“You can have one after we catch up,” she threatens.
I hold back a less-happy groan, unable to help smiling.
Inside, I’m immediately tackled by the kids. The youngest—Zuzu, Daisy’s second with a tail instead of legs—bursts into tears as he reaches for my hair. I pick him up and rock him gently, delighting in his wiggling warmth. His small tail coils around my arm. “They’ve gotten so much bigger.”
“They’re growing like weeds compared to us plain humans. It makes some things easier. Others, though, are much harder than they should be. Like explaining safety to them. They’re constantly taunting death or serious injury. They’re sick of being stuck in the house or relegated to the top but Zaku’s not ready to take them outside hunting or tracking yet. I’m with him there. Maybe once things calm down and we know more about what’s going on out there.”
I hand Daisy Zuzu, and she smoothly props him on her hip as Zaku ushers the two older boys into the back kitchen, where there are plates with raw strips of meat and berries placed out for them.
“What makes it so hard?” Krellix asks, studying Daisy and her three boys, taking in their excited running, babbling, and slithering. Making notes, I’m sure. “They are so small, they can not be that hard to manage.”
Daisy laughs like Krellix is being extra funny, her eyes dropping to my stomach. “It looks like you’ll find out soon enough. Come.” She grabs my hand and tugs me deeper into the house. “We can talk while I set you a bath. Your feet and back must be killing you. Afterwards, we can get you in the Yulen fora body scan. Maybe get you something for the aches and pains you’re feeling. If you want it.”
I give Krellix a parting glance before following Daisy toward my old room. “Thank you, that would be great.”
Once we’re both inside, she closes the door and sets Zuzu down, then heads to the bathroom to turn on the tub’s faucet. Amazingly, nothing has changed since I left. Even the clothes I left behind remain hanging in the closet. Everything is crisp and organized, not a spot of dust, but all the same nonetheless.
That home-away-from-home feeling comes back to me and floods me with warmth.
I turn for the bathroom, already hopping on one foot as I pull my boot off. When I see the water pooling in the large, white basin, I moan out loud. I’ve never seen such a wonderful sight in all my life—well, except Krellix in the sunlight. Steam wafts into the air, luring me with the promise of luxury.
“I can’t wait to hear everything.” Daisy stands and faces me. There’s a mischievous glint in her eye that catches my attention.
My eyes narrow in response. “What is it?”
She scans me up and down and slowly grins.
“What?” I consider her warily, debating whether or not I want to take a tentative step back. But that would make me farther from the bathtub and I really just want to be closer to it.
“I always knew it was going to be you and Krellix. I knew it! Damn, I thought he might have lost his chance when he brought you back here after he found you, but it looks like you guys just needed more time together.” Her grin grows.
I sigh and roll my eyes. “Right, more time.” It’s true, though. We needed more time. We still do, even now. Lately, it’s been hard to come by with the ever-morphing situation of the encampment. Now that we’re away, I’m hoping that changes. Krellix is my rock. He’s become my sanctuary. Despite what theday may bring, he’s always there for me at the end of it. I do my best to be there for him as well.
“Did you like his pheromones? Did they make you melt and turn into a fool?” Daisy giggles like a young girl.
“They did not make me melt or turn me into a fool,” I huff, taking off my other boot. “I kept my head.”
“Right. Your head.” She smirks significantly at my stomach. “Or was it his?”
I laugh and pull off my shirt, bemused by my friend’s excitement—and teasing. She reaches out and feels my distended belly, smiling even wider when she feels my baby kick. “I don’t think it will be much longer now, if I base my progress off of yours,” I say.
“No, not much longer. You’ll be taken care of here, though. The Yulen has helped me each time and we have Laura now. I can reach her through an orb if you’re nervous. She and Azsote will come. We just have to ask.”
I wave my hand. “I’m surprisinglynotnervous.” Eyeing the filling bath with longing, I unbuckle and shuffle my pants down my legs. Daisy pivots around as I strip the rest of the way down and tentatively step into the water, then lower my aching body into the bath with a heavy sigh. “This is worth the entire damn trip. Every painful step.”
“What? How dare you. And I’m not?” Daisy teases.
I wink up at her when she turns back to meet my gaze. “You’re worth it too. It’s really good to see you.” It’s incredibly great to be with her and to see her so happy. I was worried whether she’d want to see me at all after I left her without saying goodbye, but I realize how dumb that is now. The strangeness of our circumstances have brought us close. I’ve neverbeenso close to another woman, and now that I consider her my best friend, I’m determined to keep it that way.
There’s just been a lot going on lately…
Right then, Zuzu starts slamming the toilet lid over and over, making us both jump. “I’ll have Zaku take him for a bit. Just relax and enjoy your bath, I’ll be right back.” She picks him up and dashes out of the bathroom, shutting the door behind her.
I reach forward and turn the bathwater off before lying back down with a satiated purr. Suddenly it feels like the pain in my lower back is gone, replaced by sweet, liquid heat that swiftly spreads through me. Not even the massages Krellix gives me can beat the wonders of a hot soak. Grabbing the soap off the side ledge, I rub it between my hands and get them sudsy.
It’s been nearly three and a half months since I’ve been back here. Neither Krellix nor I thought we could make the trip until things were more stable at the encampment. Though things arefarfrom settled, they are beginning to take an upward turn now, and once I got pregnant, we decided we didn’t have much of a choice anyway.
I’m not afraid of a lot of things… But I am afraid of getting an infection and so is Krellix. And childbirth itselfkillswomen. I would’ve trusted one of the physicians left at the encampment if I’d had no other choice. I could have used the medbay in one of the spaceships docked. But I have another option, one I like much better. I have friends. Trusted friends. Friends who’ve already been through it and, fortunately, have the technology to help me through it as well.
