Epilogue
Claire
Eight months later
I’m going to fly for the first time since the crash. After the crash eight months ago, Jamison has been a bit more cautious to take me up. It took me more convincing than I thought before he would take me out. I wanted to see what my husband loves so much.
It took some serious persuasion, but I know exactly how to work my man. And besides, I told him I refuse to live life in any type of fear. We can’t hold ourselves back from taking on life’s adventures because we are scared. I made him think of how sad it would be if we gave up the things we love or want to experience. He gave in to me, and now we are at Thorne Air staring at his Piper Super Cub and ready to take on a new adventure. Together.
Jamison works for the Department of Public Safety in Anchorage now, but he leaves the plane his mother bought him at the hangar here in Casper. We travel to Casper once a month, and he always takes the plane out when we are in town. This time, I demanded to go with him. He’s flying to the Copper River Valley to see where his father is buried and meet up with his uncle.
I strap myself into the harness and glance at my gorgeous husband in the cockpit. We married last month. We kept it simple and married outside with a small group of friends and family. Neither of us wanted a big wedding, both more interested in the after-the-wedding part.
Are you doing okay, babe?
I’m so ready! I sign back.
I’ve prepared myself for months for this trip. My anxiety hasn’t entirely disappeared, but it’s getting better every day. I also still mourn my sister when we do things that I wish she was here for. So, when the anxiety happens, I think of how strong I can be because of her. Then I talk my anxieties out with my husband, and together we make the solutions I need to ease the pressure that builds in my chest.
Jamison flips some switches, and his lips move as he speaks to ground control. Jamison explained everything I’d see and would be unable to hear or have him explain while he was piloting, so I know right now that he’s registering our flight plan, going over his preflight checks, then telling them he’s taking off.
He flips another switch, which lets me know I should feel the plane come to life. He even prepared me for how it would feel. The vibration, the way the plane would pick up speed as he took off down the runway and how my stomach would drop and my head might feel pressure when we rise in altitude. The last time I flew, my only focus had been Jamison. This time I can enjoy it.
Everything Jamison prepared me for happens. Even the turbulent wind that batters our plane, but I’m prepared for that too. He said the most important thing for me to do was to look out at the beautiful Alaskan landscape. So, I listen, and it takes my breath away. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful before. The last time I flew, I was too consumed to really enjoy it, sitting in the back. The mountains stretch into the distance, and the sun reflects off the lake, which is sparkling blue like a sapphire. The green snow-tipped forest stretches out as far as the eye can see.
“Thank you for this. It’s gorgeous, honey,”I speak into the headset.
Jamison won’t be able to sign while he’s piloting, but he wanted me to talk to him while we were flying. Said he wanted to hear my voice as I took it all in. He said to talk to him if I got nervous or worried. That he would be right there for me.
“I could stay up here forever.”I continue to use my voice to speak to my husband. I tell him how beautiful it is. How much I love him.
It takes us around thirty minutes to make the flight. Jamison lands on a small airstrip in Cordova and shuts down the plane. We will be staying the weekend down here. I also have some big news to tell him. I can’t wait, so after we unload the plane and make the drive to the inn, I take him in my arms in our room.
We have a full itinerary planned today. We will go to where his father is buried; check out the Hogan Ciphers that his parents uncovered together, which led them to falling in love; and meet his uncle, who has some additional items he wants to pass down to Jamison. But first, I have that secret to share.
Jamison is kissing me like he can’t help himself. He’s walking me back toward the bed, but I stop him. My husband’s brows rise in question.
I have something to tell you first. I’m pregnant. The sign is very universal, so after I show a pregnant belly, I leave my hands there. Feeling our child.
Jamison steals my lips, drags me into his arms, and lifts me off the ground. My legs wrap around his waist. His moan vibrates through me. God, I love when he does that. My entire body reacts to that sound, and I can’t even hear it.
He lays me back on the bed and works to remove our clothes. His palm travels over my belly when he exposes the skin there, then frees his hands to sign. I need to feel you, babe. He leans forward and steals my lips again.
I need to feel you too, I sign just as Jamison slips inside of me. After that, we become lost in one another. He tells me how much he loves me and how happy he is for our child.
By taking a risk in life, I was able to find my place.