Page 21 of Forever

My hand brushes over his chiseled jaw. “She’ll come around.”

All too soon, the reception came to an end. While I was sad to leave Kenna even for a couple of months, I was more excited to start my new life with Do’Thortn. My heart now dictated my path. Do’Thortn was such a part of me I couldn’t imagine a life without him.

I grabbed Kenna and held her hand as we followed Jefferson to his awaiting vehicle. She climbed in the front seat, buckling the child belt while Do’Thortn and I climbed into the backseat.

“You kids have a fun time,” Jefferson said to us and winked at Kenna. She didn’t crack a smile though he tried.

“We will. And Jefferson, thank you. Thank you for always being a good friend. I couldn’t have done any of this without you. I hope you find your happiness. Be open to the possibilities.” I couldn’t help but wish him well.

“Don’t worry about me, Moxy. I’m fine. Kenna’s fine.” He winked at me in the rearview mirror. I rested in the confidence that he’ll take excellent care of my baby girl while I’m away.

TheEarth-Zorsat on the runway and was ready to carry us to the liftoff gate. A few others gathered who wanted to catch the mothership at the space station above to carry us back to Zorlox. The hardest thing I had to do was say good-bye to Kenna.

CHAPTER 20

Moxy

The four of us walked to the tarmac where the shuttle waited. Others boarded ahead of us as I stalled for Kenna. She held my hand tightly, not wanting to let go.

I smiled again at Jefferson and leaned in to give him a quick hug. “Thank you. I mean it,” I whispered.

He grabbed my hand. “I just want you to be happy. I can see Do’Thortn makes you happy. Do’Thortn, take care of Moxy.”

“I will devote the rest of my life taking care of her,” Do’Thortn promised. He turned to my daughter and knelt. “Kenna, thank you for being a part of this day. I look forward to showing you Zorlox, soon!” He smiled and patted her head, because she wasn’t about to hug him.

Kenna’s lip quivered as I knelt before her. The dam of tears broke and she flung herself into my arms, clinging to me as if for dear life. “Please, mommy, don’t go.” She heaved giant cries which took me by surprise.

“Oh hey, baby, it’s going to be okay. I’m coming back soon, before you know it. And then you’ll come back with us.” I held her tightly, fighting my own tears. My little girl’s cries tore at my heart. Looking up at Do’Thortn and seeing his hand reaching for me for it was time to go, gave me the courage to gently pull her back.

“Oh mommy, I don’t want you to go.”

“I love you, Kenna bug. It will be okay. We’ll be back before you know it, I promise.” One last hug and she clung to me even tighter.

Even as I stood, Kenna clung to me. “Don’t go, Mommy.”

Her wails got to me. “Baby, I have to go right now. I’ll be back, I promise.” Out of desperation, I look at Jefferson. He stepped up and pulled her from me.

Do’Thortn and I walked away, and Kenna wailed the entire time, screaming. “Don’t go Mommy!”

I couldn’t look back at her without losing it myself. My child’s cries tore at my heart, but we had to go. The shuttle had a schedule to keep.

I turned around before I disappeared inside the shuttle and waved, and blew a kiss at her. “I love you, Kenna! We’ll be back, I promise.”

Do’Thortn and I belted into the seats of the shuttle. We were closer to the front sitting opposite of each other. There were about twenty others on the shutter, all flying to the space station and then to Zorlox. I had to push Kenna’s wails from my mind in order to smile at my soulmate. When it came down to it, I’d always follow Do’Thortn, knowing Kenna’s okay with Jefferson.

The engines hummed and we taxied out to the runway, the shuttle capable of blasting upward very fast and going through the atmosphere at breakneck speeds. We held hands as the shuttle took off driving over the runway, outside, Earth whizzed by so fast, it was nothing but a streak. Slowly, the nose lifted and up and up we flew until we cleared the ground.

Do’Thortn’s eyes grew wildly wide as he watched someone coming up the aisle. I turned in time to see a being that looked like the Albiadorians on Zorlox. He glared right at Do’Thortn, his sharp teeth showing.

Do’Thortn squeezed my hand. “Moxy, I love you. I will be with you always and forever.”

The being came to us, a grenade in his hand and the pin in the other. The grin on his face sent ice up my spine. Too late, the grenade was ready to fall and explode. I gasped, stifling a cry.

Do’Thortn’s other hand reached for me in slow motion. “Forever, Moxy.”

I understood and nodded. “Forever, Do’Thortn.”

The grenade fell from the pirate’s hand, the grin stayed on his face. The explosion filled the cabin, and in a matter of seconds, the blinding light brought me peace and comfort. The loud boom was replaced with such serenity, I floated along, the blinding light giving way to a beautiful sky, so pristine blue I’d never seen such a color. I stood on the greenest hill, the grass beneath my feet so soft, and Do’Thortn was at my side.

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