Chapter 21
Keelie
Walking around my house feels nostalgic. It’s like I’m looking through a window into a former life. I’ve only been gone for two weeks, but it seems like I’ve been gone for months.
This isn’t a home anymore. It stopped being one when Wayne died.
After that, it’s just been a house…and an empty one at that.
Wayne’s loyal blue heeler, Trigger, didn’t make it more than a couple of months longer than my husband.
To this day, I swear he died of a broken heart.
That particular breed bonds to a single person, and Wayne was his person.
I didn’t have the heart to get another dog after that, and now I’m glad I didn’t.
Aercek painstakingly explained to me how strict his government is about bringing in non-native species of flora and fauna.
They never would’ve allowed me to bring a dog, and leaving something that holds a piece of my heart behind would have gutted me.
Shaking off that thought, I start gathering up the things I can’t leave without and putting them in one of my extra-large black suitcases.
I’d asked the guys how much I was allowed to bring, and they told me whatever I wanted, excluding anything that could introduce pathogens to their planet.
Keeping that in mind, I started pulling out various totes, suitcases, and duffel bags to begin the overwhelming process of packing up my life on Earth.
I’m literally moving to another world, so I’m going to bring all of my shit with me.
Aercek and Ahstahl took care of unloading my Bronco, plus all my camping gear, and I have to admit I was thoroughly impressed when they stopped at my campsite this morning.
They stowed an entire truck in the cargo bay of their ship.
Thanks to the cloaking technology the ship has, Ketil landed in the field behind my house in broad daylight.
However, we had to wait for night to fall before leaving the safety of the ship, since the stuff we needed to unload would have been more than a little conspicuous appearing out of nowhere.
While we waited for darkness to fall, the guys showed me the rest of the ship and properly introduced me to their friends.
Ofeig is the definition of a himbo, but he made a better second impression than his first.
Ahstahl took all my storage totes and is in the office/library, carefully packing my books, while Aercek is in my bedroom helping me pack my personal items. He’s pulling clothes out of my closet for me to say yes or no to, while I’m organizing my various pieces of turquoise jewelry into Crown Royal bags.
Aercek growls, and I lift my head. “What?”
He pulls a form-fitting black dress with silver sequins and a plunging neckline out of the closet. “This is a yes.” Then tosses it in the suitcase on the bed.
Sniggering, I go back to packing my jewelry, of which there is a lot. I was surprised when both my guys stared at my jewelry with something akin to awe as soon as I started gathering it up to pack. It’s kind of ironic that my favorite style of jewelry reflects the colors of their hides.
Ahstahl walks through the door with a spring in his step. “My Keelie, I’ve packed all your books, and I must say, the covers of several looked… interesting.”
Staring at him, I play innocent. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, honey.”
Willing to play along, he grins. “Of course you don’t.”
Aercek is completely oblivious to what we’re talking about, because he’s moved on to the dresser and discovered my lingerie drawer.
Yanking the drawer out, he dumps the contents into another suitcase in a decisive motion before putting it back.
Our eyes meet as he turns back towards the closet, muttering something about foot covering, and stops in his tracks.
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
Smirking at him, I don’t say anything and go back to packing my pretties.
AERCEK
Consolidating Keelie’s entire life into a myriad of containers took the better part of the night. Most of our time was spent laughing, joking, and enjoying each other’s company, until she went to a large piece of furniture in the common room of her house.
Her silence was heavy when she pulled out several large tomes. When Ahstahl asked her what it was she held, her voice quivered as she replied that they were photo albums of her and Wayne over the course of their mating.
She was somewhat hesitant and defensive when she told us, and I’m not sure if she expected us to be cross with her or not.
To the contrary, I wish I had images of Rahyk and Luulae, but the concept of taking photos isn’t something my people are familiar with.
We live in the moment and live life to its fullest, but there is nothing wrong with remembering the dead via images.
Ahstahl assured her she was more than welcome to bring her image books with her, and I nodded in agreement.
Her body drooped in relief, and the easy atmosphere amongst us returned.
Ketil, Ofeig, and Eyjolf helped load Keelie’s belongings on the ship, and now all we’re waiting on is our mate to say one final goodbye.
I know the other males are ready to go home, but they understand the magnitude of what Keelie is doing, and they’re content to wait for her.
I’ve told them they have my eternal gratitude for their patience and support.
Watching Keelie, Ahstahl and me linger under her carport in the shadows lest someone see us and call the authorities, waiting while she makes one final trip through the place she’s called home since becoming an adult. Slipping into Vrkari, I mutter. “We’re going to have to tell her.”
Pinning his ears to his head, Ahstahl replies heavily. “I know.”
A soft click sounds in the silence of the night as Keelie pulls her back door closed behind her for the last time. She pauses on the step and takes a deep breath before smiling in the direction we’re standing, her inferior eyesight preventing her from seeing us.
For now.
“Aercek… Ahstahl. I’m… I’m ready to go.”
Stepping out of the shadows, we approach her together and each extends a hand to her. Without hesitation, she takes them, grasping on tightly as we lead her back to our ship.