Among The Stars
It was the year 2045, a time when the various nations and collections of animals on Earth were thriving amidst bursts of scientific advancements and monumental leaps in the quality of life. A prominent example of the need of Earth's creatures to push the boundaries of what they could construct drifted 250 miles above the surface of the Blue Marble.
It was a simple-yet-complex space station officially dubbed the Centurion, a massive design composed of various durable alloys to protect it – and its inhabitants – from the hostile environment of space in which it resided.
Two identical circular rings aligned horizontally, each with a diameter of two miles, were stacked on top of one another, the gap between them precisely one-tenth of a mile. A vertical cylinder was situated in their centers, a quarter-mile tall tube that served as the Centurion's energy source, data gathering facility and command module all in one.
Eight bracing spokes projected from it, four for each ring, stabilizing them and allowing its personnel to travel back and forth between the core and the living quarters. It maintained artificial gravity akin to that of Earth by spinning on its axis like a top, the rotational rate carefully monitored and adjusted.
The entire outer surface of the core, as well as the upper surfaces of the spokes and rings were coated with high-efficiency solar panels, converting ninety-five percent of the intense sunlight that struck them into pure, clean electricity used to keep the station alive.
The flat bottom of the core housed a docking station and supply hangars, so that ships carrying tools, food items, replacement equipment, and staff could ferry them from Earth whenever necessary.
The flat upper surface of the core conversely wielded communication satellites aimed towards the planet, as well as instruments that carried out perpetual surveillance of weather and debris in the vicinity.
Overpowered solar flares and stray space rocks posed dire threats to the Centurion, and so the instruments were there to feed endless streams of information to the skilled scientists who could interpret it and take precautionary measures if the need arose.
But in spite of the lurking potential for absolute disaster, life aboard the Centurion – the stunning feat of engineering and aerospace manufacturing it was destined to be – was peaceful and attractive in its own right. One felt a sense of wonder and humility when he or she gazed out of the daunting observation deck windows and saw the majestic Earth sitting far below their feet, some continents bathed in light and others cloaked in shadow.
At first glance, one might think that to be allowed onboard the Centurion and witness these sorts of spectacles was an opportunity provided to the wealthy and denied to the poor.
But that was not the case.
The fee to hop into a passenger cruiser and be taken to the gleaming hulk was minimal, costing a mere 1000 dollars in currency. Even for the lowest-class workers, it amounted to no more than a month's worth of wages, the time needed to obtain that amount only decreasing the further up the social ladder one climbed.
Perhaps a more rigid restriction was the population cap, a rule put in place to ensure safety, prevent overcrowding, and allow an enriching vacation for each and every visitor. There was also a limit to how long guests were permitted to stay as a tie-in to the previous rule, one week being the maximum.
That being said, the number of beings present fluctuated week by week, and it was generally not difficult for those who wished to embark on the trip to reserve a spot.
To claim a permanent place was a different matter entirely, as only the very rich, entitled researchers, and officers of the D.S.S.D. possessed that luxury.
Combined, the cash from the transients and the individuals with impressive sums of money created a huge pool of funds that could be tapped for whatever improvement the Centurion needed.
And to be fair, nothing in that futuristic world was free of charge.
Quoting a saying from the turn of the century, "someone had to bring home the bacon." But of course, in this day and age, it was many, many someones who filled that role.
Before we focus on the main protagonist of the story, it would only benefit to discuss who exactly was in charge of overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Centurion.
No matter his or her rank, each one was employed and affirmed by the D.S.S.D., an acronym for the "Department of Solar System Development." Its offices were spread far and wide across the Blue Planet, each nation selecting a few good men and women to form the next generation of officers who would maintain order on the orbiting satellite.
Vacancies opened up – albeit infrequently – due to veteran officers who had made the decision to retire and head home, and also due to those who had been granted leaves of absence to visit their families or simply take a break from the rigors of their line of work.
But most of them held no qualms and remained in space for years at a time, adjusting to their unorthodox homes while simultaneously becoming enamored with their honorable duties – and for a select few, infatuated with members of the opposite sex who happened to catch their eyes.
As it was with all hierarchies based on power and responsibility, those low in rank were the most plentiful, each level comprising fewer and fewer individuals until the pinnacle was reached. And in reference to the Centurion, the top dog, so to speak, was a vibrantly-colored macaw by the name of Theodore Scott.
His formal title was "Commander," and that is how he was addressed by his subordinates nearly all the time. But they did poke fun at him every now and then by calling him "Blu," which was an innocent mockery of the hue of his deep navy feathers.
It was considered a breach of protocol to refer to him by a name other than his title, but he didn't mind the nickname one bit.
A shy, intelligent male, Theodore came from ordinary beginnings, being the firstborn son of a middle-class family of landowners/farmers. But his courage in the face of challenges and the oversized brain in his skull helped him immensely in reaching his dream of becoming a technology developer for the D.S.S.D.
At the young age of eight he was already a respected member of the science-thirsty birds working in the Centurion's labs, experimenting to try and improve the materials used to shield electronics from radiation. He made few enemies and many friends in the years that followed, a charming macaw to be around despite his introverted nature.
At age thirteen, he succeeded in his goal and became known as the child prodigy of the decade, though he would not have even come close without the aid of his loyal peers. In his wings he jointly held the power to change the world of future aerospace exploits, and was offered large sums of currency by various big-name companies who wanted nothing more than to market the product and assimilate him into their workforce.
But he was simply not built to enjoy such a trying, high-society life.
He was content with having made his mark on the world and becoming the pride and joy of his parents' lives, and preferred to retreat into a less-publicized life. He legally transferred the blueprints and rights of his groundbreaking alloy to the D.S.S.D., any future business inquiries now obligated to be funneled to them.
In place of his justified sacrifice, he petitioned to the Department to become the head technician and lead his fellow companions, believing that his merits guaranteed it would be accepted. It was, of course, but the Department also strongly supported him becoming the Commander of the space station as a whole.
No one thought badly about him, everyone respected him, and many of the females of his species swooned over him. His salary would be generous in comparison, and the job could perhaps bring him out of his shell by a modest amount.
He was no stranger to responsibility, but he felt that the position of Commander would be too big a stretch. On the flipside, he imagined every non-visitor soul onboard the station to be his relative in some form or another and harbored a desire to remain in their company. His internal battle lasted for a few days, his mind torn by his indecision.
But in the end, he acknowledged the Department's wishes instead of his own.
In a compelling sacrifice of his own, the current Commander, a falcon by the name of Travis Mathews, stepped down so that Theodore could be elevated. Travis had been planning to relinquish his position that same year anyhow, so it was no big deal to him.
As he himself put it during the swearing-in ceremony of Theodore, "Better for this healthy, determined bird gain control of Centurion than for me, the ragged old bird that I am, to stay here. My feathers are gray and my body is tired, and who am I to stop this young fellow from living life how he wants to live it?"
Theodore could not thank him enough, and Travis assured him that he would keep in touch in the months to come. Easing into the somewhat foreign occupation was hard at first, but Theodore never let it get him down.
He had never failed to perform in the past, even when subjected to significant pressure, and he wasn't going to start now. In the wake of his acclimation period, he fit right in and proved himself to be a Commander that even Travis admired.
When those close to him were asked by tourists in passing about what it was like to know him personally, words of praise and positive remarks constituted the replies. He was internationally recognized as a role model, an ordinary macaw who reached extraordinary heights through never giving up and chasing his dreams.
His first three years had their ups and downs, but no profession was without its high points and low points. He did dream often about his family and did occasionally feel very homesick, but July was the month in which he was granted a four week pardon and subsequently rocketed back down to reunite with them.
But perhaps the crowning moment of his blossoming career was when he crossed paths with that special someone, the macaw who would one day be the light of his life.
Jewel was her name, and let it be known that she was a dazzling beauty, the product of highly favorable genetics. They had met by pure chance on the observation deck of the Centurion's upper ring, Theodore striking up a conversation with her and her parents.
They were all equally thrilled to meet him face-to-face, though Jewel's enthusiasm was tempered by her cautious attitude and her ability to discern when she was being flirted with. After escorting them on a thorough tour of the metal palace and seeing them off as they went on their way, Theodore went to sleep that night with a strange, bubbly sensation in his heart.
It was a feeling that was deeply alien to him, a strain of affection that was unlike the kind he received from his mother and father. He was inexplicably drawn to her, though he could not say why, and slowly began to realize that he was afflicted with the first stages of true love.
No wonder he was depressed when their time came to depart the station, though he masked his negativity to avoid arousing suspicion and maintain his aura of steadfastness. But as he watched the cruiser containing them speed away and flare up as it entered the Earth's atmosphere a minute later, he vowed that he would gradually make known his feelings to the glorious Jewel.
He was motivated to discover if she felt any inklings of attraction in return, but he could not ignore that fact that their socioeconomic statuses were leagues apart. As often as he could, he sent letters to her in an effort to gain a better appreciation for who she was and how she ticked.
His heart fluttered when she wrote back to him, though her first batch of messages did not mention anything remotely romantic.
He learned that her parents were clothing store owners with above-average incomes, being classified in the upper-middle echelon based on their net cash flow. She was in a gymnastics school and hoped to improve her flying skills and become an athlete, but was also interested in developing her own brand of fashion items.
She was eighteen, merely one year older than him, and Theodore wondered why she had not been obsessed over and courted by some other Spix's Macaw. As a result, he was incredibly reluctant to profess his admiration towards her out of fear that she would reject him and cut all ties due to being offended.
What other reason could she have for being single all her life other than she was independent and wanted nothing to do with hormonal, tail-hungry males?
He did not categorize himself as such, being honestly and tenderly attracted to her, but she might very well stereotype him. Not only that, but their styles of living were at opposite ends of the spectrum. The goals she had dedicated herself to fulfilling were of a personal type, and perhaps he would only be seen as a distraction if he sought to be more than a friend to her.
When his fourth July break loomed, he debated constantly whether he should stop by their abode and confess his hidden feelings for her in an all-or-nothing event. He made up his mind to do just that as he dismounted the cruiser and made his way through the spaceport on the outskirts of his family's hometown.
Halfway through his stay on Earth, he tracked down the address he had memorized from her letters. As it turned out, she lived in the bustling metropolis of Spire-Haven, the capitol city of the state of Albion. It was but a three-hour jet flight away, nothing but a 100 dollar ticket standing in his way.
His parents forked over the necessary cash and urged him to pursue her, if it was what he truly wanted.
After spending a sleepless night brooding over whether or not to obey his heart, he purchased the ticket the very next day. His spirit was in a tumult when he arrived on their doorstep and knocked to gain entry.
Jewel's parents erupted with hospitality upon recognizing him, and even their luscious daughter couldn't help but smile and hug him in a cheerful manner. The last fourteen days of his reprieve were spent with them, and he could not thank them enough for their overwhelming kindness.
Three days before he would be ordered back into space, he steeled his will and spilled his guts in the middle of a scrumptious dinner. He admitted that he liked her and that he desired to form a more serious friendship than the one they shared then.
But he also admitted that it was fine if she declined, as they were such vastly different individuals that it would be near impossible to go steady. They were all three moved to near tears by his short speech, as was Theodore himself when Jewel found his intentions to be bold and tempting.
She agreed, owning up to him and her parents alike that he had been on her mind for quite some time.
She could sense that there was something special about him, and that she felt a twitching of her stomach when she thought about him at random intervals. She saw no harm in opting for a "test run," and only time would tell if they were truly meant to be together.
After all, destiny would have the final say as to whether they would break up or get married at an appropriate time in the future.
Destiny happened to oblige this particular couple of love-struck teenagers and glue them more and more strongly to one another.
They had their share of squabbles and separations in the first twelve months, but they could not stay angry at each other or be apart for long. He essentially lived a double life for those 365 days, keeping his ever-intensifying interactions and sense of security with Jewel closely guarded secrets.
No one suspected he was in such a profound romance with a random female, which infected him with guilt. But he knew that his subordinates and confidantes and staff would go crazy with joy and gratification when he broke the news.
Needless to say, young love transformed into full-fledged love, and Theodore popped the question to Jewel in their second year as a couple in the fitting month of July. And so it was that they became engaged, the bombshell announcement sending ripples of hysteria and elation through the populace that knew the macaws.
Their engagement was juicy and sudden enough to be instantly televised on national news, a flurry of publicity and interviews being directed towards Theodore and Jewel like archers' arrows. The unprecedented attention they were buried under was still potent when they had their wedding, the groom dressed in his handsome Commander's uniform and the bride boasting a mouthwatering dress.
The beak-lock they shared after exchanging their vows was the kiss that rocked the globe with all the fortitude of an asteroid.
It was but one of their many kisses thus far, but was without a doubt the most genuine and concrete. They postponed the intimate consummation of their marriage, however, craving to relish in the bliss of their commitment without any offspring to tie them down… for the moment, at least.
Jewel earned her own private quarters on the Centurion in a show of supreme altruism by the Department, repaying Theodore for his years of fruitful service. The theory that "opposites attract" couldn't have been more credible, Jewel and Theodore's case cold, hard evidence that it was, however, clearly more than just a theory.
Here is where we will switch gears and go in-depth, examining a day in the lives of the macaw couple.
It is now that we will see firsthand the unbreakable bond that binds them and put into practice all we have learned in regards to why they adore each other unconditionally. Take a pause to prepare yourselves, readers, for the most sentimental chunk of their romance is on the horizon.
21:59:10… 21:59:11… 21:59:12…
I watched the clock count the seconds away, each tick bringing me closer to 2200 hours and the end of not only the Centurion's day, but the conclusion of my shift. For the past twelve hours I had been sitting in the Commander's chair, my lower back having developed a cramp despite the soft, cushiony material supporting me.
All told, I had left the chair a maximum of six times from the time I first sat down until now. And that number was higher than usual, as today happened to be a good day.
21:59:18… 21:59:19… 21:59:20…
I was very drowsy and absolutely dying to fling myself onto my bed and fall asleep. Honestly, I am only a normal bird in the physical sense, and my stamina to keep awake only lasts so long.
No one could blame me for feeling this way, slumped over in my seat with my eyelids half-closed, staring at the translucent, touch-sensitive display before me.
21:59:30… 21:59:31… 21:59:32…
But perhaps one reason I hadn't dozed off two hours ago was because I was very stressed out.
For one thing, I was forced to step in earlier this afternoon and break up a conflict between Captain Randall and Corporal Lance. Had the vocal battle turned physical – which it would have not one minute later – the Corporal would have fared badly versus the Captain, as the former was a kestrel and the latter an eagle.
And I simply would not stand for that kind of violence to occur and blood to be shed on my space station.
I gave them a thorough verbal scolding about self-control and etiquette, and then assigned them to lowly tasks on either side of this command room. The burning desire to fight lasted in their eyes for an hour or so, and I could not tell if they were madder at each other, or at me for preventing them from tussling. In any case, the situation was dealt with, but their behavior was irritating.
Those two youngsters – compared to my age, of course – had much to learn.
21:59:42… 21:59:43… 21:59:44…
Another reason why my mind was in a tumult was because my July vacation was not set to begin for another two weeks, and I dearly missed my mother and father. I received word one week prior to today that I had a pair of newly-hatched siblings, a brother and a sister.
I was not there to witness them getting used to the world outside their eggs, and to have the milestones in their early development pass me by made my heart ache.
And lastly, a dear friend of mine, Colonel Tara Brooks – a rather pretty Scarlet Macaw, for those who are curious – was called down to Earth for a routine evaluation at around 1700 hours.
She did not say goodbye to me as she was accustomed to doing.
I assumed that she had simply forgotten to do so, as the evaluation had probably weighed heavily on her mind. I couldn't blame her, but I wished I had gotten the chance to speak with her before her departure.
21:59:58… 21:59:59… 22:00:00… 22:00:01…
"Ah… freedom…" I sighed, perking up as the numbers changed to ones I favored.
I danced my wingtips along the keys and sliders, initiating the power-down sequence for the Centurion's rings. The automated feminine voice pouring from the speakers mounted in the ceiling echoed, "Power-down will commence in five minutes. All residents please return to your living quarters. I repeat, power-down will commence in five minutes. All residents please return to your living quarters. Thank you for your cooperation, and have a nice night onboard the Centurion."
I drummed on the glowing panels some more, prepping the system to stop electricity flow to this room and close the observation visors all across the station. After all, it would be very hard for those on the outer walls of the rings to sleep with constant sunlight beaming in.
I dismounted my chair and stretched my wings, then bent over to cure the cramp in my lower back muscles. I then walked around the chair in the direction of the door, spying the slim Military Macaw known as Captain Sanders shutting down his work space.
I waddled past him and pulled my keycard from my shirt pocket, presenting it to the decoder mounted on the wall next to the door. As I waited for it to approve the keycard, I said, "Farewell, Gabriel. I will see you bright and early tomorrow morning."
"Likewise, Theodore. I bid you goodnight. Oh, and if you see that gorgeous wife of yours tonight, tell her I said hello."
I smiled at the compliment in reference to Jewel.
"I certainly will, Captain. And goodnight to you as well."
I noticed that the doors had not opened by this point, so I swiped the keycard again. The rectangular light shone a steady scarlet color. When it blinked off, I swiped it again.
It denied my keycard once more.
"Ugh, what is going on with it? Am I ever going to get out of here?" I grumbled to myself.
The fourth try was a failure, and my pulse began to speed up as I grew frustrated. The fifth try was a bust as well, and I threw the keycard against the carpeted ground, which did absolutely nothing to the plastic at all.
"Stupid machine! Why are you refusing to open the doors?! Are you reading my emotions and deliberately adding to my already present stress?!" I huffed and puffed, glaring daggers at the card-reading device as if I expected it to respond.
Gabriel sauntered up beside me and plucked the keycard off of the floor.
"Do you need some assistance, Commander Scott?"
"Yes, please, Gabriel. At this rate, nothing short of a miracle would have to happen in order for me to escape…" I fired back.
He studied my pass for one brief second and swiped it over the reader. A pleasing green light appeared, and the doors slid apart with a motorized hum.
"How… how did you do that?" I replied, stunned.
He smiled warmly at me and replied, "You were holding it upside-down, Commander."
I ran my wings down my face in humiliation and took the card, stashing it roughly in the pocket. I hobbled out the door and inhaled deeply, the fresh scents in the air doing little to combat my unease.
The doors shut behind me, and I felt a gentle pressure on my back.
"Is everything alright, Theodore? Have you and your wife had an argument?"
I faced him and answered, "No, she and I are fine. It's just that… more things than I expected have not gone my way today. I simply need some time to chase my troubles away…"
He patted my spine twice and replied softly, "I see. I won't keep you any longer then. I think a sound sleep will do wonders for you, Theo."
I instinctively smiled in return, nodding in understanding.
"Thank you for your concern, Gabriel. It makes me glad to know that there are still some compassionate souls left on this gray hulk of metal and wires."
"You are most welcome, Commander. Your wise words have empowered me as well, if you can believe it."
"I think I can, Captain."
I shook wings with him and exhaled the most positive sigh I had so far, standing up straighter.
"Let us part ways now, Gabriel. It would be detrimental to both of us to encroach upon our rest periods too much."
"Whatever you say, Theo. Until tomorrow, then."
"Until tomorrow."
He spun around and trotted away from me down the gently curved, dimly-lit corridor, his feet making a faint brushing sound as they ruffled the carpet fibers. I turned halfway around and went on my way, transitioning from walking to hopping to increase my speed.
After travelling along the silent, desolate hall for about twenty seconds, I came to the wide door that led to my "home," the words "Commander Scott's quarters. Absolutely no trespassing unless special permission has been granted" emblazoned on a plaque above it.
I swiped my keycard and was supremely thankful that the reader showed the green light on the first attempt. An instant later, the power-down went into effect, plunging the corridor into a haunting blackness. Slightly unnerved by the startling drop in light level, I limped tiredly into my room flicked on the pale yellow light.
I then tossed my keycard on the cluttered shelf projecting from the wall and examined myself in the mirror next to it.
None of my feathers were out of place, my plumage bearing a dull sheen that was indicative of good health. My longer-than-average tail was orderly and smooth, and the feathers behind my head were stout.
I realized that it was more than my outward appearance that defined me, but the way I looked now was certainly one reason why Jewel married me. I was by no means the most handsome macaw on the ship, but I was obviously suave enough to please my wife.
I left the mirror and plunked down on the edge of my oversized bed, my feet and tail hanging off the end of the blanket. I leaned to my left and grabbed the cup of water from my dresser, downing every last drop in the space of a few seconds.
I slapped the empty cup back down and smacked my beak, my thirst sufficiently quenched.
I then twisted my upper body and grabbed the electronic letter on my pillow, not recognizing it at first. I powered it up and watched as my mother's ornate writing materialized in the air, hovering a few inches above the projector surface.
I sniffed once and read the words carefully, line by line.
Hello, Theodore, this is your mother. How are you, son? Busy as usual, I assume, but I hope you are feeling well. I want you to know that our family has grown by two, as the eggs I laid earlier this month have hatched. You now have a brother and a sister! Garrett named our daughter Emma, while I named our son Josiah. Oh how wonderful and cute and lovable they are, even though they are mostly naked. They are such delightful little creatures, and I sorely wish you were here to see them. But I know you are not due to leave the Centurion until the 1st of July, so forgive my impatience. Please send me a reply as soon as you can, or I will lawlessly board the next cruiser and have a stern talk with you about manners! No no no, I won't do that. But in all honesty, I would like to know how you are doing. Oh, and how can I forget about my daughter-in-law? Be sure to provide me with an update on her situation too.
Until next time,
Love, Mother.
The letter had boosted my spirits the first time I had read it, but now, it rekindled the sense of longing that had been plaguing me all day. I turned off the letter and set it next to me, imagining myself in the living room of my parents' house, Josiah and Emma playing with my tail.
I was normally pleased with my career here, but this was another episode when nothing was superior to spending quality time with my loved ones down on terra firma. It may have been strange, but I was having trouble visualizing my parents in my head, a testament to the grueling separation from them I had undergone.
I let my wings droop at my sides and hung my head, staring at my feet as I rocked them back and forth. I was not sad or in danger of crying, I was merely downcast, craving prematurely an event that would not happen for another fourteen days.
But time changed its pace for no one, and so I had no choice but to live my life at normal speed.
Needless to say, I was startled by the chain of three knocks at my door, after which a voice I knew by heart spoke almost inaudibly.
"Theo, dear, it's me. May I come in?"
I heaved myself off the bed and trudged over to the door, grabbing my pass and presenting it to the reader. I turned and aimed my throw, chucking the plastic rectangle skillfully back onto the messy shelf.
When I turned back around, I saw my wife standing less than a foot away from me, wearing a fine satin dress dyed a deep shade of red, an inviting smile on her face. It was not exactly appropriate for her to be wandering about this late, but I was sure no one had seen her on the way from her bedroom to mine.
I stepped back to give her room to enter, and she did, just before the door sealed itself.
"Hello, my pretty Jewel. What brings you here?" I greeted, a hint of negativity in my tone.
"Nothing much. I just wanted to check up on you, sweetie."
"I'm glad you did, because I'm… not feeling well."
I went back over to my bed and assumed my former position, slumping like a puppet that had had its strings snipped. I may have been a reclusive macaw, but I would never hide my inner feelings and problems from her. She was my wife and deserved to know if anything was amiss with me.
She imitated me and sat down on my left, draping her wing over my back.
"What do you mean, Theo? You're not sick, are you?"
"No, I'm not sick. I'm depressed because one of my officers nearly got ripped to pieces, my good friend Tara left without saying goodbye, and I miss my family. Long story short, I'm not happy at all…"
She took to massaging my plumage up and down tenderly, giving me a soft kiss on the cheek.
"Theo, it'll be alright. Rough times don't last forever."
"Yeah…"
"And besides, I know one reason why you should be very happy."
I shot her a curious, morose look.
"And what reason is that, Jewel?"
She leaned a bit closer and cooed, "You have me."
My heart fluttered in my chest, and through her words did I attain my first small victory over my sour mood.
"Honey… you always manage to say the right thing at the right moment…"
I returned the favor and kissed her cheek, my eyes shimmering.
"Feeling better, Theo?"
"A little. Yes, a little," I replied sheepishly.
"Then we're already off to a good start."
"Maybe so. I thank you for your help, Jewel."
"No, you don't have to thank me, sweetie. I'm your wife, and it's my job to cheer you up whenever you're feeling down. Now, what do you say we take that uniform off of you so that your feathers can breathe?"
She scooted off the comforter and planted herself in front of me, reaching out with her wings to grab the sleeves of my shirt.
"Jewel, wait. Let me undo the button."
"Sure."
I craned my neck around and fiddled with the gold fastener halfway down the fabric, easing it out of the slit gently. My shirt loosened a bit, and Jewel tugged with just the right amount of force as I turned back to face her.
The rear of the shirt split down the middle, and the two halves slid off my limp wings with ease. She folded it neatly and placed it on the shelf, but what she did next totally caught me off guard.
My stomach churned and I gulped nervously as she reached for my shorts.
"Um… Jewel… I think… you should… leave them on. I… uh… would rather… sleep in them…"
She paused and rolled her eyes, a certain type of smile on her face that only made me more nervous.
"Don't talk nonsense, Theo. When I said 'uniform,' I meant shirt and shorts. It's not like I haven't seen every part of your body before."
"But… but… honey… I-"
She rested her longest primary on my beak, shushing me.
"No buts, Theo. You should be flattered that I am doing this for you. Consider it preparation for when it's my turn..."
In a painfully slow maneuver, she slid them off my waist and legs, piling them on top of the other article of clothing on the shelf. I gulped again and felt the butterflies spring to life in my gut, fully aware that my… intimate area was exposed to her.
"Jewel… this is… pretty close to… torture."
"Not to me, sweetie. You look handsome from head to tail… as does everything in between."
Her rich comment did away with some of my unrest, but not all of it.
"Are you ready, Theo?"
"Ready for what?" I asked shakily.
She turned her back to me and pinched the knotted string on the back of the dress with her beak. With three skillful tugs, the knot unraveled and the dress sagged by a small amount. She seductively stared at me with her right eye as she partially unfurled her wings.
"This…"
And then, without a sound, the dress flowed down her body and ended up on the floor in a haphazard mound.
The sight was so erotic my heart started hammering in my chest. A tingling sensation erupted all over me as my feathers puffed out own their own, especially the scruff on the back of my neck.
She was so gorgeous and sleek, her feathers flashing with a luster superior to mine. I raked my gaze from her neck to the tip of her tail, my perturbed condition vanishing and being replaced by one of awe.
"Jewel… wow… you're… an angel…"
"Thank you, sweetie. You enjoy seeing me naked, don't you?" she asked devilishly.
"I… I… yes…"
"I love the sound of that. Now I know how I can tempt you in the future."
She turned halfway and presented her sublime chest and stomach to me, coming so close that my feet brushed her belly and her passionate scent washed over me. She administered a playful shove to my chest, knocking me painlessly onto my back.
She then hopped onto the bed and reclined on my left side, nuzzling her luxurious plumage against me. She draped her wing over my chest and hugged me alluringly, kissing my neck for what seemed like an eternity.
I rolled my head in her direction and came face-to-face with her, losing myself in the warm oceans of paradise that were her teal eyes. I felt so touched and loved by her affection my heart nearly burst, a rush of sugary delight flooding my inner walls.
"Jewel… you're so enchanting… you're the best wife… in the world."
"And you are the best husband in the world, Theo. I didn't need to meet them all and compare, because I… met… you."
Her endearing words were too much, and I could not stop the jovial tears from pooling in my eyes.
"Jewel… now and forever… I want you to be mine. I want to hold you… keep you safe… and comfort you… until our last day together. And you know why? Because… because I love you with all my heart and soul, Jewel."
"I can say the exact same about my love for you, Theo. You're not just a very special macaw… you're my very special macaw."
Our eyes drew shut as our beaks converged for a wet, passionate kiss, and she squeezed herself oh-so-tight against me. When it ended and we resorted to gazing dreamily at each other, she wiped my tears away and sighed heavenly.
"Theo?" she whispered.
"Yes, my dear Jewel?"
"Do you think… I'll be a good mother when we decide to have children?"
I didn't even have to contemplate the answer to such a question.
"I have complete faith that you'll be an excellent mother, honey. But why are you asking me this?"
She shifted to make herself more comfortable and cleared her throat.
"I've been dealing with an urge, Theo. My subconscious wants me to satisfy my body… by having sex with you. Something deep down wants me to take the next step in our relationship and become pregnant with our children. I know it's sudden, and I'm sorry if it upsets you…"
My pupils enlarged as I searched her eyes for any hint of trickery; there was none, and her bluntness came as sort of a shock.
"Jewel… I'm not upset. This is just… um… a bit jarring."
"I made up my mind that I would tell you today, because I want to know… what your opinion is. Are you willing to try for children with me?"
"Forgive me, Jewel, but I… I'm not ready for that level of commitment. I don't doubt your abilities, I doubt mine. Me being a father sounds so… awkward and intimidating. I… I won't be able to handle the responsibility. Not yet."
She tilted her eyes down to look at her feet, as if my refusal had wounded her.
"That's fine, Theo," she mumbled. "It wouldn't be right for me to force you into doing something you don't want to. I have more respect for you than that."
Her words carried a reassuring tone, and my newborn dread was extinguished. She tilted her eyes back up and met my gaze, a faint smile manifesting on her beak.
"It's true that I want to feel what it's like to have sex with you, but I don't want to ruin our first time by using any sort of protection. When your heart tells you it's time, you let me know, and we'll seal our love. I want us to experience that passion without any regrets or fear. I want us to work together, so that it will be one of the happiest times in both our lives. And if we don't get the chance to start a family the first time, that's okay. You and I will keep trying until we do."
"Jewel… I don't know what to say. Part of me wants a family with you, but the other part doesn't. Maybe in the future, after I've had some time to prepare…"
"Don't rush yourself, sweetie. Take all the time you need. We have our whole lives ahead of us, after all."
"Okay, Jewel. I'm so glad… you're on my side. I'm so glad… you're not angry with me. It would break my heart if I ever made you feel bad."
"Theo, why would I be ever let myself get angry with you over something like this? You're my husband, not some lazy slave."
I frowned and averted my eyes in shame.
"I'm sorry, honey. I shouldn't have said that. I-"
She jerked my beak towards hers and assaulted my senses with a marvelous kiss, an explosion of flavor going off as her tongue danced with mine. I melted like butter dropped onto a hot skillet, letting loose a muffled moan of pleasure. She broke off the kiss ten seconds later, a clipped smacking sound emanating from our beaks as they parted.
She said gingerly, "Don't apologize for thinking and acting the way you do, Theodore. Your rare, charming personality is why falling in love with you felt so right, and I don't want the macaw I said 'I do' to all those months ago to change. I want him to promise to always be himself…"
My soul bathed in the flourish of bliss from our kiss, I inhale a deep breath and let my heart do the talking.
"I promise, Jewel…"
She bestowed an airy peck on the spot between my eyes, and then dragged the pillows along for us. She propped my head up first and then did the same with hers, using her beak to pull one side of the blanket over us. I grabbed the other side and swaddled us with another layer of the insulating fabric, our combined body heat and aromas pooling inside our cocoon.
"I'm tired, handsome, and I want nothing more than to fall asleep in your wings…"
"Likewise, my sparkling Jewel."
In a moderately-loud voice I said, "Ceiling light intensity to 10%," and the bulb grew much darker, spewing out a very dim, calming yellow aura. I faced my wife and rested my head on the portion of her neck just below her beak.
"Goodnight, honey. See you in the morning…" I sighed, yawning as drowsiness cast its spell on me.
"Goodnight, handsome."
My eyelids grew too heavy to keep open as I submitted myself to sleep's embrace, my sense of consciousness leaking away as the seconds ticked by. Moments before I drifted away to worlds unknown, she cooed one final line to me and postponed my exit.
"Theo… I love you. And I always will…"
"I love you too. You're my jewel among the stars, and I will never let you go…"
She molded her body to mine, our bellies rubbing and our chests touching as we breathed. I could feel her heart beating through my skin in a tranquil rhythm, and it goes without saying that she could feel mine as well.
And so it was that we lulled each other to sleep in our chamber of love and togetherness, setting our minds free like a pair of azure balloons on a summer breeze.
Toss me a review? *Puppy dog eyes.
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