Dedicated to chertarchiy

Chapter thirty-five

Lavi's POV

**

Mass is going on in there and am waiting out here hoping she'd show up any minute from now. She promised to be here at 7am and it 7:11am already.

Why isn't she here yet?

It's going to take another minute before my mom storm out of there in search of me. I sent her a quick text as I pace around like a groom whose bride was about to ditch him

*where are you?*

It didn't take long before her message beep through.

*Right behind you?*

I turned around and there she was as promised with that smile that makes my heart flutters anytime she flashes one at me. It's not even up to 24hours since I last saw her and yet; it feels like ages.

Goodness!

"Am I late?" Her tiny voice pulling me back to reality.

"N-no you're not" shooting her a small smile.

"The traffic was bad really and...." She began to explain

"Sshh; it's okay! You're here now so c'mon" pulling her towards the opposite direction.

"Where are we going now! I thought the entrance to the church is that way. Why are we headed in the opposite direction"

"Just trust me okay? We are almost there"

"Well am here because I trust you don't you think" she huffed at me.

"Then c'mon and stop being afraid"

She murmured incoherent words and followed either way.

.

.

.

Katherine's POV

We arrived at a much smaller room that holds so much peace and serenity. The atmosphere is beyond just welcoming. It feels like heaven on earth and even has the ability to wipe out any worries once we step our feet on the inside.

"Where are we?" My voice coming out in a whisper.

"Inside the chapel my Lady" reaching for my hand as he turned me to face him.

The room was much darker than I would have expected with only the candle flames giving light to the place. A statue of the holy virgin stood beside that of her beloved son with an open arms; reminding me so much of my mom most common gesture.

"Why are we here?" Looking up at his calm and collected expression.

"Well I brought you here for two single reasons..." smirking at me "...firstly to light a candle for your mom and secondly to make you a single promise"

"A promise?" My brow rise in confusion.

"Yes a promise to you my lady" he added with a peck to my forehead.

With my hand in his, he led me towards the alter and knelt before it with our fingers intertwine.

"After what happened yesterday back at your house with us being together, I was able to realize one thing" his tone serious.

"Which is?"

"That I don't ever want to be separated from you"

What now?

"You mean like ever?"

"Like ever until my last breath with God as my witness"

I'm totally speechless at this point and it's not because I don't have a reply to his promises but it came as a shock. It's overwhelming to know that he is willing to go against everyone just to be with me. I sure as hell wasn't expecting any of it.

"Well?" His eyes searching mine in confusion

Gosh! I took too long to react.

"Let kiss to that then" my voice full of mischief as I pull him closer.

His lips found mine slow and
steady, savoring every bit of this
moment. I bet the holy virgin and her son won't mind.

"Merry Christmas princess" smirking at me as he pulled away

"Merry Christmas my lav"smiling sweetly at him just as much

"I got something for you"reaching into his jean pocket to pull out a little present

" what's it?"placing it in the palm of my hand.

"How about you unwrap and find out princess"

Wrapped in that little paper was a beaded crystal rosary and a brown scapula beside it. I'm no catholic but I know a rosary when I see one and Lavi just gave me one.

"A rosary?" My mouth agape.

"Yeah, I got it last night from the church book shop and even got the priest to bless it for me" he beamed.

"It's beautiful lav but I can't pray the rosary" glancing at the rosary and back at him

"Don't worry, I will teach you how" he offered.

"You will?"

"Yeah if you want and look" pulling out a similar one from under his shirt " I got a matching pair as well and we can pray together whenever you are ready "

I didn't let him finish before I threw myself at him in a bone crushing hug.

How the heck did I become so damn lucky?

"I love you so damn much you know that right?" My face buried into his chest

"I know! I feel it just as much as you do princess"

My chest feels less heavier as if a weight as just be lifted off my shoulder as I stood across my dad from the kitchen counter some hours later. He arrived at home not quite long before I did.

Dad has took it upon himself to cook for aunt Nene and I since it was Christmas and Fri tata was this first choice and easiest. He optioned for it. With his apron on, he grab his ingredients, Irish potatoes, chicken and vegetables and he was down to business.

"Are you sure, you don't need help garnishing that chicken dad?"

"Nope! Just go ahead and chop those veggies will you? I got this"

"Sure you do dad! Don't just add too much salt while at it okay?" Aunt Nene and I exchange a knowing glance and chuckled quietly. She too was busy peeling the potatoes.

"Don't you wanna know why I was at church earlier when you got home?"

"I can only imagine why with that thing around your neck!" Glaring at me.

"It's a scapula not a thing dad and I went for mom" and Lavi too! Almost snapping at him

"I know exactly what that is okay? So don't lecture me young lady" pointing at me with his sauce filled finger.

"You know what? Am done helping you over here. I will be in my room" stomping away.

It didn't take long before his footsteps were heard outside my door followed by a soft knock.

"Go away dad! We have nothing to talk about"

"Maybe you don't but I do so am letting myself in okay?"

He sat beside me on the bed with his 'I know I screwed up kinda face'

"I'm sorry okay? I didn't mean to sound like I got a stick up my arse"

I chuckled at his choice of word but shrugged his hands off my shoulder still.

" I too was a Catholic kitty and that scapula around your neck was my favorite accessory at some point " he continued.

"Was? I didn't know you were a catholic" adjusting on the bed to face him

"That's because I never talked about my early religion with you while growing up" he pout

"Very true but why did you stop being one?"

" I didn't stop.. I just lost track of my faith at some point and that was it"

Hearing this from a man who always went to church with his wife and daughter every Sunday is hard to believe.

"You lost track by following mom to church you mean?"

"Yeah sorta and i should have asked you why you went  to church today and not scold you over that scapula. I guess it reminded me of the truth I was tryna hide"

"To light a candle for mom! And got this as a gift" looking down at my scapula lying beside my mom's locket.

"Come here!" Wrapping a hand around me in a tight embrace.

"You're even more mature and thoughtful than your papa my girl... I bet Lucy is dead proud of you"

"Oh you bet she is" chuckling at his choice of words

"So are you gonna go back to being catholic now or what?"

"Well I don't know yet but how about we go finish up that dish before Christmas is over" with glimmer of smile on his face

Another hour later, dad had already done justice to our meal and food was served for everyone including the Chukwuemaka who showed up unannounced. No one knew they were coming but we were glad to have them join us either way.

This Christmas is way better than the ones we've had since my mom passed. We had visitors coming over and gift were shared with laughter and cheerfulness. This year ended in a much better note

2019 please be nice!

A/N

I'm sorry to be asking you guys for this kinda favor but please I need you to tag a friend in the comment box as many as you can even if it's just one. I'd appreciate that.

With hope
Xoxo
Agnesomalia