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“I will definitely be coming to her whenever one of the kids gets sick,” Sophia returns, looking relieved at the idea of having a healer and an experienced caregiver on hand.
A bittersweet look passes over her face for a moment. I know she still grieves deeply for the loss of her own mother and wishes she could have done more for her. I, too, still have guilt from the time of our unwanted separation, but I am happy that I can give her this now.
“What does your father do?” Isa’s curiosity breaks us from our thoughts. I notice her gazing out at the landscape that bleeds seamlessly into dense forestry.
Chuckling, I answer her truthfully. “My father practices his favorite hobby. Domesticating exotic animals.”
Sure enough, as we come up I can see my father off the side of the house, grappling with Wilpurthen beast. It is a striped creature with limbs like a primate, the head of an ursus with an elongated jaw, and a thick tail of scaled hide. They are part of the native animal kingdom of my planet, and I recall my mother mentioning that my father had found a wilpurthen nest a while back.
“It’s like staying at a petting zoo!” Sophia exclaims excitedly.
“I’m not petting that thing, and you better not let it pet me,” Isa replies, directing the latter part of her statement towards me.
Laughing fully now, I lower the hovercraft’s propulsion system and climb out of the vehicle as a figure approaches. Although it has been several years and she has a few more wrinkles now, a son will always recognize his mother.
By now my father has noticed our arrival as well and has managed to subdue his latest addition. He guides it into the corral that’s been set up, then saunters up to welcome me with a warrior’s clasp.
“Welcome, my son.” His rumbling tones have only deepened with age, and he is still fit and ‘fighting-ready,’ as my former commander would say. My mother reaches us as well, and I touch her forehead with mine in greeting.
“Father, Mother. Thank you for letting us use your home while we get settled in.”
“You and yours are always welcome,” my mother replies. She turns to the two women who have now cautiously exited the hovercraft. “I am happy to have you all,” she says, looking at our group curiously.
Sophia is holding both of our children – how does she do it so easily? – and the nervous smile is back. I realize that I left some important details out of my communique. A couple of specific details, to be precise.
“Sophia, meet my parents, Axia and Kex. Mother, Father, this is Sophia, my fated nate. This is Isa, her sister in all but blood. And these are our twin children, Azel and Bianca.”
“Well done, son,” my father proclaims. “The universe has blessed you tenfold. Welcome to fatherhood, the greatest test of a man.”
“You are always welcome here, Sophia, as are you, Isa.” My mother addresses the women, and takes a moment to regard the children. “It will be a joy to have children under our roof again. Come, Kex, and take a look at our grandchildren.”
“Why, Azel looks just like Drex did at that age, in his face. He’ll be getting his horns soon, mark me.”
“Yes, and your daughter has such beautiful hair already,” my mother adds. “You said her name was Bianca?”
“I named her after my mother. She passed away before the twins could be born.”
“An honorable way to remember her. Now why don’t you all come inside and rest? You can tell me how you have been recovering, Sophia.” With that, we are all ushered into the house.
We make that first night an early one, all of us exhausted from our travels. My parents adapt quickly to us as new additions, even though it has been many years since either of them had the responsibility of caring for newborns. Nonetheless, they rise to the challenge and quickly make an effort to make Sophia feel comfortable.
While everyone lays asleep the next morning, my mother sits me down and reiterates to me in no uncertain terms that Sophia, as a new mother, needs as much rest as possible, now that we’re all safe and sound. With that in mind, I have taken on the task of securing more permanent living arrangements for us, with Isa as my assistant recruit. The only thing I ask from Sophia is her ideas, as far as our new home is concerned.
“Make sure there is space for Isa,” Sophia insists immediately. “Also, if it’s possible, I would like us to find somewhere that’s still close to your parents. I know it’s not the traditional way for Kaleidians –”
“No, I think that is a good idea,” I reply, interrupting her with a kiss. “It’s true, I wouldn’t have thought of it myself, but the logic is sound. We’re both new parents, and it will be good to have someone close at hand who actually knows what they’re doing, especially while you and Isa become adjusted to living on Kalei.”
Sophia’s suggestions narrow our search considerably, and with the earnings I saved from the military, I’ve got a decent enough nest egg to let us live comfortably for some time. Isa’s new-found sense of adventure makes the task of finding a home easier, and she even offers a suggestion of her own.
“I’ve been thinking about Sophia mentioning a garden when we first arrived here.” Isa brings up the subject during our second week of house-hunting. “I thought we might get a place with some property. Not a whole slice of jungle like your parents, but maybe something with a little bit of nature, where we could create a tribute to elder Bianca.”
“I think that's an incredible idea, Isa, thank you. I think Sophia will love it,” I tell her honestly. Isa gives me one of her rare smiles, and I feel that she has finally fully accepted me as Sophia’s mate.
Eventually, we find the perfect spot. There’s enough space for our family to grow, room for Mother Bianca’s memorial, and even a separate attachment for Isa. It’s easy enough to move our scant belongings into the house, and my parents also contribute by providing us with some furniture and appliances to help.
The look on Sophia’s face when I show her our new home is one I will remember for the rest of our days. There are tears in her eyes as I draw her close, after giving her the grand tour, and Isa discreetly takes the twins to their nursery.
“It’s everything I could have hoped for,” she says in a whisper. Overcome with emotion, she hugs me as tightly as she can.
