Miracles At The Alter, Tears At Home.

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER TEN

For a moment, it seemed like peace had returned. Pastor Reward and Velimsky began to live quietly again, careful with their words, gentle with each other, trying to rebuild what had been shaken. The past was no longer discussed, but it was not forgotten.Then everything changed.Velimsky had been feeling unwell for days—tired, uneasy, different. One morning, she sat at the edge of the bed, her hand resting on her stomach.“Reward…” she called softly.He turned. “What is it?”“I think… something is happening.”Days later, it was confirmed.After twelve years of waiting, Velimsky was pregnant.The news should have brought joy. It should have been laughter, thanksgiving, celebration. Instead, a quiet tension filled the room.Pastor Reward looked at her, but there was hesitation in his eyes. Velimsky lowered her gaze.Neither of them said it.But both of them were thinking it.Who is the father?The house grew quiet again, but this time not from peace—rather from uncertainty. What should have been a blessing now felt like a test they were not prepared for.Days passed in silence until one evening Pastor Reward spoke.“We need to know the truth.”Velimsky nodded slowly. “Yes… we do.”It was not anger. It was not accusation. It was clarity they needed.They agreed to do a paternity test.The waiting was difficult. Each day felt heavier than the last. Conversations were short, glances were careful, and even their prayers carried hesitation.Finally, the results were ready.They sat together in the living room. The envelope lay on the table between them, small but heavy with meaning.Neither of them touched it at first.Velimsky’s fingers trembled slightly. “Open it,” she said softly.Pastor Reward looked at her, then at the envelope.For a moment, he hesitated.Then slowly, he reached out, picked it up, and opened it.His eyes moved across the paper.And suddenly… his expression changed.