The next day...

Jude's POV

We went on church in the early morning of 26th of December with Tim, praying, thereafter we cleaned all rooms of the 2 floored house, taking breaks from time to time, spending our spare time together cuddling on the goth sofa in the living room until it was high time for lunch by eating the last remaining meals which were for Christmas and the day before the special Christian day. After lunch, I needed to prepare by changing myself from my casual clothes into black slacks, followed by navy blue sweater, made of bearable material; my ruby-sapphire bracelet on the left wrist, my new red scarf, black knee length boots and a black coat with black velvet gloves. Whilst Timothy had on himself a white turtleneck black polkadots, a pair of jeans, black ankle boots with white wool gloves, his black coat. 

Thankfully, Grace told me the night before via a phone conversation where she lives with Kit, rendering me to write on a sheet of paper the address. We orientated ourselves, thanks to Tim who knew where it was exactly located. Fortunately, we didn't have so much to walk.

A several minutes later...

As our boots were wading the snow, leaving traces of boots on the snow, from a far away we found a modest, nevertheless, pretty, cosy and wonderful 1 story house, noticing two little children playing in the yard by throwing at each other snowballs, screaming and shouting in euphoria, rendering the after-Christmas ambience alive, reviving it with its childish laughs, jests and screams of joy. 

We wore radiant smiles as we were interracting to the house where Kit lives. Once me and Tim were in the yard, not peeling a word in front of the children, they turned their backs, facing us, yelling their parents' names loudly, pending for them to emerge in the following seconds.

We did nothing but standing, smiling to the children, watching them. It was quite embarrassing the moment, howsoever, the door opened, recognizing the younger man as he approached us with a little smile across his mellow lips, his eyes didn't shine at all as soon as he noticed Timothy. Anyway he must be gracious and polite when he welcomes people who he hardly knows.

Further, Kit had on himself just a plain pair of contemporary jeans, an ocean blue turtleneck and slippers onto his feet. He looked so good in them especially as a winter casual clothing for home. 

-Hello Kit.- Timothy greeted him with a handshake.

-Hi Kit.- I greeted warmly the younger man who used to be a patient in Briarcliff with a serene smile whilst the children kept on to play on the snow, having so much fun together.

-Oh hi Judy and Kit! Welcome in my home.- Kit welcomed us heartily, shaking our hands.

-Thank you a lot!*we thanked cordially* I assume that those both little angels are your children, right? - Pointing with my little index finger at the children who were still playing.

-Yes, they are.*scratching his head nervously* Kids, we have guests here.- He called the children immediately ,without trying to embarrass them.

As soon as they heard their father's voice, they stopped playing, therefore hiding behind their father's back shyly. From a distance, you could tell that their cheeks had applied such an adorable rosy hue, smiling awkwardly.

-Thomas and Julia! *turning to the kids, throughout to us* Those are my old friends Judy and Timothy.- We got closer with a handful steps as they overcomed with their shyness, by diving a few centimetres proximity.

-It is big pleasure to meet you little angels. I am Jude, your father's old friend.- I handshaked with each child, wearing a mother-like smile.

-I am Timothy, Jude's crush. It is my enormous pleasure to meet you children!

-I am Julia and that is my brother Thomas.- The little cute swarthy girl introduced her brother to us with an insecure smile.

-My pleasure, Jude and Timothy. I am Thomas, Julia's sister.- Thomas demonstrated somewhat more confidence than his sister, of course. What a surprise, isn't it? 

The children had the ginormous desire to carry on to play on the snow until their father snapped at them, failed to being as nice as possible to them, recognizing some roughness in his voice timbre:

-Daddy, we want to play more on the snow, can't we?- Julia insisted, opting to not weep.

-I know how much do you want to play on the snow but I think it is enough for now...*stuttering by glancing at me and Tim's closeness than the usual and before which made him to blush, although his happiness in the same time, enforcing his moderate smile* since we have guests here who wouldn't be satisfied for that the hosts' children don't want to be closer with those amazing people. 

-Oh, we are really sorry, dad! We promise to be with you now.- Thomas apologized, somehow feeling guilty.

-Don't be sorry, children!*bending his head on their level, kissing their cold foreheads by stroking their hats* Let's go inside.- He opened the door by letting everybody including both of us with Tim to arrive inside his comfortable house.

Meanwhile, we entered inside, being fascinated by the house's humbleness, rolling our eyes at each room's angle, gazing detailed, scanning the room, leaving us speechless especially me. I am more into the little things which can be that simple but ideal in the same time. 

-Your house...is Wow!- We woowed with Timothy especially me with a broad smile, my eyes widened due to what we had just seen.

-Thank you!

Suddenly I heard Grace's voice, coming from the living room as we were heading to the living, a little before that me and my crush posed the question to the host himself if we should take off our shoes as he replied to our question by requiring from us to take off our shoes, ensuring us with slippers. Then we took off our heavy coats, hanging them on the hooks in the corridor, eventually entering in the living room with the children, Kit and the young French woman who welcomed us warmly either too with a friendly hug, thus sitting on the large sofa. 

Grace wore a light pink sweater, followed by white slacks from solider material and bunny slippers on her small, shivering yet feet. 

-Feel like a home, guys.- Grace told to me and Tim as we were feeling mildly nervous especially when we are in somebody's home for first time as their guests. 

-O-okay.- I stammered as our backs rested on the couch's backrests, wearing radiant smiles across our lips.

-What do you want to drink Judy and Tim?- Kit questioned in hospitable way.

-I would like a glass of water, please.- I ordered.

-I would like the same too.- Timothy responded swiftly.

-Alright! I will be right back in less than a minute. Just be patient!

-Alright.

Once Kit left us by 5 of us in the living room. As we got in a dicussion with Grace, Thomas and Julia started to invade me and Tim in infantile but adorable way by being more curious about us, sitting bluntly next to us as we petted their heads tenderly, meantime they giggled sweetly. As the younger man kept his promise to arrive nearly soon with the glasses of water, he did it actually! He placed them upon the wooden table, discussing all together variety of topics whilst the children kept distracting me and Timothy which on other hand converged us to be more relative with those little precious angels who started to call us from the first day already "Auntie Judy" and "Uncle Tim". It was awfully cute, in my opinion. 

As Julia and Tom suggested to their father to come to play with them on the snow, he couldn't reject their invitation by managing himself to put on his coat, boots, scarf, gloves and hat, hopping up in the snow to have fun with the children by throwing at each other snowballs, filling the winter's atmosphere spiritually, clogged by rejoicing laughs and squeals. Me, Tim and Grace were watching how the kids were having so much fun with their father with extensive smiles on our shining smiles.

-*sighing in relief* Aww! What a miracle is to have your own children!- I kept smiling as Timothy's both hands were placed on my shoulders, warming them with his palms.

-Yes, totally agreed! - Grace exclaimed delighted.

-Exactly! Despite it is not everyone's fix idea to have their own children and family. - He uttered with his tranquil voice.

-Unfortunately! I am unlucky person if it is joint a word about children.- I lowered my head abruptly, sensing a couple of tears incidencing dynamically.

-Jude!- Grace took me into her skinny, however, warm arms, attempting to reassure me.

-Sweetie, what's wrong?- In the same moment, I felt Timothy's both muscular arms wrapped around my back, feeling the support and warm sensation in the same time as I couldn't stop to sob, losing control over my emotions and feelings.  My heart sank under the melanholic sea, somewhat possible to emerge again.

-I just...-I felt powerless to continue my own speech until Grace broke off the embrace, looking at my red, swollen eyes as my tears were wipped by Timothy's thumb, fortunately.

-I am listening.- The French woman insisted to hear my problem, regardless the consequences.

-I cannot have children since this...this jerk Casey infected me with syphilis, preventing me from having my own children and family. And the day before our wedding, as I told him directly the truth, he put the blame on me, followed by vilifies such as a liar, worthless whore who cheats and sleeps around with me with that sickness in me, at last forsakening me forever. - I started impulsively to syllable with pressured voice, my powers near their twilight. My throat was dry as I peeled the bitter speech, sensing the tight hugs from Tim and Grace, sobbing yet.

-Is that even true?- Grace asked shocked, scarcely believing into my words.

-It's true, for sadly.

-Every time...whenever I see children or only one child with either one of their parents or both parents along, my envy is being encouraged. I wish I had my own children. That is one of the main things that I want in my life.

-Don't worry, dear! There is a chance to have your own kids some day. Believe me! 

-Sweetheart! Grace is absolutely right. There's a chance one day or extremely soon to have our own children, trust me. 

-I hardly believe it. I have lost hope in myself as a future loving mother since this imbecile abandoned me just because I couldn't give him my children.*snivelling* Moreover, I am rather old to have babies anymore. - I said as Grace broke off the hug, thereafter heading to the living room, promising me to give me a glass of water so that to calm down.

-Judy, look at me!*as our hug was interrutped, therefore he tilted my chin with his two fingers, his reliable chocolate eyes staring at mine with concerness and love* Even if we cannot have our own children, we can either adopt or live by ourselves which doesn't stops me from loving you.*leaning his head for a kiss as I blushed, finally being soothed* 

-Aww, do you truly meant it, sweetie? Promise to not abandon me though my lack of fertility?- I questioned anxiously, my cheeks heated. 

As once Grace announced me that she is back with mine glass of water, instead of interrupting our process, she just stood whilst holding the glass of fresh water, watching us with a charming smile.

-Honey, if I was dumb enough to leave you just because you cannot give me your kids, I wouldn't be here now. With you!*his thumb massaging softly my bottom lip as I bit my upper lip nervously, gazing at each other's eyes with desire and love* I am tremendously lucky to have you as my own woman though we aren't married yet. I am cardinally with you because I love you and I fell in love with you since the first day when we met each other. Back in 1959! Our marriage is going to be very soon. I promise! I really can't wait to marry you and make you my own wife and vice versa.- All of a sudden he took out from his jeans' pocket something really priceless...which filled my eyes with tears of joy once he was on one of his knees, kneeling against me, holding the small dark red box with the diamond proposal ring, as I covered with my both palms my mouth.

-Do you know how much I yearn to marry you either too, Mr.Howard? To share each other's last names and live a peaceful family life together? As a wife and a husband? Do you know, darling?- I asked a few rhetoric questions with gleeful tears that flowed down my face.

-Daddy, look!- Thomas pointed his index finger right at the older couple.

-What is it?*he stood off the ground, looking up at the former priest and nun as he witnessed something fabulous which took his breath away as he was already dead* Oh my...sweet Jesus! That is really cute.- Kit whispered.

Julia, Thomas, Grace and the love of her life witnessed one of the most beauteous thing which had recently happened...especially in their home. Unless Timothy delivered a short but amorous and alluring speech which made me to fall more in love with him.

-Judith Martin, my ray of sunshine, my galaxy, my universe, my whole world, my stars, my moon, my love, my everything. The most beautiful creature as you are who had conquered my heart from 5 years and so when was our first encounter, it was pretty evident that we are made for each other, therefore awaited from God who preserve us from the darkness and the evil powers to form and develop a strong, loving and hallowed bond! You are like an angel, sent from God who arranged accurately the plans by rendenring us for each other. Meanwhile, I owe you everything that you need as I received from you the forgiveness for the sinful mistakes that I made by harming you except your love and flimsy heart that beats for me! Every time when I behold you, you make me smile and vice versa. I sacrificed myself by leaving the church just because I want to live with my future wife a beatific, peaceable and majestic life, don't you? I am grateful for staying away from that snake pit where we had our worst and not exactly best moments, although the worst dominate all the way.*I sniffled once again* Judy, sweetheart, my Angel, my sacred Princess, my worship Queen, my Goddess...do you want to marry me?

-Awww!*jumping due to hysterical happiness* How to not neglect such a proposal from somebody who is caring, affectionate, candid and unique like you, Timothy! Of course, my answer is yes! - I responded optimistically, my wiping my tears as soon as he placed the ring on my ring finger on my right hand. It was such a priceless and stunning diamond ring which was definitely eye-catching.

-Yes!- Everybody else shouted euphorically.

Once he stood, raising his body, standing against me, we bear hugged, resting my head on his chest as he wiped my tears, convincing me with his soothing voice:

-Babydoll, please don't cry! Because we are going to organise the wedding extremely soon. I am glad to see your ectstatic reaction as your eyes pupils' widened instantly as you saw one of the proofs with which I am proving to you that you are my future wife!- One of his hands travelled from my upper back to my long curly hair, stroking it by relishing what he possesses now. I felt powerless in my speech to utter even a word. Everyone that surrounded us, congratulated us.

To be continued...