by Elle Harper
And when he made his way through the crowd of well wishers, all he could see was her: dark curls bouncing as she ran toward him, tears streaming down her beautiful face.
He ran toward her and scooped her into his arms, kissing her, tasting her salty tears as he devoured her lips, her arms almost impossibly strong around his body as she held him.
“I love you. I love you,” she murmured, weeping and laughing all at the same time as he carried her through the crowd, through the entrance of the residence hall, up to their quarters.
She was as desperate as he was, tearing at his clothing as he tore at hers, and when they fell into bed together, their lovemaking was desperate, intense, tearful, the coupling of two people who feared they’d never get this chance again.
It went on for hours, and they only stopped when they could barely move.
Harper lay, sweating and panting, in Rassan’s arms, her body aching, exhausted from their frenzied lovemaking. His heart pounded beneath her cheek as she rested languidly on his chest. His fingers trailed lazily up and down her spine.
“Rassan?” she said softly.
“Yes, my love?”
“We had a breakthrough. One of the Earth herbs, combined with a few things from the seashore, seems to treat that wasting illness people were getting.”
“You are amazing,” he said, and she could hear the pride in his voice. She smiled.
“We also think a couple of Earth herbs might help with female fertility,” she added.
“That would be most welcome. You are a blessing to all of us, love.”
She grinned to herself, then propped her chin on her hands, looking at him.
“We don’t need help with fertility, though.”
He looked at her for a moment.
“We’re rather fertile, it seems…”
She saw the instant the news dawned on him. His eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open, and then he gave a wild, exultant cheer and flipped them over so she was beneath him. She chuckled and looked up at him as he smiled down at her.
“Harper. Really?” he asked in wonder.
“Really.”
“And… you’re okay with this, even after… that?”
“You’re mine. My life, my heart, my soul. I’m more than all right knowing I’m carrying our child, Rassan. I know you have a duty. We will be here for you when you’re able to be home.”
“And I swear, on everything I am, that I will always come back to you.”
Harper smiled and kissed him, lost once again in the intensity of his kiss, the way every movement of his hands and body was meant to make her feel loved, treasured.
Both of them had been lost for a time in the unforgiving nothingness of space. And against all odds, they’d made their way to each other, like two stars drawn into each other’s orbit.
Like two people, finally, finally, finding their way home.
THE END
Read Kat and Faraad’s story in FARAAD coming Fall 2019!
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