Yes, he was. Chayden should haveneverlet him know he had a weakness when it came to his own name. Jullien was a little brother, after all. Irritating others came with that birthright.
Laughing, he glanced at his niece. “If you’ll strap in, we’ll launch.”
Thia ran so fast to her seat that Jullien felt bad for his brother. He prayed his own children were never so eager to leave his company. While Vas’s bitching about being left behind whenever Jullien deemed a mission too dangerous for him could wear thin at times, he’d take that over Thia’s eager break for freedom any day.
***
Hours later, Jullien docked them on the Cyperian StarStation that was the Gorturnum home base. He took a minute to marvel at the fact that here on this remote outpost of Tavali outlaws and pirates lay the only true home he’d ever known. Yeah, he’d grown up in palaces, but none of them had ever been nearly as beautiful as this metal-and-glass structure that floated serenely far away from the court life he’d been groomed for.
This fabricated structure placed here by Tavali pirates centuries ago was truly the only peace he’d ever known. Best of all, this was where his real family was waiting.
The sight of their eager faces in the North Bay brought a smile to his lips and a deep warmth to his heart. Even though he’d been flying missions from here for years, he could always count on Ushara to greet him with their children and extended relatives in tow. The only times she missed was when she was with him or some intergalactic threat kept her locked in her office. Then her relatives would be here in her stead, welcoming him as if he were their real son.
After a lifetime of suffering a family that didn’t care where he was concerned, he still couldn’t believe this was real. That she was really his wife. She had no idea how much it meant to him to see all of them there.
Or maybe she did.
Either way, her thoughtfulness was just one of many reasons he loved her and couldn’t imagine returning to a life where she wasn’t the best part of his day.
As soon as they had everything locked down, he opened the ramp and cleared Chayden and Thraix to leave.
Thraix used his Trisani powers to teleport from the ship to where his wife and son were waiting next to Jullien’s.
Thia gaped at him. “I didn’t think the Trisani used their powers around others.”
Jullien smiled. “Normally they don’t. But we’re all family here. And if I had that particular set of skills, I’d use them to get to my wife and kids, too.”
Chayden grabbed her gear to carry it for her. “Take it to your place?” he asked Jullien.
“Yeah. Thanks.”
Thia pouted. “Is there any chance I could get my own apartment or flat?”
Jullien burst out laughing. “Remember, I make your paka look careless. I won’t even let Vas live alone.”
“Am I going to regret this?”
“Probably,” Jullien snorted. “Most beings regret being around me, sooner rather than later.” He winked at her. “But as my new Crew Cock, I own you and am responsible for everything you do.”
Chayden shook his head. “Don’t take it personally. Your uncle’s insane.”
Jullien snorted. “You know,Psycho Bunny,she’s not the one you need to worry about taking that personally. I’m the one who’s currently armed.”
“Yeah, but you love me.”
Jullien rolled his eyes as he left the ship and was swarmed by his daughters and nieces. He knelt on the ground so that they could each have a turn at hugging him.
Thia hesitated at the sight of the banners that welcomed her to their Nation.
Jullien watched her while he returned jubilant hugs and kisses. He stood up to kiss Ushara and take his infant son from her arms so that she could greet Thia.
Thraix’s wife—Ushara’s youngest sister, Mary—came over to him. “You want me to babysit while you get Thia settled?”
Jullien wrinkled his nose at her. “Appreciate the offer, kisa, but I haven’t seen my boys or girls in days.” He cradled Vidar under his chin so that he could hold him with one arm while he cupped his daughter Mira’s head with his hand. Any time he returned, Mira always clung to his leg for two to three days. It was amazing to him how well he’d learned to walk with her as a symbiotic life form attached there. She was even standing on his boot so that she could stay in place while he moved.
Mary rose up on her toes to give him a kiss. “Love you,drey. Remember that I offered.” She flounced off to return to Thraix, who was as eager to get her home as Jullien was to be alone with Ushara.
But that would be hours away—after the kids were all settled.
