“ Forgiveness sets you free. ”
***
   “ Can I take a seat? ” The duo stared at each other before nodding. 
“ I know you guys have a million and one questions to ask me. ” She smiled,  “ That's not unexpected, right? Since I disappeared months ago and suddenly reappeared. ” The duo nodded. 
“ Well, I was imprisoned for three months due to my involvement in a crime relating to Miranda. ” 
“ What crime? ” Evie inquired, staring at the two.
“ I planned to have her miscarry, but my plan failed as always. ” Her tone was solemn. 
  “ Um… ” Evelyn sighed, realizing her Bestie had forgiven her already. So what right does she have to overreact?
“ I heard God for the very first time in the police’s van. ”
“ God? ” They were left completely stunned by her words.
“ As you both know, I've always been an atheist. But for the first time, I heard the deity which you and Joseph had always spoken about. Prior to that, I've always believed he was nothing but a figment of your imaginations. But the single encounter I had that day changed my life. ” Silence reigned between them as they slowly sank in her words. 
  “ What was life in prison like? ”
“ Worse, when you compare it to my previous lifestyle. But the experience broke me and made me more humble. Also, the encounter I'd had in the police van made the experience bearable. There was also a lady I met there, Mary who'd been wrongly accused. Despite that, she believed in God and held on to the fact that he'll deliver her no matter what. ”
“ Was she delivered? ”
“ Yup. We were released on the same day. We've been fellowshipping together from the time we met till now. ”
“ You attend church services now? ”
“ Yup. I'm even a worker. ” 
“ Wow. ” The duo found her words almost unbelievable, but is anything too hard for the God of all flesh? 
Definitely not. 
“ I believe that explains the glow around you. ”
“ Yeah… ” She paused, biting her lips and the duo instantly knew what was coming.  
“ I've wronged you both. Especially you Miranda. I've done unforgivable things and I know, simply saying I'm sorry won't change what has happened. But I still want to say it. I'm deeply sorry, Miranda. For everything I've ever done to you. ”
“ It's alright, Vee. I've forgiven you in my heart a long time ago. Like they say, to err is human, to forgive is Divine. ” 
“ Yeah… Thank you. ”
“ You are welcome. ”
“ I also forgive you for ever hurting my Bestie. ”
“ Thank you, Evelyn. I actually love your personality. ”
“ Really? ”
“ Yeah, I think we would have become best friends if I hadn't shut my heart out to the idea of that. ”
“ Hm… it's not too late, is it? ” Evelyn winked. 
“ In your dreams. ” Miranda replied, rolling her eyes causing the duo to chuckle at how jealous she sounded.
“ Let's have lunch to seal this new pact, shall we? ”
“ Sure. ”
….
A month later,
 —- Miranda —
Ever since I'd woken up, it's been surprises upon surprises. 
First it started with Jose waking me up earlier than usual and then me Opening my eyes to a bunch of balloons having “ 25 ” written on each of them.
“ It's my birthday, oh my. ” The realization that I'd actually forgotten about it hit me hard. What's more it's that I still couldn't believe that I'm now twenty five. Like how is that even possible? 
Isn't it yesterday when I'd just turned 20? Why then am I already twenty five? 
[ A/N : I can relate to this in a way, Haha. It still feels like yesterday when I'd turned 18 and now? I'm 19. ]
As if that morning's surprise wasn't enough I was greeted with birthday wishes from all around and Vera Lynn brought the cake. 
Though it's been just a month since we'd met at that restaurant.
We've been in constant contact since then and I must say, her life is one of the biggest proof that indeed, God can change a person. 
I'd never forget how happy and ecstatic I felt when she introduced me to her fiance. 
It still feels too good to be true. 
“ Wifey. What are you thinking about? ” I turned to Joseph who was currently driving our car to a destination I've got no idea about especially because I'm blind folded. 
  Nanny and Mom had appeared at our home and offered to help us take care of the twins for the entire day. 
To be honest, I wonder how filled with surprises a day could be and for some reason, I feel this is simply the beginning.
“ I'm wondering where we are headed to. ”
“ You'll find out soon. ” Though I didn't see him, I can already guess he winked.
***
“ Careful, slowly. ” I moved gently as he finally led me out of the car.
“ You can remove the blind fold now. ” I nodded, before slowly pulling the rubber material over my head. 
  It took my eyes a while to slowly adjust to the light and when it finally did.  “ Wait, what… ” I stared at the huge arena in front of me and most especially the airplane.
  “ We are going skydiving? ” I stared back at him.
“ Yup. ”
“ But that's impossible, right? You said you'll never jump out of a plane and most importantly — ” 
“ I will do anything for you, Wifey. ” I felt tears build up in my eyes as the intensity of his words hit me. 
  “ How can you love me so much? ” I stared at him, with so much emotion.
“ As much as I love myself. ” He closed the distance between us, as he wiped my tears and I wasted no time in embracing him tightly. 
“ I love you, Jose. ” 
“ I love you more, Wifey. ” The truth is, I've never doubted that. 
***
   “ Who'll go first, Jose? ” I stared at him. We were on air in our kits and still hadn't made the decision about who will yet. 
“ I will, Babe. To set an example. ”
“ Whatever. ” 
To be honest, I've always thought skydiving was only about jumping out of the plane and flying until I watched Joseph jump out of it and it took me an amount of self control not to scream out in shock.
And when my turn came, to be honest, there isn't anything more scary yet super exciting than it. 
    I strove to enjoy the feeling despite the fear that I might fall. but I didn't.
“ You did it, Babe. ” I didn't know how much I craved to be hugged by him until he did.
“ Yeah… ” I nodded, into his embrace.
“ And now for the third surprise. ” 
“ Another surprise? ” I'd thought I'd had too much for one day until now.  “ Yup. My Queen deserves so much more. ” He grinned. 
***
   I didn't know the surprise entailed anything serious until I was led into a dressing room where I was helped into a new outfit which was a dazzling gold colored vintage dress with gems embedded in it, after which my hair was styled beautifully above my head. 
Then I was led into a room which was originally dark, until it lit up slowly as I advanced into it. 
 The area in view was decorated with colorful balloons, which had 25 on it and the transparent floor was covered in red petals. 
  As I advanced, I came across a big balloon which had,  “ My childhood friend. ” written on it.
Then I came across another one which had,  “ My eternal bestie. ”
“ My dazzling wife. ” I wiped the tears that fell out of my eyes at the words.
“ My soulmate… ” This particular balloon took the shape of a heart and I held it to my heart before finally letting go of it. 
“ My life partner. ” This one had a picture of us both holding hands by the beach. I recognize it to be a picture from a month ago.
“ Mother of our kids… ” Nuel and Nuella’s pictures were beautifully displayed on this particular balloon.
“ Jose… ” I called out as the light brightened to reveal him. 
My Best friend,
My King,
The love of my life.
My husband.
He went on one knee in front of me.  “ My Queen. Will you do me the honor of dancing with you? ” I nodded my head as I placed my hands on his and almost immediately, the music came up and we moved in sync to it.
Love of my life.
Thank you for being with me.
Thank you for finding me.
I will love you forever,
My Queen.
“ I love you, Jose. ” I embraced him tightly.
“ I love you, more. ” 
And when I thought the surprises were all over, he swept me off my feet and led me up the stairs I didn't know existed. 
 We got inside the Royal sized Bedroom and wondered what was going on until he went on his knees in front of me. 
  “ My Queen, will you do me the honor of spending the night with me? ” I blushed at the hidden meaning behind his words. 
  It never ceases to make my heart soar when he sees it as a privilege and something worth looking forward to despite the fact we've done it almost every night for several months now.
  “ Yes. ” I nodded. 
And I didn't regret my answer when we were both in the foamy bathtub spooned together and when we finally became one on the bed. 
    “ I love you, Wifey. ” The vulnerability of that moment, further added to the intensity of his words, further made me emotional.  “ Thank you for choosing me. ” 
“ I love you too, Hubby. ” I smiled, allowing the tears to fall.
“ Thank you for accepting to do life with me. ” I grinned, as he kissed away my tears.
Is this really how it feels to love and be loved? 
It's honestly beautiful. 
***
— Miranda. —
  Two weeks later,
  
  “ M..o..m. ”  It felt like my heart stopped beating when I finally heard that word from my daughter, Nuella and just before I could react. I heard it again, but this time. it came from. Nuel.
“ M..o..m. ” 
“ Hey… you can cry. ” I felt him wrap his arms around me and I nodded as tears of joy spilled from my eyes. 
“ D..a..d. ” Nuella said, spreading out her hands to her Dad. 
  I'd never stopped being surprised at how he easily scooped her into his arms as he slowly peppered kisses on her face. The bond between them was definitely strong and unbreakable. 
“ D..a..d. ” Nuel finally said and we both laughed.
Why does it feel like he is following his sister's footsteps when it's meant to be the other way around?
  Does that mean he'll always follow his sister? Or will it be the other way around?
….
A/N : Well, that's left for us to find out, yay.