He looked at Beth again, seeing her in a new light. Tear-streaked and radiant, she sat on the very couch where it happened. Suddenly, the weight of what she had just walked through hit him square in the chest.
A troubling thought pierced Bryce’s moment of awe. What if this was just another tactic? One more way to manipulate Beth… soften her up before pulling something worse next time?
“Was it just an act? Something to trick you into trusting her?” he asked quietly.
Beth paused, weighing the words. Then she gave a small shake of her head.
“No,” she said gently. “I don’t think so. Only God can judge a person’s heart… but what I saw—the change in her—it felt real, genuine.”
“You’re sure you’re okay?” Bryce asked, his eyes scanning her face, searching for any sign of distress. He needed to know—really know—that she was okay.
Beth met his gaze and smiled—soft, radiant, full of a peace he hadn’t seen in her since before they were married. She gave a small, steady nod. Something unknotted in his chest. The last of the worry, the helplessness, the fury—gone.
He reached for her, cupping her face gently, his thumbs brushing away the remnants of her tears. Then, no longer needing to wait for permission, he leaned in—giving in to the simple need to touch her, to kiss her.
His lips caressed hers.
It wasn’t urgent.
It wasn’t passionate.
It was tender. Relieved. Healing.
When he pulled back, he wasn’t quite ready to let go. So he leaned in again, pressing a kiss to the scar along her hairline—the one that reminded him how far they’d come since those first fragile days.
“Okay,” he whispered, feeling grounded for the first time since Crystal began her relentless attacks. Then he moved to sit beside her on the couch.
“Now this,” he said with a grin, “this I’ve got to hear.”
And he listened as Beth told him everything that had happened. Every word humbled him. Amazed him. Bryce let out a breathy laugh and leaned back.
“That’s one way to end a shift.” He shook his head, awe creeping into his features.
“She walked in planning to blow up our life… and walked out with a new one.”
He looked at Beth again, heart full. They bowed their heads and prayed—grateful, awed, still a little breathless. Later, as they headed home, Beth slid her hand into his and gave him a smile that felt like sunlight.
“I can’t think of a better way to start my time off,” she said softly, “than watching the Kingdom of God grow.”
The rest of the week leading up to the wedding went by in a blur.
Beth moved through it with a heart still full from Crystal’s surrender to the Lord. That moment—so unexpected, so holy—had left something steady in her, like a quiet hum of peace beneath the chaos.
Even with fewer than a hundred guests, there were still dozens of decisions to finalize—food, last-minute RSVPs, vows to print, clothes to steam, hairpins to find.
Then there was Lynn.
Lynn had insisted on making their wedding cake. “I want to do this for you,” she said. “And I’ve got the creative gene, remember?”
Which she did—Beth had no argument there. Lynn even signed up for a two-part cake decorating class.
The day of the rehearsal dinner, the house began to fill with the hum of family. Bryce’s mom flew in just before ten in the morning—arms full of gifts, opinions, and that whirlwind energy only mothers of the groom seem to possess. His brother’s flight wouldn’t land until close to five, Brock would rent a car and head straight to Beth’s parents for the rehearsal dinner, joking that even if he was late he could still figure out where to stand. Brock’s presence was already loudly felt—thanks to a nonstop string of messages in a group chat, mostly about cake and his “surf-themed” toast, but some threatening to share every kooky moment from Bryce’s life.
Beth had only spoken with Barbara a few times over the phone, but meeting her in person? Whole different story. Her voice was exactly as Beth remembered—kind, steady, just a little brisk—but now it came with warm hands, a firm hug, and a sparkle in her eyes when she saw her son.
Barbara didn’t even wait for the elevator doors to fully open before stepping out and wrapping Beth in a tight, no-nonsense hug. Two solid pats on the back. Maybe three.
“Oh, honey,” she said, pulling back just far enough to see her face. “You’re even prettier than your voice. If that boy ofmine had any sense, he’d have married you the second you smiled at him.”
