We are family, and we look out for each other. This might seem like I am trying to be controlling, but I am not. I want you and Ginger, your mate, to carry the mark of my family. I do not mean to diminish your name; rather, I want you to have the protection that only a house mark can offer. This universe is huge, and someday you and Ginger will want to travel andsee things you have never experienced before. My Kira loves planning family gatherings, and I am sure she would want you to join us on Darverius—it is on the far side of the universe from here. Even with ANDI’s jump status, it is still a few rotations away. Being human in a universe filled with greed and desire makes you a target, but with this mark, they will know there are consequences if anything happens to you or Ginger.
“I have a few questions before I can give you an answer. Kira said something strange earlier. She told Ginger that I had more credits than I could ever use in a lifetime. How is that possible? I have nothing but what you’ve given me.”
“Ahh, you caught that ... my Kira is very resourceful, and she has been from the very beginning. Since she comes from a completely different world, she has a unique way of seeing things that others do not and she loves decorating. A few orbital rotations after she arrived here, Kira and my home’s AI, SAGE, decided to start a business helping others make their dwellings more comfortable—what she calls“turning them into a home”. I allowed it simply because she enjoyed it so much and could do it from home, where I knew she was safe. The business excelled and even expanded further when my own father’s mate, Victoria, began carrying a furniture line that mimics the items from your earth.
This endeavor has made both females wealthy, and my Kira already needed for nothing, so the moment she was made aware of you, she created a credit account in your name and deposited most of the credits she had earned so far into it for you. The rest she spread among the others here, helping to fund the pods and the ever-rising necessities. You see, you thought I paid for the extra supports and the advanced features in this pod. You actually paid for them yourself.”
“Well, I can’t just accept that.”
“Consider it an inheritance. You are welcome to argue with her about it. I wish you luck. Because as of this rising, I have yet to win one.”
I can’t help but smile at the smirk on DaR’s face because he knows this is a losing battle but is willing to sit back and let me try.
“By now Ricky, have you not learned to pick and choose your battles?”
“I have, but apparently, I’m out of practice. Instead of arguing, I’ll simply say thank you and enjoy the gift and the home I have now because of it. And yes, Commander, I would consider it an honor to wear the mark of your family and will do everything in my power to honor it as you do.”
“Your answer pleases me as it will my Kira. I guess I will take you up on that drink now, as it appears our mates are going to be a while.”
“I will meet you out on the platform … the ice melting off the mountainsides is making for a great show.”
DaR pulls his massive frame up out of the chair, and suddenly the room seems quiet. Walking toward the beverage dispenser, I pour us both a strong drink, and just as I’m turning around, Kira walks out of the bedroom. It’s almost like I’m seeing her for the first time.
“My goodness, you look so much like Rick there are times it’s hard to look at you.”
“And you’re still the girl I was going to marry when I was nine, and still absolutely beautiful. It appears I enjoy your smile as much now as I did when I was a kid.”
“Ricky, I’m glad all of this is now out in the open, and I pray you forgive me for keeping it from you.”
“I already have. But don’t expect me to call ya grandma, because you are way too pretty for that, and that’s gonna open a whole can of worms neither of us is gonna wanna answer.”
“I don’t care what you call me as long as you let me be in your life.”
I set the drinks down, then pull her into a hug. She smells like vanilla and home-baked cookies. “Here, take this drink to DaR, and I’ll grab a couple more for you girls. It’s too pretty a day to sit inside, and we all could use some family downtime.”
Just as Kira starts to turn away, I reach out and grab her arm gently.
“Thank you for giving me my family back, and I’m not just talking about Ginger.”
I get one of those heart-stopping smiles before she turns, heading out to where DaR is sitting. Ginger walks up behind me, wrapping her arms tightly around my waist as I wait for the beverage dispenser to fill their cups.
“I’m proud of you. I wasn’t sure how you would handle that.”
“Kira didn’t need me ranting and raving. She’s faced enough horrors in her life, and I refuse to add to them. I could see the fear in her eyes the moment she started talking. She walked through a hell none of the rest of us wants to know about or experience, and she’s still smiling. It just shows her truecharacter. I already thought a lot of her and DaR, so the fact that we’re related is just a plus at this point. I’m just happy to be here … right in this moment, and I refuse to let the past or things I had no control over ruin or darken my … our future.”
“You and me both, babe. Now let’s go sit down outside and make some new memories. I have a whole new world to find my place in, but now that we’re together, I no longer fear the days to come. But don’t think for a moment you are getting out of naked snuggles later, just because we have company.”
“Sounds like a date, gorgeous.”
Ginger takes one of the glasses from me, practically skipping toward the huge platform where DaR and Kira are sitting, waiting for us, and I close my eyes for a second, thanking God for hearing my prayers and giving us a chance at tomorrow.”
CHAPTER 11
OWEN
Looking around, thankfully I’m not the only one tearing up as I watch my best friend and one of the strongest guys I know practically collapse when he finally has the love of his life in his arms.
I spent many an evening listening to Ricky talk about Ginger, and even though he smiled, chatted, and joked around, it was easy to see how forced it all was. For the longest time, he never missed a shuttle landing, but as the months went on, I could tell he had lost hope.
