**Loving Patiently, Enduring Lovingly**
John and Emily had a church wedding. On their wedding day, as the procession approached the church, a sudden summer storm erupted out of nowhere. The wind tore Emilys veil from her head, sending it spiralling upward like a balloon before it collapsed into a muddy puddle. The guests gasped as the storm vanished as quickly as it came. John rushed to grab the veil, but it was too late.
The once-pristine veil lay ruined in the grime. Emily, flustered, called out, “John, dont pick it up. I wont wear that now!” The old ladies sitting outside the church whispered amongst themselvesthis was surely an omen of storms and hardships ahead.
A quick stop at a nearby shop solved the problem. They bought a white silk flower to pin in Emilys hairno time to find another veil. They couldnt be late to their own wedding!
Before the altar, they held their candles, exchanged vows, and were bound for life in the eyes of God. But before the ceremony, theyd already signed the register at the town hall and celebrated with a grand receptionfor the sake of appearances.
Three years later, they had two childrenSophie and Thomas. Life was peaceful.
Then, ten years in, a young woman knocked on their door.
Emily, ever hospitable, welcomed all guestsinvited or notwith warmth, tea, and good conversation. But this visitor was different. She arrived when John wasnt home.
Emily assessed her in an instantgraceful, charming, strikingly beautiful, and very young.
“Hello, Emily. Im Lily. Im your husbands future wife,” the stranger announced.
“How interesting,” Emily replied, stunned.
“And how long has John been your fiancé?” she pressed.
“Long enough. But I cant wait any longer. Were having a baby,” Lily said without hesitation.
“Ah, the classic tale. Wife, mistress, illegitimate child” Emily exhaled. “Do you realise John and I are married for life? We have children.”
“I know everything. But were in lovetruly in love! You can get an annulment. He doesnt love you anymore. Ive done my researchits possible,” Lily insisted.
“Listen, girl,” Emilys patience thinned, “I strongly advise you to stay out of my marriage. Well sort our own vows and loyalty without you. Goodbye!”
Lily shrugged, as if shed done her duty, and left in a hurry. Emily slammed the door behind her.
*She knows everything Cheeky little thing! Over my dead body will she have him!*
She began piecing together Johns recent behaviourhis distance, his sudden “work trips,” his newfound interest in fishing, though hed never cared for it before. A woman always senses deceit. The air had been thick with tension lately.
But she pushed the dark thoughts away. *Maybe Im imagining it. Maybe hes still faithful.*
That evening, when John came home, Emily served him dinner first. A well-fed husband was easier to talk to.
After the meal, she struck.
“John are you in love?”
His guard went up. “Yes.”
“Your *friend* came by today. Is this serious?” Her voice trembled.
“Im a wretched man,” he blurted. “I cant live without Lily. I tried to end itI couldnt. Please, Emily, let me go.”
“Go, then.” She knew pleading*think of the children!*was pointless. Life would judge them.
And so, John left.
Emily went to the vicar for counsel.
“My child,” he said gently, “love is patient, love is kind. It does not fail. Those words are from Scripture. You have every right to seek an annulmentyour husband has strayed. Or you can forgive, pray, and wait. Gods ways are mysterious.”
Two months later, Emily discovered she was pregnant. Johns child. She took it as a signperhaps hed repent and return. That hope carried her through the months.
Her son was born. Her mother suggested naming him Jackclose enough to John. “Maybe your Johnny will come back, love. Life is full of surprises.”
Thankfully, her mother helped tirelesslylooking after the children, feeding them, telling them stories, teaching them right from wrong.
John never forgot Sophie and Thomas. He sent gifts, took them to the seaside, and slipped Emily money in envelopes. She forbade the children from mentioning baby Jackbut children talk.
Sophie spilled everything during a visit. John, heart sinking, assumed Emily had moved on. The thought of her with someone else twisted inside him. He never imagined the child was his.
Meanwhile, Lily was in hospital, bedridden with complications. John ran errandsfruit, pickles, even chalk (she craved it for calcium). But tragedy struck. Lily gave birth to a stillborn girl. Then, a second pregnancy ended in miscarriage.
Devastated, Lily wanted a break from trying. But fate had other plans.
John blamed himself. He stayed by her side, guilt-ridden.
At the same time, Emilys old university friend, Daniel, reappeared. Back then, hed been one of many admirers, but Emily never saw him as husband materialtoo clingy, humourless, a mummys boy. Yet when she met John, Daniel faded away until now.
One rainy autumn day, they bumped into each other on a bus.
“Emily? Goodness, its been years!” Daniel beamed.
Over dinner, she poured out her heart. He listened, never interrupting. At the end, she kissed his cheek in gratitude.
Daniel, hopeful, started visitingbringing sweets for the kids, flowers for Emily.
She set boundaries: “Come if you like, but Im waiting for my husband. Dont overstep.”
He agreed. “Then Ill be your brother, and these little ones my nieces and nephews.”
And so, he stayed.
Meanwhile, Johns household had joyLily gave birth to a healthy girl, Grace. She threw herself into motherhood.
But guilt gnawed at her. *Stolen happiness is bitter.* She longed to beg Emilys forgiveness.
John adored Gracebuying her toys, singing lullabies, bathing her. Lily marvelled at his devotion.
Years passed.
Then, at just thirty, Lily fell gravely ill. John was frantichospitals, specialists, expensive treatments.
As she neared the end, she whispered, “Take me to Emily. Please.”
Emily knew of Lilys conditionSophie had told her. So when John called, she agreed.
He carried Lily inside, frail as glass. The family watched, silent.
Emily gestured to the bed. John laid her down gently.
“Leave us,” Lily breathed.
Once alone, she wept. “Forgive me, Emily. Gods punishing me. Please take Grace. Raise her with John. Ive no one else.”
Emily took her hand. “God doesnt punishwe bring suffering on ourselves. I forgave you long ago. Grace will be cared for. And youstay here with John. The house is big enough.”
So they did.
Daniel, oddly tender, spent hours at Lilys bedside, talking, comforting. Grace adored himhe called her his “little daisy.”
Lily fought hard. Emilys kindness gave her hope.
Slowly, she improvedwalking in the garden, smiling at the sun.
Then one day, at lunch, she announced, “Emily, John were leaving. Thank youfor everything.”
John and Emily exchanged a glance. Theyd seen Daniel and Lilys growing affection.
Weeks earlier, John had confessed: “Emily, I want to come home. However this ends, I belong with you.”
“And our three children,” she reminded him.
“What about Grace?”
“Shes my daughter. Ill never abandon her.”
Now, as Daniel, Lily, and Grace prepared to leave, Lily pulled John close.
“Love Emily. Treasure her. Ill remember you always.”
“Be happy, Lily,” he whispered.
And so, life moved on.
