“I can see you, too, my lovely daughter.”
“I’m so sorry that we have been apart. I would have come sooner if I had known you were here.”
“Do not cry; I cannot stay. I am here only because I knew you would come.”
“You can’t stay? But I just found you.” Savannah wanted to draw closer, but she was so afraid that this miraculous event would stop – that the hologram type vision of her mother would pop like a beautiful bubble if she didn’t stay a respectful distance away.
“Listen to me; I have something important to tell you.”
“I have so much to tell you, too, Mother. I lost my Patrick! And I’m going to have a baby.” Those two things defined her life and she felt compelled to share them.
“Savannah, listen. You will be reunited with Patrick. A love like yours does not die.” Her mother’s words made Savannah cry all the more. She knew she would meet Patrick one day in heaven, she was counting on it.
“I know, Mother. And I’ll be with you and my Father, too.”
“Miguel loves you so much. Don’t ever doubt that.”
“I won’tfont>
“One more thing – my time is short.”
Savannah grew still, knowing this was important.
“No disease will ever have power over you. You will live a long and happy life. Do you hear me, Savannah? This was a gift to me by our Heavenly Father. You will have the blessings that I missed. It is all that I asked. I have prayed for you and your baby. All will be well.” And then she began to fade. The light dimmed. “I love you, Savannah.” The voice grew fainter.
Savannah walked into its fading mist and felt enveloped by a complete and perfect love.
*****
By the time Savannah got home, she was exhausted. What had happened? She had received the answers she had sought. She now knew who her mother and father were and she intended to find out just as much about them as she could. And her mother had given her assurances that she didn’t really understand. She would be with Patrick again someday – she got that. But the promise that no disease would conquer her – that was odd. She wasn’t sick. But she was tired. Her every emotion was completely wrung out and all she wanted to do was sleep for a week, but her nerves were jangled and her thoughts racing a mile a minute.
Glancing at her phone, she saw that Revel had called, but she wasn’t able to carry on a coherent conversation right now. She did check her email, however – if Patrick had contacted her, she wanted to know. But there was nothing there. After what her mother had said – she was even more confused. “I need to be held,” she whispered. “Patrick, I need you so.”
But what she needed right then was sleep, she needed to rest, so she did something she hadn’t often done – she took a sleep aid.
Sleep came and so did the dreams. But they were good dreams this time. Savannah curled into a small ball and gave herself over to the memories . . .
Of being held. . .
Of being loved. . .
Of being with Patrick. . .
The bed gave and she felt her body give to the pressure, moving toward it instinctively. Automatically her hands reached out for him. He was here. She had waited so long. “Patrick.”
Joy. Pure joy. Her body recognized him. His hands moved over her skin like life giving water over the desert. With a sigh of unadulterated happiness she nestled close to him. His body was warm and so familiar to her.
“Give me your kiss, Savannah.”
She opened her arms and he was there. In the moonlight she could see him – so dear, so real, so hers.
“Open your mouth, Baby.” The words were whispered against her lips and she opened to him – helplessly.
Savannah ran her hands over his shoulders – he was thinner and there were ridges on his body. Scars? “Are you okay?”
“I am, now.”
She grasped his wrists, needing to ensure that he didn’t fade away. He was here. He was here. He was here. Pleasure overtook her. Patrick’s lips slanted over hers – took her kiss, and she was lost. She held his face and let him take what he needed. His kiss was desperate and intense – and Savannah’s world righted itself after being storm-tossed for so long. Their tongues slid together, mating and tasting. Their moans of satisfaction and relief harmonized as they kissed – their bodies straining to get just as close to one another as possible.
“You want me, don’t you, Savannah?”
“Always,” she answered.
She could feel him next to her, on top of her – surrounding her. He was here with her, his cheek rubbing against her face. His breath was hot on her neck. She could smell him – Lord, the wonder of inhaling his scent. How she had missed this! He pressed her into the mattress. She could feel his weight, see the dark shadow of his big body looming over her – feel the throb of his erection between them. Her own body answered by going soft and wet – readying itself for an occupation she never thought she’d be privileged to know again. “Take me, Patrick. I’m yours.”
“Do you know how perfect you are? Dreams of you kept me alive, Savannah.” The rasp of his beard on her face and neck enflamed her. She opened her legs, arched her back and thrust her breasts up for his kiss. Her body, as well as her soul, welcomed him.
“You’re here. You came to me.” She held him to her as he sucked at her breast. The sting of his teeth on her nipple assured her
