Lara
The marbled bathtub spoke of a richness unlike any I had ever seen. The way the water gently ran down the rock wall…. I couldn’t wait any longer and stepped in.
Ersa had a small round tub for the girls, and a sonic shower for adults. I never thought I’d feel the warmth of water again, the way my arm floated on top. When it reached my neck, he turned it off.
“Are you staying with me?” I asked.
Roark looked worried as he sat watching me. “Yes.”
“You know, you’re welcome to join me.”
“I love watching you, feeling your joy.”
“I can feel yours too. I can also feel you worry. I’m fine, Roark.”
“I will let Jasok decide that.”
If I had any lingering doubts that he loved me, they all faded away. I could feel his concern and knew it was because he cared.
“Is this where we will live?” I asked, glancing around. It was much larger and nicer than Ersa’s small place.
“This is our home.”
“Okay, I know you’re worried, but you can talk in more than just barely sentences.”
He grinned. “We are given living quarters dependent upon our stations. This is the home of the Royal Guard. The only place that is better is the mansion where Lord La’qa resides.”
“Only the top, huh?”
He grinned, but didn’t answer.
“What about your family? Have they ever been here?”
I felt a wave of guilt.
“It’s okay, Roark. The great thing about family? They forgive. It’s not too late to change things. When will you take me to meet them?”
“I worry about what you will think of them…”
“You’re embarrassed? Don’t be. I grew up poor, but stuff doesn’t matter if you have love. Do they love you?”
“Yes.”
“Then it’s fine.”
I stayed in the water a little longer, then reluctantly climbed out. Roark’s worry never abated, and his anxiety beat at me.
“Clothes?” I asked, since he had shredded mine the night before.
“Cami sent some over.”
I followed him back into the bedroom. It looked like a solid wall, but when he stepped forward, it slid apart, revealing a huge walk-in closet.
“Wow!” I said, stunned into near-speechlessness.
I chose a pair of jeans, black boots and a red sweat shirt. There were also gloves and jackets.
“She thought you might need those things,” Roark said by way of explanation.
I laughed. “She really did think of everything.”
“Humans are very thin-skinned.”
Looking over my shoulder, I said cryptically, “Some more than others.”
Once I was dressed, Roark led me back to the flying car. I dreaded seeing the doctor. What if I really had some kind of weird alien disease, instead of being pregnant?
Heading back to the mansion, I stared at the city below as the car flawlessly took us to the pre-set coordinates. On Earth, the few that had enough money to purchase flying cars still had to get a special license to fly them by hand.
We arrived near the mansion arena, and everyone stared as Roark helped me out of the car.
Why is everyone staring? I’m not the first Human they’ve ever seen.
Yesterday, I kneeled for you.
You asked me to marry you.
I know you will not believe this, but I have never showed weakness to anyone save for you.
It’s not weakness, it’s love. There’s a difference.
So you say. I felt his laughter even though his face remained stony.
Suddenly Cami came running out. “Lara! I’m so sorry!” she cried, and threw her arms around my neck.
“It’s okay.”
“It’s not. I’m a terrible friend.”
I glanced around at all the men watching us.
“Don’t worry. We’re speaking English and they don’t translators,” she said, then her eyes twinkled mischievously. “If you want to mess with Zorvak and Roark, we could switch to Spanish. It could be fun.”
My nerves were getting the better of me; I had to say something, to tell someone. Cami and I had talked about having kids, and I desperately wanted to talk to her now. But Roark…I didn’t know how he would react. What if he didn’t want kids?
Without thinking, I blurted, “Creo que estoy embarazada!”
Her eyes went wide. “Oh Lara!”
When she hugged me tight, I whispered, “Don’t say anything.”
What did you say? Roark asked.
Just testing her Spanish theory. You know, if our translators ever failed, I would barely be able to speak to you. I know very little Standard.
I will get you a more advanced learning program.
Thank you.
Cami smiled at the two of us. “Lara, come find me later.”
“I will.”
Roark led me through the mansion until we entered the medical center.
The doctor turned. “Roark, are you well?”
“Yes. It is Lara who is ill. She expelled the contents of her stomach.”
He looked me over. “Have a seat. Now if I remember correctly, your organs are arranged differently, so this will only be my best opinion.”
Best opinion? What kind of doctor is he? I asked, horrified.
The best we have.
Great! It came out sarcastically. Of course he wouldn’t know how to treat Humans, and my sharp tongue came from fear. If I was pregnant this could very well be the equivalent to having a baby at home without a doctor present.
“Now lay down.” I did as requested, and he pulled a large machine over, placing the top above my body.
Is this an X-ray machine?
It is a picture of your insides.
So, it’s an X-ray machine.
I heard him punch a few buttons, heard a few hmms and beeps followed by a slight gasp. Then Jasok said, “I see the cause of your stomach illness.”
“What is it?” Roark asked, clutching my hand tightly.
“See for yourself.” He turned the screen around and the picture of my insides appeared, like a movie in full color—not like an X-ray at all.
“Is that…” Roark swallowed hard, visibly shaken.
“Yes,” Jasok answered.
Happy tears filled my eyes. A tiny baby with tiny limbs had formed, and in the center of the chest, a heart beating rhythmically.
The silence grew and I thought I might be sick again. I couldn’t tell or feel if Roark was happy about the baby. The doctor didn’t say a word. Maybe having a baby with a Human was forbidden? No, that wasn’t not right. Cami was with Zorvak, and he was the leader.
I couldn’t take it any longer.
Say something!
I do not know what to say. I never thought that having young was a possibility.
Are you happy?
Roark clutched my hand. More than you could ever know.
Jasok removed the machine. “Well now, this will be a first for Ulaya.”
“Is the baby healthy?” I asked nervously.
“I cannot say. It appears normal, but since I am unfamiliar with your species, this will be a learning process.”
Just as I sat up, Zorvak and Cami strolled in. Cami looked anxious; Zorvak, as always, seemed very calm.
“Sorry Lara, I just had to know if it was a possibility for us to have kids.”
“Apparently so!” I answered.
“Really? That’s great!”
Roark tenderly kissed my lips. “We are having a youngling.”
“Looks that way.”
“We have a lot to discuss. I know nothing about Earth younglings.”
“They can’t be that different.”
“Tell me about Human young,” Jasok cut in. “How big are they? What are the characteristics?”
“I’m not sure what you mean, but the average weight is six to eight pounds at birth. They can’t do anything for themselves—you even have to hold their head up. They either breast-feed or bottle feed. They…”
Jasok interrupted. “What is that?”
“What is what?”
“Breast-feed or bottle feed. Aren’t they born with a full set of teeth?”
“Heavens no!” My breasts ached just thinking about it. “The baby doesn’t have teeth for quite a while. My breasts will produce milk for the baby to drink. That’s all it needs.”
The breasts I suckled from just last night?
I felt his mortification and laughed. It’s not the same thing Roark.
“Since this is uncharted territory, I will need to scan you weekly. But for now, you are free to go.”
“Thanks.” I slipped off the table.
Cami’s face lit with delight and I knew that she would be working extra hard to get pregnant. That would be great, raising our kids together. “Why don’t you two stay for dinner?”
“That sounds great, but we have some people we need to see first. Rain check?”
“You got it.”
I hugged her. “See ya later.”
Zorvak clasped Roark’s forearm. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you, my Lord.”
Ready? I asked.
Yes.