Earth Husbands are Odd (Earth Fathers #2) - Lyn Gala Page 0,61

me.”

“Husbanding can be terminated. Then Rick has circumscribed laws regulating sale of—” The judge stopped. No doubt he was wondering how unbalanced Max might get if he said ugly again. If these guys ever picked up American television broadcasts and saw old episodes of Dexter or pretty much any true crime documentary, they were going to shoot down human ships the second they appeared in the more populated parts of space.

“I would not terminate husbanding!” Rick sounded offended down to his last curling tentacle. When they left the hearing and lost access to the business translator, Max was going to miss being able to hear Rick’s emotions reflected in his tone.

“You legally have the right to terminate husbanding. Even Unbalanced Max says as much. This is unacceptable. Unbalanced Max has committed unacceptable trading.”

That did not sound good.

Rick blasted a whale-song that didn’t translate. “I take Max as...” The statement ended in a belch-song.

“That didn’t translate,” Max said.

Rick didn’t explain—the judge did. “Some species not asymmetrical create relationship that cannot be terminated. What belongs to one belongs to the other. Asymmetrical species do not register such relationships.”

“I am husband to Max. I register...” And that was another belch-song.

The judge turned to Max. “Do Unbalanced ones have a marriage relationship that cannot be ended?”

“Um, yeah.” Unfortunately, the business translator was going to broadcast his uncertainty. One of the guys in the unit had been Mormon, and he had expected his marriage to survive death and didn’t believe divorce was possible because their souls had been joined in a temple. However, that was not part of Max’s more nebulous religious tradition. “Churches have that.”

“So do laws,” Dee said. “My cousin has a covenant marriage registered with the state of Louisiana. That comes with a lot more rules, and it’s designed to remain ‘til-death-do-us-part very literally. So... ” She shrugged.

Rick straightened his tentacles. “I register a covenant marriage.” He was using the same belch-song, but the computer had obviously accepted Dee’s translation. “He may have access to my possessions. He may buy or sell from my account.”

“And you can buy or sell from mine,” Max said. “In fact, most people who get married only have one account and both people have access to it.”

“Logical,” the judge said. “A covenant marriage cannot be voided. If you no longer fit or are not having compatible goals, each will still have access to the account of the other.”

Max took a deep breath. “I am fine with that.”

Rick grabbed Max with several tentacles. “I am happy with that,” he said. And with the fancy translator running, joy filled his voice.

“Describe Unbalanced ones’ requirement for vows and I will register marriaging and covenant marriage.”

“Um, we say vows to each other in front of witnesses and then file paperwork so the government knows that we are married.” Max looked at Dee to see if she had anything to add. She nodded without saying anything. He could add that family should be present, but he was nervous enough about having Kohei and Rick off the ship. He couldn’t have all the kids vulnerable at once, and they sure as hell couldn’t leave the ship undefended.

“I am ignorant of the vow to say,” Rick said.

Max had watched enough television to have a general idea of what he should say, but he didn’t think standard words described their rather non-standard relationship. “You say what you feel. Traditionally, you say I promise to love and respect you, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, for the rest of our lives. But I would add that I will always love the way you blow raspberries when I say something stupid and never hold the stupidity against me. I love that you’re patient and I promise to try to avoid trying your patience too much. I love what a good father you are, and I promise to always work with you to raise beautiful children. No matter what the universe throws at us, I promise that I will always put you first because you are my family.”

Rick rotated a little, but he couldn’t go far without loosening some of his tentacles, and he didn’t do that. Then Rick spoke, his translated voice soft with emotion. “I promise to love and respect you, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, for the rest of our lives. I would add that I will always love the way you tangle tentacles with me when I am afraid or angry and you never tell