Dedicated to JohnChiarello ❤

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Love... Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.
--1 Corinthians 13:7 (MSG)

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I long to drink of you, O God, drinking deeply from the streams of pleasure flowing from your presence. My longings overwhelm me for more of you! --Psalms 42:1 (TPT)

It had been decided that Funmi would have the surgery before the wedding and their wedding postponed. However, it seemed their family especially Gerald's family had something contrary to say concerning it. But Gerald had said nothing about it to his wife-to-be.

The surgery had been successful and according to the surgeon, Funmi needed at least six weeks to recover fully from it. The gang had been around her when the surgery was done and on the day she was discharged. They surrounded her with love and prayers. Even her parents had had nothing to worry about as they covered everything from food to the bills to prayers to running shifts as to who stayed with her during various hours of each day.

Some weeks after she had been discharged, Funmi had called Posi in tears. She was sobbing so much that her words were incoherent and inaudible, so she had to leave her office to go to Funmi's place.

As soon as she arrived and Funmi opened the door for her, she hugged her and the tears began again. Posi managed to move her to a sofa in her living room and console her till she settled into the occasional hiccup.

After some moments of silence, Posi held her friend's hands and spoke. "What's the matter, babes? What's wrong?"

Funmi sighed. "Gerald just left before you arrived. We were talking sweetly one minute and the next second, fighting. We had a falling out, again. Since the time of the surgery, all we have been doing is fighting and making up. Honestly, I'm beginning to get tired of it. It's like we can't catch a break and like we shouldn't even go ahead with the wedding anymore."

Posi's eyes widened. Had it gotten to that level? Her friends were the strongest people she knew. They had been so sure of their relationship and wedding, why were they suddenly feeling this way?

"What was the falling out about?"

Funmi picked at her nails nervously. "I asked him about when we should fix our new wedding date and it was obvious he was stalling. So, I confronted him about it. Apparently, when Gerald informed our families about my surgery and the postponement of our wedding, some of our relatives weren't for it. The relatives being his. His parents didn't mind but his aunty, who is his dad's elder sister along with some other relatives, began to question the sudden decision to postpone the wedding. They concluded that if I was already having issues with my reproductive system even without getting married, that maybe I wouldn't be able to have children later in marriage. They insinuated that I could be barren, Posi." Funmi dissolved into tears again.

Posi was at a loss for words. All she could do was pat her back as her friend let it all out. When she had quietened, Posi brought out the snacks she had bought on her way and shoved them towards her friend as they settled to watch a romcom. While they set up her living room, Posi whispered words of prayers to heaven to help her say the right words.

When the movie was over, she knew it was time to speak. Posi adjusted in her seat. "Were you there when all these happened?"

Funmi turned her gaze from the credits rolling on the TV screen to her. "No, I wasn't. Gerald told me."

"How did you know the insinuations then?"

"I could hear it from what Gerald wasn't saying now. He was so hesitant and all shifty like he had considered it too and didn't want to marry me."

Posi paused. "Did you consider that maybe he was hesitant because he didn't want you to know and be hurt?"

"That can't be it. He...," she trailed off as if she just realised something.

"Exactly. You know he isn't like that. He may have kept it from you because he knew you'd be hurt."

"But-. I-." Funmi began and stopped midway her sentence severally before she sighed. "I think I'm just projecting my fears onto him. I actually thought of not being able to give birth and dismissed it, but when he talked about it again, it just brought all those thoughts and fears out. I don't know what to do, Posi."

"Don't talk like that, Funmi. You know what to do. In fact, you always know what to do. We have the Knower on our inside and we have the mind of Christ."

Funmi silently nodded and reaffirmed it. "I always know what to do. I have the mind of Christ."

"Why don't we just pray about this situation and ask God to take control, uhn?"

They both held hands and prayed, heartfelt and fervently.

*******

"He was obviously trying to protect her from the news. And he told me he knew it wasn't important enough to shake his immediate family's feelings for Funmi," Tayo said.

Posi had come to visit him at home and he had only encouraged it since Tutu was still around and she was staying at his place. So, they were safe. They both sat on the lone three-sitter in his living room, facing each other with their legs stretched on the sofa.

"Yeah, I know that and I told her as much. But I think she just needs some time since she just had a uterine surgery done and had to postpone her wedding. She has been planning the wedding since forever. Then, it got postponed because she had to have a surgery that could mean she may not have children. I can understand where she's coming from."

"Hmmmm."

"Anyways, we prayed and I encouraged her to just talk to Gerald about it. They were friends for so long before they began a romantic relationship. So, they should be able to talk it out."

"Yeah, they should. And I hope you don't plan to tickle my foot?"

He watched as she held still. "Why would you think that?"

He pointed at the little distance between her hands and his foot. "They are awfully close, don't you think?"

She scoffed. "Who would want to tickle your feet? They are stinking."

"Yeah, right. I caught you anyways." They both snickered and heard Posi's phone beep. She checked it and a smile came on her face.

"Good news?"

She looked up. "Yeah. Well, in a way. They are talking now. I hope they settle this on time."

"Yeah. Well, it's a good thing that we won't have to worry about having children or not," Tayo said as he reached for his glass of juice.

*******

Posi paused. Why was he suddenly talking about children? And what did his ambiguous statement mean?

"What does that mean?" She asked aloud.

Tayo's hand paused mid-air and he turned to look at her. He relaxed into the seat and with a smile, he said, "I mean that we won't have to worry about whether we have children or not."

"Why?" She was becoming antsy. His next words had better be smart, or else.

"I just never saw myself having children again. Truth be told, I won't want to put us through the pain of trying to have children. My family history and even yours shows that there has always been issues conceiving or delivering babies. My adoptive mum couldn't have children till she had me. My birth mum's aunt couldn't conceive till her husband died and she refused to remarry. Your mum had several miscarriages after she had you. Even my late wife died while trying to deliver our baby." He paused.

If he had looked up, maybe he'd have known to just quit talking. But he didn't look up and he kept talking like a bulldozer without a brake.

"It could be a pointer that we may have problems trying to have children and I don't want that," he finished and finally looked up.

Posi knew the moment he realised he had spoken the wrong sentences. His eyes shut in exasperation with himself and he began to stutter.

"Posi, I-I-I didn't m-mean it tha-that way."

In a whisper, she said, "But I want to have kids. Lots of them."

If they were already having differences at this point, then maybe they should just stop. She was no silly goose to think they weren't going to have issues but she hadn't thought it would be on something as serious and important as whether or not they would have children.

It had been a while but she felt the old anger rise within her. "Why would you say such a thing now? What's all these now? How can you even say these to me now?"

The 'now' was back and she knew if she stayed longer with him, she might say things she didn't mean. She stood up to pack her things. "You know what, don't bother. I'm gonna go home. I can't listen to this now."

She could hear him scramble after her but she didn't wait. Tutu must have heard the commotion because she met her on the way. "What's wrong, sis?"

Shaking with anger she hadn't felt in months, she faked a smile. "I'm good. Nothing is wrong. I just really need to go now."

Posi saw her look behind her and the questioning look she gave her brother but she didn't have time for whatever the siblings were doing. "See ehn. I'm gonna go. We will talk later."

She made to move but Tayo stopped her again, with a hand on her shoulder. "Babe, hold on a minute."

"I'm not sure you want to speak to me right now."

"Okay. I get that I upset you but let me take you home, please," he pleaded.

She was still not looking at him and she didn't want to. "I can take an Uber home."

"I insist. Besides, we already said we'd never be so angry or upset with each other that we'd leave each other still angry. No matter how we feel."

Yes, they had and she wished they hadn't.
She sighed and moved to his car. "Let's go."

He unlocked the car and they both got in. She could feel him stealing glances at her but she wasn't ready to let him go for the words he had said.

*******

The only other time Tayo had seen such an angry look on Posi was the first day when they met at the restaurant for a meeting. She looked really upset and she obviously didn't want to talk to him.

Looking back, Tayo knew he could have handled the situation better. He had just blurted out whatever he wanted without putting her opinion or desire into cognizance.

As he drove her home, he knew they needed to settle this before it got bigger. Even if he felt that way about having children, he was more worried about losing the one person he had come to care about more than anything. He had never thought he'd find love again but he had. And losing her was absolutely out of the question.

Tayo kept glancing in her direction but it seemed she was intent on looking straight ahead. After some time, she shut her eyes and pretended to be asleep. At least he thought she was pretending.

"Posi, we are here," he said after he parked in front of her building's gate. He watched as she opened her eyes and removed her seat belt.

"Bye," she mumbled. She was still upset, that much was obvious.

He held unto her arm before she could exit the car. "Wait a minute, babe."

She looked at his hand on her arm and back at him again, and he had a moment of deja vu.

*******

How can he even be smiling now? She thought.

He seemed to know what she was thinking as he arranged his features back into a pleading one. "I was just thinking of the last time this happened," he said, gesturing to his hand on her arm.

Posi stared at him and said nothing. She wasn't going to make this easy for him at all.

Tayo moved his hand from her arm and held her hand instead. He sighed. "Look, I'm sorry. I'm really really sorry." He paused. "I didn't think of what you wanted or how my words may have sounded. It's just that both our past experiences with this issue hasn't been a great one and I didn't know I was already forming an unconscious mindset about having children. I should have spoken to you first. I'm sorry, uhn."

He sounded sincere and if she was being honest, she understood why he had such thoughts. She just felt there was no need to let fear win. For two people who had battled loss at different points of their lives and with different things or people, they had turned out well. All because of God's grace.

"Okay. I understand you. But aren't we God's children? Haven't we seen or heard about enough miracles to know that nothing is impossible? We just need to believe God. I was an only child and I have always dreamed of having children. Yes, there's a possibility for fertility issues given our family histories but it doesn't and shouldn't form a mindset in us or make us afraid of having children of our own. Okay?"

He nodded.

"I'm sorry for getting upset too. I guess we have a thing or more to learn about airing our opinions."

"Yeah. And I thought I had experience. I'm learning that you're very different. So, how about we add something new to our resolutions?"

She turned to face him properly and gestured for him to continue.

"We will always discuss what's bugging us and if we can't at that moment, we will tell each other and talk about it when we're ready. We won't make conclusions or decisions about matters that involve or affect us both alone. Agreed?"

"Agreed. So we will talk more about this children issue."

"Yes to that too." With bright smiles that rivalled the sun shining overhead, they both alighted.

Facing each other, Posi realised she wasn't ready to leave. Yeah, she had scrambled to run away from him just some hours ago but now that everything was at ease, she felt silly for her actions.

She moved closer to hug him. Still holding unto him, she said, "Will I sound fickle if I say I don't want you to go?"

If she was expecting a reply from him, she must have been asking for too much because he just stuck his tongue out at her.

"Real mature, Tee. Real mature."

He scoffed. "I guess you don't want to go out with this immature fella."

"I'm not going to answer that." She looked around and then spoke. "Let's take a walk. The sun is setting already."

With her hand wrapped around Tayo's arm, they walked down the street, laughing and gisting like there was no tomorrow.

They realised that it was easier to forgive when one loved another with the kind of love described in scriptures. A love that suffered long and thought no evil of the other. A love that was patient and kind. A love that wasn't hurtful, no matter the words said and no matter the actions or inactions.

**********
(Present)

"Look at the two lovebirds," Tayo spoke. It was the day following their friends' wedding and they planned to have a joint breakfast hangout before the newlyweds travelled for their honeymoon. They had all checked out of the hotel suites they had stayed in for the wedding that morning.

They were currently at The Kerrington for the breakfast hang out and the love birds were not taking it easy on them.

Posi followed his gaze to look at her besties. They were busy feeding each other and giggling on what was probably an inside joke. She turned back to Tayo and just shrugged.

"That would be us very soon," he whispered and she smiled shyly in response.

"That's what we get for wanting to hangout with newlyweds," GP snickered from where he sat beside Posi.

"Well, it seemed to be a good idea at the time and they even looked like they couldn't live without us. But look at them now," Tutu commented.

Tutu had somehow wriggled herself into their quintet and it obviously made GP uncomfortable in a good way. Tayo and Posi had their heads together many times as they watched GP and Tutu's many interactions. Whatever was stopping them from pursuing a relationship with each other must be very great, they concluded.

Gerald and Funmi's wedding had gone very smoothly despite the challenge of the past six months. Looking at them now, it felt like the challenge had only served to bring them closer. And Gerald had proven to be a strong man. He stood fast against his paternal aunt's insinuations and opinion on his marriage with Funmi. When his parents saw how determined he was, they stood by him too.

It hadn't been easy at first but they had engaged the power of prayer and confessions. Even Tayo himself had been amazed at how they all carried the matter on their head, praying along with their friends at every opportunity for God to step into their situation and take the glory. Now, they were married and happily so. Not all the relatives had come for the wedding but it had gone peacefully with an intimate atmosphere of joy and peace over the wedding weekend.

"Hello o," Tayo finally called out as he clapped his hands to get their attention. He waited till the couple raised their heads to look at him before he continued. "Thank you. We know you guys just got married but can you hold off on all the PDA and talk to us. You'll be travelling tomorrow, so let's enjoy this hangout together."

Gerald and Funmi glanced at the four before an apologetic look came on their faces.

"We'd have loved to say we are sorry," Funmi paused. "But we are not."

Gerald snickered before adding, "Can you blame us?"

The other four exclaimed and exploded in different tones, protesting her statement. Gerald and Funmi just laughed it off. After they had calmed down for a bit, Posi spoke. "I guess we can't blame you. The past six months have been blessed and only God could have seen you both through it. So, we are thankful."

They all agreed and it was obvious that they were all thankful to God for what He had done.

"I believe we should pray and just thank God before you guys leave," Posi continued.

"Yeah."

"Yes."

"Of course."

"I agree."

Tayo looked at Posi at that point. Even their own relationship had been under fire at the same time as Gerald and Funmi's. With a look that only Posi could understand, he answered, "Absolutely."

As the six all stood to leave for Tayo's house, Tayo and Posi held each other and trailed silently behind their friends.

"I love you," Tayo whispered.

"Love you too," she whispered back.

They both knew that some other arguments they were bound to have in the future may not be so easily resolved but it was good enough to know that they could handle anything life threw at them, fighting together and longing after the One Who had set them up together.

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Phew! What a long ride!

To think I had plans to write just 25 chapters. 🤭😉😅

Epilogue is ready! Read on.