Epilogue #3
I run out to greet Matty and Ash.
“Oh my god, Kelya!” Matty exclaims and then hugs me. She smells like almonds and sugar, and I bury my face in her neck to get more of it. Tony only has friends who smell good.
“I can’t believe you’re here!” I say in her arms. They are definitely closer, but we are still friends. She knows practically everything about our lives and is so supportive. Ash stands behind her, quietly waiting for me to say hi to him.
“Did you and Ash come together, Matty?”
“Oh, no, not like that.” She totally lies. I wonder if they’ve met up since she left the hospital for Virginia last year. I nod and smile, and she shakes her head, but is pink all over.
“Kelya,” Ash says.
I leave Matty’s arms to hug Ash. It’s a short, quick, and tight hug. I’m a bonded omega, and Ash knows this, so he keeps it respectful. I still step up close to him and put my hand on his chest. I can’t believe he’s been so integrated in my life. First with Marquette and then me.
Tony comes in and sees me with my hand on another man’s chest, and I can feel his indignation in the bond. His jealousy always feels like hot rage. It turns me on, honestly.
I still take a huge step away from Ash.
“Ash.”
“What?”
I take a second to look at him. He looks tired, probably from traveling all day, and also, if I remember, this is just how he looks.
“Are you doing ok?”
“I’m doing great, Kelya. I’m happy to be here.”
I’m so happy he’s here.
Matty takes her things to the guest cabin, and Ash starts the laundry because I guess Fern decided to run into the ocean when they first arrived and got all her clothes wet.
Ash is going to sleep on the convertible bed in the galley while Matty and Fern take the guest cabin. Tony shows me around our boat. I can’t believe he did all of this behind my back.
What a dickhead.
The first two weeks on the boat were a dream.
We ported three times. Matty, Fern, and I went shopping while the men did boat stuff.
Tony got a room so we could have loud sex without bothering anyone, then we boarded The Sweet Rose again.
I was so sad when we dropped everyone off in Key West, with many tears.
Fern was devastated to leave Tony the most.
Once we boarded without our friends, everything felt so damned quiet.
“How’re you feeling?” Tony asks me as I move my nest back to the guest room.
“Like, I want them to come right back and never leave.”
“Oh, poor Omega.”
I get into the nest and move the pillows and blankets how I like them, letting my inner omega take over.
The shirt I stole from Ash gets wrapped up with a bracelet Fern lost and I found but never gave back, and a hair clip of Matty’s I swiped off the edge of the sink.
I integrate them into the nest. Tony props himself up on the door.
“I caught them kissing,” Tony says.
I whip my head around to look at him. “What?! When!?”
“Early this morning on the deck. I think it was their first kiss, based on how awkward and sweet they were. I’ve been dying to tell you.”
“Did it look like it went well?”
I’ve been watching them flirt like two star-crossed-lovers for weeks. Wistful glances. Kind gestures. Whispering at night. It’s been utterly precious.
“I would say it went very well. Matty asked if she could join him to watch the house while we’re gone. Is that ok?”
“Oh my god, of course! Now I wish we were going home, too, so I can watch them fall in love, like a creeper.”
He just smiles at me. I’m so happy for them. Ash is a good man, and Matty deserves someone good. She deserves someone who will utterly worship her.
“I’m happy for them.”
“Me, too. I hope it works out.”
I fold myself into the nest last and take a deep, calming breath.
Tony watches me like he has nothing else in his life but to watch me burrow into a pile of blankets and pillows.
“We can sail back, if you want.”
“No, no, no. There’s something important I want to do while we’re out here.” I lay my head down and close my eyes.
“What’s that?”
“I want you to get me pregnant in my next heat.”
He’s utterly silent. Even his pheromones are quiet. I glance over at the statue, formerly a man.
“Kelya.”
“Yes?”
“Did I tell you how beautiful you look? You stop my breath every time I look at you.”
I smile into the pillow.
“Tell me.”
“Everything about our life together makes me wonder if I’m dreaming. You really want a baby with me?”
“Yes. After being with Fern and seeing her with Matty…I think it would be amazing.”
“I’d like to be a daddy.”
“Shut up. Go do sailor stuff and then come join me in my nest. I want to nap, and then I want to wake up with your dick somewhere in my body. Dealer’s choice.”
He laughs loudly.
“Fine. I’ll go check on the boat and then come join my omega. I’m going to smell and bite every inch of you, so be prepared.” He comes over and kisses me, pulls my face up to his, showing me how much he loves me with his strong, hungry lips.
Everything about our life doesn’t feel like a dream at all. It’s real. It’s real, and it’s mine. I’m ready to do even more living with Tony. I want to do it all.