Keeping Kama

Epilogue

The sand at Waimea Bay Beach wiggled in between Derek’s toes. He held onto Leia’s hand as a wave hit the shoreline. Derek sighed as the warm water tickled his ankles. On his lips, he tasted the salty sea breeze. The loud cheers of people rock jumping vibrated in the air. Nudging Leia with his shoulder, Derek asked, “Do you remember when I jumped off that for the first time, way back when we were engaged?”

Leaning into his arm, Leia linked her hands around the crook of his elbow. “Do I?” Leia laughed, making her glitter against the bluest blue sky. “I thought you were going to have a heart attack when we finally arrived at the top of the rock. For a second there, I didn’t think you would jump.”

“And that’s when I discovered I was afraid of heights.” Derek peered toward the famous jumping rock. The top was lined with people. Down below in the water, people cheered on those waiting to jump. “I will never do it again.”

Her lips twitched mischievously. “Come on,” she bumped her shoulder against his, “Not even if our kids want you to take them?” asked Leia.

“Um,” said Derek, “I’ll cross that bridge when the time comes. But I have plenty of time to warm up the idea of jumping again.”

Leia pursed her lips, dropping her hands from his elbow. “Let’s sit for a minute. I love the view here.” They walked up the small sand hill, plopping themselves down onto the hot sand.

Cradling his knees with his hands, Derek asked, “Did you sign us up again for the Honolulu Marathon?” Since running it together two years ago, they had run it again. If they ran it for a third time, Derek believed it would become a bit of a tradition.

“Umm …” Leia shot him a glance then stared out the water. Sailboats dotted the horizon, and children were playing in the gentle waves. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that—” Leia wiped her sandy hands on her shorts.

“I thought you wanted to run it together. The first time we ran it we were only dating, then we ran it engaged, and this time would be the first time we ran it married. It’s perfect,” said Derek.

“I’m going to skip it this year,” said Leia.

Derek rubbed his sandy hands together then wrapped his arm around Leia’s shoulders. “What? Why? Is everything okay?” asked Derek.

“I’m fine.” Leia turned and met his eyes. She placed a hand over his knee. Inhaling, Leia said, “I’m not going to run the marathon this year, because I’m pregnant.”

For a moment, Derek thought the air was knocked out of him. Placing a hand over his chest, Derek sputtered, “You’re pregnant?!” His jaw dropped.

“I hope you’re happy.” Leia’s gaze skidded across his face. The worry lines deepened on her forehead. Tilting her head to the side, Leia continued, “Tell me you’re pleased. I can’t tell.”

“I’m just shocked.” Derek scratched his chin. “I mean the doctors told you not to get your hopes up. It was like a one in a million chance.” His mind tried to play catch up. Their first year of marriage had been filled with a long string of disappointments. Only recently had they both come to accept that they most likely would never have children of their own.

Smiling, Leia said, “Well, I guess you’d better go buy a lotto ticket, because we are the one in a million.”

Derek removed his arm from Leia’s shoulders, cupping her face with his hands. “I’m so happy.” He kissed her gently on the lips. “I was happy before because I had you, but this is fantastic news.”

Leia kissed him again. “Thanks, Derek. Thanks for giving me everything I’ve ever wanted. I love you.”

“I love you, too,” replied Derek.

Tipping her chin, Leia’s lips grazed Derek’s. Derek sighed as he reveled in the blissful feeling of the sun on his skin, the salty air in his lungs, the sound of the ocean waves, and Leia’s lips on his. This place really was paradise.