For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and not of yourself, but a gift of God, lest any man should boast.
Mia felt anger rise up inside him and knew it stemmed from him feeling unworthy. His next thoughts confirmed her assumption.
I don’t deserve her or this child and I sure as hell don’t deserve forgiveness from You.
Nathan scored her with a hard look. “I know you’re in my head, snooping.”
Mia covered the distance between them and palmed his cheek. “No, you don’t deserve forgiveness. Not a one of us do. That’s the crux of salvation. I see clearly now, it doesn’t matter if we’re human or vampire. We’re still creatures of God and he laid down a plan of salvation for all His children, which is this: when we were all still sinners, God sent His Son to die for us and made a way for us to be with Him forever. You are no different than any other person on the planet. You’re sins don’t make you unique, Nathan. Accept what God offers you. It’s a gift. It can’t be earned.” She wrapped her fingers around the necklace and pulled it away from her neck. “This was a gift. Right?”
“Yeah, so?”
“Do I have to pay for it? Do I have to earn it?”
He scowled at her. “No. Your point?”
“How is this any different than the gift God offers you? Get it? It’s a gift. Accept it and be thankful. Accept us and be thankful.” She placed a palm on her lower belly, referring to herself and their child.
He stepped back from her, pivoted and stared at the box holding her pregnancy test. “I do, Mia. I’m so very thankful for you, for this baby. Believe it or not, I understand what you’re saying. There was a time all of this made complete sense to me. Before Isabella.” He faced her, his expression rigid. “I just don’t want you to carry me spiritually. I feel so inferior to you in that regard.”
Mia let out a heavy breath and swiped a hand across her cheek. She totally understood his meaning, the way he felt. “I will honor you as my husband no matter where you are spiritually. I would have never married you if I believed for even a fraction of a second you didn’t know God. Life sidetracks us in our spiritual walk sometimes, but I have complete faith in you. You will reconcile with the Lord and you’ll be an amazing husband and father. I believe that with every fiber in my being.”
Silence reigned between them for very long moments. Finally, he said, “I won’t let you down.”
“I know that.”
“Will you pray with me?”
“Of course.”
They sat down on the end of the bed, the pregnancy test between them and held hands. Their gazes locked and she smiled. He returned one filled with love and humility. Then they began their traditional wedding night in the most beautiful, perfect way any two Christian people could—in prayer.
Forever and a Night_A Vampire Romance Page 29
