The sight of their eager faces in the North Bay brought a smile to his lips and a deep warmth to his heart. Even though he’d been flying missions from here for years, he could always count on Ushara to greet him with their children and extended relatives in tow. The only times she missed was when she was with him or some intergalactic threat kept her locked in her office. Then her relatives would be here in her stead, welcoming him as if he were their real son.
After a lifetime of suffering a family that didn’t care where he was concerned, he still couldn’t believe this was real. That she was really his wife. She had no idea how much it meant to him to see all of them there.
Or maybe she did.
Either way, her thoughtfulness was just one of many reasons he loved her and couldn’t imagine returning to a life where she wasn’t the best part of his day.
As soon as they had everything locked down, he opened the ramp and cleared Chayden and Thrāix to leave.
Thrāix used his Trisani powers to teleport from the ship to where his wife and son were waiting next to Jullien’s.
Thia gaped at him. “I didn’t think the Trisani used their powers around others.”
Jullien smiled. “Normally they don’t. But we’re all family here. And if I had that particular set of skills, I’d use them to get to my wife and kids, too.”
Chayden grabbed her gear to carry it for her. “Take it to your place?” he asked Jullien.
“Yeah. Thanks.”
Thia pouted. “Is there any chance I could get my own apartment or flat?”
Jullien burst out laughing. “Remember, I make your paka look careless. I won’t even let Vas live alone.”
“Am I going to regret this?”
“Probably,” Jullien snorted. “Most beings regret being around me, sooner rather than later.” He winked at her. “But as my new Crew Cock, I own you and am responsible for everything you do.”
Chayden shook his head. “Don’t take it personally. Your uncle’s insane.”
Jullien snorted. “You know, Psycho Bunny, she’s not the one you need to worry about taking that personally. I’m the one who’s currently armed.”
“Yeah, but you love me.”
Jullien rolled his eyes as he left the ship and was swarmed by his daughters and nieces. He knelt on the ground so that they could each have a turn at hugging him.
Thia hesitated at the sight of the banners that welcomed her to their Nation.
Jullien watched her while he returned jubilant hugs and kisses. He stood up to kiss Ushara and take his infant son from her arms so that she could greet Thia.
Thrāix’s wife—Ushara’s youngest sister, Mary—came over to him. “You want me to babysit while you get Thia settled?”
Jullien wrinkled his nose at her. “Appreciate the offer, kisa, but I haven’t seen my boys or girls in days.” He cradled Vidar under his chin so that he could hold him with one arm while he cupped his daughter Mira’s head with his hand. Any time he returned, Mira always clung to his leg for two to three days. It was amazing to him how well he’d learned to walk with her as a symbiotic life form attached there. She was even standing on his boot so that she could stay in place while he moved.
Mary rose up on her toes to give him a kiss. “Love you, drey. Remember that I offered.” She flounced off to return to Thrāix, who was as eager to get her home as Jullien was to be alone with Ushara.
But that would be hours away—after the kids were all settled.
His adoptive mother, Unira, approached, laughing. “Want me to hold Vidar for you, precious?”
He cracked a shy smile. “Nah, Mata. You know I live for this.”
Rubbing his back, his mother kissed his cheek, then went to greet Thia and welcome her to their family. As a high priestess, she had the warmest heart of anyone Jullien had ever met.
Except maybe Ushara.
As soon as Unira spoke to her, tears welled in Thia’s eyes. An instant later, she caught a sob and dashed off toward the work area.
Stunned, the entire crowd turned to stare at him like he’d been the cause of it.
Every bit as surprised, Jullien finally handed his son to his mother, then picked up Mira. “Paka needs to see to Thia, bug. Can you stay with your mum for a minute?”
“Okies, Paka.”
Ushara bit her lip. “Should I go?”
“I’d love to toss this at you, but I better do it since I’m her blood basha. Be right back.”
He used his extrasensory powers to find Thia inside the ladies’ room. Her sobs would have been evident even without his heightened Andarion hearing.
Shit. It figured she’d find the one place he couldn’t follow.
Clearing his throat, he knocked on the door. “Thia?”
The sobs lowered, but remained constant.
Jullien sighed in irritation. “If anyone other than my niece is in there, speak up, ’cause I’m coming in!”
He paused for an answer, then reached for the controls. Before he could open it, Thia did.
Her eyes glistened as her lips quivered. Damn, he’d never been able to stand seeing a female cry. Cupping her cheek, he gently wiped her tears away. “You miss your paka?”
With a ragged breath, she shook her head. “Sorry, Basha. I just … I wasn’t expecting them to be so nice and welcoming.”
He laughed at her words. “Yeah, the one thing about the Altaans … anything worth doing is worth overdoing. You want me to scatter them?”