I came into this conversation expecting bad news and a whole lot of awkward silence, just like I’ve been getting for the last year, but it seems that during the last few months that we’ve gone radio silent with each other, my family has been doing some much-needed reflection. For now, I’m cautiously optimistic about rebuilding my relationship with them.
“You okay?” Gemma asks, concern written all over her face.
I collapse into one of the seats on the bridge and she sits beside me, never letting go of my hand.
“Truthfully, I’m still kind of processing everything that happened. I definitely wasn’t expecting what went down, but I’m… happy. My family seems to have finally gotten their tentacles out of their asses and realized they were wrong. I kind of never thought this day would happen.”
Gemma’s lips twitch and she arches an eyebrow. “Perhaps another blessing from Thekmis, so to speak?”
“No shit. It seems pretty improbable to me that they would acknowledge their wrongdoing without some kind of divine intervention.”
Gemma laughs and then sighs. “I’ll probably always be a little bit pissed at them for how they treated you—sorry, not sorry—but I’m going to try to keep an open mind and get to know them all because you love them and they’re important to you despite their shitty behavior.”
I lean toward her, and we rest our foreheads against one another. “Have I told you how epically awesome you are?”
“Maybe once or twice, but I don’t get tired of hearing it.”
I chuckle. “Don’t worry, I plan to keep telling you for the rest of your life.”
“I’m down with that.” She reaches the hand up to cup my cheek. “You have the biggest hearts of anyone I’ve ever met. There are a lot of people who would cut ties with their family for the way yours have treated you, but your kindness and willingness to give them a chance to do better speaks volumes about how epically awesomeyouare.” Her smile is breathtakingly beautiful. “You teach me how to be a better person every day. I deeply admire and respect how brave, kind, loving, and fiercely independent you are. In this unimaginably vast expanse of universe, I’m completely convinced that you are one of a kind—and I’m so damn glad you’re mine.”
To my surprise, that’s when the tears I’ve been holding back start streaming down my face and I collapse into her arms. While I let out all the pain and sorrow I’ve been carrying, Gemma holds me and comforts me until my tears dry and I am finally able to let go of some of the hurt I hold in my hearts.
CHAPTER 19
Last time we gave tips on keeping the romance alive in your relationship for the long term. However, we would be remiss if we didn’t also provide advice on maintaining a fulfilling and healthy sexual dimension to your relationship—if that is something you and your partner(s) need and want.
For many, sex is a crucial physical connection that fosters both bodily and emotional intimacy. Losing the spark in the bedroom (or wherever you like to enjoy yourselves) can create unintentional distance between you and your partner. Familiarity and routine can become boring for some. The frenzied, insatiable passion you share during the early part of your relationship can soften or fade with time. That isn’t always a bad thing, especially as sexual drives and needs can change as we age. Acrobatic sex is far more fun in our prime than it is when the aches and pains of old age have become our constant companions. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t still experience amazing sex with your partner. Spice things up from time to time. Role playing and acting out certain fantasies can be incredibly stimulating. Trying out sexual aids and devices can also prove highly enjoyable—and increasestaying power during your lovemaking. Dirty talk can sometimes be very stimulating and arousing. Figure out some of your partner’s preferences on that front and get to work! In other words, don’t fall into a rut you might find hard to get out of. Keep the passion alive and continue to work on satisfying each other’s needs. See the appendix at the end of this guide for some sexy scenarios to provide inspiration!
—Ch. 9,How to Flirt Among the Stars: An Intergalactic (and Interspecies) Sapphic Dating Guide
Gemma
I’m startled the next morning when the strange transmitter token Phee’s grandma gave me lights up and starts beeping at me.
“What’s wrong with this thing?” I ask Luna as I finish towel-drying my hair. Once done with that, I pull on a comfy pair of jeans and a warm, fuzzy blue sweater.
She takes hold of the token and grins. “In human terms, you’re being paged.”
I blink at her. “By Phee’s grandma?”
“Most likely, since she’s the one who gave this to you.”
I bite my bottom lip. “I should probably respond, huh?”
“Probably a wise course of action,” she agrees. “Want me to connect you to her?” As she says this, she moves over to a screen on the wall in my bedroom. We spent last night in my bed, cuddled around each other for comfort after the cathartic but draining meeting Luna had with her family.
“We don’t have to go to the bridge?”
Luna shakes her head. “Nah, not for this. With some transmissions, the bridge is definitely better, particularly whencommunicating across very long distances. But this should be fine. I can’t imagine Phee’s grandma is on the other side of the universe already.”
A small infrared device next to the screen scans the transmitter token and then, before I’m quite ready, the screen flares to life and I’m staring at Elunara. Today, she’s clearly at work and sitting at her desk. Her hair’s pulled back in a no-nonsense bun, and she’s dressed in the extraterrestrial equivalent of a power suit.
Not gonna lie, I’m kind of impressed.
I wave awkwardly. “Hi there, Elunara. Good to see you again so soon.”
Her mouth makes a moue of amusement. “I told you I’d be in touch when things had calmed down so I could properly thank you for all that you did for my granddaughter.”
