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  Her body was only going to contribute what it had to.

  As she thought about it, he muttered, “I am going to have to do some research to find out how this works.”

  She grinned. “It is all in the Lekreaht files. Even after all these weeks, Yoris isn’t sure how I came to be, so I am guessing he never accessed the medical data files.”

  “You won’t tell me?”

  “I prefer that you do your own research on the matter. You are a big boy; you can look it up yourself.” Her lips twitched.

  He sighed and pulled her close. “I would rather just remain here.”

  “I thought that might be more attractive than medical research.”

  He laughed, billowed the sheet up and pulled it over them so that they were in a cocoon of solitude.

  Tremor still got in with them, but he had to work for it. They cuddled together until it was time to emerge and get some breakfast. The first day of their three days of privacy was underway.

  Jimra was sitting with her feet up, watching the news vids with Tremor when she heard an exclamation from the study.

  “What the hell?”

  Jimra fed Tremor a nut and stroked his head when Huros came into the entertainment area.

  “What is it, Huros?”

  “You are going to build a child using cells from my body.”

  She nibbled at her own share of the nuts. “And my own. Don’t forget that.”

  He scowled. “You have an abrader inside you?”

  “It only removes a few microns of skin every time we couple. Your penis recovers quickly.” It was hard to keep her laughter down, but she really tried.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Because you needed to find out for yourself. Now, how upset are you that your own body mass will go into making your child?” She patted her lower abdomen.

  He paused and then looked. “Are you...”

  “Probably. When we leave here tomorrow, I will have the healers look me over. They will be able to see if I have started the process.”

  “I thought you could choose.”

  She rocked her hand back and forth. “I can and I can’t. My mom didn’t plan on pregnancy, but when she had her one night with Yoris, her body decided that his genetics were worthy of the effort of including them in a child. Our personal planning can be overridden.”

  He held his data pad with the Lekreaht reproductive explanation, and he settled in next to her, putting his free hand on her belly.

  His face focused, and a light came to his eyes. “Something is happening in there.”

  “Are you sure it isn’t just breakfast?”

  He chuckled. “I am sure. Analysis is my speciality. There is a process inside you producing energy.”

  She looked over at him and saw that he was aroused. She knew all the signs after three days with him.

  Jimra snorted. “I am guessing that you want to make a contribution to the process?”

  He kissed her, and Tremor jumped to the floor, eating the spilled nuts. He pressed her back to the couch, and he smiled against her lips, mumbling, “You know me very well.”

  She laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck as they set about the boring mechanics of constructing the next generation until pleasure lit both their minds and the joy of anticipation bloomed when pleasure faded.

  Epilogue

  Jimra was laughing at Yoris as he played with Tremor’s little one. Only one Yaluthu had come during the transformation, but the baby fluff ball was all the colours of the rainbow.

  “So, Yoris, are you willing to babysit?”

  “Of course! This little darling is so adorable I would love to keep her fed, watered and entertained while you go on missions.”

  Jimra sighed in relief. Taking the baby on missions had made her a little nervous. Tremor considered Yoris a suitable guardian while he was absent.

  “We will be back in four days.” She sighed and Tremor gave a few strong flaps to land on her shoulder.

  “Take your time. I will be here.”

  She walked up to him and put her hand on his shoulder. “Thanks again.”

  Jimra turned to head for the door and Huros when Yoris asked, “When were you going to tell me you were pregnant? Is it a Lekreaht thing?”

  She turned slowly. “Um, when I got into month four?”

  “You are already curving. Are you sure that you are up for this mission?”

  “I am pregnant, not injured. Huros has to do this analysis of court spending in the Imperium. I will watch his back, and he will keep an eye on my belly. I promise.”

  “He had better, or this will be the only child he can father.”

  She laughed. “Look up Lekreaht breeding. It doesn’t work quite that way, and it will explain a lot about how I came to be here. But now, I am off to watch my husband’s very attractive backside while Tremor watches out for me. Take care of fluffy.”

  Yoris got to his feet and came over to her, pressing a soft kiss on her cheek. “Take care of you. You are the only daughter I am going to have.”

  “Don’t worry. Your granddaughter is safe with me.”

  She patted his cheek and stepped into Huros’s embrace, heading for the skimmer that would take them to the spaceport, and from there, the stars were waiting. Their little family had a mission, and they were going to complete it and come home.

  It might not be working with the fire office, but Jimra managed to find beauty and fulfilment in the everyday actions of herself, her husband and Tremor. It was different, but it was spectacular.

  Author’s Note

  Whew. Got it done. Currently waiting for my next cover.

  I wrote parts of this while watching actual forensic shows and they skewed how I viewed fire. Something always has to start it.

  For the record, I hate short months. They make writing trickier.

  Thanks for reading,

  Viola Grace

  http://www.violagrace.com

  [email protected]

  About the Author

  Viola Grace (aka Zenina Masters) is a Canadian sci-fi/paranormal romance writer with ambitions to keep writing for the rest of her life. She specializes in short stories because the thrill of discovery, of all those firsts, is what keeps her writing.

  An artist who enjoys a story that catches you up, whirls you around and sets you down with a smile on your face is all she endeavours to be. She prefers to leave the drama to those who are better suited to it, she always goes for the cheap laugh.