Alexis reached for Nabvan’s hand and felt it entwine with hers. She looked over at him and felt emotional; tears threatened to come streaming down her face. It was so nice to see him well and walking around again. The way he looked when the ship had crashed had broken her heart all over again. She had been so sure he was going to die. If they had still been on Milisaria or headed to Earth, he would have died. But the Arkani had been so kind to them. They had begun healing anyone injured immediately, waiting for a full explanation later.

Alexis had been able to sit down with some of the leading council to go over with them what had happened to them after being captured by the Milisarian knights. They were sorry for what had happened and had gotten her communication, but they did not think they could do anything with a Milisarian ship. They thought it would be best to let the women go back to Earth.

They were so happy now to have the women with them and had begun to court some of them, the right way. Alexis had gotten to pore over all the research that had been done about the disease killing off the women while Nabvan was on the mend. She had helped them find a link in the genetics of the bacteria that latched onto a DNA strain in the women that the men did not have. It was great work, and it had taken her mind off of all of the things that had happened to her since leaving Earth.

But Siefer had been sad. He had ended up with two broken arms, but that was it. He was ready to go home and see Destiney. It had been almost two weeks since they landed there on the Arkani planet, and he knew those on the planet would be worried about what was to happen next without a king or an heir. He did not know what that would mean for his beautiful wife or the child that might be born at that very moment.

The Arkani had offered to repair the ship, but it was taking time. Nabvan, Siefer, and Alexis were on their way to check on the progress of the repairs. They hoped it was done today, though Alexis was still unsure what would happen to her and Nabvan. Their love had grown and been solidified. There was no one else between them anymore. But there was still something else that could rip them apart: where they wanted to live. She had made a place for herself on the Arkani planet, at least that was how she felt, but she didn’t think Nabvan felt at home. They could easily go back to Earth, but she didn’t know that he wanted that either. So, where would they go? Alexis was hoping for the answer soon.

As they approached the ship they had crashed onto the planet less than two weeks ago, Alexis could see that it looked brand new. If it wasn’t finished, it would be soon. “Ah, welcome my friends,” the Arkani councilor said as he came to embrace them. It had been strange to touch them at first. Their skin was slightly slimy. But they were so warm and kind it didn’t matter anymore. “I am so happy to tell you that the ship will be finished tomorrow. Siefer, you can go home to your wife.”

Alexis looked over to see the broad smile on Siefer’s face. Destiney had really landed a good one, and she hoped they would have a happy reunion. It made her miss Destiney a little, thinking about her on the planet, wondering where her husband was and having a baby.

“Alexis, may I talk with you for a moment?” Alexis was caught off guard by the question as she was pulled away from the two men. She looked to Nabvan, but he urged her on. She took him with her, though, not wanting to do anything without him. Life was too short for that, and she had nothing to hide.

“What is it?” she asked the council leader with curiosity.

“I realize that you have been through much and that this may not feel like your home anymore, but you have done great things for us in your short time here,” he told her with a warm smile on his face. Alexis felt proud that he said that. She had never been so appreciated for what her mind could do. It was nice to hear for a change, especially coming from a man. “We wanted to extend an offer to you, that you remain here and become head of research in our lab here in the capital. You could do even more great things for us.” Alexis tried not to gasp at the offer. It was exactly something she had dreamed of, but as she looked at Nabvan, she saw a tinge of sadness there.

“May I have a moment with Nabvan first?” she asked. The council leader bowed his head graciously and went back to check on the work of the ship. She turned to Nabvan and asked him point blank. “What are you thinking? What do you want to do?” She braced herself for the answer. She knew one of them would have to sacrifice if they wanted to be together. Long distance relationships on one planet were hard enough. There was no way to keep that going on two separate planets, no matter how much she loved him.

“The truth is, I am worried about my people,” he admitted, looking sheepish. “I don’t know what kind of a welcoming I or you would get after the death of the king, but they will need help finding a new one and stabilizing. Maybe I can help with that. I don’t think King Shene was that popular among villagers. Maybe I could make a change. But if you want to stay…”

Alexis reached her finger up to stop his mouth. She didn’t need to hear any more. She understood just what he meant. “I love you,” she told him simply. “And I will come with you, whatever that means. I can bring science to the Milisarians, just like they wanted.” Alexis smiled, and he lifted her up, spinning her round in a sweet embrace but quickly put her down as she began feeling dizzy and sick. In fact, a strange pain shot through her stomach.

“That was strange,” she said, holding the spot that had hurt on her abdomen. She hung onto Nabvan for help.

“This is the first time you have felt funny since being here. Maybe it’s the planet,” Nabvan offered. “Let’s get you to the doctor.”

Nabvan helped her into the doctor’s office inside the capital. All the technology was still mind-blowing to her as they laid her down and scanned her body with something like an MRI, except there was no need to go inside a machine or use harmful tech.

“Sweetheart,” the doctor said, one of the only females left on the planet. She had a mutation, which allowed her to escape the disease. It had been one of the ways she had been able to get the Arkani their answers. “I can already tell you why you feel funny. You are having a baby!” The woman clapped her hands together excitedly, and she looked to Nabvan, seeing that he was about ready to cry happy tears. Were they really going to get to have a family together?

Nabvan leaned down to her ear, kissing it sweetly before whispering, “I knew you were my mate. We will be together always, now.”