We're back a board the Helios and on our way with the rest of the cruise, but Jahní is in our quarters this time resting. Maybe I should've left her home. It was her choice to come, and if our baby is born among the stars it's not a bad thing really.
"Sir, we're ready to fold." I look at my screen and seen that all systems are green.
"Execute the fold operation." We pop out to another planet that is green and lush, with oceans and a varied landscape. It has a substantial amount of life, all Majah-tu.
All of the bridge crew seem to be awe struck by the beauty of this world. "Sir, we have arrived at Green seven. No issues to report on any deck."
"Helm, assume geo synchronous orbit over the capital city." What a breath taking world this is; it
is the ancestral home of Jahní's mother. I'll go wake her up, since it's a surprise for her. I hope she likes it.
I pick up the small comm in my pocket hitting the
button. I hope she hears it, so she can join us. My comm chirps. I smile that she heard it, and is probably on her way here. Within a few minutes Jahní enters the bridge walking up to my side. "Ant, you called me up here is something wrong?"
I point to the main view port and she looks staring fixated, at the planet before us. "It's...
"Green seven." She step back a little, but then she gathers herself. "When do we go down?" She is acting calm and collected, but I can see that she is disturbed.
"Mr. Barton." the helmsman turns to me. "You have command."
"Aye aye Sir." I take Jahní's Hand and leave the bridge; we walk back to our quarters silently. It looks like this didn't go over to well.
We step in and she goes the small night stand, and leans on it putting her hand over her heart. "I'm sorry; I know that you meant well, but I don't know... if I'm prepared to see them."
I look down feeling what she does. "I didn't know that this would make you sad. It's not what I desire for you."
Jahní turns and comes to me touching my face smiling that way, as if nothing else exist in the world.
"I thank you for thinking of me enough to bring me to my family. I love you, so don't feel bad."
I her hand into mine. "Ok. Will you come with us to the surface?"
She looks down debating wether she will or not. "I will go." I sigh in relief that she will come down with me to see her family.
"We'll only be a few days then we will leave to another place." We embrace each other holding on tightly. When we pull away and I touch her belly. "I can't wait to meet our child and hold him in my arms."
We touch our foreheads together. "Soon he will be with us."
He? She said he. How can she be sure it's a boy. "You know it's a boy?"
She nods. That is amazing that she know. "Majah-tu women have a sense of this, and I've felt him and he is strong."
That is incredible. Jahní can do that; I'm Having a son; my mother will be ecstatic about having a grandson. The comm on the desk chirps. I pick it up. "Go ahead I read you."
[Sir, the team is ready to go.]
I look at Jahní and she takes a deep breath strengthening her resolve, about going down. "Roger that, we're on our way," I take Jahní's hand and she is shaking a bit. "It'll be fine babe, you'll see."
***********************************
We're touching down on the Capital's landing pad, and as we step out of the shuttle the honor guard stand at attention. Then they bow in sign of respect to Jahní, who is royalty. She inclines her head to them.
An older Majah-tu come before us and bows; Jahní returns a less deep one, which denotes her station.
"My Lady Princess, it is an honor to have you come here to inspect our world and all the facilities."
He shows the way for us to go, and that's when he realizes that those guarding her person are not Majah-tu. "My Lady Princess may I ask who... these men that are escorting you are?"
She point in my direction. "This is Captain Antonio Valdez commander of the Earth vessel the ISV Helios, and my pledged."
His eyes open wide, but he makes no comment about me. Instead he vigorously nods his head. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
I look at him not so trusting. "Like wise." He continues to show us the different type of operations that are run here on Green Seven, and explaining how it all works.
He looks at me and at Jahní. "May I inquire how you and the Captain met?"
We reach the office of this man and we step in, and it's rather nice this place. It has a plush carpet and wood molding, with a stained glass window that seems to be very old. Jahní gave a short version of how we met and got to this point. He nods at it and smiles, but he's not understanding the why.
"Governor." Oh, that's who he is. "We did not come here to inspect anything. I came to visit my family."
"I see." He stands next to his seat offering it to Jahní, which she graciously accepts. "I can arrange for your transport if you wish."
Jahní smiles nodding her thanks. "That would be well, thank you."
He bows. "But of course My Lady Princess, all is at your disposal."
She inclines her head to the Governor. "Then I would like to see them as soon as possible, if this is not a problem for you and your people."
He bows to her. "No of course not. I will arrange for the transport immediately."
"Thank you so much for your help Governor, and we will not impose on you for long." She smiles at him, but he seems a bit put out. Within the an hour the ground transport and security teams are set up, and we are boarding the vehicle that will take us to her family.
I sit next to Jahní and hold her hand. "Did you let them know that we're coming?"
She looks at me a bit nervously. "I did let them know so it would not be a surprise. I'm feeling uneasy about seeing them."
"I'm with you no Matter what happens." I kiss her hand making her blush, but this is good for her. We finally start to move and Jahní holds my hand tightly; I've been able to see many different sides of Jahní. Each time I see a new aspect of her I feel - closer.
Jahní lays her head on my shoulder, and I put my head on hers. The trip will take about three hours, which makes me wonder why a ground transport is being used. Then the screen I front of us comes to life and a type of tour guide system begins to tell us about the function off this planet.
I take a look at the image on the screen and it's a young Majah-tu woman who is explaining everything, of the farming work here. "Jahní, this place is beautiful. It's so geeen here."
Jahní stares out of the window and I notice that many of the people, in the surrounding land seem happy here. It's a tranquil place.
It took a bit more than three hours to get to her families place, but we finally arrive. Jahní requested that the security team stay back from the house, so she and her family can have private time together.
We are greeted at the front of the large farm house by two rather large Majah-tu males. An older stoic one who seems to be the head of the house, and a younger one. The younger one just keeps a steady gaze in my direction; not the most friendly expression on his face.
The older man is focused on Jahní; he then smiles broadly as he extends his arms to embrace Jahní.
She is for a second taken by surprise, with his act of affection. She returns the embrace smiling, which seem to break the ice and calm Jahní.
Now, the younger man is still kind of standoffish not coming to greet Jahní at all. He also seems to not get close to me either; granted he doesn't know who I am, but that's fine because it's Jahní he should pay attention to anyway.
"Oh Grandfather, it is good to see you again." She squeezes him tightly.
He laughs at this. "It is good to see you as well my little Jewel."
Jahní pulls back turning to me waving me forward, so I step up to her and she takes my hand. "Grandfather I want to introduce you to my pledged." His eyebrows go up in surprise. "This is Captain Antonio Valdez of the United Earth Alliance."
"What do mean pleadged?" The big young guy speaks for the first time. "He is your... " he looks at Jahní's belly and frowns. "So the rumors are true then?"
Jahní immediately gets defensive, I grab her hand and she slightly turns her head calming down and regaining her composure. "He is and it's true." Jahní places her hand on her belly. "This child is his."
He locks eyes with her and they both stare each other down, but surely as it happens to all who face he, he backs down. "Grandfather, I want you to know that I will not tolerate any insult or attempted injuries toward Antonio."
"I understand my little Jewel. I will warn everyone in the family." He seems to be sincere with Jahní.
She relaxes and I can feel it, which makes me relax as well. "Thank you Grandfather." She bows to him and he bows to her. She is acknowledging his position in the family and vice versa. This might turn into a couple of nice days here I hope.