Page 62 of Whoops-A-Mate From Outer Space

Tolai’s screech of joy instantly erased any fear that they would disapprove.

Veeshen wore a huge grin. “That is indeed worthy of celebration.”

I reached for Eashai’s hand and squeezed it.

I’d gained more than a mate. I had an entire family.

∞∞∞

The medical slash science building was oddly quiet as Eashai and I walked in, having just returned from Lyll.

“I wonder if they’re in more meetings,” I mused as we walked toward the lab. “I’m sure there’s plenty of implementation to discuss.”

“Perhaps.” He chuckled and squeezed my hand where he was holding it. “However, I am confident that Ben and the others will be running analyses.”

“Or in PT,” I laughed.

“That is a good point.”

I stopped outside the lab door, and he turned to face me.

“Gene?”

I smiled and leaned in to kiss him. “I wanted to do that before we had to be professional.”

His eyes were soft as he gazed at me, then he frowned. “I am sorry for asking to come back early. We could have had another day to ourselves.”

I shook my head. “It’s ok. I get it. You prefer to get the spacesickness over with, rather than wait around once your work is done.”

He tipped his forehead against mine. “Thank you.”

I smiled. “We can plan longer trips without work, make it worth staying longer.”

“I like that idea.”

“Shall we?”

He straightened and nodded. He took my hand again and led me into the lab…

Where I immediately spotted my department chair and the dean of faculty standing in the middle of the room, talking to Floyd and the general.

The room went silent as the four of them looked at us, then the dean and my chair’s eyes fell on where Eashai’s hand and mine were still joined.

Eashai started to drop my hand, but I squeezed his fingers to let him know it was ok.

Fuck anybody who didn’t approve of us.

“God damnit!” Floyd swore after several tense seconds. “You two weren’t supposed to be back until tomorrow.”

I chuckled, remembering how Eashai had returned early on the day of my arrival.

The men from my university gaped for several more seconds, until my department chair finally found his voice. “Gene… uh… they were… They said you were working with classified alien DNA?”

It took every ounce of willpower not to laugh, especially since Eashai had fucked me senseless the night before. I was working with alien DNA, alright, and some of it was likely still inside me.

I licked my lips and forced the memories aside.

“Bob,” I started, nodding to my chair. Then I turned to the dean. “Dean Phillips. I’d like you both to meet my new husband, Eashai.”