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Watching Akiyra approach us, Huckleberry at her side, a warmth spreads through me. To think that less than a week ago my life was one of selling myself for others gain. Now I am free, able to hold my head up with pride and head over heels in love.
Next, to me, Tobis, Sawyr, and Jax sit. I wonder where the stars will take them.
“Ready to head home?” Akiyra ask.
“You can’t leave yet,” Huckleberry smiles. “It’s unlucky to leave new friends without having a cup of java.
“Java?” Sawyr perks up, looking down at his empty cup. “I can never have enough and if your pouring...”
I laugh, shaking my head, but he is right. Many times Edetraxi Java is the only thing that gets me moving, it is my lifeblood. But looking over at Akiyra I think my lifeblood might be changing, she is more potent to me than even the strongest Java.
“Were you able to meet with Sherdra?” I ask her, pulling her into my arms.
“Yes, we came to an agreement and will be visiting Xislunia often.” Her words relax a part of me that I hadn’t realized needed to hear we would return. Roberd wouldn’t be left alone, we could visit.
“Oh and Huck here has agreed to be our java dealer,” she continues. “Of course, we might need to bring him some supplies, but he will make sure we have a never-ending supply of nirvana.”
“It will be a mutually advantageous arrangement, “Huck grins. “I will look forward to some new supplies, new brews. Deathwish will be the java of the new millennium and one day maybe you will deliver it to the other planets.”
Akiyra smiles, “It is much better than that other blend I had used. You have made me a believer. I love the kick in the pants it gives in the morning.” She stills for a minute, “Did Roberd find his family?”
“Yes, it was quite a shock to them, but they were overjoyed. His mother couldn’t stop touching him. I don’t think she thought it was real.”
“It will be odd without him on the ship, even though we had our issues at the end.”
Sawyr clears his throat, “He isn’t the only one leaving.”
“What?!” Jax jumps up. “You can’t leave me.”
Sawyr shakes his head, “Jax, I need to find out about my family. Where they went. Why they left me. Wouldn’t you want to know too?”
Jax shakes his head, “I. I don’t know. You never said. Never talked about them.”
“I haven’t but seeing Roberd with his family...it left me wondering. I need to know.”
Tobis is quick to echo my thoughts, “We all have pasts and each must come to terms with them before we can move on. Is there anything we can do to help you?”
Sawyr shakes his head. “I already made arrangements to work on a freighter that is leaving Xislunia tonight.” He looks sheepishly at us and then down at his arm where the new communicator was installed. “Tiri helped me arrange everything.”
“Are you sure this is the way? Maybe we could take a detour, help you find them together?” Akiyra asks.
“No, I don’t know where they are, where they went. It could take me years and you four have your own lives to live.” He looks over at Jax, whose back is turned, dejection in every muscle. “Jax, please?’
He shakes his head, “Let me come.”
“I can’t. You are not ready for this universe, having so much more to learn. I grew up out here.”
Jax turns, eyes full of———“I can’t...I don’t know how to do this. Everyone leaves. Everyone dies. Mother, then you and the others were there. Now Roberd is leaving, and you.”
Sawyr moves, pulling Jax in for a hug, his voice so low I struggle to hear it. “I will always be there. You need me all you have to do is call.”
Jax nods his head, “I still don’t like this. Promise to call?”
“Every day
“Sawyr, anything you need, we will be there.” Akiyra touches his arm. “I pray you find the answers you need. Your home will always be on my ship.”
Sawyr nods his head, emotions flitting over his face. He steps over to Tobis, putting his hand out. Tobis pushes it aside, instead pulling him into a hug. “Come here now! Let me sneak one last grope before I leave!”
“Tobis!” I yell in mock horror, causing all of us to start laughing.
“What?” Tobis looks innocently from me to Sawyr. “It was a hug, okay? A hug! When you hug someone that you care about them, you want them to know that!
I just shake my head at him, chuckling.
“Tobis, watch where you step and make sure to only chase the kilts that are worthy. Oh and keep these other two in line. If Fynn makes Akiyra cry, I will be back to beat his whiny white butt.”
“I’ll do my best to never let her feet touch the ground,” I smile down at my honey haired fairy godmother. Hmm, maybe I should stop calling her a fairy godmother, with how I feel it makes it seem wrong.
“May the stars guide your path and the sun ever shine in your favor.” Sawyr looks at each of us one more time, then turning to walk down the street. We echo the sentiment and watch him go.
“Everything changes,” Jax says, his voice a combination of bitterness and sadness. He turns to look at Tobis and me. “Are you two leaving as well? Will I be left alone?”
I look down at Akiyra, “I have no plans on going anywhere.”
“You better not go anywhere, Mr. Ronzi!” Akiyra smiles up at me.
“WHAT!” Tobis exclaims. “You’re going to make an honest man out of him, Akiyra?”
“As long as he commits to only doing shows for me now, I will.” Her face loses a little of the joy it had had, “We forgot to tell Sawyr and Roberd.”
Leaning down, I kiss her head, “We can call them.”
Jax turns to Tobis, “What about you?”
“My place is with Fynn. We have had each other’s backs since the auction, and it won’t stop now.” He takes Jax’s arm in his. “Isn’t there some old earth movie about friends?”
Jax smiles. “There are so many, but I think this might be what you’re thinking of, ‘’Friendship is a lot like peeing your pants. Everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth’.”
“No, I’m pretty sure that isn’t it, Jax.” I laugh.
“Oh! Then it must be one of the greatest stories of friendship, much like ours. ‘Things we lose have a way of coming back to us in the end, if not always in the way we expect.”
“Yes, that one. Remember they are never further than a thought from us, just look to the second star, Jax, for that’s where all our dreams are.”
Akiyra looks at the three of us like we have lost our marbles. “You guys ok?”
We burst out laughing. “Of course, we are.”