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Chapter Twenty-Nine

MEK

My fingers fly over the keyboard, pulling files and authorizations as quickly as I can. I know I should be upset and I am slightly, but the moment mother turned from me, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders that I had no idea I was burdened with.

I can see SCOUT working behind the scenes as blueprints and other drawings are deleted from the servers on MeKurem .

I know there will be something that I will realize later on that I forgot, but I will deal with that issue when it occurs.

In all my rotations, I have never felt this free, nor not had the next thing planned.

The thought of being able to make my own choices makes me smile and knowing that Lacie is just in the other room, asleep in my own bed is something I thought I had spoiled forever.

A chirp is all the notice I get before Kiki leaps up onto my desk.

Without a care in the world, he walks across the holo screen, typing in his own commands before laying down right in the middle, demanding my attention.

I reach up, petting him, only to realize that I do not see him as a bother or something that is in the way.

Here is a creature that has no reason to seek me out, but here he is looking for attention.

“ Hello , you little terror. I see you decided not to wake up your favorite person.” He head-butts my hand before getting up to stretch, then jumps back down, chirping at the ramp.

“ I am coming, but do not run off. Lacie would never forgive me, and I am in enough trouble with her now.” As I watch him strut down the ramp, my mind starts working on what sensors are needed so that he can come in and out as he pleases and what modifications a dwelling would need to accommodate him as he gets larger.

The thought of my … no, our own dwelling stops me in my tracks, and a plan starts forming in my mind.

I send a quick communication to KyT as I need his approval before I can proceed.

Shortly afterward, I walk into my sleeping chamber and up to the platform where Lacie is curled up. When I reach down to brush a piece of hair off her forehead, her eyes pop open.

“ Go back to sleep. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“ This is not the easiest room to sleep in, to be honest. Being surrounded by all these screens, it’s like the whole room is alive.

As soon as I’d doze off, another one would beep or make some type of odd noise.

Unfortunately , I’ve always been a light sleeper.

Back home, I couldn’t stand to have a light or the TV on.

The flashing lights would always wake me up.

By the way, where’s my snuggle monster? Did he sneak off? ”

“ Yes , I just let him out.”

I know I need to move away from the sleeping platform and leave her alone. There are a million things that need to be done, but being here with her is the only thing I genuinely care about.

“ Did you get all your stuff done?”

“ No , I got distracted by a black fur ball and a beautiful blonde sleeping in my … what do you call them? Yes , a bed … my bed.”

“ I see you’ve suddenly turned into a sweet talker. Why the big change?”

“ I have never had anything of my own to please.”

“ MeK , where do we go from here? I mean, I had no idea you were going to tell your mother off like that. My heart aches for you because you were forced to choose, and I know you love her despite her faults.”

“ If it makes you feel better, I did not know that was going to occur either, but the moment she started to belittle you, the anger I felt the first time she behaved that way refused to stay dormant. I will always love and respect her, but I have come to realize I do not need that type of negativity in my life. Living is more than what you can gain from someone, and that is all I was for her. I have missed out on having a relationship with my father, brothers, and almost lost you. I let you and them all down because her manipulation blinded me. It will take time for you to believe my words again, but I promise you that will never occur again. I chose you long before this mark showed itself, and if it takes the rest of my life, I will never stop trying to prove that to you. All I need is the chance.”

The way he’s looking at me right now, it’s like I’m the only thing that really matters. That melts away a lot of the anger I’ve been holding on to, and I have seen firsthand what that will do to a person. “ What are your plans now?”

“ I had not really thought that far ahead. My career as an inventor and designer can be done from any location. I simply need a workshop to do it properly. Do you have any suggestions?”

“ I think that’s a decision you need to make for yourself. You’ve been told what to do all your life. If you want to get on this ship and explore the galaxy or stay here and help raise little Kiki , that’s all on you.”

“ What if I want to be wherever you are?”

Here it is! So , do I remain mad only for me to become a bitter old hag like his mother?

Or do I take a leap of faith and see what happens?

Fuck it, I’m jumping in with my eyes closed.

“ I believe we both have the same wants, MeK . All this time, simply being with you was all I wanted or needed. Now , I’m sure, especially with our rough start, that things are not going to be easy.

Be prepared for us to fight all the time since we’re too different not to.

And don’t go thinking I’ve forgiven you for discarding me.

That scar on my heart will always be there, but I’m willing to put a band-aid over it and give you …

us another chance without her interference.

However , if you hurt me like that again, I know of a really steep ravine that eats people! ”

For the first time in my life, my laughter echoes throughout this ship.