Zero Day, стр. 31
“Yona Epstein,” Kelvin said. “You’re the most forgiving person I know apart from Jesus. You look past my sins and see what God could make of me. You helped me to see my potential in Christ. Much more than that, you waited for me all these years and listened to me when I shared with you all my fears and failures.”
Tears streamed down Yona’s eyes.
“Even after knowing all about me, you still went out with me. Even when all I could afford was an apple strudel to share between us or homemade sandwich or merely walks by the river.”
Yona wiped her eyes.
“I enjoy spending time with you, and I want to be with you the rest of my life, however long or short a time God gives us. Will you share my life with me? Will you be my wife and walk with me through life?”
Yona nodded.
“I promise to love you all the days of my life—through happy and hard times, through good times and bad. Will you marry me, Yona Epstein?”
Yona drew a deep breath. “Yes, again.”
It was a good thing that Kelvin had prepared her by popping the question—albeit abridged—in the note that went with the flowers. If she had decided not to accept him, she wouldn’t have come across the hallway to make him ask in person.
It would have spared both of them any embarrassment, as the question wouldn’t have been asked aloud.
Here they were.
Kelvin nearly dropped the ring as he slid it onto Yona’s ring finger.
“When do we marry?” Yona asked.
“In a hurry, are we?” Kelvin handed her a tissue paper to wipe the tears from her eyes. She seemed to be wearing some makeup that Kelvin didn’t want to mess. He wasn’t sure how one wiped tears from a face that had makeup on it.
He stared.
He had never seen Yona so moved as when she looked at the ring on her finger.
He had saved up all year to buy this ring. The diamond was small, but he’d paid cash for it.
“We’re not promised tomorrow. You’ve heard the expression before.”
“My ankle monitor comes off in about ten months. After that, I get to travel.” Maybe even go home to the United States.
“A simple wedding won’t take long to prepare.” Yona pulled Kelvin to his feet.
“A spring wedding then.”
Yona nodded as she ran a finger across Kelvin’s lips.
Their kiss was short lived.
An applause interrupted their brief celebration.
“Congratulations!” Dmitri came up to them. His eyes were on Kelvin. “Very clever, Kel.”
“What?” Yona’s eyebrows rose.
“He popped the question before he told you about the other thing,” Dmitri said.
“What other thing?” Yona’s fists were on her hips now.
“Reuel is in custody.” Dmitri smiled.
“Seriously?” Yona’s head swung toward Kelvin so fast that it stunned Kelvin. “How?”
“You’ll have to ask the CIA and FSB, but I doubt they’d give you great details,” Kelvin said. “Just thank God it’s all over now. We’re safe now.”
“Reuel. After six years.” Yona exhaled.
“He was hard to find,” Dmitri said. “He had plastic surgery and moved to Brazil. He went off the grid. Never left the house he stayed in. If not for the reward money, no one would ever have known he was there.”
“Brazil.” Yona seemed to be deep in thought. “Why did the CIA and FSB go after Reuel?”
“It’s part of the deal he made with them.” Dmitri pointed to Kelvin.
Kelvin sighed. “I’m just glad they came through. I help them. They help us.”
He didn’t want to go into details, but it had taken longer for the Dario and Leonid to do their part of the bargain than it had for Kelvin to help them solve their problems.
“The Gulfstream is fueled,” Dmitri told Yona.
“Yes, sir. Could you give us a minute?” Yona asked.
“Sure. Don’t take too long. I’ll wait for you in the garage. I’m leaving for the airport in twenty minutes with or without you.” Dmitri walked away. “Thank you, Kelvin!”
“You’re welcome.” Kelvin was sure the elderly man could still hear him.
Yona turned to Kelvin. “So you asked me to marry you before you told me about Reuel’s capture.”
“I wanted to be sure you’re marrying me for the right reason.”
“For you and not for what you do. Of course.” Yona smiled. “We’ll talk some more when I get back.”
“I’ll pray for your safety. And for the team’s too.”
Yona smiled. “Don’t worry. Just make sure you take care of our cat.”
Our cat. “Will do.”
Poor Mordecai was thirteen years old, and he could be nearing the end of his days on earth. He walked slowly, had stopped chasing rats, preferred to be pampered with soft canned food, and generally looked old.
Kelvin wondered if Mordecai was much older than he looked. After all, he had started out as a stray kitten before he’d moved in with Tereza.
Kelvin prayed that Mordecai would still be alive when Yona returned from her rescue mission, whatever that was. He had learned not to ask questions that he didn’t want to hear the answers to.
“Don’t get into trouble while I’m gone. I don’t want to wait another five years for you to get out of jail.” Yona reached for Kelvin. “I don’t want to have to explain to our future kids why their dad can’t tuck them in at night.”
“Future kids?”
“As many as you want.” And she gave him one long kiss for the road.
Key Bible Verses in ZERO DAY
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
I Timothy 6:10
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
I John 1:8-9
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he