The sun was setting low in the sky as Adaline made her way to the church, her heart heavy with the weight of the day. She took her usual seat in the pew, bowing her head in prayer as she sought solace in the familiar words. The church was old and rambling, the pews worn and the stained glass windows dim with age. Everything needed fixing, and Adaline couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness as she looked around at the disrepair.
As she sat lost in her thoughts, the sound of footsteps caught her attention. She looked up to see a man entering the church, a tool belt slung over his shoulder. His name was Jack, and he had been hired to fix the church. Adaline watched as he moved about the space, his movements sure and purposeful. They began making small talk as Jack worked, and Adaline found herself enjoying his company more and more with each passing day.
Days turned into weeks, and Adaline and Jack became closer friends. Jack always thought Adaline was very beautiful, but he also knew she was off limits. She was a novice nun, devoted to her faith and sworn to a life of celibacy. He respected that, but his feelings for her only grew stronger as they spent more time together.
One day, a huge storm swept through the town, the wind howling and the rain pounding against the windows of the church. Jack was outside putting his tools away when he saw Adaline running wildly out of the church, her cap flying off in the wind, her long light brown hair drenched. Lightning crackled overhead, illuminating the sky in sharp flashes.
"Watch out!" Jack cried as he saw a huge tree start to crack, its trunk splintering under the force of the storm. Adaline looked up in fear, unable to move as the tree began to topple toward her. Without a second thought, Jack raced toward her, gathering her up in his arms and carrying her to safety.
They found refuge in the barn, their hearts racing as they caught their breath. Jack looked at Adaline, his hands framing her face as he murmured words of comfort. Adaline felt the fear ebb from her body as she gazed into his eyes, a warmth spreading through her at his touch.
Suddenly, in the quiet of the barn, their gazes locked, and Jack leaned in to kiss her. Adaline hesitated at first, but then gave in to the rush of emotions that flooded through her. Their kisses deepened, their hands exploring each other as they gave in to the passion that had been building between them.
In a haze of desire, they shed their clothes, their bodies coming together in a tangle of limbs and heated breath. Jack moved over Adaline, his touch sending waves of pleasure through her. She arched into him, a moan escaping her lips as he entered her, their bodies moving together in a fierce rhythm.
As they reached the peak of their passion, the storm raged on outside, a symphony of thunder and lightning that mirrored the intensity of their lovemaking. They clung to each other, lost in the moment, until at last they collapsed in a tangle of limbs, spent and sated.
The next morning, as they lay entwined in each other's arms, Jack looked down at Adaline and asked if she regretted what had happened between them. Adaline shook her head, her hand resting on his chest as she whispered, "No."
And in that moment, Jack knew that he couldn't let her go. He offered her a choice, a chance to leave her life behind and embark on a new adventure with him. Adaline was torn, her heart aching with the weight of the decision before her.
As she sobbed into the hay, Jack could do nothing but hold her, his own heart breaking at the thought of leaving her behind. But he knew that he couldn't force her to choose him. All he could do was offer his love and hope that she would take a chance on their future together.
Adalines shoulders shook as she cried, conflicted and scared of the consequences waiting for her by the Mother Superior.
She took a deep breath and looked Jack in the eye.
"I love you too," she said softly. "But I need to try and make things right... Repent... Get my punishment... And pray" she looked into Jack's heartbroken face and, sobbing, ran back to the convent next to the church.
Three months go by, and Jack still worked in the Church, rebuilding, and painting. He had not seen the novice since the night of the storm.
Novice Adaline paced in her little bedroom, a part of her knowing for a fact that it was true.... She'd been sick the last week, throwing up, not even able to attend regular mass. But after missing two periods, she just knew. She was pregnant.
She crumbled down at her bedside, hands clasped, praying for answers, and crying at the same time.
A light knock interrupted Adalines prayers as she told whoever was there to come in.
She stood up quickly, seeing the Mother Superior step into her room and shut the door. Looking down at her tear streaked face, she stepped forward to embrace the young woman, and, lost, Adaline fell into her arms. Mother Superior let her cry and cry as she made soothing noises and murdered comforting words.
Finally, they sat down on the bed together and, arm around Adaline, the Mother Superior spoke.
"My dear, you came back to us... But you DIDNT come back to us," she began, causing Adaline's heartbeat to quicken.
"You're conflicted," She continued. "You're human and humans make mistakes,"
Shocked at the supporti e words, Adaline raised her head and continued listening.
"You have not been happy with your choice," she simply said. She looked Adaline in the eye.
"Do you love him?" She asked.
Adaline, her eyes wide, slowly nodded.
"Yes," she admitted, feeling a weight lifting from her.
Mother Superior patted her hand.
"You are still a child of God.... And you can live in God's love for you... Even if you aren't a nun!"
Adaline was shocked into silence.
"Your calling... Is...."
Adaline held her breath, afraid of what the next words were going to be.
"..... A mother,"
Adaline gasped. Her cheeks turned crimson at the Mother Superiors words, but she forced herself to look at her in the eyes.
"A.... Mother?" She said. She held her breath.
"Of course, a mother.... And this child needs his mother to be strong, and to love him and.... To be HAPPY."
She finished.
Without a word, Adaline flung her arms around Mother Superior's neck and clung to her, relief washing over her like a wave.
"There, there,"
Mother Superior murdered. She rocked Adaline slowly in her arms, like she was a child, and Adaline clung back to her, as if she was her mother.
Noting the act, Mother Superior finally turned up Adaline's face and whispered,
"Hes down in the church,"
Adaline stared at Mother Superior for a long time. Suddenly, a smile grew on her face as she thought about Mother Superior's words.
Jumping up, she kissed her on the cheek, and turned to leave the room.
Racing down the stairs, then racing outside and then into the Church, Adaline didn't stop until she was at the end of the aisle, at the alter. The big cross loomed above her. She looked around wildly, but she didn't see Jack. She didn't even see any tools lying around and her heart began to sink.
"I'm too late," She said. The realization sunk in slowly, a pit in her stomach growing. "I'm too late!" She said again.
"For what?"
Adaline spun around, to see Jack, his arms full of wood pieces.
Without a word, she ran to him, and jumped in his arms, wood flying everywhere.
Squeezing her back, Jack picked her up and spun her around.
"Did you miss me?" he asked, putting her down and Gazing down into her eyes.
She slowly nodded, and tears welled up in her eyes. She took a deep breath to speak but Jack silenced her with a kiss. Relaxing, Adaline kissed him back, finally feeling at peace.
...........
Seven months later, Adaline stood at the front of the Church, happily looking around her. There was Father Benham, and there were her mother and father... And next to her stood Mother Superior. Adaline gazed down at the baby in her arms, swaddled in white gowns, ready to be christened.
Beside her stood Jack, his eyes locked on her, the love for her evident.
Mother Superior looked over and softly smiled at the infant, and then up at Adaline. She was a God Mother today? and she couldn't be happier.
After the service, at the brunch, Mother Superior reached out to take the fussing baby from Adaline's arms, so that she could finish her brunch.
To Adalines left was Jack, proud husband and father, and he couldn't be happier. Noticing her gaze, he reached down to clasp Adaline's hand.
They smiled at each other, knowing, finally, that they'd made the right choice.
And all was well with the world.
THE END