Chapter 20 #2
Rule Number One: Maintain soft, nonaggressive voices whenever possible. High emotions are valid but can still be expressed gently.
Rule Number Two: Take turns talking. Do not let one voice dominate the conversation. All are equally valid and deserve equal time.
Rule Number Three: Kindness and honesty are key. We are here to build or rebuild connection and rapport. Let us treat one another the way we would like to be treated.
Rule Number Four: Appropriate physical gestures are allowed and encouraged so long as they are consensual.
Hugs are especially recommended, but only if all parties involved feel comfortable with such physical connection.
Be sure to ask first and hug second! I will be here to help guide the conversation as needed and keep everything moving smoothly and comfortably should you encounter difficulty.
Another chiming noise fills the air, and a new bubble appears followed by that same voice.
Let us start by taking a moment to express gratitude for everyone taking this important step closer to each other.
My parents share a look, their tentacles swaying a little uncertainly, which oddly makes me relax even further. After all, this is about them making amends to me. I’m not claiming I’m perfect or that I never responded with hurtful words, but I feel like those were pretty damn justified.
“Luna and Gemma,” my mother says after a long moment, “we’re so happy that you agreed to join us for an in-person meeting.
While your father and I were able to get the ball rolling in our video conference earlier, there’s something more powerful and intimate about meeting one another tentacle to tentacle.
We appreciate your willingness to meet us partway in that. ”
Gemma nods appreciatively. “I agree, and from what I understand, this meeting is long overdue.”
My parents both nod, faces noticeably contrite.
A new bubble appears, courtesy of our jelly friend, followed by the automated voice.
Share one thing you missed about each other.
Not a bad icebreaker, I admit to myself, and it doesn’t take me long to have an answer.
“I volunteer to go first. One thing I miss is my dad’s home-cooked meals.
” I cast a wry glance at my mother. “Mom, I’m a lot like you, utterly disastrous when it comes to cooking anything for myself.
Thank goodness Kheph installed a food generator on the ship, or we all might have starved.
Turns out none of us are particularly talented in that department. ”
My dad chuckles. “Too true. It’s fortunate I happen to enjoy cooking and am moderately talented at it, if I do say so myself.
I would say that one thing I miss is being able to cook for you.
You’ve always been an enthusiastic eater with a large appetite.
That’s why your mother and I have a whole refrigerated chest of food waiting to be loaded onto your ship.
It’s got a number of precooked meals I made and some of your favorite Dravethian snacks from back home.
” His features soften. “We figured you might be missing the taste of home and wanted to provide you with some food you can enjoy as you travel.”
It’s my turn to gasp excitedly. “Ooh, did you make starfire dumplings? And maybe three-moon flatbread?”
Dad’s lips twitch. “Of course. Those have been two of your favorites since you were five years old. As if I would ever forget that.”
They give me a little rundown of some of the items they had procured, and I have to stop myself from drooling.
A lot of my dad’s comfort meals and some snack favorites like savory leaf jerky, sand-spice loaf, and prismfruit.
I can’t wait to introduce Gemma to some of the best foods from my planet that are also particular to Dravethian culture.
My mother clears her throat and says, “I’ll go next.
I miss having you around to challenge me in how I think and how I see our world and beyond.
” Two of her tentacles twist with nervousness.
“You’ve always had the ability to force me to open my mind to new or unknown things, even when I stubbornly don’t want to. ”
That’s a bit of a shock to me, but a pleasant one.
My answering grin is indulgent. “Don’t worry, Mom. We have stubbornness in common along with our inability to cook.”
My father coughs to cover a laugh.
“But in all seriousness,” Mom continues, “I miss being able to spend time with you and sharing some of our mutual hobbies, like puzzles and spatial logic games.”
Okay, I’m now full of all the warm fuzzies—and it’s really damn nice. I haven’t felt this way with my family for far too long.
My mom studies Gemma. “Now that we’ve got that out of the way, tell us more about your plans moving forward with our daughter.”
Gemma throws her head back and laughs. “Is this the parental You better not hurt my daughter talk? If so, that’s cool. Hit me, Kae. I’m ready for it.”
My mother bites her bottom lip, fighting back a laugh of her own.
“I suppose it’s something along those lines, although I don’t need to be a mechanical engineer like Luna to see how radiantly happy she is with you.
” She turns a warm smile in my direction.
“We’ve always wanted you to be happy and find a partner who could be an equal and loving companion to you in all the ways you need most.”
An unexpected knot forms in my throat, and I valiantly fight back tears.
“I never would have met Gemma if I hadn’t left home and followed my heart.
The fact that we were able to meet in this wide, wonderful universe is practically a freaking miracle.
Or maybe fate. Whatever the case, I’m sure as hell not going to take it for granted. ”
Gemma leans over and kisses me on the cheek.
“Ditto, babe. Until you, I’d given up on the idea of ever finding a love like the one I yearned for, the kind of deep and intimate connection my grandparents had and maintained throughout their many decades together.
” She focuses her gaze on my parents. “With Luna, I’ve found that.
I sincerely believe that we’re meant to be and can weather any storm that comes our way so long as we’re together.
” She looks at me. “I know it might be a little cheesy but—”
“I love cheesy,” I tell her eagerly.
She smirks. “I know, babe. What I was going to say, in full-on cheese mode, is that we fit like two pieces of a puzzle that have been trying to find each other. You’re my puzzle of love piece, Luna.”
Dark matter and dammit, I can’t help it. I turn all kinds of sappy at that and decide to go ahead and embrace it.
I fling my arms and a tentacle around her. “You’re my puzzle of love piece too, Gemma. Now and forever, gorgeous.”
When I finally tear my gaze away from her, I find my parents are watching us with matching looks of parental contentment on their faces.
“You two are so sweet together,” Mom says, a sheen of happy tears in her eyes. “Gemma, I can see how you’ve captured Luna’s hearts.”
“All three of them,” I agree cheerfully.
“Well, she’s captured mine as well,” Gemma replies.
“And never fear, I won’t be mooching off your daughter or the rest of the Sleigh Belle crew for long.
” She beams at all of us, her face glowing brighter than the jelly creature floating above us.
“It just so happens that another perfect twist of fate brought me into contact with a commanding officer here at the space station who’s besties with the head of the Intergalactic Alliance’s medical school.
” Gemma flashes a toothy grin. “I’ve been accepted into the program and will start in about a month, or lunar cycle, as you all call it. ”
My chest fills with pride as I smile back at her so hard my cheeks hurt.
“That’s amazing,” Dad says. “Congratulations. That will bring you all that much closer to making the plan you told us about a reality.”
“That’s the goal. It’ll take a while for me to complete the program, but fortunately, I can do most of it remotely and will only have to come in person every few months for some labs and other hands-on training sessions.
And I’m confident my experience as a doctor on Earth will come in handy, maybe give me an edge on some of the practicum components of my assessment.
” She leans forward on the table, eyes sparkling.
“I also got some great advice I intend to follow. Namely, networking and building connections with some of my colleagues in the program who are likely to be better versed in species differences than I currently am. I think we could form some mutually beneficial relationships based around sharing knowledge and expertise that will make all of us better doctors.”
My mom’s tentacles undulate with obvious satisfaction. “You’re ambitious. I like to hear that.”
“We both have bright futures, Mom, and you guys have nothing to worry about. Well, apart from the usual unpredictable nature of life. Sure, something could happen to me while traveling the universe.” I shrug.
“It’s not always a hundred percent safe here, but the same goes for if I’d stayed on Draveth, especially with the frequent invasions we have.
And since I had no intention of marrying a warrior and relying on someone else to keep me safe, I would have been at even more risk if you think about it. ”
My mom sighs. “That’s a hard truth I have finally accepted.
Wanting to protect your children is a natural instinct for parents, and when you become adults it can be very hard to let go, knowing that you’ll face certain challenges or dangers that we can’t shield you from once you’re on your own.
You always wanted something else, and I am ready and prepared to work on better supporting those desires and the choices that you make.
” She smiles softly. “What I have to say so far is that I think Gemma is a wonderful choice as a life partner, and I look forward to having her become part of our family.”