When Paul came home from work that evening he asked how the doctor’s visit went.
“So how did it go at the doctors, Maureen? Did Jane put your mind at ease?”
“Oh Yes, she told me I had nothing to worry about.”
“There you go, isn’t that what I’ve been telling you all along, you have been worrying yourself to death over nothing.”
“Yes well I’m not worried now.”
“Did she tell you what had made you sick this morning?”
“Oh she just said that these things happen and there would be nothing to worry about. I told her you had the same food and that you weren’t ill”
“Well that’s good news then.”
“Oh yes very good news. In fact after dinner I’d like to go for a walk on the beach, are you up for that, Paul?”
“Honey, I’m always up for a walk on the beach with you holding hands – I love those times – we have to keep doing those – even when we grow old.”
“Paul Machin, you really are a softie at heart aren’t you.”
“Who me? Nah whatever gave you that idea?”
“I can’t for the life of me think why I would imagine that of you?”
With that, the subject dropped and Maureen went into the kitchen to make dinner leaving Paul to watch the evening news on TV.
***
It was a truly beautiful evening for a walk along the beach. Maureen and Paul were just ambling along holding each other’s hand as their feet sank into the soft sandy beach. There was a warm breeze blowing and the smell of the sea was as distinctive as ever. They were reminiscing about their childhoods and the things they had done back then. Times were very different in those days and they had come a long way since then and experienced many of life’s twists and turns. When they reached a huge rock they climbed onto it. They just sat there with the water lapping at the bottom of it and let their thoughts drift back to those bygone days. They sat there chatting away and not paying attention to the time. It was almost dark now and the moonlight was now starting to reflect on the water as the tide made its way in. They had been talking about how far they had come since that fateful day in the forest. They had both left Nova Scotia to find something; peace and quiet in Paul’s case – romance and affection in Maureen’s. This they now had found having taken a long and hard road to get there. Paul was a damaged ex-soldier and Maureen a secondhand pin cushion. At least this was how they had originally thought of themselves – until they had met each other. Each one had now straightened out the other and they had found true love in each other’s arms at last. They had left to find happiness and now they were back home having found what they were seeking. It was then that Maureen chose to deliver her news.
“Paul, honey, I have something to tell you.”
“Oh! What is that?”
“Well when I was talking to Jane this morning she told me something else – something you’ll be happy about I think.”
“Well don’t keep me in suspense, Maureen, what is it?”
“I’m pregnant, Paul you’re going to be a dad.”
Paul just looked at her in total amazement and then broke down on the spot sobbing his heart out. This completely took Maureen by surprise – but Paul was in a real mess right now. She just couldn’t understand why he had reacted this way. They had discussed it, he wanted to be a dad, so why was he reacting like this. Was it one of his episodes coming back to haunt him at the mention of a baby. She just couldn’t figure him out. She just put her arm around him and let him sob. When he composed himself he told her was sorry and that he was totally delighted that he was going to be a dad.
“I’m sorry I reacted that way Maureen, I didn’t mean to scare you. I am over the moon at the thought of becoming a dad. I never thought I would be. I had convinced myself that God wouldn’t let me be a dad seeing as I had killed that baby in Afghanistan. I just thought that would be my punishment. I didn’t think he’d let me be a dad since I had denied that other man the privilege of being a dad to his baby. I’m just so happy that God could have forgiven me for that. I still can’t believe it, Maureen.”
“Well he has forgiven you Paul, now perhaps you can forgive yourself.”
“You did not do that knowingly – it was war, Paul, things happen in wars, bad things. There is no way you would do something like that normally – God knows that Paul. He has forgiven you – probably a long time ago too. This is just his way of telling you – and at the same time encouraging you to be the world’s best dad.”
As she was saying all of that she hugged him even harder and pulled Paul into her as he was now sobbing again. They were tears of joy and relief. If as Maureen had said that God had indeed forgiven him – then perhaps he could be the world’s best dad. He’d damn sure try to be. Maureen for her part never had one minute’s doubt about that. That broken unicorn she had found was now going to be fully healed. He already was a fantastic husband – now he would become the dad he never thought he would be. This was a priceless gift to Paul and one he could barely believe. They certainly had come a long way together, but the pot of gold at the end of this rainbow made all the hardships of getting here totally worthwhile. The best was yet to come and now they both knew it. When they stood up to walk back home the moon was much higher in the sky and really making the moonbeams dance on the ocean. They both knew for sure now that God was watching over them and that gave them both a very warm and comforting feeling. They had come full circle. They had started here and now they were back home to stay. Maureen’s Haven would help many other women in the future to experience similar happiness and find peace - and possibly find the odd unicorn too – who knows?
The End
Thank you for downloading and reading this book. It is deeply appreciated and also gratifying when people take the time to read an author’s work and it is a privilege we are all aware of. I hope that you found this book to be enjoyable. If so, you may wish to read similar romance books of mine.
Alicia’s Triumph
Alicia’s Dream
Second Chances
The Unforgettable Journey
Once again, thank you for your time and your support and enjoy your future reading experiences.
Ian
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