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“I win!” Abby stated triumphantly.

“You win what?” Nadzia looked at her sideways.

“The bet about you and the bony warrior.” Abby repeatedly poked her index finger into her other fist.

“Peanut!” she and Pro declared simultaneously, drawing the attention of several guests.

“What?! You were the ones who taught me that.” Abby attempted to look innocent and shocked.

“This brings back memories.” Nadzia tugged Pro close and squeezed her. “I really love you.”

“I love you, too.” Providence leaned her head on Nadzia’s shoulder.

“And I really missed you, Pro.”

Nothing could’ve prepared her for the reunion with the sister she thought had died. She’d been able to talk with Providence on the comm, but somehow that wasn’t the same. The moment Pro stepped off the spaceship she’d tackled her in a giant bear hug and collapsed into tears. These last few days together had been amazing, but she still couldn’t get over seeing her. It was a true miracle. One she’d be forever grateful for.

“I know. Don’t make me start crying again. This baby is really screwing with my hormones.” Pro rubbed her baby bump.

“Do you know whose baby it is?” she whispered to her sister as she glanced across the room at Pro’s husbands.

Providence had done well. Madhava was ruggedly handsome, while Dagaa’s looks were a little more classical. But it was the way the pair doted on Providence that she loved the most. And it was pretty funny watching them gang up on Pro, antagonizing her.

“No. And we’re not going to look into it.” Pro grinned, happy as a clam.

“Aren’t Mom and Dad cute?” Peanut asked as she bounced excitedly, circling them like an eager puppy.

With a wistful sigh she turned to look at her parents. Their dad was relegated to a comfy chair, but their mom was perched on his lap. That was their compromise after several minutes of arguing when they first arrived from the hospital.

“They are.” She nodded and grinned.

“I can’t tell anything ever happened to him. Please make sure you give Aculus a ton of kisses for what he did.” Tears leaked from Pro’s eyes.

“I will.” She nodded.

She’d be thanking Aculus until she was old and gray. He’d made all these miracles possible. Without him, her father would be dead and she’d never have known Providence was even alive.

“I think Dad looks younger. The wrinkles around his eyes are gone. That healing pod is amazing,” Peanut whispered as they approached their parents.

“Yeah, but don’t tell Mom,” Pro agreed.

“Come on. I want my girls right here.” Brennan shifted Carol to the arm of the chair and patted his lap.

“Brennan! You’re still regaining your strength. You just woke up from the dead a few days ago,” Carol insisted.

“Cartil stated he was in perfect health,” Tellar came to her dad’s rescue.

“I told you.” Brennan eyed Carol, who rolled her eyes.

“Tellar, don’t incite trouble in someone else’s conclave.” Axilla nudged Tellar.

“I apologize. This is what you have to look forward to with Aculus,” Bregma informed her.

“Oh, I know,” she laughed.

“Your conclave reminds me a lot of mine. We males have to band together,” Tellar said conspiratorially to Brennan.

It was true. They were both outnumbered by a bunch of girls.