✰ 3 stars ✰
“I want you beside me at night, I want your heartbeat against my ear, I want my arms around you, I want to smell you, feel you, hear your voice.”
I would have taken anything he would have given me, even if it was just a touch, or a glance, or a word or two.
And I would have cherished it.”
It didn't feel like much happened, but By the Light of Dawn touched upon Morgan & Grant's relationship two years after their marriage as they embark on a journey aboard their Starry Night on stormy waves - fully intent on fulfilling Morgan's wishful dream of capturing the light at just the right moment - despite the challenges and hindrances he will have to overcome in order to reach that point of no return.
“But he was here, and I swore then like I swore every time we were together, even if all we did was listen to each other’s heartbeats until we fell asleep, I would never squander what he gave me.”
Every day, Grant is reminded of just how incredible a person Morgan is; and every day is a new day for learning why he is so incredible and why he shouldn't take him for granted (pun intended 🥰), or allow him to feel that he should feel any lesser than anyone else. It may have been two years since Morgan swept him off his feet - proved to him just how capable and independent he is on his own, but venturing into the outside world, away from the safety-knit of their homelife a is a stark awakening not only for Grant to see Morgan interact with others - crowded places, distracted hindrances, but for Morgan to test his own limitations and capabilities, as well. 🥺 'Even when you love someone, believing in them when nothing makes sense is really hard.' Despite how challenging it may have been for him at times, there was a softness to each moment - a gentleness that made his growth seem so much more rewarding - something so tender and important for him to achieve and embrace that part of himself - to realize it on his own. He had his rocky moments - for sure; but, I admired how he never allowed it to stop him - never let him get swayed away from feeling inferior or more guarded. It helps that he did have a precious guard dog at his side - always there for him and looking out for him. 😟🫂
It is a shame that the ending sets it up that there is a potential sequel in mind, one which has not yet seen the light of day. Sorry! I could not resist myself again. 😊 There are definitely surprise arrivals, unexpected reveals and some tender moments that allow Grant to reflect on the life he has given up for Morgan - 'how much I miss the ocean, the sunsets, being out on the water' - that part of his personality and life for so long that he did not realize how much he's given up till the FBI cornered him into the little town in Georgia. 😥 But, there is always a light at the end of a dark tunnel and his love for Morgan is something he would not exchange for anything - 'how he made each time with him a unique experience that reminded me just how lucky I was.' Their passion, their connection, this deep-rooted protective hold and love that binds them together, through the roughest seas, the tempestuous emotions and their heated embrace - it always evokes a feeling that they belong together - like an anchor - a safe harbor to shore. 'The gasps of pleasure, the pleas for more, the music I moved by.' 🫠🫠 No one else has ever made him feel as vulnerable - or so desired and so trusted - to believe in each other in their own ways. Grant does still have to restrain himself from stepping in to give Morgan a helping hand - always concerned for his well-being; but when those tables are turned, Morgan never fails to prove that with just a little faith and trust, he can surprise anyone. 🥺
“Anything you want.”
“No.” Morgan put a finger on my lips. “What do you want?”
“You.”
“You have me.”
“All of you. All the time.”
And they are happy and in love; they still care very deeply for each other and Morgan is never one to either mince his words or shy away from being himself; and honestly, I don't think Grant would ever want anything else. Everything about him is what made him fall in love with him - drawn to his ever-so charming personality and the admiration and respect he has for all that Morgan is - '—beautiful, quick-witted, and impossibly smart. Someone kind enough to open his heart to me.' ❤️🩹❤️🩹 His skills with his job, and his talents in bed - he's shown him things he never would have known; and it is a sad feeling to know that if not for Grant, Morgan would never have had the chance to live the world. That moment when he saw the dolphins and teared up, I teared up for him - 'I’m crying because I probably won’t ever see anything like that again.' It really was necessary to leave when they did - escape to the open waters against all odds - absolutely critical to risk everything to be here. 💕💌
I can't NOT mention the real MVP of their journey - Dog, who was really the hero of the story. Whether through the crowded hotel hallways, or the stormy seas, he was a beacon of comfort, a resourceful light and a trusted friend, one who Grant, painfully has to admit, is willfully trained and devoted to Morgan. He felt like he belonged to their small family and he definitely added an extra spark of humor to them, and was a safe anchor to guide their hearts back to shore. 😌 It was a hard-fought and fierce fight of survival, but By the Light of Dawn, they discovered what it means to have a home in each other and how the next step of their journey is one that makes total sense, one which will only have them set sails on even more adventures together, braving the seas with open hearts. 🫶🏻🫶🏻