Chapter 21

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Chapter Twenty One: New Roads, New Routines

The honeymoon had ended, but the magic had only deepened.

Returning from Cape Town felt like stepping from one beautiful world into another. Married life was now in full swing, and though the sweet echoes of the beach, sunsets, and candlelit dinners still lingered in their hearts, the realities of work and responsibility awaited them. Yet Celine and Nathan were ready — armed with love, laughter, and memories that would last a lifetime.

They returned to a warm welcome from friends and family, and the joy of the wedding still hung in the air like a soft perfume. The gifts they received were generous, but two, in particular, stood out — Celine's parents had gifted them a white new corolla, on their wedding day.

Nathan's uncle, Chief Emeka, had also presented a surprise — a sleek black Honda Accord,on their wedding day.

Celine and Nathan had looked at each other in awe that day — not because of the cars themselves, but because of the love and support that surrounded their union. Their hearts were full. They had left the wedding not only as husband and wife but as a couple blessed from every corner.

Once the honeymoon ended and they resumed normal life, Celine returned to her role at Xtie Global Resources Limited. The office buzzed with excitement at her return — everyone wanted to see the ring, hear about the wedding, and of course, the honeymoon in Cape Town. She smiled through the questions, her cheeks constantly flushed with joy. Her desk was filled with welcome-back notes, and her boss even surprised her with a small gift.

Nathan resumed work at the hospital as well. Though his days were packed with patient rounds, ward meetings, and emergency calls, he wore a new kind of peace — the peace of a man fulfilled. His colleagues could tell. The glow was undeniable.

Back at home, it was time to take advantage of their new gifts. Nathan, already an experienced driver, alternated between both cars depending on the day's needs. Celine, however, had never learned to drive.

"I think it's time I stopped letting you chauffeur me everywhere," she said one evening, resting against the Corolla. "I want to learn."

Nathan grinned. "I was wondering when you'd say that. Let's sign you up for driving school. That car isn't going to drive itself."

And so, Celine enrolled in a reputable driving school nearby. Her weekends were now filled with instructor-led sessions, gear shifts, and mirror checks. She was determined, even if slightly nervous.

During the weekdays, Nathan offered to coach her in the evenings after work. They would find quiet streets and open fields where she could practice without pressure. He was the most patient teacher she could have asked for.

"Easy on the clutch, love," he'd say gently. "You're doing well. Now try turning."

She would laugh when she got it right and pout when she didn't.

"You're just saying that to be nice," she'd tease.

"No," Nathan would reply, placing a hand on hers, "I'm saying it because I believe in you."

Gradually, her confidence grew. She went from nervously starting the car to confidently making turns, reversing into small spaces, and controlling her speed. One evening, she managed to drive all the way to the supermarket and back without a single correction.

"Did you see that?" she said proudly, parking in their driveway.

"I saw it," Nathan said with a proud smile. "You were brilliant."

Their evenings together became moments of bonding — filled with small victories, gentle encouragement, and love expressed in the most ordinary yet powerful ways. Celine loved how supportive Nathan was. He wasn't just her husband; he was her coach, her cheerleader, her calm in every moment of fear.

Meanwhile, life outside their home flourished too. Celine's performance at work soared — she began leading presentations, handling clients, and was even shortlisted for a strategic partnership training abroad. Her confidence reflected in every task she undertook, and many attributed it to "the married woman glow."

On Sundays, they attended church together, always holding hands and often dressed in coordinated outfits. People admired the bond they shared. It wasn't boastful or dramatic — it was peaceful, mature, and rooted in deep respect and friendship.

Their home was filled with laughter. Whether it was Celine trying a new recipe and Nathan pretending to choke — only to ask for seconds — or Nathan coming home with surprise pastries from her favorite bakery, every day felt like a love story being written in real-time.

One rainy evening, as Celine drove them home from church — for the very first time — Nathan looked at her and said, "Look at you. My queen is driving."

She smiled, eyes still on the road. "And my king believed in me before I even believed in myself."

They arrived home, stepped out hand in hand under the soft drizzle, and Celine looked up at the sky.

"Marriage is sweet," she said softly, leaning into Nathan's chest.

"It is," he replied, wrapping his arms around her. "Because we're doing it right — together."

And in that quiet moment, under a sky painted in soft gray and promise, Celine knew she was exactly where she was meant to be — not just in a new home or behind a new wheel, but in the heart of a love that had healed her, challenged her, and led her into destiny.

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