Chapter 72: Epilogue-2

"Are you sure you want to do this?" "More than anything. I want you," she whispers heatedly and I don't need more than that. I attack her. And I don't tire- neither does she. Hours go by as we ravish each other, the air thick and potent with the scent of lavender. The small room flickers with dimmed light, only brightened by a couple candles on the dresser. Still, I can see her face and that's enough. I watch her come undone beneath me and feel a sense of pride- an awe I've never felt before. She squeezes her eyes shut, gasping for breath each time and as she does that, her arms tighten around me as if she were trying so desperately to hold on. So I clutch her tighter. ... My eyes flicker from the dark oak of the conference table as I pull myself from my memories, unable to help the fact that they're ever present today. I awoke from a nightmare this morning, something I've grown used to over time. Andre is talking in front of me although I can't hear him. His attention is directed to a presentation and he's gesturing to the board around me. He's begun constructing the new warehouse in Los Angeles. After his work on the museum, I realized my decision to hire him not only helped with my relationship- but with the future of my company. I will never use another man for the job. I look up, coming back into the conversation as Andre turns to look at me. "What do you think, Maddox?" I lean back, unbuttoning my jacket. "How far along can you have it by New Years?" He looks at the presentation, shrugging. "Three quarters." "April?" He grins, nodding. "Done. Well done by then." "Alright. We're good." With a nod from me, they stand and pack up, speaking quietly amongst themselves. With Genevieve heavy on my mind, I stand up as well, packing up my briefcase. Andre turns off the overhead machine and looks over at me. "You headin' out? Already?" I chuckle, nodding. "Yeah, one of those days." "Yeah, right. You're just desperate to play with Lily." My smile is wide as my mind drifts to my three-month-old daughter. "I'm completely guilty." "... How's Gen handling being away from the museum?" I chuckle, shaking my head. "Oh, she's far from away. You know she's got control over that whole damn place, even on maternity leave." "I don't doubt it. That's like Genevieve." That's like my wife. Headstrong and lovely. I pat his back as I pass by towards the door. "Dinner tomorrow before you leave?" "I'll be there." Nodding, I exit, finding that my pace has quickened at just the thought of getting home. ... I don't know how I'm moving. I don't know how I found the strength. The brown water is rocking against my knees as I try to move forward, grasping whatever I can to get through. I don't know how long it's been that I've been in the water. All I can remember are stars, blurred together stars and darkness. I remember pain too. Thankfully, the pain from the wood in my shoulder has subsided. I know that's actually not a good sign but it's better than what I felt yesterday. It's sunny now- ridiculously bright as I trek through the rubble, trying to find dry land. A place with food- with water. In deliriousness, I think of the resort. I think of the ridiculous argument with Gen before the earthquake. I think of the fact that she's probably dead and for a moment, I want to stop moving- stop trying. My feet come to a halt as I bump into something solid. My eyes try to focus on what's in front of me- I know I have a fever and I have no idea how much longer I'll be able to walk. My heart begins to pound as I see rubble piled up where the water stops and land restarts. Shit, I've made it. I reach forward, feeling a shot of pain go straight through my body for the first time today. I grimace, gasping but continue to push the rubble away desperately. I go blind before I can make it up onto the dirt. My legs bend as I fall back into the water, gasping for breath. I feel my hand go to the wound on my shoulder. I'm still bleeding. I lean my head against the remaining rubble, breathing heavily. I can't- I can't move anymore. I close my eyes, giving up. My eyes water as I suddenly think of my father. I think of my mother. I think of my life back home- a life I'll never see again. But I'm surprised that the force of nature that's heaviest on my thoughts is the woman I met here in Thailand. I barely know her yet I felt things with her I've never experienced before. And I trusted her- the minute I met her. I can still remember what she felt like- what it felt like to run my fingers through her hair or kiss the soft skin just below her jawline. I feel a wave of sadness fall over me at the thought of her gone. ... But maybe she's alive. There is a chance that she is still alive... That she made it. The hopefulness in my brain is unwarranted but enough to make my weak legs try to stand back up. I grasp a large root coming from the tree on the land and brace myself, nodding, knowing full well that this is going to hurt. I heave myself up, planting my feet onto the dirt as I push myself up onto the land. I fall onto all fours as I begin coughing, unable to stop. Fuck. By the time I manage to stop, I see blood on the ground. It came from my mouth. I raise my hand to my lips, wiping and my suspicion is confirmed. Red is smeared across my hand. I don't have much time before I can't move at all. I have to keep going. I grab ahold of the tree, raising myself in the silent forest. All I see is green as I stumble through the vegetation. I don't see anything else. I have to stop and breathe every few minutes but my will is suddenly strong. I have a new sense of hope on dry land. I have to find a road- I have to find someone that will help... I have to find Genevieve. I push through branches, through bushes- unaware of anything but my feet shuffling forward. "Tristan!" My brows curve together as I imagine her voice. Her perfect voice. "Tristan!" I close my eyes, wanting to smile. "Tristan!" It's almost as she's right beside me. As I feel something slam into me, I fall back slightly, realizing it's a body. "Oh god, Tristan." Holy shit. Is she- I feel her soft hands on my face and I force myself to focus. I want to cry- sob when I focus in on her face. I've never been happier than in this moment. She's here. She's alive. We're together. ... I turn the key into the bolt, opening the door to a quiet apartment. I set down my briefcase onto the foyer table, smiling as I see the various toys on the wood. The entire apartment is covered with them. "Baby?" I look around as I walk through the apartment. I come to a halt as I open our bedroom door, finding them. My wife is sleeping, in only a robe and my daughter is also sleeping- on top of her. My heart soars staring at them. This is my family. I have a family. I watch Genevieve's hands tighten their hold on Lily's back- protective even in her sleep. I exhale and shrug out of my jacket, walking in towards them, unable to stay back any longer. Carefully, I settle down beside her, turning gently to face them. My daughter is small, still bald and completely beautiful. I find it calming to watch the rise and fall of her body as she sleeps. My gaze shifts to Genevieve and I can't help but reach out for her, my emotions strong after the ever-present memories today. I rest my hand onto her stomach, moving up against her. And her eyes suddenly flutter open, blue and soft. The color of the sky. I watch her lips turn up sleepily as I stare unashamedly at her face, still completely captivated by her as if it we were still on that beach in Thailand. That same sense of wonder is still there. I never grow tired of seeing her, hearing her. I find the thought of our future exciting, especially adding Lily to the mix. "I love you," I murmur softly before my lips touch hers. I feel her smile widen beneath mine. Her voice is soft and sleepy as she whispers, "I love you." I pull back, resting my head against the pillow beside her as my eyes close, contented by those words and the warm feel of my family beneath my fingers. the end