Galaxy's Way

by E. R. Paskey

  She had never experienced anything quite like this before. The Iliana had been her home for so many years, it felt strange to be packing her life into boxes, knowing she would never inhabit this cabin again. Oh, she had no doubt she and Colin would come visit, and they might well stay in their room, but it would never be ‘hers’ in the sense that it was at this moment in time.

  I have more stuff than I realized. Anna frowned down at an assortment of knickknacks she’d collected over the years. She picked up a glass unicorn that glittered all the colors of the rainbow in sunlight. Vik had gotten that for her fifteenth birthday, not long after she lost her hand. How he’d managed it with their newly-instated ‘pirate’ label, she’d never figure out.

  Life aboard a spaceship was not conducive to accumulating much in the way of material possessions; there simply wasn’t room. And yet‌…‌somehow she felt like she had too much.

  Growling softly in the back of her throat, Anna shook her head at herself. You don’t have time to worry about this. Just pack. You can sort everything out later, when you’ve got the luxury of time to do it. Gently, she nestled the glass unicorn into one of her shirts and wrapped it up.

  Packing took all afternoon‌—‌mostly because of the steady stream of visitors dropping by her cabin to say goodbye and wish her luck. A couple of people‌—‌Wallop included‌—‌tried to talk her out of it.

  “Are you sure it’s safe to go flying off with that guy and his crew?” Wallop leaned a shoulder up against the doorframe, his brown eyes full of concern.

  Anna gave him an indulgent smile over the duffel bag she was cramming full of clothes. “It’s fine, Wallop. Trust me.” She thought of him like the little brother she’d never gotten the chance to have. “And it’s not like you guys are never going to see us again.”

  The look on Wallop’s face said he had grave reservations about that.

  “We’ll visit,” Anna said firmly. “Now, shoo. I’ve got underwear to pack.”

  ~oOo~

  Viktor had set the ceremony for eighteen hundred Basic time‌—‌early by Polygon standards‌—‌so there’d be enough time for dinner and a slice of cake before they all parted ways for the evening. Anna learned later that Mondego and Diella‌—‌the Iliana’s cook‌—‌had spent the afternoon collaborating. They’d even negotiated with the Polygon’s fry cook, Ollie, for a few things.

  Ellis, their navigator, invited herself to be the bridesmaid/maid of honor and effectively took over helping Anna pick out clothes and do her makeup. She swooped in before Anna started packing all her clothes and picked out an outfit that was both dressier than Anna’s usual attire, but still obviously ‘her’. She dressed Anna in a rich brown synthleather skirt and matching vest, a deep crimson blouse with ruffled sleeves that fell from elbow to wrist, and knee-high boots.

  Dressy, but comfortable‌—‌just in case something terrible happened and they all had to make a run for it. Anna smoothed her hands down her sides. Best to be prepared.

  A few of their crew volunteered to help carry her belongings over to the Galaxy’s Way. Anna thanked them; she didn’t have time to do that all by herself.

  A little before six, Anna stood in the corridor outside the main living compartment with Viktor, clutching a metal flower in one hand. Their mechanic, Zip, had whipped it up for her over the course of the afternoon. Viktor, dressed in his best suit‌—‌the one he’d always worn when impersonating a well-to-do businessman‌—‌looked down at her with a sad smile. “I’m gonna miss you, sis.”

  Anna returned his smile, sudden tears pricking the backs of her eyes. “I’m gonna miss you too.” She squeezed his arm. “Thanks for doing all this.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Behind the closed door, they heard the strains of a folksy violin. Indinara had a man who could play, and he’d volunteered his services for the ceremony.

  Viktor took a deep breath. “That’s our cue.” He nodded to Ellis, who glided forward to palm the door release. It lurched aside with a series of plaintive squeaks and grumbling grindings that almost made Anna laugh. We’ve been meaning to fix that door for how long now? she thought in amusement. With their names cleared, now maybe Viktor would have the chance to make enough money to actually do it.

  Ellis disappeared through the doorway, and the siblings stepped forward together.

  Other than the cargo bay, the living compartment was the largest compartment in the ship. Since none of the furniture was bolted to the deck‌—‌Viktor had always thought that was annoying, and Anna agreed, even though it presented an element of risk in the event they ever lost gravity‌—‌someone had shoved everything around to create a makeshift aisle with two decidedly odd rows of seats on either side. Indinara, Jou, and their crews, Lobai, Naoko, Deek, Mondego, Tatiana, Wallop, and the rest of the Iliana’s crew occupied both sides of the aisle.

  Anna forgot about all of them, however, the moment she caught sight of Colin and their eyes met. He was dressed in a nice black suit, his black hair neatly combed‌—‌and the look on his face as he watched her walk toward him brought tears to her eyes. She’d never seen anyone so happy to see her in her life. The only moment that even came remotely close to this was when she’d unlocked that cabin aboard the Hand of Fate and Colin had realized she was alive.

  Viktor walked her down the makeshift aisle to stand facing Colin, and then took his place in front of them. He cleared his throat, his eyes darting once around the compartment. “I’ve actually, uh, never done this before. Figures you’d be the first, Anna.”

  A laugh rippled around the living compartment. Colin grinned at Anna and reached out to grasp her hands. The tips of his fingers were cool; he was nervous, too.

  Viktor cleared his throat again. “As I’m sure everyone aboard this ship is aware, my sister and Captain Dupree accidentally got themselves hitched on Plimus.”

  Another wave of laughter coursed through the room. Anna smiled sheepishly at Colin. In an undertone, she said, “I’d have never gone to that motel if I’d known.”

  He smiled back, but his blue eyes grew serious. “I’m glad we didn’t know.”

  “Oy. You two.” Viktor scowled at both of them. “Pay attention.”

  They flashed him matching apologetic looks and then faced each other again.

  “Now,” Viktor continued, warming to his subject‌—‌and his audience. “Seeing as how irregular that was, and also being rightly a little wary of how efficient Plimus’s court system probably isn’t — ” a few snickers greeted this, “ — they asked me to go ahead and make sure they’re married.”

  Reading off his comlink, Viktor walked Colin through his vows. Then he did the same with Anna. Finally, he turned to Zip, the ship’s mechanic, who was sitting in the front row. “Ready?”

  “Yes, Captain. Got ‘em right here.” Grinning cheerfully, which revealed the gold tooth replacing his front right incisor, Zip produced two rings made out of braided copper wire and placed them in Viktor’s outstretched palm.

  Anna’s breath hitched in her throat; she turned shining eyes on him. “Thank you.”

  Zip’s dark cheeks darkened further with a blush; he ducked his head.

  Viktor handed Anna’s ring to Colin, who slid it reverently onto her left hand. “With this ring,” he said softly, blue eyes locked on her face, “I thee wed.”

  Behind them, Viktor’s eyebrows rose; he hadn’t gotten to that part yet and Colin’s words were decidedly old-fashioned.

  Neither Colin nor Anna noticed. The entire world had narrowed down to the two of them. Taking the other ring from her brother, Anna slid it onto Colin’s ring finger and echoed his words. “With this ring, I thee wed.”

  “Well, then,” Viktor said into the sudden silence, “by the power vested in me by the Federation as a ship’s captain‌—‌can’t believe I’m saying that, by the way‌—‌and in the sight of God and these witnesses, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

  His fingers cu
rling over hers, Colin leaned forward to kiss her. Anna met him halfway, her eyes sliding shut. The press of his lips to hers sent electric shocks along all of her nerve endings.

  Cheers erupted behind them.

  Breaking apart, both of them smiling ear-to-ear, Anna and Colin turned to face the compartment.

  “I present to you, Captain and Mrs. Colin Dupree.” Viktor tapped Colin on the shoulder to get his attention. “And you’d better take good care of her, Dupree, because I will hunt you down.”

  “You have my word,” Colin assured him, his eyes locked on Anna’s blushing face.

  ~oOo~

  Afterwards, Anna remembered the next three hours only in fragments‌—‌snatches of conversation and moments frozen in time. She and Colin were congratulated by everyone‌—‌even Lobai, who called her ‘dearie’ one last time‌—‌and then they all tramped into the galley to eat.

  Dinner was wonderful‌—‌though Anna was too excited to give the food more than passing interest as she ate‌—‌and they did indeed have cake. Packing had distracted her that afternoon, but it had finally dawned on her that tonight was her wedding night. She swallowed a mouthful of cake, nearly choking on a laugh. Guess it’s just as well I haven’t had time to panic about it.

  After the cake was gone and things had developed into a cheerful party, Colin snagged her hand and bent his head close to hers. “Are you ready to go, lass?” The once-irritating endearment seemed filled with a thousand new and different emotions now.

  Anna nodded, her breath catching in her throat and her heart too full for speech.

  “You want to say goodbye to your brother?”

  She nodded and leaned forward to catch her brother’s eye. “We’re leaving,” she said quietly.

  Several things flashed across Viktor’s face‌—‌fleeting sorrow and resignation‌—‌before he offered her a smile. “Live well, sis. Go with God.”

  She gave him a tight hug. “Thank you. I love you.”

  “Love you too.” He paused, his voice breaking. “Make sure you visit, okay? And let me know how everything with the Raveena Space Station goes. If you need anything‌…‌let me know.”

  Their eyes met and held‌—‌a solemn charge from one sibling to another.

  Anna inclined her head. “I will.”

  Viktor glanced from her to Colin and back. “I’d tell you to have fun, but frankly, Anna, there are some things I’d just rather not think about.”

  Anna threw back her head, laughter eclipsing the tears that had started to fill her eyes. She hugged Viktor once more and then slipped her hand into Colin’s. Smiling down at her, he laced their fingers together. They then proceeded to sneak out of the galley.

  The trick, of course, was to stride through the room with purpose. Instead of drawing attention because they were acting suspicious, they simply melted through the crowd. A few people stopped them to offer more congratulations, but they managed to escape without being further waylaid.

  Once they were safely in the corridor outside the galley, Anna slapped her prosthetic hand over her mouth to muffle the laughter bubbling up inside her.

  “Not out of the asteroid field yet,” Colin said gravely, though his blue eyes were dancing with so much joy and happiness that Anna wanted to sing at the sight of him.

  Together, they made their way through the freighter’s corridors to the docking tube.

  Colin looked down at her. “Do you have everything?”

  Feeling suddenly shy, Anna nodded. “It’s all been moved to the Galaxy’s Way.” She smiled sheepishly. “Don’t know where it’s all going to go yet, but … ”

  “We’ll figure it out.” His fingers tightened on hers.

  Neither of them spoke again until after they had emerged onto the Polygon and were striding across the docking tube to board Colin’s freighter. Their freighter.

  Just before they reached the hatch at the end of the tube, Colin stopped her. “Hold on.” He swept her up into his arms and carried her the rest of the way.

  Anna curled her arms around his neck, her heart thudding pleasantly in her chest. “I didn’t expect that.”

  A satisfied smile curved his lips. “No need to buck every tradition, my dear wife.”

  She just giggled.

  Colin set her down in the corridor, but kept his hands around her waist. “I wish I could give you a honeymoon someplace with an ocean and a sky.”

  Anna smiled up at him, smoothing her hands over the planes of his shoulders and chest. “We’ll get there. Besides, I’m a born and raised spacer.” She indicated the ship around them with one hand. “This is your home — ”

  “Our home.”

  “Our home, that’s what I was getting ready to say,” she chided.

  He had the grace to look abashed.

  Anna wet her lips; her mouth had gone suddenly dry. She did not miss the way he followed the motion. “It’s our home,” she repeated. “Why wouldn’t we want to start our marriage‌—‌truly being husband and wife‌—‌here?”

  For a moment, Colin seemed too overwhelmed for words. Finally, he swallowed and raised a hand to cup the side of her face. “Well‌…‌when you put it like that … ”

  “I thought so.” She beamed at him, and then her smile took on a sultry edge. “I think you’d better kiss me, husband.”

  Colin shook his head in mock-sadness. “We’ve scarcely been married three hours, and already you’re telling me what to do. I’m not certain this bodes well for our future, lass.”

  “It’s a suggestion,” Anna said promptly, winding her arms around his neck. “A very strong one,” she amended, when he cocked a skeptical eyebrow at her.

  “Oh, I see. That does make all the difference, doesn’t it?” Colin brushed a kiss on the tip of her nose and pulled back. He grinned mischievously at the half-startled, half-disappointed look on her face. “It might be best if we actually made it back to my‌—‌our‌—‌cabin first, Anna, my love.”

  She pretended to think about it. “Oh, very well. If we must.”

  Colin’s grin widened. “I think our crew will prefer it, when they get back.”

  Anna imagined the look on Deek’s face and snorted with laughter.

  She was still laughing when Colin kissed her.

  “Hey,” she said when he broke away, her voice breathy and her knees wobbly, “I thought we were waiting for — ”

  “Couldn’t help myself.”

  That sparked a coy smile. “Well, it’s nice to know you think I’m irresistible.”

  Colin swallowed. “Oh, lass, you have no idea.”

  The look in his eyes was liquefying her insides. Anna took a shaky breath and blurted out, “I love you. Truly. I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather travel the galaxy with.”

  “I love you too.” His eyes locked on hers, Colin took her hand and raised it to his lips. He pressed a gentle kiss to each of her knuckles before tugging her toward him and tucking her snugly into his side. He started them in the direction of their cabin again, murmuring into her ear, “Now let me show you how much I love you.”

  A thrill ran down Anna’s spine; her heart began to pound. “That, husband of mine, sounds like an excellent plan.” A sudden, impish smile lit her face. “I may require some convincing.”

  Colin just grinned at her, his face full of love. “Fortunately, lass, we have the rest of our lives.”

  Acknowledgements

  The Lord has blessed me with the opportunity to do something I’m passionate about‌—‌publish the stories I’m dreaming up‌—‌and He’s also blessed me with family and friends who don’t mind the fact that I am often here but not all there‌…‌as well as providing copious quantities of prayer, encouragement, support, and the occasional gentle reminder to come back to reality for a while.

  Special thanks go to my husband, Tim Williams, for all your prayers and encouragement. I really appreciate everything you do for me.

  Special thanks also to my family, for your support a
nd encouragement, and mostly keeping things down to a dull roar before I got married and moved out. ::smile::

  Connie Trapp and Hannah Hedges, for being such helpful, insightful beta-readers. Y’all caught things I missed, and I’m grateful.

  Thanks also to Lori, Kimberly, Heather Stearns, Sherry Mosley, Heather Brown, Veronica, Justin and Chelsea Stevens, Kendrah, Meta Clark, Bonnie Lamb, Pat Weber, Eric Poggel, Karleine Justice, Kitty Perkinson, Joe and Dee Smith, my Aunt Janie, various friends at church, and many, many others.

  About the Author

  E. R. Paskey has been telling stories since she could string more than three words together. She currently resides in Southern Indiana with her husband and three cats. If stranded on a desert island, she’d ask for a Bible and a lifetime supply of chocolate, paper, and ball-point pens.

  You can find her website at: ERPaskey.com