“Alright, alright,” he said, planting a sloppy kiss to their cheek, right on their dimple.
A rattle shook at their display of affection, and Dex caught the curl to Mr. Vysov’s upper lip. “You understand what this will mean, Cylene? For you. For your future.”
“For us?” their mother sobbed obnoxiously.
Cya’s smile faded as they faced their father again. “Yes, I think I do.”
“There will be ramifications.”
It wasn’t a threat, per se. Just a statement of fact, an acknowledgement of the reality Cya was choosing.
They swallowed heavily and wet their lips. “I understand, Father.”
“Do you?” He shot Dex a scathing glare. “You think he can take care of you? Provide you with a life like this?” Waving at the marble and luxury surrounding them, he shook his head in disapproval. “You really believe you’ll be satisfied being some dock worker’s wife?”
“I’m studying to be a sports therapist,” Dex grumbled defensively.
With fondness creasing the skin around their eyes, Cya took his hand and twined their fingers with his. “I don’t know if Dex and I will be together forever, but I know I want to be with him now.” Dex squeezed their hand and winked, and they squeezed back before they turned back to their father. “He loves me, for all that I am and all that I’m not. And I love him the same. Maybe it won’t last, but he makes me happy. I think I’m finally ready to be happy.”
“You’re being foolish, but I can see there’s no point in reasoning with you. So go on.” He gesticulated sharply at the front doors. “We’ll see how long you last.”
“I think they’re gonna surprise you,” Dex said confidently. “They have multiples and layers and a gooey center that’s just the best. They’re a cake, like me, and just because you don’t like cake, doesn’t mean other people won’t. Lots of people like cake!”
The longer he spoke, the more confused Cya—and their dad—became, and Dex frowned. “Damn, I think I lost the plot. Willow said it better, but that was months ago, so I kinda forgot the specifics. The important thing is, Cya’s gonna be great, and you’re gonna regret not being there to see it.”
Exhaling on a shudder, Cya pressed their mouth to his shoulder. “Oh, Dex, how I adore you.”
He puffed out his chest smugly, ignoring Mr. Vysov’s glower. “I am pretty adorable.”
“Shall we, my dear?” Hemersyn opened the front door, and Cya took a fortifying breath, then nodded.
Hemersyn’s black sedan was waiting at the front, and Toni and Dex loaded Cya’s baggage into the trunk as Quin settled in the front seat. Shutting the door for her, Hemersyn spun the car keys around his index talon and called up to Cya’s parents who watched from the doorway.
“I’ll return the car in the morning, along with my letter of resignation.”
Mr. Vysov didn’t bother responding, golden eyes locked on Cya. They stood beside the open door to the back seat, staring back at him, sadness and determination warring on their face. Dex tucked a chunk of hair behind their ear and patted their hip. They tore their gaze away from their father to meet Dex’s.
Neither of them said anything, but after several seconds, Cya dipped their chin. Just once. Without a backward glance, they folded themself into the back seat beside Toni.
Dex followed them, Hemersyn shutting the door behind him. They all buckled up, and once the Avia was behind the wheel, the engine purred to life. Gravel spat under the wheels as the car lurched forward. Cya took Dex’s hand in both of theirs, sniffling softly. The moment the car pulledout of the driveway, their armor crumbled, and they tucked themself under his arm and burst into tears.
As they fell apart, Dex held them, and Toni reached out and placed a comforting hand on their head. Hemersyn chirped sadly, glancing back in the rearview mirror every now and then. Since Quin couldn’t move all that easily with her round tummy, she reached back once to pat Cya’s tail, then faced forward again.
After several tense minutes, Dex asked, “Hey, how did you get to us so fast?”
Toni shot Quin a stern look. “Quin teleported.”
“Quin!” Dex scowled at her as she sighed and hooked her head around the front seat again. “Isn’t that dangerous?”
“Doctors advise against everything when you’re pregnant,” she grumbled dismissively.
“It’s still a risk,” Toni said.
“No riskier than the chances of getting in a car accident,” she snapped, smoke wafting from her nostrils. “Shall I vacate the vehicle too?”
Both Dex and Toni withered under her glare.
“I was just saying…” The Elas drifted off when the smoke turned from a waft to a billow.
