32. CHAPTER 32
CHAPTER 32
Gray
A month later, on a warm February day, we laid Malou's ashes to rest, offering our final farewells.
The sun spread a brilliant sheen over the ocean, transforming the water into a sprawling canvas of gold and azure. It was a surprisingly warm day for the time of year, and the breeze carried the scent of salt and the faint call of seabirds overhead. Rose and I stood side by side on the deck of the small boat we had hired for the day, our hands linked, both of us facing the horizon with a blend of resolve and quiet reflection.
As the captain steered us to a spot that Malou had always loved—a peaceful stretch of water where dolphins were often seen—I felt an undercurrent of serenity amidst the waves of emotion. It was here, surrounded by the vastness of the sea, that we intended to honor Malou's final wish of joining the sea.
Rose handed me the urn, her fingers lingering on the smooth surface before letting go. Together, we opened it, and as we scattered Malou's ashes into the sea, the ocean seemed to welcome her with open arms, the sparkling waters a fitting tribute to her vibrant spirit.
"We'll miss you, Malou," I said quietly. The wind swept my farewell away. Rose squeezed my hand, her eyes glistening with unshed tears but shining with a fierce, quiet gratitude.
"Life is too short," Rose murmured, leaning her head against my shoulder. "We need to live, Gray. Really live. Not just for us, but for her, too."
As we watched the last of Malou’s ashes disappear into the deep blue, a profound silence enveloped us. It was in that quiet, with the sun warming our faces and the vast ocean stretching endlessly before us, that Rose and I made a pact for the future.
"We will live our best lives, babe," I promised. "We'll give our marriage everything we've got, not just to make it work, but to make it thrive. We owe it to ourselves and to Malou to live the life she couldn't."
On the ride back to shore, we spent our time talking about our future, making plans, and discussing the exciting changes ahead. The conversation flowed easily, free from the burden of past grievances and filled with hopes and shared dreams. It felt like a new beginning or perhaps a return to what we had once envisioned our life together could be.
As the boat docked and we stepped back onto solid ground, Rose and I walked hand in hand, our steps light with the promise of a new beginning for us.
"Speaking of thriving," I joked, "Can we fuck anytime soon?"
Rose laughed, letting go of my hand as we stood in front of the B the one I was staying in, the one that was ours now. As soon as we could get past the pain of losing Malou, we planned to convert her room into an office for me. I think Malou would have liked knowing that her bedroom was going to give Rose and me a fresh start.
I grabbed Rose by the waist. "Got you."
"You certainly have, my darling Gray."
I stilled; my heart stopped. "Say it again."
She smiled that sultry, siren smile of hers, the one I had missed so much. "My darling Gray."
I couldn't help the tears that filled my eyes or rolled down my face. "I never thought I'd get that back."
She went on tiptoe and kissed me. "If you're gonna cry, then I'm not gonna fuck you."
I let out a laugh. "It's been months, babe, and I want you something fierce, so be forewarned that the first time might go a bit fast."
I tossed her on the bed, and as she took her clothes off, I did mine. Naked, I pounced on her. We were like children; like we used to be when sex was new to us, when we were experimenting, touching, feeling, learning.
"Gray," she moaned when I parted her thighs.
"I missed this." I lapped at her pussy, loving the feel of her. My wife . My love. My woman.
I suckled her clit as I slid two fingers inside her, watching her watch me.
"Come, babe," I whispered. "Come for me."
Before she had gotten down from the high, I entered her. "Fuck," I whimpered, leaning into her neck. "I'm home."
"Move inside me, my darling Gray," she urged me, her legs wrapped around my waist.
I loved my wife so much, I realized, so fucking much, and I could've lost her, lost this sense of homecoming I could never have with anyone. So, I did what she asked and moved within her, sealing our bond that I broke.
Sweaty and satisfied, I left my wife alone in bed and rummaged through my dresser to find something that belonged to her.
"You know, you look real good naked," Rose said appreciatively. She sat up propped against pillows, her body glowing against the white sheets. Her breasts were beautiful, her pussy still glistening with our juices.
"Thanks, babe."
I sat cross-legged next to her. I opened the palm of my hand, and the light from outside caught on her wedding band and engagement ring.
I held up the engagement ring. "Rose May Rutherford, will you be my wife?" I asked.
She looked at me serenely. "Yes, my darling Gray, I will be your wife."
"Forever?"
"Yeah, unless you screw up again," she teased.
I laughed as I slipped the rings back on her finger, feeling the rightness of us .
That night, as I lay with her in my arms again, I thanked Malou for bringing us back together—for helping us be better and stronger. And I knew if she was watching us, she'd say something like this on a cackle, "For fuck's sake, Gray, not right after you had sex with my friend. Let's talk later, yeah?"