✞✞✞

✞✞✞
𝙁𝙄𝙑𝙀 𝙈𝙊𝙉𝙏𝙃𝙎 𝘼𝙂𝙊

7000 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀
𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗩𝗘𝗥, 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗥𝗔𝗗𝗢

"Why won't you leave me the hell alone?!" I snapped at Colton as he tried to talk me out of wearing heels to church for the third time this morning

"Dinah, I just want you and the babies to be comfortable." He replied while sighing

"Last time I checked you were grown and I was too. So, please do me a huge favor and leave me alone. You are the main one making me uncomfortable!" I rebutted angrily

"Okay..." Colton said lowly before turning with both of us noticing my Mom finally

"Excuse me, Mrs. Washington." Colton then said as he slipped past her

"We are leaving soon, honey." She then said to him as he nodded and continued walking

My Mom then gave me her signature look of disappointment as I sat down on my bed beginning to rub Sky's head.

"Dinah, sweetheart, why are you being so mean to that man?" She then asked as she sat beside me

I just sat in silence not truly knowing why I was acting this way. It was nothing logical or rational that had led me to; I was just reacting based on my pissed-off emotions.

I felt the change shift within him but I still couldn't stop myself from attacking him every chance I got.

"I can't get over it," I uttered knowing she already knew everything that was going on between us

My Mom then gently grabbed my hand and asked, "Why?"

"Because he broke me after everything. After all the prayers and everything I had forgiven him for...he still found a way to make it worse and now it feels like my heart is bleeding nothing but resentment and anger. And, I...I just can't seem to let that go." I ranted as a single tear trailed past my cheek

"Well, what are you getting out of harvesting your anger and allowing the Devil to use you all while knowing God revealed everything to you the way he did so he could use you to heal your husband?" She then asked as she gently placed her other hand on top of the one she was holding

Jesus, why is this woman always right?

I did nothing but sit in silence still not facing her only now playing with my necklace.

"And, the only reason I say you are letting the Devil use you is because God says, 'In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.'. You prayed his truth would come out so you could help him move past it, so why are you so upset baby? It wasn't the Devil who allowed your marriage to get as messy as it did for a moment that was God there to deliver you both. God has freed him from the shackles of his past and the demons within it. Now, baby, it's your turn to let it go and let our Father handle the rest." She asserted

"Look at me, baby..." My Mom then asked causing me to slowly face her as she smiled warmly before wiping my eyes carefully

"I know it hurts but there's a man who loves you through hell and back downstairs...love him back." She concluded before kissing my forehead

✞✞✞

"So for those who try and fail, remember! One of the enemy's greatest tactics over your life is to discourage you so much, that you don't hope anymore! Because if you do not hope, you have taken away the gasoline for faith! 'Cause faith is the confidence in what we hope! If there's nothing for you to hope for then where is your faith?! So if you have hope in this temple whether it is for that child that has left your home and come back far gone, whether it's hope for your family members you've lost along this journey called life, whether it's hope for something you feel has been lost in a lie, or whether it's hope to overcome in the name of Jesus can our Father get an amen!?" My Dad preached

"Amen," I said lowly as I nodded taking in his words

It had been so long since I had been to church and it felt so amazing I couldn't help but smile genuinely for the first time in what felt like forever.

"Now, as I'm speaking of faith I must speak on God's take on the holy union we call marriage before we leave this morning. I just feel like I can speak to and for a lot of people who are in love and may be struggling and for those who may not be struggling but need some of the Lord's word for the times that may come because I have seen too many anointed relationships and marriages fall due to the will of the Devil!" My Father announced to the church

"This is on my heart because, in this last month, the Devil has been trying to work against the plans that God has for some of those closest to me. And, church, don't go around asking and being nosey now! Pastor has got some family problems just like the rest of you. I just have some food for thought for you all if you can hear me this morning!" My Dad joked causing soft laughter to erupt throughout the church

"Come on, now!" One of the elderly ladies cheered just before my Dad continued

"There are too many young people who revert to marriage thinking of it a partnership pertaining to business and that is not what a real marriage is. Marriage is the exploitation of the struggles and pain of a real flawed yet holy love and if you don't understand me then you must be too young or you unfortunately have never been truly in love. We often are so happy to show off our marriages once engaged so where does that happiness go in the struggle? I know for a fact First Lady has wanted to take my head off my shoulders a few times and I know what you guys are thinking! Pastor and First Lady get into it?! Absolutely! We are human vessels, not angels. But, I love my wife not for what we are here while being at our best for you all but for the righteous woman she is in her moments of flaws just as she does with me in my moments. When I was younger I'll admit I was a fool with her feelings and always found myself apologizing to her more and more for the same things. I could've simply fixed these issues with prompt change after my initial apology but didn't. I chose my pride over change and in return I found my marriage on fragile glass." My Father explained

"Church, do you know how many times you have to say sorry to the same person in order to stay connected over a lifetime? A lot of times! The struggle is that those "sorries" become harder to say and even harder to accept. Bitterness begins to form in the way of true forgiveness. Don't get discouraged and stop apologizing because you think your words are of no effect. Apologies will never stop being needed in a committed relationship. Even more than that keep on forgiving. Forgive more, because Jesus says we forgive endlessly! Jesus surely had marriage in mind when he gave that advice. It's not easy but making a life together means a million apologies and a million and one times to forgive! But, we often forget the change that must come with it so we can dodge the bitterness that can begin to form between two. Now, to rebuild intimacy in our relationships offering each other empathetic responses is necessary. The building blocks of a solid relationship happen in the tiny overtures we make all throughout the day. It's as simple as kindly pausing what you are doing to fully hear the concerns of your spouse. It's choosing to smile rather than scowl when things don't go as planned. It's choosing to respond warmly when our other half gets our attention. A warm tone builds trust. It says that you are safe to share with, that you are on the same team, and that you are willing to try to understand each other's point of view. Ephesians 4:1-3 says, '...walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.'." My Father concluded before the choir stood up as soft notes on the piano began to sound

"So if you feel this Church I need you all to all stand and sing with me! Because, I need you all to know as a mortal man bound by immortal love I have hurt so many nights, cried so many hours, trying to make everything right...But, in God's great love and even greater name he never left allowing First Lady to stay with a love so powerful after everything we have been through. So we all must hope, have faith, love, and pray all in his name when it comes to our marriages and aspirations!" My Dad preached as he smiled looking around the church as we all stood

I hurt so many nights

Cried so many hours

Trying to make it right

Just didn't have the power

You ignored all of my tears

In hopes they'd disappear

I tried to let it show

But I guess...you just don't wanna know

I came to you in love

I came to you in earnest

Could you possibly explain?

Why the flames, why the furnace?

Just needing to get it clear

I was hoping you would hear

I tried to let it go

But I guess...you just don't wanna know

Feeling tears pool from my eyes as I listened to the choir sing I couldn't help but feel everything.

Colton then gently grabbed my hand causing me to turn and face him after ignoring him the past two hours seeing he looked very unsure of himself as a result of his action and not knowing what mine would be.

I then leaned my head against his chest and continued to cry as he wrapped his arms around me.

✞✞✞

"Hey, Dinah, can we talk when you get a chance?!" Colton asked as we made it inside my parents' house

"Come on," I said lowly as I slowly made my way upstairs into my room beginning to pet Max and Sky with Colton before they got so excited they caught the zoomies and ran out causing Colton to close my door for more privacy

"You know I heard you yesterday morning..." I then said thinking about all the sweet things he had to say about me and our babies

"Oh, I-i..." He then stammered before going silent with his hands in his pant pockets and a nervous expression

"I love you too." I proclaimed

It had been so long since I had said that to him I forgot how good it felt.

Suddenly, I felt all the hate and pain lift from my marriage within moments.

I no longer saw a man I hated I saw the man I fell in love with.

"I love you," I said once again this time pressing my lips passionately against his as he gently placed his hands on my cheeks deepening the kiss

"And, I'm so sorry for being so mean to you even though I had seen the changes." I sniffled with watery iris' as I pulled away and leaned my forehead against his

"Don't apologize." He then said as his hands made their way to my waist

"I was wrong. So, yes, I need to apologize. I forgive you for everything and just want to move on." I replied while looking him in his eyes

"I should've listened to you" I groaned as I collapsed on my bed causing him to chuckle lightly

He then got on his knees and began to slip my heels off before kissing my legs.

"Please don't do that I haven't had sex in too long and I can't tell whether you are being dirty or wholesome." I groaned

My husband then laughed harder and said, "I was being wholesome. But, I can change your sex situation...you just are going to need this first."

Colton then pulled my wedding ring from his pocket causing me to smile brightly as I asked, "How long have you been walking around with my ring?"

"Since you took it off." He replied lowly

"Well, put it back on, Mushy," I said happily as I held my hand out for him causing him to smile and slip it on

"I will never hurt you like that again." My husband promised as he hugged me

A/N: And, Colton and Dinah are back together!! Do you guys think there will be more issues? How are you guys feeling about Dinah's Mom and Dad's encouraging words? How did you all like the chapter? ALSOOO!!! Go vote for Chase's faceclaim! Remember to vote, comment, share, add to your library, and follow me!! Love yaaa🖤🖤🖤