The Holly and the Tentacles (Tinsel and Tentacles 2.0)

Chapter 17

Chapter

Seventeen

L egacy sat in front of the Christmas tree that Aeryn had obviously put up while he was away. The glow of the lights played over little Alejandra’s face, and he rocked her, the old-fashioned rocking chair a gift from Aeryn’s boss, Barb.

“I hear it was an old-Earth tradition,” she’d murmured when she pulled him aside to give him the voucher to go pick it up. She’d also given him a data cube saying, “Look, I have a cousin who’s part of a colonization team. Alpha Hidalgo 4 is ready for settlers. You get a plot of land and a prefab house, and you’d be considered a priority job skill. You should look into it.”

“I—” Legacy had just blinked at her. “Oh my God, thank you. I will.”

She’d glanced at Aeryn, who was still in the med bed, holding Alejandra and singing to her. “Take care of him, Vasquez. He’s a good one.”

So they would be leaving right after the start of the new year to open up their house. Aeryn would be dealing with the garden and the house, as well as doing some bookkeeping for the colonial government. And Legacy would be running drill as they created infrastructure.

The colonial government had learned its lesson from old Earth. They weren’t going to despoil this planet. Only so many people were allowed, and only so much…stuff would be built.

“We’re going to have a real home, mi’ja,” Legacy crooned to her. “With a yard for you to play in.”

She pursed her little lips and started sucking, and he knew it was time to get up and get her a bottle.

God she was adorable.

“Hey, love.” Aeryn limped out into the main room. “Time to feed her?”

“Yeah. You sit and hold her. I’ll be the cow.”

Aeryn chuckled. “Thanks, love.” He took the baby and the rocking chair, humming a very old Christmas tune about holly and ivy as he did.

His heart was so full it was going to burst. He headed to the kitchen to make up a bottle and a snack for Aeryn, who needed to get his strength back up.

He did love to feed his omega. He would do cheese and crackers and fruit. They had gotten an extra grocery allowance thanks to the baby.

“You excited about the move?” Aeryn asked when he came back with both snacks.

“I really am. Are you?”

Aeryn grinned. “Are you kidding? I’m over the moon. I keep looking at the house and trying to decide what I want to do with each room.”

“I know. It’s amazing how much room we have.” The square footage was twice what their quarters had now, at least, and there was outside living space as well. The section of Hidalgo they were settling was extremely temperate. “I was telling Ale all about her yard.”

“You were, huh? Her alpha dad already spoils her rotten.” Aeryn’s happy smile told him that was perfectly okay with him.

“Absolutely. I spoil her omega dad, too. I already dismantled last year’s present to take with us.”

“Oh my god.” Aeryn flushed bright pink, just barely visible in the low, glowing lights. “I’ll have to find out if they have a gym on planet for you.”

“Maybe. It doesn’t matter. This year, you gave me the best Christmas present I could ever have.” He popped a piece of cheese into his mouth.

Aeryn leaned forward to grab one too, careful not to dislodge the nipple from Ale’s sucking mouth. “I feel the same way.”

“I did get you a little something, though,” Legacy said.

“Love! We said we’d save our money for the move.”

“Mmm. My signing bonus covers that.” He reached into the pocket of his sweats and pulled out a ring box.

Aeryn’s eyes went wide, and Legacy opened it to show two rings. One for Aeryn. One for him.

“Will you sign a marriage contract with me, Aeryn?” Legacy asked. “I want forever.”

Aeryn gave him an arch look. “I just had your baby, love. Clearly, I’m into you. Of course I will.”

He stood again, going to kiss Aeryn on the mouth. “Good. I have the license. All we have to do is sign, and then we can do the ceremony at our new home if you want.”

“I do. I really do.”

Legacy couldn’t stop smiling. “Are you going to miss it around here?”

“Gods no. I mean, I’m sure there will be some assholes where we’re going. There always are. But it won’t be just miners.”

“True. Although a few of us are going down.”

“Yeah?” Aeryn tilted his head. “Who else got a space?”

“Jameson and Gar. They’ll be sharing housing for now. But we’ll have friends with us.”

“Aww, cool. They’re food uncles.”

The guys had showered Ale with gifts and had helped out a lot the first few days they’d had her home. Legacy was so glad they were going to still be around, still be his buddies.

“They are. Happy, baby?”

“So happy. I love you so much.” Aeryn reached out with one hand, the bottle propped on his chest so Ale could finish her meal.

Legacy took it, so ready to move on to the next stage of their lives.

“I love you, Aeryn Vasquez,” he said.

“I love you too. Husband.” Aeryn squeezed his hand when he took it in his. “Thank you.”

“Merry Christmas, love.” They were back to where they’d started, and he loved that it was Christmas that had really brought them together.

Well, that and tentacles.

He should never discount the power of those.