{Ishkur | John’s Iona}

Lynn tangled her fingers in Pablo’s tight curls as he listened to her ever-protruding, seven-month pregnant belly. His smile banished away all her stupid self-conscious thoughts about fitting in her bridesmaid dress.

Oh, and his beaming grin when the baby kicked.

Yes, Lynn loved fatherhood on her man.

“He’s so strong.” The wonder in Pablo’s voice was worth the weight gain and overbearing cravings. He kissed her stomach, saying, “I can’t wait to teach him the names of all the bones in his little hand.”

Lynn, propped up on her pillows, beamed right back at him. “I hope he has your eyes.”

Pablo dismissed her with a wave. “Nah, he’ll be gorgeous like his mother.” He lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles. “Like, look at this skin. So rich and beautiful. Soft.”

They spent every morning like this, but it was especially potent today. Their friends were getting married, and love permeated Iona Pax. It was a splendid occasion to get mushy.

It was also a nice rest from work. The Concerted Emperors had promoted the couple to elevated positions within Ishkur. Lynn led the defense weapons division of military research, and Pablo headed a coalition of physicians, representing each species for shared medical procedures and instruction.

Busy didn’t cover it.

But everyone was good to each other and allowed for regular days off, including an entire month of vacation since the positions began six months ago. So it wasn’t all bad.

Especially when the days started and ended with Lynn in bed with her husband, cooing about the baby growing inside her.

“We’ll have play dates. I mean, Pax is a little older, but I’m sure he’ll still want to play with his cousins.” Pablo’s dreams warmed Lynn to her toes. “Echo can teach him to sing. Heck, she can teach me to sing while she’s at it.”

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Lynn giggled at him, ruffling his hair.

They both sighed in content.

She said, “Not long now, and we’ll need to get ready.”

Pablo snorted. “I don’t know who plans to follow this act, but good luck. The entire galaxy?” He scoffed, but it was good-natured. “They deserve it, though.”

Yes. They did.

Lynn changed the subject. “I forgot to ask last night. How is Aya doing with the latest round of testing?”

Pablo hopped up with excitement. “Excellent responses. I think this might finally be it. No more faulty nacre. We’ll see. I’d hate to give her false hope.”

This was why Pablo was so important in Iona Pax. The passion and compassion. The man she loved cared deeply about all peoples. Lynn smoothed a hand over her belly. She couldn’t wait for more little Pablos running around. Taking a moment to glance outside, she doubly appreciated the view.

It was of a treehouse with their vows carved into the door.

“Did you think you wouldn’t make it?”

Lynn’s question rang in the air between them as she stared out the window, reliving their already full lives.

Pablo followed her gaze and answered after a quiet stretch. “I know we both broke our vows a few times. How could we abandon people because of a promise we made to each other? But… I knew in doing those things, I was being the man you wanted to marry. Because that line of thinking brought us together in the first place. Two people willing to stay behind and help others. Lynn, it’s who’ve always been. And it’s who I want us to be going forward. Who I want our children to be.”

Lynn smiled. “Can you imagine telling them the story? Once upon a time, on a planet faraway before super cool space technology, there was a school. Mommy and daddy were students there. Your uncle Korac and his best friend, who we aren’t sure if we should forgive yet or not, invaded and burned the school to the ground. Mommy and daddy stayed to help people and suffered from smoke inhalation before they had nacres—That’s right, kids. We didn’t start off with nacres—”

Pablo laughed, rich and pure. “It’s too ridiculous. But do you want to know something more ridiculous than that? They’ll learn the entire story in school, anyway. Our Verses are required reading.”

Right.

How could Lynn forget?

Pablo sat up, cupped her nape, and kissed Lynn with enough heat to make her want to try for twins. When he separated them by inches, he licked the taste of her from his lips. Those soft supple lips that started so much trouble.

Lynn beamed. She couldn’t help it. “I’d marry you all over again.”

“Ditto, Mrs. Renee-Suarez. Now c’mon. Let’s go watch our friends get married. Then we can come home and finish what we started.”

Enticing, but…

“I’ve got a better idea. Let’s finish it now.”

It wouldn’t get them out of bed, but it sure was a beautiful way to start their day.