by Tiana Laveen
She smiled and shook her head. “I know my appetite has been voracious lately, but I’m good.”
“I know it’s late, and if you fall asleep, it’s okay—but, before you go back to work, and things get really busy to the point where it seems we even barely have time to kiss,” he brushed his lips against hers, “I wanted to give you a little time to just kick up your feet and relax.”
“I love you, Xzion.” She was obviously touched by his simple gesture, even though it was only a movie—nothing special. He wasn’t certain if it was prompted by her pregnancy hormones, but nothing could replace the feeling he had as he looked at her glowing, smiling face.
He stared deeply into her eyes...that was the second time she’d uttered it since they’d reunited. It made the blood in his veins run faster. He had no idea how words could move him so; three little words, made all the difference in his world and hers.
FOREVER...
“I love you too, baby.” And he meant it, with everything in him.
They took their seats in the theater. He briefly closed his eyes as she nestled her head against his shoulder. After a few moments, the lights dimmed. They watched the beginning credits and advertisements for upcoming movies. It was peaceful, exactly what they needed—a much needed time of no drama, no fighting and no worries. He heard her stomach growl and shot her a look. They both burst out laughing.
“Are you hungry, baby? If you are, it’s okay. Don’t be embarrassed. You’re eating for two now.”
Jayme hesitated then shamefully admitted that she wanted more to eat. In a flash, Xzion was out of his seat, soon returning with treats and drinks. He sat back down and she nestled against him once again as she reached into the popcorn bucket. A grin spread on her face as a funny promo played and a white, buttery piece disappeared in her mouth. Then, the screen went black. Several people began to whisper and complain until a large image of a dazzling glacier, so clear it appeared to be made of diamonds, appeared. Rick James’ began to croon, ‘Fire and Desire’.
“What in the world?” Jayme wrinkled up her nose and smiled as she sat up straighter, gripping the popcorn bucket. “They must be having technical difficulties. It is an old theater, or maybe someone is playing around.” She cranked her neck to the back of the room, looking up at the tiny window with the projector rolling and flickering under shadowy filters of light. “I wonder what’s going on.”
Xzion shrugged. “I have no idea,” he said blandly.
Soon, the glacier image began to spin and floating across the screen were these eight words:
Officer Jayme Knight, Will You Marry Me?
- Xzion Khrome
Everyone began to look around the audience, happily whooping and hollering as they tried to guess who the people from the screen could be. A light slowly came on, illuminating the couple. Applause rang out, bringing more focus to Jayme’s stunned face.
The lyrics from the song floated across the screen and the volume increased:
“...It's really good to see you again, baby
And I must admit you're looking very, very, very nice these days
I guess life must be treating you well...
....And it's a little different than it was when I was with you
You know, I think back to when we met
The way I use to be and the cold way I use to act...
But more than that... I think of how you changed me with your love and sensitivity...
Jayme stood frozen, her eyes glistening. He rose and grabbed her, making her sway to the music while the people in the audience continued to clap as the lyrics in the song became louder...
...It was pain before pleasure
That was my claim to fame
With every measure, baby
Tasted teardrop stains, yeah
I was cold as ice long ago, baby, baby
I wasn't very, very, very nice, you know
Sugar, sugar, sugar
Then I kissed your lips
And you tuned on my fire, baby
And you burn me up within your flame
Took me a little higher
Made me live again
You turned on my fire, baby
Then you showed me what a love could do
Fire and desire, baby
Feel it comin' through...
Rick James, ‘Fire and Desire’
“Oh my God,” she whispered, turning weak in his arms.
He pressed her closer to him, keeping her steady as he spoke close to her ear. He knew she loved this song, and the lyrics fit their relationship so seamlessly.
“Everything is going to be all right. I love you so much, Jayme.” He pressed his eyes closed, wondering if he, too, would need someone to help him stand up soon. A flood of emotions ran through his body, making him warm, so uncomfortably warm, and so beautifully in love.
“Yes, Xzion, I will marry you.” She pulled back from him, cupping his face in her hands as she looked up into his eyes.
After the explosion of applause and congrats from strangers subsided, they settled back into their seats. Xzion removed the ring box from his pocket, and as they gathered closer together, he opened it, presenting the pear shaped, five carat diamond ring. He slid it on her finger, then kissed her hand before they leaned back in their seats.
She rested on his shoulder, a huge smile on her face as they began to watch the movie. But he didn’t pay that any mind for his eyes were fixed on her, and he was feeling things he never knew were possible, amazing things—things that came from being helplessly in love with her. She’d accepted him as a soldier, carrying out the commander and chief’s order to go to war, even if it was against her own people. She understood the complexities of the mitigating circumstances. For anyone, it would have been a hard pill to swallow, but after their mutual attraction grew to love, and understanding, she accepted him for what and who he was and for that, he would be eternally grateful...
****
One week later...
“Dr. Iszox would like to speak to you, Xzion.”
Xzion stood stunned by his front door when Aton and the smaller man with wavy salt and pepper hair walked inside his home at exactly 3:17 in the morning.
“What are you doing here?” Xzion asked angrily.
“What do you mean?” Aton’s thick brow arched. “You stated you needed assistance. He needs to examine the specimen.”
“What specimen?! My mate?” He shot Dr. Iszox a menacing glare. “She isn’t a specimen. She is my partner, soon to be my wife.”
“I never referred to her as such,” Dr. Iszox corrected as he studied his surroundings with a discriminating glare. “Nevertheless, we don’t have much time, Xzion. I am especially sensitive to Earth’s atmosphere. I am not feeling well, so we must get this onward.”
“She’s asleep...it would’ve been nice for you to call first and Aton, you shouldn’t even be here.” Xzion wanted to put his fist through the man’s face. He’d contemplated it all right, and he knew Aton could see that should they be left alone together, bad things—very bad things—may occur...
The two men followed him into the master suite. The light from the muted television glowed down on Jayme’s sleeping frame. She was beautiful, and he had no doubt that the doctor and Aton saw that, too. He could see on their stunned faces when he turned to face them. The first time he’d laid eyes on her, she had taken his breath away. It wasn’t that she was uncommonly beautiful, it was simply something about her, the curve of her lips—the entire package. She exuded sexiness from the top of her head to the bottom of her feet. Her tall, toned body was strong, yet so feminine. If he had to draw his ideal woman purely from aesthetics, she’d be it.
A cherry on the icing—her voice, and the way she moved, called to him like a drug. She was his ultimate addiction. Finally, he was validated—the two men saw it, too, though they’d never admit it.
Aton quickly snapped out of his gawking, cleared his throat and clapped his hands, causing Jayme to shoot up out
of bed, grab the gun from under her pillow and aim it within seconds. Focused, steady and ready to fire.
“Whoa, baby!”
Aton brandished his own, neither of them flinching.
“Jayme,” Xzion said, “this is Aton, I told you about him, and this is Dr. Iszox, he is a specialist in neonatal care.”
“They are Zarkstormians?” she asked in almost a whisper, half asleep but fixed on that gun. If anyone moved a hair wrong, she’d attempt to blow them to kingdom come. After a few moments of silence, Aton lowered his gun, and she slowly followed suit.
“Yes.” Xzion stood by her side, rubbing her arm as he sighed in relief. “I didn’t know they were coming, or I would have told you.”
“We tried to contact you,” Dr. Iszox explained as he opened his jacket and placed on his spectacles. “But we were unable to reach you. Here…” He pulled a new wrist computer out of his jacket. “Under the circumstances, Aton felt it was best you have a way to communicate with us, since you’ve been assigned back to your mission.”
Xzion took it, and tossed it haphazardly onto the bed, crossing his arms. “I’m not doing anything until she is examined and we are given the information we need.”
“I understand. That is what I’m here for.”
“And I want you out of here during this examination!” Xzion barked, pointing at Aton. Aton smiled, shook his head and excused himself from the bedroom.
“Ms. Knight, can you please lie down on the bed for me?”
Jayme hesitated, then heeded the request.
“I am going to examine you, then give you some information. Shall we get started?”
Jayme and Xzion nodded. He pointed the doctor in the direction of the bathroom. The man returned with clean hands and, removing a small bag from his jacket, he placed it on the nightstand beside the bed...
****
Journal entry:
There was nothing unusual about it. It felt like your typical exam at your local Ob-Gyn. He was gentle, yet his smiles were insincere. I know a fake smile when I see one, like the kind that his boss, Aton, gave me after my fiancé told me who he was. The whole room got cold as that man stood there, looking at me. I swear the temperature dropped ten degrees. I thought Xzion was cool to the touch; this was on a totally different level. He was soulless, just like Xzion used to be. I still couldn’t, for the life of me, understand why this was happening.
The whole experience was bizarre, yet, I knew we needed help and I had to allow it to happen. It didn’t help that Xzion was prancing around like a caged tiger. His antsy behavior was making me nervous. His right eye was shining, doing strange things, like he was trying to control from marching out into our living room and slicing that man in half. He kept clutching his hands, cracking his knuckles, avoiding eye contact with me, as if he were afraid I’d see something inside of him. I suppose he is worried about whatever the doctor may say as well, but he seems happy about the baby. He wouldn’t stop walking around, pacing all over the place, even after I made him aware of it. Then, I saw it. His damn eye was glowing. My suspicions were right—he was talking himself down, trying everything in his power to not do it.
He wanted to rip that bedroom door off and go and kill Aton. It was so obvious, and I’m sure the only thing that stopped him was that I was there. That’s the thing about Xzion, once he is betrayed, he seems to never recover from that... Now, we are waiting. The doctor is in Xzion’s lab, doing what, I have no idea...
I just hope my baby is okay...
****
Aton, Jayme, Xzion and doctor Iszox sat in the living room. The all-white furniture, flooring, cabinets and silver accents gave it a futuristic feel that Jayme wasn’t accustomed to. She assumed this sort of look was common from where he came, and while she was his hostage, she didn’t give it the sort of attention she was bestowing right at this moment. Now, it was her home as well, so she made mental notes about the changes that she’d want to make. It needed to be warm and inviting, the opposite of the chill that kept swirling around the room. She knew what she was doing—she was in avoidance mode. She wanted to concentrate on anything and everything but what that man had to say, in case it wasn’t to her liking.
She and Xzion sat on the couch, their hands clasped. Aton sat on the loveseat while the doctor sat across from them in a matching over-stuffed chair, his legs crossed, looking down pensively at his notes.
“Okay,” he finally said, cutting the tension. “Xzion, much to my amazement, your baby appears to be perfectly healthy and fine. The sonogram showed nothing abnormal regarding the development.”
They both gave an audible sigh of relief as they grabbed each other’s hands and held one another tightly. I did notice a couple things however, when I looked at Ms. Knight’s blood samples.”
“Such as?” Xzion asked.
“Well, it appears the baby is depleting her iron levels, which is typical of all babies, human and Zarkstormian, but Ms. Knight is not physically suffering. Her blood levels and white cell count are completely fine yet the iron is definitely lower. I find it rather remarkable. I will not know if the half Zarkstormian child carries the warrior gene or not until after birth, but everything is in good running order.”
“Dr. Iszox,” Jayme began. “Do you know of any other half Zarkstormian, half human babies?”
He paused, uncrossed his legs and seemed to deliberate. He then looked at Aton, who shot him a look, one that seemed to say, ‘hush’.
“What do you know, Aton?” Xzion angrily interjected. “Have there or have there not been?”
Aton grunted. “No, and that is the truth.” He paused. “What there have been are relationships, however—sexual relationships between humans and Zarkstormians. None of them resulted in a pregnancy, to my knowledge. Your child is the first.”
“How did this happen?” Aton looked toward the doctor. It was apparent he was still believing there may have been some misunderstanding, or that the baby was completely human. “Zarkstormian women have only one cycle a year. Human women don’t seem built to be able to withstand a pregnancy of only six months that moves so quickly. I’m sure everything inside of Ms. Knight is in overdrive, in fast forward mode. Is there any chance her body may abort due to all the rapid changes that may be taxing her?”
The doctor turned to Aton, his expression grave. “Though Xzion’s mate is not used to the strain placed on her body by the baby, in this case, with the type of baby that is growing within her, there is compensating that is occurring. I have a theory. I believe the fetus is already intelligent enough to know that her or his mother needs assistance and is thus taking the bare minimum but necessary nutrients and requirements, keeping both the child and mother out of harm’s way. I am here to help you both, Xzion,” he turned to him, “but I am also here for another reason. This case intrigued me and though I’d never met you up until this point, naturally, I’d heard a great deal about you.
“This is phenomenal. This is the first I’ve heard of this, the first of its kind. I am surprised that the human body didn’t reject your sperm, since you have a third foreign chromosome, while humans only have two, and the three you have don’t match hers at all. Reproductive wise, it would seem impossible for fertilization to take place. I can see conception occurring, but it would seem the pregnancy wouldn’t go to term...yet it is, and it’s progressing quite nicely, I might add. This whole situation is fascinating. I was shocked that the fetus is so healthy, quite honestly, and if things keep going well, you can expect to have your baby in approximately three months from now.”
Jayme gasped. Xzion had already told her everything would be accelerated, but it still seemed so surreal. She was now showing, when just two weeks ago, she barely had a baby bump. She also wasn’t sick anymore.
“I do know the sex of the child. Would you like to know or have it remain a secret until the birth?”
Jayme and Xzion looked at one another, and a silent message passed between them. Simultaneously, they said, “Let’s wait.”
“I would like to deliver the child, if that is okay? Obviously, I can’t stay here until that time and I know that labor will move swiftly. The pod can be here in approximately five hours, four and a half if we really push it. I can stay on this planet for approximately six days, I believe, before feeling severe adverse effects. Right now, I only have a headache, but I can pull through. I am not of warrior blood, so I do not have Xzion’s resilience and since he is special,” The doctor shot him a knowing smile, “he can actually live here, and we cannot. In any case, when she shows symptoms of active labor, Xzion, contact me directly, immediately. My direct line is already programmed in your new wrist computer. Do you need Aton to install it?”
Xzion shot Aton a look. They stared at one another coldly.
“It would be easier if he did the surgery, but I’ll manage.”
“Xzion, I’m willing to put aside our differences until this matter is resolved!” Aton’s voice rose. “That would be an unnecessary act of labor on your part, and possibly even a bit painful. We have a deal.”
“And what is that? We never came to any agreement. I only have you here because I needed to speak to Dr. Iszox. My mate and my child are all that matter to me, so I was willing to put up with your presence but honestly, I’d like nothing more than to...”
“Kill me.”
I knew it. I knew I was right.
“And I’d expect nothing less of warrior blood. Passionate and violent, at times unnecessarily. In any case,” he yawned nonchalantly, “here is the arrangement that will be made.” The man clasped his hands together and smirked. “You will continue with your assignment, Xzion, and Dr. Iszox will be back to deliver your child. He now has a vested interest in you and the infant. You will still need assistance for we do not know if the child will be able to withstand Earth’s atmosphere, and if so, for how long.”
“Wait! The baby may have to be taken from me?” Jayme’s gut knotted. She’d never even considered it, the thought of being apart from her child, especially after receiving such wonderful news that all was going well. Xzion had already informed her that she’d never survive on his planet for more than a month due to their atmosphere and the inhalants that float naturally in the air.
