Jingle Bells and Tentacle Spells, page 21
Gemma leans over and kisses me on the cheek. “Ditto, babe. Until you, I’d given up on the idea of ever finding a love like the one I yearned for, the kind of deep and intimate connection my grandparents had and maintained throughout their many decades together.” She focuses her gaze on my parents. “With Luna, I’ve found that. I sincerely believe that we’re meant to be and can weather any storm that comes our way so long as we’re together.” She looks at me. “I know it might be a little cheesy but—”
“I love cheesy,” I tell her eagerly.
She smirks. “I know, babe. What I was going to say, in full-on cheese mode, is that we fit like two pieces of a puzzle that have been trying to find each other. You’re my puzzle of love piece, Luna.”
Dark matter and dammit, I can’t help it. I turn all kinds of sappy at that and decide to go ahead and embrace it.
I fling my arms and a tentacle around her. “You’re my puzzle of love piece too, Gemma. Now and forever, gorgeous.”
When I finally tear my gaze away from her, I find my parents are watching us with matching looks of parental contentment on their faces.
“You two are so sweet together,” Mom says, a sheen of happy tears in her eyes. “Gemma, I can see how you’ve captured Luna’s hearts.”
“All three of them,” I agree cheerfully.
“Well, she’s captured mine as well,” Gemma replies. “And never fear, I won’t be mooching off your daughter or the rest of the Sleigh Belle crew for long.” She beams at all of us, her face glowing brighter than the jelly creature floating above us. “It just so happens that another perfect twist of fate brought me into contact with a commanding officer here at the space station who’s besties with the head of the Intergalactic Alliance’s medical school.” Gemma flashes a toothy grin. “I’ve been accepted into the program and will start in about a month, or lunar cycle, as you all call it.”
My chest fills with pride as I smile back at her so hard my cheeks hurt.
“That’s amazing,” Dad says. “Congratulations. That will bring you all that much closer to making the plan you told us about a reality.”
“That’s the goal. It’ll take a while for me to complete the program, but fortunately, I can do most of it remotely and will only have to come in person every few months for some labs and other hands-on training sessions. And I’m confident my experience as a doctor on Earth will come in handy, maybe give me an edge on some of the practicum components of my assessment.” She leans forward on the table, eyes sparkling. “I also got some great advice I intend to follow. Namely, networking and building connections with some of my colleagues in the program who are likely to be better versed in species differences than I currently am. I think we could form some mutually beneficial relationships based around sharing knowledge and expertise that will make all of us better doctors.”
My mom’s tentacles undulate with obvious satisfaction. “You’re ambitious. I like to hear that.”
“We both have bright futures, Mom, and you guys have nothing to worry about. Well, apart from the usual unpredictable nature of life. Sure, something could happen to me while traveling the universe.” I shrug. “It’s not always a hundred percent safe here, but the same goes for if I’d stayed on Draveth, especially with the frequent invasions we have. And since I had no intention of marrying a warrior and relying on someone else to keep me safe, I would have been at even more risk if you think about it.”
My mom sighs. “That’s a hard truth I have finally accepted. Wanting to protect your children is a natural instinct for parents, and when you become adults it can be very hard to let go, knowing that you’ll face certain challenges or dangers that we can’t shield you from once you’re on your own. You always wanted something else, and I am ready and prepared to work on better supporting those desires and the choices that you make.” She smiles softly. “What I have to say so far is that I think Gemma is a wonderful choice as a life partner, and I look forward to having her become part of our family.”
“Thanks for saying that, Kae. I also look forward to becoming part of your family. Luna knows this already, but before my brother Felix and I joined the Sleigh Belle and its crew, we were the only family we had. While we both love each other to pieces, we missed having a family support network after our grandparents passed away.”
“We would be honored to become family with you,” Dad says solemnly, as if making a formal vow.
At this moment, I can honestly say I’m really damn proud of my parents. They’re not bad Dravethians. That’s why what happened between us hurt so much. For most of my life, they had been there, supporting me all the way, and I had known I could rely on them. But the moment I started talking about a life path that deviated so radically from what they were familiar with and what Dravethian culture endorses, things went sideways. Time and distance have helped. My feelings and theirs aren’t as sharp and raw as they were, and the fact that my parents are here now, working to make amends and rebuild our relationship, tells me a lot. No matter how much my decisions might have scared or even bewildered them in the past, they do value my wishes and are working to better understand me. At the same time, I plan to keep showing them how happy I am with the choices I’ve made.
Hell, I basically experienced my own lesbian Hallmark Christmas movie romance but extraterrestrial and a lot kinkier—hello, my fabulous tentacles—and right now I’m walking on stardust. It’s magical. The possibilities ahead of Gemma and me seem limitless.
She’s starting on the path toward her own future as an intergalactic medical doctor, and our entire crew are going to become an emergency rescue team. I’m already excited about helping stranded vessels because I know I’m going to get to work on some engines I’ve never seen let alone touched. Who knows, I might even become a legendary mechanic hero across the universe! All the while we’ll also be exploring so many new places, experiencing other cultures, and meeting new people. But the icing on the cake is that amid all of this, Gemma and I are going to begin building a life together—and I can’t fucking wait.
The conversation shifts gears, and my parents ask about what I’ve been doing and where I’ve traveled over the last year, something they didn’t want to discuss in our sporadic and brief conversations until now. I don’t hesitate to make up for lost time and regale them with our exciting and sometimes delightfully comedic adventures, wowing them with all I’ve done in one year.
“There’s always something new and exciting on the horizon,” I explain animatedly, “and I love the fact that I can be in one galaxy one day and in another the next. I love meeting other travelers and learning more about other cultures that have never even come to our little quadrant of the universe, and vice versa. I’m one lucky lady to be able to see the many wonders of the universe rather than be stuck or settled in one place. For me, that’s too stagnating. Out here among the cosmos, I’m free, and it’s basically to infinity and beyond!”
Gemma snickers. “You like cartoons too.”
“It’s called animation and it’s an art form, my dear.”
She rolls her eyes at me fondly. “My bad. So you’re a Toy Story fan, huh?”
I shrug. “What’s not to love about toys that come to life and have hilarious and ridiculous adventures?”
Gemma gently pokes me in the side, and I try not to laugh. “Hey! That tickles,” I whine.
“I know, that’s why I poked you there,” she sasses me back.
So. Damn. Hot.
She turns her attention to my parents. “Your daughter is indeed a bit of a thrill seeker, mixed with a dash of adrenaline junkie.” She reaches out her hand and pats both of theirs. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep her in line. I like to have fun too, but I tend to be more of a calculated risk-taker. I don’t dive into things without any forethought.”
It’s my turn to snicker at her. “Says the woman who basically decided to come aboard our ship and leave her home planet behind in a few short weeks.”
Gemma lifts her chin in the air and sniffs haughtily. “I used that time wisely to gather all the necessary information so I could make a rational and informed decision.”
“Whatever you say, gorgeous.”
My dad starts laughing, and I’m momentarily shocked; he’s not someone to laugh out loud very often.
He wipes at his eyes. “Meeting you, Gemma, has been wonderfully refreshing and very reassuring. As you said, Luna sometimes likes to jump into things tentacles-first and rational head later. I think you’ll balance each other out very well.” He turns to me, a glint of amusement in his eyes. “My dear Luna, I definitely think you’ve met your much-needed, perfect match in this universe. She’ll keep you on the tips of your tentacles, the way I know you’ll love.”
All three of my hearts melt. He still gets me on some level, like he did when I was a kid.
I swallow the lump in my throat. “Abso-fucking-lutely,” I agree.
Eventually, we exit the Conversation Nook, and our jelly communication concierge waves us off with a light-filled tendril that I’m still jealous of. We proceed to wander around the space station, exploring some of its unusual botanical gardens and the main shopping district, then finally make our way to the food sector. There, we share a long, leisurely meal together, talking and laughing, reminiscing about the past and sharing our hopes for the future. My parents are clearly ecstatic that they’re going to be getting another grandchild.
“I want to forewarn you,” I say. “Gemma and I aren’t planning on having any children.” I turn to her. “That’s probably not going to change down the line, right?”
“Fuck no,” she replies immediately. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I hate kids. I’m perfectly happy to be an auntie to Luna’s sister’s kids. Same if any of our crewmates decide to have offspring. But I’m not really a maternal type, and I have too many things I want to do with my life that would be difficult to accomplish while also taking on the twenty-four-seven never-ending work of being a parent.” She shrugs. “I feel like my life’s purpose is giving back in a different way than bringing children into the universe. Using my expertise to help and even save the lives of others is my way of paying it forward.”
My mother smiles. “That’s a noble and inspiring path to pursue, and one that gives a great deal of yourself in important ways.”
“Exactly,” Gemma agrees, smiling brightly back at Mom.
I hold up both my hands and wave a tentacle. “You know me, kids were never part of my life vision. Like Gemma, I don’t have anything against them. I love my nephew, and I’m sure I’ll love my niece as well. I like to swoop in for a visit, stuff the little ones full of sweets, shower them with lots of cool gifts, and then exit stage left.”
My dad coughs to hide a laugh, and my mother shakes her head wryly. “Like I said, you’ve always known your mind, and I respect that about you. Deciding whether to have children is a huge, life-altering decision, and it’s important that you and your partner are on the same page, which I’m very glad to see is the case. Being a parent is a somewhat thankless job that never ends. Even when your kids are adults and leave the nest, they are still a huge part of your life, and you continue to be someone they tend to turn to in times of trouble. I hope we can be that for you again, Luna. Someday,” she adds softly.
I sniff back tears. “Mom, I’m sure we’ll get there.”
“I have no doubt the two of you will be the most celebrated aunties in the family,” my dad offers dryly.
I cackle. “Of course we will. We’re super cool lesbians who are super smart and have kickass jobs. It’s only natural for the youngsters to look up to us. We’re also a totally romantic couple and a goal worth aspiring to.”
“Luna also has the added benefit of basically being a big kid at heart,” Gemma adds with a cheeky wink, inserting herself into the conversation with a mouth full of sass.
Dear Thekmis, do I ever love this woman.
“Hey!” I cry. Someone has to defend my honor.
She arches an eyebrow at me. “Are you really going to try and tell us what I said was wrong?”
Neptune’s nads! Of course I can’t, of course she’s fucking right, but still—it’s the principle of the thing.
We finally finish our meals, and my parents are both yawning after their long trip to the space station.
“We’ve got a room reserved at one of the hotels here,” my father says. “I think your mother and I will call it a night. Long travel like this does get a bit harder as one gets older.” He smiles. “But it was well worth it to see you, my child, and meet Gemma.”
He opens his arms, and I nod. Then he wraps me in a warm, familiar hug, strong and firm but gentle. I inhale his familiar smell that will always spell out Dad to me. He kisses me on the top of my head. “We will meet up again tomorrow.”
“Sounds good, Dad. We’ll be here for a couple of days until we need to head out. While we’re all here, I intend to spend as much time as we can with each other. I want you to get to know Gemma better as well.”
“Wonderful,” Mom says, “we’re excited about that too.”
Another round of hugs ensues, and while my mom is embracing me, my father asks and then gives Gemma a paternal hug.
When the hug fest has ended, we see my parents off to their hotel and then make our way back to the ship. We do have two extra unoccupied rooms on the Sleigh Belle, but Gemma and I talked about it beforehand and decided it would be better to have my parents stay at a hotel for this first visit in case I needed a private and safe space to retreat to. However, if this continues to go as well as it has so far, Gemma and I will welcome them warmly onto the ship the next time we meet up.
When we get on board, we find ourselves alone. Gemma licks her lips and studies me with a molten-hot gaze that could burn my clothes off—and I would be totally into that.
“Do you remember the fantasy I told you about during one of our texting conversations, involving you, me, and the engine room?” she asks, her voice sultry and full of sin.
Do. I. Ever.
“Uh-huh,” I squeak out.
Her slow, sensual grin flips a switch in me and has me aching with need so fast I nearly get whiplash.
“Go get into those sexy overalls I like, and I’ll meet you in the engine room with a delectable outfit of my own.”
I book it to my quarters, tearing my clothes off along the way. She doesn’t need to tell me twice.
CHAPTER 21
This guide is merely one of many tools you can turn to in order to improve your dating life or long-term relationship. It is by no means exhaustive. We recommend that you remain open and curious. Consult others. Consider working with a relationship therapist. Don’t stop working on yourself either! The more you love and respect yourself, the better partner you can become. Keep your communication game on point and listen to your lover, whether you’re in a short-term fling or a committed relationship. Know when to establish your own healthy boundaries and comply with any your partner may also wish to create. Loving yourself and loving others requires work. Keep at it and never stop believing in the power of love!
—Afterword, How to Flirt Among the Stars: An Intergalactic (and Interspecies) Sapphic Dating Guide
Gemma
Isaunter into the engine room clad in my lacy black babydoll nightdress that just covers my ass, leaving my luscious thighs on display. The bustier also very provocatively lifts and displays my cleavage in a manner that has Luna staring at my breasts, her tentacles making not so subtle grabby motions the moment I enter the room.
Score one for me.
This is my first time in Luna’s special domain. I’ve only walked by this place a few times, so stepping inside feels like I’m entering a private enclave. The first thing that hits me is the steady hum of the engine itself, and the air carries a faint industrial scent I’d associate with machinery yet is different from what I’m used to on Earth. The temperature is warm and cozy, courtesy of the massive floor-to-ceiling cylindrical engine that looks like something out of a sci-fi nerd’s fantasies. The space itself veers more toward being utilitarian, but I can see signs of Luna everywhere. It’s clean and tidy, and all of her tools and gadgets are neatly organized in a clear, multi-tiered, heavy-duty storage case at the far end of the room. On the wall opposite the engine, there’s a Christmas-themed countdown calendar and a few digital picture frames that display rotating slide shows of what appear to be some of her intergalactic adventures since joining her friends on the Sleigh Belle.
I close and lock the door behind me, then stroll toward a still staring Luna with plenty of sway to my hips. She licks her lips and can’t tear her gaze off me. I’m pleased to see that I’m not the only one dressed to seduce for our little rendezvous. She followed my instructions and put on those sexy black canvas overalls, but she opted to go completely topless underneath them—and fuck if that isn’t even sexier than what I had imagined.
Her tentacles start gesticulating wildly as she looks me up and down, her eyes gleaming with appreciation.
“How come I haven’t seen this little number until now?”
I bat my eyelashes. “I was saving it for a special occasion.”
She snaps out of her momentary stupor—understandable since I am fine as fuck—and one of her tentacles reaches out to land on my lower back and pull me toward her.
They’re super-talented appendages, I must say.
“I know I kind of dragged you here, so I want to make sure I’m not getting ahead of myself. Do you want this as much as I do?” I ask in all seriousness.
My hormones did get the better of me so I’m not one hundred percent sure if Luna’s as revved up as I am. After all, she had a pretty draining but positive reunion with her parents.
