**LOVINGLY ENDURING, ENDURING LOVINGLY**
Oliver and Emilys marriage had been blessed in church. On their wedding day, just as the procession approached the chapel, an unexpected summer storm erupted out of nowhere. The wind howled, mercilessly snatching Emilys veil and sending it spiralling into the sky like a lost balloon before it flopped into a muddy puddle. The guests gasped. The storm vanished as quickly as it came. Oliver dashed after the veil but was too late.
The once-pristine veil now lay ruined in the filth. Emily, flustered, called out, «Ollie, leave it! I wont wear that now!» The old ladies loitering near the chapel tutted among themselves, muttering that the couples life would be plagued by storms and strife.
A quick dash to the nearest shop provided an artificial white flower for Emilys hairno time to hunt for a new veil. You cant be late to your own wedding, after all!
The newlyweds stood before the altar, candles in hand, exchanging vowsfor Gods sake. Though, naturally, theyd already signed the paperwork at the registry office and thrown a lavish receptionfor everyone elses sake.
Three years later, they had two childrenSophie and Jamesliving happily, blissfully unaware of future troubles.
Then, ten years in, a knock came at the door.
Emily, ever the gracious hostess, welcomed guests invited or otherwise with tea, sympathy, and home-cooked meals. But this visitor was different. She arrived when Oliver was out.
Emilys sharp eye took in the strangerstrikingly beautiful, young, and disarmingly polite.
«Hello, Emily. Im Lily. Im your husbands future wife,» the woman announced.
«How fascinating!» Emily blinked. «How long has Oliver been your fiancé, then?»
«A while. But I cant wait anymore. Were having a baby,» Lily stated, utterly unfazed.
«Ah, the classic trifectawife, mistress, illegitimate child. Charming. You do know Oliver and I are married in the eyes of God? We have children,» Emily countered.
«I know everything. But were in loveeternally! You can get an annulment. He doesnt love you anymore. I checked. Its allowed,» Lily insisted.
«Listen, love, I wouldnt meddle in other peoples marriages if I were you. Well sort our own vows and fidelity, thanks. Goodbye!» Emily snapped, slamming the door behind her.
She stewedof course Oliver had been distant lately. Late nights, sudden business trips, newfound enthusiasm for fishing (since when did he fish?). A woman always knows.
That evening, after plying Oliver with a hearty meal, Emily pounced.
«Ollie, are you in love?»
«Yes,» he admitted, bracing himself.
«Your little fling stopped by today. Is it serious?»
Oliver crumpled. «Im a wretch. I cant live without Lily. I tried ending itI couldnt. Let me go, Em.»
Emily sighed. Begging, guilt-tripping him with the childrenpointless. Life would sort this mess.
So Oliver left.
Emily sought counsel at the church. The vicar listened kindly. «Love bears all things, my child. Youve every right to dissolve this marriagehes strayed. Or you can forgive, pray, and wait. Gods ways are mysterious.»
Two months later, Emily discovered she was pregnantOlivers child. Hope flickered. Maybe hed return.
Her mother suggested naming the baby Oliver Jr. «Maybe your Ollie will come back. Stranger things have happened.»
True to form, Oliver didnt forget Sophie and Jamesgifts, seaside trips, envelopes of cash for Emily. She forbade the children from mentioning baby Oliver Jr., but of course, Sophie blabbed during a visit.
Olivers heart twistedEmily must have moved on. He never imagined the baby was his.
Meanwhile, Lily, now his wife, was hospitalised with pregnancy complications. Oliver dashed about fetching pickles, chalk (she craved it for calcium), only for tragedy to striketheir daughter was stillborn. A second pregnancy ended in miscarriage.
Lily, shattered, wanted a break from trying. Fate had other plans.
Back at Emilys, an old uni flame, Timothy, reappeared. Hed fancied her for years, proposed right after graduationbut Emily found him dull, clingy, and hopelessly tied to his mum. Yet here he was, persistent as ever, bearing wine and sweets for the kids.
Emily laid down the law: «Visit all you like, but Im waiting for my husband. No funny business.»
Timothy agreed. «FineIll be your brother, then. The kids can be my nieces and nephews.»
And so he stayed.
Meanwhile, Lily finally gave birth to a healthy girlGrace. At last, motherhood healed herbut guilt gnawed. Stolen happiness tasted bitter. She longed to beg Emilys forgiveness.
Oliver, smitten with Grace, doted on hertoys, lullabies, bath-time giggles.
Five years passed.
Then Lily fell gravely ill. Hospitals, treatments, desperate prayersnothing helped.
On her deathbed, she whispered, «Take me to Emily.»
Oliver carried her into his old home. Emily, forewarned by Sophie, allowed it.
The family gathered as Lily, frail as glass, rasped, «Forgive me Take Grace. Raise her with Oliver. Promise me.»
Emily clasped her rivals hand. «I forgave you long ago. Grace will be safe. Stay hereall of you. Well help.»
So they did. Timothy, oddly tender, barely left Lilys side, coaxing her back to life with stories and quiet devotion.
Slowly, Lily recovered.
One day, she announced, «Were leaving. Thank youfor everything.»
Oliver and Emily exchanged a glance. Theyd seen this comingTimothy and Lily had fallen in love.
Earlier, Oliver had confessed, «However this ends, I want us to be a family again. Im sorry.»
Emily smiled. «And what makes you think Id refuse? Weve three children to raise.»
«And Grace?»
«Shes yours. Shell always have a home with me.»
At the door, Lily kissed Oliver goodbye. «Love Emily fiercely. Ill never forget you.»
Oliver nodded. «Be happy, Lily.»
And just like that, life moved onmessy, forgiving, and full of second chances.
