CHAPTER 178: ROOMMATES ACROSS THE GALAXY

Walter was apprehensive of all the questions with all the pokes and prods, and that was understandable. He did, though, like the gentleman that his father claimed to be his new friend—Mr. Zach.

"Sir, I would like to thank you for taking us in. The boys and I will be no trouble at all. Wherever we end up, we’ll do our part to fit in with your society."

"Walter, call me Zach. You’re at the Z1 ranch, on a planetary system that has been colonized by humans for over 150 years. We also have another race here and there called Genmen, otherwise known to you as Goran." Zach settled into his explanation. "I don’t have an accurate count right now, but they started out with 50,000+ survivors from a crashed slave ship here on the planet over 50 years ago. In the last 50 years, we set up private networks known as ranches so that they would have a structured housing environment in return for common labor that they get paid for. We also market the nectar that they give off, which they receive 50% of."

He paused, studying Walter’s face. "I’m going to place you in the home of a young man about your age. His name is Curtis, and he’s 30. He’s a pure blood Genman—he does not have a mate nor has he ever had a mate. He has a two-bedroom, one-bath cottage that he is willing to share with you and the boys out of the goodness of his heart. Nothing is expected of you in return."

"I do hope that the two of you get along and you can learn from each other. You’ve both been through a lot in your lives, so you should be good for each other." Zach’s voice grew warmer. "The boys will be able to acquire clothing, as will you, and you’ll slowly learn the ins and outs and the do’s and don’ts here on the Z1. Your dad has been awake for almost 2 months now since arriving here on the planet with the transport vessel. He’s doing very good—he was always worried about you boys. To him, you’re his life."

Walter smiled. "Thank you very much, Mr. Zach. We will not let you down. The boys are well-behaved, and I’m willing to give anything a chance as long as me and my boys stay together. They’re all I got in this world now—them and the one that I’m with."

"I’m very aware of your condition. My grandson Lex will be working with the medical team on your exam to make sure that you and the baby are perfect, that there’s no ill effects from the long-term stasis that you were in."

"Mr. Zach, I know you’re not supposed to tell me, but it’s just one thing less father has to worry about—exactly how long in stasis, sir?"

Walter’s question hung in the air as Zach considered his response. "Walter, since you are the oldest and you will have to guide some of your younger siblings, y’all were in stasis for almost 108 years. Your father felt that it was time that his family settled down when he arrived here and asked for sanctuary for everyone. He’s put in his retirement notice, and we will carve a small sectional land out here between the Z1 and the Hawthorne ranch so that he will be able to build a life and a place for his family."

Walter looked stunned. "108 years? It seems like we just went to sleep. Father didn’t age as usual, neither did we." He shook his head slowly. "Well, that’s enough about that. So who is this person I’m supposed to stay with along with the boys? Because I want to get the boys home so that they can settle down and get used to their environment."

"Curtis, come in for a second. I want you to meet your new roommate, Walter Hollis, and his two boys, Josh and Zack."

Curtis shook Walter’s hand and welcomed him to the Z1 and the future. He took a knee and spoke directly to the boys. "I might look big and scary, but I’m not. I growl sometimes, I even grumble to myself, but I don’t get mad. The house that you will be staying in is my home, and it’s now yours too. In a few days, we will have new beds for both of you to sleep in, but for now we will make do with what we have." His voice softened. "I’m not the greatest cook in the world, so sometimes things may not taste that great, but I’ve learned to live with my failure as a cook."

Josh spoke up. "That’s okay, Mr. Curtis. Our dad’s a great cook—he learned from my granddad, and he’s good at other things too. You seem okay to me."

The boys surprised Curtis when they hugged his neck and kissed him on each of his cheeks. Curtis decided to take a chance and scooped the boys up, held them in his arms, then looked at Walter. "Did you want to go see the rest of your life? If you have a little problem walking, which I understand you could, just grab my arm and lean on me. That’s what I’m here for—you to lean on until you stand on your own."

Walter was a little shocked when they walked outside of the medical complex. There were people everywhere, and they started clapping.

Curtis smiled. "This is for you and the boys. Welcome to the Z1, welcome home."

The crowd formed a line, and everybody gave them a real Z1 welcome home. Walter was a little overwhelmed by the time they got to the house. Curtis could walk another 10 miles caring for those boys in his arms. He was proud to be a host to this great family.

Walter helped the boys down when they walked into the cottage. It was basic, just like Curtis said it was. The boys were more interested in where they would sleep. Curtis showed them to the spare room, and in two seconds the boys were on the bed. Curtis walked out to the main room where an exhausted Walter was sitting in the chair. Curtis went over to the chair and pushed a button on the arm, and it slowly began to recline.

"There you go, Walter. That might be a little easier on your legs and your back. You’ve been asleep a long time, so it’s going to take you a while to get used to walking around again." Curtis gestured around the room. "I know it’s nothing fancy, but it’s served me good for all the years I’ve been here, and I hope you enjoy it. Let me get you a glass of Coolwater—it’ll do you good."

Curtis returned with a glass filled with a purple liquid. "Here’s your Coolwater. I hope you enjoy it."

Walter took a sip and was surprised—it had a fruit flavor and it was delicious. He slowly nursed on the glass as he heard the bed springs in the bedroom start squeaking. "Boys, those better not be bed springs I hear in there squeaking, and you better be off of that bed, not jumping on it."

The twins came into the living room sheepishly with their heads down. "We’re sorry, sir. It was just that bed is so luxurious and big—it’s not like what we had on the station, and it makes funny noises when you sit on it."

Curtis started laughing, a deep thunderous laugh. "Yeah, it doesn’t get much action, so it’s kinda rusty, as are most things around here. But it’s your bed to enjoy any way that you wish to enjoy it—but mind your dad’s rules." He clapped his hands together. "So, who’s ready for a glass of Coolwater? I think I’ve got quite a bit in there for you, but we will start out with a small glass first."

Both boys raised their hands and ran to the kitchen.

Curtis told Walter to rest and he would return after he got the boys some Coolwater. After a few minutes, Curtis returned to find Walter had gone to sleep on the sofa. He took a light covering and laid it over top of him. When the boys came blasting back into the room, he held a finger up to his lips to tell them to be quiet. "Your dad needs all the rest he can get. Carrying this baby is going to be very taxing on him."

The boys stared at Curtis wide-eyed. "What baby?" asked young Zach.

Curtis, not realizing, pointed out the movement of the covers as the baby moved within Walter’s body. "After such a deep sleep, your dad has to be extra careful while he’s carrying your father’s last child."

Both boys walked up to their dad and felt the baby move within him.