Chapter Eleven

Joy thought her heart would jump out of her body it was so full of happiness. Never had she imagined Malcolm would love her. He was darkness and strength and she was light and soft, but it had happened. And in the afterlife, no less.

She was still adjusting to her dreams coming true when Malcolm gently laid her on his bed. She could barely see anything as the room was dark. In fact, it didn’t seem to have any windows.

He stepped away. “Open ceiling.” At his words, the ceiling rolled back to reveal a series of square windows that looked into the green mist between his mountains. From where she lay, she could see the peak of one. It bathed the room in a beautiful green light. It was beaut—she swallowed as she leaned up on her elbows.

Malcolm’s bedroom was a tribute to everything sensual. On the walls, painted directly into the stucco, were murals depicting various sexual acts between men and women, two women, two men, threesomes, foursomes, and even orgies.

The sex itself ranged from simple, to toys she’d never seen before, contraptions she was sure didn’t exist in her time, to bondage. One scene in particular caught her attention. A man with a pierced cock and a woman with pierced nipples were being led by a man who held chains attached to their piercings.

“Do you see anything you like?” Malcolm’s voice had changed. Here was the sexual man she’d sensed when he’d walked by her in the lounge.

She moved her gaze across the various images, well aware that already her body was excited. “Maybe. There are some I’m not sure what is happening.”

His lip quirked up. “Allow me to educate you.” He gestured to one wall. “Motion, no sound.”

The painted figures started to move as if a porn movie played inside the wall itself except without live people. She stared as one woman straddled a man on what looked to be a weight bench only the head was lower than the hips. Another man pushed her forward and dribbling lube down her ass then proceeded to thrust inside her butt hole while she continued to ride the man beneath her.

Joy tried to close her mouth, but she seemed to need it to bring in more air as her gaze fell on a woman attached to a wall with furry manacles. Another woman lifted a bucket and poured what looked like a red syrup all over the other woman. Within seconds it had dried on her like a candy apple. Two men joined the syrup woman and began to eat away at the woman against the wall, who was obviously enjoying every moment.

Joy swallowed. “I knew I wasn’t that experienced, but this is far more than I imagined.” She looked sideways at one woman who had brought out something that looked like a whip, but seemed to have a mind of its own as it curled around a man’s cock. “And I’m pretty sure there are a number of these I have no interest in.”

Malcolm smiled. “I’m glad to hear that.”

Her body relaxed. She’d been afraid that he was into every act. At least half held no interest to her, while others… She watched a man pull a string from inside a woman’s sheath then eat the large nugget that popped out, only to pull on the string again until another treat was revealed. That both the treat and the woman’s clit were devoured by his mouth had Joy’s own sheath moistening. “These aren’t depictions of real acts, are they?”

He nodded. “Oh, they are. In fact, this was one of the most sought-after reels of my time.”

“Reels?”

“Yes, that’s what these were called. Painted sexual scenes that come to life.” He strode around his bed to the other wall. “This is what I’d like to do to you now.”

She studied the act in progress. A naked man with black hair dribbled oil on a woman lying on her stomach on a cushioned table. “A massage?”

He grinned. “With a bonus.”

“That sounds wonderful.” Suddenly, she stilled. “But what about Holly?”

“Massage table.” At Malcolm’s command, a table rose up from the floor. “Holly couldn’t be in better hands right now. We need to let the two of them figure things out. I’m sure Cameron will find us when he wants to.”

He was right. Holly was in good hands, but she still worried about Malcolm. They needed to make sure that he could keep his job and based on Cameron’s reaction, that didn’t seem likely. Don’t be subtle. Of course! Cameron had basically told them what to do. Maybe he wanted to be Holly’s knight in shining armor.

“Joy?” Malcolm, completely naked, stood next to the bed, holding out his hand.

She smiled and put her hand in his.

“Turn around so I can get you out of your clothes.”

“I can simply—”

“I know, but I want to undress you for a change.” His eyes seemed to shine with a warm glow that had her body shivering in response.

She turned around, and he unzipped her green velvet dress, slipping it off her shoulders, down her arms to puddle at her feet. He crouched, holding the dress as she stepped from it.

Malcolm threw it over a strange looking chair before turning back to look at her. “If I’d known what sexy under things you wear, I would have undressed you slowly before now.”

She laughed. “No, you wouldn’t have. You were too anxious to get me naked.”

“And get inside you.” At his words, her breath hitched.

“Turn around slowly. I want to see you.” He motioned with his hand what he wanted.

She was happy to comply. She wore a soft white corset with thigh highs attached by dainty flowered garters. Beneath it was a thong of pale green lace. She slowly turned, allowing him to look all he wanted. When she finally faced him, his cock was hard and proudly sticking out.

A secretive smile curled his lips. “Beautiful.”

It wasn’t the word, but how he said it that caused her to flush.

Before she could respond, he knelt at her feet. “I love these old-fashioned garters.” His large fingers nimbly worked the hooks on the front and back of her thigh. Then he purposefully rolled the nylon down to her boot. Lifting her foot as if he were Cinderella’s prince, he removed her boot and rolled the nylon completely off.

Again, he rose and put her thigh high by the odd chair before returning to undress her other leg. When he’d completed that one, he returned and turned her around. Deftly, he unhooked the back of her corset, pulling it from her torso. As he put that away, she remained where she was.

She felt him stand against her back, his hands coming around to cup her breasts. “I’m going to make you come three times before you stand on your feet again.” His voice brushed by her ear, causing her to shiver, though it could well be his words that caused that.

One hand moved from her breast to grasp the front of her thong, and she held her breath. The other hand moved over her shoulder to glide down her back.

“Are you wet for me?” His whispered words caused more moisture to fill her folds.

She nodded.

“Good.” His hand at her back grasped the top of her thong and slowly pulled upward, tightening the lacy string between her ass cheeks, sensitizing her anal hole and smearing her wetness. “Not that I don’t believe you. I just want to see it.”

He continued to pull until the panties were pressing her barbell in her clit hood and she jerked at the spike of excitement.

As if it was exactly what he’d waited for, he lowered the thong down to her feet and took it off.

“Ach, definitely a good start.”

She turned around to see him add the thong to her pile of clothes. Then he took her hand and led her to the cushioned table. The top almost looked like it was made of twenty separate square cushions.

When Malcolm moved to the side and dropped four of them, leaving two holes big enough for her breasts, her curiosity rose. “Why do I have the feeling this is no ordinary massage table.”

He kicked out a step and pulled her toward it. “Because it’s not. It’s made for sex.”

She could always count on him to be straight forward. She lay down, fitting her boobs into the holes which made it so much more comfortable. Malcolm then took two more squares out so she could look down.

He hit a lever and a mirror slid out below her, giving her a perfect view of the figures moving on the wall. It was strange to be so excited when a massage was supposed to relax.

Malcolm’s footsteps were barely audible on the stone floor, but when he stepped on the step behind her, she knew he was ready to begin.

“Sex oil.” No sooner had he called for it than she felt the warm liquid dribble down her back and over her ass. There must have been a lot of advancements in sex play since her time because she’d never seen such a table and some of the toys on the reel were completely foreign to her.

Preferring to enjoy Malcolm as opposed to the wall scenes, she closed her eyes the moment his large hands ran over her back. He moved methodically, kneading her muscles with his hands, gentle yet strong. The scent of peppermint made her smile. He knew her so well.

It didn’t take long for every one of her limbs to feel like jelly in the summer sun. He worked from her shoulders to her finger tips. From her ass to the bottoms of her feet and everywhere in between.

She felt his weight as his hands came on both sides of her, and he whispered in her ear. “Are you comfortable?”

She didn’t even want to move her mouth, so she hummed, “Uh-huh.”

His soft chuckle skittered over her skin, but didn’t penetrate her stupor. He spread her legs apart and she heard a couple more squares drop away, but other than that, she hovered between wakefulness and sleep.

Malcolm’s hands moved up the inside of her legs now, massaging her already lax muscles, but as he came closer to the juncture of her thighs, her skin started to wake. His hands moved over her ass and up her back again missing her wanting parts.

She heard a soft buzz and when his right hand touched her back, it vibrated as it massaged. It had her muscles tingling in their limp state. His vibrating hand moved over her ass and down her legs as she struggled to stay awake.

Then Malcolm stepped back, and she opened her eyes to find him adjusting the mirror below her so it showed her breasts. His hand with a band around his wrist came up and vibrated against her relaxed nipples, bringing them to life even though the rest of her was curiously limp.

He grinned into the mirror. “Just setting you up for what’s to come.” As soon as he teased her with his words, he unhooked two clips on chains from the sides of the table and attached them onto her hard nubs. Fire flew from her nipples to her core, which tensed with desire.

“Just one more adjustment.”

She watched as he flicked a switch, but it was three seconds before the first buzz hit her left nipple. “Oh.” The vibration surprised her, but then subsided, only to repeat the feeling on her right nipple, but for longer this time.

Malcom winked at her in the mirror. “Enjoy the show.”

When he’d moved out of the way, she saw that the clips on her nubs glowed different colors depending on the type of vibration and there was no specific pattern. Though her muscles couldn’t tense at the scattered stimuli, her folds filled with her readiness.

Suddenly, more oil hit just her butt, the scent slightly different, yet still minty. As Malcolm massaged it over her ass, spreading her cheeks and allowing it to completely cover her, she felt those areas tingle. Then his vibrating hand followed suit, stroking down her crease, tantalizing her anal hole, parts of her body waking up, but if he asked her to move on her own, she didn’t think she could.

When that same hand touched her mons, she realized the gap the missing blocks had made. Her belly rested securely on the cushioned table, but Malcolm stood between her knees now.

She barely registered that fact before the hand vibrations traveled over her clit and opening, hitting her barbell and sending a jolt of excitement to her core, just as both nipple clips squeezed her quickly. She sucked in her breath, her insides coming alive while her muscles remained in complete lethargy. It was an odd sensation of helplessness and desire.

Malcolm’s hand didn’t simply vibrate as a whole, but each finger did as well, and as he slipped one inside her wet sheath, her heartbeat picked up. His other hand continued to massage her back as if he purposefully sent her body mixed signals.

He slipped his vibrating finger out and inserted another. It reminded her of her toys next to her bed. This was a feeling she knew well. When his thumb touched her barbell though, shocking pleasure sped up to her heart and through her opening, tightening her sheath around his fingers.

“You were made for this, for me.” His words sent a feeling of rightness into her brain.

At the touch of his cock against her entrance at the same time the nipple clamps turned her hard nubs, her inner muscles tensed but the rest of her was still not willing to wake up. It was a titillating feeling. She could do little to direct her own pleasure. She’d have to depend on him.

Malcolm placed one hand on her back as he guided his cock inside her with his vibrating hand. “Perfect.” His word was low and guttural, sending another spike of excitement deep inside her.

She could feel the vibration in her sheath until he let go. She expected him to pull out and thrust again, but he didn’t. Instead, more warm tingling oil dripped onto her ass. He spread her cheeks and ran a vibrating finger down her crease, causing another spike of pleasure through her sheath and around his cock.

He sucked in his breath before bending over her. “Are you comfortable?”

She wanted to laugh but that would take too many muscles. “Very.”

He squeezed her shoulder with his bare hand before running it down her back to her crease. He didn’t stop there. When he came to her anal hole, he pressed against it with his finger.

The sexual excitement that sped to her core surprised her. She’d used a butt plug before, but Malcolm’s finger was different. Slowly, he pushed his finger inside, inching it in, spreading her while her sheath’s tension around his cock increased. Then the nipple clamps vibrated together, adding her to building need. She moaned.

“Now it’s time to play.” Malcolm’s words sent a shiver down her back which he must have seen because he chuckled before his vibrating hand moved under his cock and his fist contacted her barbell.

Every nerve-ending inside her jumped, but she couldn’t even lift her head. As lightning raced through her body, Malcolm began to move both his cock and finger out then in again, stimulating pleasure spikes. But with no muscle strength, she lay there, beyond excited but too limp to do anything except accept the double penetration, the vibrations on her clit and the random tweaks to her nipples.

She panted with desire, wanting to lift her hips to slam back against him as his cock slid inside to the hilt and his finger delved deep again. But she was helpless, her ecstasy creeping closer, forcing her to wait as her internal tension grew.

Finally, Malcolm’s thrusts grew more forceful and rapid, causing her pleasure to spiral faster, her body rubbing forward against the cushioned table with every thrust before falling back into place as he pulled out.

She had no control over it at all, her entire feeling concentrated in the small region between her legs and ass until her orgasm finally hit. She saw stars as ecstasy blasted through her, starting between her thighs and sending jolts of euphoria slicing through her body. Malcolm’s come filled her, making her bliss complete.

Her inability to yell seemed to make it last longer, her limp body vibrating with the impact of such a powerful orgasm for minutes upon minutes. She felt Malcolm’s hands leave her body, which helped her breathing considerably.

He bent over, reaching his hand around to release the clamps before kissing her temple. “Did you enjoy?”

She licked her dry lips. “Very much.”

He stood again and slowly pulled out of her.

She moaned at the loss, but felt even more like a rag doll than before.

He chuckled. “I’m thinking we need to rejuvenate you a bit.”

She thought that was an excellent idea, but was far too tired to comment.

“Hot tub.”

At Malcolm’s words, she popped her eyes open and in the reflection of the mirror below her saw steam rising.

Malcolm’s face interrupted her view. “Ready?” His lip quirked up in amusement.

She’d love to wipe the smug look off his face, but she was far too content to do anything about it. “Whenever you are.”

He chuckled before disappearing from view.

The next moment she was phased, floated into the tub and solidified in his arms. She sighed. There was no place she’d rather be.

~~*~~

Holly felt Cameron’s arms around her and her heart sighed. His distinctive clove scent filled her nostrils and his hard body kept her safe like it used to.

“You’re far too enticing while phased like myself.” He pushed her back, shaking his head. “Let me take you home.”

Her heart ached at his rejection, though she knew in her mind he feared becoming a ghost because they had such a strong connection. Still, it hurt.

He didn’t look at her, but grabbed her hand and brought them into the gray ether she didn’t like. Luckily, it was a short trip.

As soon as they landed in their overly-decorated living room, he solidified her, making it impossible for them to touch again. That just hurt more. Tired of being taken through an emotional rollercoaster, she needed answers. “Cam, did you know Ethan was in love with me?”

“Not at first.”

She raised her brows. “When?”

He didn’t look at her when he answered. “After Coco and Ian visited you.”

She crossed her arms as that betrayal was added to her heart. “She knew and didn’t tell me?”

“Yes. I think she wanted to tell you, but Ian didn’t think you were ready.”

“How could I ever be ready with that news?” She threw her hands up. “At least if they had told me, I wouldn’t have been such a bad friend this last year.”

He snapped his gaze to hers at that. “What would you have done?”

Knowing he loved me? What could she do? It wasn’t like she could love him back. The image of Ethan sprawled on his couch flitted through her mind, causing her heart to squeeze.

She pushed the picture away. She was Cameron’s wife. “I don’t know what I would have done, but at least I wouldn’t have avoided him and caused what I did. Do you know Sophia Dunlap is going to trick him into believing he’s the father of a baby by her?”

He nodded. “I knew it was a possibility. Only spirits from the actual future can give probabilities. The rest just see many alternative scenarios and use the ones that will help the most.”

“Did you also know that if I can’t move on and have a…a…” She was still in shock over seeing herself with a son. How could she tell her husband there was a possibility that she would fall in love with someone else and have a baby? This future has a forty percent chance of happening. Malcolm’s words kept her from continuing.

There was also a forty percent chance she’d be isolated. She had to find an alternate path.

Cam had floated closer. “What is it, love? What did they show you that you’re so afraid of?”

She waved him off. “What they showed me were only forty percent possible scenarios. But Malcolm said that if I didn’t move on with my life, as in living for me instead of waiting for your visits, that we wouldn’t be allowed to be together after I die. Is that true?”

He floated toward the fireplace. Even in life, that was his thinking spot. But what did he have to think about? He brushed his hair off his forehead. “The truth is, I don’t know. Malcolm could be right. Because you’re my wife, I’m not privy to the parameters. I’m just trying to help you live a fulfilling life without me. I want us to be together again, but I don’t want it to be rushed. You deserve to be happy.”

“Cam, I am happy. I have the shop and my friends and I get to see you once a year. That’s enough.”

He shook his head. “No, I don’t think it is. I think I may have messed up again. In trying to help you and assuage my own guilt, I may have put our happiness in jeopardy again.”

His frustration had him fisting his hands. That had always been a sure sign that a rash decision was next. Frantic to avoid that, she latched on to something else Malcolm said. “Oh, I was going to let Malcolm tell you, but I can. I think it will help.”

His gaze, which had clouded over as if his self-loathing had affected his eyes, finally focused on her. “What did Malcolm say?”

“He said that if you hadn’t fallen off that rock face on Christmas day, there was a ninety percent chance you would have died anyway within a year.” She watched him digest that news. Anything to keep him from beating himself up and making another decision they’d both regret.

Cam’s eyes had widened in surprise, but now his brows were lowered. “Did he say how else I would die?”

She shook her head. “Nothing in particular, but you should talk to him. You know, he’s a very good spirit guide. Joy and Malcolm work well together. They really didn’t need any help from me. Then again, I think Joy had the hots for Malcolm right from the start.”

Her ploy worked. Cam was staring at her as if she’d grown whiskers and a tail. “Worked well together? Are we talking about the same Malcolm and Joy? Spirits of Christmas Future?”

She grinned. “Yes. They were like a well-oiled machine. Sometimes he’d make me think about something then she’d make me think about something. They even mixed up taking me to fun and heart-wrenching visits. I tried to blame Malcolm for how I felt about an uncomfortable visit, but as Joy pointed out, it was my decisions in the future that caused it.”

Cam’s shoulders fell, something she’d never seen happen when he was alive. That in itself worried her. “Isn’t that what you wanted?”

He nodded. “Yes, it is.”

“Then why do you look so defeated. Is there anything I can do? We work well as a team, too. Look what we’ve done with six spirits already.” She smiled to hide her fear at Cam’s concerned look.

“Speaking of spirits, I need to have them debrief. I’m still angry at them for upsetting you so much.”

She flounced over to her chair since Mac was still sitting in Cam’s and she sat on the arm. “I’m made of strong stuff. Besides, I got to be held by you, so I’m definitely not complaining.”

Cam grimaced, which hurt more than she wanted him to know. Had he moved on? Was this odd job he had his new life? Not comfortable with her thought, she pointed to Mac. “For two years, he sat in my chair. Now he’s in yours again. He can’t seem to make up his mind.”

Mac stopped washing himself to look at her, then went back to chewing on his hind claws.

Cam studied the cat. “He’s almost seven years old now. I guess he’s entitled to change his mind.”

She winked. “I think that’s a woman’s prerogative, not an age thing.”

“True.” Cam shook his head as if clearing it, then glanced at the clock. “I need to go.”

Her heart tightened. “But you’ll be back, right? There’s still almost three hours before Christmas day. Your spirits work fast.”

“I’ll make a deal with you. You get dressed and go to Brody’s party, and—”

She jumped off the arm of her chair. “Wait a minute. How do you know Brody has a party tonight? Have you been spying on me?”

He chuckled, the first smile she’d seen from him since he brought her home. “No, I don’t have to. Brody will always throw a Christmas Eve party. It’s just who he is.”

She was pleased she’d made him smile. “Fine, I’ll go to the party, but I’m coming home by half past eleven at the latest.”

“Half past eleven?” His lip quirked up at that. “Since when do Americans say half past?”

“Since this one married a Scot and lives in Deervale, Scotland. I even say ‘wee’ on occasion.”

He laughed again, making her feel oddly better. “I’ll see you back here later.”

“Will you phase through me?” She loved feeling Cam’s essence as he did that. It made her happy again.

“Let’s wait until later, okay?”

“As long as you promise.”

“I do.” He started to float up toward the ceiling.

Holly ran beneath him. “Nice balls.”

His laughter filled her heart as he disappeared. Taking a deep breath, she plopped down in her chair, needing a few minutes to relax before changing for the party.

Mac sat up and stared at her.

“Did you need something, Mac?”

The cat yawned, opening his mouth wide before closing it and licking his lips. Then he jumped down and trotted over to his litter box.

At least she didn’t have to worry about Mac and she’d cheered up Cam. Now if she could just figure out how to cheer herself up, she’d be in good shape.

~~*~~

Joy sat on the ground in her blue sundress, the standing stone at her back, Malcolm’s head resting in her lap. After what appeared to be a day and a half of all types of sex, eating and falling deeper in love with Malcolm, she felt a certain unease.

“What are you thinking about?” Malcolm held her hand against his naked chest.

All she’d done is told him she liked him better in his kilt with no shirt and he hadn’t donned one since. That he was so responsive to her still thrilled her. “I’m uncomfortable with all this idle time. We should have heard from Cameron by now.”

Malcolm sat up, his hard abs tensing as he lifted himself and turned to face her, crossing his legs in front of him. “I admit to a wee bit of concern myself. I thought he could handle being around his wife, but if he is as weak as she is, he’ll be trapped.”

“Do you think we should look for him?” She had no idea where besides his office or Holly’s home. She didn’t even know where his replica home in the afterlife was, though she had no doubt it was the same home Holly lived in.

Malcolm shook his head, his silky black hair falling over his right eyebrow. “Cameron reports to those far above us. Even if we found him, the only help we could offer is what they approve.”

“Speaking of that,” she looked at him shrewdly. “How did you know we could touch without electric shock after you told me you loved me?”

“It’s hard to explain. I saw something in the mist. Two eyes laughing at me. I figured either some entity was playing with me because I enjoy sexcapades, or it was laughing at me for finally falling in love again. As it turns out, it was the second.”

“I’m so glad.” And she was. He’d shown her so many new things and created feelings she’d never had before. “I’ve never been so happy while alive or afterwards. There’s only one tiny piece that remains open, but I’m not allowed to know that so I’m content.”

Malcolm took her hand in his. “You mean your niece?”

At his words, her heart skipped a beat. “Do you know what happened?”

“I do.” He looked away for a moment. “I admit when I chose you, I wanted to prove to you that the future was not a good place.” He chuckled. “But instead you showed me there was happiness in the future. Still, I didn’t want to admit it, so I checked on the future after you transitioned.”

Suddenly, she couldn’t seem to breathe very deeply. “And?”

“I saw your niece and knew that even if she died I could never tell you.”

She squeezed his hand in hers, desperate to know, her eyes already tearing up. “Did she die?”

Malcolm smiled. “No, she didn’t. In fact, she married and when she bore her first daughter, she named her Joy.”

Happiness like she’d never felt swept through her. “That is the most precious gift anyone has ever given me.”

He raised her hand and kissed it. “I’m ashamed at my motivation for finding out, but I’m pleased I can make you happy.”

She smiled at him despite how blurry he’d become as tears filled her eyes.

“Ach, I thought I made ye happy.” He scooted over next to her and pulled her onto his lap.

“You did. I’m just so happy, I welled up.”

He ran his hand under her dress. “Like you did in the wee hours of the night?”

She pulled his hand out. “Yes, though for a totally different reason.”

He laughed. “True, but if you let my hand wander, we can try to make you well up again.”

“You’re insatiable, at least when it comes to sex.”

He shrugged. “What else is there?”

“Aren’t you curious about what happened after you transitioned?”

He stopped trying to wiggle his hand beneath her dress. “I never was. I figured once ‘The Future’ was gone from the streets that the vermin simply took over again. But what I’ve realized since working with you is something far more important.”

Now he had her full attention. “What?”

“I always blamed Blair’s death on my decision to walk through one of the underground alleyways that night. We could have stayed above on the main road, but I was anxious to get home. Like Cameron, I felt guilty, that I was at fault. But I was wrong.”

She could sense him trying to find the right words. The importance of his new understanding obvious. “How so?”

His hand sought hers as if he wanted her to understand, too. “Because of Blair’s death, I became judge, jury and executioner for the criminals I caught. I was a one-man force far more powerful than any single Watchman because I was unpredictable and gave no quarter. The weaker vermin scattered and the stronger were whittled down one by one. Glasgow became safer for everyone. When I was killed, I ended up here. That tells me that I was meant to clean up the criminal underground that had developed there.”

She held his hand in both of hers. “So, you don’t blame yourself for her death anymore?”

He looked her in the eye. “I blame it on fate. When I looked at Cameron’s possible futures and every one of them ended in his early death, I finally saw my own life in a similar perspective. I was meant to clean up the city. I finally looked at Blair’s possible futures and if Blair hadn’t died that night, she would have died in a similar fashion that would have sent me into the same vigilante rage.”

“I see you’ve come to terms with your life. What about me?” Cameron’s voice as he floated down to the ground opposite them made her jump.

Still, she was relieved. “I’m so glad you’re still with us.”

He solidified and sat on the ground with his legs crossed, his kilt falling between his legs. “I’m not that easy to be rid of.” He turned his gaze on Malcolm. “So, what about me? You said I was fated to die sometime that year. Was every scenario one where I risked my life for a cheap rush?”

“Yes.” Malcolm tone was lower, even more serious. “Because that was who you were. That you had five years with Holly was your bonus. You were able to know true happiness, just as I did and I do now.”

Cameron leaned back on his hands. “Except now I must wait for my return to happiness and at this rate, that will never happen.”

Concern wormed its way back into her heart. “Why? Won’t you and Holly be together again?”

Cameron shoved his hair off his forehead. “Only if I can get her to accept Ethan.”

“Oh.” She looked at Malcolm. They’d seen her reaction to her own son. It wasn’t good. Then again, what if the boy’s existence was threatened? There was nothing stronger than a mother’s instinct to protect her child. “I think the key to that is her son, but will you be allowed to send more spirits?”

Cameron wouldn’t look at them. “I don’t know. I had thought she wasn’t supposed to know about Ethan, but now I think she was. I’m just not sure how to proceed.” He grimaced. “I haven’t discussed it yet with my superiors.”

Disappointed, she sighed. “So, you don’t know yet if Malcolm will be able to continue on as a spirit guide?”

Cameron smiled tiredly. “Yes, I do know that. He won’t.”

“What?” She scrambled off Malcolm’s lap, but he kept her from moving into her superior’s space. “You just said we accomplished what needed to be done, and I can attest to the fact that he only did what you wanted.”

Cameron frowned. “What are you talking about? He didn’t change his methods. He still shocked the living, many times, as a matter of fact.”

“But I did, too. You told us not to be subtle.”

Cameron stared at her for a moment then broke into a laugh. “Ach, I meant for you not to be subtle. Not him.” Cameron pointed at Malcolm, still chuckling. “That’s what I get for trying to help.”

She sighed with relief. If he admitted he said it, though he meant something different, then maybe Malcolm could stay. “If you want, we could continue to work as a team.”

Cameron rose to his feet, shaking his head. “Not for me. My troubles are still ahead, but you two are done. You’ve both come to terms with your lives. You no longer need to be spirit guides.”

“Done?” How could that be? She hadn’t done anything wrong?

Malcolm rose and gave her his hand to help her up. “Aye, Joy. We’re done because we have somewhere else we need to be.”

She looked from him to Cameron, who was nodding, and back to Malcolm. “We do? Where?”

“Don’t ye feel it, lass? The happiness? The contentment? The love?”

She did feel it, but it wasn’t just from him or inside her. It was everywhere. She looked to where Cameron stood, and he simply waved, half his body no longer visible as warmth and light surrounded her and Malcolm. “What is it?”

He wrapped his arms around her. “It’s our future.”

She smiled up at him, love filling her heart. “Oh, yes.”