Three Standard Years Later

Kattlyn

 

I’d just arrived home when Destiny came running up and met me at the hover vehicle.

“Aunt Kattlyn!” She threw her tiny arms around my neck.

“Hey there. I haven’t been gone that long.”

“I know. But I don’t like it when you leave.” I wanted to smile at her pouty face. She was still so small compared to the other children. Mara said she was a typical four-year-old Human.

“Well, I’m home now.”

“Where’d you go?”

“Aren’t you just full of questions.” I laughed and took her tiny hand as we headed for her house. Mara was standing on the porch.

“Sorry about that,” Mara said with a frown as her hand rested on her protruding belly. This would be the first child she and Risshi would have together.

“No worries.” I glanced around. “Are they back yet?”

She nodded to the ocean. When I turned around, I spotted the boat that Alan had made. He and Risshi went fishing at least every other standard day and sold most of the catch at the market. It looked like they were heading in.

I took a seat on the porch to wait. Mara carefully settled herself next to me.

“How are things at the castle?” Mara asked as Destiny crawled up into my lap.

“Same as usual.”

“I’m glad I don’t live there.”

“Same here.” I had the best of both worlds. I got to live near family and live at the beach. Little Destiny came over all the time and I got to babysit, as Mara called it. Risshi and Alan got along great. In fact, Risshi once told me that Alan felt more like a brother to him than his own.

“I heard that Susan finally found someone.”

“Hmm . . . wonder who?”

“I’m not sure. I don’t remember. Damn pregnancy brain.” Mara scrunched her nose and sighed.

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t ask me why, but Mom always told me that when you get pregnant, you forget everything.”

“Really?”

“Uh huh. She said it happens to everyone.”

“I bet Rikker would love to study that.”

“He has plenty of pregnant guinea pigs at the castle.”

Now accustomed to Mara’s sayings, I just laughed. It did seem like Humans popped young out every time you turned around.

When the boat drew closer, little Destiny slid off my lap and ran for the beach. I could hear her yelling, “Daddy, Uncle Alan, Aunt Kattlyn’s home.”

While Alan secured the boat, Risshi picked up Destiny and tossed her up and caught her in the air. She squealed and giggled the entire time.

“He spoils her,” Mara said with a grin as she watched the two of them.

Risshi did spoil Destiny, but she was so cute and tiny, how could anyone tell her no.

Alan walked beside Risshi, carrying a stringer of fish. That’s what he called it anyway. He grinned when he spotted me.

“I’ll take those,” Risshi offered, setting Destiny on her feet.

“Thanks.” Alan skipped all but one step to the porch and pulled me into his arms. “I’m glad you’re back. How is everyone?”

“They’re good. They send their regards.”

Alan nodded. He got along with everyone now but was only close with Risshi and Takkeo.

I hesitated, not knowing if I should do this in front of everyone, but I couldn’t hold it in any longer. “I went to see Rikker today.”

Alan stepped back, a concerned look on his face. “Is something wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing like that.”

“Kattlyn, next time you need to see Rikker, I’ll take you.”

“All right. Can you take me in a few standard weeks?”

“Yeesss,” he said, drawing out the word. “Are you sure everything is all right?”

“I am.” A grin spread across my face. “He doesn’t understand how, but I’m carrying young. We’re going to have a baby!”

His eyes widened as his face transformed from disbelief to surprise and then joy. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

He picked me up by the waist and twirled me around before setting me back on my feet.

“But how? I don’t understand.”

“Neither does he. He said the baby is smaller than the typical half-breed size and he doesn’t know how long the pregnancy will last.”

“I can’t believe it.” He hugged me tight.

When I looked up, I saw Risshi and Mara standing there, holding hands with big smiles on their faces.

“That’s great news, sister.”

“It is,” Mara chimed in. “I think a celebration is in order.”

They walked inside their house, giving me and Alan some privacy. Alan took a seat in the chair and pulled me onto his lap.

“What else did Rikker say?”

“The youngling is small, but he thinks we’re having a female.”

“A daddy’s girl. I like that.”

I just shook my head, happy that he was so happy. “He also said that this was all new to him, and that if I’d been regularly taking your blood, I needed to keep doing it. The baby’s life might depend on it.”

“Is that all?”

“That’s it.”

He leaned in and quickly kissed my lips. “Honey, you can bite me anytime.”

I chuckled before looking longingly into his eyes. “I love you so much, Alan.”

“I love you too,” he said as he kissed me more tenderly.

From somewhere inside the house, I heard Destiny holler, “Aunt Kattlyn, Uncle Alan, come inside.”

He laughed as we both stood and headed inside to celebrate.

 

The End

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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