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Chapter Thirty-One

LACIE

Getting pounced on with wet nose kisses is not how I expected to wake up this morning. “ Good morning, pretty boy. I take it you’ve decided it’s time for me to get up?”

I find MeK standing in the doorway, holding a cup in his hand, a rare smile on his face, wearing a pair of soft pants that sit low on his hips, and I swear my mouth waters.

“ He was scratching against the hull, whining. I tried to entertain him for a little bit, but he was determined to come in here with you. How do you take your coffee?”

“ Black , and don’t give me hell about it, either.”

“ Here , take mine then since it seems we have that in common. Ever since Kira introduced us to what she calls ‘alien coffee’, I cannot seem to get started at first rising without it. It is a treat, for sure. I hope you do not mind, but I had ANDI send down your measurements so that I could get you something to wear this rising when you woke. There are several options in the refreshing chamber. You need not be in any hurry to get up as I have a few things to do … but later, if you are not busy, I would like to show you something.”

He sits his cup beside the bed since I have my arms full of black fur, then leans over to kiss me on the forehead. I stare after him as he turns to walk out the door, only for Kiki to head-butt me.

“ Yes , I like him too. A little too much, I fear.”

A little while later, when Kiki finally decides he’s ready for a nap, I get up, wrapping the sheet around me, as I’m not confident enough to walk through the ship naked.

After I get out of MeK’s huge ionizer, I’m shocked by all the clothes folded neatly in a pile.

The fact that there are underwear is even more surprising.

Grabbing a cute sundress and a pair of matching sandals, I run my fingers through my wavy hair, glad I don’t have bed head, and that’s when I notice my cast is missing altogether.

Rolling my wrist around, one way and then the other, I feel nothing. With a smile on my face, I walk through the large shuttle, looking for MeK , only to find him sitting on the ramp, gazing up at the sky.

“ Hey , whatcha doin?”

“ The first time I saw you, you stopped and looked up at the sky. I had no idea why, but now I do. The colors and designs are amazing if you simply take a moment to enjoy them. You have shown me so much in such a short amount of time. I feel like my life has just started, and I am glad I get to experience it with you.” He glances up at me from where he’s sitting and I get another smile. “ You are so beautiful.”

“ If outfits like this grant me more of those smiles, I’ll wear them daily.”

He looks at my shoes and frowns. “ Are those comfortable? What I want to show you is a little bit of a walk from here.”

“ If not, you can always carry me.”

He stands up, his large frame instantly shadowing me. His enormous hand caresses my cheek gently before wrapping it around my head, pulling me flush against his body.

“ I am so happy Lacie , it scares me.”

Rubbing my nose against his chest, I curl my arms around him, simply enjoying the moment. I’ve learned quickly lately that things can change in the blink of an eye, so you need to enjoy these little moments when you can. His comm goes off, and I feel him exhale, like he’s worried about something.

“ Come , it is ready for the most part.”

Holding my hand in his, we make our way past the pavilion only to see Kira and Carla hauling a few things toward Carla’s new house. I run over, hugging her quickly.

“ Good morning, you two. Lacie dear, you had me so worried. I came down to medical to see you, but you were sleeping, and I wasn’t going to wake you.

I’m happy you two seem to have worked things out.

I told DaR you would, of course. He growled and stomped around when he heard that MeK was in the med bay with you, but I’ve learned how to distract him after all these years.

And MeK , is that a smile on your face?”

“ It is Mistress Kira . I finally have a reason, and someone is teaching me not to be so serious.”

Carla bumps into me playfully, “ The biggest ones always fall the hardest, my girl.”

MeK takes their teasing in stride as we walk up the main path with them, but when he suddenly turns, I wave to both of them, wondering where we’re headed. Just as we step into the enchanted forest, he veers off again, and now I’m truly dumbfounded.

When my sandal slips on a rock, he reaches down only to swing me up into his arms. Just when I start to ask him where we’re going, I hear Kiki coming up behind us, just chirping away.

“ I think someone is mad at us for slipping off.” And because I’m looking over MeK’s shoulder at Kiki running up the path, I don’t see it at first, until he stops.

Turning my head, I gasp. Sitting on top of an outcropping is a huge pod dwelling. Large wrap-around porches surround the outer windows as the base leans out over the hill and that’s when I hear it: water.

“ MeK , this is stunning. Who’s is it?”

“ Do you want to see inside?”

“ Absolutely , I do. I had no idea you were building anything this far out.”

He doesn’t set me down even when he places his hand against the control pad, and a large door slides open. Packing me inside, he turns, looking around like this is the first time he’s seeing it as well. Kiki takes off, sniffing every corner while I wiggle out of MeK’s arms.

“ Let me down, I want to go see the view! This place is amazing— Wow ! Would you look at all the natural light and the size of these rooms? There must be at least four bedrooms. Can you imagine trying to keep that kitchen clean? The cabinets have cabinets! You’ve been holding out on me because I never would’ve dreamed this up. ”

“ But you did dream it. I heard you … all the times you talked about the things you enjoyed back home. I remembered them all. Last rising, I was talking to BuK about his plans for the future, and he told me that you and Briar both had mentioned wanting to be next to the water. Come with me outside and tell me if the view is what you always dreamed of.” He takes my hand in his as we walk up a spiral walkway that lines the walls in the main living area.

And if I thought the inside was amazing, nothing compares to the porches. ”

“ Wow , there are so many views I don’t know what to look at first. MeK , I don’t know who you built this for, but I can sure tell you that whoever ordered this is one lucky little asshole. Wait a minute, what am I missing here?” I turn to look at him, and I swear he seems nervous.

“ It is yours, Lacie . I made this for you … Well , for us. The porches are equipped with an atmospheric barrier that will control the temperatures. The only time you will not be able to use them fully is when the darkness settles. We can lay out here and watch the stars and listen to the soft sounds of the water below. Neither rain nor animals can infiltrate this area. I also have a fully functional workshop at the bottom, and we have plenty of room to expand if we need more space later.”

“ Did you just say you built this for me?”

“ Yes … You see, my designs have made me very wealthy, and I have been designing this dwelling for quite some time.

I had no idea why I was drawing it out until you came along.

Last rising, when I was retrieving items from my home planet, I had this unit sent here on a freighter, along with special assembly bots.

They have been working on this all rising.

Building here took some convincing, and thankfully, KyT was able to help with the negotiations.

However , the Timbers ultimately granted access for this dwelling and two others.

I even asked Briar for help. She was the one responsible for the sustenance prep area.

I promised her she could have the one closest to us since I know she means a lot to you.

I want this to be our home, Lacie , and for you to be my mate, if you will have me? I did not know what this human LOVE was and, at one time, thought it was foolish, but I know now that is not the case. I love you more than anything—before or to come—but I understand if you need more time.”

I stand here looking at him and his vulnerability as he’s expecting me to turn him down.

“ MeK , this … you … all of it’s overwhelming, but I do believe that’s the new norm for me.

I fell in love with you the moment your eyes flashed when you were looking at us humans like we were vermin.

Nothing in this world would make me happier than to be yours always. No matter how long that is.”

“ That is going to be a long time, my little human, as your life force is now linked to mine. The moment we consummated our union, we sealed our two runes. Because this has never happened to anyone from Mekurem , I have no idea if your body will go through any more changes, but either way, you are mine until the Lord of Light takes us both home.”

In just two steps, I’m in his arms, his lips on mine as he spins me around.

“ Come , we have much to do.”

Kiki is playing around our legs as we run down a newly paved path, only for a crack of thunder to echo around us.

I stop when I realize it’s raining what looks like diamonds that are falling through the trees.

Taking his big hands in mine, I lead him around and around.

Our laughter echoes through the trees as we both become drenched, dancing in the rain, and I’ve never been happier.

I close my eyes, sending a small prayer out, thanking God , Mamaw , and Papaw for sending me out on this adventure to the stars, making sure I would never be alone again.