“I don’t need that,” Kristan argued when he started to wrap a bandage around her head.
“Yes you do,” Liz shot back immediately. She nodded to him. “Just do it,” she ordered.
Next it was her turn, and Kristan waited patiently by her side while a specialist took a good look at her knee. She grinned when Liz declined the crutches that he offered.
“If I have to wear this,” she laughed, pointing at her head, “then you use the crutches, doc. Non negotiable.”
An hour later they both stood at the entrance to the hospital, alone, staring at the pale blue Ford Focus that Omaru had got for them from the only hire place in town. Liz shot a quick glance at Kristan and she leaned against her, bumping her shoulder softly.
“He wasn’t able to get another Porsche at such short notice, darling,” she explained, amused at the slightly offended look on her partner’s face. “Thank you for driving so hard to come and get me that you busted the suspension on the Cayenne.”
Kristan shook her head at the replacement car.
“I’m sure I could get us better transport,” she observed. “And it’s late, too. I don’t know about you, but I don’t fancy another hotel tonight.”
“You’re right, it is getting late. And I don’t think you should drive.”
“I could get James to pick us up,” Kristan pointed out with a little smile.
Liz opened her eyes wide at the thought.
“You want to fly back home tonight?”
Kristan nodded.
“What would you like to do, babe?” she asked softly.
Liz thought about Kristan’s comfortable cottage back at the Park, with views of the lake and the mountains, tucked away on the edge of a soothing rainforest and not far from the beach. She remembered the heavy rugs and the big fire and the comfortable bed where they had made love for the first time, and she took out her phone and handed it straight to Kristan with a huge smile on her face.
“I would like to go home please,” she murmured.
Epilogue
James flew them home, and Kristan was delighted to see that he looked so well. Later he would tell them how he had spoken to Omaru about Melissa, after he had smelled cigarette smoke on her one morning when she was at the Park. He had told Omaru immediately, and then Pam had come forward to confirm it and share her concerns about Mel; if not for those valuable bits of information, things might not have ended up so well for Liz and Kristan.
But there would be time for talking.
For now the two women opted to sit in the back, holding on tight to one another. It was obvious that they were both exhausted, and James took his cue from them. He was quiet most of the way as he flew nice and safe all the way back to the Holiday Park. Thanks to him they got home just before nightfall, and Kristan was delighted to find the cottage exactly as she had left it.
It was chilly inside at first, but not after they had shared a long hot shower and changed into warm clean clothes. Kristan quickly built a fire, and Liz thought about food but her partner was not hungry and to be honest neither was she.
They simply curled up together on the couch, and Kristan sighed as Liz rubbed her fingers gently against the back of her neck and softly up into her hair.
“Hmmm,” she murmured. “That’s nice.”
Liz smiled a little, stifling a yawn and struggling to keep her eyes open.
“I’m so glad it is all over.”
“Me too.”
“Now we can focus on the important things.”
“Like… sleep?” Kristan mumbled.
Liz chuckled and she grinned, but she was too tired to speak and Kristan laughed with her, sinking lower against the pillows.
“Not kidding,” she said, “we need to go to bed…”
But Liz was already asleep, and Kristan decided that the couch would do just fine. She rested her cheek against her lover’s hair, closed her eyes, and drifted off with a smile on her lips.
James had not told anybody that they were back in town yet, thus buying them a little bit of alone time, and so they spent the next day sleeping, walking on the beach, and simply enjoying each other’s company. It was wonderful to be feeling safe again, and Kristan shook her head a little as they ambled slowly past the kayak shed.
“Penny for your thoughts,” Liz said gently.
Kristan looked sad.
“I was just thinking about Mel. I still can’t believe what she did.”
“To Mike?”
“Yes. And kidnapping you,” Kristan said fiercely.
“And shooting you in the chest,” Liz added softly, tightening her hold on her lover’s hand.
“Yeah. That too.”
Kristan looked tense all of a sudden, and Liz did not want her to get anchored in the past.
“It’s over now,” she reminded her gently.
There was nothing she could do to bring Mike back, and she knew that Kristan was thinking about him.
Then her partner said something incredibly beautiful.
“I don’t believe in death, you know.”
“No?”
Kristan smiled a little, looking up at the sky and the mountains.
“No. I think it’s just a transfer of attention. Mike is still out there in some other form. He’s still alive, in another form. There is a lot more to this world than we can see. I know he’s okay, even if I can’t see him.”
Liz looked away for a second because she did not want Kristan to see her cry. She took a deep breath of clear mountain air.
“I booked us a table in Paradise tonight,” she said softly then.
Kristan looked surprised.
“Really? When did you do that?”
“When you were out getting some wood.”
“Okay. Sure. You know I love the place.”
Liz nodded, her eyes shining.
“I have a surprise for you,” she announced.
“What is it?”
Liz laughed at the expectant look on Kristan’s face.
“Wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you, now, would it?”
Kristan shrugged, grinning.
“Is it something I can keep?”
“Stop asking.”
“Did you buy me a new Porsche?” Kristan exclaimed, enjoying the teasing and loving the soft blush that suddenly coloured her partner’s cheeks.
“I will not tell you anything,” Liz repeated with a chuckle. “You may as well give it up now.”
“Is it something that…”
Liz threw her arms around her neck and silenced her with a kiss. She slipped her hands underneath Kristan’s shirt and let her fingers dance over her stomach, caressing the hard muscles and remembering what she looked like when she was naked.
“Shall we go back inside?” she murmured.
Kristan nodded, her eyes serious as Liz kissed her again.
“Anything you want,” she whispered.
Paradise looked different when Kristan and Liz walked in that evening. Kristan looked around for a couple of seconds before she realised what it was. The place was empty. All the candles were lit, music was playing softly on the speakers, and the atmosphere was as pleasant and romantic as ever, but no one else was around.
“What’s going on?” she frowned.
“Nothing,” Liz replied with a little smile. “I just thought you might like to spend some time alone in Paradise with me.”
Kristan looked at her, her eyes turning soft as always at the sight of her partner. Liz was wearing white trousers and a new red silk top. Her hair was up in an elaborate twist and a few small strands had escaped to just come brush the side of her neck. Her charcoal black eyes looked as though they were burning with a secret fire.
“Come,” she smiled, and she took Kristan’s hand.
She led her to a table in the middle of the patio.
“Where are the waiters?” Kristan enquired.
“Doesn’t matter. This is ours.”
The table was set for two, and someone h
ad scattered rose petals over and all around it.
Kristan shook her head in wonder.
She was smiling, and she looked incredibly handsome in a simple pair of jeans and a fitted black blazer over a white t-shirt.
“What have you done?” she chuckled.
Liz gestured for her to sit down and she took the seat across from her.
“Don’t worry,” she smiled. “The staff are still here… I just asked if we could have a bit of time alone first thing.”
“Okay,” Kristan nodded. “What’s the occasion?”
Liz leaned forward a little and clasped her hand in both of hers.
“You know how much I love you, don’t you?” she started, looking a little nervous.
“I love you just as much, doc,” Kristan said softly.
“And I want to have a baby with you.”
“Yes.”
Liz stood up and walked round to Kristan’s side of the table.
“You are so beautiful,” Kristan murmured.
Liz gave her a soft kiss.
“So are you, my love.”
She took a step back and fished in her pocket for a little black box. She got down on one knee.
Kristan stared at her and almost forgot to breathe. Her heart started to thunder in her chest as Liz opened the little box and took a beautiful white gold ring out of it.
She looked into her lover’s sparkling blue eyes and spotted love so pure there it made her heart ache.
“Kristan, I want to spend the rest of my life with you,” she murmured, smiling softly. “Will you marry me?”
She watched as her lover’s eyes filled with tears. But Kristan did not even have to think.
She leaned forward, looking intense.
“Every day I spend with you, I love you more,” she whispered, her voice husky with emotion. “Yes.”
“Yes?” Liz repeated, delighted.
“Yes.”
Kristan stood up and pulled Liz up with her.
She was trembling a little, and laughing at the same time.
“Liz, nothing would make me happier than to be your wife. And I want you to be mine.”
Liz slid the ring on her finger. She knew it would be a perfect fit. She looked up into Kristan’s eyes and rested her forehead against hers. When they kissed, it felt just like coming home.
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