“Holy fuck,” Rick mutters. “Marcus? Alina?” He sounds like he’s been hit over the head with an ice axe.
I look at the couple again, and my eyes widen when I get a better look at the woman. She could be Lila’s slightly older sister. These must be her parents. My heart double thumps with happiness for my mate as the couple turns their attention to Rick, and their faces light up. They push past the sleeping bear and the rest of Lila’s mates and hurry off the platform at the same time Rick moves.
The three of them collide. There are tears, laughter, and mumbled words, and then Rick bends down, pulls Alina toward him, and kisses her hard before grabbing Marcus with his spare arm, tugging him closer, and switching to kissing him.
“Oh, I did not see that coming,” Xavier mutters to Saxon. “Good for Rick.”
“How long will Lila be?” I ask, turning my attention away from her parents and to my co-mates. I know she’s staying behind to do what needs to be done, but I am impatient to see her.
The three of them step down from the platform, Ghosie’s body and the little girl floating behind. “Probably at least an hour. I think Tirrian muttered something about taking her for a flight before returning,” Saxon answers.
“And they will probably fu…” Xavier breaks off, looking down at the small child before continuing. “Do that thing that Lila’s animals all like to do so much.”
“She had to change forms quite a few times, and she healed Sanshia, which looked like it was a lot of work. She’s probably down on power, so I agree with X.” Brannock stops in front of me, and I get a look at the adorable little baby.
“Hey, little one,” I coo, running my finger over the baby’s cheek and admiring her little spines.
“It’s a girl,” he tells me.
“Does she have a name?” I ask, and he shakes his head.
“Not yet. We’re not sure if Sanshia wants to name her or not.”
“Well, she’s still unconscious, but Link has her hooked up to a lot of things, so I’m sure she will come around in time,” I tell them.
“Doesn’t mean she will want to name the baby,” Saxon says. “How about I show Lila’s parents to a room, and you can take the little one down for Link to check over?”
“I know where our room is on the ship.” Marcus must have heard us, and he breaks apart from a scene that was really too intimate for us to be witnessing.
“Ah, yeah, no.” Rick runs a hand through his hair but leaves one arm wrapped around Alina who has tears streaking her face. “The ship has gone through an extensive remodel. Your suite became Lila’s when she joined us and, well, it takes up the entire top deck.”
Marcus frowns. “Where are my fathers? Their suite was up there too.” Marcus doesn’t know that his mother has been found either, but that isn’t something I plan on telling him. I’ll leave it to Rick, but Rick grimaces and turns to us with pleading eyes.
“Pussy,” Xavier coughs.
“Your parents are back on Skarr. They have decided to retire and handed the circus over to Lila,” Saxon explains.
“Retire? My dads?” Marcus sounds shocked, and Rick clears his throat.
“Yeah. They recently reunited with your mother, and they are trying to make up for lost time.”
“My mother?” Marcus repeats, his voice breaking. “She isn’t dead?”
“Nope. Turns out that’s happening a lot recently.” Xavier chuckles, and Rick glares at him.
“They still have a suite, but it’s on this level now. I can show you to it if you want,” I offer, but Rick shakes his head.
“They can come to mine. It’s just down the hall a little ways. We can get some food and talk. I’ll tell you everything that’shappened.” He turns his attention to me. “Does your nursery have a spare crib we can use?”
I nod. “Yes. We have two for Echo’s babies, but we have no need for them for now. You can have one, and we will use the other for this little one.” I point to the babe in Brannock’s arms. “I’ll have it brought to you in a little while,” I assure him.
“Thank you.” Lila’s mom smiles gently at me with curious eyes. “Are you one of Lila’s mates?” she asks, and I nod, smiling at her.
“I am. I am Maxsim.”
“It is lovely to meet you,” she replies, but Lila’s father grumbles, “Twelve mates, Rick. How could you let that happen?”
Rick and the rest of us laugh. “You don’t know your daughter if you think any of us let her do anything,” he replies, and Marcus scowls.
