Valeri propped her head on her hands and stared into his dark eyes. With an evil grin, she stated, "I guess that means you need to rest instead of joining me tonight in my chambers. Too bad. I had something special in mind. Alexis claimed that Milisarian males equate love with sex. Either she was wrong, or you don't love me much."
Ohber growled and began to tickle her for teasing him. Their laughter could be heard over the clashing swords outside. Nabvan smiled, knowing Ohber had finally been able to express his feelings to Valeri and she had felt the same. He was happy for them. It made him want to return to his chambers where his wife was dressing for work and kiss her sweet lips one more time.
Valeri calmed, stopped laughing, and said, "Really, Ohber, I have to go. I need a shower and clean clothes. They are in my room, and I am late for work."
"You cannot leave yet. There is no need to hurry. The king fully expects you to stay and there is no reason to find the queen. You do not need a chamber unless you prefer to live alone. I wish you to live here, with me. In fact, I am begging you to stay." Ohber's voice quivered on the last sentence.
Valeri jumped up and danced around the room naked. She shouted, "You mean it? You want me to live with you? Yes, yes, yes!!! I can't believe you thought I would say no. I want to curl up with you every night and take care of you every day. I don't want to be alone in a capital chamber. I was afraid to ask if I could stay with you."
Ohber tossed the rug aside as if it was weightless and stood. "We have got to stop keeping our feelings locked away. It only causes us confusion and worry for no reason. From now on, let us be honest with each other about everything."
"I have no problem with that, except it's scary. What if I say something that upsets or hurts you? I don't want to ruin this. We have come a long way, from experimental scientist and captor to man and woman in love." Valeri's hands shook as she paced the room.
Ohber caught up to her, took her shaking hands in his, and replied, "If I get upset, do not worry. I will quickly get over it. Lovers argue, but they continue to love. We have disagreed on many things before. It did not stop us from getting to this point. We have overcome being from different species and planets, so I am sure we can overcome anything that gets in our way."
Valeri sucked in a breath and asked, "Do you think we could have children in the near future? I really want to have babies with you."
Ohber held her close and answered, "I would not have it any other way. Every time I have seen you with Nexxa and Scyon, I have imagined you with our child. It was a dream I dared not believe could come true. I wish for many children to occupy my time."
Valeri gently kissed his lips, hugged him one last time, and then pulled out of his arms. "If that is true, then you better get dressed and go to work. You will need to build a lot more furniture and possibly more rooms. I need to go to the lab and mix more of Alexis's vaccine, in case we have daughters."
She began dressing to leave, but Ohber surprised her once more. He asked, "Shall I build a room for Victor? Do you think he would come if we asked him to give up the FBI for nieces and nephews of another species?"
Valeri smiled widely and declared, "I really don't know, but it would make me extremely happy to ask him. Thank you for loving me enough to think of it.
Valeri went off to work with a big smile on her face. “What are you so happy about?” Alexis asked, already knowing the answer.
“The future,” replied Valeri.
The End.
