school games with you. You’ve got a problem, then solve it. That’s what adults do. I’m offering, if you want, to solve it together. But for the love of all that’s holy, stop thinking that pushing me away is going to solve your problems! It sure as hell didn’t solve a single thing for me.”
Emily swallowed hard. “It didn’t?” She had believed he was better off without her.
“Not at all! In fact, it creates a hell of a lotta new ones.”
“What do you mean?” She hated seeing him upset.
Luke bent over by the rocking chair. “Like what the hell am I gonna do with these flowers?” Luke straightened and held out a bouquet of a dozen white roses.
Emily stared at them, and then him.
“But that’s not the worst of it.”
She wanted to smile but his face looked beyond upset. “What is?”
“What am I going to do with this?” He pulled out a long flat jewelry box from his pocket.
“What is it?” Her heart thundered against her chest.
“Open it.”
Emily took the box and opened it with trembling hands. She gasped. Inside was a small emerald cut sapphire on a silver chain. “Luke, it’s beautiful,” she whispered.
“Let me put it on.” He took the pendant from her hand and clasped it around her neck.