Chapter 1

Dematt System.

Near the atmosphere of planet Niven.

Each week, there’s a new story. There’s a new system, a new planet. Endless satellites and starts to visit. New cultures. Languages that you’d never imagined. Unexplainable colors that you can only see in dreams, they become real in these worlds of fantasy. Through all my travels I’ve experienced things no other human could even dream of. I’ve walked on air, I’ve spoken with microscopic beings, I’ve been ingested, and I’ve learned the customs of more than two hundred species.

                -You must go straight for about ten parsecs before you can make a jump to the Deimara system. – I hear her talk, Arana. My wife.

How amazing is that? Princess of the Mara Empire, third daughter of King Arman the Second and Queen Nikah.

I’ve traveled the Galaxy far and wide for the last twelve years. And even with all the wonders I’ve seen in all these years, it’s her voice the one that never ceases to amaze me, like if it was the first time I’m hearing it.

To make a life alongside her is the greatest gift the universe has given me, thanks to her everything else came, the excitement, the adventure, the knowledge, an incredible son, all his charm comes from the side of his mother, another one that’s arriving soon. This perfect life is possible because of her. I still remember the first time I saw her, in a park back on Earth, so many years ago.

- So, we are not going to Sadera mom? – with his voice a Little hoarse, my son appears.

This is the first time I see Noah today.

                -No son. – Arana answered trying to get up from the chair. Pregnancy didn’t stop her at all.

                -We need to go to Mara, home. – that word, home, appeared so distant to me in that moment.

                -But we can’t surf on solar waves at home. – Noah answered.

Noah was frightened by the solar waves of Saidera. He felt like he was going to melt. That he would get lost on the light track and wouldn’t be able to come back.

I knew his reason for not wanting to go home was fake. I looked at my wife for a moment, her stomach that carried the little soon-to-be member of the family, and I look at my son, his downcast look, full of fear and doubt. The words of my mother resonated strongly inside my head.

                -Why don’t you want to get back home Noah? – I asked while turning my chair towards him.

                -It’s just boring over there. – he answered looking straight at me. I gotta admit, had I not felt the exact same way he felt years ago, I’d probably believe him, taking for granted that he was just a bored child and not a real problem that was developing underneath.

                -Noah…- Arana replied, even if I hate doing it, I interrupted her for a moment, taking her hand. She turned to me and I smiled at her.

Arana chuckled, took a seat, and held the rudder of the ship.

                -You know what you’re doing. Go talk with your son. – she told me with a happy tone.

I got up and walk toward Noah. While approaching him, my son raised his arms so that I could carry him.

While I carry him, Noah plays with my hair, he curls it in his finger and lets it go, time and time again. While walking I swing him from side to side until we get to the room. Once inside I sat him on his bed and walk to the door, laying on the frame.

                - Are you afraid because of the new baby? – I asked casually.

                -I’m not afraid. – he answered harshly.

                - What’s the matter then, what’s why you don’t want to home? – I added.

Noah stood silent. I approached him and put my hand on his shoulder.

                -Rayne says that when his parents got his brother, they didn’t pay attention to him. –

                -Son. We won’t stop loving you when your little brother is born.

While holding back his tears he hugged my arm firmly. While I comforted him with my free hand, I started to relive the words of my mother.

                -Change is good son. – those are the words I’d love to say to my son.

                -I have no idea what is going to happen, son. – those are the words I told him.

                -The day you were born, was totally crazy. I was terrified. It was something new to me. It completely changed my life. And the truth is I’ve never been as happy as I was on that day. You came into our life as the greatest change that has existed. Nothing’s been the same since then and there’s not a single day, I’m not grateful about it. –

With a few tears coming out of his eyes, Noah turned to me. He gave me a little smile, and I answered with one of my own.

                - Your brother, or sister, is going to be a gift for this family. And more importantly, it’s gonna be your partner for many many years. My sister and I used to be very united when we were kids. Sometimes we were our only company when we couldn’t leave home while the adults were talking. –

                - You have a sister? – he asked me very confused.

I briefly nodded before trying to change the subject, returning the conversation to his fear.

                -Yes, I had one. And if you ever get one, she’s gonna love you and you’re gonna love her. So, don’t be afraid. Everything will be fine here. – I told him, trying to end the conversation to avoid any more questions.

Luckily, Arana came to the rescue. Walking slowly and with a smile that tried, unsuccessfully, to cover her worried look.

                -Dorian. – she said, with a weak voice, setting off every kind of alarm inside of me.

I turned to her immediately. I saw her, pointing to her belly in dismay. I tried to talk, but no words came out of my mouth.

                -I think the baby is coming. –

As if time stopped, the three of us stopped for what felt as eternity.

                -%@#&$- I said, as any role model father would.