Lathim felt like he’d been gone forever. Guilt ate at him for the entire trip, and worry. He should have stayed and talked to Maggie, even if she was angry with him. Her temper would have cooled eventually. He knew that he’d done a bad thing, but he wasn’t sorry for it. Well, maybe a little sorry. He was sorry that he’d hurt Maggie, but he wouldn’t take back the memories of their time together for anything. She meant everything to him, and he hoped that she would see that. All he’d wanted to do was claim her and make her his in every way that mattered.

It was unfortunate that he’d broken her trust by doing things his way. But if she’d come to trust him once, she could do it again, right? He just needed to get back home so he could tell her how much she meant to him. He didn’t care if they ever had children; as long as he had Maggie, that would be enough. Having a family had seemed like the most important thing in the world to him, until he’d worried that he’d lost his mate. It had made him realize that what he wanted most was her. Just her.

“You look like a lovesick fool,” Ralkir said.

“I’m missing my mate.”

“We already broke through the atmosphere. We’ll be setting down any minute. Try to refrain from running all the way to your home.”

Lathim snorted.

“Did you have someone notify her of your return?” Ralkir asked.

“No. When I left, we weren’t on good terms. She was angry with me, and she had a right to be. I’m hoping that she’s calmed enough that we can talk now. I need to apologize to her.”

Ralkir shook his head. “If this is what happens to a male when he takes a mate, I just may stay single indefinitely. Love makes you weak.”

“No, having Maggie in my life is the best thing that ever happened to me. When you fall in love, you’ll see.”

“So you love her?” Ralkir asked.

Lathim froze. He hadn’t meant to utter those words, but they’d slipped out. And he realized, they were true. He really did love Maggie. She was his entire world, his everything. If she left him, if she decided she could never forgive him, he would live a long and miserable life because there would never be another female for him. She was it.

The ship shuddered as it touched down and Lathim braced his feet. When the vibrations faded, he briskly walked to his quarters and retrieved his belongings. He ground his teeth in frustration as everyone bottlenecked trying to leave the ship, and they were all moving incredibly slow. When his feet touched the ground, he picked up the pace, not stopping to talk to anyone. He hated to be rude to his friends, but Maggie was his top priority. It had been a week since he’d last seen her, but it had felt like an eternity.

As he neared his home, he felt a rush of excitement over seeing his mate again. Even if she was still angry with him, he’d take her hurtful words. Anything was better than the ache he’d felt being apart from her. The door opened and he set his things down. He could hear the viewing screen and hurried in that direction, hoping his mate was nearby. Maggie lay curled amongst the cushions, tears dampening her cheeks. His heart lurched at the sight and he rushed to her side.

“What’s wrong? Are you hurt? Where is the pain?” he asked quickly, reaching for her.

“Lathim? You’re home.” She gave him a tremulous smile and wrapped her arms around him. “I’m not hurt. It’s just a sad movie.”

His hand smoothed down her back and held her close, breathing in her scent. Peace settled over him now that she was back in his arms. Feeling her soft skin, hearing her sweet voice, it made everything right in his world again.

“I’m sorry, Maggie. I’m so damn sorry.”

She drew back. “Sorry for what?”

“For hurting you, lying to you. It was wrong of me. I should have given you a say. You had every reason to be mad at me.”

Her hand smoothed over his cheek. “I’m not mad. I was for days after you left, but then Rorwick explained a few things to me and I realized you hadn’t done it maliciously.”

“What did Rorwick say?”

“He explained about how precious a mate was to you and that you’d wanted to claim me so I couldn’t leave. Although, just to be clear, having sex does not mean I can’t walk out the door. Even pregnant I could leave if I chose to do so. You’re my mate, my other half, but you aren’t my boss. I know mating is forever here, but it’s different where I come from. I’m still adjusting to all this.”

He nodded. “I understand. And will you be leaving?”

His heart hammered in his chest as he waited for her answer.

“No, I want to stay here, with you. Besides” -- she took his hand and placed it over her belly --”your children are going to need their father to teach them the ways of this world.”

“Children?” Stars danced in his vision and he swayed. There was more than one baby? His knees buckled and his breath left him in a whoosh as he collapsed onto the floor, staring at the ceiling a little dazed.

“Lathim!”

Maggie knelt at his side.

“I’m fine,” he assured her. “Babies? There’s more than one?”

“Two. According to Wrylack anyway.”

“What else did he say? Are you able to carry two? What if it’s too much strain for your body?” Lathim asked.

“He said I’m perfectly healthy but recommended some vitamin injections to give me a little boost. I decided to wait and get them after I’d talked it over with you.”

“Do you need anything?” Lathim asked. “Are there any foods you want more than others? Should we start preparing a room for the babies? Did Wrylack say how long the pregnancy would last?”

Maggie giggled. “Slow down, daddy. The babies will probably be born in seven to nine months, but he said we won’t know for sure until I’m further along. He wants to monitor their development and it will give him a better idea of my due date. So I think we have plenty of time to prepare a room for the babies. Although, if this is a world of only males, I’m curious what exactly you have lying around that would work for a baby’s room.”

His eyes widened and he realized she was right. They’d never had children on this world. Babies needed special beds, didn’t they? And diapers. There was much to plan, but if they truly had seven months or more, then there was time. For now, he’d enjoy being in his mate’s company again.

“I love you,” he said, gazing up at her.

Maggie looked pleasantly surprised. “Did you just discover that? You seem awfully certain.”

“I was on board the Sphinx when it hit me. But I wanted to tell you. I wanted you to know how much you mean to me, that you’re my everything. Even if we’d never had children, my life would still be blessed because you’re in it.”

Her eyes misted with tears and she leaned down to press her lips to his. “I love you too. And I’m sorry I was so bitchy before and didn’t give you time to explain yourself. I promise in the future if I’m ever angry with you that I will give you time to explain why you did or said whatever set me off.”

“I hope to never make you angry again.”

Maggie smiled. “That’s not likely because I think we’re going to have a long life together. But right now, if you’re no longer unable to stand, there’s something important you need to do.”

“Anything you want.”

She laughed. “What if I wanted you to do something painful?”

“You’d never cause me harm on purpose.”

The smile slipped from her face. “No, I wouldn’t. I want you to take me back to bed, where our argument started, because I want to replace that bad memory with a good one. And being in your arms is always good.”

Lathim rose to his feet and lifted Maggie into his arms, being extra careful with her. He had everything he’d ever wanted. A mate and children. His heart was full, and he couldn’t imagine ever wanting something more than what he held in his arms. He’d fought in wars, been to hell and back, and travelled across the galaxies in search of treasures. But the greatest treasure he would ever find was right here, in his heart and in his home. Maggie was his everything, and he would gladly spend the rest of his life making her and their children happy. He didn’t care if he never left the surface of Xpashta ever again because even the stars in the sky couldn’t compare to his sweet mate.

He only hoped that in the days to come his fellow cyborgs would find the happiness he had with Maggie. He hoped to one day see his planet populated with happy mates and even happier children. That the loneliness etched in every cyborg’s heart would be erased with love, because if Maggie had shown him anything, it was that all things were possible, even when you’d given up hope.