Triptych

by S. C. Mitchell

  Maggie’s daughter. Of course she’d be thinking about that. The Morrigan needed an heir to pass to. How quickly was she planning this?

  Paul had been giving the matter a bit of thought himself.

  “You’ve already named her?” Not that he minded, but . . . he added, “And don’t you mean our daughter.” He’d be damned if he’d let any other man father a child with her.

  She took another sip. “I like Moira. Don’t you?”

  Oh, so she was being evasive. Scamp.

  “I do.” He nodded, raising his glass. “To Moira.”

  His head was already spinning in a most wonderful way. He had Maggie and whiskey. What else did a man need?

  “Of course, if you become pregnant, you’ll be out of action with Xi Force for nine months or so.” Which would take a load of worry off his shoulders during that time. She could stay here, pampered and protected.

  He did worry about her in the field. Xi Force missions could get plenty dangerous. He probably needed to talk with John Wylde about how he plans to deal with Quantum back in the game now.

  No not Wylde. He dealt with everything by pretending he was only a character in a novel.

  Probably Shade instead. He and Phaze were an item.

  In any case, it was something he knew he’d have to deal with in time, but if he could put it off . . . by say, nine months . . .

  “Nope.” A sly smile crossed her lips. “I read about it in Gran’s notebook. Only Morgause carries the child when we split, so Morgan and Morgana will still be available. Pretty cool, eh?”

  “Yeah, cool.” Okay, he’d better deal with it sooner rather than later. And it didn’t change the fact he loved her and wanted to be with her forever.

  Maggie snuggled closer. “As for the father, well, I haven’t really decided yet.”

  “Maggie?” He wasn’t that drunk.

  She waved her glass about. “I suppose there are always sperm banks.”

  Over his dead body. “Maggie.”

  Then she turned into him, kicked out her leg, and spun onto his lap, facing him. The move had been swift and smooth, taking him by surprise.

  He’d blame that on the whiskey.

  Her beautiful green eyes gazed directly into his. “Well, it’s not like any man’s asked me to marry him, you know.”

  He put his glass on the side table and wrapped his arms around her. “Well, it’s not like I’ve had the chance. We have been a bit busy lately, you know.”

  She took a last gulp from her glass and set it beside his. “Oh, but now I suppose you’ll be sayin’ I trapped you into it.”

  He kissed the tip of her nose and chuckled. “I haven’t asked you yet.”

  “Well, what in blazes are you waitin’ for?”

  True, there was nothing stopping him now except, “I can’t get down on my knee if you’re sitting on my lap.”

  She jumped up, but turned her back to him, though he didn’t miss the sly smile creasing her lips. “Oh, well, then I guess the whole thing’s off.”

  He pushed up from the couch, grabbed her around the waist and pulled her in. Then he nibbled her ear, taking in her scent, her essence. Yes, this was the woman he wanted now and forever. “Marry me.”

  She grunted. “Now, Mr. Paul Tompkins, you’re callin’ this on your knees? Exactly how drunk do you think I am?”

  He spun her around, grabbed her hand, and dropped to one knee. “Begorrah, Maggie O’Donnell, you are the most infuriating woman on this, or any other planet. Will. You. Marry. Me?”

  She cocked her head. “Well, since you put it so nicely . . . yes.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Maggie’s head spun, and it wasn’t entirely the whiskey. “Maggie Tompkins has a nice ring to it. Tisn’t an Irish name, to be sure, but it’ll do.”

  “You don’t have to take my name, you know,” Paul said.

  He was on his feet, pulling her into his arms, where she really wanted to be.

  No, where she really wanted to be was in the next room, naked and in bed with him, but getting there was half the fun.

  “I’m not going to have our daughter struggling with some kind of hyphenated monstrosity. Tompkins-O’Donnell, O’Donnell-Tompkins. Drive the poor little creature bonkers, it would.”

  Paul was chuckling. “At least she’ll be our poor little creature.”

  Her love, her partner, and her best friend. All in one incredibly sexy guy.

  What more did a girl need?

  Well, except for some proper Irish whiskey.

  Brothers and sisters

  A Xi Force short story

  Carlos Diego fumed, pacing along the aisle of ancient computer consoles in the Xi Force sub-basement level, waiting.

  The Xi-1 had returned the rest of the Xi Force team to headquarters hours ago. Luke Sheffield was out of surgery and on the road to recovery. Hell, Maggie O’Donnell and Paul Tompkins had emerged from her room, much the worse for wear, to announce their engagement, not that it surprised anyone.

  Still, Olivia and Kirk had not returned.

  Where had they been? What had they been doing?

  Carlos’s gut fisted.

  He’d gone to Aaron to ask what could be done to locate the missing alien ship with his sister and Kirk Peters inside.

  “NASA is scanning for them, but I’m sure they’re fine,” he’d answered.

  Fine?

  No, nothing was fine. Olivia was missing.

  At least when she’d been a ghost he usually knew where to find her, and nothing could hurt her anyway. How could he protect her now if he didn’t know where she was?

  His gut twisted.

  He’d sent his astral projection up into the stratosphere, but he’d had no idea where to even start looking.

  Don’t wait up had been Olivia’s final words to Triptych before she’d flown off in the alien craft.

  With Kirk.

  Aaron’s voice crackled over his earpiece. “NASA located the craft, and it’s on a course back here. Try not to be too hard on ‘em.”

  With a whoosh of air, the alien craft, now designated as the Xi-2, settled on its landing pad.

  Carlos held in his agitation. Anger would only put Olivia on the defensive.

  The ship’s hatch opened and the walkway extended.

  Kirk was the first out. Laughing, his head turned to look back into the hatch, he hadn’t notice Carlos until he was almost at the bottom of the ramp. His smile dropped, he held up his hands defensively. “Nothing happened. I promise.”

  “I’m sure it didn’t.” Carlos narrowed his gaze. It had better not have.

  “I gotta check in with Aaron.” Kirk beat a hasty retreat.

  “Carlos, stop that.” Olivia’s sharp tone brought his gaze up. She stood in the hatch opening, having the audacity to narrow her gaze at him.

  Oh no. I am not the one in the wrong here.

  “Where have you been?” And she’d better have a good explanation. The ship was a valuable asset, and not her toy, even though right now she was the only one who knew how to fly the damned thing.

  “I was testing its range,” she said without batting an eye. Of course she would have an excuse ready for him.

  “So, how far did you go?” She could read into that question anything she wanted.

  Her smile was as broad as it was enigmatic. “To the moon.”

  She turned and secured the hatch door before continuing toward him.

  “And Kirk?” Two could play at that game.

  Mischief played in her eyes. “Was very enthusiastic.”

  “Olivia.”

  She was toying with him. Lately she’d gone past her childhood phase into something resembling teenage angst for a few weeks and was now bl
ossoming into snarky young womanhood.

  Her personality was catching up with her new body, but still not quite there. She looked the part of a mature woman, but when she spoke she seemed so much younger, so immature.

  She’d missed so much of her childhood and young adulthood. To an extent he’d been glad she had a chance to experience at least a taste of youth.

  If only she hadn’t been so annoying.

  Olivia chuckled and slapped at his shoulder. “We actually did go to the moon. Had dinner at Tranquility Base. All that space junk is still there, and the footprints too. One small step for man. It was awesome.”

  “The moon?” There was power in the moon. It would’ve been interesting to test what effect it would have on magic.

  Olivia cocked her head at him. “Do you know how many women have been to the moon?”

  Carlos forced his thoughts back to his current problem. “One?”

  She chuckled. “Isn’t that cool?”

  Well, yes. It actually was when he thought about it. But that wasn’t his point.

  “And you brought Kirk with you.”

  She rounded on him, caught his gaze. “Carlos. He was there. It’s not like I invited him along over everyone else. I got the idea, I suggested it to him, and he agreed. It wasn’t what you’re thinking . . . what you’re always thinking.”

  A twinge of guilt spiked through Carlos’s gut. He was still adjusting to Olivia being alive and adult. The bulk of his life, his sister had been an eight-year-old ghost girl.

  “I suppose I have been a little over-protective of you.”

  She huffed. “A little? Virtually every available male in the complex is scared to approach me. Even Kirk, and we’ve been working closely together on some projects. I like him. He’s smart, sexy, and really nice. But there we were, in a completely romantic setting. On the moon, Carlos. We were having dinner on the moon.”

  “You brought food along?” A picnic lunch? Had she planned this all along?

  She rolled her eyes. “Okay, it was only a couple of energy bars Kirk happened to have, but that’s not my point. It could have been so romantic, but Kirk wouldn’t make a move.”

  “He’s a nice, responsible young man. I respect him more for it.” Kirk was a really good guy, and maybe, someday, the right guy for Olivia.

  Someday.

  Maybe.

  “It wasn’t that he was being nice. I think he genuinely likes me, but he was scared, Carlos. Scared of you.” She sighed. “You’ve got to stop being so protective of me.”

  He paused, closed his eyes, and looked to find his center, that place where logic ruled and emotion was kept at bay. He could do this when it concerned anyone or anything except his sister.

  Carlos carried the guilt of her death with him. He’d been the reason she couldn’t move on and had been trapped as a ghost. Their bond, as twins, had kept her here after her death. And he’d made his life’s focus to find a way to help her move on.

  But she was back now, and an adult. And finally acting like an adult as well. He needed to let go.

  Still his gut churned. “I . . . I’m sorry.”

  Leaning in, she kissed him on the cheek. “I love you, big brother.”

  She cocked her head with a curious twinkle in her eyes. “And I think it’s time you looked for a little romance in your life as well. You’re not getting any younger.”

  “Don’t be absurd.” He had his studies, his magic. A woman would only complicate his ordered life. His sister was enough of a distraction.

  ~ ~ ~

  “Coffee, Carlos?” Mary Cullen held up the pot after refilling her cup.

  It wasn’t often she had a man alone with her in her apartment these days, especially a man as handsome and mysterious as Carlos Diego. But this wasn’t a social visit.

  “Thank you,” he said, nodding. “I appreciate you seeing me on such short notice.”

  They sat at the island in her compact kitchen. A quiet, private place for a clandestine meeting.

  She filled a cup and slid it to him. “I think we all knew this moment was coming.”

  His furrowed brows and worried expression had her stifling a chuckle. Poor man. This was hard for him.

  Carlos had a reputation for being confident and in control, as well as broody and unapproachable. Mary was one of the few he’d let see this other side of him.

  “Is she ready?” Yeah, his insecurity was showing.

  “Is anyone?” It was the kind of query he’d process better than her simply saying yes.

  He grunted. “She wants to move out. She’s going to ask Aaron if she can have her own apartment.”

  Mary nodded. “That’s probably for the best. Do you want her having sex with somebody in the room right next to yours?”

  “Dr. Cullen.” His eyes narrowed.

  She refused to back down. “I told you, it’s Mary. We’re colleagues, friends. Cut the doctor crap.” It was just another technique he used to keep his distance.

  “And yes,” she continued, “it’s a fair question.”

  Jimmy trotted in from his room. You’ve upset him. But the wolf’s mind-whisper was more amused than concerned.

  Oh, hush. She sent back, but she scratched him behind his ears. Her bond with Jimmy was even closer since their space adventure together.

  Carlos sighed, shaking his head, but a thin smile crossed his lips. “You’re right, as usual.”

  “Give Olivia some space. It’s time. She’s becoming a smart, confident woman.” Mary felt for him, but she also understood Olivia pretty well.

  Emotionally, Olivia had come into her new life as a stifled eight-year-old. Since coming back to life, she’d matured quickly, but still had a ways to go before her emotions caught up with her adult body. Now she needed experiences as well as guidance to help her along her path.

  Young love, first love, awkward adult situations. Everyone experienced them, and got through them. Everyone, that is, except a little eight-year-old ghost.

  Months ago, when Carlos had first come to her with his concerns, Mary had agreed Olivia needed to be safeguarded. The woman’s body had been craving what the child inside wasn’t ready for.

  Now? Maybe. It had only been a few months, but Olivia was smart and maturing quickly.

  Carlos took a sip of his coffee, then put the cup on the counter. “Luke won’t be available to watch her now either. They say he could be convalescing for months. Can I really afford to take a step back?”

  Luke’s injuries required rest, recovery, and physical therapy before he could return to his post. It would be a long road for the poor man.

  Then again, was he really needed anymore?

  Mary chuckled. “Paul has a pretty good handle on his rangers, and they’re all basically good guys, when it comes down to it. A lot of the early trouble was at least partially Olivia leading them on. She’s grown, and I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”

  Most of the rangers were too young for Mary, but she’d had her share of propositions. All of them polite and curious. “Yes, Olivia may now find herself completely unsupervised at times. One or more of the rangers might even get over your intimidation tactics and work up the nerve to flirt with her. Is that necessarily a bad thing? She’s ready now, and she’s not stupid.”

  Carlos withdrew.

  Not physically, but emotionally. Mary felt him pull back.

  Jimmy nudged Carlos’s hand.

  Oh, now you’re a therapy dog? she sent.

  I am not a dog. His tone was laced with indignation. And I like him.

  Carlos stroked Jimmy and looked up at her. His dark eyes had care lines around them.

  “Heather, Kayla, and I will still be looking out for Olivia,” she offered. “And if she’s set her sight
s on Kirk, you can bet he’s smart enough to take things slow.”

  “So I shouldn’t worry.” He took another sip of his coffee.

  She smiled. “You shouldn’t worry.”

  But she knew he would. He was that kind of guy.

  Also by S.C. Mitchell and Soul Mate Publishing:

  THE BLARMLING DILEMMA

  (HEARTS IN ORBIT BOOK 1)

  “They’re not animals. They’re people!”

  Phoebe Callista’s pleas fall on deaf ears and she’s forced to rescue two helpless Blarmlings from certain death. Fleeing across a backwater sector of the galaxy, with Galactic Marshals in hot pursuit, Phoebe falls into the hands of a handsome but determined bounty hunter.

  Rigel Antares has captured wanted criminals throughout the galaxy rim, but he’s never come across anything like Phoebe Callista. The gorgeous blonde is playing the innocent, and something deep inside wants to believe her, but Rigel has problems of his own—a ship that’s falling apart and an unscrupulous Galactic Marshal looking for any excuse to send him back to the prison planets of the Theiler System.

  An intergalactic circus, vicious space pirates, and a planet full of backtechers cross their paths as two hearts go into orbit to save a pair of adorable Blarmlings.

  HEARTS IN ORBIT BOOK 1: THE BLARMLING DILEMMA is a science fiction romance set in the far-flung space traveling future, and sets a new course across the galaxy that leads to love and adventure.

  Available now on Amazon: THE BLARMLING DILMEMA

  SON OF THUNDER

  (HEAVENLY WAR SERIES BOOK 1)

  The man looked like a god. Then again, he was one . . .

  Jord Thorson was a god–the son of Thor, the Norse God of Thunder. In his search to find his missing father, Jord seeks out the mortal, Meghan Larson, who is in possession of his only clue–Megingjörð, Thor’s magical belt of power.