Page 42 of Tomlin

“I am delighted to meet you, Etta.”

“I’m pleased to meet -” Her words died away as she saw the huge tree at the foot of the stairs, adorned with bows and tiny sparkling lights. “A Christmas tree,” she whispered. “I haven’t had one of those since my parents died…”

Tears sparkled in her beautiful eyes and he immediately put his arm around her, offering his comfort. Four pairs of eyes watched them - Ida and Evie smiling happily, Temel looking thoughtful, and S’kal with an almost puzzled look on his face.

Etta sniffed and gave everyone an apologetic look.

“I’m sorry. I’m not usually this emotional.”

“Nonsense. You have nothing to be sorry about,” Ida said at once. “Now, you must be hungry after your journey. I have some hand pies in the kitchen - as long as Naffon hasn’t eaten them all.”

They followed her obediently into the kitchen, to be greeted by more surprise and delight. Here too Etta’s presence helped buffer the wave of emotions and he was able to grasp hands and accept congratulations without losing his composure.

Even when Constance came over to him, Kalpar hovering protectively at her back, her sorrow was muted enough not to overwhelm him. Although perhaps time had also helped ease her pain.

“I’m glad you’re back,” she said quietly, and he knew she was speaking the truth. “It was time you returned.”

“Thank you, Lady Constance.”

A tiny smile crossed her lips, but she accepted the title without protest. He watched gratefully as she also made a point of welcoming Etta. His mate was a little stiff at first, but as the minutes ticked by, he noticed her shoulders relaxing, her smile coming more frequently.

She volunteered to slice apples, cutting them into equal pieces with her usual precision, even as she laughed at something Naffon said. Warmth spread through his chest at how easily she was fitting in, how right she looked amongst his… friends.

He’d withdrawn to the doorway to observe, and he wasn’t surprised when Temel came to stand next to him.

“May we talk?” he asked, and the commander immediately nodded.

“Let’s go to my study.”

He hesitated, looking over at Etta, but she looked up and gave him an encouraging smile. Satisfied that she would be all right for a few minutes, he followed Temel down the hallway as S’kal came to join them as well.

He’d spent many hours in the study and it still felt familiar, even after his time away. He automatically assumed his standardposition in front of the bookcase as Temel sat behind the big desk and S’kal leaned against the well.

“I would like to return to the farm, to assist you as I did before,” he said, grateful that his voice sounded as calm as usual, despite a sudden rush of nerves. “I know that I am not a member of your squad, or even a warrior, but we would like to make our home here, if you will permit it.”

S’kal made an abortive gesture, but didn’t speak.

“You would be welcome,” Temel said quietly, then shook his head, a half-smile on his lips. “I didn’t realize how much I’d come to depend on you until I had to manage without you over the last few months.”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t here, but it was necessary. I don’t plan to leave again, although my mate may have business in Port Cantor from time to time. She is a research associate at the university.”

Temel nodded.

“Of course you will wish to accompany your mate. I don’t foresee that being an issue. Have you decided where you would like to live? Do you want to take over one of the abandoned farms?”

“Not in the least,” he said firmly. “If you have no objections, we will build a house and laboratory on the other side of the road.”

The location would make it easy to walk back and forth, but would allow Etta privacy for her experiments. And allow him some distance as well.

“That seems like a sensible solution - although I would expect nothing less from you.” Temel smiled and rose. “I am glad you are back amongst us. You may not have been a member of my squad, but you are part of our family nonetheless.”

The commander left before he could think of a response. S’kal remained, still watching him from across the room, and he raised an eyebrow.

“Is something wrong?”

“I’m just shocked - pleased, but shocked. You seem the same, except not.”

“I am not the same.” He hesitated for a moment, then pushed up his sleeves to reveal his mating lines. “Nor am I human.”

---