Luna
“Would you like to check out the Quantum Tunnel of Love with me?”
Gemma blinks at me. “The what now?”
“It’s another romantic attraction geared toward couples. We get into super cute hoverboats and travel through a tunnel that contains a low-level, empathic resonance system that can supposedly glean information from surface emotions and feelings among couples. Then it projects dream or fantasy images on the holographic walls based on whatever it learns from us.”
Her mouth drops open. “That can’t be real.”
I grin. “It totally is. From what I’ve read, it sounds really fucking cool. I think it could be super romantic.”
“Sounds a bit creepy to me.”
“I have no secrets from you, gorgeous.” I give her my best puppy-dog eyes and extend two of my tentacles in front of me in a mock prayer pose. “Pretty please with candy canes on top?”
“Are those eyes one of your Love Master Luna moves?”
“Maybe.”
“Well played. Those are dangerous.” She sighs dramatically. “Fine. As long as this system doesn’t hit on any super weird or embarrassing fantasies we have! Also, if I find out you’re a serial killer, I’m out.”
I nod vigorously. “What happens in the tunnel, stays in the tunnel. Unless one of us is a serial killer.”
That makes her laugh. “Okay, how does this work? Please tell me this tunnel isn’t anything like that damn coaster.”
“It’s an enclosed tunnel, and the walls and floors are designed to display the images I mentioned. No floating into space or crazy vertical drops to be had.”
“When in Rome, right? Let’s do it.”
I take her hand in mine again and we head toward the tunnel. Along the way, we stop at a vendor cart selling herbal teas. We select one that’s supposed to be calming and relaxing. With our warm beverages in hand, we arrive at the entrance line for getting into the Quantum Tunnel of Love. Waiting for this ride takes a lot longer than the coaster earlier since the park only allows one hoverboat in the tunnel at a time. The resonance system can only assess one couple passing through, but Gemma and I are content to chill and wait while talking and sipping on our hot tea.
By the time we reach the front of the line, we’ve finished our beverages and are nice and relaxed. I hold Gemma’s hand to help her into the hoverboat then jump in next to her. We strap ourselves into our seats, and the attendant quickly sends us on our way. As the tunnel’s entrance fades to darkness behind us, its shimmering walls begin to light up, and Gemma and Ihold hands while we wait to see how some of our dreams and fantasies play out on the walls.
The first image shows Gemma and Felix celebrating a future Christmas with me, Najar, Khephren, and Sasha. We all look festive, happy, and full of cheer. It’s a warm, cozy scene that makes me smile.
Glowing, scrawling letters appear above the image with a single word:family.
Gemma gasps. “That’s fucking uncanny.”
My hearts go pitter-patter in my chest when I realize this is one of Gemma’s wishes.
“I know it might be hard to fully accept quite yet, but like Kheph and I told you, the Taylor siblings are part of our quirky found family aboard the Sleigh Belle, and you always will be.”
Gemma’s voice comes out in a faint whisper. “I know, and that means more to me than I could ever put into words. Having a family again, a loving and loyal support system in our lives, is something Felix and I have yearned for ever since we lost our grandparents far too soon.” Her expression turns wistful. “When they were gone, it left us painfully adrift. We never had anyone else we could rely on or turn to in times of joy or trouble beyond each other.”
Well, fuck. Now I’m getting all teary-eyed.
“You both have all of us now, and we’re not letting you two go without a fight!”
Gemma chuckles wetly. “Good, I’ll hold you to that.”
As our hoverboat moves further down the tunnel, the images fade away to be replaced by one of my dreams. It’s an image of Gemma and me being welcomed with open arms by my family. The wordsreunitedandacceptanceglow brightly above the image. Now I understand what Gemma meant when she said this was uncanny.
In fact, I kind of get her earlier point about this being creepy.
Dammit, am I going to lose my self-appointed title of Love Master?
“Is that your family?” Gemma asks me softly.
