This is the fourth book of "Stories from Chakona" serie set in the concepts and ideas created by  goldfur
The present story is titled "Ties of Life" and tells the continuation of previous three books. Drawing by  sethtriggs

I hope you enjoy it.

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CHAPTER 16

Dusk was bathing the windows of the Civitas Grand Resort when Sorah and Regthar arrived at Varta and Avik’s room. The elderly Renzar couple were preparing for their imminent return to Grom, and the atmosphere was charged with a mix of nostalgia and anticipation.
Sorah, her eyes shining with excitement, could not contain her feelings.

"Dad, Mom, I can't express how glad I am that you two have made peace after so many years."
Varta smiled mockingly.

"Don't celebrate victory just yet, my dear. Your father has a long way to go if he truly desires my forgiveness. This is just the beginning."

"Mom!" Sorah exclaimed, surprised by the harshness in Varta's tone.

Avik, however, remained calm. "It's okay, Sorah. It's just what your mother said."

As the adults chatted, little Hajo explored the room with childlike curiosity. Varta watched him tenderly.
"I will miss my grandson so much. I hope I can come back when Lien is born."
Suddenly, Avik adopted a more serious tone.

"Regthar, Sorah, there is something Varta and I would like to propose to you."
Regthar, who had been sitting comfortably until then, sat up, his ears pricked up in interest.

"What's this about, Avik?"

The elderly businessman exchanged a glance with Varta before continuing.
"Children, we have been thinking... What if you were to return to live in Grom, near us?"

The proposal came as a bombshell. Sorah and Regthar looked at each other in astonishment, unable to articulate a word. Varta took advantage of the silence to intervene.

"We've thought about it a lot. We'd love to see Hajo and Lien grow up. Also, Sorah, you could meet your other siblings. I'm sure they'd get along famously."
Avik turned to Regthar, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Son, you could take a management position in my company. Or if you prefer, I could sponsor your career in the world sports league. I know how much you love Khudok, and I've heard wonders about your skills as a fighter."

Sorah, touched, could barely murmur: "Dad... Do you really want this?"

"Daughter, we only wish the best for you and our grandchildren," Varta replied, hugging her. Avik added

"Regthar, your adopted children are also welcome. As citizens of Grom, Esteban, Lilethe and Doren would have no problem emigrating."
Regthar watched Hajo, who oblivious to the conversation, was trying to open one of his grandparents' suitcases. After a moment of reflection, the burly Khudok fighter sighed.

"Avik, are you serious?"

"Very seriously, son," the old renzar replied, his voice cracking with emotion.

"I made so many mistakes with you... I am old and my life will not be very long, I suppose. Hajo and Lien are my only blood grandchildren. Perhaps I am asking too much, I know."

"Avik..." Regthar began, but the old renzar interrupted him.

"It's just our wish. Of course, the decision is yours. We will respect whatever you decide."

"Dad, this is a very generous offer, but also very unexpected..." Sorah intervened.

"We understand, daughter," Varta said. "You will have time to think about it. As Avik mentioned, we will respect your decision."
Regthar nodded thoughtfully. "That's true, it's something unforeseen. After what happened with Tanyio, we built a new life here in Chakona. We never considered the possibility of returning to Grom."

"And you both did admirably!" Varta exclaimed with motherly pride. "Like true renzars, you two overcame adversity and forged ahead."

"If you two decide to return to Grom," Avik added with moist eyes, "everything will be different, as it should have been from the beginning."

At that moment, little Hajo, sensing his grandfather's emotion, came over and hugged his leg. Avik, touched, stroked the boy's head, thanking him for the comfort he had given him with that simple gesture.

Sorah and Regthar looked at each other, clasping their hands. A whirlwind of emotions overwhelmed them, but they both knew that this was not the time to make such a momentous decision. Now the future stretched out before them like a vast, unexplored horizon.

***

Dusk was casting warm tones over the streets of the residential neighborhoods of Amistad when Natany Sivem got out of her police vehicle. The Renzar officer walked forward with a determined step, her wide bare feet feeling the cold cement of the sidewalk. Her mind, however, was a whirlwind of restless thoughts.

Gerak-Nee’s prolonged silence had left her feeling increasingly worried. Though she knew of the Rakshani’s enigmatic nature, Gerak had always seemed focused and reliable. His sudden absence stirred a mixture of intrigue and fear in her. Had he lost interest? Or had she unwittingly made some mistake that had offended him?

As she made her way through the streets of the neighborhood, the uncertainty that had been weighing her down gave way to a steely determination. She had never taken the initiative to visit a mate since her arrival in Chakona, but this time she felt the urgent need to see Gerak and silence once and for all the storm that was raging inside her.

Guided by the map on her PADD, Natany approached the feline's home. Her blue uniform stood out in the dying light of dusk. Arriving in front of the door, she took a deep breath to calm her nerves and knocked with three soft but firm knocks.

The door opened, revealing a robust and jovial female Rakshani, dressed in light clothing. Natany's eyes widened in surprise.

"Good afternoon, Officer," the resident greeted with an enigmatic smile as her thick tail swayed in curiosity. "How may I help you?"

Natany, bewildered, stammered out a reply. "Good... afternoon. I... was looking for Gerak-Nee. I seem to have gotten into the wrong address. Sorry for the inconvenience."

"You're not mistaken, officer. This is Gerak's house. But tell me, did something happen to him? Is he in any trouble?" the female asked in a worried tone.
"No, there's no problem," Natany was quick to clarify. "It's just that he's my..."

"Oh, you're Gerak's friend!" the feline exclaimed excitedly. "I'm Traisha, his girlfriend. Nice to meet you."

Those words fell on Natany like a bucket of cold water. A shiver ran down her spine, making her fur stand on end, and her legs threatened to give way.

"Girlfriend?" she repeated, incredulous.

“Of course! I arrived in Chakona a few days ago. It was quite a tiring trip.”

Natany's mind was spinning, trying to process the information.

"I didn't know Gerak had a partner," she muttered, struggling to maintain her composure.

Traisha laughed softly. "I'm not surprised. Gerak can be quite absent-minded. Do you want to come in?"

"Is Gerak home?" Natany asked, although she was already dreading the answer.

"No, but he shouldn't be long. Why don't you wait for him?"

"No!" Natany exclaimed, more vehemently than she intended. "I must return to headquarters. I have... unfinished business."

"I understand. I'll tell him you stopped by. What's your name?"

"Natany," she replied, almost in a whisper.

"Thank you for visiting, Officer Natany. Have a nice evening," Traisha said goodbye, softly closing the door.

Natany stood still for a moment, overcome by a wave of emotions. Then she turned and hurried away towards her vehicle. Above her, the first stars timidly peeked out of the sky that was beginning to darken, just as her heart was now doing.

Upon reaching her PTV, Natany leaned against it, feeling her strength leaving her. The tears, held back until that moment, began to flow, wetting the fur on her face. With trembling hands, she tried to dry them, while the night cold enveloped her on that lonely street in Amistad.

***

The hustle and bustle of the spaceport surrounded Esteban, Lilethe, and Doren as they awaited the arrival of the Renzars. The three had gathered there for a specific purpose: to see off Avik and Varta, Sorah's parents, who were returning to Grom after an extended stay in Chakona.

Lilethe, with a hint of impatience in her voice, commented, "Perhaps we are getting ahead of ourselves." Her eyes scanned the crowd passing by, looking for any sign of the Renzar.

Esteban, in a conciliatory tone, replied: "Patience, love. They will be here soon." As he spoke, he exchanged playful kisses with Doren, oblivious to Lilethe's concern.

The brown skunk, always alert to his surroundings, suddenly exclaimed: "A skunktaur! Give me a kiss, Esteban!" Hys request was quickly fulfilled by the engineer.

It wasn't long before Esteban turned the tables: "A human! Now it's my turn."

Doren, with a mischievous smile, immediately agreed: "I'd be happy to." Their lips met in a kiss full of affection and complicity.

The scene, however, did not please Lilethe, who reprimanded them seriously: "Please behave. Don't be childish."

Esteban, far from feeling reprimanded, shrugged his shoulders: "Come on, it's just a harmless game.".

Doren, in an attempt to include Lilethe in his fun, explained: "It's simple: if we see a human, I kiss Esteban. If it's a skunktaur, he kisses me. Won't you join in?"
The nurse, however, declined the invitation: "I'm sorry, but today has been a tiring day at work. I'm a bit tired."

At this confession, Doren and Esteban exchanged a knowing glance. "In that case," the skunk declared, "we'll give you kisses!" They both then planted kisses on Lilethe's cheeks.

"Better now?" Esteban asked with a mischievous smile.

The tension on Lilethe's face melted away, giving way to genuine laughter.

"Oh! I don't know what I would do without you two. I love you two so much," hy confessed, wrapping them in a warm hug.

"And we love you," Doren replied, as Esteban sealed the moment with a tender kiss on Lilethe's lips.

The gesture, however, aroused in the nurse more intense sensations than hy had expected. "Esteban," hy murmured, "you're turning me on. You'd better control yourself." In an attempt to moderate hys libido, Lilethe turned hys thoughts to the past, nostalgically evoking their first encounter.

"Honey," hy said to Esteban, "do you remember when we met right here at the spaceport?"

The human, tuning into Lilethe's memories, smiled as he replied,

"How could I forget! I was impressed. Your green eyes, your intense gaze, and your..."

"Sexy cleavage?" Doren interrupted mischievously.

"Hey!" Esteban protested, although without any real annoyance.

Lilethe, amused by the situation, insisted: "Come on, Esteban, admit that Doren is right. I know you looked at my cleavage that day too."
Finally, the engineer gave in with a laugh: "Okay, I confess. Even Regthar noticed it."

“Yes, it was also the first time I saw Regthar. Wow… It’s been a long time,” the nurse commented nostalgically.

At that moment, four imposing figures emerged from the crowd. Avik and Varta, dragging small suitcases, led the group. Behind them, Sorah and Regthar walked hand in hand, while little Hajo rode happily on his father's shoulders.

“Hi guys! Thanks for coming,” Varta greeted with a warm smile. Avik, for his part, added in a deep voice:

“It’s a pleasure to see you all. I hope you are all well.”

“We are, Mr. Avik,” Lilethe replied with an affirmative movement of hys tail.

Patriarch Renzar continued:

“Our departure time is approaching. We want to thank you for coming to see us off. Chakona has been a wonderful experience for Varta and me.” Turning his gaze to Esteban, he added:

“Although you, young man, gave us quite a scare. Your return was, without a doubt, spectacular.”
Esteban, visibly saddened, muttered:

"I'm sorry for all the difficulties I caused you."

Regthar, in a fatherly gesture, ruffled the human's hair.

"Relax, Esteban. No one blames you for anything."

“And you will come back again?” Lilethe suddenly asked.

“Of course! We wouldn’t miss Lien’s birth for anything in the world.”

Avik nodded firmly: “Exactly! I swear by Grom that we will be here to welcome our granddaughter.”
The emotional moment reached its climax when Sorah hugged her parents, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

"Dad, Mom, I love you so much. Thank you for everything."

Varta caressed her daughter's face tenderly. "We are so proud of you, my daughter."

Avik, addressing the couple, added, "Both of you. Regthar, I'm sure your father would be as proud as I am. And remember, our offer still stands."

"We'll seriously consider it, Avik. Thank you," Regthar replied sincerely, returning the hug.

“Well, it’s time to go. Take care of yourselves, everyone. Especially you, little human,” Varta said, hugging them all again. Avik, noticing Natany’s absence, declared:

“Please, Regthar, tell us goodbye to your sister. It is a pity that she did not come.”

"She must have had some problems at work. You know how complicated police work is sometimes," the Renzar explained.

At that moment, Lilethe was able to capture the strong emotions of everyone with hys empathetic talent. An amalgam of sadness and joy filled the atmosphere.

After bidding farewell to the family, Varta and Avik finally made their way to their gate to board the cruise to the planet of the Renzar. The group remained silent, watching as the couple disappeared into the crowd. Regthar, breaking the stillness of the moment, placed Hajo in Doren's care, while he hugged his wife. After giving her a warm kiss, the male surprised everyone with a sudden proposal:

“Grrr… Family! How about a family campout in Silver Lake this weekend?”

Everyone was pleasantly surprised by the suggestion.

“Wohaaa! Sounds good to me!” Doren exclaimed with glee.

“Esteban, still in disbelief, questioned: “Are you serious, Regthar?”

"Absolutely, son. It's something I've wanted to do for a long time," the renzar said.

Lilethe, supporting the idea, approached Regthar and took him by the arm. "I love the plan," hy said with a smile.

“Excellent! We will use the work PTV, which is more spacious and comfortable for everyone. Lilethe, you will be my co-pilot.”

“At your service, Daddy Bear!” the nurse responded enthusiastically.

With renewed energy, the group left the spaceport headed home, eager to begin preparations for their first family trip.