Page 2 of Home

After much shaking of hands and repeated congratulations to Quin as he saw them off, all that remained in the conference room were Vivian, Quin, Kail and Zahn, as Vivian and Eula discussed Eula’s idea for preparing the East wing of the palace for them.

“I have several excellent ladies maids that I encourage you to meet. You should hire one to help you with the children,” Eula said.

“I won’t need a nanny full time. I want to raise my children myself,” Vivian answered. “But, I have already hired someone that will accompany us to Cruestace for whenever I need an extra hand,” Vivian answered.

“Oh, is she one of the females from Earth? Do I know her?” Eula asked.

“No. She’s from Eschina. She was a servant in Lo’San’s brother’s household. She raised his children,” Vivian said, watching Zahn out of the corner of her eye. “Her name is Au’revele. I’m very fond of her.”

“Send me her information and I’ll obtain resident papers on her at once. I’m excited to meet the female you trust so well. I’m sure she’s a very sweet girl,” Eula said.

“She really is,” Vivian answered.

“Sirena, I would like to declare my intention to accompany you to Cruestace,” Zahn announced.

Vivian turned her chair and smiled innocently at Zahn. “Are you sure, Zahn? I know that life at home is much less exciting than life aboard the ship.”

“I am very sure, Sirena. If it is acceptable to you, I will be most honored to continue as the head of your personal guard,” Zahn said.

“Accepted. Thank you, Zahn. I’m very happy you’ll be staying with us,” Vivian said before turning around and giving Eula her attention once again.

“I cannot wait for your arrival, my daughter! I have waited for this day for a very long time,” Eula said.

“I’m excited for it. And a little scared. But,” she said, pausing to take a deep breath, “we’re coming home to Cruestace.”

Chapter 1

Vivi watched excitedly from the window of their transport as it glided slowly above Cruestace after descending through their atmosphere. The views she’d been able to get so far were drastically different from any she’d expected. Though it had been described to her many times, words just didn’t do it justice. Cruestace was like something out of a dream, its appearance almost the opposite of anything she’d ever seen on Earth, or anywhere else. And it was spectacular!

The fields below them swayed in the winds created by their airship; their tall, thin, opalescent white grasses imitating the flow of soft waves on a calm ocean. The waters of Cruestace’s oceans and lakes glistened like mirrors as their multi-shaded green waters reflected the soft yellow and orange hues of the sky, creating the illusion of a rainbow on the ocean’s green surface.

Vivi’s face was pressed to the window, her hand flattened against the surface of it as well, her soft gasps and exclamations filling the room as she was able to see more and more of the planet’s surface as they cruised above it, making Quin smile. He stepped forward, slipping a hand around her thickening waist from behind and rested his hand on her rounded belly. “What do you think, my Ehlealah?”

She quickly glanced away from the window to look up at his face. “It’s stunning, Quin. I could never have imagined it!”

He gazed out of the window, trying to see his world through her eyes.

As she turned back to the window, he pressed his lips to her temple without taking his eyes off the landscapes below their transport. “I am pleased that you like it. This is our home now. This is where we’ll raise our younglings. Where we’ll lead our people and live our lives, side by side.”

“You sound more ominous than excited,” Vivian said, turning in his arms to look into his eyes.

Quin smiled down at her with just a hint of hesitation. “It is a drastic change. I know it is what I must do, but it is very daunting.”

“Daunting? To you? There’s nothing you can’t do!” she exclaimed.

He looked away briefly before meeting her gaze again. “I know I can fulfill the duties required of me, my whole life has prepared me for it. I’m worried that it may be too much for you. I’m worried that you will not be happy here. And though I hesitate to voice it to any others, I will speak the words to you, now. This is my vow to you, Vivi. If you become unhappy here, we will return to Command Warship 1. I will not live any life that causes my Ehlealah misery. Know that you will not be forced to live here with no alternative.”

Vivian tried to lift up on tiptoe to kiss Quin, who quickly caught her as she became unbalanced and toppled into him.

He obediently lowered his head as she reached up to him again, and eagerly accepted her kiss.

“I love you. And I love that you are so worried about me adapting to life here. But it’ll be fine. I have you. I’ll have our baby, and I’ll have your parents to help me, along with Au'revele. Some of our security force is arriving with us, and though some of our friends are still aboard Command Warship 1, some are here, too and others can come and go for visits. It’ll be okay.”

“Are you sure?”

“Why all this doubt? We spoke about this in detail before making the decision.”

“I suppose it’s knowing that responsibility can often intrude in the lives of those who represent our people. I’ve seen it first hand with my parents, and my grandparents before them, and our family before them. I don’t want that to happen to us.”

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