Titan nodded, too stunned to speak.
The detached feeling in his head shifted, and while he did not regain normalcy, it no longer felt like his consciousness was swimming away. He had expected the outcome to be much worse. Perhaps there was hope his father truly loved him after all.
After that, his father and mother took their leave, and gradually, the other guests did the same. Kyle, Al, and Human Jude left with an offspring trapped under each of their arms. Corbin carried away the last offspring, whispering conspiratorially and gasping in shock as that offspring translated the argument that had just occurred. Human Martha, holding on to the Great Slut’s arm, passed by, and on their way out, the Great Slut winked at him. Titan smiled back in return.
There was no more reason to feel fear.
Ezra was loved soundly and deeply by many who would not leave him.
And come what may with his father, it seemed that great fortune had found Titan, too, for he had gained these wonderful beings not as coworkers, employees, or acquaintances, but as family.
EPILOGUE
Titan
One Year Later
“Okay, roll call. I don’t want anyHome Alonescenarios while we’re traveling intergalactically,” Ezra said sternly, standing beside the massive government vehicle containing their belongings—and there were quite a few of them. It had been no easy feat locating Earth luggage qualified to withstand wormholes, but Titan had spent many moons on the hunt, and had finally emerged victorious. It had taken a bit of engineering—why humans did not make all of their luggage out of the supermaterial known as the “Nokia phone,” Titan would never know—but to his delight, some resourceful humans under the command of the app known as TaskRabbit had been willing to assist in his endeavor. Zachary P., Haidar Q., and Hubert B. were of such great assistance that Titan had gifted them with many zeros when prompted for a tip. Belatedly, Ezra had gasped in horror upon viewing the number, but then had shaken his head and muttered, “Well, it’s not like we can take it with us anyway.”
Now, all those pieces of luggage were arranged meticulously inside the back compartment of the transportation vehicle similar to how they would be on Al’s favorite game, Tetanus, and all other preparations for their trip were complete. Or, almost all of them. Titan pinched his brows together. “I do not understand the scenario you are attempting to avoid. None of us will be home alone, as we are collectively embarking on a great adventure.”
“No, I was making a—it doesn’t matter. I just want to make sure we have all the kids in the van.”
“Why would we forget our offspring?”
“Well, hopefully we wouldn’t, but there are eight million of them, and I’m an anxious dad, so just humor me, okay?”
Titan’s brows furrowed further. Not only was this a gross exaggeration, but it was unnecessary. If Ezra lacked the confidence to count to six, all he need do was request this service of Titan, whose counting skills were exceptional. No offspring would go missing under his watch—not even under the clever guise of the delightfully hairy mammal known as a squirrel.
Oh well, so be it.
In the year since the clutch’s hatch date, Titan had come to accept that Ezra’s half-human lineage would mean the occasional absurd impulse. The best and most peaceful practice was to humor them.
“I shall indulge you,” Titan said, although he still did not really understand. He peered inside the van and six pairs of eyes of varying color looked back at him. “Your father would like to ensure your presence in this vehicle despite having been the one to place you inside of it, and I am going to allow him his irrationality. When he says your name, please alert him as to your presence with vocal confirmation.”
“Andie?” Ezra called out, as though he was taking attendance during an educational lecture.
From her child safety seat, Andromeda squeaked, “I am present in theground vehicle, Daddy.”
“Aurora?”
“I am also present!”
“Sky?”
“Mmph mm mmmph!” Sky attempted, his mouth full of gelatinous candy that resembled Sand Dwellers.
“Solaris?”
“I want Buttons to come with us!” Solaris complained, all four of his arms crossed in protest.
“Secretary of Defense Buttons must continue her work here, as she is covering our government positions in our absence,” Titan told him. “We will only be gone a short increment of time, and she will be here to greet you upon our return.”
“Cassie?”
“Father, I have boredom, have we reached our destination yet?” Cassiopeia lamented, pouting at some unseen point beyond the window.
Titan shook his head. “We have not even left our home yet. You must employ patience, or you will have an unpleasant time on our journey.”
