Fiction Fragment Friday
A little over ten years ago I had my first short story published in an anthology. It was such an important moment in my life and I cannot express the feeling of seeing my name in a printed book. That story is not online for free anywhere, but you can buy it here.
Since it is not available for free I will share that it is about a work-a-holic who through an accident ends up being pulled to another planet and meets an alien woman who is obsessed with Earth culture. Her people had been consuming Earth entertainment for over fifty years.
Four years ago I wrote a sequel to it as a Fiction Fragment Friday called Crossed Wires. I’m not sure if that story lived up to the original, but the concept in it does. Perhaps a connecting scene between the two is still missing as I don’t even share her journey to Earth.
This story is another sequel and I enjoyed writing it far more than I have anything else in the last month or so. I hope you all enjoy it because I feel like with this the short stories are now a complete trilogy. Perhaps there is more that could be done with the characters, but for now their journey is complete.
Cera’s squeals of joy assaulted my ears and filled my heart with joy simultaneously. It was a sound I normally didn’t get to hear in public. Being a four-armed, yellow-skinned alien meant she was always a bit on edge when we went out. No matter how good her human disguises were, there was always a risk of being caught. Cherishing every moment and making the most out of experiences happens to be a defining trait of my girlfriend though so to her, the risk is worth it. Even with that mindset, Cera in public has always been more reserved than she is at home. That is why the rare chances to let loose are the moments with her I cherish most.
I had brought Cera to her very first science fiction convention. Her planet, despite having a culture fascinated with our own, didn’t have any equivalent. Instead of hiding her two extra arms and coating herself in make-up, she could walk around freely. As far as anyone at the convention knew, she was cosplaying her own original character, that had four arms and light-yellow skin. She didn’t even need to tape her antennae down, hide them under her hair, or wear a hat. For the first time since coming to Earth, Cera was able to just be herself in public. It was a sight to behold.
“It’s him, it’s him, it’s him.” My eyes followed her two arms pointing to the row of celebrity tables at the back of the convention hall. Before I even saw her move, she grabbed me with all four arms and shook me. “It’s Captain Verason from Galactic Peacekeepers.”
“I know, hon,” I said, my voice reverberating with the shaking.
Realizing what she was doing, she gently sat me back down and blushed a bit. “Sorry. It’s just I can’t believe I’m actually seeing him. In person.”
I reached into my pocket and pulled out a folded sheet of paper. With as much flourish as I could manage, I unfolded and held it up for her to read. There was no way I could keep the smug expression off my face. “You don’t just get to see him. You get to have your picture taken with him.”
She grabbed me in the tightest hug I think I have ever felt. With a cracking voice trying to hold back tears, she whispered in my ear. “Thank you.”
I pulled back and met her eyes with my own. “Are you ok?”
“I don’t think you understand. This is the show I learned English to watch. If I’d never learned English, I wouldn’t have been able to talk to you. Then we bonded over the show. You’ve probably been to a ton of conventions before and met hundreds of stars. This is my first, and if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have you.”
“Actually, I’ve only been to a couple of conventions. Before you, I was usually too busy working to get out of the house.”
“I still can’t believe I’m even here on Earth, and now I’m getting a picture with one of my heroes. Thank you.”
We just hugged there in the middle of the convention hall floor for a few more moments. I couldn’t help but think about how much my life had changed in the year and a half since I met her. I might have been alive, but I wasn’t experiencing life. It was at that moment I made my decision.
“Hey, I need to hit the bathroom. Why don’t you look at artist alley, and when I get back, it should be time to get in line for your photo op.”
She nodded and gave me a quick kiss. “Don’t take too long. I’m still not comfortable in crowds like this alone.”
I headed towards the bathroom but made a detour once I was out of sight. There was a booth I wanted to return to for a quick purchase. After taking care of my side project, I found Cera in artist alley, and we got in line for her photo. The line moved faster than I expected, but he still took the time to talk to every fan who had paid to see him.
When we reached the front of the line, I stepped back to let her take her place. She looked at me confused. “Get over here.”
“You want me in your picture?”
“Of course. It doesn’t mean anything if you aren’t here with me.” I just smiled and joined her on the other side of the actor. I know she talked to him, but I was so distracted I have no idea what she said.
As soon as we stepped away from the photo op, but before we left the area, I knelt down on one knee and pulled out the surprise I had bought for her. It was a replica ring from one of her favorite fantasy series. “Cera. I feel like my life was on hold until I met you. I don’t want to ever be without you again. Will you marry me?”
I could see tears forming in her eyes. “Yes. Of course I will.”
The line waiting for pictures cheered and started clapping. I had been so focused I had forgotten that we were even in public for a moment. The photographer had even turned and taken a picture of me proposing. He looked at the display on his camera and gave me a thumbs up. In that moment, it felt like they were all part of our family. I stood and kissed her to the sound of whistles and whoops.
Cera leaned close to whisper. “Uh, how is this going to work since I don’t have a valid ID here?”
“I have absolutely no idea.”