The rest of the meal passed by pleasantly. Neal was worn out, so I carried him in my arms.
“Look at him,” Mitch said, smiling fondly at our son as he brushed his hair back out of his eyes. “Out like a light. Let’s just slide his shoes off and tuck him in, unless you think he needs to pee first.”
“He went before he had dessert,” I reminded him.
“Then he should be fine.”
We reached our door, and Mitch fumbled with the keys. “An actual key, can you believe it?” he chuckled as he unlocked the door. I went in first, waiting by the closest bed for Mitch to come in. He walked over, pulling the covers back, and I gently laid Neal down. Mitch picked Stitch up from the chair and placed him next to Neal before pulling the covers over him.
“You know,” he whispered, “I was afraid I’d get sea sick, but I’m not,” he yawned. “I’m so tired, though, and I don’t know why. We hardly did anything.”
“You’re finally able to relax,” I replied, kissing his forehead as I began to shuck off my clothes.
“Yeah, I suppose.” He began unbuttoning his own shirt. I felt a pain of regret, knowing that we’d be sex free until we made landfall, as we had a suite at the inn there. Though Mitch was right. Perhaps the gentle rocking of the ship contributed, but I was ready to sleep as well.
Mitch went into the bathroom. “Gonna brush my teeth,” he mumbled as he went in.
I turned down the bed to wait for him, then closed the drapes to keep the moonlight out.
We’d made it, and no disasters had befallen us. I smirked, thinking of the very different trips by ship we were taking compared to Takahashi. Somehow, I doubted she was enjoying hers nearly as much and her lodgings were likely to not be to her taste, either. I had the feeling they’d had to sound dampen her cell for the trip and wondered what her chosen repertoire was for her screechy voiced concert. I shook my head. She wasn’t my problem anymore, and we were having a great time. Best of all, tomorrow afternoon, Mitch and I got to pledge ourselves once more to one another with Neal at our side. Nothing could be more perfect than that.
CHAPTER42
JOLAR
There wasan arch on the lido deck, close to the railing. Behind the captain, the sea sparkled under the summer sun, a seemingly endless blue against a lighter blue sky filled with the occasional fluffy white cloud. If I looked closely, I could make out a large, dark shape under the water not too far from the ship, probably a whale. I knew Earth waters did not hold predators of that size or larger, not anymore, unlike some of the worlds my people know, so I did not say anything. Especially as I knew only another Mylos would have eyes sharp enough to see it unaided, and even more particularly, because now was the time for saying other more important things.
When we’d decided to buy the cruise package which included this ceremony, Mitch had at first been torn. He’d had his heart set on getting to browse local artisan shops on Kaua’i and choosing our rings there. I’d suggested we exchange bracelets here aboard ship instead, which he readily agreed to. We added Neal to the ceremony then, with Neal also getting a bracelet. Mitch didn’t know it yet, but our son was also giving him one in exchange, and instead of us later sitting on the beach privately exchanging the rings we would buy, I’d booked something called an elopement package, where we would say vows once more. I was going to marry this man so much, there’d never be any doubt that he was mine and I was his.
The pool was closed for the ceremony, which admittedly would only take a few minutes. Then it would open with only this small section of the deck closed off until staff cleared the arch away. Throngs of people, both human and Mylos, in both swimwear and casual clothes were crowded about the deck, excited to get to see us ‘tie the knot’. Beside me, Mitch looked radiant in a white linen suit and a light aquamarine tie that made his eye color really stand out. Between us, Neal wore a similar outfit, only with a clip on bow tie and his suit had shorts which came to just above his knee. Both males wore woven white leather shoes without socks. Altogether they were a stark contrast to me in my dress uniform. Form fitting, supple leather trousers of pale gray with short, black boots paired with my black and gray sash across my torso. A black leather belt hung at my waist, a holster on one side holding my blaster on one hip and my other, the scabbard for my sword.
Mitch’s eyes had nearly bugged out when he saw me, unaware that the weapons had been brought down from the ship and safely stored in a weapons locker in the purser’s office. Neal had giggled, telling his Papa he was being silly because of course Daddy had weapons as he was a warrior and a policeman. I’d reassured my mate that the sword was kept in a hidden, bio locked locker in our bedroom, while my blaster resided in the armory. Neither anywhere our son could get his curious hands on them. Neal would begin training with a sword after his next birthday, but that was a conversation for another day.
The captain cleared his throat, breaking the gaze Mitch and I had been lost in. “All who are gathered here, we are present to witness the promises made between these two mates and their son. He turned to my mate. “Do you Mitchell, reaffirm your commitment to Jolar? To be with him at his side through happy times and calamity alike? To embrace all that is Mylos and be as one within the endless embrace of the stars?”
“I do,” he breathed, the tip of his nose reddening as tiny tears pricked the corner of his eyes.
Captain Munford turned his attention to me. “And do you, Jolar, reaffirm your commitment to Mitchell? To be with him at his side through happy times and calamity alike? To embrace all that is human as well as Mylos and be as one within the endless embrace of the stars?”
“I do,” I said around the sudden lump in my throat.
He glanced down at Neal, who was wriggling excitedly, trying his best to remain still and failing adorably.
“Your Papa’s bracelet now please.”
Neal nodded excitedly, holding the pillow he held up in the air. I plucked Mitch’s bracelet from it, taking a split second to admire the silver band with our names and the year engraved upon it in delicate script. The onboard jeweler had done a fantastic job. I squeezed the clasp open and Mitch held out his arm.
“Now repeat after me. I, Jolar, give this bracelet as a token of my eternal devotion.”
“ I, Jolar, give this bracelet as a token of my eternal devotion,” I said, placing it around his right wrist and snapping it closed. Mitches eyes were now shining wetly and his other hand flew up to his face as a small sob tore from his throat.
He swiped at his eyes and sniffed as several “awws” came from the assembled crowd.
“Sorry. I’m just so happy right now it got to me.”
He took my bracelet from the pillow and I held my right wrist up. We’d chosen that side so as to not match and not block my kunnarskyn on my other side.
“Ready?” the captain asked him and he nodded, placing the bracelet around my wrist. “Then repeat after me. I, Mitchell, give this bracelet as a token of my eternal devotion.”
