Blue solace complete ser.., p.106
Blue Solace: Complete Series Boxset, page 106
Lucas grinned. “They most certainly are, Sami boy.”
Draif’s father and stepmom waited at the bottom of the ramp with the rest of the neighborhood and most of Full Moon.
Leander gave them a worried look. “Is everyone alright?”
“We’re fine.” Lucas patted his shoulder. “The ship took a few hits, but Tae will have her all fixed up in no time.”
“Sure will,” Tae said, grinning. “I can’t believe I’m the engineer on the Lord Admiral and Vice Admiral’s flagship.”
Leander grinned. “I can’t believe I’m the father of the Vice Admiral of Charybdis Station.”
Tempest gently shoved Draif’s shoulder. “Way to set the bar high, big brother.”
Lucas grabbed her in a hug, and Honey struggled to keep her balance. “It’s not a competition, Tempest. If it was, we’d all lose.”
“Speak for yourself, Lucas.” Renee strode toward the ship, Milo in her arms. “I can still outfight him. For now.”
Fasi set Rizzie down just in time to get an armful of his wife and grandson. “Humans First is over.”
Renee tucked her head into his chest. “Good. I don’t like being left behind.”
Lucas recognized a pair of gray eyes over the sea of people gathering at the ship. “Ige! Over here.”
Draif’s friend pushed through people to get to them. “I left some ships on cleanup duty, but thank you for letting us dock, Lord Admiral. I’m glad this is over.”
Fasi nodded. “You and your people are welcome here anytime, Mr. Ige. You put yourself at great risk to keep us updated on HF’s movements.”
Lucas gripped the human’s shoulder and squeezed. “I appreciate you making sure Beldon Cortez didn’t get away.”
“I can’t believe he ran,” Ginger said, scowling. “What kind of leader orders his people to attack, then runs?”
“A shitty one,” Draif answered dryly, before turning to Fasi. “Lucas and I will check in with medical and get a number on the dead and wounded.”
“Good. I’ll get the Council together, and we’ll address the station.” Fasi grinned. “Look at you, Draify, stepping right into your role.”
Draif groaned. “Don’t call me Draify. It’s embarrassing.”
“Draify loo,” Ma said, pulling Draif into a big hug. “Love isn’t embarrassing, baby boy.”
Lucas snickered, and Draif gave him a dark look. “Sorry, Ma. The Vice Admiral and I have to get to work.”
Ma set Draif down and leaned over to kiss Lucas’s cheek. “Come to Leti’s house when you’re done. We have celebrating to do.”
Pops wrapped an arm around Ige’s shoulder. “Mr. Ige, you’re coming with us. Gus is already at the house, and he wants to talk to you about your shipping business. He and I got to talking about the access control systems on your ships.”
Draif took Lucas’s hand again, then looked hesitant. “Wait. Should I hold your hand? It’s not very professional.”
Lucas tugged him toward the docked medical ship. “Love, nothing and no one will keep me from holding your hand. People can deal with it.”
A few hours later, they made it back to their neighborhood. The streets were full of very happy people. Lucas saw soldiers from all six planets in the Anchor’s Rest System as well as Ige’s fleet.
Councilman Delino had his arm around Becca as he moved from group to group, laughing and talking. Lucas noticed all of the Council mixed in with captains, generals, and civilians.
“Think we can make it to Leti’s house?” Draif leaned into his side, and Lucas stopped walking and closed his eyes. “What’s wrong, Lucas?”
He opened his eyes and met Draif’s gaze. “The Queen is dead, and Humans First is destroyed. Most importantly of all, you’re my mate. I’m at your side, Draif, and I always will be. I’m sorry. It all is just sinking in.”
Draif smiled. “I know what you mean.”
Gus ran up to them. “There you two are. Ma and Sybil have food on tables in the backyard, and I think someone snuck another goat in there too.”
Lucas tilted his head, and Honey slid to his shoulder. “Another goat?”
Gus’s face scrunched up. “Yeah. There’s a long-haired black and white Havenite goat with these huge ears in the yard with Wobbles and Trixie.”
Draif snorted. “Who brings a goat to a celebration?”
Lucas grinned. “The Havenites. They heard Leti likes animals.”
“Hack is going to be so mad,” Draif said, laughing. “Leti will accept the goat into his family and pamper and love it.”
Gus winced. “You should go tell Renee that. I think she was wondering about making the goat dinner. She really doesn’t want more pets to take care of.”
“Uh oh.” Draif let go of Lucas’s hand and ran toward Leti’s house.
Lucas took his time getting to the house. He didn’t want to get between Draif and Renee. “Gus, how is your family settling in?”
The young man grinned. “They’re good. We’ve never had such a nice place to live in before, and Mom is happy I’m more legit.”
“You’re alright with working for Charybdis Station instead of freelancing?”
“It’s different, but honestly, it’s even more challenging. There’s a lot I can do for Charybdis Station, and it gives my family a solid and stable home.”
They made it to the house, and Lucas laughed. Draif and Renee were feeding apple slices to the goat. It was bigger than Trixie but looked a lot more placid. Its hair was shiny and well-kept, and Lucas suspected it might be a little high maintenance. Rizzie and Ava were brushing it, and there were several bows in its hair.
“Yeah. No one’s eating that goat,” Lucas said.
Later that night, after the numbers were reported, the goat was welcomed into the family, and the drinking was done, Lucas finally had his mate to himself. Honey, Chutney, and Marmalade were curled together on the master bedroom’s window seat, and Ige slept in a guestroom down the hall.
Draif straddled Lucas, face pressed into his neck. “I can’t believe it worked. I’ve been planning for months, but so many things could have gone wrong.”
Lucas thought of the images of the big four’s bodies. “Your backup plans had backup plans, love. I’m not at all surprised we won. No one is. You, Fasi, Ava, and the Council made sure we were as prepared as possible. Fuck, I didn’t realize it, but they even had Burnished ships out there. They were manned by Havenites and Burnished, but still. That was Burnished Outpost’s first real space battle.”
“Thank Ava for that. The woman has a way of making allies.”
Lucas smiled into Draif’s hair and thought of the very brief conversation he’d managed to have with Fasi about Ava. “She certainly does.”
Draif leaned back, giving Lucas a stricken look. “Goel and Beldon have been hanging over my head for years. Now they’re gone, and there’s this emptiness in my gut. I didn’t realize I was clinging so hard to my past.”
Lucas pushed a strand of hair from Draif’s face. “Now, we can plan for the future.”
Draif bit his lip. “It doesn’t feel like it’s over. It doesn’t feel like it’s real.”
“I don’t think it will until Hack and the others get back,” Lucas said, stroking Draif’s back. “I love you, Draif Ando. You are the most stubborn, persistent, and intelligent man I know. I am in awe of you every day and so thankful you’re my mate. I don’t know why the fates would think I was worthy of you, but fuck it, I’m going to take it.”
“I love you too. It’s… You’re Lucas. You’re everything.”
Lucas stretched his arm and tried to reach the drawer of his side table. “Give me a second. I can… almost… reach it. Ha! Got it.” He held a ring out to Draif. “This was my dad’s wedding ring. My mom’s was very feminine, but if you’d rather wear it, that’s good too. We’re getting married, right? I mean, you love me, I love you, so what else is there?”
Draif buried his face in his hand. “The romance is killing me.”
Lucas shrugged, grinning. “What do you say?”
Draif cupped his face and kissed him, lips warm and firm. “I say, fuck yes. I’ll wear your dad’s ring, and we can rework your mom’s to suit you or get you a new one. Whatever you want.”
Lucas gave him a smug look. “Proposal done. Look at that.”
“You have such a way with words,” Draif said dryly.
“Hey now, you’re the one that writes poems about me.”
“That’s art, so it’s different.”
Chapter 22
Two weeks later, Draif stood in the spaceport with Moses, Renee, and Fasi. They were surrounded by Leti’s kids. Lucas stood with Nessa, the little girl bouncing in place, excited to finally meet her new mother.
Sybil and Tempest were back at Leti’s house, cooking a huge welcome home meal. Draif’s family was looking forward to meeting Leti.
The Blue Solace and the rest of Hack’s fleet finally docked, and the doors to the cargo holds opened. Leti’s brood moved as one. “Daddies!”
Rizzie carried Milo and led the way to Leti and Hack. Draif had to fight tears when his friend started sobbing and hugging his children. Mo, Alex, and Rose surrounded Hack, and the general disappeared in his siblings’ arms. The two groups quickly merged into a pile of arms and tears. Renee sniffled, then pulled Moses and Fasi forward and into the hug too.
Leti’s newest addition, Elril, stood to the side, shy and nervous.
Rizzie’s head popped out of the tangled mess of a hug. “Elril. Come hug us. Brothers hug their sisters, damn it.”
Elril grinned and ran to them, and Rizzie and Sami pulled him into the pile.
Hack’s dog, Gravy, and Alois’s dog, Peri, took advantage of the chaos to find some privacy behind a few stacked crates. Draif winced and looked away. There might be more puppies soon.
He looked up and noticed Wyatt and Morgan with the twins and Estella. Wyatt’s mom and stepdad waited their turn for hugs. Next to them, a well-rested and healthy-looking Sebastian showed Mordy to his sisters, Sai and Salla, while Alois held Nina in his arms, swaying and cooing to the baby.
Closer to the ship, Selene had Xu in her arms, and Draif could read the woman well enough to know she was close to tears. Nettle and Lilah hugged, their daughter Sophie between them, and Dannol knelt in front of Nessa, talking quickly before hugging his daughter.
Dru, Lerais, and Juniper greeted Finn, and Draif smiled when he saw his crew crowded around Moyra and Olla.
“Damn.” Draif rushed to the ramp when he saw Beck helping Beol walk. The pregnant man was massive. “Beol, are you about to give birth?”
The former assassin glared at him. “Fuck you, Vice Admiral. I’m carrying gods damned twins, and I’m slow.”
Grumpy kitty, Draif thought.
Ma and Beck’s sisters surrounded Beol and whisked him away in a circle of chatter, fussing, and promises of foot and back rubs.
Beck stood there, blinking. “What just happened?”
Pops grinned and hugged his son. “Your mate needed some loving, son. It’s good to see you back. Where’s my Icarus?”
Beck’s Bracken son came from the ship. He carried Beck’s Crell daughter, Aketil.
“My grandbabies.” Pops pushed Beck aside and ran to Icarus and Aketil.
Beck sighed. “I feel unloved.”
Draif laughed and gave the big Grell a hug. “You’re still loved, big guy. I’m glad you all made it back.”
“Me too.” Beck grinned. “I hear we missed out on seeing Humans First get crushed.”
Draif smirked. “Their fleets are destroyed, their leaders dead, and Cas and Sheiria are in the last stages of taking control of Vextonar and Rueal, HF’s largest supporters.”
“Good job, Vice Admiral,” Beck said, slapping Draif’s back.
Draif grinned, then noticed something interesting. “Look there.”
Draif and Beck watched Val approach Death, face uncertain and almost tortured. Death didn’t say anything. He just pulled the large Betonize man into his arms and kissed him.
“Well,” Beck said, brows raised. “Fire was right.”
“I told you so,” Fire said from behind him. “I see them together all the time. I think Death loves Val.” The Element had his two guinea pigs on his shoulders and a cinnamon stick in his mouth. “Aren’t they cute?”
Draif snorted. “I’m sure they’d appreciate that description.”
Beck laughed. “Yeah.”
Fire bounced and turned in circles. “Look. There’s Meggie. She thinks she looks scary so she’s trying to sneak past Nessa. Dannol thinks it’s a stupid plan, but he doesn’t want her to feel bad.”
Draif frowned and spun around. Nessa had been looking forward to seeing Meggie. There would be no damn sneaking.
Sax helped her friend walk along the edges of the crowds while Gregor carried their bags, hovering close behind the women. Meggie was draped in a long, thick coat with the hood pulled up, hiding her face.
Draif whistled to Lucas, and his mate turned to him. Draif nodded at Meggie, and Lucas’s face turned dark. He tapped Nessa and Dannol on the shoulders and pointed toward Meggie.
Nessa’s face lit up. “Mama!” She pulled out of Dannol’s arms and ran toward Meggie.
The gathered crowd grew quiet and watched the little girl.
Meggie yelped and pushed behind Sax. “Don’t look, Nessa. I’m hideous, and I don’t want to scare you.”
Nessa ignored her and pushed Sax aside. She pulled Meggie’s hood back, and Draif’s heart about broke. Meggie had no hair and no real facial features. Her metal frame and the bare start to her wired musculature was in place, but she had no lips, no skin, and no ears.
Nessa didn’t care, she hugged her, tears falling. “Mama, you’re here. Hug me!”
Meggie gasped, then did as she was told.
“Meggie girl, why are you hiding?” Becca and the ever-present Delino joined them. “You’re my beautiful, heroic girl.”
“Mom,” Meggie said, voice strained. She held an arm out, and Becca joined them. “You really don’t mind my face, Nessa?”
Nessa looked puzzled. “You got hurt saving everyone. Scars are part of us. I showed you mine when we talked on the vid-screen, remember?”
Fasi and the rest of the Council approached them. “Meggie, welcome home. We are honored you’ve chosen to become a Charybdis Station citizen. Please don’t hide away from us.”
The crowds drew closer and started to cheer when they recognized Meggie. Draif wiped his eyes. They had seen Meggie’s actions and not a damn person was concerned about her appearance. They were just happy she was alive.
Draif sat with Lucas in one of the comfortable lounge chairs in the backyard. He held Aketil in his arms, transfixed by the Crell baby’s black eyes. Her tiny fist gripped one of his fingers, and she squeezed.
Ige and Gus sat nearby, heads close together as they talked about Ige’s ships. Draif had a feeling Ige would be making Charybdis Station a frequent stop in the future. He liked it here and got along well with everyone.
Ginger and Olla sat together on the ground next to Draif’s chair. The two women whispered to one another, occasionally darting a look his way. Leander stood behind them, examining one of the large trees in the yard.
“I can’t believe Beck adopted a Crell baby.” Lucas nuzzled the back of Draif’s neck, and he shuddered.
“I can.”
Draif fought back the longing that suddenly filled him. Lucas and he didn’t have time for a baby right now. Over the past couple of weeks, Draif had started taking on responsibilities as the Vice Admiral. He had an office next to Fasi’s and a full schedule. He even had an assistant.
Aketil gurgled and squeezed Draif’s finger again. “Lucas, can we have a baby?”
Lucas choked on air and started coughing.
“Whoa there, Lucas. Are you alright?” Leander patted Lucas on the back.
Draif flushed. They really didn’t have time for children. Really. Life was too busy.
“Thanks, Leander,” Lucas finally managed to say. “Draif and I are gonna have kids. I’ll have to do some work in the house and pass on more of my duties to Anders. Should we get a dog? It seems like Leti told me every kid should have a dog.”
Leander blinked. “Draif is pregnant?”
Draif started laughing, joy filling him. “No, Dad. I’m not pregnant. Yet.”
Leti sat on the arm of the chair, patting Draif’s cheek. “Did you say you’re pregnant? Already?”
Draif gave him an incredulous look. “You’re the one that got pregnant just days after meeting your mate, so no judging. Besides, I’m not pregnant.”
Meggie wandered over with Nessa. She reached out and pricked him with one of her fingers, collecting a drop of his blood. “I’ll go ask Mom to test your blood. She carries her scanner with her all the time. I’ll help Sybil make up a nutritional menu for you. Another week from now, and I could scan you myself.”
Draif groaned. “I’m not pregnant yet!”
Meggie ignored him and ran to Becca. Draif couldn’t help but be happy the annoying woman didn’t seem a bit self-conscious about her appearance anymore.
Lucas buried his face against Draif’s shoulder, body shaking with laughter.
“If you’re pregnant, I’m getting your kid a damn pet,” Reed said, sitting in a chair nearby. “I still owe you for giving Herma her damn Gelross.”
“Gelross?” Leti gasped. “I don’t have a Gelross.”
“You have another goat.” Lucas pointed at Muffin, the newest addition to Leti’s family. The silky-haired goat was covered in bows. He stood with Wobble and Trixie at the largest flower bush in the backyard.
“Isn’t he the prettiest goat in the galaxy?” Leti sighed happily, chin resting on his fist.
Leander sniffled. “Draif. A few minutes ago, you called me Dad. Did you notice that?”
Draif smiled softly. “I’ve been calling you Dad in my head for a while now.”
A pack of children ran by, filling the air with loud laughter and squeals. Elril was right in the middle of them, smiling and happy. The sandbox was full of the smaller children, and Princess Buttercup lounged beside it with Mo’s jackrabbit, Abbot. Stardust and Honey perched on the big dragon’s back while Aagy grumbled as he gently chewed on Princess’s tail.
