Epilogue

Eventually we're both ready to leave.

We tidy up the cabin before we go. The air smells fresh and crisp. Pine needles and a hint of smoke from the fireplace. The river is still full of water, but it's more of a trickle than a raging stream.

The SUV is still stuck in the mud.

But now the cell service is back and I manage to call a tow company. They arrive with two different trucks and a team of people and are able to get the SUV free. We are driven down to the nearest town where we're able to get a new rental car.

By late afternoon the park has reopened and we are back, driving through a tunnel and exiting at the entrance to the awe-inspiring Yosemite Valley. We park right after the tunnel and do the tourist thing—pictures of ourselves with Half Dome and El Capitan in the background, and the majesty of the entire valley, scraped eons ago by retreating glaciers.

Groups of people stand nearby with a variety of accents and languages, from all over the world, trying to capture the same sights. We hold hands and take pictures too. They others stare often at Justice because he looks different and yet amazing, still in all black leather and now black aviator sunglasses.

I make sure to wear a V-neck shirt and my hair in a ponytail though, to show off the bite mark on my neck.

Then we get back into the new rental and Justice starts the car and we leave this view and head down the twisty road. The sun is out and the flood waters have already retreated, leaving behind sparkling light and the heavy flow of waterfalls. The green grasses and wildflowers on the valley floor meadows are already recovering and gleam brighter than before.

"I'm still climbing Half Dome after we're done with the conferences," Justice announces. "We'll just stay longer here after the meeting, instead of before. Will you still try and climb it with me?"

"Yes, but there's no way I'm doing El Cap, you're on your own there, mister."

He laughs and takes my hand in his and places our entwined fingers on his thigh while he drives us along the road to our next destination.

Finally, we make it to the historic Ahwahnee Hotel. We stop at valet parking and I walk into the lobby and take it all in, knowing I'm standing somewhere where heads of state and Kings and Queens have visited. And this time instead of me hearing second-hand about Justice's exploits, I'm able to be right there with him.

He smiles wide at everyone we meet, looking happier than I've ever seen him. He loudly introduces me to everyone as "my wife, Ivy Bloodworth."

"I'm not really your wife," I whisper. "And you're not my husband yet."

He looks comically indignant. "Yes, you are and yes I am."

"No," I shake my head. "There's a whole human ceremony and legal documents to sign here on Earth for that to happen."

He crooks an eyebrow. "I will research further and make this happen. You are indeed my mate though according to Korn law our joining is legal and binding. You are now Ivy Bloodworth and part of my extended family line. You also carry my offspring."

I blink and automatically place a hand on my flat stomach. He can't know that I'm pregnant this soon, can he?

Justice moves swiftly leading us upstairs to our room. He never leaves my side. Two rooms were originally booked at the hotel, but we stay in his room, which is larger.

The moment we're alone and the door closed behind us he's taking my clothes off and I'm unbuckling his pants and we're all over each other again. He sighs with relief the moment he's able to sink inside of me again.

We lounge in bed that night and the next day, having sex all day long because he says the frenzy is still heady.

Like I mind.

The conference turnsout to be a hit.

And the two of us end up falling in love with this area in California. The mountains, the foothills and even the edge of the San Joaquin valley that's located three hours away down below. It's all wild and free and yet not too far from an airport and civilization.

Hale Bloodworth likes Montana.

Justice Bloodworth prefers the Sierra Nevadas.

The two of them communicate and work together often and I've become close with Hale's human wife, Sabine and their new baby girl they named Primrose.

One month after later, Justice rents us a large log cabin in a small town named Bass Lake and we are enjoying living there while we get to know the area better.

Soon after he surprises me with a human style wedding proposal, on bended knee and an enormous, sparkling diamond ring. We are having brunch, at our favorite restaurant, seated right next to the windows with a perfect view of the sparkling lake. I cried and said yes of course. Everyone in the restaurant clapped for us. The whole community up here in the mountains has been so welcoming, loving how much we also love this area.

Now I'mthree months pregnant and we're getting married.

We say our vows on a meadow on the valley floor with a chapel nearby and all the glory of Yosemite around us. "This is my favorite location on your planet," Justice says. El Cap and Half Dome in the background of our lives again, which I did manage to hike.

My dad walks me down the aisle and he's beaming with pride. Watching Joseph King hand me off to Justice Bloodworth is one for the ages.

The reception is held at the Oakhurst Country Club.

Lots of Korn arrive because we told them with enough time that they could take the month-long journey. Many of his family are here and I'm happy to have the ability to get to know everyone who is important to Justice.

I spend time at the reception with Sabine and baby Prim because I"m enchanted knowing what my own child will eventually look like. Sabine's baby has lighter hair, not black like all Korn. She does have black eyes and tiny starter fangs.

My new friend, Sabine, meets my gaze. "I'm so happy to have met you. It'll be nice having someone who can understand what I'm going through…"

My eyes grow hot. "I feel the same. The same."

And we hug.

Then Justice pulls me up so we can cut the cake.

"Are you happy with this?" he whispers in my ear.

"I'm so very happy. I love you so much," I remind him.

Then he shoves a slice of chocolate cake in my mouth and all I can do is laugh.