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Wrapping up a couple threads I thought needed wrapping.

Pay close attention to the timelines

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Cyan waited in the mostly empty Starbus, clutching a massive bouquet of flowers and a stack of letters. Making use of the fact that he was technically no longer a minor, he had convinced his parents to let him travel from Baker colony to Atriea unaccompanied. Finally, there was a subtle shaking in the floor, and a voice boomed over the low-quality PA system. “Adur.”
Receiving some help with his flowers from a friendly attendant, Cyan stepped into the spaceport and was immediately picked up, flowers and all, by his mother. “Cyan! Oh, my baby…”
“Mom…”
“I can’t believe it’s really you! I-I mean, we never gave up, but-”
“The flowers!”
Teri placed Cyan on his feet, took the flowers, placed them on a bench, and grabbed Cyan again. “I missed you so much.”
“I… well, I only kinda missed you guys but you can blame quantum mechanics for that.”
Teri was silent for a moment before laughing lightly. “That’s the Cyan I know.”
Finally, Cyan was released. “So… can I see dad?”
“Of course. Do you want something from the machine first?”
She gestured to a vending machine loaded with sugary beverages. “Hey, yeah, now that you mention it, all they had on Sytis was plants…”

Thankfully, their trip to the hospital did not lead them to intensive care. Feldoh’s room was in recovery and, as Teri wanted Cyan to know very clearly, he would be perfectly fine in a week. This did nothing to improve Cyan’s mood, however. Feldoh was grumbling into a data pad by the time they arrived. “Feldoh~”
“Hey… Denoka’s guiding light! You’re more handsome than I remember!”
The two laughed, while Teri looked a little offended at the jab. “You don’t look so bad yourself, dad… considering.”
“Hey! If Leph can survive a heart attack, so can I! In fact, I plan on racking up quite the count. I’ll be running circles around him with stories of near death before the decade’s out!”
Cyan sat. “So… Uncle Leph said he’ll be here in a few days. Uh, he wanted me to bring some cards from everyone. Here.”
Feldoh glanced at the cards, but wasn’t really interested in them. “Thank you.”
He laid his paw on Cyan’s head. “It’s so good to know you’re alive.”
“Hey, right back at ya.”
Feldoh cleared his throat and took his paw away. “Listen. Kids your age-”
“Hey, remember, I’m over sixteen years old. Says so on my ID!”
Feldoh gave him a hard look, and Cyan averted his eyes. “You’re too young to see me like this. I’ll hold out as long as I can, but… I just want to know if you’ll be okay. Without me.”
Cyan shot up. “I…”
Teri interjected. “A-are you sure this is the right time…”
“It’s the best time! Cyan, look at me.”
He did, tears beginning to form in his eyes. “I… don’t know.”
“It is very rare for a parent to outlive his child. That’s why it is important to… for me to know… if you’ll be okay.”
Cyan could only give a quick nod. Feldoh smiled and patted Cyan’s head again. “Good boy.”
They sat together, the mood swiftly improving, a family again.

~~~

Leph and Leena sat on their couch late one night, watching television. Neither could stop from obsessively checking their watches. Eventually, there was a knock. They both shot up. “I’ll get it!”
Both ignored the other, and they clambered for the door. Zach and Serleah stood on the other side, dancing in the cold. “Leph! It’s freezing!”
“Right, come in…”

~~~

They sat around the dinner table, their stories from the last six months apart all but drying up. Serleah finished her glass of wine and leaned towards Leph. “Okay, Leph. Cut to it. There’s gotta be a reason you dragged us both from retirement all the way to Citrus Creek that isn’t just swapping stories.”
Leph grinned evilly and sipped his wine. “What, that isn’t a good enough reason?”
“Get to it, Leph!” Zach groaned.
“Fine! Fine. Before I hear any sighs of protest, I have a great job opportunity for you two.”
Leph allowed a moment of tense silence to pass before speaking again. “I bought a ship. Now, it isn’t much to look at, but…”

FIN