Extended Epilogue

Five years later…

“Matilda Wakefield, what did I tell you about running away from your brother like that?” Octavia scolded her daughter, biting back her laughter when her perfect little lips turned to a pout.

The young girl’s messy, long black curls flowed down her back, complimenting her porcelain skin and bright green eyes.

Simon laughed and shook his head, sighing contentedly at his wife from his position opposite her on the blanket. “Let them by, my love. Running will only make him stronger.”

“Yes, but I don’t like it when he falls. It breaks my heart when their laughter suddenly turns to tears.” Octavia shook her head in disapproval when Alexander ran after his sister and toppled onto the grass, his chubby fists smashing into the dirt.

The sun shone brightly on them as the family enjoyed a picnic in the garden beside the roses that had continued to bloom for years in the manor gardens.

“I know what might help take your mind off of all your cares.” Simon gave her a cheeky smile as he stood and helped her to her feet.

Making a face, Octavia thrust her nose in the air. “Oh, are you finally going to take my side and stop your children from running like hooligans through the gardens.”

“Not likely.” Simon glanced over his shoulder at his son and daughter who had entered into yet another spirited game of chase.

At three years old, young Alexander giggled contentedly and tried his best to keep up with his sister. His blonde hair shone in the sun like strands of gold.

Shaking her head, Octavia relented to the situation and watched as Simon took a step back and clapped his hands. “What are you doing?”

“You will see.” Simon wiggled his eyebrows conspiratorially and gave her a boyish grin that tugged at her heart.

“What…” Her words trailed off as the corners of her mouth hooked into a smile.

The joyful sounds of a violin filled the air as Willy suddenly appeared around the side of the house.

Simon came to her side and took her hands in his. “You may have forgotten, but I have not. Today, five years ago, you made me the luckiest man alive. I know this song reminds you of your parents and the happy memories you shared as a child.”

“Oh, Simon.” A lump suddenly formed in her throat as tears welled in her eyes.”

“Now, now, Your Grace, there is no time for tears when a fiddle is playing.” He shot her a dashing smile before twirling her under his arm and spinning her into a dance.

The sound of their laughter beckoned the children as they squealed in delight and came running.

Scooping his daughter up in his arms while Alexander clung to his mother’s legs, Simon danced with his family.

“Thank you,” Octavia mouthed the words to him as Willy began to play a softer song. “Thank you for this and everything you have brought to my life since the day we were married.”

Placing his Matilda back on the grass while their son toddled off on a mission, Simon drew his wife closer and whispered in her ear, “Don’t thank me just yet; there is still one more thing that I wish to do today.”

Octavia smiled and raised her eyebrows in question. “And what about the children.”

“Don’t you worry about them; I have already called for reinforcements.” He nodded toward Mrs. Farley who was ambling toward them over the grass.”

The older woman was beginning to show her age, yet neither Simon nor Octavia could find it in their hearts to tell her that it was time to retire. She had meant so much to their family over the years that she was practically essential to their home.

“Come with me.” Simon nodded toward the stables and winked when the children went running to Mrs. Farley.

“Don’t you think it’s a little irresponsible of us to be fleeing the country when we haven’t said goodbye to our children?” Octavia laughed contentedly and allowed herself to be dragged along.

“It’s not quite another country, but I’m certain that you will enjoy this surprise.” His laughter mingled with hers as they picked up the pace and headed toward the stables, playfully spanking her on the bottom as they went.

***

Octavia licked her lips in anticipation as she stared at the pool beneath the waterfall where Simon had first shown her the joys of intimacy.

“Was this what you had in mind?” He came up from behind and placed his arms around her waist, hugging her tightly.

She leaned her head back on his shoulder and allowed him to kiss her neck before pulling away.

“Great minds think alike.” She turned to him with a cheeky grin and began to unlace the back of her dress.

“Are you challenging me?” His grin broadened.

“I don’t know, Your Grace. Do you want me to challenge you?” She allowed her dress to fall at her feet as she began to work the laces of her corset.

Reaching down with a bright smile, Simon began to remove his boots. “You know the sun will be setting soon?” He glanced up at the patch of sky that was visible beyond the canopy of trees.

Octavia however gained the upper hand as she removed her corset and quickly lifted her chemise over her head. “Well then, we had better get on with it!”

“That’s cheating!” Simon yelled after her as she dove head-first into the clear water.

Coming up on the other side of the pool, Octavia looked around in confusion. “Simon?” she called his name and turned around to check the water behind her.

Strong arms gripped her waist, lifting her into the air as she squealed in surprise.

“You may have gotten the best of me, but I still have a few tricks up my sleeves.” Simon laughed and lowered her into his arms, pulling across the pool to the rock where he had first sampled the delights between her thighs.

Octavia’s pulse raced when he turned her around and drew her naked body against his. The feeling of his erection pressing against her thigh drove her wild with lust as he kissed her neck, licking a path down to her chest.

“In the spirit of reliving things that happened after our wedding…” he took her hard nipple into his mouth and licked the rosy bud before lifting her onto the rocks.

Her knees fell open, parting her thighs as she lay back and shut her eyes.

Kissing the insides of her thighs, Simon made his way up her body before burying his head in her core.

Her breathing turned to moans when his tongue flicked over her folds, drawing a path to the most sensitive place of all.

“Simon…” her delighted gasp drove him on as he turned his head to the side and changed the angle of his tongue. Placing his hands on her thighs he guided her legs over his shoulders and reached up to cup her breasts.

Octavia propped herself up on her elbows and panted for more as Simon licked and teased at varying paces, pulling back whenever he sensed her muscles tensing. “You’re going to be the death of me, My Love.” She reached down and ran her fingers through the wet strands of his hair when he pulled her closer and teased her nipples.

Growling from between her thighs, Simon lifted his head just for a moment. “I won’t be the death of you, but this just might be…” He lowered his head again and doubled his efforts, lapping at her folds with increased vigor.

“Simon!” Octavia gasped loudly, feeling her breath turn to panting as her climax began to build. Her muscles shook and contorted as Simon licked her with unrelenting speed, forcing a scream from her throat as she wriggled and writhed on the rock.

Slowing his pace, Simon licked her down from the high as she caught her breath, allowing her a few moments of respite before pulling her into the water. “I hope you aren’t too tired; there is something else that I’d like to do to you now. I wanted to do it on that day five years ago, but now seems like a good time to make it come true.”

He lifted her in his arms and placed her legs around his waist, eliciting another gasp from her lips when he began to move inside of her.

Feeling the rush of sensations, Octavia leaned back and rode the waves of pleasure that created more than just a visceral response in her core.

Moans filled the air when Simon picked up the pace, using the rock at her back as leverage as he made love to his wife.

Their movements created ripples across the pool as the water lapped at the edges, adding to the motion of the water that moved their bodies in perfect synchronicity.

The motions lasted for quite a while before Octavia felt her muscles tensing again.

Simon’s face contorted with pleasure as he cried out into the night, releasing himself in her core.

Her moans filled the air as yet another orgasm ripped through her body, making her see white as she lost control over her limbs.

Holding her against his body, Simon waited for their breathing to subside before kissing her lips and nuzzling himself into her neck.

“That was quite something, Your Grace.” He held her in place, allowing the water to wash over their bodies. His hands moved up and down her sides, feeling the light layer of bumps that had formed across her skin.

Octavia finally regained control of her breathing and opened her eyes.

“Is it just me, or have we only gotten better at that as time goes on?”

She couldn’t help but smile at him as she placed her arms around his neck and allowed him to pull her into the middle of the pool.

“Well, you know what they say, practice makes perfect.” Simon held her gaze as the bright light of the moon reflected in her eyes.

“If that is the case, then I think that making love to you might just be the death of me. I almost blacked out during that second round.” She kissed his lips and drew closer to his body, feeling the warmth of his skin warding off the evening chill.

“Almost?” Simon asked with a frown. “I had better up try harder next time.” He shot her one of his cheeky grins that never failed to tug at her heart. Out of all of the adventures she’d experienced in her life, marrying Simon and siring his heirs had been the greatest.

Laughing under her breath, Octavia drew him in for a kiss, allowing his tongue to part her lips. Their breaths mingled together, reminding them of how good it felt to be one.

The moment seemed to linger on forever until Simon came up for breath. “I love you so much, Octavia; I only wish that I hadn’t been so stubborn at the start.”

Leaning in for another kiss, Octavia silenced his words before drawing back. “None of that matters now. All we need is each other; I wouldn’t change a single part of our story. The wait for your love only made me realize how much I truly wanted to be your wife. I love you too, Simon Wakefield. And if it takes the rest of my life to prove that to you, then that is what I shall do.”

“Do you think we should try for another heir? We don’t have nearly enough children for you to fuss over.” He smiled contentedly.

“Well, you know what they say, Your Grace, practice makes perfect.”

The moon shone down on the happy couple as they sank into the depths of the pool, fully enjoying each other’s company until it was time to return to their home.

The End.