Epilogue
"Mother, watch! I'm going to shatter the wickets!" Elizabeth's youngest son, Abel, called out.
"I'm watching," Elizabeth answered with a smile.
She and Darcy both watched as all nine of their children, including Thomas who was now twenty-five summers old, played cricket with the other children of the tribe. Elizabeth had introduced the sport, and Darcy had carven a bat, as well as a ball and wickets for the game. The tribe had loved the sport ever since.
Everyone cheered when Abel was successful in his endeavour (except, of course, the opposing team, which included Georgiana's seven children). Once the game was over, all the players raced over to the fire for dinner, which included rabbit stew with roots and greens, as well as fresh raspberries.
The tribe had almost doubled in size since Elizabeth's arrival, now inhabiting two large caves rather than the original one. Thomas and his mate and their two children lived in the other cave, but Elizabeth's and Darcy's youngest children still remained with them.
Toward the end of the meal, Elizabeth could feel Darcy's big hand stroking her back, and then he ran the tip of his nose up the side of her neck. Taking the cue, she cleaned out their now-empty clay bowls, and they slipped away to the cave, where they would have a little privacy while the children listened to the music and story-telling. Darcy was on Elizabeth at once as soon as they reached their furs, and she giggled to find him on top of her, until his mouth stopped her laugh with a kiss. She moaned, and drew him further on top of her. They made love with a fervency and tenderness that had not left them since they were young. Afterwards, they collapsed together down in the furs, and Darcy held Elizabeth close, placing soft, languid kisses on her neck.
"I love you, Darcy," she said, her eyes shining in the darkness.
He looked back at her with that adoration on his face that she had seen for over twenty years. "I love you too, my darling Elizabeth."
THE END
