Chapter 11 - Celestinie and Gregorious》

THE GROUND FELT STURDY BENEATH MY FEET, A STARK CONTRAST TO THE METALLIC FLOOR OF THE SPACESHIP. I inhaled deeply, taking in the fresh air infused with unfamiliar scents.

Seth turned to me, a smile stretching across his face. "What do you think?"

"It's incredible," I replied, my eyes wide as I took in the lush nature surrounding us. Towering trees with leaves shimmering in shades of green, purple and gold stood tall, and flowers in hues I'd never seen before bloomed all around. "It's so...surprisingly similar to earth."

He reached for my hand, intertwining our fingers as I looked around in wonder.

As we walked towards the hangar, I could see other ships parked nearby, their sleek designs a reminder of how different this world was. "Are we going to meet your parents now?" I asked, the weight of the moment pressing down on me.

"Yeah," he said, his expression shifting slightly, revealing a hint of apprehension. "Are you ready?"

I swallowed hard, nodding though a flutter of nerves settled in my stomach. "I guess so."

Seth squeezed my hand reassuringly. "Just be yourself. They'll love you."

Before I could respond, the door on the far side of the building swung open, and a group of people stepped out. My breath caught in my throat as I recognized Seth and Sara's parents. They both looked to be in their mid or late forties and looked remarkably similar to the siblings, yet there was a wisdom in their eyes that spoke of years of experience and love.

Seth greeted his parents. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, the weight of this moment sinking in. Meeting his parents felt like crossing into a new chapter of our lives.

"Mother, Father," Seth began, his voice filled with affection, "I'd like you to meet our friends."

Sara stepped forward to introduce them, her confidence shining through. "This is Jack Bruno, Dr. Alex Friedman and Katriona Davine." Sara introduced us, "Jack, Alex, Kara this is our mother Celestinie and our father Gregorious." she said, gesturing toward each of them.

Jack stepped up, his confident demeanor cutting through the tension. "It's great to finally meet you both," he said, flashing a friendly smile.

Alex followed suit with a smile and respectful nod.

Gregorious, sharing the same strong jawline and body build like Seth and ocean-blue eyes, stepped forward next. His honey-colored hair framed his face, and his steady presence seemed to command attention. "Welcome to Evalon, it's an honor to finally meet the people who help save not only our son and daughter, but our home. It seems our children have surrounded themselves with good people.

It's not often allies are brought here."

Celestinie, exuded grace and strength. With brown eyes and long straight platinum hair, she looked like she could give a supermodel a run for her money. Her gaze was friendly but discerning, as if she could see right through to our souls. "We appreciate your bravery and sacrifice. It's nice to meet all of you," she said, her eyes landing on me. "You must be the girl that our son talks non-stop about."

I felt my cheeks flush at Celestinie's words, a mixture of pride and embarrassment coursing through me."Good things, I hope," I said shyly, trying to sound lighthearted despite the flutter of nerves. "It's an honor to meet you both," I managed, my voice steady despite the fluttering in my stomach.

Gregorious smiled, a hint of approval in his eyes as he shook her hand. "He speaks highly of you, Katriona. You've had quite an impact on him."

"Seth is right," his mother said, "You truly are stunning.

I gave Seth a look.

He shifted beside me, maintaining a poker face.

Celestinie stepped in to ease the tension in the air. "I'm sure you're all weary from your trip," she said, her voice warm and inviting. "Please, come to our home. You can rest and we can talk more comfortably there."

"That sounds wonderful." Alex said, grateful.

As we all began to walk together, Seth wrapped his arm around my shoulders and leaned closer, his voice low. "See, I told you they'd love you." His words sent a wave of comfort through me, and I nodded, focusing on the path ahead.I felt a mix of emotions inside me. The beauty of this world, the welcoming of Seth's family, and the underlying anxiety of how I fit into all of this was..unbelievable.

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On the way to their home, I was awestruck by the breathtaking sights of Evalon's capital city. Towering structures spiraled into the sky, their gleaming surfaces reflecting the soft glow of the horizon. The streets were alive with activity, filled with beings of all kinds—some resembling humans, while others were more otherworldly—all immersed in conversation and laughter, bringing the energy that seemed to flow through the heart of the city.

"This place is incredible," Alex whispered, her eyes wide as she took it all in. Her wonder mirrored the amazement Jack was expressing while chatting with the parents.

"Just wait until we show you around," Sara chimed in, her eyes sparkling."They're even more beautiful than the landscapes."

As we rode through the streets, I noticed how people glanced our way, some with smiles, others with curiosity. I shifted and leaned closer to Seth. "Is it always like this?" I asked quietly, feeling a bit awkward and out of place. I'm not a fan of being stared at nor being the center of attention.

"Pretty much. People are friendly here. But just be prepared for some stares; not every day they see someone from Earth," he replied, his tone reassuring.

We continued, and soon, Sara pointed ahead. "And here it is, home sweet home."

The house looked ordinary at first glance, like any suburban home she had seen back in her world. It looked more like the kind you would see in a rich neighborhood. But the more I focused, the more its futuristic elements became evident. It was gorgeous!

The doors to the high-tech vehicle we arrived in slid open with a quiet whirring.

We climbed out of it and made our way inside.

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Sleek lines, shimmering walls that responded to touch, and advanced technology seamlessly integrated into the design. The home felt both comforting and surreal, a mixture of family warmth and the high-tech world Seth and Sara came from.

I had been in awe of the way it functioned—lights that turned on with a soft command, doors that slid open silently. It was a far cry from anything I had experienced before. Yet, despite the advanced technology, it had felt like a home

"Make yourselves at home." Celestinie said, gesturing towards the master living area.

The room bathed in soft light streaming through large windows reflecting off the Ivory walls that offer a scenic view outside. The room bathed in soft light streaming through large windows reflecting off the Ivory walls that offer a scenic view outside. A cozy couch, adorned with plush cushions, sat invitingly against the wall. In front of it, a sleek glass coffee table held a vase brimming with fresh flowers and cup coasters. Shelves lined the walls, displaying cherished art figurines, books and digital photo frames, which gently shifted from one image to another, capturing moments of joy and nostalgia.

I sat down on one of the couches while scanning my surroundings. Seth sat next to me, his arm resting casually around my shoulders. His family was welcoming, but I couldn't help feeling like an outsider, a stranger.

When we settled in, things grew lighter with Jack cracking jokes, bringing a sense of ease to what had been a long day. He managed to get even Gregorious to chuckle, which, considering the stoic nature of the siblings' father, was no small feat.

"Sara, Seth, can you show the guests to the guest rooms?" Their mother asked.

The two nodded, Sara stepping forward. "Right this way! We've got plenty of space, and I'll help show you around." She moved toward the staircase, beckoning us to follow.

The two nodded, Sara stepping forward. "Right this way! We've got plenty of space, and I'll help show you around." She moved toward the staircase, beckoning us to follow.

We followed them up the stairs while Sara showed Jack and Alex's there room.

I tilted my head, glancing around. "Wait, where exactly am I supposed to sleep?"

Seth chuckled. "You're staying in my room."

I blinked, my and gave him a funny look. "Your room?"

He nodded. "Yeah, it's only fair. I've been staying at yours and Jack's house for a while now."

I crossed my arms. "You know, that's different."

Seth grinned. "Not really."

Celestinie, who had been watching the exchange, stepped forward with a warm smile. "You're welcome to stay wherever you feel comfortable, Katriona. Our home is your home now."

I glanced between her and Seth, feeling a strange mix of emotions—gratitude at the same time am confused on how the woman is so willing to let me and Seth share the same bed when we're not even married. 

"Thank you, I appreciate it," I said softly.

Seth leaned in closer, his voice barely a whisper. "Don't worry, we'll figure it out."

I smiled at him, feeling a bit more relaxed.

Sara returned just as Seth and I finished talking, her cheerful demeanor lighting up the hallway. "All set! Jack and Alex are getting settled in," she announced, turning toward me. "Now, let's get you settled."

Seth gave her a look, a silent conversation passing between them, and Sara's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Oh, I see how it is," she teased. "So, you're staying in Seth's room, huh?"

I groaned, rolling my eyes. "Apparently."

"You're braver than I thought." Sara then sent me a telepathic message. "As long as we have a night where we can have another sleepover."

"Deal." I sent one back, attempting to shake off my nerves as the siblings guided me down the hall to a sleek door that slid open quietly. Inside was a perfect blend of futuristic design and soft, tones—clearly Seth's sanctuary. Subtle hints of his personality were scattered throughout: a few cherished trinkets, advanced tech devices, and an acoustic guitar resting on a stand. A window offered a breathtaking view of the Evalon skyline, and the entire room was filled with the aroma of minty sandalwood, reminding me of him.

"You can settle in here," Seth said, stepping aside to let me take it all in. "I'll grab some extra blankets if you'd like."

I glanced around, trying to get used to the idea of staying in his room. It felt strange yet comforting. "Cool room," I said, admiring the space.

Sara smirked from the doorway. "I'll leave you two to it. Try not to destroy the room while I'm gone," she joked before disappearing down the hall.

I gawked at her retreating figure. "Sara, are you out of your mind?"

Seth chuckled, giving me a teasing grin as he closed the door. "Relax, it's not that bad. We'll make it work."

I turned back to him, still feeling a bit unsure. "You say that, but this is all a little... unexpected."

He walked over to the good size bed and set the blankets down, sitting down on the edge. "Hey," he shrugged, trying to lighten the mood, "we've been through worse situations, right?"

I couldn't help but laugh at that. "Yeah, I guess being chased and almost getting killed by government agents really does put things in perspective."

He grinned. "Exactly. Sharing a room is easy compared to that."

I moved closer, still feeling the flutter of nerves but also a sense of comfort being around him. "You're really okay with this?" I asked, studying his face.

Seth met my gaze, his expression sincere. "I wouldn't have suggested it if I wasn't."

That admission sent a shivering feeling through me, the awkwardness starting to fade. I took a seat beside him, glancing at the bed. "Alright, so how are we doing this? Are we sharing or...?"

Seth raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile creeping back onto his face. "Do you trust me to share?"

I smirked. "I think I'll survive, space man."

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As the evening wore on, the exhaustion of the day began to catch up with me. After a pleasant dinner with everyone, I made my way back to the bedroom, feeling a quiet sense of peace settle over me. The room felt even more tranquil, and the view of the city skyline twinkling against the dark sky was mesmerizing, almost hypnotic.

I went to the bathroom and changed into my pjs and did what I usually do at night time all while trying to keep my mind from overanalyzing the situation. When I got back I saw Seth with some blankets laying on the bed.

He tossed me a blanket, his grin still playful but softer now. "I promise not to take up too much space," he joked.

"Uh-huh, I heard that one before." I teased.

Seth laughed, shaking his head. "Hey, I'm serious this time."

I grabbed the blanket and got comfortable on my side of the bed. "Sure, sure. Just remember, I'm watching you." Giving him an 'I'm watching you' motion with my fingers.

He raised his hands in mock surrender. "Scout's honor."

I rolled my eyes at my goofy boyfriend and threw a pillow at him. "Scout's honor, huh? You really think that's going to work on me?"

Seth caught the pillow, easily with one hand. "Hey, I'm a man of my word!" He tossed it back on the bed. "I'm just trying to be honorable here!"

"Honorable?" I scoffed, smirking. "You should stick to being goofy; it suits you better."

"I'll have you know, I'm quite honorable when the situation calls for it!" He said.

"Oh really?" I shot back, raising an eyebrow. "When was the last time were you honorable?"

"Well, I did let you have the last slice of pizza that one week!"

I laughed, shaking my head. "That's your idea of honor? Tsk. Tsk. Baby, you really need to work on your definition."

"Okay, fair point," he admitted, "But still, you can't deny I'm pretty charming."

I rolled my eyes again but couldn't suppress a grin. "Charming, maybe. Honorary scout? Mmmmm. Not so much."

In an instant, he pinned me down on the bed, hovering over me, and launched into a full-on tickle attack.

"Seth, stop!" I gasped between giggles, batting at him with my hands.

He paused for a moment, looking down at me, his expression softening as the laughter faded as we looked at one another.

"I love you," I whispered, my heart swelling with emotion.

"I love you too, my light of my life."

His arms wrapped around me, pulling me close, tangled together on the bed where we laid for what seems like forever. Eventually, Seth got up, and I slid under the cozy covers.

But then I opened one eye to see Seth taking off his shirt. My heart skipped a beat as I watched him casually toss it aside, revealing his toned arms and a hint of his defined abs. Dang, his body is fine! I thought, biting my lip to keep my composure.

"Like what you see?" he teased, catching my gaze with a playful smirk.

This time it was my turn to make the best poker face and I then buried my head under the covers, trying to hide the blush creeping up my cheeks. "What? Me? No way," I mumbled, feigning nonchalance.

Seth laughed, clearly enjoying my reaction. "Oh, come on! You can't fool me. I saw that look."

I peeked out from beneath the blankets, unable to suppress a grin. "Okay, maybe a little," I admitted, my voice muffled by the fabric. "But don't let it go to your head!!"

He chuckled, leaning closer, and I felt the warmth radiating from him. "Too late for that," he said, clearly reveling in the moment.

"You're lucky I love you!" I teased, unable to hide my amusement.

"Lucky, huh?" he replied, a playful smirk dancing on his lips. "I'd say it's more than luck. It's my irresistible charm."

I rolled my eyes, laughing softly. "Irresistible charm? More like relentless teasing."

"Whatever it takes to keep you smiling, sunshine."

I closed my eyes again as I heard him change into pj pants. As I drifted off, I could feel the bed dip slightly as Seth laid down beside me. Surprisingly, I didn't feel uneasy at all. Instead, a calmness washed over me, and sleep came easily, the quiet rhythm of his breathing lulling me into a slumber. I felt him scoot closer, wrapping his arm around me, pulling me against his body.