Just as Ronnie and Jahrae needed time to bond, there was a plethora of other interconnected relationships in their nascent stage.

One tangle of new relationships was that of the assembled grandmothers, the three of which already kicked around the idea of bringing their fourth into the mix once back on planet.

Saehressa was the most outgoing of the grandmothers, while Anita was the shyest. Along with Hrilleae, the three formed a lively group, and whether partying in the lounge or formally dining, their laughter proved contagious to those seated nearby.

With this group, Anita lost the shyness, and displayed an irreverent sense of humour that on one occasion caused Ronnie to blush and call out, “mom!”

Jahrae was used to Saehressa and Hrilleae embarrassing her, and had developed a modicum of immunity to their observations. With Anita now entrenched in the mix, Jahrae had to adjust and prepare yet again. “Llhaesa, helllllp” she silently teased the universe for assistance.

The grandmothers had an immediate focal point to rally around, their grandchildren. While Anita was a veteran grandmother, these first few days with Addison and Serada was a new experience for Hrilleae and Saehressa. For Saehressa, who thought her daughter lost long ago, the joy of the prospect of reunion with llhaesa, and now with her grandchildren with her, renewed her life, made her feel youthful, ready to take on life’s ongoing challenges and explore two worlds.

Hrilleae at least still had Jahrae and Djellrin in her life over the time since llhaesa’s loss, though of course, Jahrae was as much Saehressa’s daughter as llhaesa was. Hrilleae made a point to chat with Djellrin every night, though the times were discordant; it was morning in Arrhazon City when they chatted.

Now, there was fun and excitement on board, often of the grandmother’s creation, or in tandem with the children. Addison was a young adult of course, and the three grandmothers regarded her as such, but Addison was their grandchild, and as with Serada, fated to feel the full compliment of their grandmotherly love.

Since Addison was baby sitting on this night while Ronnie and Jahrae sorted through their relationship – which the three grandmothers casually and privately observed progressed nicely – they made their way to the lounge, and sat more than sampling Arrhazonan refreshment fare.

Ronnie and Jahrae returned to their rooms around midnight, and when Ronnie checked on the girls, found Anita was not there. She returned to Jahrae’s room and shared this, and so the two set out for the lounge, entering to hear the riotous laughter of their gathered mothers.

“Here you two, have a seat!” Saehressa called out, rising, and dragging two chairs over from a nearby empty table.

Jahrae laughingly whispered to Ronnie, adding a facial expression to match, “Can you believe this?”

“So, what is it you two chatted about this evening, hmmm?” Hrilleae asked, quite willing to step in and pry at the sorted and unsorted dynamics of Ronnie and Jahrae’s newfound and as yet undetermined and unpronounced relationship – they were all family after all.

Ronnie looked at Jahrae with an ‘oh, sheesh!’ look, and Jahrae thought she skilfully deflected the query – knowing now was not the time to delve into personal intricacies – by offering up what she thought sounded legitimate. “Ronnie insists that I assume a full parental role, even to the point of standing up to her on issues involving the children.”

What Jahrae actually got were three simultaneous and insistent “you should!” responses. With that collective outburst fading as rapidly as the three gave it voice, Anita spoke next. “Jahrae, I know you are tentative in actually doing as Ronnie suggests, after all, you have just met Ronnie and the girls, but Ronnie has thought on this matter for months now, ever since we met llhaesa and learned of her life.

Llhaesa knew you were coming for her – she sensed it practicing reiki, touched your soul and she insisted she knew.”

Jahrae looked at Anita intently, Jahrae’s eyes reflecting the reconnection to knowing that clicked in that moment. She had forgotten that connection, that touching of llhaesa’s soul, in the hectic scurrying of the last few days. Jahrae now had confirmation that what she felt was legitimate and not wishful thinking when practicing Aailhra. Jahrae felt her heart – and her commitment to Aailhra – leap. “Thank you, Anita.”

Anita was hardly finished. “My daughter expects you to be, believes you should be, a full parent to the children, not a pretend parent, not an honorary parent. From what I have seen, everything llhaesa told us about you is correct – in fact, I think you are even more impressive, as hard as that would be to believe given llhaesa’s high praise, than what she told us about you.

From what I see, you can be decisive, and you think quickly under pressure. You are a natural born leader – as are Ronnie and llhaesa. Do not shy away from what the universe desires for you, my dear Jahrae.

Know this: I claim you as my daughter just as you will claim my granddaughters, and you will not see me debate whether I am your ceremonial mother or real mother – I am laying claim to you, my dear, and I have two others sitting here who have already urged me to say this very thing. So now you have heard it!”

Jahrae laughed, and replied, “How do you really feel, Anita? Uh oh… I mean… mum.” Jahrae made a point of getting up, walking over to Anita, and giving her a big hug.

“Thank you… now how about a round of drinks to celebrate?” Anita added, cherishing this moment.

“Fair enough, drinks are on me!” Jahrae motioned to the server, who hustled over to take their order.

Jesnsera walked in just then, and walked over to the newly expanded family. “I couldn’t sleep, so I turned on my internet interface, connected to planetside. Jamila held a live broadcast today, and we missed it.”

“What was it on?” Jahrae asked.

“Llhaesa, Jamila ran a recording of when Tim’s genes broke down and she reverted from Tim to llhaesa. It is pretty stunning video.”

“OK, thank you Jesn. We will view this tape in the morning. Would you care to join us and have a drink?”

“No thank you, I think I’ll pass for tonight, and try to find sleep again. You all look like you are having a grand time, have a drink for me!” With that, Jesn headed out, leaving Jahrae to wonder if something more was going on in Jesn’s mind. She made a mental note to ask her tomorrow.

The group settled down on Jesn’s pronouncement, and discussed what they might see. At least,” Hrilleae observed, “this is a happy occurrence, reclaiming llhaesa. “Oh, sorry Ronnie…”

“No, no that is quite all right!” Ronnie replied. “Tim was miserable, and as it turns out, I did not appreciate the full depth of that misery, of what was wrong. Now I do, and knowing what I know now, knowing llhaesa, knowing all of you, you could not pay me enough to wish for things to revert to how they were. This… is better for everyone, including me and including the girls.”

The group again quieted, and so Ronnie seized upon this to candidly remark, “Saehressa-”

“Mum!” Saehressa corrected.

“Mum, my mistake! You look so much like llhaesa it is eerie. You could be twins!”

Saehressa laughed and blushed, but channelled her energy into a comment. “I bet llhaesa loves looking like someone who is in her late 60s. Ok, so we Arrhazonans live to 150 or more, but still…”

Ronnie would have none of it. “You still look like llhaesa, and you look very youthful. Hell, you look younger than me!”

“Nonsense, Ronnie. I love you already; you need not – what is that English word I search for and miss here? Suck! You don’t have to suck up to me!”

Ronnie burst out laughing over how Saehressa came to toss out ‘suck.’

“No sucking up… teach me some of your Arrhazonan expletives and we will get along splendidly!

“Nonetheless,” Saehressa continued with her point, “please do not short-change yourself in such a manner, or I will have to team up with my grandmother colleagues and kick your arse!”

Ronnie laughed heartily, but grew into a reflective mood, savouring what unfolded currently. “I guess we all have room to grow into each other here, but it starts by knowing the pathways are clear to connection, and I rather like that. I would never have dreamed that family would exist in this way, and that it would carry such wonderful bonds, bonds we actively seek out and encourage, instead of just falling into them.”

The server brought the drinks, and the group – the family – partied onward well into the early morning hours.

As Jahrae finally made her way to bed, her thoughts wandered not only towards wishing a loving good night to llhaesa, but she worried over Jesnsera. She reaffirmed her intent to chat with Jesn the following day, when she finally pried herself out of what promised to be a very comfortable and cosy bed.