Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

The Lna 312

Xena's POV

"I have a gift for you," Ryder said, his voice warm with affection. "It's in the car. Want to come with me to get it?

I looked at him suspiciously, my instincts telling me this wasn't just any ordinary gift. Ama was grinning too, which only deepened my curiosity. "Is this what you went out to get last night?" I asked.

Ryder nodded, that mysterious smile never leaving his face. "Come on."

I followed him to the parking lot, and I watched as Ryder moved to the back seat

of his car with purpose. He retrieved an elegant white box.

“Here, he said, placing the box carefully on the hood of his car. “Open it."

My hands trembled slightly as I approached the box. Something about the weight of the moment, the careful way Ryder was watching me, told me this was significant. I lifted the lid slowly, and my breath caught in my throat.

Inside, nestled in soft foam padding, was a prosthetic hand. But this wasn't just any prosthetic-it was sleek, sophisticated, clearly cutting-edge technology. The neural-controlled prosthetics that Ama had mentioned. My eyes filled with tears. "Ryder," I whispered, my voice breaking with emotion. I looked up at him, and the love in his eyes was overwhelming. "You got it. You actually got it."

"It's what you deserve," he said simply, stepping closer. "It's what I should have done from the beginning."

I threw my good arm around him, pulling him into a fierce embrace. "I love you," I said against his chest.

"Let me help you put it on," he said softly, his hands gentle as he began to position the prosthetic.

Ryder's fingers worked with practiced precision, securing the neural interfaces to my residual limb. He adjusted straps and calibrated connections. When he finished, I stared down at my new left hand. The fingers responded to my thoughts, flexing and moving with fluid grace. The sensation was extraordinary- not quite the same as my original hand, but something new and powerful. I could feel pressure, texture, even temperature through the advanced sensors. My throat tightened with overwhelming gratitude as I realized I was whole again, different but complete.

at Ryder with a grin. "I want to test out

Ryder's eyebrows shot/up. "You

responsiveness. "I want to see if I can

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Chapter 312

the internal battle playing out in his expression. Finally, he sighed. "Alright. Though I don't love

link to Ama.

everything covered here. Just be back at your shop by 5:45. The ribbon-cutting ceremony is at 6, which won't take long, and we can be back

was worried about losing Penelope

when I need three months off in a few months," Ama's mental voice was

I'll owe

I want our kids to be close in age, and you're falling

replied, grinning

clothes first,"

Ryder pulled me

love you too," I replied without

then put on his own. Seeing that he was ready,

me.

was like I had lost a part of myself and finally found it again. True excitement filled my heart

oncoming traffic, I even let my skirt fly up, which brought back that butterfly feeling. The tension in Ryder's body was dissipating, being replaced by something... primal. I knew I was going to be in trouble, but that only made things more interesting. His eyes would

looked amazing. The parking lot was beautiful, planted with

adapting well," Ryder said as he parked

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