Chapter Ten
Chapter Ten
The dinner had been great. Even better, Marisol really liked the clones and humans she spent time with while they ate. Some of the couples had shared their stories. It amazed her that her grandfather had ordered an illegally unblanked singer from Earth, but DJD Clone Corp had messed up. They’d stolen the wrong body of a woman with the same name. Big had found Gemma as she was being shipped to Clone World.
Free led them to one of the cabins, pressed his palm print to it, and the double doors opened. Marisol gawked a bit as they entered the upscale living room. It was nicely furnished and had an open floor plan, so the kitchen was within sight.
“This used to belong to one of the humans with an important job. There are two bedrooms, two and a half baths, and an office,” he summarized. “There is a Magna in the kitchen to do our cooking.”
That made Marisol smile. Gemma, her new friend, had warned her. “I’ve met those types of androids before. We don’t have them on Clone World, but other resort planets and some of the nicer space stations I’ve stayed at do. I’m glad we have one. I’m a terrible cook.”
“I am as well.”
“I kind of guessed that since all you had on your shuttle was nutrient bars and those freeze-dried packs you add heated water to.”
He took her hand, leading her through the living space and down a hallway. The main bedroom was also roomy, nicely furnished, and had a resort-like spa bath. She had her choice of a steam shower, real water, and even a bathtub big enough to fit two. “I’m surprised you chose this for yourself.”
“Big insisted. There are a total of ten luxury suites, and only six of us. I always believed it was too much space for an individual, but he convinced us to claim them as ours.”
“How did he do that?” She released his hand and took a seat on the oversized bed. The mattress was like sinking into a cloud.
“He reminded us that we wanted a better future and that expansive living quarters were achieving that goal.”
She smiled. “I like it.”
“That’s all that matters.” He locked gazes with her. “The M’s seemed to relax and settle in better.”
“I was worried about them, but dinner was a great way to break the ice and get to know each other better. I really like Sam and Klista.”
“They seem to be good humans.”
“Anna might be my favorite. She’s so happy to be alive.”
Free took a seat next to her. “I’m very glad that Figures decided to rescue her in the only way he knew how after she died in his arms.”
“It triggered me realizing you were still alive, at least one of you, and refusing to eat my drugged dinner.”
“Yes. How are you adjusting to being a clone?”
Marisol kicked off her shoes, getting more comfortable. They were in for the evening. There was a planned tour of the station in the morning. Gemma and Hailey were going to help her, the M’s, and Anna get new wardrobes. She was looking forward to that. The bag she’d packed with clothes had been left behind, and that had left her stuck wearing Free’s oversized shirts and the outfit she’d worn when he’d come for her.
“I think it makes it easier that I’ve been living as a clone for almost three years without knowing it. The bottom line, I’m still me. I honestly had no clue I wasn’t human anymore.”
“What about your menstrual cycles? I’m aware that humans have those. Clones don’t.”
Marisol froze, her mind stunned with realization. “I take birth control shots that prevent me from having periods, but…”
Free must have sensed something was wrong because he slid off the bed, kneeling before her. “What’s wrong? You have gone unusually pale. But what?”
It was too shocking for her to even comprehend.
“Marisol?”
“You have a health center on this station, right?”
“Yes.”
“We need to go there now.”
“Why? What’s wrong? Talk to me.”
“I missed the shot I get every three months last year when I was working on a big project. I started my period.” She stared into his eyes. “Clones are sterile. You’re right. They don’t have periods. But I did. I had one.”
“You said you were given clone plasma.”
“I was.” She felt nauseous as the suspicion she had seemed more viable. “DJD Clone Corp breaks the rules for my gramps all the time. What if they created me without safeguards and my reproductive organs work?”
He leaned in close, placing his hands on her legs to give comfort. “You believe your grandfather asked them to do this? Make it so you could have children?”
“I told you that he asked me to have a baby when I turned twenty-five. I refused and told him I’d think about it when I turned thirty. That’s coming up in a few months. He loved having me under his thumb. The thought of having more family members he could control and manipulate would appeal to him. Gramps would have hated to lose that option when I died.”
“Rico Florigo didn’t have to. I agree that DJD Clone Corp would do anything he asked. He can certainly afford to bribe them well.” Free caressed her legs. “Does it matter what he did? You’re you, Marisol. I am sterile. We won’t be able to have children even if they gave you the ability. Not unless you wish to leave me to find a human.”
Marisol reached out and cupped his face. “You’re who I want. It just shocked me. You’re right. It doesn’t change anything. I’ll just have to deal with periods after my last shot wears off. We already have at least one menstruating human living here. I’m sure Hailey and possibly her mom have programmed one of the shops to print out supplies to handle their periods.”
“Do you want to go to the health clinic?”
She calmed, the surprise fading. “No. The more I think about it, I’m certain that’s exactly what he did. Gramps never liked being denied anything. I don’t need medical confirmation.”
“We could find a donor to―”
“No. I have never wanted children after everything I experienced. You’re all I want.”
Free leaned in. “I love you.” He kissed her.
Marisol happily pushed away all thoughts and kissed him back. All their dreams were coming true. They were free to love and to be together. She leaned back, pulling Free onto the bed with her.
He rolled them until he was under her. Both frantically tugged at each other’s clothing, wanting to get naked. It was sweet that he was always so careful with her and worried he might crush or harm her in some way. She had to break the kiss to tear her shirt off over her head.
“I love you too.” Her gaze wandered over his sexy body as he pulled off his shirt, revealing his muscled chest and arms. “Our life is going to be perfect.”
“It will,” he agreed.
Up next… R Clones