The Cherished Wife

Noelle burst into giggles at the message from Charles.

"What's so funny?" Tania asked, glancing over with Peter. Both of them were curious.

"Oh, nothing. Just a joke from your brother," Noelle said, quickly hiding her phone and feigning interest in the scenery around them.

Tania snorted. "My brother? Funny? That's the real joke!" She could not picture Charles as the comedic type.

scooped him up and headed upstairs to sleep. Meanwhile, Noelle was ready to whip up something amazing in the kitchen, which left Peter on his own. He lounged in the living room for

lulled Brandon to sleep, softly singing, "Twinkle, twinkle, little star... Up above

watching Tania as she slipped off her coat, her figure outlined by the snug knitted sweater. She kept singing and patting Brandon's shoulder in time with the tune. Once Brandon was sound asleep, Tania delicately tucked him in and rose to her feet. Stepping out of the room, Tania spotted Peter just a short distance from the door. She raised an eyebrow. "Why

felt like an eternity, he

are you deaf? We got

and we've filed them at the county clerk's office, you're still my wife," Peter insisted,

was caught off guard, backing up with each step until Peter had her trapped against the wall. Taking a deep breath, she looked up defiantly at him. "Why are you doing this? Where were you when I needed you? When I called you, desperate for help, where were you? When I pleaded with you to save me and our