Phillip glanced at her again, then looked away to make sure that Samuel was not falling out of the tree he had begun to climb. Seeing that the child was doing well, he allowed himself to form a reply. “I think that this God of yours is thorough and just. I do not remember much of the gods of my people, but I know that those the Romans serve cannot boast the same authority. What I cannot reconcile is the mercy you speak of. How can the same being be both perfect justice and perfect mercy?”
She barely hesistated. “By providing the atonement. He will not deny the need for justice, but he will also recognize that those who are truly repentant should be granted another chance. By accepting sacrifice, be it in the traditional form of animals and grains or the ultimate one of his own son, the Lord fulfills his thirst for justice while still being merciful. In a way, by man recognizing his own sin, he can be free of it. It is the growth God is encouraging, the striving for excellence that comes of making a mistake, confessing and repenting of it, and going out to live more righteously. He wants his children to be with him, to commune with him. We cannot do that as sinners, though, so it is only through purifying our own hearts that we can achieve that union that both we and he yearn for.”
Phillip nodded but was saved from having to form an immediate opinion by the sound of footsteps inside. He recognized them immediately. “Titus is home.”
*
Titus strode outside, his eyes finding Abigail’s form. His burden felt solid and monumental in his hands.
“Welcome home, my friend. How was your day?”
Titus grinned. “Fruitful. You will never believe it, Abigail, it is amazing. I was walking through the markets, and I came across a scribe I had bought manuscripts from before. He had somehow come across this.” He put the package into her arms. “He said he berated himself for buying it, for keeping it, because no one in Rome would ever buy it. It is as though our Lord led him to it just for our sakes.”
Expression intrigued, Abigail unwrapped the object, then stared at it a moment in absolute shock. “Is this–?”
“The Holy Scriptures.” Titus had never had to battle the urge to dance as he did now. “It is in Hebrew, I cannot read it, but you can read it to us, Abigail. No more excuses for forgetting the details.”
Abigail laughed even as tears flooded her eyes. Setting the tome aside reverently, she leaped up and threw her arms around him, pressing her lips to his. “It is the best gift anyone has ever put in my hands, my love. We will learn it together. I know there is much I never committed to memory as I should have, much I have forgotten. I do not know how a copy of the texts ever made it into his hands, but we will cherish this unexpected blessing.”
“Yes.” His heart galloped as she leaned up to kiss him again. Her lips lingered this time, and Titus felt all tension leaving his shoulders. His arms were loose around her, but she seemed perfectly content to stay within them. When she pulled her lips away, smiling, he smiled too. “I feel the need to point out that it was just you who kissed me, and that it was not therefore I that assumed any answers.”
Abigail laughed. “I feel at peace with it, too.”
“As do I.” Titus released a contented sigh. “I know not how to explain it, but when I found the Scriptures, I felt it was my answer. I sought his word, and I found it. I pray I have not just read from this what I wished to.”
Abigail shook her head, eyes agleam. “I feel it too. I prayed for an answer I could not mistake. The Scriptures are the one thing in the world that I cannot deny.”
Titus was quite sure she had never been more beautiful than she was in that moment, as she gave him permission to love her. His heart, once a frozen block in his chest, was now so full and warm that he felt as though he might burst. “In that case.” He leaned down and captured her mouth again, kissing her deeply.
Phillip snagged his attention with a low warning. “Caius is coming.”
With reluctance, Titus pulled away. “I love you.” Abigail smiled a moment before his father appeared.
“Titus. I need to speak with you.” With that he turned and strode away again.
Titus shook his head. The fact that he was amused instead of irritated was surely a testament to the humors of love. “The tyrant calls. I will see you in a few moments, dear one.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
Abigail got up to put the Scriptures back in a drawer for safe keeping. They had just put in two hours’ worth of study, as they had every evening for the past week. It was late, and they were both tired. But she knew they would not retire quite yet. First, they would spend a few minutes in each other’s arms, then say a prayer and go their own ways. When she turned back around, he held out an arm. She settled into his side on the chaise, and he kissed her temple tenderly.
“You are so beautiful,” he whispered.