Thumar
Epilogue

The fourth day dawned with their naked bodies still entwined, completely satisfied, but hungering for more. Shesain finally rose and headed to the bathroom while Derak warmed the prepared breakfast. She emerged, dressed in her sheer robe and sat down next to him, rubbing her toes on the back of his calf. She purred like a very satisfied cat.

They quickly finished their meal, cleaned up, and were ready to return to bed. They both looked around and had a good laugh. Anything that wasn’t nailed down, was completely out of place. The bottom sheet on the bed was barely hanging on. The duvet and top sheet were at opposite ends of the room. They straightened out the bottom sheet and lounged on the pillows retrieved from the floor.

“Mmmm, I’ll have to challenge you more often.”

“My lance can stand up to any of your challenges, my lady.”

She laughed and gave him with a passionate kiss. “We have three more hours before we have to get ready to leave, you know.”

“Time to displace the bottom sheet, again?”

She slid on top of him.

The alarm went off. They remained locked in an embrace, on the floor, wrapped in the bottom sheet. Derak kissed her and then helped his beautiful wife off the floor. They took a leisurely shower and returned to their room. It was now cleaned and organized, their clothes laid out on the bed. Derak watched Shesain dress, feeling a minor regret. But the regret would be short lived; they were going to leave for the honeymoon after the family meal.

When they emerged from the building, the newlyweds were greeted by a cheering family

group. Everyone was there: Derak’s family, Shesain’s family, Jack, Shenar, Therese, Karn, Tom, Tara, Calvin, Paulos, and Betrawn. Hugs, kisses, and pats on the back were exchanged before the group departed in their air cars. Jack and Shenar rode with Derak and Shesain. Remor’s vehicle led the way.

They landed at a palatial estate, with groomed grounds and a magnificent residence. The group congregated in front of the palace, and Remor explained that it was Derak and Shesain’s new home. The couple was stunned. They gracefully accepted. During the tour, they entered a large front parlor where Derak’s grand piano was framed by a large bay window.

Tears came to his eyes. “Remor…you shouldn’t have.”

“Nonsense, it’s the least I could do, considering that, without you, none of this would even exist. It’s tuned, tested, and it has the finest tone I’ve ever heard.” He smiled.

Tranoka and Virginia came out and chided them for being late for lunch. “Derak can give us a quick performance before he leaves for his honeymoon. Now, move before it gets cold!”

They all enjoyed a delightfully light, yet filling lunch. Derak played the piano for everyone, including the staff. Following this, the couple each enjoyed a glass of Rhemar’s most famous ’05 vintage before they were ushered to their air car to leave for a three-week honeymoon.

Jack and Shenar joined them as they rendezvoused with The Morwen in orbit. The Shesain had docked earlier, and they were met by a security detail that included Therese, Karn, and Bull. They joined Jack on the bridge as he broke orbit to his first destination. Derak would take The Shesain to Kargan III, a lush tropical resort in the Orion sector. This was the beginning of their new life together.

The couple bade farewell and boarded The Shesain. Shesain insisted on taking the helm, under her husband’s watchful eye. He taught her how to set a course setting, coordinate the auto-pilot, and let Terga initiate the journey. Then, they resumed the previous night’s activities, this time, in zero gravity.