Epilogue
EPILOGUE
I went back to our hotel room, which was across the hall, and closed the door behind me.
“I’m exhausted,” I said to Kate. Sophie was already in her pajamas and was waiting for her bedtime story. Liam was seated on the sofa, his Gameboy in hand.
Sophie held up a book. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak — one of her favorites that wasn’t Frozen related.
“What about Anna and Olaf?”
“This,” Sophie said and pointed to her bedroom. “I want to see wild animals tomorrow.”
I smiled and went with her to her bedroom, taking the book from her hand. “We will. After we visit the grave, we’ll go to the Wildlife Sanctuary and see some rhinoceroses.”
Her smile said everything.
Later, once I knew she was asleep, I sat with Kate and Liam in the small living room and watched the news, glad that I was on holiday now, and no longer had to concern myself with any lingering casualties of the flooding in Kenya.
The hospital was in good hands and the staff were able to keep up with demand.
“I guess it’s time for you to hit the sack, too,” I said to Liam, checking my watch. “We have a busy day tomorrow.”
“Okay,” Liam said and yawned. He put his Gameboy on the coffee table and followed me into his bedroom, which was next to Sophie’s. I sat beside him once he was under the covers and then tucked them in around him.
“I’m so glad you were able to come,” I said and leaned down to give him a quick kiss on the forehead. “Your grandfather would have been so happy to have a grandson named after him. He was so brave, and you’ve been so brave, too.”
“I wish I knew him.”
“Me, too. Good night.”
“Good night.”
I got up and turned off the light, glancing back one last time as Liam turned over and faced the wall.
I went back to the living room where Kate was sitting on the sofa. She patted the space beside her.
I sat down and leaned back, one arm slipping around her shoulder.
She leaned her head on my shoulder and snuggled closer. “I’m exhausted.”
“Me, too, but when we do get back home, I want to spend a whole weekend alone with you. Maybe we could do something special, like go to one of the dungeon parties Dane invited us to attend. What would you think of that? It’s been too long. I need some Katherine time…”
Kate smiled, her eyes narrowing. “Whatever you want. I need some Master D time, too.” She kissed me and then covered her mouth. “Sir.”
I laughed and pulled her against me. “Everything in its time. Right now, I need you. Badly.”
I took her chin in my hand kissed her, my kiss starting off warm and full of affection, but soon, it turned to need. I slipped my tongue between her lips, and the sensation sent a stab of lust right to my dick.
"I missed you," I said, my voice husky.
"I missed you."
I was struck by how beautiful she was, her hazel eyes, her thick dark lashes. Her auburn hair.
Most of all, I saw her desire for me and that was all I needed.
I lifted her up, my hands under her arms, so that she stood in front of me. Then I ran a hand over her shoulder and down over her dress, cupping a breast. I bent down and kissed the top of it, the skin smooth.
I pulled down one of her shoulder straps, exposing her bare skin. I bent down, kissing her neck, my lips trailing down her shoulder, to her breast. I pulled away her bra, and ran my tongue over her nipple, feeling it pucker beneath my mouth.
"So beautiful," I murmured. "I can’t get enough of you."
Then I took her hand and pulled her into the bathroom, locking the door behind me.
“Once we’re back home and are at the beach house all by ourselves, well…”
She smiled and closed her eyes, letting me push her against the bathroom wall. “Is that a threat?”
"You can smile, because I’m going to spend hours just focused on making you come over and over again. That’s not a threat. It’s a promise. Now, remove your clothes. Then, turn around and face the wall. Spread.”
She did, slowly removing her dress and then her undies and bra. I undressed as well, and soon we were both naked. When she leaned against the wall, her arms spread, her legs spread, I slipped my arms around her and began to stroke her clit. I kept one hand between her thighs and the other around her waist, squeezing a breast.
She was wet and ready.
I entered her, sliding deep inside of her. She gasped as I filled her up completely. “You’re ready. More than ready.”
“I’m always ready for you.”
I grabbed her hip in one hand and thrust for a few moments, slowly, making sure to stroke her clit with the other.
"I'm going to..." she said, her voice breathless.
I felt her body tighten around my cock, and soon, she groaned with pleasure as her orgasm took over.
"Oh, God, oh God …"
I thrust quickly, deeply, and soon, I was at the edge as well, my own orgasm starting as hers was finishing. When my body finished spasming, I slipped out of her and turned her around, pressing against her.
" God , that was good," I said, then kissed her deeply.
“It was,” she said, and I felt her lips curve into a smile beneath mine. When I pulled away, I turned my head towards the bathtub.
“What do you say about a bubble bath before bed?”
“Sounds like a perfect end to a perfect night.”
The next day, we took a ground trip to the site where Liam’s plane crashed and where his ashes were buried. I hired local guides to take us there as we did before, the last time we visited with Michael, years earlier.
The journey wasn’t comfortable, but Ethan seemed well-enough rested and was dressed in appropriate gear — a floppy brimmed hat, khaki shorts and shirt, and hiking boots. His oxygen cannula was threaded around his ears, and the canister tucked beside him on the seat.
“Are you okay?”
He nodded. “I’m fine. Don’t fuss.” He waved me away.
Just like him to do his best to appear strong and not in need of help.
I turned back around and watched out the window as we drove along the remote dirt road towards the forest where my father’s plane had crashed. All around us were the hills and scrub brush that dotted the plains. Ahead was the forest, and the baobab tree where my father’s remains were buried.
I watched Sophie and Liam as we arrived at the forest. They both seemed quiet, and not excited as I expected, but of course, the event was somber. They would be visiting the grave of the grandfather they never knew.
The site was as I remembered it — not far from the base camp where Liam was staying, before going into Somalia to help with the war wounded.
On the ground next to the tallest baobab tree was the grave marker. I stood with Sophie and Liam, my arms around them. Kate stood with her father and Elaine. Michael stood to my left.
I read the words inscribed on the marker.
Liam James Morgan, MD.
Here lies Liam James Morgan, trauma surgeon, bass player, philanthropist. Loving father and dedicated Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders volunteer who died serving the people of Africa doing what he loved best. You will be missed forever.
Rest In Peace
Sophie, Michael and Liam went to the tall baobab tree and bent down to lay a flower at the grave marker. Kate slipped her arm around me and laid her hand on Ethan’s shoulder, who was sitting in his wheelchair beside her.
For a few moments, we all were silent, each of us thinking about my father, who he was to us, and what kind of crazy brave man he’d been. I glanced over to Ethan, who was visibly shaken to see his old war buddy’s grave. They were such opposites in many ways — my father the left-wing dreamer of a better world and Ethan a steadfast capitalist and Republican. Yet, they found something in common — a desire to survive the war, glad to find camaraderie with each other.
I was so glad that they had become friends, because it was that friendship that gave me the life that I could never image possible — a beautiful loving woman like Kate who was happy to be a stepmother to my son Liam, and a beautiful daughter like Sophia.
As I watched each person as they made their way to the grave marker, I knew without a doubt that I was the luckiest man alive, and I was going to ensure everyone in my family knew it every day we had together for the rest of our lives.