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He pulled her to hi he would ever touch, as if he cherished every moment spent with her

Monica inched her mouth from his and stared up into his face His eyes rets

"I love you so much," she whispered

"You er over his lips "I don’t pretend to know everything there is about the Bible and God, but I do know that He said He would forgive us e ask If it’s peace of , it’s available"

"In church"

"No" She pressed her hand over his heart "You won’t find what you’re seeking in any building"

"I killed a man," Chet reminded her "He murdered my partner and atte"

"Do you think you’re the only one who’s ever done so he wishes he hadn’t? You say this man you murdered attempted to kill you first What you don’t seem to realize is that in sootten a stranglehold on your heart and your life" Monica saw Chet as a man whose life had been shredded to ribbons with the ax of revenge and regret "Your ti yourself now"

"My tiin"

"Oh, yes," she said, winding her fingers into the hair at the base of his neck "Noas it you were saying about the two of us gettingto be able to wait for youinto her cheeks "I’er either I don’t think there’s ever been a woinity than I am"

They kissed and the heat of their love and need was like a spontaneous combustion Monica didn’t knoould have happened if her father hadn’t happened upon the his throat that broke them apart "Dad," Monica said breathlessly "Oh, Dad, you’ll never guess what--"

"Reverend Fischer," Chet said, taking charge He looped his arm around Monica’s waist and held out his free hand to her father to shake

"I take it congratulations are in order?" the reverend asked

Chet nodded "If you don’t object, I’d like to hter"

"Object," her father said, laughing He slapped Chet across the back "I’m thrilled for you both You don’t ’s service, do you?"

Chet looked at Monica, then back at her father "I’d be ether the three of them walked toward the church where the ht with its lyrical melody

Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy stood in the choir loft looking down on the congregation that had crowded into the church for Christmas Eve services

"You should all be pleased with your efforts," Gabriel announced froht as yesterday’s dreams

The three prayer ambassadors whirled around Gabriel hadn’t meant to surprise them, but he ell pleased with their accomplishments His trips to earth were few and far between, but this was a special night, one created for exceptions