Blue Moon #3 (Story of Us Series - Into the Blue) - Sydney Jamesson Page 0,127

the guillotine.” I stick out my tongue and draw my forefinger across my throat, causing her to giggle. Seeing her having so much fun only reaffirms what I have known all along—she belongs right here with me.

“Oh Ayden, they’d never sleep for the nightmares.” She straightens her dress, slips her shoes back on and reaches for my hand, leading me back to the water’s edge.

We stand as one, watching the world go by—my arm rests across her shoulders, her arm curves tightly around my waist; the vision of what’s about to become our world is illuminated by sun rays descending from the sky like slivers of heavenly light.

I point up at the gap in the clouds. “I know what you’re going to say. That’s a good omen, right?” I feel her shoulders shaking beneath my arm. I pull her close, tuning in to the sounds of nature all around us; the plop of a fish breaching, birdsong in the trees and the distant cry of peacocks caught on the breeze.

My head falls in a theatrical display of disapproval. “Damn those bloody birds. They will insist on making themselves heard.” I take hold of the basket and pass the blanket to Beth.

She folds it over her arm. “You’d better get used to it. They’ve been residents here for centuries and they’re here to stay.”

“Yes, they are.” I lift up the picnic basket and prepare to lead the way back to the helicopter. “You know what, Beth? In spite of those birds, I think we’re going to like it here.”

Beth turns, takes my left hand and places it on her stomach, keeping it in place with her own. “Guess who’s awake?”

Poking out from beneath her dress are tiny limbs—elbows and toes. Not wanting to be left out of the celebration, our babies have awoken—they’re wriggling and kicking, eager to join us in our world. I feel them against my hand and smile.

“They’re excited,” Beth says, giggling.

“Seems that way,” I remark, happy to stand and enjoy the sensation of two miracles making their presence felt.

Beth raises her hand from mine and caresses my face. “They’re going to love it here.”

“I think so too.” I reposition her hand over my lips and kiss her palm. “Let’s get you three home, you need your nap before dinner.”

We stroll back to the helicopter hand-in-hand like a pair of young lovers. I pause, remembering something my mother had said…

“What is it?” Beth asks, noticing my wistful expression.

“I just thought of something… My mother told me about her and Henry when they were young; how they would go for long walks around the estate. They’d disappear for hours, far away from disapproving eyes and take turns reading the classics.” Beth is nodding, she can visualise it.

“As the summer came and went, they became inseparable and fell in love. They were young, and had no idea of how their lives would turn out. I wonder if they would have behaved differently if they had known how the cruel hand of fate was about to shape their future.”

I look into Beth’s expectant eyes; they’re overflowing with love—a love so pure and unadulterated it spears its way to my heart. “Maybe they stood on this very spot…?”

I look back at the archway of twigs and branches leading to where we picnicked and planned our future. I picture them having done the same. “Isn’t it strange how history repeats itself? She was pregnant with Sofia and me…”

“Yes it is. We’re one big family now: us, your mother, Sofia, Sylvia, Patrick, Jake, Charlie and now your father and his family too. Everyone is coming together. You’ve made that happen.”

I nod, marvelling at the way in which my beautiful wife makes sense of it all in a couple of sentences. “It’s been a long, hard road, but we’re almost home, Beth—almost.” I kiss her cheek, feeling the heat of it against my lips. “Just wait until you see the chateau from above…”

I SWEAR I’VE MARRIED a sex kitten.

Beth woke me again at three this morning unable to sleep, as horny as hell and so frustrated that I barely had time to wake before she was primed and ready to go. In my semi-conscious, semi-erect state, I responded instinctively to her impatient hand fisting my cock. She covered my mouth with hers and kissed me while I lay back, feeling like the luckiest man alive.

I took her weight and lifted her on top of me, helping her position herself just right. With her nightie ruffled