Epilogue

KATE SAT BESIDE CHRIS ON the sofa watching the Academy Awards. She sighed in contented bliss as he massaged her tired feet. They had been working all day. The old house they’d bought in San Francisco needed more than a little tender, loving care. It needed a big dose of tough love. They had spent the past three months knocking down walls, ripping up stained and stinking carpet, and repainting every surface that didn’t move.

Chris had managed to drop a hammer on his foot twice, and he’d nearly skewered Ben with a nail gun, but he was turning into a decent handyman. Jonathan, Ben, and her dad were taking turns giving him a crash course in basic construction and home maintenance. The San Francisco Manna Center would be opening next week.

Jonathan had been thrilled when she and Chris approached him and asked about expanding the Manna Center’s programs for survivors of human trafficking. During the making of the documentary and in the months since its release, Kate and Chris had learned so much about the way victims were moved up and down the state. The magnitude of the problem and the way it was ignored stirred their hearts. After a lot of prayer, they decided opening a center in San Francisco would do the most good. It would provide a place of refuge and resources in Northern California, while Jonathan continued his ministry in Los Angeles.

Chris had committed the majority of his profits from the documentary to funding the San Francisco Manna Center, and in the end, it had been more than enough to buy the house and pay for the renovations. The day the film premiered at the New Mexico Film Festival, they had been approached by numerous distributors with each offer that came in topping the previous ones. Chris hadn’t needed to change one thing in his film. It was exactly the way he wanted it to be. It had been distributed across the nation, and a few months later, it went worldwide. Graciella’s story was changing the conversation about human trafficking on a global stage.

As the presenters on the television listed off nominees, Kate listened to her mom in the kitchen. Her parents had come up to help them as they remodeled the Manna Center. Each evening, she came home from her work at the Manna Center to the smell of her mother cooking dinner. For the first few weeks, Kate nursed a worry that one day she would come home and her mom would be gone. Every day, she forced that thought away, focusing on the gratitude she felt at having her mom in her life again. Her parents were working on their relationship, rebuilding the trust that had been broken, and Kate had to admit the feeling of family that greeted her every night was more than she had dared to dream about.

Applause echoed from the television as a woman in a gorgeous red dress accepted a gold statue, and Kate turned her attention to Chris. He hadn’t hesitated when they decided to leave Hollywood. Though he hadn’t intended it, the documentary had been his farewell to Hollywood, the legacy he would leave for his film career.

“Do you miss it?” she asked, and his hands stilled on her feet.

He tilted his head as if he was considering it. “A little. I loved making movies, and I’m proud of the work I did. Well . . . ” He laughed and squeezed her toes. “Most of the work I did. There are a few early films that I wouldn’t mind forgetting about.”

She smiled at him, amazed at the man God had brought into her life. He was kind and faithful, and he loved her. That realization still made her stomach flutter. “Maybe we can go back someday.”

He shrugged. “Maybe. Let’s wait and see what God has planned.”

“Of course, you’re coming back someday!” Noah exclaimed. He was sitting on the other sofa, his arm around Hannah. They had come up just a few days earlier to help with the final preparations. Noah helped keep Chris from nailing his foot to the floor, and Hannah shared her story of survival with city officials to help build support for the grand opening. “You still owe me a movie about exploding aliens.”

“Noah.” Hannah smacked his arm. “Be good.”

“I’m always good.” He pouted. “Those guys,” he said and pointed at Chris and Kate, “are the ones who moved away. Be mad at them.”

Hannah looked at Kate. “I’m not mad at all. They’re doing important work that is going to change a lot of lives. I’m proud of them. And you should be, too.”

Noah grumbled about being outnumbered, and Hannah kissed his cheek. Kate marveled at how far she and Hannah had come. Hannah had been incredible over the past few days. Not only had she shared her story, she had also shown them how to reach out to the girls they were trying to reach and given them guidance on what types of resources and support the girls coming out of a life of sexual exploitation would need. The way God had knit them all together was amazing.

The host appeared on the television and announced the next award category. Best Documentary.

“Mom, Dad, it’s on,” Kate called. She sat up and scooted next to Chris as her parents hurried into the room. Chris reached for her hand, and she held on tight.

Kate turned to Chris. “Are you sad that we didn’t go?” she asked. With the opening of their new center only a few days away, Chris had decided it was more important for him to stay in San Francisco.

Chris put his arm around her shoulders and held her against his side. “This is the only place I want to be.”

Two celebrities walked to the microphone and announced the nominees for best feature-length documentary. Kate held her breath as the films were listed. Her dad thumped Chris on the back as the actor at the microphone said the name of Chris’ film. “Well done, Son.”

Tense silence reigned as the actress on the screen opened the envelope. She was taking so long, Kate wanted to reach into the screen and yank the envelope from her hands. “And the award goes to . . . Out of the Ashes, directed by Chris Johnston, produced by 318 Films.”

Joy erupted in the small family room. Kate screamed and threw her arms around Chris. Her mom shouted a hallelujah as her dad swept her into a hug. Noah whooped, and Hannah cheered. All of their cell phones started beeping and ringing.

Tears of pride and happiness filled her eyes as she looked at Chris. “I’m so proud of you,” she said. He grinned, and his smile melted her heart.

“Your name should be on that statue, too. There’s as much of you in that film as there is of me.” He touched her cheek and rested his forehead on hers. Applause blared from the television, and Kate closed her eyes, knowing she would never forget that moment.

They looked at the screen as the camera panned to Ben in the audience. He stood and hugged Lily, then patted the baby bump beneath her flowing ivory dress. His hair was short again, and as he walked up the steps to the microphone, Kate wondered if Lily was happy or sad about that change. His tuxedo was perfectly tailored, and he smiled broadly as he accepted the gleaming gold statue.

“I am deeply honored to accept this award on behalf of my friend, Chris Johnston. I know Chris would want me to give you his deepest thanks. He poured his heart into this film, and it shows. His commitment to shining a light in the darkness is reflected, not just in this film, but in every area of his life. God has done something powerful in this film, and He will continue to do amazing work through men like Chris who are willing to go into the dark places and bring the light of hope and the message of love. Thank you and God bless you.”

Ben shook hands with the presenters and waved to the crowd as they walked off the stage. The broadcast cut to a commercial, and Chris and Kate collapsed onto the sofa. Noah, Hannah, and Kate’s parents bustled around the family room replying to text messages and retuning phone calls.

Chris laughed and lifted her hand to his lips. He kissed her knuckles, just above the wedding band that gleamed on her finger. “I’ll tell you what, if I ever get nominated for an Academy Award again, we’ll definitely go.”

“It’s a date, Mr. Johnston,” she said and snuggled closer to him.

“Yes, it is, Mrs. Johnston.”