Catching his breath, he lay atop her sensing she was in no hurry to have his weight lifted from her. He kissed her forehead, her cheeks, and her nose before he settled his lips over hers again. How nice to have a day off to spend as long as they liked in each other’s arms.
Love washed through their minds like an incoming tide on the beach ebbing and flowing between them.
He throbbed inside her, and she squeezed him with her inner walls in a matching rhythm. They hummed their pleasure through their kiss as their tongue slow danced together. No matter how long they coupled, he was always reluctant to separate from her.
Calan savored the aftermath almost as much as the act itself. He cherished this extraordinary closeness with Ajha even after his erection faded. He stayed in her arms kissing and cuddling.
After reveling in each other at length, Calan rolled off Ajha and out of bed, offering his hand to help her out. They showered together and dressed then went into the kitchen for a late breakfast of pancakes and sausage flavored protein slices with mugs of jern.
“It’s a beautiful day. Shall we go outside and see what our residents have done with the courtyard. It’s been weeks since I’ve been out there,” Calan said. “Every time I thought I would get a chance to look, something came up.”
“That sounds nice, I haven’t been out there in a while either. I heard they got water hooked to the fountain,” she replied. “They are testing it. I’d like to see it before they have to drain it for the winter.”
“Did I tell you that it’s tradition in our family to make our life mate pledge by water?”
“Yes, and you want us to do that---in front of everyone here at the Refuge?” The thought of speaking in front of almost three thousand people was unnerving. “But we already made our pledges to each other.”
“I thought it could be a perfect opportunity for a festive occasion. Maybe Rax and Mikki would like to pledge with us---maybe other couples would pledge,” he explained. “In order to rebuild civilization, we need to start building families again. That starts with a commitment between people to love each other and make a family together…”
“And since you started the Refuge, you think we should set an example for the community,” she realized, then sighed. Ajha knew it meant a lot to him. “Okay, for you---I do love you.”
“And I love you…” he murmured, even though they both knew it without saying it. Calan grinned and leaned over the table to kiss her. “It’ll be fun. We’ll have a meal together and music, the kids can run around and play, and people can get to know their neighbors.”
Ajha smiled, feeling her resistance fade. His enthusiasm was infectious as she saw his vision of the festivities. “You want a big party like your brother had when he pledged. But your family and friends won’t be here like they were for Jamerin.”
“You are my family now, and we have lots of friends here. We’ll send them some vids,” he said. “Shall we go take a look?”
They got up and cleared the table, depositing the dishes and plasticware into the cleaner. They left their flat together and walked down the corridor toward the north to one of several exits into the courtyard.
The courtyard at the center of the Refuge had been transformed primarily by the residents in the four months since it opened. Calan and Ajha strolled the perimeter hand in hand admiring the progress on that sunny fall day. They started near the south end that had been converted into a playground and an athletic field.
Walking north the center fountain was restored with the surrounding area being prepared for an ornamental garden with pathways through it. The north half of the courtyard was devoted to growing a variety of vegetables. This year’s crop would only supply a portion of the food needed to feed everyone until the next harvest. It was enough so everyone could enjoy some fresh food in their diets.
Residents greeted them cheerfully as they passed. It was pleasant to have a little free time to walk around to see how things were progressing. The fountain would be drained soon for the winter. Calan had wanted to restore it because it resembled a smaller version of Narcaza Fountain on Aledus.
That resemblance was what got Calan thinking about doing a formal pledging ceremony and celebration with the community. He had thought it was time for a festive occasion to help build a sense of community among the people he had gathered.
Walking at a leisurely pace, it took nearly an hour to make the full circuit of the courtyard. They finished in time to join Mikki and Rax for a third meal at their flat.
Ajha and Mikki hugged each other in greeting. “We finally found you, and we’re living in the same building, and I still hardly see you,” Ajha lamented.
“Rax has been showing me how to set up the modules and a whole lot of other stuff that he does. There is always something to do,” Mikki said. “Then he is teaching me to read and write.”
“I know, I’ve been busy too. There is always something to do around here,” Ajha replied. “You look great.”
Mikki had lost the tired, haunted look she’d worn when Calan and Ajha had found her. Rested and eating a diet of nutritious food, she actually looked younger than her thirty-two years. Being in love with Rax didn’t hurt either.
The food processor had just finished preparing their meal as Ajha and Calan arrived. The table was already set, so Rax bade everyone to sit down while he and Mikki brought the plates to the table. The meal was served with jern on ice.
“Calan decided we should have a formal pledging ceremony in the courtyard next week,” Ajha announced. “In front of everybody…”
“I thought you already pledged,” Mikki said.
“We did. I just thought it would be good to bring everyone together for a positive celebration,” Calan replied. “I thought maybe our pledging would encourage other into forming committed relationships to make families together.”
“Does that give you and Rax any ideas?” Ajha asked looking from one to the other of their friends.
“We are pledged bond mates,” Rax said. “But we can say our pledge at your celebration if you wish. It will also be a good time to introduce the new cyborgs to the community.”
