Page 80 of Tis the Season for Tentacles
None of us are surprised when Felix suddenly starts running toward his sister, sweeping her up in a joyful embrace.
“Gemsy, is it really you?” He clutches her tightly. “Oh, my God. I know it hasn’t been that long, but damn have I missed you.”
She lets out a tear-filled laugh. “I missed you too, bro.”
He pulls back, holding her shoulders. “What are you doing here?”
Gemma grins and dashes away her tears. “Ask your friends.”
Keeping his arms around her, Felix turns back to us as we move to stand closer to the reunited siblings. “What on earth—no pun intended—is going on here?”
“Merry Christmas, from all of us,” I say.
He blinks at me like I’ve sprouted an extra tentacle or two.
Gemma lets go of him, tosses her hair over her shoulder, and pops the trunk of the vehicle.
“Nice to finally meet you all in person. Now, can you guys help me get a couple of things out of the car?” She eyes Luna with interest. “After all, you have quite a few extra appendages on you, so I say, all the better to help carry my bags with.”
“So feisty,” Luna whispers.
“Be careful, I think you might be drooling,” I tell her, my tone sardonic.
Luna scowls at me, wipes her mouth surreptitiously, and hurries to assist Gemma.
In no short order, we all start carrying several heavy suitcases to the ship.
“Wait, hold up. What the hell is going on here?” Felix demands as he trails his sister, looking utterly bewildered.
Gemma puts her hands on her hips and raises a brow at him. “I’m saying sayonara to Earth, big bro, and coming along for the ride of a lifetime while exploring the universe with you, your hubby-to-be, and all your new friends. That’s what’s going on.”
Felix’s mouth drops open. “Say what now?”
His sister rolls her eyes at him fondly. “Stay focused, will you, Felix? Here’s the dealio. Your fiancé and the rest of the crew reached out to me a couple of days ago and told me of your predicament.” She shakes her head. “Honestly, you should havecalled me yourself as soon as possible. We could have figured this out together from the start.”
Felix’s eyes start glistening with unshed tears. “I didn’t know how to tell you I wanted to stay, and I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving you alone.”
“I don’t know, maybe you could have done what they did and invited me to join you? Duh!”
He bites back a sob. “I thought about it, but I didn’t want to unintentionally pressure or even guilt you into doing something you didn’t want to do.”
Her expression softens. “As if that would ever happen. You, of all people, should know that I have a backbone and a will of my own.” She grins. “But that being said, wherever you go, I go. We’re family, and we always will be.”
I have to say, I’m already looking forward to becoming family with them too.
Felix stares at his sister with a mixture of amazement and awe. “I know, but this is such a big ask. Are you really prepared to leave behind all that you’ve worked for?”
Gemma shrugs. “I’ve already quit my job, so I’d say so.”
Even I’m surprised to hear that part.
Felix’s eyes practically bug out of his head. “Youwhat?”
She laughs. “Don’t get me wrong. I love helping people as a doctor, but I’ve become really fucking jaded by the American healthcare system. Before all of this”—she gestures to us—“went down, I was seriously contemplating moving to New Zealand or something, just to try a new experience in a place that might value actual lives over profit—unlike most of the hospitals I’ve worked at during my career.” She shrugs once more. “Then the universe saw fit to open up a different path, and I’m totally down to try it out. Besides, I can always come back if I want to. Najar and Khephren have promised me that.”
Indeed. Kheph and I quickly learned that Gemma Taylor is a ruthless negotiator.
Felix looks to us questioningly, and we both nod.
