Page 34 of Alien’s Love Child

The gleaming white corridors of the Star Princess stretch endlessly before us as we make our way to our suite. Leo bounces between Davin and me, his little hands clutching both of ours as he skips along.

"Mama, look! The ceiling has stars!" Leo points up at the holographic display above us, showing the current star field we're passing through.

"Those aren't real stars, kiddo," Davin says, adjusting our carry-on bag over his shoulder. "Wait until we get to the observation deck."

"Can we go now?" Leo tugs on Davin's hand. "Please, Papa?"

My heart swells hearing Leo call Davin that. It's still relatively new, but it feels so right.

"Room first," I say, checking the numbers on the doors. "Then we can explore everything."

"Everything?" Leo's eyes go wide.

"Well, maybe not the engine room." I wink at Davin. "Though I bet your father would love to show you how the propulsion systems work."

"Don't give him ideas," Davin mutters, but there's a smile playing at his lips.

We reach our suite, and Leo runs straight to the window, pressing his face against the transparent material. The suite itself is larger than our entire living room back home, with plush furniture and subtle lighting that adjusts to our presence.

"Fishies!" Leo squeals, pointing at the aquarium built into one wall. "Blue ones like Papa!"

"Those are Kaleidian moon fish," Davin explains, crouching beside him. "They change color based on the water temperature."

"Can I feed them?"

"Let's unpack first," I say, but Leo's already dragging Davin toward the aquarium control panel.

"Just one feeding," Davin says, giving me that look that means he can't resist our son's enthusiasm. "Then we'll get settled properly."

I shake my head, smiling. "You're getting soft in your old age, bounty hunter."

"Only for my family." He pulls me close with his free arm, kissing my temple while Leo chatters excitedly about the fish food dispenser.

Leo presses his nose against the aquarium glass, his silver hair catching the blue glow. "That one's called a Moonspinner! It eats tiny shrimp and—and plankton."

"That's right." I ruffle his hair, amazed at how he's already memorizing the information from the plaques. "How did you know that?"

"It says right there, Mama." He points to the holographic text floating beside the tank. "And this one's from Papa's home planet!"

Davin sprinkles another pinch of food into the tank. "Most of these are. Though they've been bred in captivity for generations."

"He's reading so fast." I lean against Davin's shoulder. "I couldn't read half this well at his age."

"Kaleidian children develop quickly." His arm slides around my waist. "Our brains form neural pathways more efficiently in early development. Makes up for how long it takes us to get gray hair."

"So that's why you're still so pretty?" I tease.

"Papa's not pretty," Leo says, not looking away from the fish. "He's handsome. Like in the stories."

"Can't argue with that logic." I watch as Leo traces the path of a particularly sparkly fish with his finger. "I just wonder sometimes... about him being the first."

"First what?" Leo asks.

"First hybrid child I've ever met," I say. "It's not common, is it?"

"No." Davin's voice softens. "But that just makes him special. Like his mother."

"The fish changed color!" Leo bounces on his toes. "Did you see? It was blue and now it's purple!"

"That means the temperature dropped," Davin explains.

My concerns fade as I watch them together, both equally fascinated by the simple wonder of color-changing fish.

The dining room of the Star Princess sparkles with crystalline chandeliers and polished silverware. I adjust Leo's collar as he squirms in the high chair between Davin and me.

"Sit still, sweetie. Your napkin's falling."

"But I'm hungry," Leo whines, reaching for the bread basket.

"Just a minute." I tuck the cloth napkin back into his shirt. "We need to order first."

The waiter approaches our table, carrying a bottle on a silver tray. "Compliments of a friend." He presents an emerald-colored bottle with an intricate gold label. "A '42 Centaurian Red."

My jaw drops. I pick up the bottle, examining the seal, and the small note attached to it.

"It says 'Cheers. Par.' He really, really shouldn't have."

"That old furball?" Davin whistles low. "This vintage costs more than our suite."

"What's Cen-tau-rian?" Leo sounds out the word carefully.

"It's wine from a very special place," I explain, still stunned by the gesture. "And your Uncle Par must have saved up for months to afford this."

"Or won big at cards again," Davin suggests, accepting the waiter's offer to uncork the bottle.

"He doesn't gamble anymore. Not since that incident with the twins. Well, we'll need to save this for dinner tonight," I say, placing the bottle aside. For now, I need some water. With lemon. "I'll tell him he's crazy later."

"And thank him," Davin adds with a knowing look.

"And thank him," I agree, raising my bread. "To old friends who spoil us rotten."

Leo lifts his water glass. "To Uncle Par Par!"

After lunch, we head to the observation deck. It bustles with passengers eager to watch the departure. Leo perches on Davin's shoulders, his tiny hands gripping his father's silver hair.

"Higher, Papa! I want to see everything!"

"Any higher and you'll bump the oxygen shield," I say, reaching up to steady Leo as he wobbles.

A shimmer of blue energy ripples above us, keeping the artificial atmosphere contained while allowing an unobstructed view of space. The shield hums with a soft vibration I can feel in my teeth.

"Look, there goes the docking arm!" Leo points as the massive mechanical structure retracts from the ship's hull.

"Watch this part carefully," Davin says. "The initial thrust is quite something."

The deck trembles beneath our feet as the engines power up. Stars streak past us, first slowly, then faster as we pick up speed. Leo gasps, his grip tightening on Davin's hair.

"Ow, easy there, kiddo."

"Sorry Papa! But look! The stars are dancing!"

He's right. Through the shield, the stars blur into ribbons of light as we accelerate. Other passengers crowd the railing, snapping photos and recording videos. A small girl nearby waves goodbye to the space station we're leaving, even though it's already disappeared from view.

"Remember when we used to do this kind of thing for a living?" I nudge Davin's side.

"Slightly different circumstances." He shifts Leo to a more comfortable position. "Less luxury, more cargo holds."

"And more running from authorities."

"Mama, what's authorities?"

"Nothing you need to worry about," Davin and I say in unison.

The ship's horn sounds, deep and resonant, signaling we've reached cruising speed. The star trails stabilize into a steady stream of light, creating a tunnel effect through space.

"Pretty," Leo whispers, reaching up as if he could touch the shield. His attention is then quickly grabbed by the large pool a few feet away. "Can we play in there?!" he cries with glee.

"I don't see why not," I say, wrapping my arms around both my boys. "Then it's dinner time."

The pool's climate-controlled environment feels perfect against my skin as I dangle my feet in the water. Leo splashes with two other children his age, their laughter echoing off the curved ceiling.

"Look at me!" Leo calls out, doggy-paddling toward a floating toy spaceship.

"I see you, baby." I wave, then turn to Davin stretched out on a lounger behind me. I stand, stretch, and take my place on the one next to his. "Remember when the most exciting part of our day was dodging Alliance patrols?"

"Well, for me, it was tracking down marks across three systems." Davin's fingers trace lazy patterns on my arm. "Though I have to admit, watching him learn to swim is more satisfying than any bounty I've caught."

"Even that one drug lord who tried to bribe you with his yacht?"

"The yacht was tempting." He smirks. "But I already had my eye on a better prize."

"Smooth talker. My parents would be shocked to see me now. They always said I'd be an even better smuggler than they were. Real family business franchise I was raised for."

"Running contraband through the Athenaverse?"

"Among other things. Dad used to say there was no greater thrill than outmaneuvering a customs frigate."

"Papa!" Leo waves frantically. "Watch this!"

We both sit up as Leo attempts an awkward somersault in the shallow end. He comes up sputtering but grinning.

"That's my boy," Davin calls out proudly.

"You know what's funny? I used to think that life was everything. The excitement, the danger, the cash. But now? I wouldn't trade this for all the successful smuggling runs in the galaxy."

"Not even for that cache of diamonds you always wanted to steal?"

"Please. Those diamonds would've been fence fodder anyway." I watch as Leo shows his new friends how to make whirlpools by spinning in circles. "This is worth more."

Davin's fingers pause their tracing on my arm. "You sure about that? You sound a bit wistful."

"Maybe a little." I watch Leo splash with his new friends. "I mean, sometimes I miss the thrill. The planning, the quick thinking, the satisfaction of a perfect run."

"We could always go back to it." His chest rumbles against my back. "Once Leo's older."

"It'd be complicated though." I shift in my lounger. "Especially with two small children."

The rhythmic motion of his fingers stops completely. His palm flattens against my stomach. "Two?"

Heat rises to my cheeks as I realize what I've let slip. "Well... surprise?"

"Jesse." His voice catches. "Are you...?"

"Found out just before we left." I turn to face him, catching the wonder spreading across his features. "I was going to tell you tonight at dinner. You know, with the fancy wine and everything that I really can't drink."

"That's why you didn't want any at lunch." His eyes search mine. "How long?"

"About five weeks." I bite my lip. "Are you happy?"

Instead of answering, he pulls me closer, pressing his forehead to mine. His skin feels cool against my sun-warmed face. "Another one," he whispers. "Another perfect blend of us."

"Mama!" Leo's voice breaks through our moment. "Look what I can do!"

"Just a second, baby!" I call back, then lower my voice. "We should probably wait to tell him. Let him enjoy being the center of attention for a bit longer."

"Agreed." Davin's hand hasn't moved from my stomach. I take his hand and squeeze it.

This…this is the only adventure I need.

For now.