The patch of sunlight blurred as tears clouded her vision.
“That’s what I came over here to talk to you about,” Toivo said, resting a comforting hand on her shoulder. “I’ve talked it over with the rest of the Fortunatis, and we were hoping that you would marry us. I know it’s not a romantic match, but we all love and care about you, and we’re fond of the Tendu, too.”
Juna stared at him for a long moment, blinking in surprise. Then she burst out laughing.
“It’s not a joke, Juna,” Toivo said. “We’re serious.”
She got control of herself. “I know you are,” she said, wiping tears of hysterical laughter out of her eyes. “It’s just— Well, it isn’t every day that I get proposed to by my own brother.”
“Come on, Juna, it isn’t like that.”
“I know, Toivo, but it is funny.”
“I guess so, but it’s not that unusual. There are lots of group marriages with sibs in them.”
“What about Isi and Netta-7ati? Have you talked to them about this?”
“Isi thinks it’s a good idea. He said that if you would marry into the Fortunati group, he will too. That way the vineyard would stay in the family.”
“And Netta?”
“Well, she isn’t as keen on it as Isi, but she understands. Anetta wants you to be happy, Juna. If this solution brings you happiness, then she approves.”
“I need to talk this over with the Tendu.”
Toivo nodded.
“How does the family feel about them?”
“The kids are all excited about having Moki around, and Selena practically worships the ground that Ukatonen walks on. The rest are fond of Moki and impressed by Ukatonen. The important thing is that they all want you, Juna. They trust you, and they’re willing to trust the Tendu.”
“Can you give us a day or two to think about it?”
“Take all the time you need, Juna. There’s no rush. As far as the Fortunati are concerned, the wedding is just a formality. You’re already part of the family.”
“It seems like a good solution for everyone,” Ukatonen said, after Juna told him about the proposal. “You would be marrying into a family that cares about you. The family likes Moki, and you’ve said that they trust me. What other problems are there?”
“I’m marrying into my brother’s family, for one.”
“I thought you said that sibs often married into the same group marriage.”
“Yes, but it’s usually a pair of brothers, or a pair of sisters. It’s much less common for a brother and a sister to enter into the same group marriage.” She shook her head. “If we weren’t well known, then it wouldn’t matter much. A few of the neighbors might gossip, but that would be it. Because we’re famous, it’ll make the top screen on Net News.”
“I don’t understand,” Moki said. “What’s wrong with brothers and sisters marrying?”
“A taboo against close relatiyes marrying is how we have traditionally prevented inbreeding.”
“I wondered how humans prevented this. Our offspring are so widely scattered that inbreeding is highly unlikely.
“Let others talk. This is what is good for you and your daughter, and you should do it,” Ukatonen advised. “As an enkar, I cannot be formally joined to your brother’s family, but I am honored that they trust me enough to let me live with you.”
“Moki?” Juna asked. “How do you feel about it?”
“It will be great to live with Danan and Toivo, and everyone else!” he said enthusiastically. “But won’t Anetta and Teuvo be lonely?”
“We’ll see them all the time,” Juna assured him. “They’ll be all right. Isi is going to marry into the Fortunati family also. And Aunt Anetta understands.”
“If it’s all right with them, then I want to do it,” Moki said.
’Then it’s settled. Let’s go over to the Fortunati’s and tell them that we’ll marry them,” Juna said. She felt an immense sense of relief wash over her with these words. She was going to be able to keep her daughter.
“I don’t know, the lavender is too washed out, and the red is just a little too bright for a wedding gown,” Juna remarked to Selena as they looked through a slate full of wedding catalogs. They had been looking through the catalogs for over a week, and still hadn’t settled on a dress.
Just then the comm chimed. Juna recognized the ring. It was for her. She set the reading slate down and got up to answer it.
It was Abeo Xaviera. “It’s good to see you again, Juna,” she said. “I have good news. Raoul tells me that the Survey has arranged for you and the Tendu to go to Earth.”
Juna’s throat tightened in sudden excitement. Somehow the Xavieras had done it! They were going to Earth!
“That’s wonderful news! When?”
“In about six weeks.”
“Urn,” Juna said, glancing over at Selena on the couch. She had hoped for a longer honeymoon. “I’m getting married in about a month.”
“So I hear,” Abeo said. “I wanted to congratulate you and wish you every happiness.”
Juna blushed. She kept forgetting that her life was headline news. “Thank you,” she said.
Abeo shrugged. “It was not only my doing. Ukatonen and Mold’s work at Snyder Hospital made the diplomats realize what they had. It didn’t take much leverage to get the door open after that. It was merely a matter of speeding up what was already in the works.”
“Well, thank you for whatever you did, and please thank Raoul for me as well. I wish the Tendu were here so that they could thank you too.”
“You are most welcome, Juna. I was glad to have so easily paid the debt my family owed you.”
“Easy for you, not for us,” Juna said.
“Ah, yes. That is the seed from which commerce grows, is it not?”
Juna nodded.
“I was glad to have been of service. Please pass our family’s greetings on to the Tendu.”
“I will, and please pass ours along to your family. We would be honored if you came to our wedding.”
Abeo inclined her head graciously. “Thank you, Juna. I shall see if Quang and I can make it. Your new family is fortunate indeed to be acquiring such a gifted new wife,” she said. “I will leave you to your wedding plans. You have a great deal to do in a very short time.”
“Good-bye, Abeo, and thank you,” Juna said. She was coming to like Abeo, she realized, though she was grateful that she was not one of her co-wives.
The screen went blank, and Juna looked up. Selena was staring at her openly.
“Was that— ?” she asked.
“Abeo Xaviera,” Juna finished for her. “Yes, it was. She owed me a favor.”
“She owed you a favor. Abeo Xaviera owed you a favor.” Selena sounded stunned.
“The Xavieras courted me, very*briefly,” Juna explained. “It didn’t work out. They felt that they owed me a favor because of it.”
“You were courted by the Xavieras,” Selena repeated incredulously.
“Didn’t Toivo tell you? That’s where we went after the news of the Tendu’s healings broke.”
“You turned them down?” Selena said, still amazed.
“Selena, the Xavieras wanted access to the Tendu. So I turned them down. It wouldn’t have been good for either the Tendu or me. I know I’ll be happier here with you. You’ve always been family, and that’s what I want.”
Selena lifted her chin toward the comm unit. “She sounded disappointed that you didn’t marry them, and I don’t blame her. I don’t think I’ve told you how glad I am that you’re joining our family. I’ve always admired you, Juna. You’re so strong-willed and determined.”
Juna let out a short, derisive laugh. “That’s what ended my first marriage. I didn’t want to stay home and mind the children.”