Page 70 of Advance and Retreat
Stacy shook her head, drying her own wet cheeks.“I doubt it’s for me.Better not be.I’ve had all I can take where surprises are concerned.”
The buzz sounded again.
Etnil made as if to dash for the door, his usual shenanigans taking hold.“I’ll be your shield, my Matara.No one will get past me.”
Rihep grabbed him by the shoulder and restrained him.“Security is posted outside.Kuran told us they wouldn’t let anyone who doesn’t have clearance get this close.Who is it?”he called.
“You sure took your time to answer.Did you have to chain Etnil up in the basement to keep him from doing something dumb?”
Stacy’s heart leapt.It was her turn to hurry toward the door.“Come in, Toni.”
She was set to hug her sister the instant she walked in, but the woman who entered first brought her to a standstill.Stacy squealed in little-girl delight.“Mom!Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?This is wonderful!”
“Mother Rosa is here!”As the women embraced, Etnil wrapped them both in his arms and lifted them off the floor.“Join in, Toni.Let me see if I can hug you all at once.”
The youngest Nichols shook her head.“Lunatic, your arms aren’t that long.”
“Ah, you want me all to yourself.”He waggled his brows suggestively as he set Stacy and Rosa down.
“Only when there’s a cliff nearby to push you off while I have no witnesses.”She laughed as they engaged in their usual banter.
Rihep took his turn to hug Rosa while Toni halfheartedly tried to ward Etnil off.As usual, he swung her in circles until she threatened to puke on him.
Stacy ignored their shenanigans.“Mom, what brings you to Earth?Is everything okay?”
“I’m fine, so don’t fuss over me.I’m here because the Nichols clan needs to have a talk.I thought it best we do so in person.”
“Am I a Nichols?I want to be a Nichols.I bet you have the best secrets.”Etnil carried Toni close, his expression eager like a puppy.
Stacy glanced at Rihep.The Dramok plucked Toni from his Imdiko and set her next to Rosa, out of Etnil’s reach.“You and I are going shopping for a nice dinner in honor of Matara Rosa’s and Toni’s visit.No argument, or I’ll drag you around the station’s market area in a headlock.”
“You and your public displays of affection.”Etnil planted loud smooches on each woman’s cheek.“We’ll get something amazing.I have access to all Rihep’s accounts.”
“Never a dull moment with him,” Rosa chuckled after the door closed behind the men, cutting off Etnil’s recitation of the gourmet treats he’d put his Dramok into debt for.
“Just two minutes in his presence exhausts me.”Toni flopped in a chair.“Where’s tall, dark, and Kuran?”
“Special assignment.He won’t be joining us for a while.”Stacy swallowed and forced lightness in her tone.“Mom, how long are you visiting for?”
“As long as you need me.Big changes come in bunches, don’t they?”
It was Stacy’s turn to sit down.Rosa looked great, and Toni’s health was apparently well on its way to full recovery, but she had the feeling her terrible day was about to get worse.
“Well, anticipation is making me antsier.Let me have it,” she sighed.
Rosa looked at Toni.Stacy’s sister visibly gathered her strength.“I’m joining the Coydidak expedition as part of their ambassadorial and negotiation team.”
It took a full second for the full import of her news to hit Stacy.When it did, her jaw dropped.
“But...but they aren’t coming back.Ever.”
“Right.I can bail at any point during the first nine months while we’re still in inhabited space—”
“But she won’t,” Rosa interrupted.“This is the life purpose she’s been looking for.And Clan Imon appears to be the relationship her heart’s been waiting to find.”
Toni opened her mouth as if to refute the finality in their mother’s sad expression.She closed it again without speaking.Her gaze dropped from Stacy’s.
Toni, her baby sister, was permanently leaving.They’d been separated in the past, but it had been tempered by the knowledge it was only temporary and they were mere hours apart should they decide to visit.
