“Yes. I tried to convince her on Earth to become mine, before we discovered you were the father of her child.”
“You were willing to accept a baby as your own without even knowing what race it might be?” Tryval asked.
“If Haven were my mate, her baby would be mine, regardless of the color of her skin or how many eyes she had. A child is a gift, regardless of race.” She felt Dryden’s thigh clench under her palm. “Do you have a problem with me raising the child as my own?”
Tryval smiled a little sadly. “No. I’m actually happy to hear that you would watch over her like a true father would. My time with the pirates has shown me that perhaps my daughter would be better off with someone a little less adventuresome than myself.”
“I don’t understand,” Haven said. “Anyone could have been attacked by pirates. It was just bad luck. Are you saying you’re giving up your rights to your daughter because you were captured?”
“I’m saying that fighting the pirates was exhilarating. Yes, I was captured and I could have spent months or years stuck in the gladiator games. But it made me realize that my skills would be better put to use trying to fight piracy than sitting at home being a father,” Tryval said. “I took out six pirates on my own before they captured me. Just think of the good I could do!”
Haven’s brow furrowed. “Honestly, I had thought I would have to fight harder to keep custody of our daughter. You seemed so excited about the baby.”
“I am. Truly. She’s a gift that I will treasure always. I just think it would be better if I treasure her from a distance and send gifts every now and then.” Tryval smiled. “I’ve already made arrangements for the Pertvada 5 to pick me up in the morning. I’m joining their crew for the foreseeable future.”
“So, I have your blessing to marry Dryden?” Haven asked.
“Yes. You would have been a wonderful mate and I’m sure you will be an excellent mother. My daughter is in good hands with both of you,” Tryval said.
“The baby is due in about four weeks,” Dryden said. “Do you think you could make arrangements to be here for the birth? I know it would mean a lot to Haven to have you here.”
Haven’s eyes misted with tears at how thoughtful Dryden was. “Please say you’ll be here.”
Tryval smiled, a genuine one this time. “I will return in three weeks and stay until my daughter is born. I’m sure as she gets older she will notice that she’s different from either of you, but you don’t have to call me her father. Dryden will be her true father.”
“There’s no reason she can’t have two,” Haven said.
Tryval nodded and the discussion came to a close. They ordered their food and enjoyed light conversation until it was time to part ways. Haven felt better, knowing that Tryval wouldn’t try to take her daughter away, but she had to admit that she would worry about him while he was gone. Chasing after pirates and slavers seemed like a dangerous job. For her daughter’s sake, she hoped Tryval was able to keep his promise and return in a few weeks.
After lunch, Dryden took Haven back to the pet shop where they collected her Vardril and went home. Tilia and Harvol were both waiting for them. If Dryden’s parents were surprised they were bringing home a pet, they didn’t show it. Tilia helped Haven find the perfect place for the Vardril’s new belongings and they laughed as he scampered around the house checking out everything.
“You seem happier,” Tilia said as Haven curled up on the padded bench to watch a movie, the Vardril in her lap.
“Now that I know we have nothing to fear from Tryval, my mind is at ease, even if I am worried about his safety.”
Tilia patted her hand. “He’ll be fine. I’ve heard of the Pertvada 5 and they have a formidable crew. He will be joining a dedicated group of males who watch each other’s backs. I’m sure he will return here safely for Amelia’s birth.”
Dryden walked over to the Vid-Comm and stopped the movie. After punching in some buttons, the chief councilor appeared on the screen.
“Pardon the interruption, Chief Councilor, but after meeting with Tryval, I would like to formally request a mating between myself and Haven.”
Borgoz smiled. “I heard from Tryval after he met with the two of you. I’m aware he’s given his blessing, and as I knew you wanted Haven as your mate, I already started the paperwork. It’s merely a formality at this point. Consider yourselves married.”
Haven set the Vardril aside and joined Dryden in front of the Vid-Comm. “Just like that? All that waiting and worrying, and all it took was one meeting with Tryval and now we’re mated?”
“I apologize for making you wait, Haven. We needed to be certain that Tryval would accept your pairing with Dryden. Now that he’s met with both of you, he feels confident you will give his daughter a good life, and you apparently made it clear you expect him to visit,” Borgoz said. “I’ve assured him that he’s welcome on our world whenever he wishes to stop by and see his daughter. And should he later decide he’d like to use the bride program to find a mate, it will be open to him.”
“Thank you, Chief Councilor,” Dryden said.
“You’re welcome, Dryden. I’m glad you were able to find happiness. If there’s anything further we can do for you, please let the council know.”
Borgoz ended the call and Dryden pulled Haven into his arms, kissing her softly.
Haven leaned in close and whispered in his ear. “We have a few hours until dinner. Should we celebrate our mating?”
Dryden smiled down at her. “I’m sure my parents would understand if we were to retire to the bedroom for a while.”
Tilia picked up the Vardril and started heading toward the kitchen. “Harvol and I will feed your pet and take him out into the garden for a while. We’ll understand if we don’t see you until dinner.”
Haven’s cheeks flushed, knowing that her mother-in-law knew exactly what they were about to do in the bedroom. Dryden took her hand and led her back to their room, closing the door behind them. Dryden quickly removed his clothes and impatiently pulled at Haven’s. She smiled at his eagerness and let him tumble her to the bed. His nose trailed along her neck as his tongue flicked out to taste her, making her shiver in the best of ways.
Dryden kissed the hollow of her throat as his hands cupped her breasts. The mounds plumped against his palms and Haven arched into his touch. His lips traced a path down the valley of her breasts before closing over a rosy peak. Her nipple hardened further against his tongue as he laved and nipped at it.
“Dryden,” she murmured, her hands reaching for him.
His teeth grazed the sensitive tip before moving to the other nipple, giving it just as much attention. Her pussy was slick with need and she widened her thighs, cradling his body. The head of his cock brushed against her wet folds and Haven’s hands slid down to his ass, trying to pull him inside of her.
“Impatient, aren’t we?” he asked, kissing her breast before claiming her lips.
“It feels like it’s been forever since we were last together.”
“Not that long, Haven, but I understand. Every second that your body isn’t beneath mine is agony. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone before.”
“I love you,” she said softly.
Dryden stilled and met her gaze. “I love you too. I have almost since the moment we met.”
“Then make love to me. Make me yours. We’re mated now. Consider this our honeymoon.”
He smiled. “I’ve heard of that Earth custom. I can’t think of anything I’d like better than days of keeping you wrapped in my arms, my cock filling your sweet pussy.”
With a flex of his hips, he entered her. Haven cried out as pleasure zinged through her body, her nails biting into his skin. Dryden took her slow and deep, every thrust making her whimper and beg for more. Her legs wrapped around his waist, holding him, urging him to move faster, harder. His strokes quickened, every thrust making her toes curl.
Dryden claimed her lips in a searing kiss that fanned the flames of
her desire, making her climb higher and higher, until she shattered. She cried out, calling his name, as her pussy clenched on his cock. He surged into her again, muffling his cries against her neck, as he spilled himself inside of her. Sticky and covered in a light layer of sweat, they lay joined together as they tried to catch their breath.
“Every time with you is just as amazing as the first time,” Dryden said. “I hope it’s always like that.”
“It will be because we belong together.”
“Let’s get cleaned up and visit with everyone until it’s time for dinner. Then I plan to wear you out all night long once we retire for the evening.”
Haven smiled and kissed him. “I can’t think of anything I’d like more.”
Epilogue
One Month Later
Haven gritted her teeth and bore down as Amelia fought her way into the world. She’d been in labor for hours already and worried that the baby would never leave her body. As the contraction eased, she breathed and tried to focus on the men on either side of her. Dryden held her hand, taking as much abuse as she wanted to heap on him. Tryval stood on her other side, looking both worried and excited.
“Almost there, Haven,” Vyrex said. “Just one more good push and her head should clear.”
Haven gripped Dryden’s hand tighter, noticing his wince as his fingers turned a darker shape of purple. She bore down for all she was worth, not even stopping to take a breath until she heard Vyrex’s cry of delight.
“The head is through. Another push and the shoulders will be out. After that, it’s easy,” Vyrex said.
Haven wasn’t certain how much she believed any part of this birth would be easy, but she did as the doctor said. When her baby was finally held in the doctor’s hand and was screaming for all she was worth, Haven finally relaxed into the pillows stacked behind her.
“Is she healthy?” Haven asked.
“Amelia seems perfect,” Vyrex said. “I’m going to have Zaylon clean her up while I deliver your afterbirth, and then you can hold her.”
Haven watched as the doctor’s assistant carried her baby out of the room. By the time Amelia returned, swathed in a diaper and a cute pink shirt Tilia had sent to the clinic with Dryden, Haven was so tired she could barely keep her eyes open. She reached for her baby and held her close, looking at her beautiful daughter.
“She’s stunning,” Tryval said. “You did an amazing job, Haven. Thank you for my daughter.”
Dryden pressed a kiss to her sweaty brow. “I would have to concur with Tryval. She’s gorgeous and you were amazing.”
“Would her daddies like to hold her?” Haven asked, fighting a wave of fatigue. “I think I need a nap.”
“If she gets hungry, we’ll give her a bottle,” Vyrex said. “You mentioned you didn’t want to breastfeed so Dryden would be able to bond with her during feedings as well. The formula we have will give her just as many vitamins as your breastmilk would have. She won’t lack for anything.”
“Thank you,” Haven murmured as she fought to keep her eyes open.
She watched sleepily as Dryden and Tryval took turns holding her and even feeding her. At some point, Tilia and Harvol entered the room, cooing over Amelia. Haven would doze for a minute, then jolt to alertness long enough to take in everything going on around her before dozing off again. She felt a kiss on her cheek and opened her eyes to see Dryden looking at her with so much love in his eyes.
“The doctor said your body needs to rest before we try for another one,” he said.
“Can we hold off a year before having another one? That was exhausting.”
Dryden smiled. “I’m afraid birth control doesn’t work very well with my kind. But we can abstain for as long as you like.”
Her eyes shot open wide and she jerked upright in bed. “Abstain? As in no sex at all?”
“Well, Vyrex seemed to think you’d need about six weeks to recover. Any time after that will be up to you.”
“If birth control doesn’t work, does that mean we’re going to have twenty children?” she asked.
Dryden laughed. “Once you’re certain you don’t want anymore, one of us can get sterilized. I’ve been told the procedure is fairly painless with a quick recovery time. But we can discuss it more at a later time. Right now, I think Amelia wants to see her mommy.”
Haven reached for her daughter, cuddling her close.
“I love you, Amelia, and I will be the best mom ever. You have two wonderful daddies and grandparents who already adore you. Just you wait and see. You’ll have everyone falling at your feet in no time. And one day, some special boy will come along and steal your heart, just like Dryden stole mine.”
“Let’s hold off on the heart stealing,” Tryval said. “Any male who wishes to claim her has to go through me.”
“And me,” Dryden said.
“And us,” Tilia and Harvol said at the same time.
“You have a room full of protectors,” Haven told her daughter. “And unlike your mommy, you will never go a day without feeling loved. I promise to do everything right, no matter what it takes.”
Dryden kissed her softly before brushing a finger down Amelia’s cheek. Haven didn’t know how she’d been lucky enough to break down in Dryden’s parking lot, but she would be forever grateful. Without him, she would only be partially living her life. He’d given her so much, but most importantly, he’d given her the one thing she’d wanted most in her life -- a family.
Jessica Coulter Smith
Award-winning author Jessica Coulter Smith has been in love with the written word since she was a child writing her first stories in crayon. Today she’s a multi-published author of over seventy-five novellas and novels. Romance is an integral part of her world and spills over from her professional life into her personal one. When she went on that first date with her husband, she never expected to hear the words “marry me” pop out of his mouth -- and judging by the shocked look on his face, he hadn’t meant to say them either. But, being the hopeless romantic that she is, Jessica said yes and they’ve been married since 2000.
Jessica firmly believes that love will find you at the right time, even if Mr. Right is literally out of this world. She’s often gazed at the stars and wondered what, or who, else might be out there. Who’s to say that hunky model on the hottest romance bestseller isn’t really from some far off galaxy? Maybe that blue Martian you saw at Halloween wasn’t really in costume. After all, there’s an awful lot of space out there for us to be the only ones living in it.
Jessica loves to hear from her readers! You can follow her on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/jessicacoultersmithauthor and Twitter https://twitter.com/kitcatjms. Visit her website: http://www.jessicacoultersmith.com. Want to be noticed of new releases or special discounts? Sign up for her newsletter! http://eepurl.com/bwPvbT. Find more books by Jessica Coulter Smith at http://www.changelingpress.com/author.php?uid=144.
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