She rolls her eyes at me fondly. “My bad. So you’re aToy Storyfan, huh?”
I shrug. “What’s not to love about toys that come to life and have hilarious and ridiculous adventures?”
Gemma gently pokes me in the side, and I try not to laugh. “Hey! That tickles,” I whine.
“I know, that’s why I poked you there,” she sasses me back.
So. Damn. Hot.
She turns her attention to my parents. “Your daughter is indeed a bit of a thrill seeker, mixed with a dash of adrenaline junkie.” She reaches out her hand and pats both of theirs. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep her in line. I like to have fun too, but I tend to be more of a calculated risk-taker. I don’t dive into things without any forethought.”
It’s my turn to snicker at her. “Says the woman who basically decided to come aboard our ship and leave her home planet behind in a few short weeks.”
Gemma lifts her chin in the air and sniffs haughtily. “I used that time wisely to gather all the necessary information so I could make a rational and informed decision.”
“Whatever you say, gorgeous.”
My dad starts laughing, and I’m momentarily shocked; he’s not someone to laugh out loud very often.
He wipes at his eyes. “Meeting you, Gemma, has been wonderfully refreshing and very reassuring. As you said, Luna sometimes likes to jump into things tentacles-first and rational head later. I think you’ll balance each other out very well.” He turns to me, a glint of amusement in his eyes. “My dear Luna, Idefinitely think you’ve met your much-needed, perfect match in this universe. She’ll keep you on the tips of your tentacles, the way I know you’ll love.”
All three of my hearts melt. He still gets me on some level, like he did when I was a kid.
I swallow the lump in my throat. “Abso-fucking-lutely,” I agree.
Eventually, we exit the Conversation Nook, and our jelly communication concierge waves us off with a light-filled tendril that I’m still jealous of. We proceed to wander around the space station, exploring some of its unusual botanical gardens and the main shopping district, then finally make our way to the food sector. There, we share a long, leisurely meal together, talking and laughing, reminiscing about the past and sharing our hopes for the future. My parents are clearly ecstatic that they’re going to be getting another grandchild.
“I want to forewarn you,” I say. “Gemma and I aren’t planning on having any children.” I turn to her. “That’s probably not going to change down the line, right?”
“Fuck no,” she replies immediately. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I hate kids. I’m perfectly happy to be an auntie to Luna’s sister’s kids. Same if any of our crewmates decide to have offspring. But I’m not really a maternal type, and I have too many things I want to do with my life that would be difficult to accomplish while also taking on the twenty-four-seven never-ending work of being a parent.” She shrugs. “I feel like my life’s purpose is giving back in a different way than bringing children into the universe. Using my expertise to help and even save the lives of others is my way of paying it forward.”
My mother smiles. “That’s a noble and inspiring path to pursue, and one that gives a great deal of yourself in important ways.”
“Exactly,” Gemma agrees, smiling brightly back at Mom.
I hold up both my hands and wave a tentacle. “You know me, kids were never part of my life vision. Like Gemma, I don’t have anything against them. I love my nephew, and I’m sure I’ll love my niece as well. I like to swoop in for a visit, stuff the little ones full of sweets, shower them with lots of cool gifts, and then exit stage left.”
My dad coughs to hide a laugh, and my mother shakes her head wryly. “Like I said, you’ve always known your mind, and I respect that about you. Deciding whether to have children is a huge, life-altering decision, and it’s important that you and your partner are on the same page, which I’m very glad to see is the case. Being a parent is a somewhat thankless job that never ends. Even when your kids are adults and leave the nest, they are still a huge part of your life, and you continue to be someone they tend to turn to in times of trouble. I hope we can be that for you again, Luna. Someday,” she adds softly.
I sniff back tears. “Mom, I’m sure we’ll get there.”
“I have no doubt the two of you will be the most celebrated aunties in the family,” my dad offers dryly.
I cackle. “Of course we will. We’re super cool lesbians who are super smart and have kickass jobs. It’s only natural for the youngsters to look up to us. We’re also a totally romantic couple and a goal worth aspiring to.”
“Luna also has the added benefit of basically being a big kid at heart,” Gemma adds with a cheeky wink, inserting herself into the conversation with a mouth full of sass.
Dear Thekmis, do I ever love this woman.
“Hey!” I cry. Someone has to defend my honor.
She arches an eyebrow at me. “Are you really going to try and tell us what I said was wrong?”
Neptune’s nads! Of course I can’t, of course she’s fucking right, but still—it’s the principle of the thing.
We finally finish our meals, and my parents are both yawning after their long trip to the space station.
“We’ve got a room reserved at one of the hotels here,” my father says. “I think your mother and I will call it a night. Long travel like this does get a bit harder as one gets older.” He smiles. “But it was well worth it to see you, my child, and meet Gemma.”
