As she opened the condo door, Nancy declared, "You are adorable, and I bet Scyon is too. Maybe we can freeze some pizza and send it tohim."
Before Nexxa could reply, a squeal of delight rang throughout the condo. A slim woman with blonde hair, streaked with white strands, stood beside a barstool, clapping her hands. Excitement and joy shone in her blue eyes, along with a tear. She reached out and said, "Alexis, my darling, I've missed you so much." She wrapped her daughter in thin arms and kissed hercheek.
Alexis closed her eyes and gave in to the longing she had shut away over the years. Many times, she had imagined being in her mother's loving arms. Especially when she was frightened or sad. During her pregnancy with Nexxa, she had felt the need for her mother and often cried when Nabvan couldn't see. Eventually, she had closed that part of her heart, but today, she allowed it to open once more. "Oh, mom, it feels so good to be here. I love you somuch."
Pulling apart from her daughter, Alexis's mom looked over every inch of her. "You look healthy and beautiful. I was so afraid you would be altered in some way, either by the planet or the ordeal you went through to have Nexxa. Speaking of which, where is my granddaughter? Come here and give me ahug."
Nexxa almost bounced into her grandmother's waiting arms. She enthusiastically hugged the older woman and said, "You look like my mother, except older. Mommy does not have any likenesses of her family, so I did not know how you would appear. I likeyou."
Nexxa's frank words and bubbly personality set the others at ease. Her grandmother replied, "I like you, too. You are absolutely beautiful. I couldn't imagine a more perfectgranddaughter."
Nabvan stepped forward and offered a large hand. It was ignored, and Alexis's mom said, "You won't get away that easy, young man. I expect a hug from you as well. Don't disappoint an oldwoman."
Nabvan responded, "You are not old, madam. You are quite lovely in every way." He opened his arms wide and enveloped her smallframe.
Nancy whispered to Alexis, "I thought Milisarians were more standoffish and formal. Is Nabvan justdifferent?"
Alexis sighed, "No, he used to be very formal, untalkative, and standoffish. He seldom smiled, and his duties outranked his personal life. He has softened since we fell in love, even more since Nexxa was born. But, do not let appearances fool you. He remains a great warrior, and his anger knows nobounds."
