The Holidaze (Part 1)

copyright 2023 comidacomida

Despite how well the Phin population had been growing on Land Earth since the Integration Accord, Max rarely encountered the Phin submarine/hydrofoil combo Humans referred to as 'The Flying Fish' but, as part of their vacation to the southern hemisphere, Carver managed to rent one for them to use.  It was one of the smaller ones, only marginally lager than a sailboat, but it was more than enough for the two of them.

Carver had promised to do something impressive for Max's 30th birthday, which also coincided with their 10th anniversary (not the day, specifically, or even the same month, but at least it was the same year).  Although it was an amazing gesture, and the first time either had managed to get away from their posts at the Unity Centre, Max's mind always returned there.  "I hope Sam and Nick are alright."

Carver, working the control lines of the craft as the sun set off to their left, let out a clicking whistle of a chuckle. "Careful... you wouldn't want Angel to find out you doubt his ability with kids."

Max smirked at that; his husband was right, of course.  Angel was not only amazing with his own kids, but he became something of the ad hoc babysitter for everyone who'd transitioned from Water Earth to Land Earth when Station Zero closed; he seemed to take special joy in Max and Carver's two sons.  The entirety of the team made the move together, including the Cohen clan and the affiliated Tikk.  It was a strange time and, even almost seven years later, there were occasional moments of tension... especially when the UN came to conduct diplomacy.

Carver's voice slipped past Max's distracted thoughts. "Still thinking about Director Kline's last visit?"

He hadn't, but the Amplus' question immediately brought her to mind.  Max addressed what had surprised him the most. "Her daughter was... amazing."

The Phin began slowing down their boat, letting out a chirping laugh. "And I thought Anin was a handful..."

Max joined him in the laugh; presuming he were in Angie Mae's position and was going to be heading to another Earth he probably would have thought about bringing his two sons along as well but, then again, he would also have probably brought Carver too; the fact that Anin stayed behind on Riparian Earth wasn't lost to him and his laughter slowly trailed off. "I'm not sure I could manage an Ikali family... not knowing the future and uncertain how long things would last... a marriage only lasts five years unless it's renewed?"

Carver stepped away from the controls and went to give the Human a warm embrace. "I suppose it is good you're married to ME then."

Letting out a content sigh, Max laid his head against his husband's large chest. "Mmm... to be honest, I don't think an Ikali would be as fun to cuddle as an Amplus."

He got a gentle bump on the head from Carver's large rostrum. "Funny... I was going to say that a Human is also better than an Ikali."

Max let out a wistful sigh. "Yeah... though I guess Angie Mae and Anin are making it work... they already remarried after the first five years... maybe they'll get married again next year too."

Carver slowly disengaged, bumping the Human's head again softly. "And, if they don't, they'll probably part amicably."

Grinning, Max went to the edge of the boat to gaze off into the distance of the lights of the harbor. "They may have had some bumps in the road to start but dang... they make it look so easy these days."

The Orca came up from behind him to embrace him.  "Funny... she said the same thing about us."

The Human couldn't help himself and he almost laughed out his retort. "You mean when it came to being parents?"

Carver paused for a short while, changing the topic thereafter. "When I said I wanted to go on a holiday trip with you, I'm glad you said 'yes'."

Rotating in his husband's arms, Max looked up into the kind, loving, lavender eyes gazing back down at him. "It's a vacation.  It's you.  And we'll be back in time for Christmas with the boys.  Why wouldn't I say 'yes'?"

The Amplus leaned down and offered Max a kiss; the Human accepted it readily.  As he pulled back, Carver loosened one arm to gestured out into the water. "I know you don't especially like winter, and the Southern Hemisphere is celebrating summer in December, so that was just a bonus..."

Max quirked an eyebrow. "Just a bonus?"

The boat had come to a stop and, since the sun had fully set, the Human noticed that they were surrounded by the black water; the only illumination was far ahead of them in the bay.  Even as Max was distracted, Carver let out a mirthful chirp, and, turning sideways, let Max go, and fell backwards overboard.

The Human let out a cry of alarm, not so much because he was worried that Carver wouldn't be okay in the water, rather, it was from pure surprise.  When he looked over the edge, however, he was taken aback-- astounded.  Looking up from the water, surrounded by ripples of bluish-green light, the Orca called up to him.  "The bio-luminescent plankton bloom!"

Carver had been very tight-lipped about the purpose behind their trip, only promising Max that he would enjoy it and that there were several surprises waiting him.  In that moment, the Human could do nothing but smile; his husband had told him about the experience of swimming, surrounded by bio-luminescence back on Water Earth and promised one day to share in the experience.  That 'some day' had come.  Max didn't hold back, letting out a whooping holler as he launched himself out into the water as well.

He found himself in Carver's arms as he crested the surface, the muted glow still strong enough to outline the Amplus' handsome features in a surreal light.  Smiling at his husband Max reached up a hand to caress the smooth skin of Carver's neck above where the wet suit ended. "I love you, Carver Snyder."

The Orca smiled back in his cetacean way.  "And I love you, Max Snyder."

The two shared a kiss, floating amidst the otherworldly glow, and the Human was happy that, amidst the chaos of the past few years, things finally seemed to be quieting down in the most wonderful of ways.  They remained in the water, holding one another close; Max enjoyed the soft flow of the waves and the way he could hear Carver's heartbeat in the otherwise quiet emptiness.  The Amplus' heartbeat, he realized, was fast.  Surprisingly fast.  "Are you okay, Carver?"

The Orca looked down at him, supporting the Human above the surface of the water even as he sank just a little lower so they could look straight into one anothers eyes; Max marveled at the soft gleam in them from the reflective lens behind the cornea.  Carver gave him a quick kiss. "I DID say there were multiple surprises... right?"

Max nodded, wondering if Carver was feeling 'frisky'.  It had been awhile since they got 'intimate' in the ocean.  "....yes?"

The Amplus' tongue reddened slightly in a blush. "I was originally thinking I would wait until Christmas to give you your present... but this trip seems like a better time."

Carver took hold of one of Max's hands gently by the wrist and lowered it beneath the water.  The Human realized that yes-- Carver was INDEED about to suggest 'getting it on' out at sea.  Before he could speak up, however, the hand was pressed against the Amplus' abdomen.  Max was confused.  "Carver... wh--?"

The Amplus' blush deepened. "I won't change for another month or so... but the doctors confirmed it two weeks ago.  We're having a calf.  Merry Christmas."

It was as if the air had been knocked out of Max's lungs.  He floated in the water for several seconds until a burst of warmth flowed through him, at which point he gave his husband a strong hug.  Looking up into Carver's lavender eyes, the Human couldn't help but smile. "Best present ever."