Epilogue

Early the following Tuesday, I wake up and stretch, surprised to realize that Seth is still sound asleep beside me. Trying to curtail my stretches belatedly in an effort to keep him from waking, I carefully turn onto my side to watch him sleep. Resting my hand on his bare chest, I feel his heartbeat and I sigh in contentment.

Our honeymoon was wonderful. Fishing everyday, cooking our meals together, and hiking were daily activities. And after the first two days, lovemaking resumed and it was always followed by a warm bath, as prescribed by the good doctor, so I would not get too stiff or sore. There were even a couple of times he joined me, which was absolutely delightful. Just thinking about those times, sitting in the tub between his legs, as he wrapped his arms around me, with me leaning back against his chest, causes my body to grow warm even now.

Being with Seth has been incredibly satisfying, far more than I ever anticipated. It was probably due to the fact that I never allowed myself to think about it before. Unless it happened in a dream, there was never anything more than a passing thought that I would banish as soon as it occurred. The reality of being with him has been that he knows me. Even though the intimate parts of my body are new to him, he understands me so well that he has quickly discerned from my reactions and tone of voice what I like and what I don't. He has been able to immediately meet my needs and desires, in ways that I doubt another person could have ever done.

Those first few days were intense. As much as I felt ready for intimacy again, allowing myself to give up control and trust Seth with my body as well as my heart was initially terrifying. But as frustrating as the few times were when he halted what I wanted to do in bed, he had also given me such a feeling of peace and safety, knowing that he would protect me no matter what. In the end, instead of feeling weak or breakable, I felt loved and cherished. Especially that first night in Acadia, when he pleasured me without intercourse. It had been so vulnerable to allow him to do that, letting all the walls finally tumble down since Frank died, permitting someone else, even though that person is now my husband, free access to my body. I knew in those moments after my climax, when he simply held me and told me to go to sleep despite his own arousal, how much he loved me and how safe I was in his arms.

Returning home on Sunday, just two days ago, we were surprised with a massive party at the Hill House with most of the town in attendance. Mort had been waiting for us to arrive home that afternoon, knowing our general estimated time of arrival. As soon as we got home, Mort made up an excuse about an old friend in town that we had to see that instant. Seth lost his temper, telling Mort that no way were we going anywhere, as I was going upstairs to bed, causing me to smile and tell them both that I felt fine.

Seth caved though, when Mort admitted that the person who was in town was Grady.

"Grady? Why did he come without telling me? Is everything alright with Donna and little Frank? And why aren't they staying here?"

"They are all fine, Mrs. F. But they somehow found out about your surgery and came up to see you."

"How did they find out? I didn't tell them and I know Seth didn't tell them. And why would they visit when I am not home?" I asked suspiciously.

"Doc, Mrs. F, for Pete's sake, just come with me for a few minutes and if you want to turn around and come back home, I will drive you back personally."

Smiling to myself, I recalled walking through to the outdoor patio with Seth's arm around my shoulder, hearing all the shouts of congratulations from everyone we know and love here. Eve had planned it all with Mort, despite his own lack of enthusiasm. Even though she let us both know that she was extremely put out that she had found out from her cousin, she did make sure that Grady and Seth's daughter, Margie and both of their families were here. It was a lovely party with a cake and flowers and even a local jazz band to dance to. We only stayed a couple of hours, but it was delightful.

Even though yesterday was a Monday, Grady and Margie and their families stayed in Cabot Cove, so that both Seth and I could have some quality time with them. Thankfully, they understood why we got married the way we did and seemed to just be happy that I am well and Seth and I are married. Before they all left town last night, Grady kissed my cheek and said that he understood that Seth was now the most important man in my life, but he hoped he was still a big part of my life. I cried when he said that and said of course he was. He is like my son and always will be.

After both families left last night, we went straight to bed. I barely had the energy to change into my pajamas and brush my teeth, before collapsing beside Seth. He pulled me close to him, kissing my cheek, before I fell into a deep sleep.

Now, it is Tuesday morning, and I feel a little melancholy knowing that life is about to shift again to some degree of routine and normalcy. Seth is bound to go to work this morning and even though it has only been a month since turning in my last manuscript, Vaughn has been telling me that rewrites are coming any day. I think he has hesitated to send them thus far, knowing that I was recovering, but I did reply to an email this weekend, letting him know we were returning from our honeymoon, so he is bound to send them this week.

It was good to see our family the past two days and even though Eve threw a party as soon as we returned, which was exhausting, it was convenient that she told everyone for us! Now, I don't have to worry about who knows and who doesn't or even if someone had their feelings hurt. We can go to Mara's and Loretta's and I can go shopping, and while I am sure there will be a lot of comments, the burden will not be on me to tell anyone. So, in the end, Eve did us a favor in more ways than just giving us a party.

Seth begins to shift in his sleep, but I keep my hand firmly on his chest, as I move closer to him.

"Good morning, my love."

"It is a good morning, waking up to you, Jess," he says as he leans down to kiss my lips.

"I thought you would be up before me. Don't you have patients today?"

He shakes his head no.

"I told Beverly on Sunday at the party that we would be with family yesterday, which meant that I would need today with just you. I told her to cancel everything until Wednesday. I will probably need to work long days the rest of the week, but you and I need some time today to be together after the activity of the past forty-eight hours."

I smile widely, "That's wonderful, Seth. I am so pleased."

He squints his eyes at me, still trying to keep them closed, "You know you look delicious like that?"

"Delicious? What are you talking about?"

Before answering, he leans over to kiss me and begins unbuttoning my pajama top.

"Just what I said, Jess, delicious. So fresh and bright-eyed that you glow in the morning with energy and excitement. I need you, my love," he whispers, even as my heart starts to pound and I inhale in expectation.

I sigh in his ear, whispering, "Make love to me, Seth."

"With pleasure," he says, turning me on my back, as he positions himself over me.

Our moans and gasps of delight are frequent, but we love each other with a slower and more measured pace this morning, taking our time to express what we feel for each other, in every kiss, touch, and caress. By the time we both reached our climaxes, with Seth holding both of my hands to the sides of our bodies, staring into each other's eyes and crying out each other's names, we once again reassured one another of just how much we love and feel for each other.

We belong to each other. Forever.

Kissing him again, before we shift to our sides in an embrace, Seth kisses my forehead, and asks what else I want to do today.

I chuckle, gazing up at him, and say, "We haven't been to Mara's since before my surgery. I think I have gotten my exercise in already this morning and I deserve some of her blueberry pancakes."

He laughs in reply and says, "Yes, you most certainly do."

When I move to get out of the bed, he pinches my bottom, and I shriek. I turn back around and begin tickling him, but he grasps both my arms, holding them to my sides. We both begin laughing uncontrollably.

After we both catch our breath, Seth leans to kiss me again, and says, "Okay, no sudden movements. I promise not to pinch you again and you don't tickle me. Let's just agree to get dressed and go to breakfast. Otherwise, we won't leave the bed until lunchtime and everyone will know why we didn't get there in time for breakfast."

I smirk at him, before nodding in agreement.

"I love you, Seth."

"I love you, Jess. Truce?"

"Truce. But I want it known that I am only agreeing to this truce, because I want pancakes."

"Alright," he says with a smirk and releases my arms and we both get out of bed to put our clothes on, keeping each other in view, making sure that neither of us is going to be sneaky.

I'm not about to delay us now with the promise of blueberry pancakes on the horizon.

Every day with Seth is sweet.