Page 33 of A Layperry's Heart
Aldo looks up at me with a grin. Inside my head, I hear his voice.I’m sure, Gendry. It’s still a marvel that I get to hear him inside my head. Our bond has formed beautifully. I’m not sure there’s any distance we could go where we wouldn’t be able to reach each other.
I feel closer to Aldo than I thought was possible. He is mydelgando,my reason for rising in the morning, the sunshine that leaves me recharged and refreshed. He is mymatron, my mate, my partner. I love him.
Taking his hand in my own, I turn towards Maria. Aldo explained that the translator was broken and how I needed to reach into her mind to speak with her.Are you sure you want to come along?
Maria slaps my chest playfully. “Of course I’m sure! Like I’d let you take my grandbaby to another planet where I can’t visit.” She makes a fart noise. “As if.”
My chest feels near bursting with joy. I have mymatron. I have my mother-in-law. I have my family. We’re going to be going back home where myLayperrybrothers will be waiting for me. I cannot wait to see Timalah once more. I can’t wait to hug Ghenie, myToralleh.
When the ship arrives, my stomach erupts with excited butterflies. Aldo stares at it in awe, his Mama mirroring the look as they watch it land and then open.
ThreeLayperrystep out and I don’t hold myself back. I turn to them, pulling them into my arms. They’re dressed in their usual leather pants and harnesses and I can admit I miss wearing my usual clothes. Jeans are rough on my tail!
“Darthleem! Shuntar! Plan! I’m so happy to see you!” Having them this close reignites my connection with them. I suddenly feel less alone, like a new limb has formed after being missing for too long. It’s warm and comforting. I didn’t realize how much I needed this until I had it again.
“Gendry,” Darthleem says, looking down at my stomach in shock. “Are you well?”
“Very,” I tell them right away. I turn towards Aldo, gesturing for him to come close. Maria comes along as well. “This is mymatron, Aldo. This is his mother, Maria.”
“Matron?” I nod my head. I can feel them inside my head, feeling for my emotions. They’re good brothers, wanting to make sure I’m truly happy and well. “Gendry, I’m so happy for you. You’ve left your home but found something greater than gold.”
“I have,” I tell him, resting my hand on his shoulder. My tail reaches out, wrapping around Aldo’s waist, keeping him close.
Darthleem, Plan, and Shuntar help us carry our bags onto the ship. They’ve brought extra translator devices and I make sure both Aldo and Maria have one so they can understand all of theLayperryhere on the ship and those they will meet when we arrive on my planet. Then I stand at the opening of the ship, waiting.
There are other people who come onto the ship, ready to embark on their own exchange program. Plan and Shuntar plan on staying here for the next year. But they’re not who I’m waiting for.
Before leaving today, I stopped by Christian’s apartment. He hugged me and wished me the best before closing the door in my face. He’s always been a man of few words, but I know he’s been thinking long and hard the last few months.
“Gendry,” Darthleem says softly, resting a hand on my shoulder. “We must leave.”
“Just one more minute. Just a little longer. Please.”
Darthleem sighs. “I can give you five, but that’s it. We have to leave if we’re to stay on schedule.”
I nod my head. “I understand.”
Standing in the opening of the ship, my hands resting on my round stomach, I wait. Just as the five minutes come to a close and the doors begin to move, I see him.
“Wait! Wait, there’s one more!”
The doors halt as Christian leaps onto the ship, out of breath, face red from running. There’s a bag slung over his shoulders and nothing else. He looks up at me with his eyes narrowed.
“Don’t. Say. A. Word.” Christian says between pants, doing his best to catch his breath.
I slap him on the back, humming happily to myself. I knew he’d come, I just knew it. He might be stubborn and grumpy, but he knows his place is with us, with the family that’s adopted him into their hearts. His place is with his best friend, Miles, being the honorary uncle to Miles’ and Timalah’s children.
Plus, it’s about time Christian actually sat down and talked with Ghenie about their feelings for each other. This is a good thing.
“I’m glad you are here,” I say as the ship doors close behind Christian.
“Whatever,” he says before pushing deeper into the ship, finding his seat and strapping in. He crosses his arms over his chest and stares out the window as we set off.
I rub at my stomach, wondering if the pressure difference of moving through space is making me cramp up or if maybe I ate something weird for breakfast that’s causing indigestion.
Everything okay? You look like you’re in pain, Gendry.
I turn towards my mate, coming to sit beside him. The Earth outside grows smaller and smaller until we can no longer see it.
