Epilogue #2
Laughing, Melly said, “For a few minutes anyway. Then you and the governor can escape if you want. Do more of your endless planning and plotting how to get more of Randal Four cleared and functioning.”
“We’ve made a lot of progress,” Jeff said stubbornly.
“The day we all landed at the spaceport and got attacked by the infected I for one never thought we’d achieve so much in a relatively short time.
I was trying to figure out what the seven hells was going on, keep you safe, and get all of us here to the ranch. ”
“Where you anticipated we’d have to hole up forever and fight off swarms of infected,” Melly said. “Right?”
“Something like that,” he admitted. “I’m glad events played out the way they have and we’re building a future now, not merely surviving day to day.”
“You know, I almost missed ever meeting you,” Melly said, leaning her head on his shoulder.
“What do you mean?” This was news to Jeff.
“I stayed in the MidSectors for a few weeks after I was done with my residency and had gotten Board certified. I was a bridesmaid in the wedding of two of my medical school friends and I knew it was probably the last time I’d ever see any of them again, interstellar distances being what they are, so I delayed coming home.
If I’d skipped the wedding I’d have arrived in the middle of the outbreak and probably gone straight to the hospital to help. ”
“Well we know you wouldn’t have been infected but you’d have been in terrible danger and I wouldn’t have been here to help.
” The idea gave Jeff a flash of anxiety and he tightened his arm around her waist. “And I’d never have known what I was missing—the love of my life, the best partner a man could ever have, apocalypse or otherwise.
I would have come here and holed up like a hermit. ”
“I’m sure, knowing you, you’d have helped people whether I was here or not,” Melly said.
“You could have seen your parents.”
She was silent for a moment and he wished he’d held his tongue, but then Melly sighed, resting her hand on her stomach again.
“Mom and Dad would be happy for me with the way things turned out for us and ecstatic about their grandchild. Since I can’t change the past and you, the baby and my parents can’t exist in one reality together, I can’t regret delaying to be in the wedding since it meant I did meet you and together we’re making a difference for the entire planet.
I mean, there are literally thousands of people we helped to keep alive between Millersville and Glastine. ”
“Not to mention getting rid of the aliens who caused all of this. We did good, wife.”
“Yes we did and we have to keep on—the work won’t be done in our lifetime but maybe our son won’t have to fight the battles we’ve faced and still have ahead of us. Neither will Jenny or any of the other young children survivors and that’s something.”
Jeff knew she was right—the next ten years of their lives were going to be spent dealing with the problem of the infected swarms and even after that, assuming the virus performed as the Khagrish had intended and eliminated the remaining infected eventually, the challenge of making Randal Four a thriving place to live would continue.
“Guess I won’t be sending in my actual retirement papers anytime soon, not that old Ironside would accept it anyway. ”
Melly chuckled. “I do have to admit I never expected to be First Lady of Randal Four, not in my wildest daydreams. I wanted to be a good doctor and save people.”
“I think technically Mrs. Wyler is the First Lady but you’re the Sectors’ military governor’s spouse, which surely outranks her.” The whole discussion was amusing to him. Such concerns were totally irrelevant in today’s world.
“I’m going to pull rank on you right now,” she said with a twinkle in her eye.
“Oh?”
“Ordering you to come inside and make me feel like a desirable, sexy woman again, not a huge pregnant mother-to-be. Make me fly, Jeff Pearson, please?”
“Now that’s an assignment I’d never say no to.” He cupped her butt with one hand and squeezed. “Zach took Mike out to the far forty to check fences today.”
“I know. We have the entire house to ourselves because Ryan and Trent are busy assembling the greenhouse Zach’s girlfriend asked him to set up on her last visit.” Melly linked her fingers in his and drew him toward the house. “All the privacy we could ever ask for or expect.”
“Gotta grab the moments while we can,” he agreed, cock lengthening as he contemplated the way he’d spend the next few hours with his wife in the spacious master bedroom suite.
The idea she was carrying their child only made his love for her stronger and they’d figured out how to work around the challenge of her changing body as the pregnancy progressed.
“You’re sure this plan of yours won’t affect Junior?
” he asked as they climbed the steps to the porch.
“I’m sure and it won’t send me into early labor either. Trust me, I’m a doctor.” Her smile was wide. “I’m expecting you to do your best, husband.”
“I pride myself on meeting or exceeding expectations,” he replied. “Especially yours.”
She turned on the first stair to face him, face set in a serious expression. “You always do, you’ve never failed me in any way, Jeff Pearson and I’m so lucky to be your wife. I love you.”
Jeff gave her a kiss which started sweet and tender but became more and more heated until he broke it off and picked her up.
She’d gained weight with the pregnancy of course but was still easy for him to carry.
And he loved the new curves and the idea she was creating their child.
“We’d better get ourselves to the bed—you seem to be in a hurry. ”
She laid her head against his chest as he proceeded up the staircase and Jeff’s heart was full. He was holding everything in the world that mattered most to him. He’d fought hard battles with Melly by his side, with more challenges ahead but as long as he had the woman he loved he’d be fine.
Nothing on Randal Four was going to stand in his way of building a bright, safe future for his wife, his family and his team.
And Jeff Pearson was content.
Thank you for reading RESOLUTION! I hope you enjoyed the adventure (and, of course, I’d love a review if you have time and the inclination to write one. Even a few sentences would be much appreciated. Or a rating! Authors relish reader feedback).