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They’d just said goodbye to the Magi, and now were starting their journey to Judah.
As the sun brightened the sky, Mary thought about her own journey with Joseph. They’d come a long way, and ever since he went back to her and they’d gotten married, she realized that her once despised betrothal, had become one of the best things in her humble life.
Back when she met him in town, she had found him quite charming, she admitted that to herself now. When they’d connected with each other trough the fact that neither wanted the engagement, she’d felt a spark, something telling her that perhaps things wouldn't be so bad if they became friends and helped each other along the way. She’d had a feeling that things might turn for good.
Which was partly the reason she didn't hesitate to go and tell him about the immaculate conception, against her father’s wishes. She’d felt hurt, and overwhelmed by the fact that he didn't believe her word. The angel’s word.
She’d felt alone, only God’s support accompanying her on her way to Elizabeth’s home.
By the time he came back, she’d already gotten used to the idea of not seeing him again. A part of her had been wondering how God could’ve indirectly chosen him, and how he still hadn’t been able to look past the prejudice. How she’d really believed that he would understand, but apparently, he hadn’t. When he returned, that flicker of hope she’d felt before also came back. Despite her reassurance to him that he owed her nothing, she felt his sincerity in the words he spoke. How he regretted letting her go, how he felt that he needed to be with her. She then knew that he would stay by her side, through thick and thin, through the best and the worst they faced in this sacred mission.
The next few months went flying, and her days were brightened by him. He proved himself to be an attentive, loving and caring husband, and she continued being grateful to God because she had him, taking care of her and her child as if it was his own. He had a pure heart, and he never really asked anything from her. Before they knew it, they’d fallen into a domestic routine that had made her happy and comfortable, especially since she was close to giving birth.
Being forced to go to Bethlehem at that time was not ideal at all. But through their journey, he didn't leave her unprotected once. He would make sure she stayed hydrated, and whenever she felt too tired, he took it upon himself to arrange a decent enough place for her to rest. He always put her, and the child, first.
When they finally made it to Bethlehem through the other entrance, he desperately went to find a place for her to give birth. When she could hardly walk there because the contractions were too strong, he’d even carried her to the stable. He put up a haymade bed to lay the baby in once he was born, and he’d held her hand, whispered reassuring words, and kissing her forehead when she was bringing God’s son to the world.
He’d been willing to fight Herod’s son despite the latter being armed and with an entire army that followed his orders. He would've fought a fight he knew he wouldn't survive to. He would've done that for her.
And now they were starting a new journey to escape Herod’s threats and to start their new life with Jesus.
Mary couldn’t stop thanking God for the man he put by her side. He loved her and he loved Jesus; he would be his father. All her thoughts were that she couldn’t have asked for anyone else to live this adventure with.
Her mind went back to the night they got married and their lives intertwined forever. Back then, he’d said he could never choose to love another, and she’d said that maybe one day she’d learn to love him too. A silent promise.
Now she realized that said day had come and gone a long time ago, because she was now sure that she already loved him.
Perhaps it’d been the moment he kissed her cheek during their wedding, or when he cooked for her, or perhaps it’d been a combination of different moments they shared that eventually piled up and turned into the love she felt in her heart for this man. Whatever it’d been, it had settled and she knew it would never go away.
With this new realization, she decided to do the one thing she’d unconsciously been wanting to do ever since they were declared a married couple.
She kissed him.