"Because we're married," Beatrice says, maybe needing to hear it again. As if saying 'I do' earlier wasn't enough. "Like actually married, Ava. How did that happen?"
"Do you really want the logistical play-by-play?"
"You love me enough to want to spend forever with me," she says. "Are we both a little crazy?"
"Definitely." Her little grin gets close to Beatrice, promising mischief. "I told you we were meant for each other."
"Did you ever think we'd have a destination wedding?"
"Never even crossed my mind," she says. "But you know what's so great about it?" Her smile widens. "We also get a destination honeymoon." Then she kisses Beatrice, so deeply that Beatrice manages to forget all her concerns.
Well.
Nearly all of them.
"We have another week before our three months are up," Beatrice tells her when they're taking a stroll on the beach, not quite ready to call an end to this day Beatrice will hopefully never forget.
"Okay," Ava says, her fingers laced with Beatrice's. "What does that mean for us?"
"How do you feel about a three-day honeymoon?"
"Depends on whether you'll be naked for all three days," Ava says, tossing Beatrice a grin. "If things are going to change when we leave here, I want to spend as much time with you as possible behind closed doors."
"That can probably be arranged," Beatrice assures her, which gets her a grin in response.
"And then what?"
"And then we go and see Diego," Beatrice tells her. "And Jillian."
Ava's expression sobers at the mention of the woman. They've been lucky, maybe, just being able to set aside everything else expected of them and exist in the moment. But reality is catching up with them, and Jillian is one person who has been a key player in this mess they've all created, as well as a victim.
"I left you a letter with her," Ava eventually tells her. "I thought - it was - I tried to put words to paper, hoping they would help you understand why I did what I did." She meets Beatrice's gaze. "In the end, you didn't have to read it. I was here. Somehow, I was here to tell you everything in person."
Beatrice isn't sure what to do with this information. She doesn't even want to think about some other reality where it takes longer than ninety minutes for Ava to return to her. She can't think about another life where she just leaves the Arc and somehow has to go on with her life without Ava. She can't think of Jillian giving said letter to her. Doesn't want to imagine what it even says.
"Where is it now?" Beatrice asks.
Ava shrugs. "She might still have it. She might not. Does it matter?"
"No, it doesn't," she says, and she means it. If she never has to see that letter, she'll be perfectly fine, because that means Ava is here with her.
Beatrice takes a breath. Because Ava is here, and they're together, and that's all that should matter. "I suppose, after Jillian, we somehow have to explain to Mother Superion that you've returned by some magical fluke, and - "
"It wasn't, you know," Ava interrupts. "It wasn't some magical fluke at all, Bea. I told you it was you." She brings them to a stop, the sun setting behind her back, and Beatrice doesn't think she's ever looked so beautiful. Young and carefree and unburdened and in love.
Beatrice takes out her phone to snap several pictures of her, ignoring the bemused look on her face. Then she asks, "What do you mean it was me?"
"I mean exactly that," Ava says, getting in nice and close, draping her arms over Beatrice's shoulders as she lifts herself onto her toes. "I felt it. I felt you. While I was in there, it was like you were pulling me back. Like just your prayer was enough to give the Arc enough juice to allow just me through. That's what you did, Bea. That's how fucking powerful you are."
Beatrice kisses her now, dipping her low and getting the most amazing laugh out of her. She doesn't know how else to respond to what Ava has just said, because that feels -
It feels so much bigger.
"You really missed me too, hmm?" Ava teases once Beatrice brings her back up.
"I missed you so much I actually agreed to marry you."
"And they call you a genius."
"I'm pretty sure only you call me a genius," Beatrice points out.
"My super hot, genius, ass-kicking wife."
Beatrice lifts her up now, arms around her waist, and Ava wraps her own arms and legs around her, both of them wanting to be as close as physically possible. "How impressive would it be if I carried you to our room like this?"
"Believe me, I'm already suitably impressed by your body."
"Let's just stand here a while, then," she murmurs, closing her eyes and soaking in the warmth and love of Ava Silva under the setting sun. It won't ever be enough, she decides. No amount of time in the world will ever be enough.
When they do finally make it back to their hotel room, Beatrice carries Ava over the threshold, just because she can, and they spend their first night together as a married couple without any thought of the outside world. She can't be sure how or why, but being with Ava now feels different. It feels more intense, better in some ways, but really just different.
In a few days, they'll be back in what is familiar to them, Beatrice needing to find them a place to live in Spain for the next few months. And then after, she's not sure. Cape Town, maybe. The convent is now no place for them - marriage has changed that - and that's okay.
They will find their place, and they will make a life.
Beatrice almost can't wait.
Part 28
Start from the beginning
