C24 Samantha - A new future

Three years later....

“Come down from there right now,” I yelled up at Xavier who hung from the ceiling fan as it wobbled and spun around from his weight. “If you break that again, your father will take away your bear.”

Xavier pouted, looking so much like Knox my heart squeezed.

His sister, Julia, giggled. Her blue eyes ringed with silver shone in the early morning sun.

“Come on now, help me make breakfast.” I reached up and tugged on Xavier’s foot.

He squealed with delight, then hopped down. Both of their wings were the soft shade of black like their father’s, but their horns were much smaller than his. Xavier’s eyes were the opposite of his sister’s with silver throughout and a dark blue ring around them.

“How are my little ones today?” Knox’s voice boomed as he entered.

The twins dove through the air at their father and I smiled, rubbing my swollen belly. Our new son would be arriving in a few months and I couldn’t wait to kiss his sweet face.

“Alva’s shuttled here too.”

“I made enough breakfast for everyone,” I called back, waddling to the kitchen.

Alva had insisted on being our midwife through the twins’ birth, despite that, we stayed on the grasslands’ planet. I just couldn’t remain on his homeplanet and hide behind a protective dome, no matter how beautiful his mountain home was. Maybe one day...when the Roulex were no longer a threat to him and his people. Alva took the weekly journey here to see us despite the risk. I tried to refuse to keep her safe, but she was even more stubborn than Knox.

After we ate, Knox took the twins for flying practice while Alva did her examination.

“You’re doing well.” She beamed at me. “Thank you for bringing so much joy into Knox’s life. He suffered so long before you.”

“I’m glad.” I blinked back tears. “And I hope that your people will be able to have the Xerlon prison removed from your planet.” I shuddered, remembering the Roulex and their insistence on getting Knox and his people’s secrets of healing. Doubt that we were completely safe from them since we’d only moved away from their proximity. Some were not as fortunate as Knox and me.

“We will triumph over our enemy.” She sighed. “There have been more attacks, but at least our protective shields are holding.”

I swallowed hard. “I’m so sorry again, about Celica.”

Alva choked out a sob and I leaned over and hugged her. She clung to me for a few minutes then pushed back, but tears still glistened in her eyes.