My hands were shaking as I dialed the numbers to my parents’ home in central Illinois. It was probably around Thanksgiving there now. I pictured the leaves falling off the trees and children jumping into fresh piles at first raked up and then scattered to the wind all over the yard.

I wished I could have a turkey and some dressing, but knew that if I went back home, there would be no family to celebrate with. I always had to spend excruciating holidays alone, curled up under a blanket with daytime TV roaring in the background. If I wanted a turkey and dressing, or to even to bang out the entirety of the holidays here on Cardalph, I knew Togtulir would jump to make it happen for me. He was so sweet and every day I spent here with him I knew was a gift and blessing.

“Hello,” my mother answered on the third ring.

“Hi mom, it’s me, Cindy.”

“Oh, hello, Cindy,” my mother’s voice was flat and she sounded even farther away than the actual distance that stood between us.

“Uh, how are you and Dad?” I eased my way into the conversation with some small talk first.

“We’re fine.” Silence on the other end. No pursuit of engagement was going to happen when it came to my mother. My heart hurt every time I thought about how unloved I had been for my whole life. My parents hadn’t intended to get pregnant with me.

I was the “accident” child; the one who they never planned on having. Therefore, they never cared about what happened to me. I was their biggest regret in life, and they made sure I knew it every opportunity they got.

“That’s great,” I tried to speak cheerily into the phone but she was such a buzzkill, I had trouble keeping my voice straight and not be shrill with sorrow. “Well, I just wanted to let you guys know that I’ve found love here on the island with Togtulir. I’m going to give this one a shot and stay here with him. He has a good job and can’t leave. Not to mention I loved the balmy weather. Especially now that winter is knocking on the door.”

“Mm-hmm,” my mother coughed into the phone and I decided I was done trying with her.

“Well, I’m going to go now, I just wanted to let you know what my plans were if you ever wanted to contact me. I’ll try to keep in touch ok?” Even though I was sprouting lies upon lies, I still felt as if I were getting closure with my parents by giving them one last phone call.

“Ok, well good luck, Cindy.” My mother hung up the phone before I got a chance to say anything further.

“Goodbye,” I murmured to the air and hit the end button on my phone. Next up, it was time to call Melinda and give her the same story.

“Hey, Mel, it’s me.” I grinned because I did enjoy talking to my sister, although I hated that she never really looked out for me as her little sister growing up or even into adulthood.

“Hey, Cindy!” Melinda sounded genuinely excited to hear from me.

“Hey, Mel. I’m still out here on the island. I’m having a really great time with Togtulir. Uh, I think I might stay out here permanently. I think he may be the one.” I nibbled on my bottom lip and waited for her reaction, not that I cared either way what she thought. She had been unwilling to help me, so I was partly grateful at how the fate cards played in my favor.

“That’s great, Cindy. I’m really happy for you. I wish I hadn’t shunned you like I had before. Things are rough here. I feel like I have no escape and I’m sorry for the way I treated you. I guess the saying is true hindsight is 20/20.” Her voice sounded regretful.

“Yeah, Well listen. I’ll keep in touch okay? I’ll try to call you every now and then. I hope you guys have a really nice holiday season.” I hung up just as abruptly as my mother had done to me. I felt a fleeting flash of guilt over saying goodbye to my sister that way, but as far as she thought, I’d be calling her next week.

In my mind, I loved Melinda, but knew in my heart I had no intention of keeping in touch or going back to earth for that matter. I was ready to make Cardalph my permanent home, and shove my past to the back of my memory forever. My family had made me feel like an outcast my entire life, and any remorse I felt about cutting them out of my life was short-lived.

“Who were you talking to?” Togtulir walked into the bedroom and I jumped.

“You startled me,” I held my hand to my chest, but quickly recovered.

“I’m sorry,” he brushed my hair to the side in the gentle way that I swooned for.

“It was my family. I was more or less saying my goodbyes to them.”

His eyes looked sad for me, but I told him not to worry about it. He was all I needed and I made sure he understood that.

“Okay. Well as long as you are happy.” He trailed off as I kissed him and wrapped my arms around his neck.

He lowered me onto the bed and began kissing my inner thighs, pulling up my dress. I moaned softly, reveling in his sultry soft showers of kisses. “Oh, Togtulir,” I whispered and breathed onto his neck as he trailed his lips from my neck to my nipples to the top of my pussy. He paused to make me go wild, and it worked.

“More, more,” I cried out to him and arched my back as he put his head between my legs and sucked and kissed on my clit. His tongue worked like magic that brought me to intense levels of ecstasy. When I came, I pulled his head closer in between my legs and pulled his hair.

Making love to him in his true Cardalphian form was my favorite thing to do. I watched as his big, blue cock slipped into my wet pussy and he began to thrust, his balls tickling the outside of my pussy lips. We came together, panting in unison.

Later he got dressed. “Where are you off to?”

“I’m going for a short run,” he responded as he laced up his tennis shoes and smiled at me. I thought about how buff and fit he was compared to me. I was exhausted after the passionate sex we’d just had together, and felt like I could take a nap for five days.

I laid in bed for about half an hour, basking in the sunlight spilling into the room from the bright windows. I breathed in the scent of Togtulir from the sheets and on the pillows. I thought I had found heaven, and I was never going to let it go.

I was startled when there was a knock on the bedroom door. “Just a minute!” I raced around frantically and gathered my clothes up from the pile they had made on the floor. I dressed in a fluster and rushed to open the door to find Togtulir’s Aunt Rosgular standing in front of me.

I busily brushed my hair back with my fingers and adjusted my t-shirt. I hoped my cheeks didn’t look too red and hot. “Hi, Rosgular, so nice to see you.” I walked out into the hallway, not feeling comfortable inviting her into the bedroom that might still smell like sweaty sex.

“Hello, Cindy.” Rosgular loved Togtulir ridiculous amounts; I had witnessed her protective aura when he was around. I felt as if she were trying to welcome me into their family, but I couldn’t help but notice that she was not adapting to me as well as I had hoped.

Even still, her relationship with Togtulir was unique, and he respected her immensely. It was my job to make sure I lived up to every ounce of expectation for wife material and support system for Togtulir that she had.

“Would you like something to drink? Tea or water?” I offered, as we walked down the stairs together. She was small and a little elderly, so I made sure to walk as slowly as possible, so Rosgular could keep pace.

“No, thank you, I’m fine. I’m actually here about the favor you’ve requested of me.”

I stopped with my foot mid-step on the stair. “Oh, right. Yes, I’d love to discuss that too.” I prayed in my heart that she would have an answer for me. There was one thing I felt I was missing here on Cardalph that needed the linked puzzle piece. I needed her help, and I hoped she wouldn’t shoot me down and tell me to get off my high horse. She appeared to be a poised woman, so I was hoping for the best.

“I think I have a solution for you on your request or at least a viable option.” Her eyes twinkled as we made eye contact. She had a mischievous grin and I thought maybe the challenge of what I’ve asked for could bring some spark and adventure into her life.

“I can’t wait to see what the options are.” Floating with elation, I hugged Rosgular. She might hold the eventual key to the maternal love I’d never felt before.