Chapter 9 #2
“Maybe you did, at least a little,” I agree.
“But like you, I was stagnating, with no idea where my life was going but wanting… more. I wasn’t finding any answers though.
Then the universe threw a curveball at me when you were alien-abducted.
” I shake my head. “I don’t know what the future will bring.
Hell, I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but I’m ready and willing to take a chance and enjoy the ride.
” I take hold of Luna’s hand and squeeze it gently.
“My relationship with Luna is still in its early stages, but we’ve got mad chemistry and have a whole lot in common.
We’ve agreed not to put too much pressure on ourselves and instead focus on continuing to get to know each other better.
Even if things don’t work out for us in the long term, I’m confident Luna and I are mature enough that we can part as friends. ”
Najar studies Luna. “You’re in agreement with all of this?”
She beams. “One hundred percent. I think Gemma and I could be heading toward an HEA to rival Hallmark. Trying to protect my heart because I’m scared is stupid.”
“Aww,” I coo. “You say the sweetest things.”
“It’s one of my many talents.”
“Well, this is gonna be real fucking interesting,” Sasha drawls. “We’ve got three couples on this ship. I predict a lot of sickeningly sweet behavior ahead.”
“I think it’s wonderful.” Khephren sighs dreamily. “We can all be one big, happy family.”
His words fill me with warmth. I can’t deny I like the idea of having a family on this ship.
For far too long, Felix and I have been the only family we have.
While I wouldn’t trade him for the world, it’s always been a bit nerve-racking to only have one another to rely on.
If something happens to one of us, the other’s pretty fucked.
Having more people we can count on would greatly set my mind at ease.
And I think I might be able to find that here on the Sleigh Belle, with Luna and her crew.
Khephren shakes several of his tentacles, ringing the bells tied to them.
“I call a halt to all serious talk right now. After all, it’s Christmas morning and we need to celebrate this most wonderful holiday together.
Now, everyone, go get your gifts and bring them back here so we can exchange them! ”
I’m slowly starting to get a mental map of the ship’s layout, but I’m still grateful Luna escorts me back to my quarters. I hunt around in my luggage until I find the bag that has all my gifts, and I tote it along with me back to the Sustenance Bay.
The first thing I pull out is the stocking I prepared for my brother. His eyes soften as I hand it to him.
“You made me a stocking?”
“Of course. It’s our tradition, after all. Besides, I was in on the secret, remember? I knew we’d get to see each other for Christmas.”
He flushes with pleasure, then reaches under the table and holds up an unusual-looking bag that shimmers in the light.
“Great minds think alike. I didn’t know I was going to see you for Christmas, but there was no way I was going to meet up with you afterward and not have a stocking to share.
” Felix grins. “This one is full of some very unusual extraterrestrial items I’ve picked up along the way during our adventures. I hope you like it.”
I take the bag and set it on the table, already looking forward to opening it. Then I hand out smaller stockings to all the others, saving the one for Luna last.
“Since I’m a new member of the Sleigh Belle, I wanted to share Felix’s and my Christmas tradition by making a stocking for each of you.
Although they’re really bags rather than a traditional sock style, so I could fit stuff without problems. Anything you don’t want or don’t like in there, let me know.
I’m sure we can find a way to repurpose it if need be. ”
Luna’s eyes sparkle with excitement. “Can I open mine now?” Her tentacles vibrate around her, not in the sexy-time way but in the kid-at-Christmas kind of way.
So. Damn. Cute!
“Go ahead,” I encourage her.
She doesn’t waste time and starts pulling out items, oohing and aahing at everything, such as the jumbo-sized rainbow candy cane, the chocolate Santa, and several pairs of holiday-themed socks.
But what sends her bouncing all over the room is the Hallmark Channel Countdown to Christmas coffee table book.
“You have to let me look at it too,” Khephren pleads.
Luna holds the book protectively against her chest. “Maybe one day, but for now, it’s all mine!”
Nervously, I reach into my bag and pull out the green and red winter scarf that I crocheted for her. “This is a little extra something from me to you.”
Her tentacles make a grabby motion and pluck it out of my hands, holding the scarf up in the air. Luna gapes at it in awe.
“You made this… for me?”
I squirm uncomfortably in my seat. “Yeah. I wanted to make you something because that’s always way more special in my mind. Since you enjoy Christmas so much, I thought you might like a scarf for the season.”
Luna immediately starts wrapping it around her neck, smiling from ear to ear.
“I’m not a professional, mind you,” I hasten to add, “but Nana taught me and Felix how to crochet when we were young, and I’m not too bad at making simple things like scarves or blankets as long as the pattern’s not too complicated.”
The aliens study the scarf with obvious fascination.
“I have heard of ancient civilizations weaving fabrics to make their own clothing, but I have never seen the end result,” Najar intones, expression serious. He studies Felix. “You can make garments like this as well?”
My brother winces. “I’m not as good as Gemma, but I can follow simple patterns.”
Khephren turns to Sasha, eyes alight. “Can you also weave fabrics? I would very much like mittens for my tentacles!”
Sasha holds up his hands. “Whoa, baby. Sorry to disappoint, but I cannot knit, crochet, or anything like that. Also, that material is called yarn.”
All three Dravethians say ah in unison.
Then Khephren’s whole posture, tentacles included, wilts a little in response to Sasha not being able to make him anything. He stares longingly at Luna’s scarf, and I totally cave.
“I could teach you how to crochet,” I offer, praying I haven’t dug a hole for myself that I’ll regret later.
I’m nearly blinded by the look of joy Khephren shoots at me.
“Really? Truly? You promise?” I’m surprised he doesn’t trip over his own tongue with how fast he responds.
“Sure. I brought some hooks and yarn with me. When we have some free time, I can teach you.”
After all, we’re family now.
Luna snickers. “Galactic gods. Before you know it, Kheph will be making scarves for all of us and each of the cats on the ship.”
Nodding in agreement, Sasha gives her a fist bump.
Najar leans in to whisper something in my brother’s ear, and he turns bright red. I suspect Felix will be crocheting for his man in the near future.
Luna moves to my side, planting a kiss on my cheek. “This is the most wonderful gift I’ve ever received. Thank you.”
A tension I didn’t realize I was holding lets go at her words.
“I’m glad you like it.”
She grins. “Like? I freaking love it. In fact, it will come in handy for my Christmas present to you, which is a little bit of a surprise.”
I cock my head inquiringly. “Color me intrigued. Tell me more.”
She leans in, whispering in my ear and raising goose bumps on my skin. “I’ll take you there when we can be alone.”
“It’s a date.”
We watch the others open their stocking bags with obvious pleasure, especially Khephren, who goes into raptures over every single item—including all the Earth treats and the alien-themed Christmas poster with Santa and his reindeer caught in a UFO’s tractor beam, which he proclaims he will hang in his room.
I finally turn my attention to the pseudo-stocking Felix made for me. The oddly shaped bag is made from an unusual shimmering fabric that’s warm to the touch and almost seems alive.
Please don’t let it be alive!
Closing my eyes and hoping for the best, I reach inside and start pulling out items. I’m relieved to learn that most of the small bits and pieces are various kinds of delicious-looking extraterrestrial snacks and sweets.
There’s also a rather interesting handbook entitled The Intergalactic Alliance’s Guide to Traveling the Universe, which might come in quite handy.
When I get to the bottom of the bag, I find a small box that contains a beautiful necklace with a pendant composed of clusters of small stones. They change color as I watch, forming a constellation pattern that’s almost certainly astronomical in nature.
“Felix, this is amazing.” I’m a bit choked up, to be honest.
My brother totally one-upped me with his Christmas gift-giving game. I was not prepared! Maybe he felt a lot guiltier about planning to stay aboard the Sleigh Belle than I’d imagined.
“The stones are a bit like a mood ring,” Felix explains. “When you wear the necklace, the stones change colors based on your emotions, and it’s even supposed to have soothing properties if you get anxious or upset.”
Even aliens can be a bit woo-woo, not only us humans. I can dig it.
“I love it,” I tell him, then turn to Luna. “Can you help me put it on?”
I use my hands to hold my hair up and off the back of my neck as Luna gently secures the necklace around my throat. The light touch of her fingers on the sensitive skin along the nape of my neck sends a zing of awareness through me and causes more freaking goose bumps.
Luna nods approvingly. “It looks spectacular on you.”
A bit flustered from my reaction to such a simple touch despite everything she and I shared last night, I glance down at the pendant resting along my collarbone. The shifting colors are strangely soothing, and I’m surprised when I feel the pendant warm gently against my skin.
For the next little while, we sit around the table and share a breakfast made from a device they call a food simulator.
To me, it’s highly reminiscent of the technology my Nana marveled at on Star Trek: The Next Generation.
She told me how much easier life would be if she had a device like that and never had to cook, which I didn’t fully understand at the time but came to appreciate when I was a working adult living on my own.
I rarely had the time or energy to cook much for myself.
The waffles are similar to those on Earth and are pretty tasty and filling. I end up indulging in a second mug of kavga—I’m officially a convert—and soon feel like I could take on a whole day at the urgent care clinic and have energy to spare.
Eventually, Luna pulls me away until we stand under a doorway. I look up and sure enough, there’s mistletoe hanging there.
“If you wanted to kiss me, you only had to ask,” I drawl with amusement.
She pulls me into her arms. “Sure, but this so much more festive.” She lowers her voice. “And romantic.”
She’s got me there.
When her lips touch mine, everything around us fades into the background. All I can see, touch, and feel is her. My entire body lights up as we kiss, and I’m about ready to suggest we head back to my room or hers when Luna pulls back.
“Much as I’d love to keep doing that, I don’t want to get derailed from sharing my Christmas gift surprise with you.” She holds out her arm for me to take it. “May I show you the way?”
I link my arm with hers. “Sure. But be aware that we’ve only put that amazing kiss from a moment ago on pause. I fully intend to resume things later.”
She grins. “Great lesbian minds think alike, gorgeous. Now, follow me!”