Moonstruck (26 page)

One year later

T
HE GROUNDS OF THE
Royal Galactic Military Academy were as lovely now as they had been the day Brit arrived as a new cadet, over two decades ago. Then, suffering from post-traumatic stress and grief that weighed on her day and night, she’d found it difficult to appreciate her surroundings. Now in her position commanding the venerated, centuries-old school—and as a woman healing—she saw beauty in everything around her.

“Admiral!” Her chief of faculty made her way through the gardens to where Brit strolled on her walk, much the way she used to walk the decks of her ship. Only this evening, she was headed home—to a land home, and a husband. “Prime-Admiral Zaafran and Prime Minister Belduin have arrived in their quarters. Shall I tell them dinner is half past sept-hour?”

Her tenure as headmaster brought many celebrities to the academy. As well, Finn brought in his own share of those eager to dine with him. Heading up a brand-new position as chief of Drakken recruitment, he’d attracted a wealth of qualified candidates. Traveling far and wide, he worked to transition those in Drakken refugee camps to enclaves in cities, where, he hoped, they’d ultimately blend into the general population. Finn considered his life’s work helping the Drakken integrate without losing their identity.

“Half past, yes,” Brit replied, glad that tonight Zaafran would join them. Many interesting visitors made their way to the academy but she enjoyed the dinners with old friends the most.

“I’ll let them know.” The woman smiled and hurried off. They could have communicated via data-vis or PCD, yet the interaction had occurred in person. It was still so old-fashioned here. Hi-tech comm was used more often than not in cases of emergencies only. It was fine with her.

Brit stopped to watch new cadets drilling on the lawns. Others soared overhead in fighter-craft, roaring past in tight formation. Drakken, Coalition, Earth, they’d graduate to command a military vastly different from the one she had.

Finally, she turned in the direction of home. Not that she was opposed to whatever new adventures and opportunities life might present, but working with the next generation of galactic cadets and setting down some roots was her focus for now. Roots. It had a nice ring to it, that.

L
ATER THAT NIGHT
,
after the guests had gone, Finn made love to her. It had never abated, the chemistry between them, but tonight had seemed somehow sweeter, even more loving than usual. It had a different purpose.

They’d set out to make a baby.

When they were finally ready to rest, Finn leaned over her in bed, his kind, smiling eyes shining. Savoring the silence, the way they could talk without words, she reached up to caress him. He still wore his tattoos, save one, the Drakken bird of prey. She’d encouraged him to keep the others so he’d never forget his origins, just as he helped her to come to terms with her past. She’d even started a data-note to her parents, whom she’d located not long ago. She’d reach out and see what happened.

“Moonstruck,” he said as he gazed down at her.

She laughed. “What’s that? Not a name for our child, I hope.”

“It’s how your former executive officer says I act around you. She took time to tease me when I ran into her at Yirshmokk Port after the summit meeting.”

“She did?” Brit smiled. It was always nice to hear of Hadley. The girl was as green as a captain could be when she took command of the
Cloud Shadow,
but she was learning fast. Her future was bright.

“Aye. On her homeworld, Talo, ‘moonstruck’ means being so crazy in love that nothing else matters.”

“I’d say that’s an apt description of us. Crazy. Insane. Ill-advised.”

Finn chuckled as he bent down to kiss her.

“And perfectly perfect,” she murmured against his mouth.

“Aye…” Chuckling, he nibbled his way to her ear. She heard her wedding earring clicking against his teeth. “That’s exactly what I told her.” He drew her close as he rolled to his side.

Once Finn Rorkken got hold of “something good,” he never let it go. He reminded her of that fact every time he held her near all night long.

As he did now.

Warm with contentment, she closed her eyes, smiling when he gently, protectively, rested his hand on her belly. It was a moment beautiful for its simplicity: the man she loved holding her, and perhaps a newly created life snuggled safely between their warm bodies. It made all the years she’d served the Coalition worth it. Her military service had brought her to Finn, as his had to her. Now she and her rugged, wicked boy would have a baby, and their child would grow up in peace.