by G. E. Stills
La’lani’s jaw dropped open. “You were there?”
“I’m always there. Wherever he is, I’m there too.”
“I can’t believe this.”
“It’s true, La’lani. Just accept it and know that neither of us would ever hurt you. We love you. Now I must go because he’s struggling to regain control. I’m certain he is angry because I said too much. Remember you can talk to me anytime just by talking to him. Bye, La’lani.”
“We’ll be talking again soon, Shelly.”
“Damn AI. I should have known better,” Aaron grumbled. “So you see, La’lani, Shelly is not any competition to you. She is part of me and she loves you too.”
Leaning across the bed, she smacked him on the arm. When he raised his eyebrow in question she said, “That’s for not telling me about Shelly before.” She stood and paced the room, fuming. “Is there anything else? Is there anything else that makes you different from a normal human, or do all humans have these abilities and internal computers? You’ve asked me to be your wife. I want, no, I deserve, to know everything about you.”
“Only a few of us have abilities and implants. I should have told you about Shelly before. I don’t know why I didn’t. I guess I was afraid you wouldn’t care for me. I’m sorry.”
“I grew up from the time I was a small girl living as a savage and hiding. I matured to be a self-assured, self-reliant woman. But this,” she waved her arms around, “You, your family, Teelan’s advanced technology. I feel like a child. It’s not a comfortable feeling for me. What I’m saying, Aaron, is I need to be able to trust you. I need to know you’ll be there to hold my hand because I’m completely out of my element here. I won’t tolerate you keeping secrets.”
Aaron patted the bed. “You can trust me. No more secrets. I love you. Come to bed. Let me hold you.”
Still upset, she removed her clothes and crawled into bed. He pulled her close.
“Shelly I know you’re listening. Here’s how it’s going to be. For now I’m going to try to think of you as nothing more than a machine. I’m going to do this until I get used to and can accept, what you really are.”
“She says she can live with that,” Aaron said.
La’lani sighed. “For now I don’t want to know what Shelly says. That will not help me in pretending she is a machine.”
Watch, learn, and accept, La’lani schooled herself. This is my new life. The one I chose when I said yes.
He caressed her while he trailed kisses down her neck. “I love you,” he whispered.
“I love you too. That is the reason I will learn to deal with all this.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“Are you okay?” Aaron asked her. “You’ve been so quiet, so reserved since we’ve been here. So completely unlike the self-assured tough as nails woman I know from Youkana. The one that tied me up and marched me through the jungle.”
La’lani’s lips stretched into a smile at the memory and she snuggled closer to him in their soft bed. “I’m fine. Or at least I am as long as you’re near.”
“Are you certain? Have any of my relatives said anything to upset you?”
Aaron’s voice was filled with worry and La’lani realized further explanation was needed. “I’ve told you before. I’m just overwhelmed. Things here are so different than what I’m used to. Teelan is so far beyond my wildest imagination. I’m in complete awe. I love your family. I’m getting especially close to Rayne.”
Aaron chuckled. “Yeah Rayne is outspoken and often embarrassing, but at the same time hard to dislike. What about Shelly? Are you having trouble dealing with the fact I have an AI living inside me?”
“Little by little I’m learning to accept Shelly. What else can I do? She’s part of you.”
Aaron drew her closer and kissed the nape of her neck. Tremors of pleasure rolled through her. His words added to her bliss.
“I love you.”
Reaching back she patted his hip. “I love you too. Really, hon, I’m fine. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life.”
***
After several days of traveling to the homes of relatives, Aaron prepared to leave the house. He was going to take a shuttle up to the factory in space and check the construction of his new ship.
“You’re a real shit you know,” La’lani teased. “Not inviting me to go with you. Leaving me here all alone.”
“You won’t be alone. I was going to invite you, but mom and sis said no. They have other plans for you.”
“And that has me very worried.” She grinned.
“Just remember that unless you want her to know what you’re thinking, don’t let my sister touch you.”
“Aaron, your ride is here,” Suki called out.
After he left, Suki looked at her and smiled. “So for today’s order of business we’re going to Earth and go shopping. When we’re done, La’lani, you’ll have a complete new wardrobe.”
“Shopping. Oh, we’re going to have so much fun,” Rayne said when she entered the room. “I think you’re going to like Earth. Mom, can we pop over to Rome and then afterwards Paris? They have some really hot clothing styles in Paris. Ooh-la-la!” Rayne waved her hand as if fanning herself.
Suki shook her head and rolled her eyes. “La’lani, you’ll find that Earth isn’t as advanced technologically as Teelan. We’re getting them there, but in steps they can handle without total social upheaval,” Suki said. She handed La’lani a pair of sunglasses. “Wear these. You can see out, but nobody will be able to see your red eyes behind them.”
“But what about my blue skin? The people on Earth won’t be as accepting of my appearance as those here on Teelan are.”
“Already thought of that,” Rayne said. “We’re going to tell anyone who asks that you’re a movie star. We’ll tell them you dyed your skin that color because you’re shooting a film that has blue aliens in it.”
All three of them erupted into fits of laughter.
***
La’lani couldn’t believe they were in yet another store. In yet another country, she reminded herself. The small transmitter Suki borrowed allowed them to teleport all over Earth. All day long Suki and Rayne had dragged her from one store to the next. She thought her feet were going to fall off. Walking on hard sidewalks was much different from moving along jungle trails. She didn’t know if putting herself in their hands was wise or not. Suki was outspoken enough, but Rayne was downright brash. I wish I were back in my jungle. I’d know what to do there.
She stood facing a mirror with Rayne standing behind her. Suki, was off picking out more blouses to go with the skirt she was trying on. “This skirt is too short, Rayne. I could never wear this.” She realized the outfit she had on was no more reveling than the one she had worn daily on Youkana, but somehow the way it was cut and the designs on it made it so much more, provocative.
“Ah come-on, La’lani,” Rayne whined. “You need to show a little leg, girl.”
“A little!” she exclaimed. “If this skirt got any shorter–– As it is I wouldn’t dare sit. And this top––my stomach is exposed completely and my breasts are nearly falling out below it. I might as well be naked.”
Aaron had warned her, but she could not avoid it when Rayne laid her hand on her shoulder. In the mirror, she saw Rayne gazing over her shoulder at her. A mischievous grin split Rayne’s lips and she winked. “That’s exactly what I’m thinking, La’lani, and I agree. When Aaron sees you wearing this, well, you won’t be wearing it very long. He’s going to take you straight to bed. And I know for a fact you won’t mind that in the least. Its called, tantalizing, La’lani, and it is more alluring than being nude.”
“Rayne stop reading my mind.”
“Ah,” Rayne whined, “but you have such wickedly delicious thoughts, especially concerning my brother.”
“Rayne!” Suki, admonished fr
om behind them.
***
La’lani peered down at the array of clothing spread out on the bed. Tops, skirts, shorts, pants, dresses, undergarments. More clothing than she had ever owned in her entire life. An assortment of boxes containing shoes were stacked at the foot of the bed. In one corner of the bed was a collection of makeup items.
She smiled. ‘Essentials’ Suki and Rayne termed them. Both had promised to teach her how to apply them. A large number of additional clothes hung in the closet. An array of different bottles were crowded into the bathroom and on top of the dresser. Different fragrances, body oils and lotions. Today she had finally called a halt to their shopping excursions.
“I can’t fit any more in the room,” she said, chuckling.
Money was no problem. With Suki’s transmutation ability there was always a ready supply of it. After three days she was exhausted. Shopping, she considered harder work than hunting in the jungle.
Crossing the room she gazed into the full length mirror. Sparkling diamond studs decorated her newly pierced ears. A choker necklace with silver links and more shiny diamonds, hung around her neck. Reaching down, she fingered the large diamond dangling from her new navel piercing.
Her eyes twinkled with humor when she recalled the words Rayne had poured enthusiastically in her ear. “It’s the latest thing here on Teelan,” she assured her. “Aaron will love it.” Proudly, Rayne had lifted her top and displayed her own piercing. Unlike Rayne’s power crystal, it had a dangle attached. “Mom didn’t approve of mine at first, but she is getting used to it now.”
“So I assume you got it without her permission. How?”
“Mom doesn’t go the Earth with me every time.” Rayne looked around to make certain Suki was not near. Her voice lowered even more, “Mom doesn’t know it yet, but I got a tattoo on my butt cheek too. Wanna see it?” Unabashed and without waiting for an answer, Rayne had peeled down her shorts and displayed the small cartoon devil tattoo high on her left butt cheek.
La’lani shook her head. Her tattoo is so fitting. What a little devil. No wonder Aaron likes her so much.
She could hardly wait to visit Kat tomorrow at the lab. Rayne had informed her that Kat would be able to heal her piercing and take away the soreness.
With a sigh she put her new clothes on hangers and crowded them into the closet. I sure hope the new spaceship Aaron is having built for us has a lot of room. Wistfully she viewed the bed. She missed sharing it with Aaron.
Just a few more days and I will be up there with him. He wants to show me our new ship. I love his…She corrected. My new family, but I miss him so much. Our daily communications are not a substitute.
Placing her hand on the small box snuggled between her breasts and under her top, she grinned. The small computer, a gift from Suki, was one of her most prized possessions. It had much greater capability than the one she had been given originally. It allowed her to call Aaron from wherever she happened to be. Her voice alone activated the computer and it supplied answers to most of her questions.
Removing her clothes, she crawled into bed. Alone
“Lights out,” she whispered.
Her hand curled around the computer. “Call Aaron,” she ordered a wicked smile spread her lips wide.
A few moments later he answered, “Hi, sweetie.”
“Guess where I am.”
After a pause, during which she was certain Aaron was consulting his watch, he answered, “In bed I would guess. So am I.”
“Um-hum. And guess what I’m wearing?”
She heard his audible gulp. “Nothing?”
“Um-hum. And guess what I want to do with you?” Her voice dripped with sultriness.
“Holy crap, as my mom would say. Do you have any idea what that voice you’re using and the picture of you forming in my mind is doing to me?”
She giggled. “I hope so.”
***
“Are you sure you want to walk? It’s nearly two kilometers to Kat’s lab. I can have ground transport here in a few minutes,” Suki said.
“No thanks. I’ll walk. It’s so pretty out and the wild flowers are all in bloom. Besides I don’t want to get fat, you know I’m going up to see Aaron in a few days.”
“Suit yourself.”
La’lani closed the door gently and walked down the dirt path toward town. Her computer snuggled reassuringly between her breasts and under her loose fitting top. Short-shorts allowed maximum exposure of her legs to the gentle caressing breeze and warming rays of sunlight. The warmth felt wonderful on her skin. Comfortable walking shoes encased her feet.
As she strolled further along the path, the meadow on both sides became a riot of colors. Reds, blues, yellows, oranges, lavenders and so many other colorful wild flowers. She inhaled deeply the mixture of fragrances. Clusters of trees grew all around. The scenery was different, but it still reminded her of home.
My old home, she reminded herself. Home now is wherever Aaron and I happen to be.
She resisted the urge to call him. After last night he’s probably sleeping. I kept the poor guy up most of the night with my lusty call. La’lani chuckled and shook her head. She recalled her conversation with Rayne and telling her how much she missed Aaron. Rayne had suggested it.
“I’ll try not to think that what I’m suggesting will be with my brother. Ewww,” Rayne said.
Guess what Rayne. Phone sex works. Not as good as the real thing, but much better than nothing.
Her steps were light and bouncy due to the lesser gravity on Teelan. All too soon to suit her, she entered the outskirts of town. A few minutes later she was at Kat’s lab.
A robot greeted her and led the way to Kat. La’lani gazed around in wonder at the equipment, lab benches and many other items clueless about their functions.
Kat greeted her. “Hi, La’lani. I’m so glad you accepted my invitation.” Kat’s gaze shifted downward and she chuckled. “I see my niece’s influence on you. First things first.” Kat smoothed her hand over the navel piercing. The pain vanished and the wound healed as La’lani watched.
Kat led her through the lab explaining things of which La’lani understood very little. “How would you like to have that computer you wear upgraded and implanted just like Aaron’s Shelly?”
“You can do that?”
“Of course. I think we should give the computer a name though. Don’t you agree? How about Mark? I would also like to take some samples if you’re willing. It will require that you stay here for a couple days though. You’ll be unconscious most of the time. Do you trust me?” Reaching out, Kat took her hands.
La’lani gazed at Kat for a moment. Kat was the most powerful person on Teelan and Earth, probably in the universe, and yet she was soft spoken and so personable. So easy to like. From the very first time they met at a family get together Kat had garnered her confidence.
“Is that what you suggest?”
“Yes. I think my nephew has made a wise choice in you. You make a wonderful couple and I want to provide you with every tool I can to make your companionship with him better.”
“Then I’ll do as you suggest.”
“Fine then.” Kat reached in a drawer and took out two pills. “Take these.”
She put the pills in her mouth and washed them down with the glass of water Kat offered. Kat led her to a small room with a bed. “Get undressed, then make yourself comfortable in bed.”
She stripped and crawled into bed. Her eyes grew heavy, I wonder what our new spaceship looks like? Aaron refuses to tell me a thing about it. That was the last thing she remembered until Kat shook her awake.
“La’lani. I have some things to discuss with you,” Kat said and smiled.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Aaron stood at the observation window watching the robots and men work on his new ship. He had suggested naming it PD La’lani, bu
t La’lani had quickly nixed that idea so the new ship was named PD Emma II.
The outside of the ship was nearly complete. Though he could not see inside, he knew there was a flurry of activity taking place there. Although he could barely contain his excitement, he intended to honor his promise. He would not set foot inside the Emma until La’lana was by his side and they could tour together.
Tonight. Tonight she’ll be here. It seems like forever since I’ve seen her.
He spent the day, mainly killing time and was at the shuttle port waiting two hours early, pacing impatiently. When at last she stepped from the airlock, he swept her from her feet and spun, kissing her all the while.
“I can’t begin to tell you how much I’ve missed you. It seems like forever since we were together.”
“I know exactly how you feel. Let’s get something to eat and then lock ourselves in your cabin until tomorrow sometime.”
He held her at arms length and let his gaze move over her from head to toe. The first thing he noticed was her makeup. Her lengthy hair hung loose down her back with part of it draped over her left shoulder. The glittering silver necklace she wore had a red ruby stone snuggled in the cleavage exposed by her low cut blouse. Matching silver bangles gleamed on one wrist. Cut short, the maroon top left her midsection exposed showing off the diamond stud in her navel. Her maroon skirt hung low on her waist and was hemmed slightly above mid-thigh. Matching tennis shoes completed her outfit.
“What happened to the beautiful little savage girl I fell in love with. Not that you look bad. You look delicious, but…”
She laughed. “Rayne happened. If you think my skirt is short, you should have seen the one Rayne wanted me to wear. I told her I wasn’t going to spend hours flying with my butt hanging out. As for savage, you just wait until I get you behind closed doors, mister, you’ll find out just how savage this girl is.”
He gulped and smiled. “I can hardly wait. What about your luggage?”
She held up an overnight bag. “This is it. The rest is being shipped up tomorrow. I had to get away from your mother and Rayne before it required an entire shuttle just to bring up my clothes.”
