"There’s something you should know, Summer…" Moon whispers suddenly, looking away. He gazes out the window.
From here the view is of the garden, a sleek rock design, modern and carefully maintained. I know a lot about gardens; our parents ran a landscaping business, and I can tell how elegant this one is. Clearly, Moon has worked in it often. Gardening always calmed him down.
I wait. And wait.
But he doesn’t speak.
"What is it?"
Moon presses his lips together, still silent.
"Spit it out already. I can tell you’re about to say something important," I mutter with a crooked smile.
My hand strokes Lux’s back without thinking. His closeness feels so good.
Then I realize Moon is crying. He’s staring at me, at his son in my arms, and tears slip down from under his lashes.
"What is it, Moon? For God’s sake, just say it!" My voice trembles with impatience and fear. Whatever he’s holding back must carry weight.
"It was his only chance to have normal children."
"What?" I blink.
Maybe I misheard.
"If he hadn’t done it, he never would have any kids."
"What the hell are you talking about? Moon, are you high?"
Moon’s eyes squeeze shut.
I carry Lux back to the crib and carefully lay him down. I don’t want him to feel my storming energy.
I turn back and grip Moon by the shoulders.
"Can you speak clearly for once? I’m not a damn seer like you!"
Tears keep running down his face.
"You should never have childrenof your owntoo, Summer."
"You’ve lost your mind! What the hell are you saying?" My voice cracks, and a wave of black fear coils around my throat like a snake. The ground seems to tremble beneath my feet.
Through clenched teeth, Moon blurts out, "Impregnating Theo gave you both the only chance you’ll ever have to be parents. Both of you. He has the same problem you do, but in that one rare case, that particular egg of Theo’s carried very little alien DNA. It didn’t create thecumulativeeffect."
I feel like I’m about to explode.
"You’re not making sense, Moon! You’re babbling!"
Then he yells so loud that Lux bursts into tears.
"Your children won’t be human, Summer! Do you understand me now? Is that clear enough?"
I stagger back. He has to be on something. Nothing else can explain it.
"You’re a dad, you’re chestfeeding a baby, and you’re still using? Do you even hear yourself? You’re completely gone!"
Lux cries harder.
