Tales From The Triple Suns (Chapter Eight)

“There it is,” Craig whispered in excitement as he pointed out the observation deck window.  1

I looked at the small orb in the distance and smiled.  After four long weeks, we were finally here…well, almost.  It would take approximately three more days to get into an orbit for an approved entry window, and two more while things were doubled checked against any contaminates that may have occurred during transit.  2

I didn’t care about all that.  The fact was that we were here.  I didn’t really mind short trips, but being on the ship for a month was getting rather tedious.  I think I explored every crevice of this thing within the first week, and then sat around staring at the walls for the remainder.  I tried researching what we would be doing once we arrived, but couldn’t seem to get my mind wrapped around the concept.  Craig had tried to explain it to me, but gave up when my eyes glazed over in confusion.  What I found confusing about something as simple as setting up, I’ll never understand.  Maybe it was all the technical term he threw in that got me. (I wonder if they still make the “Dummies” series books?)3

“What do you think?” 4

I blinked as Craig’s voice drew me out of my musings, and looked at him.  “I’m sorry, love…I was daydreaming.”5

Craig smiled that incredibly sexy smile of his.  “What do you think?” he repeated.6

“That I want to take you back to our room and ravish your body all night.”7

Craig was silent as he stared at me with a slightly open mouthed look.  “I meant about the planet,” he said slowly.  “But I like your idea better.” He took my hand and pulled me to my feet.8

~~~~~~~~~~9

I ran my hand along his chest as he leaned above me on the bed.  My fingers, contrasting with his shading, seemed as though they had always belonged there.  My other hand was entwined with his on the bed beside my head. Our bodies touched briefly as he leaned down and delivering little butterfly kisses against my lips.   He took my hand off his chest, laced his fingers through them and brought it up above my head, joining it with my other hand.  He held both with one of his strong hands and smiled that incredible wicked sexy smile.10

~~~~~~~~~~11

I smiled dreamily as Craig snuggled in behind me on the bed.  His arm went around me, hugging me close.  I covered a yawn with my hand, and sighed in contentment.    My eyes snapped open as I felt his hand caressing my thigh, and I rolled over to face him.12

“You are insatiable,” I whispered as I kissed him.13

He arched an eyebrow at me. “Are you complaining?”14

“Definitely not.”15

“Good,” Craig whispered.  “Because I’m holding you to that all night ravishing remark.”16

I laughed as I pulled the covers over my head, and kissed my way down his body.17

~~~~~~~~~~18

The following morning, I was tired, sore and pretty sure that I wouldn’t be able to walk for a while, but I didn’t care.  I snuggled closer to Craig as he slept, our arms still around each other.   19

I jumped slightly as the alarm clock rang and reached over Craig to turn it off.  I laughed as Craig rolled over, placing me on top of him.20

“Morning, love of my life,” he said, sounding corny.  “Happy Anniversary.”21

I looked at him as I tried to think about what anniversary he was referring to.  “Ummm…”22

He smiled that annoying superior little smile and kissed the tip of my nose.  “Oh, how could you forget the anniversary of the time we first met,” he said in a faked hurt voice.  “I’m crushed.”23

I laid my head on his chest in mock shame.  Had it really been three years already?  “I’m truly sorry,” I said, sounding like some heroine from a tacky novel.  “However shall I make it up to you?”24

His hands clenched my backside and pulled me closer.  “I’m sure we can think of something,” he replied innocently.  “Maybe an in-depth discussion on just how much I love you would be a good start.”25

“In-depth discussion,” I laughed.  “Nice euphemism.” 26

“I thought it was kinda cool, myself,” he said smugly.  “But, damn…I think you wore me out last night.”27

I pouted at him.  “Oh… too bad.” I snaked a hand between us.28

“Heeeeyyy, how about that!  Just got my second wind.”29

~~~~~~~~~~30

I looked up from the screen I was reading to check on another screen and then sighed.  I didn’t know how Craig was able to multitask like that, but I was willing to give it a try.  Earlier, they had placed sensors outside of the first and last transports to see if there was going to be any difference in entry.   I volunteered to help, and was given the lovely task of comparing the two on some certain scientific level that I didn’t understand.31

“Okay,” Craig began.  “When we hit the atmosphere, it’s going to change the numbers on the screens you’re looking at, and…” he paused.  “You sure you want to do this?”  I nodded and glanced briefly out the observation deck windows.  “I mean, Mike said he would do it, and…”32

“I’ll do it,” I said curtly, cutting him off.33

“Calinda?”34

“Craigen.”35

Craig’s eyebrows shot up in surprise at my full use of his first name.  I don’t think I’d ever called him that before, but it sure got his attention.  He put the computer pad that he was using down, and sat beside me.36

“What’s wrong?”37

“Nothing,” I lied.  “I just hate entering atmosphere.” 38

“Uh-huh.”  He stared into my eyes.  “Now the truth?”39

A brief smile flickered across my lips.  He always was good at reading me.  “I…last night, I…” I stopped.  “Did you ask to lead this because we were getting married?”40

His eyes closed briefly then stared at me again.  “Wha--?  “’Splain that.”41

I inhaled, stalling for time while I composed the explanation in my mind.  “Okay…last year…your squadron reunion…”42

“Yeah…”43

“What Mike said.”44

“Oh.”  Craig’s eyes closed briefly as he tried to remember.  “Oh!”  He looked at me and took my hand.  “I don’t know…maybe,” he said honestly.45

I nodded and turned to look out the window.46

~~~~~~~~~47

”Hey, hey.”48

Craig turned to look at the source of the voice, and smiled as his old Army buddy, Mike, walked up to him.  They embraced briefly, like old friends who spent far too little time together.  Mike glanced at me, and I could tell he was trying to remember where he had seen me before.49

“I know you?” he asked.50

“Yeah,” I replied.  “Two years ago, noisy party…?”51

He looked confused, then smiled.  “Yeah…bitch next door.  What are you doing here?”52

“She’s with me,” Craig said as he took my hand in his.  “In fact…we’re getting married next year.”53

Mike’s eyes widened in surprise.  “You gotta be kiddin’.”  He looked at me.  “No offense.” 54

I smiled tightly and then ignored him.  55

“Poker tonight,” Mike said.  “Or…is the little lady allowing you to go?”56

“Aren’t you tired of losing money to me?”  Craig asked.  “And yeah, we’ll be there.”  57

“We?”58

“Cut the bull, Mike.” Craig started to sound angry.  “All the guys bring their wives or girlfriends.”59

“You are so whupped!” Mike laughed.60

“Hey,” Craig began.  “What we do in private is none of your…” He stopped.  “Oh, you said whupped.” He laughed.  “I though you said whipped…my bad.”  I covered my eyes in embarrassment, then went to sit at the bar behind where they were standing.61

They talked, catching up on the past two years.  From what Craig had told me about his old friends, and from what I could hear, it seemed as if Mike was still acting like a twenty-year-old.  He ordered a beer, then laughed when Craig chose coffee, then laughed harder when Craig mentioned that it was a little too early for drinking.62

Mike laughed, his annoyingly boisterous voice carrying over the entire room.  “You lost your sense of adventure, man.  Look at you…thirty-five, regular job, getting’ married.”  He shook his head.  “I feel sorry for you.”63

“Mike?”64

“Yeah?”65

“Shut the fuck up.”  Craig gave him a snooty look then turned and walked away.66

~~~~~~~~~~67

Craig leaned over me and took the computer screen.  He motioned for his assistant Mark, and then passed all the equipment off to him.  “You know what we’re looking for,” he said, then turned to me after Mark nodded and walked to the back of the observation deck.68

“Craig…”69

“I just want to enjoy the entry with you, okay?” He kissed my cheek. “I missed the launch, and…”70

I smiled at him. “I love you.”71

“What’s not to love.”72

“Besides your modesty?”73

Craig laughed and put his arm around me, pulling me closer to him.  I put my head on his shoulder, praying that I didn’t get sick during the entry to the atmosphere.74