by Mel Todd
The embassy remained true to their word and everything was dealt with for them. A Marine officer, one they hadn't met, a quiet efficient woman named Shirley Adams, dealt with everything.
None of them talked until the lay over in Dallas-Fort Worth. Again ushered to a lounge for first class guests, the Marine left them for a few minutes to get provisions for everyone.
While no one really paid attention to them, there were other people in the lounge so not talking might seem weirder than talking.
"Is anyone else as nervous as I am about going home? About seeing family?"
Cass gave an almost hysterical giggle and put her head on JD’s shoulder. "Yes. I love my sister but she’s a total soccer mom. She never could understand why I didn’t want the same, why I didn’t date. I like science. Don’t get me wrong, I like men and would like a relationship, but I talk about stuff people can’t understand. When you add the shifter in, well…" she trailed off and shrugged.
But McKenna grinned at the sudden smile on JD’s face before he erased it.
Perc laughed. "I’d be nervous too, but luckily my parents won’t be there. I convinced them not to fly out, not worth the money. This means I can just sit back and watch."
"I just want my kids," Toni said her voice low, but the wealth of emotion in her voice made all of them pause and swallow.
Shirley came back with bottles of water and sandwiches for all of them. "Not much, but only about a four hour flight. Then you should be home."
They didn’t say anything else, even mentally, as they ate and boarded the next plane. First class was nice but when all you cared about was home, it didn’t make much of a difference.
The advantage of first class came when they got to be the first off the plane. The mental chant of ~don’t run~ echoed in the mind space as they headed through the terminal. They didn’t quite run but Shirley had to move fast to keep up with them. She didn’t say a word as they got into the luggage area, the only area that non-ticketed passengers were allowed.
They froze; looking, searching, and McKenna’s heart pounded in her ears and eyes. She realized she need to breathe as they all scanned.
"THERE!" Toni shouted the word even as she broke out in a dead sprint towards a group of people, some strangers, but some so familiar. Without conscious choice McKenna took off after Toni, feeling the others close on her heels. She sensed Perc could have out paced them but he didn’t have anyone there waiting for him.
There gathered together was her family. Jessi and Jamie were already sprinting for their mom, Jamie sporting a bright green cast. She saw Anne encourage Charley, who had his eyes locked on hers even as he started to walk. Then he started to run to her, slamming into her with his head buried in her stomach as he wrapped his arms around her so tight they hurt. She never wanted him to let go. McKenna closed her eyes and remembered to check the link her mind, that had been quiet for so long.
~Charley~ she poured everything she could into it -, love, worry, reassurance. She received back a tidal wave of love, need, relief and one more precious thing - ~Mom~
When she opened her eyes she saw Cass being hugged tight by a younger woman who looked like her with a man and two kids standing watching, looks of relief and caring on their faces.
Anne hugged JD, who pulled away when twin missiles with black hair slammed into him and began to babble, something about a fire and sorry.
Perc watched them all and grinned, but she saw a touch of sadness on his face until an older woman with brown hair laced with grey hit him upside the head. He spun and the grin that split his face told her everything she needed to know.
Many hugs, introductions, and a few tears later, they were in a big car headed to her place, her home.
"I promise, there is enough food to feed us for a week. Kirk will be there along with Carina and some of your other co-workers. We’re so glad you are home, but boy do we have questions." Anne said as she drove them away from the airport. Cass and her family, and Perc with his, were following them.
"We’ll explain when we’re home." McKenna said, Charley still plastered by her side. "And it sounds like you have some tales to tell?" Glancing at Jamie’s arm, and JD’s happy but mournful look.
"You could say that." But she didn’t sound that upset, so McKenna decided it could wait until later.
[Commander, enjoy your evening. But there are things you must be informed of before another day has passed.]
McKenna arched a brow as the kids looked at her, as did Toni and JD.
~Sure. What do we need to discuss?~
[The message the young man listened to. It was a signal from an Elentrin ship. They should reach your Earth in the next twenty-five to thirty days.]
All the joy and peace shattered like glass as the meaning of what Wefor said registered.
~They’re almost here?~
[Yes. And they would most likely be expecting to pick up Kaylid troops.]
~To pick up Kaylid, you mean us?~
[Yes]
McKenna wondered if they could go back to the jungle. Suddenly what was on the hard drive might have to wait.
Authors Note:
I hope you enjoyed book two of the Kaylid Chronicles. This series has a lot more in store for McKenna, JD, Toni, and the kids. Visit my website at www.badashpublishing.com to sign up for my newsletter and find out about the next books coming out in this series.
New books will be published soon!
Happy reading!
Mel Todd
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mel Todd has three cats, none of which can turn into a form with opposable thumbs, which is good. If they could do that they wouldn't need her anymore. Writing and trying to start her empire, she decided creating her own worlds was less work than ruling this one.