With each thrust, I felt the pain yielding, giving way to a burgeoning pleasure that started as a flicker and grew, steadily, surging, building, a crescendo of sensation that felt expansive and deep, as radiant as Andromeda herself.
We moved together, breaths mingling, bodies entwined in a dance as old as time yet utterly new and breathtaking in its intimacy and discovery. And when I felt the tide rising, felt the rush of warmth, the spiral of intensity winding tighter and tighter, DJ whispered encouraging words in my ear, his breath hot and erratic against my skin as he too approached his peak.
His lips dropped to my birthmark and gently sucked. My eyes rolled back and a moan broke free from my lips as I once again reached my climax. DJ buried his face into the side of my neck as he came, breathing heavily as we trembled together in the aftershocks. Lying in a tangle of limbs and satisfaction, the silent library around us felt transformed, a sanctuary of secrets, of shared experiences, of a connection that transcended words.
We lay there for what felt like an eternity, a bubble of stolen time where Rory and DJ existed in a space untethered from reality, from judgments, from expectations. We kissed and held each other in silent understanding that this was an ending. I expected guilt to overtake my heart when his eyes met mine, but all I felt was an overwhelming sense of calm. This night would forever remain etched in my memories, a night of passion forged in starlight and tender touches.
Eventually, we dressed, smiles shy and tender. And as weunlocked the library door, stepping back into the world, we carried with us the secret knowledge of each other, a moment in time where I imagined Rory became a constellation in DJ's sky, and he became a treasured chapter in my unfolding story.
DJ held my hand and walked me back to the stateroom I shared with Skye and Tori. Once at the door he slid his fingers along my jaw until his hand gripped the side of my neck, thumb stroking my jawline as he looked into my eyes. “I had a really great time with you this week, Rory,” he said.
“Me, too,” I replied, my smile stretching clear across my face as I pushed up onto my tip toes and kissed him one last time. “Goodnight, DJ.” I lowered my feet back down, opened the door, and glanced back at his unforgettable half smile as I slowly closed it behind me.
“Alis, are you up?”The knocks on my bedroom door pull me from my reverie.
“I’m in here, mom,” I reply, indicating that I'm in Belle’s room rather than mine.
“Good morning, sweetheart.” Mom enters with Sunny perched on her hip and plants a kiss atop my head. “Morning,” I respond, attempting a reassuring smile.
“Did you sleep alright?” I might have, but Mom bears the unmistakable pallor of restless nights.
“Yeah, you?” I ask, even though I suspect the answer.
“Briefly," she admits. "Listen, honey, your father and I need to pick up Alex’s parents from the airport, then head to the funeral home to make arrangements. Would you watch Sunny while we’re out?”
”Of course,” I reply, standing up and reaching for Sunny. “We'll have a day filled with stories about mama, won’t we, little one?”
Sunny beams, a thread of drool connecting her fingers to her lips, her eyes bright with anticipation. As morning light pours throughthe curtains, illuminating Sunny's radiant face, she seems untouched by the shadow of grief blanketing the adults. For a brief moment, I envy her blissful ignorance. I then gently take her from Mom.
Cradling Sunny, I'm reminded of both solace and the devastating loss of her mother. Memories of Belle — her infectious laughter, the countless hours we shared deep conversations and light-hearted banter — form a void in my heart, threatening to consume me. But today, for Sunny's sake, I must emulate the strength and warmth that Belle always provided.
Mom nods at me, her face a canvas of fatigue and sadness, yet adorned with a brave smile, one that tries to mask the pain but can’t quite manage it. She kisses Sunny’s forehead, lingering a bit, as if trying to absorb the innocence and the blissful ignorance bestowed upon the tiny life in my arms.
She turns and walks toward the stairs, her figure diminishing with each step, leaving a hollow echo in her wake. As the door clicks shut, I pull Sunny close to my chest, feeling her tiny heartbeat, so strong, so vibrant. It’s a grounding pulse in a reality that seems so distorted, so unreal. I hug her a bit tighter, reassuring myself that life, in its purest, most innocent form, was right here in my arms, a fragment of Belle, untouched and untamed by the cruel circumstances.
"I love you, Sunny," I whisper to her, the words catching in my throat as I fight back tears. In this room filled with remnants of joyful memories and echoes of laughter, I make a silent promise to myself and to Belle — that Sunny will grow up knowing the depth of her mother's love, her spirit, and the beautiful soul that she was.
We sit there, the morning light wrapping around us like a warm hug, as I begin to tell Sunny stories. Stories of her mother's bravery, of her warmth, of the adventures we had, and the love she poured out to everyone around her.
TEN
Alis
The following two weeks are,thankfully, uneventful. Sunny made a few friends in her class and she’s starting to feel more comfortable in her new school. Skye got a job at a locally-owned coffee house downtown, and I am officially ready for the semester to begin on Monday.
“Navigating your filing system is like going digital spelunking. I have no idea how you find anything in all those subfolders.” Skye is sitting next to me on the couch while I finish setting up grading folders in my drive.
“At least I have a system. You just dump everything onto your desktop. I have no idea how you find anything.” Skye scoffs and presses her pointer finger to my right glasses lens. I immediately react by slapping her arm, using my other hand to slide my laptop to the coffee table as she tries to scurry away. I grab her ankle before she succeeds, only to be met with a pillow to the face courtesy of Sunny.
“Ugh, Skye! Why do you always do that?!” Skye and Sunny are laughing hysterically while I dig around in the side table drawer for alens wipe, to no avail.Dammit, I forgot to add a new pack of them to my grocery order.
I have issues with dirty lenses. The easiest way to avoid this pet peeve is to wear contacts, but no thanks. However, my glasses have to be spotless or I can’t focus on anything else until they’re cleaned. Smudged lenses are like gnats — all up in my face and annoying as hell.
After finally finding a microfiber cloth in the kitchen, I clean my glasses and go to retrieve my computer. Skye and Sunny are once again curled up on the couch, entranced in some reality show as if they didn’t just team up and attack me.
“I’m going to bed. Sunny, you have school tomorrow so make sure you’re in bed by nine.”
She looks up at me and pouts, “But the show goes until 9:30!”
