Page 79 of Tis the Season for Tentacles
“Well, I didn’t until you came into my life. What bigger miracle could there be?”
He smacks me playfully. “Smooth talker. Although, to be fair, I am pretty miraculous.”
Just as I’m about to show him how special he is, Khephren’s voice comes over the comm system. “Attention, crew. Ho, ho, ho and Merry Christmas Eve to you all. Tonight, we have a very special surprise in store for our very own Felix Taylor. Felix, please report to the bridge ASAP.”
I offer him my arm. “Shall we?”
He takes it and leans into my side. “I’ve told you before that I love this rather gentlemanly side of you, haven’t I?”
“Perhaps, but I’m always happy to hear praise from you.”
He reaches out his free hand and pets one of my tentacles while Cosmo gives me a dirty look, something that happens often when I’m getting Felix’s attention instead of him. I do not blame our little foxhound. Getting petted by Felix is one of my new favorite things too.
“Very well, then. Najar Mezdel, I find that side of you quite enchanting.” He smiles and then flutters his eyelashes at me. “So, want to tell me what this surprise is?”
I laugh. “Well, it wouldn’t very well remain a surprise if I told you now, would it?”
He growls in frustration.
“Think of it as a collective gift from me and the rest of the crew of the Sleigh Belle.”
“Color me intrigued,” he murmurs. “I warn you, it better be awesome. You’ve built up way too much hype to let me down now.”
Once the elevator arrives at the bridge, the doors open to reveal a beaming Khephren. “You’re here. Okay, everyone strap in. We’re going to be landing momentarily.”
Felix frowns. “Landing where? I didn’t think we had any stops on our route back to Earth.”
Khephren waves a finger and a tentacle in admonishment. “Uh-uh. That’s part of The Surprise. You’ll see very soon. Have some patience.”
My love grumbles but straps himself into a seat, and we all follow suit.
In moments, we’re hurtling through Earth’s atmosphere and straight toward the Nevada desert once again.
Talk about déjà vu.
I’m surprised to find myself smiling, an oddly nostalgic sensation washing over me. Was it only a few short weeks ago that we came here and picked up Felix?
I glance at him, admiring every line of his handsome face that has become so dear to me.
That old adage of “When you know, you know” certainly proved true for me. I don’t have any doubts about being with Felix—only an eagerness to start this new chapter of our lives as partners.
Now I’m just keeping my fingers, toes, and tentacles crossed that the final piece of the puzzle comes through as promised.
Once the ship has completed its landing, we all head toward the cargo bay, where Khephren lets down the ramp.
I guide Felix down it and we emerge into the early evening air of the rather chilly desert.
Felix looks around bewildered for a moment. “Uh… are we back on Earth? I thought we wouldn’t arrive until closer to New Year’s. What’s going on?”
Thank goodness he still doesn’t know how to read the ship’s navigation system or else he would have figured out what we were doing right away.
His gaze shifts directions and he squints. “Wait, what is that?”
In the distance, a pair of vehicle lights come ever closer, and the tension in my gut eases.
Thank you, dear goddess Thekmis.
The automobile comes to a stop a short distance away, and the lights turn off. Then the driver’s door opens and out steps a full-figured woman with curly auburn hair and an enormous smile on her face, a mirror image of Felix’s, immediately reveals something she shares with her brother.
