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After everything, Ripley was done with space. She’d spent most of her adult life on ships, traveling from one world to another, hauling cargo. Between what had happened on the Nostromo and LV-426, she was done with that.
She wasn’t the only one, and she wasn’t the only survivor. She was just the only one home right now.
“Except for you,” Ripley said, turning towards the window. “Get over here, you stubborn cat.”
On the windowsill, Jonesy blinked slowly at her. He’d grown up in space, just a little kitten when she’d picked him up to be part of the Nostromo crew. Until Ripley brought him down here, he’d never lived on a planet before.
“You like it, huh?” Ripley smiled as Jonesy gave another contented blink. “Especially the warm sun. Are you gonna stay there all day?”
It did seem to be his favorite spot, lounging in the afternoon sunlight that streamed through the glass and turned his orange fur to gleaming gold. Now, though, he jumped down and wandered across the living room. With a friendly meow, he jumped onto the couch, climbed into her lap, and head butted her in the chin.
“Uh-huh. I love you too.” Chuckling, Ripley scooped him up and hugged him. He purred, those wonderfully soothing vibrations that calmed her down whenever she woke up from nightmares. “Don’t worry. The others will be back soon, and then we can all have a family night together.”
Jonesy rubbed against her cheek, and she kissed him on top of his furry head. Thankfully, he got along great with Dwayne, Newt, and Bishop, and their house was pretty damn peaceful.
At the sound of familiar voices on the path outdoors, Jonesy ran to the door. Smiling, Ripley followed to let the rest of their family inside.