I stand and throw my arms wide.
“Vlad, still about as subtle as a crash landing on a hostile planet. Some things never change.”
We all burst out laughing as I hug them, one by one.
“So, retirement treating you well?” Igor smirks.
“I’m not retired. I’m a sheriff—there’s a difference!” I shoot back, not entirely convinced myself. “Igor, buddy… it’s damn good to see your ugly mug.”
“Still packing heat, I see,” Xenon says, nodding toward my belt.
“Just a stun-set pistoblaster—for the local drunks who can’t tell when to stop. Happens more often than you’d think. Though most troublemakers these days are off-worlders.”
“Man, you really are starting to look like some love-struck old cowboy,” Xenon chuckles.
Vlad claps his hands to get everyone’s attention.
“All right, we crossed half the galaxy to get here. You got anything to drink in that sheriff’s office, or did you go full teetotaler?”
I laugh and wave them toward the building.
“Come on in, boys. First round’s on me… but none for my girl.”
I glance toward Sam, who’s paused a little farther down the street, watching the scene with fond amusement. Her belly, just starting to round under the satchel cradling Gooz, gives away a secret that’s hard to miss once you notice.
Jason squints, then gasps.
“Wait a second… Sam, are you…?”
She nods with a gentle smile, one hand resting on her belly.
“Well I’ll be damned,” Xenon breathes. “We’ve got a baby sheriff on the way?”
“You bet we do!” Sam laughs. “So no booze for me, boys. I’ll stick to berry juice.”
“As your former partner, I call dibs on godfather!” Vlad blurts, his eyes suddenly misty.
“No way—I spotted it first!” Jason argues.
Sam laughs again, a hand protectively over her belly.
“You’re all sweet… but we haven’t picked anyone yet. And you’re gonna have to earn it. This kid’s gonna need solid role models—not just a bunch of galactic goofballs.”
“Ouch!” Jason gasps, clutching his chest. “Wounded…”
“I’ll knit booties out of composite fiber for those tiny feet!” Vlad declares proudly, raising a finger like he’s solved interstellar hunger.
My girl steps into my arms, melting against me with the ease of a lifelong dance. She looks up at me, those sparkling eyes full of mischief and warmth. In this moment, there’s nowhere else in the universe I’d rather be than right here, wrapped up in her breath.
“I actually made my famous crispy larva cakes this morning,” she whispers, teasing.
I burst out laughing and turn to my friends.
“Let’s go, fellas! My girl’s cooked up a treat!”
I take a moment to look at them all, heart full to the brim. These guys—they’re more than just former teammates. They’re family. The kind you build across galaxies and hardships. And I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the stars.
