Epilogue
Three months later
The sun was setting behind the sea, lighting up the hill near the villa we stayed at last year so beautifully.
We were on a boat we’d hired from the marina where we went skinny-dipping, the water lapping at the bow as we anchored a little further out from the coast. We’d spent the day sailing up and down the coastline, sometimes stopping for a swim and a kissing session on the secluded beaches.
Our bodies and muscles were tired from having sex multiple times a day since we got here.
Now, with the sun setting and the pieces of our life falling into place, the moment and the future felt bursting with possibility.
Rona was sitting at the back of the boat, arms splayed either side along the cushions.
She was wearing the same army green bikini she’d worn that day on the beach we’d spent getting to know each other last year.
It had occupied my mind like wildfire then, as it did now, because I’d just taken it off her half an hour ago, and had two orgasms thinking about it.
I joined her at the back of the boat, handing her a bottle of water I’d got from the small drinks’ fridge.
“You look super relaxed,” I commented.
“I feel it. Especially after that.” She unscrewed her bottle, tipped her head back, and finished most of it.
“Wow. You were thirsty.”
Rona took a deep breath while putting the cap back on. “It didn’t quench it.”
“What will?”
She smiled at me with that devilishly naughty smirk that had made me come only ten minutes ago. “I’ll show you once we get back to the hotel room.”
“Fuck yes. Show me then.”
Rona’s gaze dropped to my breasts. “With pleasure.”
“We’ve had sex so many times since we got here.
I think we should name this holiday the sexathon.
Never mind a marathon, this is the real endurance test and we’re nailing it.
Or each other, however you want to look at it.
And it’s way more fun. Oh that’s right, you know the origin of the word marathon is from Greece?
” I tutted at myself. “Sorry, course you do.”
Rona gazed at me, softly.
“What?”
She shook her head, smiling. “You, this place, this boat, being back where we first got together – it’s magical.”
I leaned in, inhaling her scent, salty from the sea and sweet from the sunscreen, feeling exactly the same. Sometimes I couldn’t believe how lucky I was to have found her and to have such love in my life, and to trust that it was right for me. “I know. I love you. I love this. I’m so happy.”
“Yep, screw Paris, Greece is where it’s at.”
I smiled. “You know, one of the coolest things about ancient Greece was that they came up with all these different names for different types of love. Like, agape, a deep compassion for others, storge, familial love, and eros, passionate and romantic love. There’re others, too, like one for friendship. Philia, I think.”
“I’m definitely eros for you,” Rona said, with hazy eyes.
I laughed while sliding my hand up her thigh. “Oh really?”
“Don’t smile at me, hot stuff. You’re getting me all turned on again, but we can’t have any more sex until we get back to the room. Really, I’m putting my foot down.”
I pulled her in closer. “Copy that.”
Rona was quiet for a while as she stared into my eyes. She kissed me, softly, with the languid touch of someone who’d spent the last few days relaxing in the gorgeous island of Lesvos with her lesbian lover.
Rona pulled back from the kiss, her eyes millimetres from mine. Her freckles had made an appearance, dotting her face, making her look super cute.
I sat back, finding such comfort in our dynamic. Although I had something big to ask her and it had been playing on my mind for ages. “How do you feel about all the running around we’re doing, staying at each other’s place, still?”
“Honestly, I’m tired of it. The logistics are killing my brain.” Rona took a deep breath. “How do you feel about it?”
“I’m tired of it too.”
Rona nodded, as if calculating how much to share with me. “So, it’s not working for either of us anymore.”
It was my turn to take a deep breath and calculate my move.
I centred myself, knowing this was one hundred percent what I wanted and was now ready for, because what Rona and I had was the real deal.
“My love, I want us to move in together. I want us to get a new place and start a new life together. I’m so ready now.
Maybe we can get a dog and a cat, or ten dogs and ten cats. ”
“Let’s start with one cat and see how we go.”
“Is that a yes to moving in? Are you sure you don’t mind leaving your flat?”
“It’s a full body yes, Lily. I would love nothing more. I do love my flat but I’m sure I’ll love our new home together just as much if not more.”
I hugged her, feeling so happy and sure I wanted to start building our life together. “It’s going to be so wonderful.”
“You might get sick of me.” Rona’s tone was playful but there was a hint of what we both knew was something we’d been working hard on.
“Nuh-uh,” I said, stroking her cheek with the back of my hand. “You’re already my home.”
She smiled widely at that, her freckles and dimples popping. “This really is a magical day on so many levels. Congratulations again, my love. Being one of the top ten podcasts in the world is an incredible achievement. How are you feeling about it, now?”
Freya had got in touch this morning with the news. It was an unexpected announcement from Spotify. “Just so proud. But I don’t want to let it overshadow our time here in Greece. I’ll be all over it when we get home. This time here is for us.”
“No, it’s okay. It’s an important moment for you. I want you to feel celebrated, because it’s amazing and I’m so proud of you, too.”
“Aw, thanks.”
“You know, I think one of the main reasons your podcast has been so successful is because you’re so curious. You’re open about what you don’t know. You’re willing to be vulnerable. The stories you share are real and the connections you make between things are insightful and original.”
I let her words sink in, feeling so seen. “That means a lot, baby. Thank you.”
“Now, how about getting back to that luxurious hotel room of ours? I’ve been promised some refreshments, and I can feel my thirst getting bad again.”
“Your wish is my command. Engines on!”
Of everything I’d done in my life, the peace I felt as we sailed towards the rest of our lives together was perhaps my greatest achievement yet.
~THE END~