CHAPTER 4
Achill on my spine wakes me and I drag the covers closer, bundling them against my face, but they’re not my covers.
I don’t have anything made of fur… or whatever this dark green fuzzy blanket is.
I remember where I am as my eyes peel open.
The chill makes me shiver, and being alone in bed doesn’t make me want to go back to sleep.
My heart wants him. My body disagrees.
The last time I got up, Sirin was here to help me. This time, I stumble to the bathroom and don’t bother to turn on the light while I use it.
I’m so tired I nearly fall asleep against the counter, but it's cold too.
I don’t want cold.
I want Sirin.
The light that leaves a little halo around the floor is enough that I don’t fall when I go back to the bed to grab that fuzzy blanket before I head out to look for him… and maybe some of my chocolate too.
Right before I open the door, I hear them.
Voices.
Sirin’s and…
I press my ear to the door, trying to hear if it’s someone I recognize. Phantom, asking questions? Kita, making accusations?
But I don’t know them.
Easing the door open, I peek out. I should have gotten dressed. Holding the blanket to cover my chest, I look for the visitor I assume is there, but there isn’t anyone else in the living room. It’s a Sovian man talking to Sirin through one of the wall screens.
It takes me a moment to realize I can understand him. He’s speaking English… albeit with a heavy accent.
The alien on the screen is familiar, though I can’t figure out why, and when his six eye stalks turn to me, he blushes… not something I thought possible on that particular color of green skin.
He tells Sirin he’s sorry for interrupting and quickly ends the call.
“You were speaking English.” I don’t know why that’s the detail my groggy mind latches onto.
“He helps me practice.”
“Oh, that’s nice.” I had taken for granted that he seems to speak it so easily.
“I’m sorry we woke you.” He turns his back on the now dark screen. “Ferrok would apologize too, if he hadn’t been embarrassed enough to flee at the sight of you.”
The name in combination with the face makes it all make sense. “Jade’s boyfriend called you?”
“Yes, though… in my day-to-day, he’s not Jade’s anything. He works for me and since I’m not there…” he waves a tentacle like it’s not important. “He called about something he felt needed my approval. The station never sleeps.”
“Oh.”
I have no concept of time. I don’t know how long I’ve been asleep, what time it is, or even what day it is.
“Did you need something out here?”
I nod and he picks up the bag with my snacks. “Chocolate? Or salt?”
“Those aren’t the only categories they fall into.”
“I know what you look like when you want sour and fruity… those are things you want when you’re already happy. And you’re not happy right now.”
“I did come out for chocolate. But mostly for you.”
He smiles down at me, soft and sweet. “Can I pick you up? Or will that hurt?”
I don’t know, but I want to be held, even if it hurts. “You can pick me up.”
He takes me to the wide, kidney-bean shaped couch-thing and holds me while he sits, tentacles cradling me to him while I rest my head on his chest and he passes me a packet of chocolate squares.
I snap them while his suckers press kisses against my skin.
Quiet, patient… soft.
I don’t want to start a fight, but I have to know…
“You never asked if it—if they were yours.”
“It doesn’t matter.” He tips my face up. “I love you. That’s all that matters.”
“They were,” I tell him. I didn’t need Dr. Love to run any tests to know that. “I stopped taking other appointments weeks ago.”
I love the club, but the only one I want to see when I’m there is him.
“I would be lying if I said I wasn’t glad you’ve stopped seeing other men.” He drops his forehead to mine. “There are so many things I’m waiting to ask you for. So many things I’m waiting to offer. You have my heart, Annika, my Cherry. And you always will.”
“Ask me anything… tomorrow, when I feel better.”
“I can wait as long as you need me too.” He kisses me softly. There’s no urgency in it, just comfort and calm…
“We need to figure out how it happened and start taking precautions… I’m not ready to be a mom. Someday,” I tell him, stroking the tendrils on his head that make me think of hair, “when we’re both ready, we can have that conversation. But not right now.”
Nodding, he agrees. “I’ll talk to Phantom when you feel ready to rejoin the world outside those doors.”
“Right now, it feels like I’d be happy to stay with you, like this, forever.”
He cuddles me close. “That would be perfect.”