Full Circle

PLEASE, GOD.

Please tell me.

Please.

Heaven could feel everyone staring at her, but unlike before, what they thought of her no longer mattered.

All I care about is doing what You ask of me.

"I know you're all worried about your boss," she heard Micah coo, "but everything's under control now."

Even when they obviously enjoyed seeing her being shamed—-

So please, God.

"I've come just in time to protect your boss from the gold digger, and needless to say, there will be no wedding."

Help me.

People actually started clapping after Micah's words, but what stunned Heaven was the flash of guilt in the other woman's eyes, and that was when she realized two things.

One: Micah's cruelty in the past had stemmed from her own pain, which her drinking problem had magnified.

Two: without alcohol to numb her senses, Micah could no longer escape her conscience, and so...

By hurting Heaven, Micah was also hurting herself, and as soon as Heaven realized this, she knew such thoughts could only come from one source.

Oh, God.

Heaven felt like laughing and crying again. His answer was clear as day while His peace allowed her to see how hard Micah was trying (but failing) to bask in everyone's adulation.

The other woman didn't know it yet, but God had already marked her as His. And whether Micah wanted it or not, she had no chance of stopping Him from changing her heart.

Just like Heaven had no chance of changing hers...when Hale strode into view.

Panic had Micah trying to block his way, but Rush gently pulled her back. "It's over, Mikey."

Hale's chest tightened in pain at the way Heaven seemed to shrink away at the sight of him.

Heaven braced herself for the worst. Memories of Hale's cruelty were still vivid in her mind, and that...that was a good thing. The shock of his anger would therefore be minimized, and so whatever he...he...

What in the world?

Hale had sunk to his knees in front of her, and the sight had their audience squirming in discomfort.

"Forgive me."

Heaven started to cry.

They were just two words.

Two words, oh God.

Just two words spoken hoarsely in a voice ravaged by remorse.

But it worked better than any command could.

"I know I don't deserve it," Hale said hollowly, "but please..."

His voice cracked, and the sound of it was the final nail in everyone's coffin. It convicted them in the way no accusation could, and forced as they were to remember their own callous enjoyment of Heaven's suffering—-

"Forgive me, Heaven."

Everyone walked away in shame as they heard their boss's voice shake, and while none of them knew this yet, it was also at that moment God had marked them as His.

"I'm begging—-"

"Don't," Heaven choked out. "Please don't."

Hale felt as if his world had stopped spinning with those two words.

It's over. I'm too late. You fucking idiot. Did you really think—-

—-Heaven would suddenly start tugging your hands as if asking you to stand?

God.

Because the sight of her crying as she stared down at him with eyes that were full of love and compassion—-

God.

He rose unsteadily to his feet, and she smiled up at him just like the first day.

God.

That was it in a nutshell.

The miracle of her forgiveness.

Her ability to adore him despite the countless ways he had hurt her.

And the way she was now throwing her arms around him.

Only He could've made this happen.

God, God, God.

His heart felt as if it was about to burst.

And all he could do was squeeze his eyes shut.

God.

He had so many things to explain to her.

So many things to ask forgiveness for.

But right now, there were three words he needed to say above all else.

"I love you."

And in response, his Heaven cupped his face.

Gave him another one of her precious smiles.

Before making Hale yank her back into his arms with her answer.

"I love you, too...but can we please get married before you change your mind again?"

"I love you," Hale groaned as he buried his face in her hair. "I love you. I love you. I love you."