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Essan’s eyes widened.“You are joking.”

“I am not.They also dumped additional nanites on her at one of the experimental stations.”

“How badly was she injured?”Essan asked politely.

“If she were just human, she would have been very dead.I will show you a recording of the memory projection but not when we have a meal waiting.”

Zell and Sage were talking with the primal humans.Den and Addy were standing close, and they spoke of the large quantity of humans on Aten, with plans for more to come.

Harwin looked at the three Hmrain in the space and snorted.She returned to the table and sat, continuing her meal.

Kris came over with a plate.“You are eating like the plate owes you money.”

“I am eating this so that Ra won’t find something that he thinks I will like more.I am about to have an increase in girth.”

“From eating?”

“Well, not from swallowing.”

“Ohmygod, you’re pregnant!”

“Don’t pray in this temple.He’s always listening.”

Kris covered her mouth, looking at Ra.He was looking back and grinning.

Harwin chuckled.“He’s being polite because we have Hmrain guests, but I am confident that he’s wanting to investigate the new mark as soon as he can.”

“Uh-huh.So, tell me about this other Terran.”

“Oh, Reem.Yeah, she has quite the story.”Harwin told her what they had learned while she finished both plates.

Ra was watching, and when he looked at the plates, he started for the buffet.

Harwin watched, and when he picked up a plate, she clapped her hands, and the plate fell into two pieces.Ra whirled and raised his brows.“What was that, Harwin?”

“I am full, and I know you aren’t hungry.”She smirked.

“You were confident you wouldn’t miss?”

“Of course not.I didn’t.”She put her hand on her belly.“You didn’t.”

He paused and grinned, moving toward her with speed, catching her up and heading for their quarters.

* * * *

Kris looked at Essan.“Don’t you even think about it.You already did your version of the same thing when we got to the station.”

Essan chuckled and kept a hand on her back.“You are right.I did.”

Yorness smiled.“So, there will be a Hmrain baby boom soon?”

“Eleven to thirteen months, depending on the father,” Kris muttered.

Essan kissed her temple.“I will be with you every step of the way.”

“Yeesh, talk about exhausting.”

Yorness said, “Now, Nana Kris, you are just a little grumpy because you were caught by surprise.”