Epilogue

B ecca

The sweet aroma of vanilla and cinnamon wafts through the air as I put the finishing touches on our anniversary cake, a towering confection of swirled starlight and sugared dreams. Has it really been a year since Galactic Goodies opened its doors? A year since Pyne and I took that leap of faith, trading the thrum of the Devil’s Playground’s engines for the gentle bustle of a Verdenian street?

I step back, admiring my handiwork, and feel a pair of strong arms wrap around my waist from behind. “Careful, gladiator,” I tease, leaning into Pyne’s embrace. “You’ll make me smudge the icing.”

He chuckles, nuzzling my neck and sending delicious shivers down my spine. “Can’t have that, can we? This masterpiece deserves perfection. Just like its creator.”

I turn in his arms, looking up into those vivid blue eyes that still make my heart skip a beat. “Flatterer. You just want first dibs on licking the bowl.”

“Guilty as charged!” He grins, unrepentant. “But can you blame me, sugarplum? Your baking is out of this world.”

He’s still as generous with his praise as he’s been from the start. And I love him as much as I did on Cryosyne. No, that’s not true. I love him even more. When I first met Pyne, I never could have imagined the twists and turns our lives would take. From rivals to partners, from a desperate bid for freedom to a love that transcends the stars… it’s been a wild ride.

But through it all, Pyne has been my rock, my guiding light. When the memories of my time as a slave threatened to drown me, he was there to hold me, to remind me of my strength and resilience. And when he was hesitant to reach out to his family, afraid they wouldn’t accept the male he’d become, I was there to encourage him, to assure him that love knows no bounds.

I was right. From the moment we first connected with Pyne’s parents over comms, I could see the love and longing in their eyes. They didn’t care about his past as a gladiator or the scars he bore. They only cared that their son was alive, that he had found happiness and purpose.

Our visits to Verden were filled with laughter and tears, with long walks through the blooming winter gardens and cozy evenings spent sharing stories around the hearth. Pyne’s mother, Zathra, welcomed me with open arms, insisting I call her “mom” and showering me with the maternal affection I’d been craving since I left Earth. And his father, Rykk, gruff but kind-hearted, took Pyne aside and told him how proud he was, how he’d always known his son would find his way home.

It was during one of those visits that Pyne turned to me, his eyes shining with a newfound clarity, and said, “Let’s open our own bakery, right here on Verden. Every time I fight in an arena, I know it hurts your heart. Truth be told, I don’t enjoy it. I want to put down roots, to build a life with you that’s not just among the stars, but grounded in love and family.”

I didn’t hesitate. “Yes,” I whispered, happy tears hot behind my eyes. “Yes. I’ll miss people on the Playground , but it’s no place to raise a family.”

And so, Galaxy Goodies was born. We’ve poured our hearts and souls into every recipe, every decoration, every delectable morsel that passed through our doors. Verdenians and travelers alike flock to our little shop, drawn by the tantalizing aromas and the promise of something truly special.

We’ve gone in two directions. I’ve been perfecting more avant-garde cake designs, and he’s developed a line of artisanal breads. I’m so proud that he’s in contract talks with the Brentigen Corporation. They want to take his signature line of crusty breads galaxy wide.

I’ll never forget the look on his face when we first stepped foot in the little storefront that would become our bakery. The way his eyes lit up, his tail swishing with barely contained excitement.

“It’s perfect,” he breathed, spinning me around in a giddy embrace. “Can’t you just picture it, Becca? The gleaming displays, the happy customers, the smell of freshly baked bread wafting out onto the street…”

And I could. After a year on the Devil’s Playground , healing and growing and falling ever deeper in love, I was ready to build something permanent with Pyne. Something that was ours, rooted in the love and warmth of his family and the community that had welcomed us with open arms.

Those first few months were a whirlwind of sawdust and sugar, of late nights spent poring over blueprints and supplier catalogs. Pyne’s mother, Zathra, was a constant presence, bringing us meals and offering gentle advice. She taught me the secrets of Verdenian winter spices, and together we created a line of pastries and cakes that quickly became the talk of the town.

Pyne’s father, Rykk, surprised us all by volunteering to handle the business side of things. “I may not know my way around a kitchen,” he grumbled, “but I know a thing or two about keeping the books straight.” Beneath his gruff exterior, I could see the pride shining in his eyes, the joy of having his son back home and thriving.

Even our old crewmates got in on the action, sending care packages of exotic ingredients and handmade trinkets to adorn the shop. Zar-Rynn, Anya, and the crew visited often, the captain’s regal presence and Anya’s infectious laughter filling the bakery with a touch of starship magic.

Dax never failed to make himself at home behind the counter, his booming voice announcing daily specials and charming the local ladies with his roguish grin. And King, bless his furry heart, became something of a town mascot, sprawling in the sunny window and keeping watch over our little slice of heaven.

But even as we settled into our new life, there were moments when the old uncertainties crept in. Moments when Pyne would go quiet, his gaze distant and haunted. Moments when I’d catch myself reaching to slide my fingers over a phantom slave collar, my breath coming in panicked gasps.

In those moments, we held each other close, whispering words of love and reassurance. We talked about the future, about the family we hoped to build together. Slowly, day by day, the wounds of the past began to heal, replaced by a love that grew stronger and deeper with every passing day.

Now, as we stand in the heart of our little shop, surrounded by the fruits of our labor and the love of our community, I feel a sense of peace and belonging that I never could have imagined in my darkest days. Pyne’s hand rests on the gentle swell of my belly, his touch reverent and protective. In just a few months, we’ll welcome a new little baker into the world, a perfect blend of human and Verdenian sweetness.

Pyne presses a kiss to my temple, his voice rough with emotion. “Thank you, Becca. For believing in me, in us. For giving me the courage to come home, to build this life with you.”

I lean into him, my heart so full it feels fit to burst. “Thank you for being my partner, my love, my home. No matter where this crazy universe takes us, I know we’ll always have each other.”

As if on cue, the bell above the door jingles merrily, announcing the arrival of our first anniversary customers. Hand in hand, we step out to greet them, ready to share the love and warmth that fills every corner of our little shop.

Because that’s the real magic of Galaxy Goodies. Not the swirls of frosting or the sparkle of sugar crystals, but the love that goes into every batch, every bite. The love of a gladiator who rescued a baker, two lost souls who found each other among the stars and built a home in the heart of a Verdenian winter.

As we celebrate this milestone, surrounded by the laughter and joy of our loved ones, I can’t help but marvel at the journey that brought us here. The twists and turns, the triumphs and tears. And I know, with a certainty that resonates in my very bones, that this is just the beginning.

Because with Pyne by my side and a little one on the way, the future is looking sweeter than ever. And I can’t wait to see what delicious adventures await us next.

RESCUED BY THE ALIEN

7 book collection

SERIES LINK

These sweet and spicy holiday tales are part of the Rescued by the Alien collection, a collaboration of authors telling holiday tales with a science fiction romance twist. Each book is a standalone, containing its own Happily Ever After. They can be read in any order.

GYFT by Rena Marks

LASHE by Ella Blake

KHOL by Ava Ross

KLAZ by Ava York

KRINGL by Tana Stone

RUDI by Honey Phillips