Chapter 21

CHAPTER 21

C hristmas Eve…

Tomlin brought the flyer into a landing in front of the big white farmhouse, as welcoming as ever despite the fresh fall of snow. The familiar scent of pine filled the air, mingling with the smoke from the woodstove, and even from here he could smell something baking. It felt like coming home, especially with Etta at his side.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked quietly, and she smiled at him, her eyes sparkling behind her glasses.

"For the hundredth time, yes. There is nothing in Port Cantor to keep me there."

Except a huge house, all the comforts of the city, and the other scholars she associated with at the university. If only he were entirely sure that she wasn't doing it for his sake.

He had adjusted well enough to the city. The first few weeks had been… difficult but she had remained close by and, as he'd suspected, her presence helped immensely. He'd also settled back into his regular routine, going through the ritual practices over and over until he was sure he had regained control.

He'd taken over managing her house while she decided how she wanted to proceed with her research, but although he received a great deal of satisfaction from caring for her, it was not a difficult job and he was occasionally restless. He hadn't realized she'd picked up on it until one night when they were sprawled on the rug in front of the fireplace in her bedroom. She was still flushed and glowing from their lovemaking when she turned to him.

"I've been thinking," she said slowly.

"What were you thinking, sweetheart?"

He was never entirely sure where that busy little brain would wander, but he definitely hadn't expected her next words.

"I think we should move to the farm."

Yes, he thought immediately, shocked by how much he wanted to return, but he did his best to conceal it.

"Why?" he asked instead, and she shrugged, her pretty breasts bouncing lightly.

"Several reasons. First of all, neither of us particularly enjoys living in the city, and there is nothing to keep us here."

"What about your research?"

"As long as I have a lab, I can work anywhere and you know I prefer being somewhere quieter and more remote." She hesitated. "That is, do you think they would have any objection to me building a lab on the farm?"

"No," he said immediately. He would make sure of it.

"And this house is always here if I need to return for any reason."

"If we need to return. I will go wherever you go."

"Of course." She reached over and traced one of his mating lines, the blue gleaming in the firelight. "But most importantly, because I think you will be happy there."

"But-"

"And as long as you are happy, I am happy," she added before he could finish his objection, then put her hand over his heart. "Can't you feel that is something I want to do?"

He could feel her certainty through their bond and his own happiness flowed out to match hers.

"Thank you, sweetheart. You cannot understand what this means to me."

But perhaps she could, since he could sense her love and contentment as well.

He took a deep breath and climbed out of the flyer, then, despite her objections, carried her over the snow to the front porch. Suddenly nervous, he gripped her hand as he raised the other to knock on the door. The door flew open before he touched it and Evie, S'kal's tiny and very pregnant mate, rushed out and hugged him. He froze, bracing himself for an onslaught of emotion, but although he could feel Evie's happiness and excitement, his bond with Etta muted it enough that it didn't overwhelm him.

"I'm so glad you're back," Evie sniffed, tears filling her eyes, and he raised an eyebrow as S'kal over her head.

His friend shook his head, gently pulling Evie back against his side as he gave Etta a curious look.

"She's been a little emotional lately."

"You would be too if you had a stomach the size of a-" Evie's indignant protest came to an abrupt halt as she finally noticed Etta. "You brought a woman back?"

"I returned with my wife." Even he could hear the pride in his usually cool voice. "This is Etta."

"Your wife? That's wonderful!"

Before S'kal could restrain her, Evie flew over and hugged Etta as well. His mate gave him a helpless look and once again S'kal gently drew Evie away.

"It's too cold for you out here, little one. We should go inside."

"Yes, of course. I'm sorry, Etta, I'm just so pleased to meet you. And that Tomlin will be here when our baby is born. You will be here, won't you?"

"Yes, Lady -" The formality he'd previously used no longer seemed necessary. "Yes, Evie," he said instead and she beamed happily. "That is, if Commander Temel is in agreement."

"Of course he will be," she said at once. "Let's go ask him."

"I imagine Tomlin would prefer to do that himself," S'kal said, firmly guiding his mate back into the house. "But we can discuss it inside."

Etta still looked a little shocked as he took her hand and followed.

"Are they all like that?" she whispered and he smiled at her.

"No, but you will be welcome."

"As you are." She returned his smile. "I knew this was the right decision."

He could sense her assurance and the last of his doubts slipped away.

Temel and his mate Ida were waiting for them inside, and once again he took great pride in introducing Etta as his wife. Ida was not as exuberant as Evie, but her smile was equally warm as she welcomed his mate, and Temel bowed politely over her hand, a smile softening his usually stern face.

"I am delighted to meet you, Etta."

"I'm pleased to meet -" Her words died away as she saw the huge tree at the foot of the stairs, adorned with bows and tiny sparkling lights. "A Christmas tree," she whispered. "I haven't had one of those since my parents died…"

Tears sparkled in her beautiful eyes and he immediately put his arm around her, offering his comfort. Four pairs of eyes watched them - Ida and Evie smiling happily, Temel looking thoughtful, and S'kal with an almost puzzled look on his face.

Etta sniffed and gave everyone an apologetic look.

"I'm sorry. I'm not usually this emotional."

"Nonsense. You have nothing to be sorry about," Ida said at once. "Now, you must be hungry after your journey. I have some hand pies in the kitchen - as long as Naffon hasn't eaten them all."

They followed her obediently into the kitchen, to be greeted by more surprise and delight. Here too Etta's presence helped buffer the wave of emotions and he was able to grasp hands and accept congratulations without losing his composure.

Even when Constance came over to him, Kalpar hovering protectively at her back, her sorrow was muted enough not to overwhelm him. Although perhaps time had also helped ease her pain.

"I'm glad you're back," she said quietly, and he knew she was speaking the truth. "It was time you returned."

"Thank you, Lady Constance."

A tiny smile crossed her lips, but she accepted the title without protest. He watched gratefully as she also made a point of welcoming Etta. His mate was a little stiff at first, but as the minutes ticked by, he noticed her shoulders relaxing, her smile coming more frequently.

She volunteered to slice apples, cutting them into equal pieces with her usual precision, even as she laughed at something Naffon said. Warmth spread through his chest at how easily she was fitting in, how right she looked amongst his… friends.

He'd withdrawn to the doorway to observe, and he wasn't surprised when Temel came to stand next to him.

"May we talk?" he asked, and the commander immediately nodded.

"Let's go to my study."

He hesitated, looking over at Etta, but she looked up and gave him an encouraging smile. Satisfied that she would be all right for a few minutes, he followed Temel down the hallway as S'kal came to join them as well.

He'd spent many hours in the study and it still felt familiar, even after his time away. He automatically assumed his standard position in front of the bookcase as Temel sat behind the big desk and S'kal leaned against the well.

"I would like to return to the farm, to assist you as I did before," he said, grateful that his voice sounded as calm as usual, despite a sudden rush of nerves. "I know that I am not a member of your squad, or even a warrior, but we would like to make our home here, if you will permit it."

S'kal made an abortive gesture, but didn't speak.

"You would be welcome," Temel said quietly, then shook his head, a half-smile on his lips. "I didn't realize how much I'd come to depend on you until I had to manage without you over the last few months."

"I'm sorry I wasn't here, but it was necessary. I don't plan to leave again, although my mate may have business in Port Cantor from time to time. She is a research associate at the university."

Temel nodded.

"Of course you will wish to accompany your mate. I don't foresee that being an issue. Have you decided where you would like to live? Do you want to take over one of the abandoned farms?"

"Not in the least," he said firmly. "If you have no objections, we will build a house and laboratory on the other side of the road."

The location would make it easy to walk back and forth, but would allow Etta privacy for her experiments. And allow him some distance as well.

"That seems like a sensible solution - although I would expect nothing less from you." Temel smiled and rose. "I am glad you are back amongst us. You may not have been a member of my squad, but you are part of our family nonetheless."

The commander left before he could think of a response. S'kal remained, still watching him from across the room, and he raised an eyebrow.

"Is something wrong?"

"I'm just shocked - pleased, but shocked. You seem the same, except not."

"I am not the same." He hesitated for a moment, then pushed up his sleeves to reveal his mating lines. "Nor am I human."

"If you expect me to be surprised, you'll be disappointed," S'kal said dryly. "Do you want to talk about what happened to you while you were gone?"

"Yes," he admitted, surprising himself. "But not now."

"Anytime." His friend smiled at him. "I'm glad that's possible now. And I'm glad that you will be here when our child is born. Evie has been worrying about it."

"I'm glad I'll be here too."

They stood silently for a moment, both lost in thought. How much had changed since S'kal waded into that fight to assist him. Back then he'd been sure he'd be alone forever. Now, he had a family, a home, and Etta.

"Our lives have changed a lot, haven't they?" S'kal asked, echoing his thoughts.

"Very much so."

"Who would have thought we'd end up like this? Married, settled down. You with your scientist, me about to be a father."

"I certainly did not," he admitted. "But I am very happy that we did."

"Indeed. We are lucky males, Tomlin."

They exchanged a smile, then returned to the kitchen. S'kal took a seat next to Evie, lifting her onto his lap, and Etta came to join him.

"Is everything all right?"

"Yes. Temel is happy that I am returning. He also agreed we could build our house across the road."

"That's wonderful."

As much as he enjoyed the warmth and friendship surrounding him, he suddenly felt the need to be alone with his mate. He took her hand and she followed him readily through the house, stopping to pick up their coats before stepping outside into the frosty evening. She immediately shivered.

"We could go to the barn," he began, then hesitated as he sensed… activity from that direction. "No, the mill instead."

He picked her up again and carried her through the orchard to the new mill S'kal had built. She smiled at him as he carried her inside and put her down.

"I'm glad everyone is happy you're back, but it's a little overwhelming, isn't it? Even for me and I don't have your abilities."

"Yes. It's nice to be welcomed but even positive emotions can be difficult when they are so strong."

She nodded and began walking around the room, curiously examining the equipment.

"There seemed to be a number of pregnant women here," she said, her voice carefully casual, and he breathed a silent sigh of relief. At last.

"Indeed."

"What would you say if I told you I was going to be one of them?"

"I'd say it was about time you told me."

Her eyes flew to his, wide and startled. "You knew?"

"Of course I did. But I wanted you to decide when to tell me. Why did you wait, sweetheart?"

"I suppose I was worried that you still had doubts."

She knew how much he had struggled with the decision to have his fertility restored after they returned to the city, afraid of the legacy he would bestow on the child.

"I'm no longer worried. Our child will be loved and wanted and we will teach him whatever he needs to make his way through life."

Tears were sparkling in her eyes again as she walked over and put her arms around him. As always, her embrace felt like coming home.

"I love you," he murmured as he kissed her.

"I love you too." She sniffed, then smiled up at him. "You said ‘him.' Do you really know it's a boy?"

"I believe so, although it is still early. Does it matter?"

"Not in the slightest. What matters is that we are having a child together."

"A child who will never suffer the same loneliness we felt," he vowed, and she sniffed again. "A child who will always be loved. That is far more important than any legacy."

"Yes," she agreed, then gave him a sultry smile. "You know, we've never made love in a cider mill."

"No, we haven't," he said solemnly, even though his body was already responding to the teasing note in her voice.

"I think we should try it. Purely for scientific reasons, of course."

"Of course," he echoed, as he lifted her into his arms and carried her across the room to the apple barrel he'd already decided was the perfect height. "Will this suit you, madam scientist?"

"I believe so," she said breathlessly. "But I think we should experiment to be sure."

It proved to be a very successful experiment.