Chapter 113: Unexpected

An intense ardor that resembled his own. John cautiously held her face in his palms and looked into her eyes. "Marie," he said in an emotionally charged tone, "I thought I was fighting for a cause all this time, but now..." His heart was racing in his chest as he hesitated. "Now I realize I'm fighting for a future. A future with you." A grin stretched over Marie's face, her cheeks flushing. She leaned in and kissed John before he could say anything more; the kiss was full of unsaid promises and a sudden depth of emotion. For an extended while, they stood there engrossed in their peaceful embrace, temporarily forgetting the significance of their altercation. They'd discovered more than a haven in the quiet seclusion of the farmhouse. They had discovered a feeling of acceptance, a common goal, and a love that blossomed in the face of unforeseen events. The next several weeks passed in a haze of activity. John and Marie started formulating a strategy with Sarah's family's assistance.