The snow and sleet pelted the window softly as the storm continued strong as ever. Ori’s slender fingers gently explored the tree ornaments, and he seemed unaware of his soft glow. His opalescent skin reflected the twinkle lights and he began to camouflage right in.

The house was silent now, and she was grateful her family was in bed at last. She walked to the other room and the soft sweet sound of White Christmas enveloped them.

He turned to her in excitement, “Is this better music?”

She nodded, and extended a hand to him. He accepted with an eyebrow raised. Leonora pulled him close and placed his hands on her hips then moved her own to his shoulders. She started to sway to the melody, and he followed as best he could. A warm smile crept across her face, and she buried herself in his cool board chest. She began to make a soft sound mimicking the music.

“Humming,” he said confidently.

She nodded against him. “And you’re dancing.”

A warm sense of triumph thrummed through him, and he stood a little taller.

When the song ended, he kissed her softly.

“They’re going to wonder where I am,” he muttered, almost ashamed to end such a blissful day of discovery. “I have to go.”

“Right now?”

“Soon.”

She had already made her choice hours ago. Pushing through the exhaustion, she retreated to her room then returned with her uniform on and her duffle over her shoulder. Marching right past him to the kitchen, she grabbed a pen and paper then started to right,

“Where do you think you’re off to,” he came up behind her and grabbed her hips softly pulling her to him.

“It’s my turn to follow you home,” she announced. “Don’t worry mom and dad are pretty used to the cryptic notes and disappearing act.”

The words were foreign to him. Auditory translators were a requirement for intergalactic relations, but the written word remained a luxury.

She read it for him.

“Thanks for a great Christmas. Best yet. Called back to base early. I will check in when I can.”

At the bottom a word was scrawled out larger and more artfully. He pointed to it.

“That’s my name.”

He traced it slowly, focusing intently to memorize each curve and swirl on the paper. He wanted to know her in all her forms.

—