by C. W. Gray
“Quig misses the sunrise over the desert.” Fire’s shoulders slumped, and he moved closer so he could run a hand through her long braids. It always soothed him. “You’re his sunrise, but not actually a sunrise.”
Aster giggled. “I’m glad you figured that out. He likes watching the sun rise over the station too.”
“It’s just a little glow at the edge of the big atmosphere thingies,” Fire said, pouting. “It’s not the same.”
“He’d rather have you than sunrises,” Aster said, smiling softly.
“Maybe, but I’m going to get him a desert sunrise today,” Fire said, putting his serious face on. “After I go get Juniper’s leftover broccoli and cheese casserole. I gotta hurry because Leti has plans to steal it.”
Aster hummed low. “Can you get some of that sweet potato stuff too? I really like it.”
Fire hugged her. “I’ll always provide for my family. Have you thought more about what we talked about?”
Aster’s face grew pensive. “I don’t know. Right now, I’m just trying to get used to all of the changes. I don’t think I could handle suddenly being able to see too. Dad says I’m fine just how I am, so it’s up to me if I want to change it.”
Wyatt had examined Aster, then consulted with a specialist. They could do a transplant that would allow Aster to see. Quigley and Fire just wanted Aster to be happy, whether that was with or without sight was up to her.
“He’s so smart.” Fire hummed appreciatively. “My smart, yummy mate.”
She laughed and stood. “I’m going to go see Kelly before school.”
“Thank you, Aster. Tell Kelly I hate her.”
“I always do,” Aster said, smirking. “She’ll just say she hates you too.”
An hour later, Fire waved goodbye as Aster and David piled onto the school tram with the rest of the neighborhood kids.
David held Pepper’s hand as she did her best to hide a much smaller Aagy in her sweater. She had only been attending school a few days now, but she had managed to sneak Aagy with her each day. David had complained that Gracie wouldn’t fit in his pocket.
Fire scowled when he noticed that Xu kept a close eye on Aster as she moved to sit down next to Rizzie. It made Fire want to set the boy’s shoes on fire.
“Be nice,” Parker, Selene’s mate, said and nudged Fire in the side. “Xu can’t help it that he’s in love with Aster.”
Fire pouted. “Whatever.”
Leti laughed. “Rizzie says he keeps leaving Aster gifts, but won’t even try talking to her. It’s starting to frustrate Rizzie. She doesn’t get why they can’t just talk it out.”
“Because they’re babies and there’s nothing to talk out,” Fire said, pouting. “I gotta go provide for my family.”
Leti’s eyes widened. “Wait, I want that broccoli and cheese casserole, damn it.”
Fire switched Cyrus to his other hip and bolted for Juniper’s house. “Too late.”
“Milo, attack,” Leti said, pointing his finger at Fire.
Leti’s youngest looked at Fire and grinned before waving. “Bye-bye.”
“Sugar cookies,” Leti yelled. “I should have brought Princess with me.”
Fire made it to Juniper’s in record time and typed in his friend’s security code. “Time for some yum-yums, Cy.” He had the casserole and sweet potatoes stacked in his free arm by the time Leti reached the door with Milo in tow. “Sorry, you’re too slow. There’s some turkey left, but that’s it.”
Leti groaned. “You have to pick up the pace, Milo.”
Milo plopped down on the floor and started to glow with his inner flames.
“Poop it,” Leti said, kneeling down. “No fire, baby boy. We don’t want to set Juniper’s house on fire.”
Milo giggled but stopped glowing.
“Why did I want so many kids?” Leti asked, sighing.
“Because you’re the Blue Angel of Charybdis Station.” Fire kissed Leti’s cheek. “Oh, by the way, Quig is pregnant. I’m gonna have another baby.”
Leti’s face filled with joy, and he squealed. “Have you told Sebastian? We need to tell Sebastian. What about Shae?”
Fire sighed. “Let me bring my catch home and store it for later. Sebby probably has some pecan pie left over from last night. I think it’ll go well with dinner.”
Leti snorted and picked Milo back up. “I’m telling him now. Come on, Milo. Time to run.”
Fire took his time walking back to his house and putting the food in the refrigerator. Gram was awake and nursing a cup of coffee at the table. With the treatments Charybdis Station offered, her bones didn’t hurt too much, and she enjoyed sleeping in every morning. She also spent way too much time with Grandpa Moses. Well, Quigley thought she spent way too much time with him.
“How many people have you told so far?” she asked, amused.
“Just two,” he said defensively. “Leti is telling Sebastian now.”
His back door slammed open, and Sebastian rushed in. “Quigley’s pregnant? I’m going to be a grandpa? Oh gods, I’m too young to be a grandpa.”
Gram chuckled. “Death did all kinds of tests with that fancy tech of his and found out the baby will have Fire’s eyes and likely a dose of his power. She’ll also have Quigley’s ears.” Gram shook her head. “He can already tell all that and the baby is just a little dot in Quig’s body.”
“She?” Sebastian’s eyes grew wide, and his bottom lip trembled.
“We’re gonna name her Sara Sebina,” Fire said, feeling sad for a moment. “Quig misses his sister a lot, and I wanted to have a Sebby somewhere in there too.”
Sebastian’s eyes watered. “That’s perfect. Thank you, Fire. I’m honored.”
Fire shrugged, ducking his head, suddenly feeling shy. “I love you.”
Sebastian pulled him into a hug. “I love you too.”
“We’re going to enjoy her so much,” Fire said, hugging Cyrus close. “Cy is gonna love her too.”
Leti panted in the doorway. “Don’t hold your breath. Rizzie and Sami fight all the time.”
“They still love each other,” Gram pointed out. “That’s how Quigley and Sara were when they were younger. Love is a funny thing. By the time Sara was a teenager, they smoothed things out and were inseparable.”
“Gods, I hope Rizzie and Sami will be like that. Pepper, Milo, and Elril love everyone, but those two know just how to annoy each other.” Leti sniffed the air and went to get himself a cup of coffee. “I just told Shae the news. He’s on his way.”
Wolfe lounged in the doorway, eyes sparkling as he smirked.
“Hey, Wolfe.” Fire waved Cyrus’s little hand toward the former assassin. “You’re back from where ever you went to spy on people.”
“It’s more interesting here,” Wolfe signed, then moved silently through the kitchen to fetch his own cup of coffee.
The best word Fire could think of to describe Leti’s friend was quiet, and not just because he couldn’t speak. Wolfe reminded Fire a bit of Fluffle in how he moved silently through the neighborhood, keeping guard, always on the alert and ready to attack.
“You just like watching your friends do stupid things,” Sebastian said, grinning. “Did you see Shae trip over Fluffle this morning and dump his coffee down Parker’s back? That was fun.”
“Friends are important,” Fire said, biting his lip. He wanted all his babies to get along. Aster and David picked at one another, but they were friendly about it.
“That reminds me,” Leti said, sitting next to Gram. “We’re getting a new group of Burnished in about six months. They’ll be training in engineering. Do you think Quig would mind spending some time with them once they get settled? I don’t want them to feel out of place. They would probably like a friend from here.”
“Living on a station is really different than living on Burnished Outpost,” Fire said, tapping his chin. “Quigley and the kids get cold easily and had trouble adapting to longer lunar days.”
“We can help them adjust,” Leti said
, sighing. “I’m always surprised so few of them want to stay here at the end of their training. I want them to have a positive experience of Charybdis Station.”
“That’s our Blue Angel talking,” Sebastian said, smiling at Leti. “Always wanting to help.”
Leti stuck his tongue out at Sebastian, making the rest of them laugh.
Fire grabbed a cup of tea, since he hated coffee, and sat beside Gram. His mornings had changed since getting a family, but they had changed for the better.
He handed Jellybean a plate with a sliced banana on it and watched his friend enjoy his snack. Fire wanted his mate to be as happy as he was. I need to get Quig his desert sunrise.
A couple hours later, Fire finally made it to the Full Moon Sector of the station. His friend Beck lived with his mate, who happened to be the leader of the Full Moon assassins.
Fire stepped off the tram and bounced Cyrus in front of him, enjoying the baby’s giggles. Beck and Beol lived at the center of the sector, so it wasn’t hard to find their house.
Fire waved at the patrolling guards he saw. “We have more security now, Cy. Mean people keep getting on the station.”
Beck was just leaving the house when Fire reached him.
The large green Grell smiled. “Hey, we have some tasty chicken in the fridge if you’re hungry.”
Dr. Bloop wore his going-out goggles perched between his ears. He sat beside his person and woofed softly. Babies with little daddy.
Fire giggled. He liked how Dr. Bloop called Beol little daddy and Beck big daddy. “I’m not here to play with the babies this time, Dr. Bloop. I need to ask Beck a favor.”
Beck looked surprised. “What do you need?”
Fire swayed in place. “My mate is pregnant, and I want to get him a present.”
12
Quigley tugged the sleeve of his coat down a little farther. He had been extra cold today, though the temperature on Charybdis Station stayed the same, day or night. Quigley had been feeling off ever since Death had confirmed what he and Fire had suspected.
His bones weren’t speaking to him either, but they had been quiet since he’d left Burnished Outpost. Gram told him he just needed to adjust to having a station under his feet instead of a planet.
“I’m pregnant.” The words came out before he could stop them, and he quickly looked around, his bow slapping against his side at the movement.
Silas and he were patrolling a portion of the massive market area. Even early in the day, people crowded the area. Hack had explained that the station got many more tourists than it used to, so the market had grown over the past few years. There were also several guests visiting to tour the new university that weekend.
“There are so many people,” he said, trying to keep the awe from his voice.
“You’re pregnant?” Silas asked.
Quigley stopped walking and looked behind him. Silas stood frozen in place, staring at him.
“Is that a problem?” Quigley hadn’t thought Silas would be the kind of person to care about it. “I’m still able to work.”
Silas shook his head, finally unfreezing. “No, it’s great news. I’m just surprised. You’ve only been mated a few months.”
“It was a surprise,” Quigley admitted, wincing. “I’ve known it was a possibility my whole life, but to actually have it happen is overwhelming.”
Silas nudged him with his arm as they continued their patrol. “Especially with all the changes you’ve had the past few months. I’m still amazed you’ve adapted as quickly as you have.”
“Some days I don’t want to leave the house.” Quigley flushed at the admission. Silas was too easy to talk with. “Surviving means adapting, so I’ve been pushing the kids and myself.”
Their comms chimed with an incoming message. Quigley quickly read his. “Suspected theft.”
“That booth is a few rows down,” Silas said and led the way. “Tulah has several jewelry booths set up in the market, and there are a few nice pieces to tempt someone with sticky fingers.”
A tall Siren with long white hair waited impatiently for them. She gripped the arm of a skinny young man that looked to be maybe sixteen. Quigley didn’t recognize his species immediately.
“This ruffian stuffed several of my pieces in his pocket and tried to run.” Tulah glared at the boy. He remained silent and stared at the ground.
Silas winced. “Why don’t you run me through events, Tulah. I’ll go ahead and get the report going. My partner, Quigley, can handle the kid.”
Tulah reluctantly let go of the boy, and Quigley led him away.
“What is your name?” Quigley asked, keeping his voice low. He had discovered during training that his size and deep voice could be intimidating to smaller species.
“Gavin Calla,” the boy said, sniffling.
“Will you tell me what happened?” Quigley asked. He knew security would have footage of the events, but they needed to hear it from everyone.
The boy shrugged. “I grabbed some stuff and she caught me. Why is there a lizard on your head?”
“He’s my friend,” Quigley said. “Why did you try to take the jewelry?” Silas had explained that motive was always important to know even with the most obvious of crimes.
Gavin pressed his lips together and shook his head. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Yes, it does.” Quigley sighed. “Okay, let’s start from the beginning. What were you doing in the market?”
It took a full hour, but Quigley finally figured out Gavin had tried to steal the jewelry as gifts for his mother and sisters. They were among the many refuges that had recently moved to Charybdis Station.
“Tell Ms. Tulah what you told me,” Quigley ordered. He braced his hands on the boy’s slender shoulders. “The truth.”
Gavin muttered under his breath. “Can’t you just take me to a cell or something? I’d even take a shot from your bow. Why do you even have a bow?”
Tulah glared at them both.
“Gavin.” Quigley used his Serious Dad voice. It always worked on David.
“Okay.” Gavin groaned. “We don’t have credits for anything. Charybdis Station gives us the necessities, and Mom is grateful. I hate it. We had so much back on Rueal, and Dad had a good job, but he’s dead and everything’s gone. We lost everything, even Vetta’s toys. I just wanted to get Mom and the girls something pretty.”
Tulah’s eyes narrowed. “You think that justifies stealing from me? I worked hard every day to build my business from nothing. My family went without so we could put every extra credit back into my creations. Just because you want something doesn’t give you the right to take it.”
Gavin gave her a sullen look. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t you say that without meaning it.” Tulah held up her arm and jingled the delicately made bangles that lined it. “You think pretty jewelry is what will make your family happy? Don’t be stupid. They have you. They have each other. You aren’t alone with no one to love you. That’s what’s important.” She looked around. “Just don’t tell my customers that.”
Gavin ducked his head. “I’m really sorry, okay? I know I’m lucky to still have them. I used to complain about having three sisters, but now, I can’t imagine not having them.”
“Then don’t risk a jail cell over something so stupid,” Tulah said, looking like she wanted to smack Gavin atop the head. “Young ones these days have no sense.”
Gavin groaned. “Mom’s going to murder me.”
Tulah huffed. “No, she won’t because you’re going to work my booth to earn some pretties for your mom and your sisters. When that’s done, we’ll see what you’ve learned. Maybe I’ll keep you on or maybe I’ll help you get work somewhere else. We’ll see.”
Gavin’s mouth dropped open. “Seriously?”
Tulah gave him a hard look. “You do this, or I send you with enforcement.”
“I’ll work hard.” Gavin stood up straight. “I swear.”
“You’ll probably wish I would hav
e let them take you away.” Tulah smirked. “There’s a reason no one likes to work for me.”
Silas sighed. “Did I write up this damn report for nothing?”
Tulah patted his cheek. “Work is good for you. It builds character.”
Quigley hid his smile.
Tulah turned to him and eyed his ear cuffs. “Those are very nice. I like to see a warrior who appreciates the shiny things in life. I have some other designs that will suit you. They’ll distract people from noticing the lizard on your head.”
Quigley’s eyes widened. “Uh, I’m actually working right now. I don’t think I’m supposed to shop while—”
“I’ll set them back and you can come by when your shift ends.” Tulah waved them away. “Gavin will go to school now, since that’s where he’s supposed to be. He will report back here directly after.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Gavin nodded furiously. “I’ll go right now.”
“I’ll find you if you don’t come back.” Tulah gave him a dark look. “You won’t like what happens then.”
Gavin squeaked. “I’ll come back. I promise.”
Quigley quickly followed Silas away from the booth. Will she search for me if I don’t come back? He didn’t really want to find out.
As soon as they were out of sight, Silas turned and grinned. “Good job, Quig.”
“I think I’m expected to buy ear cuffs.” He looked nervously over his shoulder, then patted Cinnamon’s back.
Silas snorted. “Tulah can sniff out weakness from across the station. She has good taste, though, and is a skillful artist. You’ll like what she offers you.”
Quigley sighed and stroked a finger down his ear. Fire wasn’t one for jewelry since he was apt to shift into his elemental form at any time. He had taken great joy in buying things for Quigley, Gram, and the kids.
Quigley pushed the thought away and scanned the crowds around him. He thought about Gavin and his family. “Charybdis Station took in a lot of refuges.”
“Yeah, and more are coming every day.” Silas nodded to one of the venders. “The station is growing quickly, but the leadership can handle it.”
