Epilogue
Three months later…
Luna
“Time to take a break, babe.”
Gemma looks up from the screen she’s been staring at for hours.
Two months ago, she officially started classes with the Intergalactic Alliance’s medical school.
Ever since, she’s had her nose buried in a screen most of the day, reading chapters from her textbooks and watching lectures from her professors.
Gemma seems to be in her element, and we often spend the time in bed together with her telling me about all the interesting things she learned about that day.
I’m thrilled to see her so full of enthusiasm and joy.
Even with her busy schedule we make time to be with each other as much as possible, and I remind her to take breaks and eat when she’s been working too long. Like now.
“It’s time for dinner and a break.”
She blinks at me and then leans back in her chair, rubbing her eyes. “How long have I been at it?”
I snort. “Four hours. That’s the limit we agreed on.”
“Damn. I got so caught up in what I was reading I lost track of time.” She smiles at me softly. “Thanks for making sure I don’t forget to rest and eat.”
We meet up with the others at our communal dining table, and I’m delighted to see that Kheph has heated up my dad’s starfire dumplings that he made for me.
I’ve been saving them, and they’re the perfect thing to revive you after all that studying.
We also have some soup and rice, courtesy of the food generator.
Okay, so I already ate a bunch of the dumplings in secret over the past few months, and this is the last batch. But no one needs to know that.
“Starfire dumplings are the absolute best, especially my dad’s,” I tell Gemma. “They’re spicy balls of love.”
She rubs her hands together. “Excellent. I love spicy. Bring it on.”
“They’re also vegetarian,” I assure her.
With a happy sigh, she leans to my side, resting her head on my shoulder, and I take the opportunity to be super schmoopy and lovingly feed her one of my precious dumplings.
“Mmmm! This is amazing. Reminds me of some of my favorite dim sum back on Earth.”
“I’m glad you like them. When we see my parents next, I’ll be sure to have my dad bring us more.”
Well, I already begged him to double my order this time. But again, no one needs to know that.
“You’re the best,” Gemma coos at me, then kisses the tip of my nose.
“We have to up our romance game,” Sasha tells Kheph. “They’re leaving us in the dust with their antics.”
Kheph’s pink tentacles flail around him. “I’m the most romantic Dravethian in the universe!” He points a challenging finger at us. “I won’t let you beat us.”
“I didn’t know it was a competition,” Gemma whispers to me.
“I think it’s a man thing,” I whisper back. “You know how they can be.”
“Lovable but foolish?”
“Yep.”
As we eat, we all discuss our schedule.
“In two more days, we’ll be meeting with folks at a new shelter on BlueHaven IV.
They’re interested in helping care for and eventually rehome rescues we pick up from the closest space station in this quadrant.
” Felix beams with pleasure. “I have a good feeling about them based on our initial video conversation.”
His animal rescue operation is already in full swing. He and his sister are clearly overachieving go-getters. I’m not surprised that Najar and I fell for them.
Kheph bounces in his seat. “I’m already making plans for next Christmas!
I’ve discovered an ice planet where the locals celebrate festive winter holidays all year round.
A few of their traditions are not all that dissimilar to human ones, and they make a lot of interesting dishes and beverages tied to the holidays. Won’t that be fun for us to check out?”
“All we need to do is get our three humans some appropriate clothing for the climate,” I say, already imagining cute and fuzzy coat and mitten options for Gemma.
Maybe a nice matching scarf and hat too. I still have the beautiful scarf she crocheted for me and plan to make full use of it.
A series of three chimes ring out and then the ship’s computerized voice comes over the comm system. Distress signal detected along current route. Do you wish to intercept?
“Yes, computer. Send a notification that we are on our way,” Kheph replies.
Affirmative, the computer says and then the system cuts off.
My friend jumps to his feet, all bright-eyed and eager. “Let’s get ready, everyone. We’ve got folks to save!”
In a very short span of time, the Sleigh Belle rescue team has already started making a name for ourselves. It’s keeping us plenty busy and increasing our space credits, courtesy of the Alliance, exponentially.
Gemma shoves another dumpling in her mouth, in no hurry to follow our friends.
I chuckle.
“No point in rushing. That signal is hours away. We won’t be reaching them in the next few minutes.”
“So true. Our friends do tend to be overly excitable.”
Gemma grins. “We’re so much more mature and sensible, aren’t we?”
“Yes, and now we get all the dumplings. Mwahahaha.” I pop one in my mouth and savor the taste.
She pokes me in my tickle spot and I giggle, then she uses the opportunity to snatch a dumpling for herself.
Goddess Thekmis, I love her so fucking much.
“You do realize that next Christmas will be our one-year anniversary as a couple, right?” Gemma says.
My mouth drops open, and I stare at her in amazement.
By all that is holly and jolly, she’s right.
Since it’s nine Earth months away, I hadn’t thought about it much yet.
Now Kheph’s idea is speaking to me more and more.
A romantic Christmas, playing in the snow and cozying up naked in front of a fire…
Four of my tentacles start making figure eights. “We’re going to have the most amazing Christmas-versary ever! I’ll make sure of that.”
Already, my brain is whirring faster than a quantum warp engine.
“We’ll make that happen together,” Gemma agrees, kissing me softly.
Rambo appears out of nowhere beeping up a storm. Then he says, “Do, or do not. There is no try.”
Gemma laughs. “The fact that your droid knows lines from Star Wars films makes my nerdy sci-fi-loving soul happy.”
“Of course, he’s my super awesome brainchild,” I say. My appendages quiver with so many feels. “I’m glad he makes your soul happy, because you make my tentacles tremble and my hearts flutter like no one else.”
I’ll always bring out all the cheesy stops for Gemma.
She grins. “It’s official. We’ve got the others beat when it comes to being romantic.”
“Naturally,” I boast.
“I have to say,” she muses, “I’m a believer now. Finding one another was a Christmas miracle.”
“I’m sure the magic of Christmas will continue to bring us new joy and happiness every year.”
Gemma kisses me and flashes that sassy smile I love so much.
“Strap in, my love, my heart’s ready to hyperdrive to eternal happiness with you.”
Swoon.
I couldn’t have put it better.