CHAPTER 10: A GOOD TIME WITH GOOD FRIENDS

       After about an hour of liesurely dining and pleasant conversation, we all returned to the parlor to relax and allow our repast to settle. We selected a sofa along the far wall. Astra sat beside me, with my arm over her shoulders. She held my free hand gently in hers. Were she a kitten, she would be purring.

       Orii and Lin-Erri shared a small curved sofa facing ours. He smiled and said, "I have lost count of how many times I have tweaked you two lovebirds, and now I'm at a loss for words. I agree with Kalen that it became more evident as time passed that the Infinite One had predestined your meeting and guided your lives to this day. I am in awe of his wondrous power and love."
       "As am I, Orii," Lin-erri said. "Earth has a saying that hindsight is always twenty-twenty. I look back at the way you two met in CalCom, and it becomes clear that it was not a chance encounter. It was ordained by the Infinite One that of the billions of people on your world, you should be our contact. It was his will that your souls should unite. And here I am, looking at the most beautiful couple that I've ever seen, and awaiting the day when you become one."

       I was deeply moved by their words, and drew my lady closer to me. She looked up at me, and I saw in her exquisite eyes a joy and peace that was beyond mere words to describe. "I love you, mialani" I whispered. What more could one say?

       "You are and have always been very special people," I said quietly to them. "I have been truly blessed over the last four decades to be able to count you and the Master among my dearest friends. You have given me more joy and inspiration than I could ever hope to repay. By the grace of the Infinite One, may those bonds grow ever stronger." I winked at Orii and added, "By the way, none of this will be revealed. Your image is safe with me."
       "Thank you. That is greatly appreciated. After all, I DO have my reputation to maintain." He smiled and gave a thumbs-up sign. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the videographer recording our foursome, and wondered if my pledge was perhaps too late.

       A few minutes later, the wallchron chime sounded, and Karlon said, "I'm told that the reception is about to be aired by NewsNet, if anyone is interested." We were of course interested, and five seconds later, the telescreen on the wall next to the entry door displayed the NewsNet logo. The image dissolved to a long shot of the room, with the head tables at the far end. A male voiceover explained the purpose of the event as the image showed our group entering and being seated. Astra and I were framed in a two-shot as our names were mentioned. She squeezed my hand and whispered, "I love you, mialana!"

       I watched in fascination as the recording played, and especially enjoyed a split screen showing my lady's face expressing her love as she watched me at the podium. A gentle kiss on my cheek moved me almost to tears as I wondered anew what this exquisite goddess saw in me. The Infinite One had indeed blessed me.

       When the report ended, the guests turned to face us and applauded loudly. Those tears of joy found their way unto our cheeks as we stood and acknowledged their warm tribute. It was a perfect finish to an awesome day.

       The remainder of the evening was occupied with talking to and enjoying the company of the assembled dignitaries. Despite four decades of interacting with the Korendian people, I continued to be amazed by their treatment of us as equals, even though I wasn't fit to shine their shoes. Such is the nature of a truly advanced society that there are no class or social distinctions. How utterly unlike our world it is, and how utterly refreshing.

       And then the time arrived for the evening to end. We all gathered to embrace and bid our farewells. Lin-Erri kissed both of us and said, "Go in light and love, dear ones!" Orii held our hands and said, "May the Infinite One bless you and keep you. Go in light and love." They then left together. After thanking our host and his honored guests for their kindness, I took Astra's hand and we went out into the warm, clear night.

CHAPTER 11: ALONE AT LAST

       As we walked toward her vehicle, I looked up into the star-strewn sky. Two of Korendor's four moons illuminated the landscape. I wondered if Korendor had roses to go with the moonlight. And then I found myself wrapped in her arms. I returned the embrace and the world faded away.

       When we at last left our personal heaven, Astra smiled happily and said, "I know a perfect place to spend this evening ... if you're game."
       "When am I not?"
       "Then let us proceed, good sir."
       "Lead on, sweet lady!"

       Once we were airborne, she swung the craft around to the north and headed away from the city. "There's a place where lovers go to be alone under the stars. Now is as good a time as any to visit it and see if its reputation is merited."
       "Reputation. Hmmm... is that good or bad?"
       She laughed and said, "Which one would you like it to be?"
       "Well, mialani, if you're there, how can it be anything but good?"
       "It's all good, mialana. It's said that many unions have begun there. It was where my mother and father committed themselves to each other."
       "Then I shall enjoy it."

       The lights of Vrell City were a dim glow in the distance as we descended and moved slowly over Korendor's version of Lovers' Lane. It was a large open area partitioned by high hedges that isolated the individual sections from each other. Each segment was about 100 feet to a side, and had a small cabin. Some had blue lights on the cabin roofs. Astra explained that the lights signaled that the section was occupied. They switched on when anyone was in the section, and were invisible from the ground.

       In the center, several buildings were surrounded by vehicles. "That's the facilities complex. It provides whatever a couple might need for a night together."
       "I can think of only one need in my life, my love."
       "I love you, sweetheart."

       We stopped over an unoccupied space and descended, landing near the front of the cabin. When we entered it, I was amazed by how well-maintained and well-equipped it was. All the comforts of home were there, including a kitchen and bath area, a telescreen, a computer desk and full communications. A blank section of one wall apparently contained a drop-down bed, with a small control panel to the right of the outlined area. A plush two-seat sofa in front of the telescreen, and two soft-looking ottomans, allowed viewing in comfort, if that is what lovers chose to do.

       After a hectic day, the thought of a refreshing cleansing appealed to me. "I think I'll use the bath, love. I'll be back shortly. Don't go away." She laughed and switched on the telescreen to see what good (or bad) news was available. As I finished my details, she called out, "Sweetheart, you're famous. They're replaying your arrival ... oh, you are SO incredibly fine." I leaned on the back of the sofa and watched as our long-awaited kiss went out to billions of homes, with cuts to our friends and onlookers watching with warmth, compassion and understanding.

       "We miss a lot when our attentions are elsewhere," I said as I sat next to her on the sofa. "No one is watching now, mialana." She muted the sound, then leaned over and pulled my head toward her. "Come here, you magnificent malimani!" It was an offer I couldn't refuse.

       "My turn for the bath, sweetheart. Don't go away!" I said to myself, "Wild horses couldn't drag me out of here, sweet one." While I waited, I flipped through the channels. The variety was remarkable, from news to science to music to travelogues to talk shows. How very much like our cable and satellite systems it was. It served as further evidence that physical and biological differences don't define being human. Under the skin, we are all the children of the Infinite One, and he made us in one human image.

       I switched off the screen and looked around the cabin. Against the wall by the door were two folded lounge seats for use outside. When Astra rejoined me, we each took one and went out beneath the stars. We opened them at the center of our area. They were designed to lock together when the adjoining armrests were removed, which we immediately did. The padding was soft but resilient, and unexpectedly comfortable.

       A moment later, we were stretched out under our ceiling of stars, drinking in the awesome beauty of the universe. A warm, gentle breeze caressed us as we lay side by side. I held her hand in mine, and was content just to be with her. As I scanned the sky, I wondered aloud where in that expanse of stellar jewels my own little world resided. She pointed in the direction of a dim reddish star, and said, "That one is Arcturus. Your sun is up in that area." I leaned toward her to follow her pointing finger, and used the moment to plant a kiss on her cheek.
       "Opportunist!"
       "Absolutely! Waste not, want not, as my people say."
       "Well, let it not be said that I am only a taker." She rolled over and put her arm around my neck. "Come here, lover. Share and share alike, as your people say."

       How long we remained in that blissful embrace, I have no idea. It didn't matter. Love doesn't watch the clock. I was with my lifemate, and the universe would have to go on without us for a while.

       In time, we rejoined the rest of creation, and the effects of a long, busy day took their toll. My star lady drifted off into a peaceful sleep. I studied her perfection and thanked the Infinite One for his precious gift. A moment later, I joined her in dreamland.