Page 61 of Galaxy Gladiators Romance Box Set #11-19

Epilogue

S ix Months Later

Raine

Today’s going to be bittersweet. Well, a whole lot of sweet with a dash of bitter.

The last six months have been a blessing. A year ago, I would have voted myself least likely to use the word blessed to describe me, but it’s true. It’s been an honor and a privilege to watch Max grow into a whole and happy person.

He got to bond and attach to his parents in a way he never could have dreamed of when he was alone in a barracks on some outer belt asteroid.

Ridiculous as it sounds, it was touching to watch him toss a ball back and forth with his father, go for walks up the mountain with his mother, and lounge around as the four of us watched vids. I especially get a kick out of watching comedies with him. His deep, heartfelt laugh is infectious. Besides, he’s so freaking handsome when he smiles.

At first, I wondered how he’d be as a mate because he had no role models growing up, just heartless jerks who abused him. I think he learned how to be a great mate by watching his father—I’m the lucky beneficiary of the male’s generous attention.

Max is affectionate, concerned, and always puts my needs ahead of his. We’re developing a relationship that grows deeper every day.

The elders were right. Max’s body’s desperate demands disappeared once we admitted our love for each other and truly accepted our mate-bond. He still wants me, and we satisfy our desires often, but we do it out of choice and not need.

Although our initial intention was to stay here six months and reevaluate, I always believed in my heart that we’d stay here. How could I drag him away from his family now that he’s reunited with them?

However, nothing happens the way we plan it. Although Max’s life was developing better than anything he’d dreamed of, mine turned out to be less than stellar.

Max and I struggled to learn Universal together, and his intellect and tenacity never failed to tug at my heartstrings. The pride he showed with every step forward just made me love him that much more. Who knew the big lug was brilliant? It just shows what a little love, stability, and education will do. Our mastery of Universal made me feel confident we could live on Addai and assimilate. No such luck.

I’ve jumped through multiple hoops, taken numerous classes, and even arranged a meeting with the head of the planet’s professional licensing board. No luck in getting licensed as a medical doctor—they won’t even let me be a veterinarian.

I worked so hard for my degree back on Earth. Working as a doctor is all I ever wanted to do. My short stint as the medical doctor on the Devil’s Playground just confirmed I’d made the right career choice.

Max and I had several deep talks that went well into the night as we hashed out our plans. We decided that as much as he’s loved spending these last six months with his adoring parents, our place is elsewhere. In addition to my yearning to be the ship’s doctor, he admitted he misses his job as head of security.

We’re great compromisers, though. We’re going to come back to Addai at least once a year, which took some of the sting out of our announcement that we’re leaving.

“You should get out here,” Max calls from the front door. “They’ve arrived.”

I hurry to join him just in time to see every single one of our friends from the Playground disgorge from two rented hover-vans.

The women rush to greet me and almost bowl me over as they launch through the front door.

“So good to see you,” says Aerie.

Elyse hugs me and says, “Thanks for keeping us informed about your stay on Addai. I’m so glad you two lovebirds are doing fine. We can’t wait to have a doctor back on board!”

I herd them into the living room while Max escorts the males to the backyard where there’s the Addai equivalent of a beer keg.

“Lyra!” I say to Vartan’s tiny mate, then pull her into a hug. Being in the Maximus household has taught me a thing or two about hugging.

The women from the ship kept me informed of every lurid detail of their romance, as well as the way Lyra saved the life of every male and female on the Fool’s Errand . “I know we’ve spoken over comms, but it’s so great to finally meet you in person. I can finally shake the hand of the woman who kicked our enemy’s ass.”

She certainly sounds as if she’s changed a lot since Vartan bought her as a pet the day Max and I met.

“We’re so glad you and Max decided to join us on the ship,” Grace says as she unpacks one of her instruments. We invited her to play at our going away/coming aboard party. “We’ve missed you.” She pauses a moment and then says meaningfully, “ Both of you.”

Maximus

I’ve laughed and joked and bragged and lied with my fellow gladiators my whole life. It’s only now I realize it never felt right. Something was always missing. I never really noticed it, and even if I had I wouldn’t have known what it was.

I know now. I never felt truly at home in my own skin. I was always acting like a tough gladiator, but never felt fully accepted. A little bonus of being with Raine is that now I don’t have to impress anyone. I can just be Max, and people can take me or leave me. As long as I have Raine, I have everything I need.

We all migrated to the backyard and ate and drank until late into the night. The more alcohol they drank, the dirtier the jokes became and the louder the laughter.

No one even notices when I pull Raine and my parents into the study, close the door, and ask them all to sit.

“Mema, Isa, I’ve thought for hours about what might have happened if you hadn’t graciously invited me to stay with you.” My father tries to stop me, but I put my hand up. “I know now you never would have disavowed me, but I didn’t know that six lunars ago.

“You met a stranger. A hardened gladiator who didn’t know the niceties of polite society and wouldn’t have wanted to practice them even if he had. Then you welcomed me into your home and more importantly, into your hearts. Since then I’ve learned how to be a better male. And the way you love my mate . . .”

Mema and Isa interrupt and in unison say, “Our daughter!”

“The way you accepted Raine? It just shows what wonderful people you are.”

My heart is clenching with emotion. Having found them and now leaving them is agony.

“This isn’t a funeral, son,” my father says. “It’s a celebration. It’s what families do. We grow, we change, and we know the bonds remain no matter how far away we are from each other. We lost decades with you, but we won’t lose any more.

“The comm works both ways. Besides, you promised you wouldn’t be gone for more than a year. We’ll hold you to that.”

My chest bursts with emotion. My life is so rich. I have more than I ever allowed myself to dream of. More than I thought I deserved. But I do deserve it. I have this wonderful family, and nothing can take it away from me no matter how far apart we are.

We stand and the four of us hug. I’m not sure Raine was a hugger when she came to Addai, but after the time she’s spent in this house, she’s sure a hugger now.

After Mema and Isa return to our guests, I stand in the study with my mate. I’m wearing the traditional Addai robe that displays the colorful glow of my chest, and she presses her palm to it.

“My mate, I love you.” I kiss the top of her head, then nuzzle her lips with mine, tickling her with my beard.

“I love you, too.”

“We’ve got our lives ahead of us, Max. It’s going to be amazing.”

“Amazing, yes. Maybe even better than that.”