"WORDS OF LOVE"

"Dad's getting married!" the feisty dark haired beauty announced as she bolted through the front door.

Her mother, Sarah Davis, an older version of her fifteen year old daughter with shoulder length raven hair, and deep rich chocolate eyes glanced up from her self-appointed work area which was the dining room table. She was a corporate real estate consultant who was in the habit of bringing her work home with her. She was looking over a lease agreement when her daughter charged into the room. Standing to her feet, Sarah stretched her arms over her head to get the blood circulating again in her limbs.

"That's nice, did you enjoy your visit with your dad?" she asked politely. Her daughter, Nicole sighed, weary of her mother's attitude of indifference when it came to matters involving her father.

"Yeah," Nicole grunted as she walked passed her mother and headed to the kitchen for a drink. "What's for dinner?" she asked as she held the refrigerator door opened and peered inside.

Sarah sauntered into the kitchen and cross her arms over her chest as she leaned her backside against the sink. "Doesn't your father ever feed you?"

Nicole slammed the door shut, "yes, but he had plans tonight, he had to work. He told me we would do something on Sunday."

"Some things never change!" Sarah mumbled.

"Stop picking on dad? Okay? If you gave him half a chance, you would see he was a great guy!" Nicole fumed, taking her dad's side.

Sarah decided to head upstairs; she and her daughter didn't see things on the same level. To Nicole, Kevin was a Saint; Sarah, on the other hand knew all too well his many imperfections.

"I'm going to bed now honey, help yourself to whatever is in the refrigerator." She leaned over and kissed her daughter on the cheek. "I don't hate your father, it's just, some things we can't deal with."


Chapter 2

Sarah climbed the stairs to the second level of her colonial style home. Reaching the top, she stared effortlessly at the desolate wide upper hallway. An Oriental carpet stretched it's carefully woven silk threads, covering over half of the glossy hardwood floor.

Sarah sighed as visions of bittersweet memories surfaced to her conscious thoughts. Years ago this place offered her warmth, love, and mutual respect. She had fallen in love with Kevin at an early age of eighteen. During their short courtship and first few years of marriage they had been inseparable! Other than work, they were hardly ever apart, although they did pursue outside friendships with several of the younger couples at 'Hillside Methodist Church.'

Sarah hugged herself, rubbing the chill off her arms as she headed towards the master bedroom. The once intimate place where she and Kevin shared many nights, lying in each other's embrace, consumed with an unquenchable passion for one other, now seemed cold and lifeless as a tomb.

Not wanting to shed any un welcomed tears, she squeezed her eyes tightly closed, shut the door, and walked down the hall to the second of three bedrooms. Ever since Kevin walked out of her life, she used the guest room as her quarters; knowing she would never be able to sleep in the room they once shared.

Chapter 3

Sunday after church, Sarah and Nicole arrived in front of their home to find Kevin's 2001 cherry red Grand Marquis parked in their driveway. Sarah sighed wishing her driveway was larger in width rather in length as she pulled behind him.

"You're late!" Kevin exclaimed as he held his arms opened to embrace his daughter. Nicole shrugged, "Today was communion, the service always lasts a bit longer."

'If Kevin went to church, he would realize that.' Sarah climbed out of her gray 2002 Voyager Mini van.

"I was kidding, so how was the service?" he asked addressing both women. "Okay," Nicole retorted. Kevin gazed after Sarah as she walked past him, not even glancing in his direction. Sarah unlocked the door which led into the family room.

"I'll just be a couple of minutes!" Nicole called back as she bounded up the stairs to change clothes. Kevin nodded as he noticed how neat the room looked as if no one ever spent much time here. The almond colored, plush leather sofa and matching recliner looked brand new, even though he knew she had bought them a couple of years ago. The oak coffee table and entertainment center made a nice contrast against the light shaded furniture. His gaze moved around the room as he studied the floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace; it was as clean as the day she moved in. He could remember many cold, bitter nights after Nicole had went to bed, the two of them cuddled on the couch in front of the fire and had long discussions about their hopes and dreams for the future. Many times their own passion would surpass that of the flames and they would spend the remainder of the night, making love, sometimes even until dawn.

"You want something to drink?" Sarah interrupted his thoughts. Kevin sighed as he followed her out to the kitchen. "I have cola, punch, orange juice, or iced tea," she offered, a note of irritation in her voice. You have any coffee?" he asked politely.

There he goes again, always wanting what I don't have to offer; as if nothing I have is good enough!

Sarah sighed, "I'm out of coffee. I haven't had a chance to pick up any at the store."

"I'm ready!" Nicole announced as she waited rather impatiently at the bottom of the stairs, not wishing to referee any arguments.

"Okay, let's go have some fun!" Kevin smiled at his daughter. "I'll bring her home around 11:00 PM."

Sarah shrugged her shoulders, as if she had any say in the matter? "Have fun Nicole," she waved, then climbed into her mini van, put the gear in reverse, and backed out of the driveway giving them room to leave.

After watching them disappear from view, she pounded her fist on the dashboard, "why do I hate him so?" she cried.

Chapter 4

Kevin and Nicole sat at a corner booth inside their local pizzeria shop. The waitress had taken their order for a large pepperoni and mushroom pizza, an order of cheese bread sticks, and two large soft drinks.

"Got any money?" Nicole asked holding out her hand. Her dad dug four shiny coins out of his pocket and handed them to her. He watched as she carefully skimmed the CD selections on the jukebox which was sitting against the wall on their table.

"How's the wedding plans?" Nicole blurted out without taking her eyes off the song titles. "Very well," Kevin insisted. "Have you picked a date yet?" she continued to probe. Kevin slowly shook his head, "no we haven't."

Having made her selection, Nicole inserted her coins into the slot and punched in the appropriate numbers which represented each song.

"Why not?" she interrogated. Kevin gazed at his daughter's features for several moments before responding, amazed at how much she resembled Sarah. "Connie and I have been busy, the matter hasn't come up."

Nicole raised one dark eyebrow in disbelief, "Do you love her?"

Their waitress arrived with their drinks and their bread sticks. "The pizza will be right out!" she smiled, leaving a generous supply of clean paper napkins and two straws.

"Well?" Nicole wasn't about to let her dad off the hook. "Do I love Connie?" he repeated her question, "yes, I do."

Nicole tapped her straw on the table until it broke free from the thin protected shield, and poked it inside her lid. "Then what's the problem?"

"There are no problems!" Kevin replied as he bowed his head and said the grace for both of them.

Nicole stared at her dad suspiciously, "why did you do that?"

"Pray?" Kevin asked, surprised.

"Yes. You don't go to church, I thought you gave up on God like you gave up on us," she stated.

Kevin knew he hurt both women in his life. The revelation of the pain his daughter felt was like a slap across his face.

"I haven't given up on God. I just don't feel comfortable going to the same church you and your mother attend," he explained.

"So, why don't you and Connie find another church?" she persisted.

He nodded as he took a bite of his pizza. "We have to do that."

The two of them ate in silence for several moments. He watched her, remembering all the family meals the three of them shared at home.

"Nicole?" he whispered.

His daughter, taking a drink of soda, lifted her gaze in his direction.

"Even though I am not living at home with you, I will always be here for you."

Chapter 5

Sarah popped in a frozen dinner into the microwave, then picked up her devotional guide and her Bible which was collecting dust from the book shelf. Carefully wiping off the front cover, she held it tenderly in her hands and made her way to the family room where she plopped into her almond colored leather recliner. She tried reading her Bible everyday, even though there were days she missed. She turned to the fourth chapter of the book of Ephesians, and her eyes were drawn to the last two verses. "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." (Ephesians 4: 31, 32 KJV)

Sarah closed the book with a thud as she squeezed her eyes shut trying to hold back the tears of pain and remorse of her wasted marriage with Kevin. She had to be honest with herself; he wasn't all to blame, she wasn't perfect. They were both simply drained from the years of anguish and misery they had endured simply trying to keep the family together for Nicole's sake. Finally, Sarah told Kevin she couldn't handle the stress anymore. He had offered to let her and Nicole keep the house while he found an apartment to live in.

"Forgive me," she prayed out loud. "I want to do the right thing, to respond with kindness, it's just so hard, my spirit has been wounded too many times!" she tried reasoning with God. "Stop trying then, allow my Spirit to control your emotions," a calming voice spoke in her thoughts.

She knew that was the answer, relinquishing her emotions, her pain to God. She knew it would be difficult putting action behind her faith.

Chapter 6

One week later....

Kevin tried working on some reports he had a deadline on, working as a clinical hypnosis therapist for a local downtown firm, but today he seemed depressed. Connie had broken off the engagement, telling him she wasn't ready for marriage. He hated to break that to Nicole, he loved his daughter. They had so much fun together over the summer when she spent two weeks with him while Sarah had to go on a business trip.

The truth was, he really missed his family. His heart ached whenever he thought of Sarah. Before the divorce was settled, he had wanted to reconcile, but she believed it was hopeless.

His eyes glanced at the cordless phone hanging on the wall. He needed to relax, and thought maybe Sarah would too.

Sarah was asleep on the sofa resting when the shrill sound of the telephone woke her, "hello?"

"Hi," she heard a soft husky whisper. Blinking her sleepy eyes, she recognized it to be the voice of her ex-husband.

"Kevin?" she asked, surprised that he would call her.

"Mmmmm, how are you?" he cooed in a soothing hypnotic tone, relaxing the tension in her muscles.

"I'm good, and you?" she responded, keeping her voice subdued.

"I miss you!" he sounded close enough to touch. Sarah realized what he was doing, but she didn't mind. Many times he would place her in a trance whenever she was stressed and needed to relax. There were times he used hypnosis as part of their lovemaking. She adored their time together during a hypnotic session. At these times he was like a different person, soft, tender, and romantic; he was the man she fell in love with.

"How do you feel Sarah?" he whispered.

"Relaxed," she barely breathed as her voice sounded husky due to her increasing libido which she was well aware of. She knew this was a dangerous mental state to be in, since he claimed they were still legally married in God's eyes, and she hadn't dated anyone else, it was acceptable for them to pursue sexual relations if they both agreed. During these hypnotic trances, she was more than willing to resume intimate relations.

"Where is Nicole?" he inquired.

"She's spending the night at a friend's house," she replied.

"Want me to come over?" he asked, his heart beating rapidly.

Her heart was pounding, her head was screaming 'No!' while the rest of her body was chanting 'yes, yes, yes!'

"We need to talk!" she managed to blurt out. "Mmmm," was the only reply she heard from him. Talking was not a top priority at the moment. "Can we talk afterwards?" he asked.

A long, awkward, moment tarried, "yes!" she breathed in a hushed whisper.

Chapter 7

Sarah slowly awakened as the morning sun peered through the venetian blinds behind the sheer blue drapes of the master bedroom. She glanced over and saw Kevin was sleeping soundly. Carefully she leaned over the side of the bed and reached for her white terry robe that hung over her dresser drawers.

Sarah smiled, feeling like she did on her honeymoon. She wanted to surprise Kevin with a special breakfast. She walked quietly out of the room, carefully closing the door behind her.

Kevin couldn't remember the last time he had slept so peacefully! He turned on his side wanting to wrap his arm around Sarah. His arm fell on an empty spot where she had been just a few hours before. Did he offend her in anyway? Did she feel violated? Was she angry with him?

The smell of bacon and eggs penetrated through the room bringing a smile to his face. When he stepped into the kitchen, the sight of the woman he loved caused a deep stirring inside him. He wanted to make his marriage work, but the painful remembrance of the finality of divorce darkened any hope of reconciliation.

Was divorce really final? What if they could work out their differences? Wasn't it quality time that she needed?

Tenderly he brushed away a few dark locks of hair as he kissed the back of her neck.

Sarah blushed, "Good morning, breakfast is ready!"

As they sat quietly eating, a romantic mood stirred both their hearts. "I hope I didn't offend you last night," Kevin softly spoke. Sarah shook her head, "last night was special, I wouldn't have invited you if I didn't want you."

Kevin stood and walked across to where Sarah sat. Leaning forward until his lips were touching hers; he tenderly caressed her shoulders with his hands.

"Mom, I'm home!" Nicole blurted out as she walked in through the back door, catching them in an intimate embrace. Kevin quickly backed away as if being caught in an illegal act. Sarah also caught by surprise was speechless.

Nicole's eyes widened as they shifted from Sarah to Kevin, "I can't believe you two!" she cried. Turning without hesitating, she dashed up the stairs into her room.

"Nicole!" Sarah called out. "It's okay, she needs time," Kevin whispered. Sarah slowly nodded wondering if they made a mistake by allowing their hormones to consume them. Kevin sensed Sarah needed to be alone and decided it was time to leave.

"Call me later, okay? Nicole will be fine," he whispered as he tenderly pulled her towards him, and pressed his lips to hers, deepening the kiss.

Sarah nodded as she watched him leave, Would Nicole be okay with her and Kevin seeing each other again? Was Sarah okay with the idea?

Chapter 8

Several days later Sarah was restless and feeling sorry for herself. Nicole had been avoiding her and she had not heard from Kevin since yesterday.

She put the kettle on for tea and saw Nicole entering the kitchen through the main door. Sarah was reaching for a mug when she noticed her daughter standing several feet away from her. "I figured I would come in through the front door in case you had company," Nicole replied sarcastically.

Sarah whispered a prayer for strength, "care for some hot tea?"

Nicole nodded as she sat at the kitchen table. Sarah dumped a bag of chocolate chip cookies on a plate, then offered some to her daughter.

"Thanks," Nicole said, helping herself to a few.

Once the water was hot, Sarah poured the steaming liquid in two cups.

"How long have you been sleeping with dad?" Nicole asked bluntly, nearly knocking Sarah out of her chair.

"Only once," her mother answered truthfully, wanting to improve her relationship with her daughter by communicating honestly with her.

Nicole sipped her tea. Sarah was silent; she wanted to give the floor to Nicole and allow her to express her feelings.

"Do you love him?" Nicole asked softly. Sarah nodded, "yes Nicole, I love your father."

Nicole slowly nodded, "I know dad is not seeing that woman anymore, but when you two got a divorce without even considering how it would disrupt my life, it hurt!"

Sarah was about to retort in defense, but something kept her quiet. She prayed silently, "help me, God, she is only sharing her feelings."

Nicole began to weep, "I knew the two of you were not getting along, and if we had discussed it as a family, it might have been easier!"

Her mother offered Nicole her arms of love and understanding. "You are right, I'm sorry sweetheart, please forgive me!" she whispered.

Several moments later, Nicole grabbed a tissue and wiped her nose, "Are you going to continue to see him?"

Her mother searched her daughter's tear stained eyes for any kind of insight as to how she was feeling. "Would you be okay with that?" she softly asked.

Nicole nodded, "Yeah, only maybe just date each other, take your time and get to know each other. I don't want to get my hopes up just to be hurt again!"

"Sounds like a good idea," Sarah whispered as she wrapped her arms around Nicole and kissed her lightly on the cheek, knowing she didn't want another failed episode either.

"Your father and I have many issues to work out, and I can't promise anything. All I can say is we both want to be friends again."

"Let's invite dad to church, Sunday evening. He said he felt uncomfortable going to the same church as us, but maybe if we ask him?" Nicole suggested.

Sarah smiled in agreement. "Yes, we can invite him, but let's not be pushy. This may be a bit awkward at first for all of us."

The End