by Viola Grace
Everyone gave him knowing looks as he went toward the play area where Sephal was working with the other two girls and boy from the Amur family.
Khed asked Dekora, “Do you think he has a chance?”
“If he can get a sentence out in a direct manner, he can definitely make a move. I don’t know what it is about her that knocks his voice out.”
What Dekora couldn’t say was that Sephal actually was waiting for Lovell to make a move. It was a relationship that was years in the making, but Sephal wasn’t giving up working with children who were developing all the hallmarks of one of the hero teams. There was no intervention required on the part of the research teams.
Norso came into the house, kissed her cheek, and went to wash up for dinner. “Nice clear call, Mom.”
“Thanks. I have been practicing.”
Khed and the team helped her set the hugely long table. It was fun to have a large meal three or four times a week. The kids loved it, and the team enjoyed seeing how freakishly fast the Amur kids were developing.
It was nearing the youngest child’s first birthday, and little Leema had the development of a five-year-old. Sephal had her hands full keeping up with the rapid evolution of the three children in her care.
Norso was a healthy six-year-old, and he would be heading to college soon. Right now, he spent his time shaping water away from the island so that nothing awkward happened.
Sephal came in relieved with Levell carrying Maksa and Sorel. She had Leema by the hand and was looking a little ruffled.
When everyone was seated, Dekora looked at Sephal. “Busy day today?”
“Leema appears to be taking after her father. She carried her siblings around the school and play yard for most of the day.”
Khed looked at Leema and smiled. “Did you really?”
She smiled brightly. “I am strong.”
The team looked wary. Lovell was helping the kids get the food they wanted, and Norso was eating is standard three servings to help his current growth spurt.
Khed turned to her. “How did your meeting with Dr. Ock go today?”
She grimaced. “I still hate the bugger, and he isn’t a fan of me either, but he wants to run a set of labs on all the kids, so he will be here the day after tomorrow.”
Khed growled. “Did he get the clearances?”
She chuckled. “Yes. He has gone before the local councils and the team project. He has my authorization, and we will meet at the base. It will all be on vids.”
The restrictions that Dr. Ock had been put under were considered the Mills Restrictions. He was closely monitored now, had to get permission to put a needle in a potato, but was still a valuable resource for his knowledge about the enhanced beings. After the public exposure of his methods in gaining Khed’s legacy, the hospital and research facility had no choice but to limit his duties, and they now kept him under oversight.
In the first few years, the doctor had been upset, but as the administration was lifted from him, he could focus on the results of his experiments and do more detailed research into the cause and effect of his serum. The origin of the serum was still a mystery.
Their dinner conversation changed to Aber helping Maksa with homework and arrangements were in the works for the Amur children to spend weekends at the creche, just so they were socialized with the other enhanced children. It would be awkward, and if they didn’t want to continue, that would be fine, but their children had all exhibited their enhancements and had control over them, so there was little issue of anyone causing them harm. Dr. Ock was coming over to make sure that the children’s development would soon stabilize into normal adulthood. If they kept aging and burned out, the experiment would be useless.
Dekora wasn’t too worried. Her own scans showed that she was stable and her age wasn’t advancing. That was slightly worrying, but Knotheans aged slowly.
The family meal turned into a game night, and Maksa showed off her jumping ability while Horro ran to catch her. Norso shaped water, and Sorel removed the heat, leaving statues behind. Leema lifted the statue and put it in the center of the garden where it would melt.
Dekora didn’t inform her that the water was salty and would kill the plants. Khed said he would move the statue when the kids were asleep.
The alarm went, and they had to go. Khed gave her a quick kiss that curled her toes, and then, he and the others ran to change and get out to go rescue someone.
With the whirlwind of men over, Dekora sat with Leema on her lap, and she watched the vehicles streak away at full speed.
Sephal staggered next to her and sat. “You are a saint.”
Dekora snorted. “No. Definitely not.”
“You are. You saved me, and I have only recently grasped how rough that had to be. You fought the system here and won, you have a tremendously enthusiastic family, and are in love with one of the grouchiest men in the history of the stars.”
“That is only because in the early days I talked about you constantly. Once you were up on your own feet, you were good. I think he was jealous.”
Sephal chuckled. “When you look at him, I can see he had nothing to worry about. So, what do you think of me and Levell?”
“I think it’s a good idea. If you want to have kids, he still has some... uh... samples on file.”
Sephal smiled. “I will consider that. Can you give me any tips about dating a member of the team?”
“Sure. There is your partner, and then, there are his brothers. You never move that line. These guys need to depend on each other, so you have to make sure that their trust is never shaken. It’s vitally important.”
“What if one of the other guys makes a pass?”
“Punch them.” Dekora chuckled. “It gets the point across, and the pass will be rescinded. It is strange, but dating in a close family with multiple age groups is strange.”
She nodded. “Right. So, if I do end up saying yes, how soundproofed are the walls?”
Dekora laughed. “More soundproofed than they were when I was there. You have never seen judgement until Aber asks you if he satisfied you the last time or your voice gave out after the third time.”
Sephal covered her mouth. “Oh, stars.”
They laughed and Leema stirred. The other three were winding down, and Sephal smiled. “I will get them to bed.”
“I never expected you to end up as a nanny.” Dekora stood up with Leema in her arms. The sun was setting, and they walked into the house filled with windows.
“I like it. I get paid by the government, get to practice my field of study, and I get to spend time with you. The best of all worlds.” Sephal grinned. “I also get to go into the cities for symposiums and talk about enhanced children in day-to-day life. My take is quite a bit different than the researchers at the creche.”
Dekora laughed and walked up to Leema’s room. “Well, it would be.”
“The emotional and intellectual development in your children is astounding. They are actually going to be adults by the time they turn eight.” Sephal chuckled. “You have some weird genes.”
“I know. And this little gene is listening!” She tickled Leema and helped her youngest change into her nightwear.
The kids were sorted and off to sleep when Dekora sat in the living area. In the gym, Norso was in the combat simulator, looking so much like his father that her heart swelled. He was going to be quite the hero.
Dr. Ock was watching the children demonstrate their skills, and he was nearly hopping from foot to foot. “Wonderful! Wonderful!”
The kids settled and looked to her. “Go and get some juice. You did very well.”
The doctor scowled at her. “I wanted to interview them.”
“That was not part of our agreement. You ran your scans, did your assessments, and now, you are going to go.”
Dr. Ock stiffened. “I have more tests to make, and no alien cow is going to make me change my mind.”
She took a deep breath and stated. “You. Will. Leave.
Now.” Each word was a sonic blast, and he tumbled back and fell with the final word.
The kids came running, gathering behind her.
Dr. Ock had a student with him, and he was helped to his feet. “What was that?”
Norso smiled. “That was Mom’s angry voice. She can call us from miles away or use it on those news investigators who want a better look at us. If she used it on you, she must have been angry.”
Dr. Ock’s eyes were wide. “How long has it been manifested?”
Dekora nearly laughed. He was ever the researcher. “First signs were within the first week after my burn recovery. The team members noticed it. After Norso was born, I had to use it to deflect the drones that suddenly swarmed the island.”
Norso smiled. “Once my mom had gotten the official status and restraining orders, she didn’t need to use it until I began with my work on the water.”
The kids laughed, and Dekora smiled. “So, if you try and do anything invasive to my children, your fate will be... this.” When she said this, she focused her soundwave at the metal table, and it crushed back and fell over.
Dr. Ock was excited. “You could join the team!”
She snorted. “I am a mom. I have chosen that for now. In five years, my daughter will physically be an adult, and then, I might consider it. They are not going anywhere until they are physically able to deal with the enhancements that have been brought in.” She took a breath. “Also, my enhancement is offensive, rarely defensive. There is very little practical application for it that I would be comfortable with.”
“Well, you will need a suit.”
Sorel chipped in. “She has one!”
The doctor looked shaken. “What?”
“My first day here, I got into the armoured suit scanner instead of the standard clothing scanner by mistake. I have a suit that matches my talent, though I haven’t worn it again.”
“I need to consult with the council.” Dr. Ock looked shaken.
She smiled. “Don’t forget to tell them that the alien cow says hi.”
His skin was ashen as he left.
The children cheered that she had vanquished her enemy yet again.
The rest of the afternoon was baking for their dad’s birthday and a lot of giggling.
Khed looked exhausted when they went to bed that night. He had opened his presents from the kids—rocks carved with his children’s faces and a bouquet of flowers.
She helped him off with his shirt, and she smiled as her heart thudded in her chest like it always did when light caressed him. “So, just a quiet night? You look tired.”
He arched his brow. “Really? You are trying to get out of my birthday present?”
She blushed. “I just meant that I thought you probably wouldn’t want to exert yourself. It does take a bit of effort on your part.”
“Yes, but that is how I want to spend the rest of the evening.”
Dekora smiled, stepped toward him, and he kissed her. “Fine, but you have to fix the headboard tomorrow.”
“Oh, I will.” He walked over to his side of the bed and removed the cuffs from the hidden panel behind the wall.
She moved to remove her clothes, but he made a tsking sound. “Fine. I will just order another bodysuit.”
She crawled onto the bed and held her hands out. The wide cuffs were snug but not uncomfortable. He shackled her to the ends of the headboard and pulled a knife to play his favourite game.
His life was spent rescuing the helpless from misfortune; tonight, he put the hero aside, and he got to be the villain. He got to be the villain all night, and a few hours in the morning.
It was his favourite birthday present for five years running.
Author’s Note
I know it is vague, but this was Rumplestiltskin. She offers him everything she has, she promises him her child, but then uses a technicality to get out of it.
The next Stand-Alone Tale will be Red Riding Hood. It is a gender reversal with predator and prey, and falling into traps.
Thanks for reading,
Viola Grace
About the Author
Viola Grace (aka Zenina Masters) is a Canadian sci-fi/paranormal romance writer with ambitions to keep writing for the rest of her life. She specializes in short stories because the thrill of discovery, of all those firsts, is what keeps her writing.
An artist who enjoys a story that catches you up, whirls you around, and sets you down with a smile on your face is all she endeavours to be. She prefers to leave the drama to those who are better suited to it, she always goes for the cheap laugh.
In real life, she now is engaged in beekeeping, and her adventures can be found on the YouTube channel, Mystery Bees Apiary. Just look for the cartoon kittens.
