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“I’m sure you will.” Karn looked over at the guard. “Have you still got my laser? The one you took off me the last time I was here?”

The guard nodded. “It’s in storage. You’re not getting your hands on it.”

“I don’t want it. I need to get rid of it. If I sign it over to Billy and have him take it off the station, would that be okay?”

The guard rubbed his chin. “It’s an illegal weapon. We don’t return those to criminals.”

“This is for love,” Billy said. He looked at Karn. “Are you selling it to get Ivy a ring?”

Karn recoiled. “Easy now.” The thought of being married to Ivy did appeal. He wanted no one else touching his gorgeous woman.

“You’re still on your mission to tame your wild woman?” the guard asked, a look of mischief in his eyes.

“Getting back the laser would solve a lot of my problems,” Karn said. “There might be a bottle of Earth brandy in it for you if you help us out.”

“I’m more of a whisky guy.” The guard grinned. “No promises, but I’ll see what I can do. It’s still your property, even though it shouldn’t be here.”

Karn looked at Billy. “Take the laser and give it to the two Dackins we met in the Enchanted Captain. Tell them it’s their pay off. It will make us even. Don’t take any nonsense from them.”

“I won’t let you down.” Billy left the cell, giving Karn a wave as he did so. The door remained open.

Karn looked at the guard. “Is there something else?”

“You’re popular today. You’ve got another visitor.” The guard smiled. “I hear congratulations are in order.”

“Congratulations?”

Ivy strode in, dressed to kill in her fitted jumpsuit.

Karn’s grin was one of delight and relief. “What kept you?”

“Remember what I said. Fifteen minutes.” The guard stepped back, and the door closed behind him.

Karn tilted his head. “Ivy, what’s going on?”

She shrugged, a small smile playing across her lips. “I haven’t been able to stop telling everybody about our upcoming marriage. I convinced our friendly guard that I needed to see you, so we could get in some practice for the wedding night.”

Karn’s eyes widened. “Marriage? Wedding night?”

“Trust you to process the wrong bits of that sentence.” Ivy cocked a hip and rested her hand on it.

Karn ran a hand through his hair. “It’s just, well, marriage. I mean, it’s so sudden.”

“Relax, we’re not getting married. It was the only way I could think of to get in to see you. I figured you must be missing me.” She stepped closer. “We’ve been missing you.”

Karn’s gaze went to Ivy’s stomach. “You’ve confirmed it?”

She nodded. “We’re having a baby. You must be one fertile Forka.”

“I could say the same about you. That night we fooled around, I knew you were fertile. I never expected this.” He stood and rested his hand on her stomach.

“It’s like Billy keeps going on about; it’s fate. We are meant to be together. All three of us.”

“Are you ready for this? Forka babies grow fast. It will put a strain on your body. You need to take it easy and get lots of rest and plenty of nutrients.”

“I know all that. The doctor has been great.” Ivy rested a hand on his. “I’ve put on five pounds already. All he wants to eat is this gross tasting fermented cabbage. Everything comes with a side order of pickled yuck.”

“It’s a boy!” Karn laughed. “That gross cabbage is a delicacy. Our boy already has excellent taste. I actually meant, are you ready to be a parent?”