...continued from previous page

When it was time to put in the other video cassette to finish the second half of the movie, Jake decided to let the screen go blank instead of leaving his warm cocoon with Abby.

As the late afternoon sky slipped into evening, Abby noticed that Jake was bracing himself for something unpleasant. She knew he was waiting for his fight with a flashback.

"I don't understand," breathed Jake, "it should've hit me by now. It always does after we make love."

"Your flashbacks have been getting better," she reminded him.

"I know," said Jake, "but to have none at all?"

They both quietly waited for several minutes, and when it didn't come, Jake looked at Abby, dumbfounded.

"What's happening, Jake?"

"I don't know," he replied. "The memories are coming back to me, but they aren't taking over my senses like they used to. Dr. Jacoby must have been right."

"Right about what?" puzzled Abby.

"He said that when my body started associating intimacy with you instead of the abuse, these flashbacks had a good chance of going away," explained Jake. "But," he sighed, "this can't be. It's too good to be true. God has already given me so much more than I deserve. To have this go away... it's too good to be true."

Then, as if to test his theory, Jake gave himself to Abby once more, and waited for the flashbacks to come. When they didn't, he was silent.

"Jake?" she whispered.

Jake leaned his head against hers, and Abby felt something wet splash onto her shoulder.

"Go ahead and cry," she comforted him, as he tightly grasped her hand. "It's all right. I understand."

For the rest of their time together that day, Jake would not let her go. He had already learned to fight those terrible memories during his waking hours, but when he was with Abby, and his senses were drowning in hers, the past would come crashing down on him with renewed vengeance. But Jake had braved it all, and God was now giving him the reward for his courage.

"Abby," he breathed quietly, "do you know what? God's love for me is greater than all the pain of my past. For the first time in my life, I know that I'm going to be all right. I can't explain it."

"It's called 'faith,'" she smiled.

"That must be it," he peacefully sighed. "Abby, the next time you want me, don't be afraid to speak up."

Just then, Jake felt something move against him ever so slightly.

"Your son is awake," she announced, adjusting the blanket that was snugly wrapped around them both.

"That was him?!" Jake cried in delight. "That's the first time I've ever felt him! Oh, Abby!" he exclaimed. "I can hardly wait for the baby to come out!"

"Neither can I!" she laughed.

"What do you think he's going to be like?" dreamed Jake. "Do you think he's going to be sorry that I'm his father?"

"Impossible!" exclaimed Abby, cuddling closer to her husband. When her eyes caught sight of the time, she groaned softly.

continued on next page...

<< Love Stories Last PageLove Stories Next Page >>