A Family Dilemma

“Mom. Mom!” You laugh as you eventually are able to push her back a few inches so that you could breathe. “Geez!”

She was BEAMING. With tears in her eyes and the most joyous smile you’d ever seen Mom strokes your hair and pets your cheeks and caresses down your neck and rubs your bare chest. You would have protested on her effusive doting but you knew it would only hurt her feelings. Whenever you were sick or hurt or just down in the dumps there was something inside of your mom that just made her want to touch you and hold you, as if you could only get better through direct physical contact with her. Not that you were complaining. Her soft hands felt quite nice on your smooth and extremely sensitive skin. Was your sensitivity to do with losing your body hair or another change from ‘becoming a Prince’? You weren’t sure, but boy you could feel every little brush of her clothes, hair and skin against you.

“How are you, baby?”

“I’m okay.” You assure her. “I feel…good. Really good.”

“Oh, thank God.” Closing her eyes she slumps down to rest her head on your chest. Slipping her arms around you she hugs you tight. “Thank God.”

“I’m okay, Mom.” You stroke her long, soft brown hair. “Everything’s okay.”

Just then the door slides open and into the room pours the rest of the of the ship, sans Fiona. It is a Bailey tsunami as they come rushing forward to bury you in a big family embrace. There are smiles and laughter all around as you soak up all of their love.

“Ha ha ha!” You laugh as even the more cerebral Peg and your cousin Kazia, who you’d barely met, dog pile on.

No dog pile was complete without a dog though. Peeking through the bodies you see standing sheepishly near the door, her hands folding in front of her and her head down, Button keeping her distance.

“Get over here!” You wave Button into the big group hug. “You’re a Bailey too.”

Buttons ears perk, her tail wags and her face lights up at your invitation. Hurrying forward she enters the jubilant throng. In the center of all these loving ladies you are one happy chappy.

When the moment of reunion is over and the hug eventually breaks not everybody was smiling. Your aunt and Kazia in particular no longer seemed so glad to see you. The others stand while your mother slides her chair close and keeps a tight hold on your left hand as she stays seated at your side.

“Jesse!” Peg says sternly. “You were supposed to stay behind.”

“Yeah, erm…oops.” You shrug. “Sorry.”

“Sorry?” She pinches the bridge of her nose as she shakes her head.

“Where are we?” You ask. “You didn’t take me back to Earth so…”

“We’re hidden on a rogue planet near the wormhole.” Kazia says. “Still on the Earth side.”

“We’re on another planet? Wow.”

Elsie grins, sharing your excitement. “Pretty cool.”

“A chunk of barren rock floating in interstellar space.” Peg says. “You missed the important word there Jesse, hidden.”

Looking around at the suddenly serious faces you ask. “Why are we hiding?”

“Because we’ve got YOU!” Peg exclaims. “We told you that we’d come back for you when we ready.”

As your mother’s grip on your hand tightens Kazia explains. “I don’t think anybody else from my side has discovered this wormhole, I think we’re safe on this side, but I thought I’d better hide us in case.”

“In case?”

“Of pirates or raiders.” She glances at Peg then back to you. “We weren’t expecting to be carrying a Prince in his prime back with us. Unbroken no less. We would have had a more appropriate transport and a security escort had we known you would be aboard. A little corvette like this would probably escape attention, but who knows. And I might be able to outrun them but…it’s a heck of a risk. Since you were so close to recover I thought it would be wise to hide until we could talk with you and reconsider.”

“You’ve put us all at risk here Jesse.” Peg says. “Both of you.” Elsie hangs her head guiltily. “Fiona in particular.”

“Fiona? What do you mean?”

“Jesse…” She sighs again as she tries to find the right words. “We have to pass through a lot of area that isn’t controlled by our clan. If another warrior somehow boards the ship and lays a claim to you it is on Fiona to answer that challenge. She’s only been training for a month. She’s not ready for this yet. Not even close. And neither are you.”

“Oh…um, I didn’t know.”

“And going into heat when you weren’t ready for it?” She scolds. “You’re lucky to be alive. It’s a major shock to the system. You should have been monitored or…erm, broken first.”

“I didn’t…know. I didn’t know.”

“We didn’t know, Peggy.” El says softly, laying a hand on your shoulder.

“When it got close to time for you joining us your grandma was going to explain things.” She says. “We’re not on Earth, Jesse. Things are different out here. You agreed to stay! If you were so insistent on coming…you should have at least told us so we could prepare.”

“But…you wouldn’t have let me come.”

“What’s done is done.” Mom says. “He’s here now and that’s what matters. This can wait for a bit, can’t it?”

“It’s okay, Mom.” You say. “I want to hear it.”

“Jesse, now that you’re awake would you PLEASE talk some sense into the others?” Peg pleads in an exasperated tone. “These two might as well not have wills of their own.” She nods to Mom and Button. “This one isn’t listening to reason.” She looks at Elsie. “Chloe is…Chloe.”

“Hey Cuz.” Chloe shoots you double finger guns.

“Hey Chloe.”

“Bah!” Peg exclaims. “And THIS one!” She points at your other cousin with the teal hair. “She’s been brainwashed!”

Indignantly Kazia raises her chin. “I will NOT be spoken to in that way, thank you. I don’t care if you are a Sage, my voice is equal to yours. The goddess says…”

“She’s not a goddess!” Peg was at her wit’s end. “She’s a very foolish young woman from a very flawed planet.”

Undeterred Kazia continues. “My goddess says that I am an equal to you. That all workers are equal. We cast a vote and you lost, Peg.”

“Since when is running a ship a democracy?”

“Since my goddess opened my mind.”

“Pah.” Giving up on what was clearly a lost cause Peg stays focused on you. “Jesse, listen. Let’s go back to Earth and figure things out from there. We don’t have to rush this. If you want to go back the others will support it.”

“Go back?” Chloe groans. “Aw, man. That’s like another two whole weeks.”

“Chloe.”

“Although…I wonder if Daddy’s already…”

“Chloe!”

“Sorry.”

“I’m happy for another vote.” Kazia says. “I’ll follow the will of the people, if my goddess approves of course.”

“Some democracy.” Peg mutters. “Jesse.” She steps forward to take your hand. “Please listen to reason. There is no reason to take this risk.”

From Peg’s earnest stare you cast your eyes about to see everyone looking at you for guidance.