Page 63 of Alien Desire

“No,” I say firmly.

The pet cocks his head and somehow seems to make his eyes grow wider. He whines with self-pity and sadness.

“Fluffy,” she hugs him again.

For the second time, I wait impatiently for this embrace to end. Finally I grow frustrated and pull Emma away. Then I give Fluffy a violent shove which he meets with resolve and growls at me, before throwing a longing look at Emma.

“I can’t leave him all alone,” she whispers, more tears rolling down her cheeks, her face hidden behind her hands.

“He isn’t alone. There are others of his kind here.”

“But I’m his family,” she cries.

“You would rob him of his own chance to find a mate and have a family of his own.”

“I can’t leave him,” she sobs, ignoring me and rushing at him. “I’m not going unless he comes too.”

“You’re being ridiculous.”

“I know!” she snaps.

I assess her, clinging tightly to the large fluff ball, who looks immensely satisfied with himself. I sigh in exaggeration.

“Fine, he can come.” I march up the ramp, trying not to smile at her happy whoops.

When we’re all inside, I find the pet a place to rest and point out the co-pilot seat for Emma, making sure she’s well strapped in before I turn my attention to the controls. I hesitate for a moment and then find the right button. The ramp groans and moans and then flips shut with a bang, jolting the ship.

Emma’s hand flies to her stomach. “Watch it. The baby didn’t like that — he’s kicking like mad.”

I reach over and stroke her belly. “The baby is fine — tough like its mother.”

She eyes me. “You do know how to fly this ship, right?”

“No,” I tell her, amused as her mouth falls open, “but how hard can it be?”

And then I jerk back the shiny silver lever and the ship lurches up into the big wide expanse of space.

Who knows what the future will bring, but with my honeypot by my side everything will be … good.

Next stop: home.

*** The End ***