When the Mulgor didn’t return and additional vessels did not arrive in the Draconian solar system, there was great celebration throughout the fleet.

Indigo and Vlosh went to visit the mating armada to celebrate the birth of Loretta’s baby girl. With another girl being born to the Draconians, it was even further cause for celebration.

Indigo had brought Loretta’s baby a sweet teddy bear from Earth. When they arrived at Mylash and Loretta’s apartment, it was clear her friend had absolutely everything she needed for the baby.

Wading through the piles of toys and onesies, Indigo came to sit with Tabby and Lexi beside an overjoyed Loretta and her little baby girl in the sitting room of her luxury apartment.

“She’s so gorgeous,” Indigo said, looking down at the innocent, sweet baby.

“She is, isn’t she?” Loretta said in a sleepy voice.

“Are you getting enough sleep? Because I’m sure there are plenty of brides and Draconians who could help you.”

“It’s fine. I already have lots of offers from potential nannies. We’re all each other’s nannies, right?” Loretta said in her soft southern accent.

“That’s right,” Lexi said.

“I don’t want to be a nanny, but I will style your baby’s wardrobe,” Tabby said.

The three other women giggled. Lexi’s daughter Violet began to fuss, and Nash came to take her in his arms. He bounced her and cooed down at her with the most love in his eyes Indigo had ever seen a man give a baby before.

Her heart swelled to think of Vlosh looking at their own children that way. After the success with the laser attack on the Mulgor mothership, they’d been working night and day on making one.

“Tabby, you’re hilarious,” Indigo said.

“I need some outlet. Taking down drug dealers inside the new dark internet takes its toll on a girl.”

“How much have you progressed with that?” Nash asked Tabby.

“We’re making progress, but more people than ever are turning to the techno drugs and the relief the virtual reality offers them since the Mulgor invasion. Humans have lost hope.”

“We’ve bought out almost every large corporation on Earth. But that’s just the beginning,” Loretta said.

“The President has given us the go ahead to begin major reconstruction on Earth now that the Mulgor have left the solar system,” Vlosh said. “More civilian crews will come in and much of the fleet will take up residence on Earth. It has been our prime directive to avoid interference with races we’ve mated with, but Earth has become our responsibility. It is now our duty to guide humanity to a better future.”

“What if there are more traitors? What if the Mulgor come back?” Indigo asked.

“We must count on setbacks. But reconstruction will commence immediately. Civilian crews will arrive soon to begin the process.”

“Do you think there will be human revolt and push back?” Loretta asked Vlosh.

“The terrorist threats have been disposed of,” Loretta’s mate Mylash said proudly.

“We are taking out all the drug cartels we can identify as quickly as we can,” Tabby’s mate Oro said.

“There will always be resistance to anything new. Humans will not trust us at first. It is their way,” Nash said.

“Regardless of setbacks, the reconstruction will commence. Earth will enter a new dawn of prosperity and technical advancement.”

“Whether they like it or not,” Tabby said.

Everyone looked at her sideways.

“What?” she said.

Everyone laughed.

“She’s right. It may go against many people’s freewill. This is why we have never interfered with a civilization in the past. Coming to Earth at this point in your development was a mistake. But now we are here. The only way forward is with our help.”

“Hear, hear,” Loretta said, her voice tired and distant as she rocked her baby on her chest.

“Why don’t we let Loretta and Mylash rest now,” Indigo said.

Tabby rubbed her swollen belly. “Good idea,” she said.

“Why don’t we go play a round of Draconian basketball?” Oro suggested to Vlosh as the two couples walked to the door.

“Draconian basketball?”

“You’ll love it,” Mylash said just before the door closed.

“Sure. Why not?” Vlosh said.

Tabby and Indigo walked together as Oro explained the rules of Draconian basketball to Vlosh. It had originally been Mylash’s idea to take the human game and make it something for Draconians to play aboard their ship.

Indigo loved sports and was excited to see Vlosh play the mash up game of Draconian basketball.

They entered a massive room called the flight gymnasium that was like several football fields spread out and stacked up on top of each other. The space was huge.

Dragons flew all around and up toward the domed ceiling that showed a view of space beyond. Indigo spotted bleachers off to the side where a group of human women and a few Draconian males sat watching the rest fly about.

Oro and Vlosh went to go set up a game of pickup Draconian basketball while Tabby waddled toward the bleachers with Indigo.

It was all so exciting and overwhelming inside the gym. The men started their game as Indigo sat down with Tabby.

From what she could tell, Draconian basketball involved dribbling and shooting, but that is where the similarities to human basketball ended.

Shifting, flying, and running about naked were also major factors in the game. A player would get the ball, dribble while in humanoid form, then shift into dragon form with the ball clutched in his claw. He’d fly up onto the air, avoiding the other players who would try to grab the ball, shift, then dunk it as he came down.

In humanoid form, Draconians were all as tall as basketball players so it seemed fitting that they’d be into the sport. But they’d made it into a game all their own.

Indigo laughed and cheered as Vlosh played the game for the first time. As the highest ranking general in the military, Vlosh was no slouch in the physical fitness department. He and Oro dominated the other team. Oro being quick and agile, while Vlosh was more of a bull on the court.

Indigo clapped and laughed wildly at her man, loving every minute of cheering him on. Suddenly, she felt so dizzy and ill she thought she might faint.

“Wow…” she said, reaching out Tabby.

“What’s wrong?” Tabby asked, holding Indigo’s hand and patting her back.

“I feel so sick. I think I might faint.”

“Uh oh. I think congratulations might be in order,” Tabby said, giggling.

“What? What are you talking about?”

“Come on. I’ll take you to the medic. He’ll explain everything.”

Tabby helped Indigo to the exit and Vlosh came running up behind her, sweaty and naked. He flicked the spot on his neck that made his uniform spread over his body and put his arm around his ailing wife.

“What’s wrong?” Vlosh said.

“She’s super dizzy,” Tabby said knowingly to Oro. “I’m taking her to the medic.”

“Dizzy.”

“I’ll let the medic explain. It’s a human thing.”

Tabby and Oro escorted Indigo and Vlosh to the medic and left them to see the medic in private.

Indigo laid on the white table while Vlosh held her hand. A medic came into the room with a metallic wand he waved over her body.

“What’s wrong, medic?” Vlosh pleaded.

“Nothing unusual for a bride after her claiming,” the medic said.

“What is it?” Indigo asked, feeling nauseous.

“You’re pregnant,” he said matter-of-factly.

“How could I be showing symptoms so fast? It’s only been a week since we first mated,” she said, embarrassed.

“It is different physiologically for humans when they carry Draconian young. But this is quite normal. It happens with almost all the brides when they conceive.”

Indigo sat back up on the table and noticed Vlosh looking at her like a kid who’d just got a bike, an X-box, and a truck load of candy for Christmas.

“A baby,” he whispered.

She threw her arms around his waist and squeezed, happier than she could remember being in a very long time. But it was bittersweet. A tear slid down her cheer and she sniffled.

“Aren’t you pleased, my mate?” he asked.

“I’m so pleased. I just wish my parents could have been there to meet our child.”

“I know my beloved. I know. That is why I’ve created a memorial to your family on Earth. I wanted to surprise you with it, but now is as good a time as any. When will she feel well enough to travel, medic?”

“She should be well enough in a few days.”

When Indigo’s dizziness subsided, Vlosh took her on a short trip to Earth. In the mountains outside of Tahoe, right beside one of the oldest resorts still standing, he had constructed a monument to her family.

Their burial place had been turned into a park with a large garden and large headstones that told the stories of their lives. Even in the winter snow, she could tell it would be beautiful in the spring.

Standing in front of her parents’ and best friend’s graves, she sniffed back a tear. It was the best burial she could have imagined.

She read the inscriptions on the headstones. They told stories of the most important and telling moments in their lives. It was so touching she could barely keep from falling to her knees and weeping.

“How did you find out all this?” she asked, holding onto him for support.

“I did my research. Asked people who had known them. It wasn’t that much trouble.”

“Vlosh, this is so perfect. So touching. Thank you.”

He leaned down and kissed her. When he pulled away, his lips and his eyes were smiling.

“No, thank you. Thank you for entering the lottery. Thank you for coming to the ship even when you’d just had such a terrible loss. Thank you for putting up with my dragon, and me. Thank you for being the brave, strong woman you are. And thank you for discovering a way to push back the Mulgor. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you, Indigo Robertson. This is just the beginning.”

Indigo squeezed him tightly and kissed him again. She knew he meant every word.