Page 16

“Oh, it’s my fault you’re a pervert?” she replied, making her best ‘I’m not amused’ face, even though she was very amused.

“Yes,” he replied seriously. “You’re also gorgeous in an unreal way, like a goddess.”

The compliment stunned her, throwing her off balance. Then she remembered he was a consummate flatterer.

“If that’s the case,youshould be worshippingme.” She preened gratuitously.

“Gladly.” Aculus stood and walked around the table.

What’s he doing?

The Osivoire at the table who’d been laughing as they bantered grew quiet when Aculus got down on his knees and bowed beside her chair. She looked from their stunned expressions to Aculus quietly waiting for her to respond.

“Stop it, bonehead. You’re such a goof.”

“Wait, don’t I get a request first, Ivory Goddess?” He glanced beseechingly up at her.

The way the other Osivoire had grown still was making things awkward. Obviously given Aculus’ elevated position, this wasn’t behavior they were used to.

“Fine,” she rolled her eyes, playing along.

“Ivory Goddess, with your vast experience with the subject, would you please help me train the pussy in my room?” he asked with a sly smile, and she knew he wasn’t just talking about the Florida panther he rescued.

“Aculus! Where’d you learn that word?” she shrieked. “Never mind. Get up, you rotten beast.” She shoved him.

He laughed so hard he had trouble getting off the floor. Despite being at her expense, the deep, hearty sound made her heart soar.

Three

A Piece of My Mind

Nadzia

She was still shaking her head at Aculus when she joined her mom in the clinic.

“Hey, Mom, I know you said you were good, but I brought you a plate and some of this fruity alien wine.” She held up the carafe.

“Thanks, sweetie. I was about to leave. I’m getting tired, but I could use a snack.” Carol took the plate from her. “You wanna tell me why you were wearing a funny smile when you walked in?” she asked then popped a wafer into her mouth.

“Somebody taught Aculus a slang word and he decided to antagonize me with it,” she laughed. recalling the proud expression on his face.

“Ah.” Carol smiled. “From looking at him you’d never imagine he’d have such a jovial personality. I bet part of it’s because he just got done with a mission. Your dad can be so serious when he’s on base, but the moment he’s off duty it’s like a switch flips and he’s a silly prankster.” Her mom looked lovingly at her dad in the glass pod.

“Oh, I remember.” She nodded. “Remember that time he came home and wanted to take you on a date, but you were frazzled from us being little bastards?”

“I do. That was when Bethany decided she wanted to be a hair stylist. Thank God I caught her before shefixedPeanut’s bangs.”

“Yeah but April, Pro and I looked like cancer patients for months,” she snorted, recalling her kindergarten school photo.

“Don’t say that, that’s terrible,” Carol insisted as she covered her smile. “Brennan refused to take no for an answer and unplugged the stove. I just couldn’t figure out why the lasagna wasn’t cooking. I stuck my finger into it and it was still ice cold.” She shook her head.

“And the best was when you washed your hands, the sprayer soaked your entire shirt and you shrieked,” Nadzia giggled.

“You know he still pulls that trick on me, putting the rubber band on the faucet sprayer. At least now I know when he’s unplugged the stove, cause the digital clock goes out.” Carol laughed, then smiled as she looked down at Brennan asleep in the capsule. “I so wanted to box your ears when you announced since I had to change, I might as well put on something to go out in.”

“He knew you really needed to get away from us for the night.” Nadzia smiled at her parents. “I don’t know how you guys survived having five girls.”

“You see this gray hair,” Carol countered. “If I had known those were the easy times, I would’ve walked straight into the Everglades.”