Page 32 of His Human Rebel
Sten shrugs. “Mother seems to like her.”
“Lucy likes her too,” Burl chuckles, “because she likes the kittens. That's easy.”
Thorn’s offspring starts to squirm and cry. “I can't stay any longer. Gotta get this one home for a nap.”
“I have to leave too,” Burl comments.
Soon Sten, Erid, Thorn and Burl all make their excuses and they leave.
Agril Flagstone remains longer, saying he wants a better look at what I’ve built. I give my father a detailed tour of the house, showing him the extra work by the local craftsmen.
He works beside me in the barn, saying hello to the ranch hands. Lorn is pleased to see his former boss in the barn and they sit and talk for a long time. It's nice. I have some time to talk deep with my father about the business I’m creating and my plans for the ranch. Bouncing ideas with him is highly productive considering the male is an expert on all things wildlands, Flagstone, pyrotaurs and riding beasts.
Eventually, he leaves too.
When I pause for midday meal in the dining hall I message my female. Have you had lunch?
Yes, they fed me.
Did you find clothes?
I'm finding them right now. Do you mind if I also order some furniture for the front room and the dining area?
Please. We need furnishings.
I’m on it.
Later I message again. Are you tired?
I am feeling sleepy. We are about to come back. It’ll take a while though because we also have to drop off Mica and Lucy. I'll probably just sleep in the car. Don't worry.
The suns set and I sit on the front porch and wait. Eventually I hear the crunch of the car returning in the driveway. The white, shiny vehicle stops and now it only carries my mother and Stella, both looking very tired.
I open the passenger side door and my female smiles up at me with a sleepy-eyed look. “I just woke up. Your mom was very sweet.”
“Can you get all the packages?” my mother orders. “I'll lead her upstairs.”
I cannot believe all the bags. It's crazy. I make many trips; my mom comes and helps. Even Stella finally picks up a bag. “There's nothing wrong with me. I can carry something. I'm awake now.”
And eventually we get the whole damn load upstairs and inside the closet or in the bedroom. My mom stays, and with the help of the cleaning bot they get all the clothing put away and the closet is full and neatly organized.
Gryce Flagstone looks pleased at the sight of so much clothing. “Because Lucy and Mica are already here, the boutique in town is used to humans and they carry a small amount of clothes. They’ve upgraded their clothing dispenser and can order human specialty items. Stella now has most of what she needs. There are more foot coverings coming, they are being custom made.”
“And I ordered new furniture for the front room. It will be delivered next week.”
“I tried to get her to order enough furnishings for the whole house,” my mother tells me, “but she insisted on only enough for the downstairs.”
“I…I didn’t want to order more without you there because…”
“You are my future bound,” I remind her. “This is your home too.”
“But we haven’t walked to the courthouse yet,” she reminds me. “I don’t want to rush things.”
My mother sighs. “She needs time.”
“Time,” I agree.
Stella gives my mother a big hug. “Thank you, Gryce. The clothes are beautiful. It was fun.”