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“Yes. I found it inexplicable in several places, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The characters were interesting, the sword fighting was well done, and the idea that someone would endure so much to be with the person he loved was... appealing.”
Something in my chest softened. “That's kind of the point.”
“I suspected as much.” He leaned over and kissed my forehead. “I think I understand why humans enjoy it.”
I settled against him, smiling. “That's a pretty good review.”
“I have no intention of watching it again, however, until you explain why the man in black was so determined to make every conversation sound like a challenge.”
I laughed, and he looked so pleased with himself that I kissed him properly. We were still smiling when I finally turned off the screen.
Skye had moved closer, resting her head against my leg. I stroked her ears and whispered another apology before sliding down, rearranging my pillow, so I was lying flat before settling beneath the clean blankets. Tarek got up to dim the lights, and then joined me. He curled around me, his arm resting securely across my waist, and I reflected on how simply comfortable I felt within my own skin at this moment. It was a wonderful feeling that I’d missed for far too long.
Content, I closed my eyes and allowed myself to drift off with Tarek's hand resting over mine and the quiet hum of the ship’s systems surrounding us.
I woke slowly, warm and comfortable, with my cheek resting against something solid and my arm draped across a broad chest. Tarek's steady breathing stirred the hair at my temple, and his tail lay loosely wrapped around my ankle.
I should probably have felt all the awkward morning after things. We'd known each other for such a short time, yet here I was, practically draped over my new mate as though we'd been sleeping this way for years. Instead, I liked the warmth of him beneath me, the steady rise and fall of his chest, and the gentle weight of his tail around my ankle. It felt natural, reassuring, and surprisingly right. That sense of being right within my own skin and the world around me was still there. I decided to embrace it.
I shifted slightly, testing whether I could move without waking him. His tail tightened for a moment, making a sleepy little adjustment before relaxing again, and I smiled against his chest. It was ridiculously sweet. I settled back into place, content to enjoy the warmth of his embrace a little longer. Then I remembered Sarah.
I lifted my head enough to check the time on my wrist comm, careful not to disturb Tarek more than necessary. It was later than I'd intended to sleep, and Sarah would be getting ready to bring the children to the chow hall for breakfast. I wasn't about to leave her to wrangle everyone on her own while I stayed here enjoying the benefits of having a very comfortable mate. Besides, my bladder had now woken up as well, making things feel even more urgent.
With a reluctant sigh, I began easing myself out of Tarek's embrace, trying to free my ankle without waking him. His tail loosened, and I managed to sit up without disturbing him too much. I hurried to the bathroom and after washing my hands, grabbed some clean clothes to put on.
Tarek stirred while I was pulling on my shirt, his eyes opening slowly as he stretched. He looked at me, then at the blankets on the floor, and finally at Skye, who had taken up position beside the door again.
“Good morning,” he rasped.
“Good morning,” I replied, coming over to give him a quick peck on his lips.
He glanced at Skye. “At least she doesn’t seem to be mad at us anymore.”
“She's saving her judgment for later. Though it could be worse. She could be a cat. They’re pretty judgemental nearly all the time.”
His quiet laugh made me smile. “Are we late?”
“Not yet, but Sarah will have enough to do without getting everyone ready on her own. Laura's been with her overnight, and I want to give her a hand, as even with Nick helping her, the boys are going to be a handful.”
“Then let's go,” he replied, nodding his agreement.
I finished dressing while he got his own clothes on, then I fed Skye, checked her water, and cleaned up the pee pad I laid on the floor for her. Then we headed across the hall to Sarah's suite. I could already hear that the children were awake, and when Nick opened her door, the room was full of the happy chaos of a sleepover coming to an end. Laura was with Sarah, happily babbling from her hip while she finished gathering her things. The moment she saw me, she gave an excited little squeal and reached both arms toward me.
“There she is,” I said, scooping her up. “Did you have a good sleepover, sweetheart?”
She answered by grabbing my shirt and trying to eat the collar.
“I'll take that as a yes.”
Sarah laughed as she handed me Laura's diaper bag. “She was an angel. Slept beautifully, woke up hungry, and then decided she was in charge of the room.”
“That sounds like my girl.”
“She had a wonderful time with me.” Sarah gave Laura a kiss on the cheek before turning toward the others. “Now, who's ready for breakfast?”
The answer was apparently everyone.
We crossed to the mess hall together, with the boys chattering about the shuttle ride and making plans about what they wanted to do after we settled in. Vrann listened with interest, occasionally offering a question of his own. Sarah assured them that the colony had plenty of room to explore and play games outside, and Nick promised that once they arrived, they'd have opportunities to see the town and learn where everything was. And of course, we all promised them more sleepovers and days together at each other’s homes.
