Page 164 of Range
EPILOGUE
Five days later…
Water cascadeddown Range’s back. Suds washed away like the worries of her world. I’d questioned what completion must’ve felt like so many times before.
This moment…
This moment was it.
For me.
Slow melodies played on the surround sound in the bedroom. The lights above us were dimmed to the lowest setting possible. There was a quietness, a connectedness, between us that brought me indescribable comfort.
Confidently, I understood who the woman in front of me was. And, until my last breath, I’d love her as if she could never be loved by another human. I’d love her relentlessly. I’d love her wholeheartedly. I’d love her loudly. I’d love her into oblivion.
And if anything happened to her on my watch, the state of Huffington wouldn’t be able to withstand my wrath. I’d only known Range for five months, but it felt like four lifetimes. There wasn’t a line I wouldn’t cross for her. For her, I was boundless.
Overcome with gratitude, I allowed the sponge to fall onto the floor. I wrapped my arms around Range. My hands embraced the curve of her stomach. She leaned back, placing her head on my shoulder. Together, we swayed.
Side to side.
I closed my eyes, breath hiking in my chest. Contentment fulfilled me. Though close, I wished I were closer.
In her skin.
In her head.
In her chest.
I wanted to know how her brain worked. How fast and how slow her heart beats. How well her skin barriers were working.
I kissed her ear. Then, her neck. My nostrils swelled with emotions. Nothing could’ve prepared me for the goodness that would come from my incarceration. I’d lay down and do that little time again if it would land me right here. With her. Holding our precious children in my hands as she nursed them in her womb.
“I love you,” Range whispered.
My chest caved. My tears disguised themselves with the water on her back. I didn’t have the strength to respond. But she knew. She’d always know. I’d make sure it was never a question if I loved her. All of her.
Good.
Bad.
Better.
Thirty minutes elapsedbefore we mustered the strength to emerge from the shower. Time was of the essence. I didn’t have much time to spare. I wrapped Range like a long burrito and headed into the bedroom we shared.
Once she was comfortable on the bed, I grabbed the parfum oil she’d chosen from her collection. I pumped some onto my hands and began massaging it into her soft skin.
Neck.
Shoulders.
Chest.
Right breast.
Left breast.
Stomach.
