Page 56 of Moist!

epilogue

SERAFINA

I demonstrate how to put socks on for Cantis, reminding her to keep her center of gravity so she doesn’t fall over. I hand them over to her and dig around in my basket of clothes for my favorite blue dress. We’re going to the market today.

As soon as I feel lace, I pull the fabric out and shrug it over my body. The lace collar lays flat against the baby blue cotton. I grab the ties from the sides and make a bow behind my back, my head down in concentration. When I look back up, I notice Cantis has a conspiratorial look on her face.

“What are you hiding?” I ask, squinting my eyes and pointing at her.

She knows I love surprises but I can’t think what she could possibly be surprising me with now.

After many conversations, I finally believe her when she says she wants to know more about the human world simply because I’m passionate about it.

Because she sees and accepts all of me. So, this is my date I’m taking us on, and she’s the one getting surprised, and pampered, today.

“I may have come across a little something.” Cantis opens her hand to reveal a thin, dainty necklace with a pendant in the middle. I pick it up, bringing it closer to my face, and squeal when I realize what it is.

“How did you find this? Where did you get it?” Cantis laughs, enjoying seeing me happy, and motions for me to turn around so she can put the necklace around my neck.

“I wanted to give it to you before, but I couldn’t access it outside this form.” Right away, I know she must mean that she got it the last time she had legs; when we were in the bellista’s cavern. With the metal sitting coolly on my skin, I turn and give Cantis a big hug.

“That’s okay, I love it. Thank you! I don’t even know how you had time to grab that!” Cantis kisses my nose, my forehead, and then my mouth. I love when her mouth’s on mine.

“I might have been a little dazed, but my girl always gets what she wants.” I reach for the small, golden strawberry, moving my thumb over the raised seeds.

“Thank you Cantis.” I kiss her again, wrapping my other arm around her neck. I get lost in us for a moment, but when Cantis grabs my butt, digging her fingers in, I back away.

“Let’s not get distracted. We have a date to enjoy, after all.” Cantis smiles, places a quick peck on my cheek, and grabs my hand.

“Lead the way, Fee.”