Avelyn and the Alien Daddy (Intergalactic Brides 3) (7 page)

He growled. “You’re not going to see Lily occasionally, you’re going to see her every day. I don’t care that you can’t have children. I told you before that there is always adoption. Having you in my life is much more important to me than being able to have children of my own blood.”

“I’ll get something written up and ready for you by the end of the day,” Xonos said. “And if you need me to speak to them, I’ll be happy to do so. I’m sorry I didn’t have better news for you.”

“How could he have done this to me?” She sobbed against Thrace’s chest.

“I don’t know, but we won’t let him get away with it. As soon as we’re mated, I’ll make sure he’s prosecuted for what he did to you. As the mate of a Terran, you will be deemed far more important than him, despite his money.”

“They’ll never let us be together.” She blinked up at him tearfully.

“You need to call Kelvyk,” Xonos said. “You can ask him to speak to his uncle on your behalf. If Chief Councillor Borgoz approves the mating, it will go through without issue.”

“I’ll place the call as soon as I escort Avelyn and Lily to a limo. I only wish I could take the day off to be with them.”

“I’ll be fine,” Avelyn assured him. “It’s upsetting news, but it isn’t something we can change. And if your council comes back and says we can’t be mated, then you’ll have to accept it, Thrace. I don’t want you to anger them by pushing the issue.”

“I will fight back with everything I have, Avelyn, because you are worth having, at any cost. The worst they can do is ban me, in which case I will appeal to Earth’s government to become part of their society. And if they won’t have me, then I will find us another world to live on, but what I won’t do is give up.”

Avelyn’s eyes teared up again at his words. In that moment, she knew that love wasn’t going to come someday. She loved him already. Who wouldn’t fall in love with such an incredible male? He was the stuff dreams were made of. So what if his skin was a lilac color? Or if his eyes were purple? Truthfully, she found him to be breathtaking and loved those things about him. She was saddened by the fact they couldn’t have children together because they would have been beautiful babies.

“If you’re willing to fight, then I will fight by your side,” she said softly. “If you’re willing to give up everything to be with me, I will do the same for you. All I want is for us to be a family -- Lily, you, and me. That’s all that matters.”

He smiled. “Come. I’ll take you to Brielle and Lily, and then walk you to the limo. You should go home and rest until I get off work. Maybe we’ll go out somewhere nice for dinner. Stop in one of the shops at the hotel and ask them to charge your purchase to my room, and don’t argue about it. I’ll have to make sure you have access to my funds so you can buy more clothes. I’m sure Lily needs things too.”

By now, she knew better than to argue with him. He could be so stubborn! But she knew he was doing it because he cared. Everything Thrace did was for Lily’s benefit, or hers. He seldom did anything that was just for him. She’d have to make arrangements for him to have some male bonding time with his friends. She knew he liked Xonos and hoped Victoria would know of other friends she could contact, or perhaps their mates. The women could arrange something for all of their men. Did alien men like movie nights, watching sports, or playing video games? Thrace almost always put something on that either Lily or she wanted to watch so she didn’t know what he did or didn’t like. She’d have to rectify that.

When they entered the lounge, Brielle smiled and carried Lily over to them. The little girl was fussing a little, but it wasn’t an all-out scream fest just yet. Avelyn held out her arms and Lily practically threw herself at her.

“Ma. Ma. Ma. Ma,” Lily babbled.

Thrace’s eyes widened. “She called you momma.”

“It was an accident. I swear I haven’t been training her to say that.” Avelyn worried he would be angry, but a huge smile diffused her worries.

“Can you teach her to say Da-Da too?”

“You’re not upset she called me momma?”

Thrace wrapped an arm around her waist. “Of course not. You
are
her momma. I think that’s been apparent from the moment she went to you at the station in Las Vegas. She chose you, Avelyn, just as I have. We’re yours, and you’re ours.”

Avelyn knew she needed to get out of there before he made her cry again.

“We’ll see you at home. You don’t have to walk us out.” She brushed a kiss against his cheek. “I promise to stop in the shops before heading up to our suite. I’ll buy something appropriate for dinner out, and I’ll make sure Miss Lily is dressed appropriately too.”

Brielle bit her lip and lifted her hand. “I don’t mean to interrupt, but I can tell you received bad news. What if Syl and I took Lily for the night? I could bring her back in the morning and have breakfast with you, Avelyn. That way we can get to know each other better. My husband is Thrace’s friend so I’m sure we’ll see more of each other.”

“Oh, but you look so close to your due date, and she can be so fussy when she isn’t at home.” Avelyn frowned. “I don’t want to impose on you like that. I’m sure you need your rest.”

Brielle smiled. “I can always make Syl get up with her. It will be good practice for him.”

“Are you sure?” Thrace asked.

“Positive. I can ride with Avelyn back to the hotel and pick up a bag for Lily, then head home so she can shop without having to tote a baby around. Besides, I think the two of you could use some alone time tonight. Am I right?”

Thrace smiled faintly. “You would be right. It wasn’t good news today, but I’m not going to let that stop me from claiming Avelyn as my mate.”

“I’ll walk with her to the limo and you can get back to work. Don’t want to anger anyone with you taking an extended break or anything, although I’m sure they would understand if they knew the situation.” Brielle smiled. “Go. They’re in good hands.”

“Very well.” Thrace cupped Avelyn’s face between his hands and stared into her eyes. “I will be home just as soon as I’m allowed to leave. Relax in the tub with those bubble things I’ve heard you Earth women like. Watch your favorite movie. Whatever it is you do to relax, and try not to think about what Xonos had to say today, and know that I will stop at nothing to make you mine. This is merely a… what’s that Earth phrase?”

“A speed bump?” Brielle answered.

“Yes.” Thrace smiled. “This is merely a speed bump. We’ll get through this, and in the end, we’ll be together as a family, just the way we were meant to be. And once Lily is a little older, and you’re ready for another baby, we’ll contact the intergalactic adoption agency and we’ll see what infants they have available. With you as a stay-at-home mom, and since I have such a secure position, they are guaranteed to place a baby with us. Look how well it’s turned out with Lily! They would be stupid to refuse.”

Avelyn nodded. “I’ll do as you say and wait for you to come home.”

He hugged her gently, careful not to squash Lily, then gave her one last smile before returning to work. Brielle lifted the diaper bag and motioned for Avelyn to follow her. For someone carrying so much extra weight, the redhead moved surprisingly fast. When they reached the limos, Avelyn selected the one she’d arrived in, buckled Lily into her car seat, and then settled across from her so the baby could see her at all times. She’d found that worked best when Thrace wasn’t with them.

Brielle chatted on the way to the hotel, telling Avelyn how she’d met her husband, Syl, and how they’d come to be on Earth. It made Avelyn worry that Thrace really would have to break ties with his council in order for them to be together, but Syl seemed to be managing just fine and was working for the council again, so maybe it wouldn’t come to that. Perhaps they had learned their lesson? She nearly snorted. Since when did government officials ever learn anything?

When they reached the hotel, Avelyn carried Lily up to their suite with Brielle by her side. She entered the suite and set Lily in the playpen before she went to get a bag together for her; two changes of clothes, pajamas, enough formula to keep her full, several clean bottles, a few of her favorite toys, and a fresh stack of diapers. When everything was packed, she handed the bag to Brielle.

“I think I covered everything. If she gets too fussy, or really wants to come home, don’t hesitate to call us. We’ll come get her at any time.”

Brielle smiled. “I’m sure we’ll be fine, but I promise to call if I think she’s getting too distressed.”

Avelyn picked up Lily, hugged her tightly, kissed her soft cheek and then handed her to Brielle. The baby looked confused for a moment, but shoved her fist into her mouth and sucked on it. Avelyn waved bye as they stepped out into the hall, and as she closed the door, she heard, “Ma. Ma. Ma. Ma.”

Avelyn leaned her forehead against the door and blew out a breath. Saying goodbye to Lily was never easy. She wondered if it ever would be, or would it just get harder the closer Avelyn and Lily got toward one another? How did parents ever send their kids off to school? She already knew she’d be bawling on the day Lily started school. It was guaranteed.

Pulling herself together, she made sure she had her room key in her pocket and decided to go do some retail therapy to find the perfect dress and shoes for dinner tonight. If Thrace and she were going to have some alone time, she wasn’t going to squander it. She wanted his jaw to drop when he saw her. She contemplated buying make-up, but realized neither of the mates she’d met had worn any. Maybe Terrans didn’t like make-up on their women? She’d have to ask Thrace.

He pounded his fist on the table as he stared at the Vid-Comm. “Dammit, Borgoz. You owe me! I’ve given a year of my life to service on Earth and haven’t asked for a single thing from you. You can read Xonos’ findings yourself. It isn’t Avelyn’s fault she can’t have children, and who’s to say that I’m able to father them anyway? You’re always so concerned with whether or not the females can give birth, you never stop to question whether or not the males mating them have the ability to plant a seed.”

Borgoz snorted. “You know it’s a rare occurrence for our males not to be in top performance. We excel at everything we do.”

It was just the type of sexist remark he expected to hear from the Chief Councillor.

“Well, let me ask you this. How am I supposed to attract a bride you’ll approve of with a Drelthene baby in tow? Avelyn loves Lily as if she were her own daughter. You know as well as I do that the adoption agency is overflowing. I want to give those babies a home, and so does Avelyn. We can provide a service that other couples don’t or won’t want to do.”

“Those unwanted brats can find homes on other worlds. You’ll do as you’re told, warrior.”

“Not this time. I love Avelyn, and if I can’t claim her as my mate, then I won’t take one. You can’t force me to marry someone, not even the council has that much power, not when it comes to my personal life. I’m not your nephew. You can’t arrange a match for me.”

The Councillor’s face flushed.

“Yes, I know all about the woman you’re trying to force on Kelvyk. We talked about it in some detail before I made this call. And since forced matches are frowned upon in our society, you’re going to do exactly as I want or I take your little misdeed before the entire council. How would you like to lose your position?”

“Don’t you dare threaten me!”

“Then approve my mating request. In the grand scheme of things, does it really matter if I’m mated to a woman who can’t have children? What’s the difference in a Terran taking a non-Terran mate and possibly having non-Terran children, compared to my mating with Avelyn and adopting non-Terran children? Either way, our society is going to change in the upcoming years. You know we only breed true with humans, but there are only so many human brides to go around.”

Borgoz looked disgruntled, but he didn’t deny Thrace’s claim.

“Very well. I’ll consider the matter, but that’s all I can give you for now. I’ll take it before the council next week and we’ll vote. Until then, maybe you should enjoy your time with her, in case this doesn’t end the way you want.”

Seemed reasonable enough. He signed off and made his way outside to a waiting limo. He was more than ready to go home, shower and change, and take Avelyn out to a nice dinner. He thought about Borgoz’s words. If his time was limited with Avelyn, he definitely wanted to make every second count. He couldn’t afford to be hesitant around her any longer. He would take what he wanted, what he knew she wanted, and he wouldn’t have a moment of regret.

And if the council was unwise enough to take Avelyn from him, then he’d move forward with the next step of his plan -- forgoing his place in Terran society and going out on his own. Granted, when Syl had left, he was one of a very few scientists and his skills were greatly needed. If Thrace left, he’d be one of thousands of warriors. It wasn’t likely his home world would ask him to come back. If he took those steps, it would very likely be the last time he was welcome in Terran society.

At the hotel, Thrace made his way up to his suite, trying to dispel his feelings of unease over the situation. He rolled his head on his shoulders, easing the tension built up there. Pushing open the door, he froze before he could take a single step across the threshold. Avelyn stood with her back to him, looking out the window. Sunlight streamed through the glass, forming a halo around her body. Her hair had been partially pinned up, with long curls hanging down her back.

A back that was completely bare. The sight of all that creamy skin made his cock harden. He’d asked her to purchase a dress, but she seemed to have forgotten part of it. Did she expect to go out like that? Where men could gawk at what belonged to him? She must have heard him and turned, a smile adorned her face. His gaze skimmed down her body. The black material of her dress cupped her breasts lovingly, draped over her hips, and fell to her calves, the slinky material leaving little to the imagination.

“Do you like it?” she asked.

“Where’s the rest of it?”

Her eyes twinkled in merriment. “I assure you, this is a complete dress. Look! Matching shoes.” She stuck a leg out and pointed her foot. A long, curvy leg and a small, delicate foot with some sort of strappy thing attached to it. He had to admit, the shoe gave him naughty ideas… of stripping her bare except for those shoes.