Tentacle on 34th Street (Tinsel and Tentacles 2.0)

Chapter 24

CHAPTER 24

New Year’s Eve Eve

A lex emptied the contents of his desk at PridePack, aided by Jonas, who hadn’t stopped sniffling the whole time. He sorted through the Valentine’s campaign notes and sketches he’d already designed so the team could get started on that project as soon as possible. He handed them to Jonas, their new Marketing Team Leader, and smiled. “I worked these up before my vacation, so this is your first new assignment. My replacement won’t be here for another few weeks, and I don’t want you guys getting behind again.”

Jonas took them without pleasure. “It’s not going to be the same without you here.”

“I’m not all the way gone. I’ll still be around.” When Alex had had a meeting with Anthony about resigning, he’d been given a counteroffer. Anthony had someone in mind that could handle the mechanics of Alex’s job—just not the creative aspect of it. He asked if Alex would work from home and create their campaign themes and visuals, his favorite part of the job, and stay on with the company as a consultant. After some discussion with Cryss, Alex had agreed to give it a try. Hopefully he could make it all work, especially when he might be doing it from long, long distance. “I seem to recall you telling me that I had a well-trained team, and I needed to stand back and let you do your jobs. You didn’t seem to need me at all.”

“I didn’t mean you have to stand that far back,” Jonas complained.

“We’ll still talk all the time via Zoom meetings.” He and Cryss were still trying to figure out how to do that, but the prevailing idea was a zip to Earth where they’d hover near in the stealth ship. Close enough to connect to the internet, but far enough away that no one would see.

“It’s not the same,” Jonas said, placing two of Alex’s media awards into a cardboard box. “I mean, I get it. Your mom is sick, and you need to be with her right now. I’m just going to miss you.”

Alex cringed inwardly. He’d hated lying to everyone, but he couldn’t tell anyone that he was half alien, getting married to an alien, moving to another planet for a while, and pregnant with the alien’s baby. He hated lying to Jonas most of all. They’d grown quite close, and Alex considered them a friend. For some reason, he was compelled to tell them the truth. A forceful voice kept whispering to tell them the truth.

Oh, God, what am I doing?

“Can I tell you a massive, life-altering secret that you absolutely cannot, cannot tell anyone else about?” Alex asked.

Jonas frowned. “Maybe.”

Alex inhaled, worried he was making a massive mistake. He closed and locked his office door for a moment before pushing his sleeves up. “My mom’s not sick. I’m moving very, very far away for at least six months, maybe more. Like the farthest away you could ever imagine.”

Jonas crossed their arms over their chest, eyes narrowing.

“I recently found out some shocking news about myself. My dad isn’t my biodad, and I met the man who is. And he doesn’t live… on Earth.”

One of Jonas’s brows lifted.

Alex spread out his hands and both forefingers turned into tiny tentacles. His dip in the waters of the spawning grounds for his anointment had seemingly unlocked a few new skills that he was still learning to control. Alex had also learned that the telepathy and dream walking hadn’t been Cryss—it had been his latent powers beginning to make themselves known.

Jonas jumped back, wide-eyed.

Alex pulled the tentacles back into fingers. “I won’t hurt you. I promise. I’m still me.”

Jonas sighed, pulled back their hair, and showed off a set of pointed elven ears. “I’m not completely human either.”

Alex gasped.

Jonas pulled their thick, thick curls back into place. “Which system?”

Alex frowned.

“Solar system?” Jonas added.

“Oh.” He shook his head. “Nefyrian, I suppose.”

“I’ve heard of them,” Jonas said. “Tentacles… but bigger than your little garden snakes, right? Like all over, gigantic tentacles?”

Alex chuckled. “Yes. All over giant tentacles. I’m half human and for some reason leaned hard into that side of the genetic pool, it seems. But since going there, I’ve been able to do more and more. My garden snakes, as you put them, are new.”

“Rock on,” Jonas said. They sighed. “Oh my god, do you know how nice it’s going to be to have someone to talk about this stuff with besides my family?” Their face fell. “But now you’re leaving me. No fair!”

“We’re hoping to move back to San Francisco in six months to a year.” Alex sighed. “After I… give birth.”

Jonas’s eyes turned the size of saucers. “You’re pregnant? Shut up!”

“Shhhh,” Alex hissed.

Jonas bounced around his office, grinning from ear-to-ear. They stopped, grabbing his arms. “Who’s the daddy?”

Alex’s face warmed. “Cryss.”

“Is he? An alien?”

Alex pulled up his sleeve and showed off the imprint.

“So, big tentacles, for sure,” Jonas murmured. “I should’ve guessed he was something else with that massive body and weird bellybutton. I’ve heard of Nefyria. I know they’re the protectors of this planet and was told not to piss them off if I ever met one, but other than that, not much else.”

“What are you, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“My great-grandfather was from the planet Nivin. My grandmother had some minor non-human powers, and my mom has even fewer. All I got were the ears. As far as I know. If you were a late bloomer, maybe I’ll start showing some one day in the future, too, if I’m lucky.”

“If you want them, I hope you get them. What kind of powers are we talking about?”

“Grandma could plant a seed and hand you a full-grown plant in four or five hours. She rescued dead plants, too. Stuff like that. Mom’s also good at growing stuff, just not as fast. She’s taken over the family nursery and runs it. I have zero green thumb. I kill houseplants left and right. They made me look for work outside the family business.”

Alex chuckled. “Well, I’m glad the voice in my head told me to tell you. Now I’ll have someone who knows the truth and might be willing to help me cover if I slip up and say something I shouldn’t in a meeting or such?”

“You got it, Boss.” Jonas lifted a finger. “Can I make a request?”

“Sure.”

“Can you ask your boyfriend about Nivin? If he’s got a ship, maybe he’s been there or heard of it. My great-grandfather was supposedly very tight-lipped. My grandmother knew very little. We’ve never met any others like us. It’s not like we can Ancestry dot com it and get some answers, you know? I’d love some details if he has any.”

“I will ask first thing. I promise.”

“Thanks,” Jonas said, grinning. They shook their arms, giddy. “This is so exciting!” They paused. “Not that you’re leaving. I’m still mad. But knowing another mixed alien brat? So cool.”

Alex added the last few bits of his personal items to the box before walking over and giving Jonas a hug. “I guess that means we’re almost family now.”

Jonas squeezed tight. “Damned right it does. Auntie Jonas gets to meet Baby Parker as soon as possible.”

“You’re on the list after my parents and siblings. I promise,” Alex said, grabbing the box. Jonas walked him out. The whole team gathered for hugs and ‘see you later’s before he left. He did his best not to get emotional, but with the extra hormones in his system, he struggled a bit—especially the last hug for Jonas.

Cryss was waiting for him at the door. He snagged the box and stole a kiss. “Good day at work, dear?”

He threaded his arm through Cryss’s. “Sad day at work, dear.”

They walked down the sidewalk toward Cryss’s pickup. “I’m sorry it was sad. But at least it’s not goodbye. You found a way to hold on to a piece of your life here, and I think that’s amazing. We’re going to make this work. I’m all in to help.”

Cryss opened his door and ushered him into the truck before sliding his box into the back of the cab. Once he was behind the wheel, Alex smiled at his fiancé.

“I appreciate your support. I know it might seem silly to want to hold on to my job here when we’re soon moving to another planet, but those people mean the world to me. I liked that job. Having a chance to still be a part of something with them is important to me.”

Cryss leaned across the console and gave him a kiss. “I know it’s important to you, which is why I’ll do everything in my power to help you.”

“Thank you.”

Cryss kissed him again, placing a protective hand on his belly. Alex had seen him do it more and more—and it was kind of sexy. In a good, doting husband and father kind of way. He grinned to himself.

“What’s got you smiling?”

“That in a couple of months, you’re going to be my husband.”

The corners of Cryss’s mouth turned up.

“We’d best get back to North Carolina to check in. We’ve left mom and Ethan alone with Leez, Aken, and Zorim—and god only knows what they’ve gotten into,” Alex said.

“Q and Keely are there. They’ll keep them straight,” Cryss said with a grin as he started the engine.

“Thank you for agreeing that they could come back with us. I know I’ve ruined the end of our vacation together.”

“You haven’t ruined anything. I’m getting a husband and a baby out of this whole deal, so I’m good. There are plenty of holidays and vacations ahead of us.” Cryss smiled. He checked over his shoulder before pulling out onto the street. “And I’ve negotiated a little time away for us to finish that vacation of ours.”

“Oh?”

“Q’s promised to stay in North Carolina for the next two days to keep an eye on your family so we can sneak off alone to Aspen to ring in the New Year.” Cryss peeked over. “I hope you don’t mind? We have to go back to pack our bags and shut down the house anyway.”

“I love it. I think it’s a wonderful idea. Though, I don’t know if Mom’s going to let you go. You’re her new favorite person. You brought her babies back to her. I love how I didn’t get any credit for that whatsoever.”

Cryss grinned. “I am the one with a spaceship, so technically, I did bring them back to her.”

“We never would’ve gone there if I hadn’t asked to go.”

“I told her that,” Cryss murmured. “She knows. I’m just glad she no longer thinks I’m going to steal you away from her.” He glanced at Alex for a second before checking the road ahead. “Have you and she had any time to talk alone since you’ve been back? I know it’s only been two days.”

“A little,” Alex said. “She’s been a bit preoccupied with my siblings.”

“You almost sound jealous of her attention on them.”

“I’m not. It’s actually been nice that she’s not hovering over me as much. They deserve to get to know their mother, too. I’ve known her all my life.” Alex shrugged. “She’s just been a bit dismissive the couple of times I’ve tried to talk to her. I think she’s trying to avoid a confrontation. I’m not saying I want an argument, but we are going to discuss this.”

“You should clear the air. Had you known about your Nefyrian culture before you met me, things for us might’ve been a lot easier. And we could’ve made knowledgeable choices.”

“Like?”

“Not to fuck you with a belly full of eggs,” Cryss murmured. “We’re lucky only one took. What if they all had?”

“They couldn’t have all made it.”

“It’s rare for that many but not impossible,” Cryss said.

Alex’s eyes widened. “One is more than enough.”

Cryss grinned. “The only reason I did it was you looked pregnant with so many eggs in you, and it turned me on. Once you start showing, you’re not going to be able to get my hands of off you for long.”

“As opposed to any other time?” Alex smiled at Cryss’s cheeky grin. “Which reminds me… when am I getting my Christmas present?”

“All of your presents are wrapped and ready to go under the tree for our late Christmas. We can open them in the morning.”

“I’m talking about the day of orgasms,” Alex said.

Cryss growled, and it sent shivers down Alex’s spine.

“Oh, yes, that too. We might need to delay it until we can get back to Nefyria, though—unless I can convince Q to stay in North Carolina an extra day without us.”

“Ask him. I’m greedy. I want my present now.”

Cryss chuckled. “I will ask, my love.”

“And we can have another day when we get back to Nefyria, too,” Alex murmured.

Cryss grabbed his hand and lifted it for a kiss. “I’ve made a little monster, and I think I like it.”

Alex grinned. “Half -monster.”

Cryss snorted with laughter. “I was going to suggest we leave for Aspen in the morning so you could spend tonight with your family, but maybe we leave after checking in? We can sate your half-monster as soon as we get there. As soon as I restock the fridge, that is.”

“Oh no. We can’t forget about food.” Alex chuckled. “I know where your priorities lay. Your stomach and then me.”

“No, no, no,” Cryss said. “I’m feeding my pregnant soon-to-be husband. You’re eating for two now. My priorities are protecting my family. And then my stomach.”

My family. Alex fought a smile.

“I like the sound of it, too,” Cryss murmured, squeezing his hand.

“I’ve really got to work on not projecting my thoughts. I don’t need you knowing everything in my head.”

“I’m just glad it’s you and not me. I felt terrible thinking I was invading your privacy.”

“Oh, so it’s fine that you know everything as long as it’s not your fault?”

“I didn’t say it was fine,” Cryss said. “But I was really upset when I thought it was me taking something from you.” He chuckled. “Though, I do need an apology from that night we were sleeping in different beds. It wasn’t me forcing you back into my bed. It was you forcing yourself.”

“I suppose you’re right. I’m sorry I accused you of that.”

Cryss peeked at him, grinning. “I forgive you. You couldn’t stay away from me, and I approve of that behavior.”

Alex chuckled, shaking his head.

Cryss squeezed his hand. He pulled into the parking space in front of the 34 th Street townhouse and once inside, Cryss used the autopilot to bring the cruiser from the depths of the Pacific to hover overhead. Another few minutes and they were inside, bound for North Carolina for a pitstop on the way to Aspen.

New Year’s Eve

W aking Alex with a blowjob, Cryss soon added orgasm seven to Alex’s present tally. He’d dragged three out of Alex soon after they’d arrived back in Aspen and three more before they’d gone to bed. After swallowing all he could, Cryss licked Alex’s cock clean before sliding up his little half-human’s body to follow with a kiss.

“Good morning,” Alex murmured with a smile. “One orgasm out of the way first off, hmm?”

“That’s number seven, thank you.”

Alex frowned. “I just woke up. That was one.”

“We started last night,” Cryss said.

“No, no,” Alex said. “You said a day of orgasms. Yesterday’s count doesn’t get added into today’s.”

“One twenty-four-hour period,” Cryss argued. “Seven p.m. to seven p.m.”

“Changing the rules on me? Not cool,” Alex said, fighting a smile.

Cryss dragged Alex closer and began searching for the ticklish spots he’d found by accident when he’d first learned his way around the man’s body. Alex writhed under him.

“I give, I give! One twenty-four-hour period!”

Cryss pinned Alex to the bed. “You could’ve gotten your way if it wasn’t for being ticklish.” He captured his fiancé’s lips with a kiss, sharing more of the taste on his tongue. “Though, I’ll probably give you what you want anyway. I can’t deny you or that look you get on your face when you come.” He grinned. “Ready for breakfast or would you like me to ravage you more first?”

“Food, then ravaging? Baby’s hungry.”

“Which baby?” Cryss asked.

“Both.”

Cryss slid down Alex’s body and pressed a kiss to his belly. “I think I already see a little poof forming here.”

“That’s the weight I’ve gained from all your cooking this past month.” Alex frowned. “When will Baby Kreegl start making himself known?”

“I’m not exactly sure,” Cryss said. “I’ve never gotten anyone pregnant before. When do humans start showing?”

“I’m a gay man. I know almost nothing about the human female body.” He groaned. “I’m going to have to learn two different reproductive biologies just to figure this out.”

“Google is your friend,” Cryss said, dragging his phone off the nightstand. “Twelve to sixteen weeks for humans. I don’t like that. Too long. I want a baby belly to love on now.”

“You have no patience,” Alex mumbled.

“Have I ever when it comes to you? Why would you think I have any now?” He pressed a kiss to Alex’s mostly flat stomach. He couldn’t wait to see it full and round with his baby.

“I guess you have a point,” Alex said, grinning. He threaded his fingers through Cryss’s hair. “Is there something like Google on Nefyria that can give me all I need to know about pregnancy?”

“The ship’s computer is always available,” Cryss murmured, enjoying his little scalp massage as he laid more kisses on Alex’s stomach.

“I can’t read Nefyrian,” Alex said. “Although, just before we left, I heard someone speaking it and I understood because I was able to read their thoughts which, oddly enough, were in English.”

“Reading a thought isn’t the same as reading a language. In shifted form, I’ve spoken telepathically with others who spoke other dialects I don’t know in human form.”

“Good to know.”

“You should learn my tongue, though.”

“I already know your tongue, baby.” Alex urged him closer for a kiss, licking a path through his mouth. Cryss smiled to himself, enjoying Alex’s little aggression.

“You know what I meant,” Cryss said before nibbling Alex’s lower lip. “So we can speak it and English in front of our children. Children of two worlds, remember?”

“I suppose you’re right. It sounded hard, though.”

“You have me there to help you,” Cryss murmured, stealing another kiss. “I’ll find ways to make learning fun.” He rose onto his knees. “Breakfast. Scrambled eggs and what else?”

“When are you going to teach me your secret? Do I really have to wait until both arms are imprinted?”

“I said maybe when both are. That’s not a definite,” Cryss whispered. He wanted to spoil his husband. Giving away recipes meant that was one less thing for him to spoil with.

“You’re cruel,” Alex muttered.

Cryss grinned, climbing from the bed. If that was the depths of his cruelty, he could live with that. “If I told you the secret, you still don’t know how to cook, so how would you make them?”

“I might be able to.” Alex rose on his knees and grabbed Cryss’s waist. “Or maybe you’ll find it in your heart to forgive me and give me more cooking lessons? If I promise to pay better attention this time.”

Cryss cradled his head. “I’ve never been mad about that. It was an accident.” An accident they’d needed, in some ways. It had exposed him and allowed them to truly be together. He kissed Alex’s lips. “No lessons today, though. This is the day of orgasms, and you’ll be much too tired for that. Maybe after we get home.”

“Which home?”

“34 th Street.” Cryss kissed him again before grabbing his joggers and heading out to the kitchen. He smiled to himself, imagining raising their family in his grandfather’s home when he came to a realization. They’d converted the townhouse into two master suites. One on the top floor, one on the bottom for Qylar. Where were they putting baby Kreegl?

Before the baby’s arrival, he’d need to consider their options for their return to Earth. He didn’t like the idea of leaving his grandfather’s home, but they’d need more room. Gazing around the kitchen, an idea formed in his mind.

A lex cuddled closer into the crook of Cryss’s arm, pulling the blanket tighter around him. The fire pit was roaring and putting off plenty of heat—as was his fiancé—but he simply couldn’t get warm for some reason. He could use one of those heat spikes. He hadn’t had one in two days, though. Cryss had said his body had possibly adjusted to the hormone rush.

“I wish they’d hurry up with these fireworks,” Alex grumbled. “I want to get back inside where it’s warm.”

“Want me to go get you another blanket?”

“Please?” Alex asked. He was too tired to move. A day of orgasms was much more taxing than he’d anticipated. He’d barely moved all day, having pleasure lovingly ripped from his body over and over.

“Anything for you, my love.” Cryss snuck a kiss before rising from the outdoor loveseat they were occupying.

“Hurry up. I need your body heat back,” Alex yelled at Cryss’s departing back.

A thick woolen blanket was soon wrapped around him, but Cryss ran back inside instead of cuddling with him, to his dismay. A few minutes later, Cryss appeared with another blanket and two mugs of hot cocoa. Alex wasn’t sure if he was happier for cocoa itself or the warmth against his gloved hands.

“Thank you,” Alex murmured before sipping a bit and moaning in delight. “I’d ask what you did to that cocoa, but I doubt you’d tell me the secret.”

Cryss slipped into the blankets and settled them around them neatly. “I’ll tell you for a kiss.”

Alex smiled. He leaned in and pressed his lips against Cryss’s. “Okay. What’s the secret?”

“Ghirardelli Double Chocolate.”

Alex rolled his eyes. “Funny.”

Cryss smiled, clearly pleased with himself.

Alex cuddled closer to his big, warm, heat-putting-off man seconds before the city started shooting off the New Year’s Eve eight p.m. fireworks on Aspen Mountain. They had a perfect view from the backyard, the display almost on top of them from their nearby peak. Once the show and their cocoa were done, they returned inside to warm themselves by the fire.

Where Cryss proceeded to ruin his seven-to-seven twenty-four-hour argument in grand fashion. Alex’s head rolled from side to side as he writhed under Cryss’s tentacles and tongue, screaming as he came for the countless time that day. By the time the clock struck twelve, he’d had two more and lay breathless, panting from the last.

“Happy New Year, baby,” Cryss murmured against his lips before lifting him from the floor and gliding toward their bedroom.

“Happy New Year,” Alex said, blissed out and grinning.

What a new year he’d have.