One more stroke of red and—done! My cramped fingers reluctantly released the paintbrush as I admired my husband on the most beautiful beach in Hawaii. The painting wasn't the masterpiece I'd lost in the fire, but maybe it was better. It had a certain kind of beauty that had been lacking in my old work, a stillness that I hoped to bring to people when they looked at this new work.
Drake walked over and wrapped his arms around me. "It's amazing." He kissed my cheek. "You're amazing."
I turned my body into him. Our new summer home was still being built, so we had chosen to stay in a private beach house for our honeymoon. Already I loved married life, and my husband, though I missed Ana, who had stayed with Robyn and the gang in Washington.
Robyn had cried when I asked her to be the primary care person, showing her that I did, in fact, trust her.
We had plans, wonderful plans—art school in Washington; summers in Hawaii, with Drake teaching the kids to surf; a life of following our dreams and doing what we loved.
Drake nuzzled my neck. "You're happy. I love feeling you so happy."
His new powers were still untapped, unexplored, and it was a lot for him to take in, but I was so proud of how well he'd adapted. "I love you, my husband."
"I love you, my wife."
He lifted me up and I squealed as he carried me into our bedroom and dropped me onto the bed.
"Now, what were our plans today?"
I pulled him closer to me and covered his mouth with mine, as I showed him exactly what our plans were for the day, and for the rest of our lives.
—THE END—