Page 117 of Forgive Me Father

His kisses trace up my body, returning to my lips. “You drive me mad, you know that?” He whispers, holding me close.

“I’ll embrace every bit of it,” I reply, a playful grin on my face.

“Once we’re out of this mess, I’m taking you far away from Idlewood—anywhere you want.”

“Anywhere?” I ask, my eyes lighting up.

“Just say the word,” He promises.

“I’ve always wanted to see Scotland in the fall,” I say, my smile widening.

“Then Scotland it is,” He declares. “We’ll explore the world together, making our own rules along the way,” he adds with a teasing glint in his eye.

“Promise you’ll stay with me?” I ask, my tone serious.

“Eden Faulkner, the moment we’re free, I’m putting a ring on your finger and never letting you go.”

“Eden Briar,” I murmur. The name feels like a perfect fit.

“Almost as if God himself made it,” He replies softly, holding me close.

Ecclesiastes 4:9: "Having someone to lean on through good and bad times is a sacred gift."

Chapter 33

Eden

“Ilook absolutely ridiculous,” I seethe, glaring at the elf costume that clings to me.

“Don’t worry, Eden,” Zoey snaps with a forced cheerfulness. “The kids will love it.”

The festive spirit is overwhelming, with twinkling lights and gaudy ornaments strewn about. A massive pine tree, cluttered with decorations, dominates the corner of the café, its presence a constant reminder of the season.

“I think Christmas has been tainted for me by the church,” I sigh, feeling the weight of memories.

For me, Christmas was always about maintaining an image and avoiding greed. On the surface, my family’s Christmas was perfect—glittering trees, golden lights, and endless presents.

No one would have suspected the truth: my father’s violent rages, the angel on top of the tree serving as a symbol of his wrath, and the presents tossed into the fire when he’d had too much to drink.

“Holy shit,” Aiden laughs as he enters the café, taking in the sight of us. “When you said they were making you dress up, I didn’t expect this!” He pulls out his phone to snap a picture.

“Do that, and I’ll grind your phone into coffee grounds,” I hiss, swatting at him.

As I move, Roman’s gold ring glints from under my shirt, catching the eyes of Aiden and Zoey.

“Is that—”

I quickly tuck the ring away before they can get a good look, returning to my work behind the counter. Their questioning looks are hard to ignore.

“Is that Roman’s ring?” Zoey whispers, clearly intrigued. “He gave you his ring—”

“He’s quitting his priesthood once this is all over,” I whisper back, glancing around to ensure no one else is listening. “He gave it to me as a reminder that his role in the church is only temporary.”

It’s been four months since I met Roman and three since we became exclusive. Despite the short time, our bond feels deep and profound, as if we’ve known each other for years.

“Is that a priest’s way of giving a promise ring?” Aiden jokes, unwittingly hitting closer to the truth than he realizes.

Roman was serious. His words from two weeks ago were no joke. Since then, his affection has only intensified—flowers in my apartment, spontaneous dates, and passionate intimacy. It’s all been exhilarating.