Page 45 of LeX

Walkingout of the wardrobe,Ilook around, and that’s when it hits me.Myentire world has been turned on its end all because of the changes she has brought to my life; the laughter, the smiles, the chaos, andIcould not be happier.

“Well, hello good looking, you available the rest of the day?”

Turning, my heart feels full, andIfeel complete at the sight of her standing before me.Thebacklight highlights her pale skin and turquoise scales, which sparkle as she twirls, showing off her long legs in the playful dress.

“Isthis alright?Ihad such a hard time choosing.SAGEhas given me so many options,Ihave no idea what to pick next.”

“Youlook stunning, every moment more so in my eyes.”

“Youare such a sweet talker, but keep it up,Ilike it.Arethese sandals warm enough or shouldIput flats on?”

“Yourapparel is appropriate, however if you find you need something else,SAGEis always a shout away.”

“Okthen,I’mready when you are.”

Itjust so happens that the moment our outer door slides open,RafeandMandywere walking by.Hisbooming voice echoes around us.

“Whereare you two headed?Ifigured you would be hiding for a few risings.”

“IthoughtRyliemight enjoy some of the sights onFalcor.”

“Wemust have been of like minds, as that is the way we are headed as well.Mindsome company?”

Iglance down atRylie, “Soundsgood to me.”

Thenext thingIknow, all four of us are cramming into the closest lift.Thefemales are chattering like they have known each other for risings.Rafeshakes his head, a small, confident smile on his face.Themoment the lift opens the girls walk out in front of us.Rylietucks her arm into mine as she andMandychat back and forth.

Lookingabove both their heads,Rafe’seyes catch my own. “Ihear father gave you permission to keepMandyon board?”

“Hedid.Iwas slightly worried at first that he was not going to allow it, but it is like his entire view on the matter changed whenItold him how muchIhad come to love her.Itprobably helped thatIhad waited to ask her if that was what she wanted as well while he was live on the holo screen.Whenshe said nothing would make her happier, it took every ounce of my willpower not to shout at the heavens.Shehas completed meLeX, like a piece of a puzzleIdidn’t knowIwas missing.”

Rafe’swords make me reflect on my own feelings, especially when he pullsMandyclose kissing the top of her head, andRylielooks up at me smiling.Blessingshappen in so many ways, some large and instantly noticeable, others smaller but more effective in the end.

Wefind ourselves walking through the door ofFalcor’sobservatory, and evenIstop in awe. “Wow,LeX.Ihad no idea when you said observatory what you were talking about.Ican’t imagine how long this took to create.Thetrees have to be touching the ceiling, and it smells amazing in here.Ohmy god, there are birds?”

“Actually,Falcorharbors several wild animals in this area.Mostwere brought here accidentally, in shipping crates, or as contraband, but he has made a safe home for all.Iknow there are a few avian species as well asUana’sand some small canines who call this home.Lunahas personally planted most of the flowering fauna herself and she said, andIquote, ‘this place needs some color.’”

“Thatplanet with the rings looks so close you could practically reach out and touch it.”

“Thatis one of the three moons circlingDarverius, calledSybrusTwo.Asbeautiful as it looks from here, its atmosphere is deadly.Myfather sends most of his trainees there for conditioning.Ifyou can survive that moon you can survive anywhere.”

“Itake it you know this from experience?”

“Yes, not a tripIever want to go on again, nor wouldIrecommend it, even though several of my brothers thrive in locations like that.GoR’splanet is practically frozen for most of the year, so he thought the place was paradise andIcouldn’t wait to finish the task laid out for us.”

Wewere walking casually through the well-lined paths whenMandycomes running back around the corner. “Ryliecome look over here,Ithink these areCanna’s.”

Motioningus forward, we both quickly find the tall plantMandyis pointing at. “Look, and that’s not the only thing, there areImpatiens,Petunias, andZinnias.”

“LeXwhere did these come from?”

“Iam not sure.Falcor?Thefemales have a question about some of the plants.”

“Greetingsand welcome to my observatory.Toanswer your questions, these plants are native to yourEarth.MistressLunaandGeneralTordanhave been working diligently on locating the rare and delicate seedlings.Onceon board, we have integrated them into this area for your pleasure.”

Ryliereaches out, gently touching one of the blooms. “Ifigured all was lost, but this gives me such hope.Thingsnever truly die, do theyLeX?Oneway or another, a small piece is always left behind and, if cared for properly, it will flourish once again.”

Instantly, my arms are filled with a tiny female. “It’sthe same with me isn’t it,LeX?Iwas locked in my own world, but becauseof your gentle coaxing,Islowly emerged out of my comfort zone, only to bloom in your arms.”

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