Epilogue

EPILOGUE

IVY

I was knotted with a dozy Rome. Logan was sleeping too, his wonderfully resonant purr filling the whole nest. James was cuddling me, feeding me strawberries and indulging my fussiness over only wanting sweet, cold things. Our new bond was alive and thrumming between us, so his exasperation over my unbalanced nutrition was very obvious.

“James.”

“Yes, sweetheart.”

“I think winter is my favorite season.”

He looked pointedly at the palm trees swaying outside. The bright tropical sun beating down on the hot sand. Then back at me with his eyebrows raised.

“Right season, wrong hemisphere,” I said, undeterred. “Still counts though.”

James popped a strawberry in his mouth. “Any season with you is my favorite.”

He took in my grimace and laughed, unfazed that he had not stuck the landing for once in his life.

“It’s true though. Best year ever.” He kissed my hand.

I felt like the entire world looked forward to spring. But winter was the moment right at the top of a held breath. I sensed the anticipation in all our bonds. Of beginnings and possibility.

I let James feed me another strawberry and wondered if we would have a little boy or girl.

THE END