The Write Place

The sun was high above the forested hills.  The sunbathed the day in a comfortable worth, and the birds were singing throughout the small valley.  Sitting on the bench under a now blossoming apple tree was Abigail, but she was not alone.  David stood pacing back and forth with nervous excitement in his long steps.  Abigail sat with her hands folder on her lap, a smile betraying her eager anticipation.

“You have got a lot to say, haven’t you?  You speak all the time.  It cannot be that difficult to form words.  You have for years now,” Abigail remarked pleased at her playful wit.  

David paced back and forth, laughing in nervous excitement.  “Decades even. Usually I am comfortable.  Some words however are harder to deliver.  No matter how certain you are of their reception,” he said.  David stopped his pacing to turn to Abigail. Taking a breath he attempted to collect himself.  “It’s easier written but I have gained the impression you like hearing my voice, so I will speak it for you to hear.”  Taking a seat next to her upon the bench David looked ahead before turning to face Abigail.  “How my world has changed since I met you.  It was a time of new beginnings in many things but this I could not have anticipated.”

A soft blush settled on Abigail’s face.  David looked her in the eyes, his body language settling itself. “My dear Abigail.  I’d be a fool not to marry you,” David spoke through a knowing smile.

“You don’t strike me as a Nabal,” Abigail said, sharing her delight at the course of his discourse.

“A scripture reference, how clever!  Perfect for a pastor’s wife,” David quipped. A smile forming on his face, both intentional and not.

“If only someone would ask me David,” Abigail teased him in return.

“Let me build to it, you cannot rush these things. You miss so many opportunities along the way,” David said.  Kneeling he set his eyes upon her and began again. “I am always delighted in you.  I could spend eternity with you at my side and be surprised by you anew each day.” Sighing deeply, David’s felt his body relaxing.  “I feel more myself with you than I ever have without you,” David said, reaching for her hands.  “You would make a wonderful pastor’s wife.”

“Any pastor?” giggled Abigail while giving him her free hand as well. 

“You would for anybody, so I think I shall have you to take for myself before another does. That is, if you wish,” he added nervous as any man has been by his own words to a woman.  “It is not like it’s something I wish to avoid or an opportunity I can afford not to take.  Abigail,” he said, getting down on one knee in front of her. “Will you marry me?”

“Of course, yes, I will! Since you ask,” answered Abigail. They rose together silhouetted by the sun in a firm embrace.  He remained playfully hunched as they embraced, her head resting on his shoulder.

“Promise me though I will be the only one while I still live.  You won’t marry anyone named Bathsheba or Michal,” requested Abigail, her head nestled somewhere in his chest Their bodies shook in shared laughter.

“Unless you change your name to it will not be so.  So, you have nothing to worry about.  Aside from being married to me,” David said, holding her firmly and softly by the shoulders.

“Oh my, well that is a risk I am willing to take,” laughed Abigail as she and David relaxed one more in their embrace.

“It is not good for man to be alone,” David began as he backed out of the hug while grabbing her hands with both of his.  “This man agrees.”

“And this woman obliges,” smiled Abigail.  The two sat, side by side on the bench.  David took her small hand in his.  Abigail rested her head as best she could on David’s shoulder.

“I have learned a great deal from you.  Much about God’s grace and love for us.  Much through our good times and our disagreements. All told, I’ve found the one whom my soul loves,” David said.  He looked towards the flowering apple trees canopy up to the heavens, deep in thought.  “A beautiful day, especially this.  Proverbs 18:22 A man who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord.  You are such a good thing,” said David, smiling at his bride to be.  They sat together under the flowering tree looking at the sunny valley.  As the sun continued its rise in the sky, they looked onward to the day to come.