31. Epilogue
Today is my thirtieth birthday. At the stroke of midnight, I’ll become immortal. Sounds like a fairytale, doesn’t it? But I assure you it’s real. This year has tested me in ways I never believed possible.
After finally talking through all my fears with Erin all those months ago, I vowed to myself I would never let my fears and insecurities get to me like that again. It’s been a process, let me tell you. I spend a lot of time practicing mindfulness and yoga.
Whenever I feel that fear creeping back into my mind, I bend myself like a pretzel for an hour whilst listening to ocean sounds. I’ve never felt more Zen, and I have Erin to thank for that. She has been my rock and greatest supporter. However, to her chagrin, she still hasn’t gotten me to where I can spend more than an hour with Lucille without wanting to commit homicide. What can I say? I’m a work in progress.
So, instead of worrying myself to death, I spent this last year getting to know my mate. Although our souls are bonded for all eternity, we became a couple extremely fast, even by lesbian standards—as my mother likes to joke.
Erin deserved—and still does—to be wined and dined. We went on a second first date—without the piercing pain of my suffering soul, this time. On the third date, Erin did in fact put out (again) to my utter delight. Everything with her has been so easy.
We still have two years until Erin hits The Big 3-0. I can’t deny it hovers at the back of my mind most days. All signs point to Erin changing, but there is no guarantee.
Unlike last year, I am not woken by my brother Laurence but by Erin’s tongue sucking on my nipple. I’ve tried to pretend I’m still sleeping, but the moment she clamps down, just the way I like it, my body betrays me, and I let out a small gasp.
“I knew you were awake,” Erin mumbles, my stiff bud still in her mouth.
“I didn’t want to distract you,” I reply, my hand making its way to her hair. The sun is shining through the open double windows. The ocean air gently wafting over our warm bodies.
“You couldn’t distract me from this if you tried,” she adds, swapping to my other breast.
Closing my eyes, I bask in the sensations Erin is eliciting with her tongue. All too suddenly, that sensational appendage disappears, forcing me to open my eyes. Erin is leaning over the side of the bed, rifling through her open luggage.
Propping myself up on my elbows, I smile because I have a fantastic view of Erin’s bare ass. Oh, it’s just dying to be spanked. “None of that,” Erin says, her head still dangling over the side of our king-size four-poster bed.
“What, I didn’t do anything,” I reply, feigning innocence .
“I could hear your thoughts, Amelia. There will be time for spanking later. First, you need to open your birthday present.”
“Well, if you insist,” I joke.
“This is your first present. The one only I can see,” she winks, upping my excitement by a million. I take the wrapped box out of her hand and tear into it. Erin has bought us a double-ended dildo.
“Happy birthday to me,” I grin, taking my new toy out of its packaging.
“Let me go wash it. Why don’t you start without me?”
I hate to burst Erin’s bubble, but there’s nothing for me to start. I’ve been wet from the second she touched her lips to my skin.
Erin strolls to the ensuite, her naked body on show in all its small wonder. Jesus, her ass is to die for. While she cleans the dildo, I stretch my body, still a little sore from our lovemaking last night. My mind wanders to the day ahead, but I’m not in my thoughts for long. The bed dips as Erin rejoins me.
“Open up, baby,” she says, her hands already spreading my legs.
“I want you on top,” I say.
Erin rubs the small end of the dildo through my lips. I love to see the grin that spreads across her face when she sees how much I want her. “How does that feel?” she asks as she pushes it inside me.
“Perfect. Now it’s your turn.”
Pushing herself up slowly, Erin climbs over me, her pussy hovering just above the tip of the toy. “Give it to me hard,” she says before lowering herself down. I watch spellbound as the toy slowly disappears inside my mate. Her hand reaches between us and suddenly the entire thing vibrates, causing my head to sink into the pillow. “Oh God,” I moan .
Erin’s hands land on my stomach as she lifts herself up and down. I get a grip on my libido, forcing myself to hold back. Taking Erin by the hips, I thrust in time with her movement. I’m not sure either of us will last long. The pleasure is outstanding.
“Harder,” she cries. I’m biting my lip so hard; I must be drawing blood. Flipping us over, I pound into Erin with everything I have. Her hands reach above her head, gripping the headboard. “Yes, yes, like that, oh fuck.”
I drop my head slightly as I fight to keep my orgasm at bay until Erin is ready. “Erin,” I gasp because I am losing the battle. I feel my walls clamp around the toy and those familiar blue and gold colors swim in front of my eyes.
“I’m coming, I’m coming,” she groans, and my walls break, allowing the climax to surge over my entire body. I feel our energies merge. I feel Erin’s soul dance with my own as we tumble together.
“Wow!” is the only word I can conjure in the aftermath. I pull out of Erin slowly and then remove it from myself. Dropping the dildo to the bed, I roll off Erin and starfish. I am completely spent.
“Incredible,” she mumbles into my neck as she curls her body around mine.
“Can we stay here all day?” I ask, semi-seriously.
“You know we have to meet the family at lunch.”
“But do we? Really ?”
“Not unless you want Lucille breaking the door down. Or your mother.”
“Are you still glad they joined us on this trip?”
“Yes, I am. It’s not like we’re sharing a room with them. We have a suite all to ourselves. ”
“Yes, but when mother gifted me the trip to Hawaii last year, I didn’t realize that I had to bring them along.”
“Do you need five minutes of meditation before we venture out?”
Erin might have been joking, but yes, that’s exactly what I need. So far we have been in Hawaii for three days, and we have spent every single one of those with my family.
“You know they just want to support you, honey. Especially today. It’s been a long road for us all.”
“I know,” I sigh. “I’ll be fine. Let me have a few minutes on the balcony to center myself and then we’ll get ready.”
The sun is blazing over Kauai. There isn’t a single cloud in the sky. I take deep breaths, focusing on the sounds of nature. It doesn’t take me long to reset and feel peace.
Erin’s arm snakes around my torso. She holds me close, her head resting on my back. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
“I’m exhausted. Can we please go back to the suite?” I mutter under my breath to Erin.
“Amelia, we can’t. Not until after midnight. They need to be here for you.”
“Why, nothing is actually going to happen. They can’t actually see the change begin. ”
“It doesn’t matter. Let them have this, and then you can have me in whatever position you want.”
“Alright then.”
Erin titters. “That didn’t take a whole lot of convincing, my love.”
“I’m not stupid,” I grin.
Our conversation is interrupted by my father rising from his seat. We’ve been sitting in my parents’ bungalow for hours, eating and drinking. “Can I have your attention please?” he asks. “Shut it,” he barks at Lucille, who is yammering away at Trent about something. “Thank you. Now, the time is almost upon us. Two minutes until Amelia sheds her mortal skin.”
“Jesus, Father, that’s a bit much,” Jacob laughs.
“Yes, I heard it,” Father chuckles. “In all seriousness. Amelia, this day has felt like a long time coming, but has also arrived far too fast. We’re proud of you, sweetheart.” I tip my glass in his direction.
“Get ready,” my mother calls. Naturally, my eyes drift to the big clock on the wall. My heart rate rises in anticipation. Even though I know I won’t fall into madness, there is still a sliver of fear.
I watch as the seconds tick by. Three… Two… One. I close my eyes and hold my breath. A small quiver passes over my heart and then it’s gone.
Opening my eyes, I laugh when I see dozens of eyes trained on me. I weigh up putting on a show, pretending something is happening, but then I come to my senses. Mother might actually kill me if I make fun. Erin’s hand caresses my thigh. I smile at her sweetly.
“I’m okay,” I say to her .
“I know,” she replies. My family are hugging each other and laughing with abandon. They really were stressed.
Hawaiian dancers enter the room. A surprise my parents have cooked up, I bet. Music begins and a fresh round of drinks is poured. Reaching into my pocket, I pull out the ring box I’ve been carrying for six months. I wanted to ask Erin to marry me when I bought it, but I knew I had to wait until my rebirth. That’s what I’m calling it.
Erin is smiling at the dancers. I’m smiling at her. I see my mother in the corner of my eye jab my father in the ribs. She’s spotted the ring box on the table. Trailing my fingers down Erin’s cheek, I wait for her to turn. Her eyes zero in on the box and then go wide, making me chuckle. “What’s that?” she asks.
“That’s a ring,” I reply. “A ring I hope you will agree to wear.”
“A ring?”
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Erin lost for words. “Yes, a ring. We are bound in body and mind, Erin, but I want to be bound to you by law. Erin Hanson, will you be my wife?”
Her eyes haven’t left the ring box. I take it and open it gently. The sapphire is the same color as her eyes. I knew it belonged to Erin the second I saw it. Taking the ring from its cushion, I push back my chair and drop to both knees. “I will cherish you always. I will protect you with all that I have, and I will love you until my last breath. Erin, marry me.”
Her finger slips through the ring, but she still hasn’t said anything. Her eyes slowly make their way to mine. I see her, all of her, and she sees me. I can hear her innermost thoughts and feel the pure joy coursing through her body.
“Yes. ”
We embrace as our family and even the dancers cheer. It’s a perfect ending to a tumultuous year, but I need to remain vigilant. Our worries are not over until Erin turns. Waiting for eternity will be a test for us all.