Page 38 of Cooper

“You will also need to surrender the habits that led you into stupidity,” Matthew said, firm now, though his hand remained warm at Cooper’s neck. “If pride made you careless, practice accountability. If fear made you secretive, bring the truth into the light. If selfish friends encouraged your worst impulses, choose better company. Faith without works is dead,and repentance without changed patterns is only regret dressed for church.

“Then learn Bianca anew,” he said. “Not the Bianca of your hopes, nor the Bianca who forgave you in your imagination, but the woman standing before you now. Ask what makes her feel safe. Notice what exhausts her. Honor her boundaries the first time she names them. Love does not insist on its own way; it pays attention. Devotion is holy attention practiced until it becomes character.”

Matthew cupped Cooper’s face between both hands.

“Pray, but do not use prayer to bargain with God for the outcome you want. Ask instead for the courage to become trustworthy whether Bianca returns or not. Ask for a clean heart, a steadfast spirit, and the strength to accept consequences without bitterness. The Lord’s work in you cannot depend upon a woman rewarding it.”

At last Matthew folded Cooper against his chest and pressed a final kiss to his forehead.

“Go to her without performance, son. Offer the truth, the apology, the plan, and the time. Then be still enough to hear her answer. If she lets you walk beside her again, walk gently and faithfully; if she does not, bless her and keep becoming the man your promises claimed you were. That is how you prove love—not by possessing Bianca, but by seeking her good, honoring God, and choosing what is right long after the moment of feeling has passed.”

Cooper just sobbed against Matthew’s chest as Abe and Diego cried with him. Matthew noticed the faces of the men and smiled.

“Good. You all know that this was not just for Cooper’s sake, but for all of yours. You are married to women createdespecially for you and it’s time you realized it. We’ve been lucky thus far that none have decided to leave us willingly. Do not be the first.”

The men walked toward the boats and turned to wave at Matthew but he was already gone. They were silent as the boats sped toward the docks, ready for them to get to the hospital and Bianca.

When they set foot on land once again, they all stared at one another.

“If you don’t mind, Cooper, I’m going to get your mom and remind her of why I love her so much,” said Abe. He smiled at his father and nodded.

“In fact,” said Ham, “I believe we’ll all be doing that and then meet you at the hospital.”

“I think that sounds just fine,” said Cooper. “I believe I’ll take a slow walk to the hospital. I have some things to think about.”

Cooper started walking away and Morgan called out to him.

“Hey, Coop? If it’s alright with you, Manx and I will be here when you get back.”

“I’d like that,” smiled Cooper.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Matthew’s words seemed emblazoned in Cooper’s brain. He couldn’t forget, he wouldn’t forget. He was right. He shouldn’t expect that Bianca would forgive him. This was twice now. Twice that he thought his orders would be followed, just because. And twice he’d nearly lost her.

For the first twenty-four hours, she slept, the doctors and nurses coming in and out, checking her vital signs and tending to her wounds. At least, the ones they could see.

She had a sprained knee and ankle, a few cuts and bruises on her face and arms, but it was the bruised kidneys that worried the doctors the most. If she remained still and did what she was told, she would recover fully.

Cooper didn’t want to overwhelm her. He asked to be given a guest room in the hospital wing so he could sleep and shower away from her. But it didn’t work. He walked the halls non-stop, checking on her in the middle of the night and hovering over the medical professionals.

“Coop, if I have to tell you one more time to go home, I’m going to have my husband kick your ass,” said Gabi. “We’re already short staffed here and I’m old and tired.”

“Don’t call Zulu,” he smirked, kissing her cheek. “I’m just scared, Gabi.”

“I know, baby,” she said rubbing his cheek. “It will work out but you can’t force it. Not this time.”

“Gabi?” called Blythe. “She’s waking.”

Cooper took slow, sure steps, following Gabi and Blythe into the room. He remained at the door, not wanting to scare Bianca.

“Well, there she is,” smiled Gabi. “How are you feeling?”

“W-water,” she whispered, her eyes still half-closed. Blythe held the cup to her lips, bending the straw for her.

“Take it slow, honey. Are you in pain?”

“N-no. Yes. My knee hurts a lot and my head,” she said frowning.