Chapter Twenty-Six
Mama Said
I breathed in slowly, like I'd seen Zephyron do when opening himself to his ancestors. The beeps and hum of medical equipment, outdoor heat radiating into the hut, and the stinging dried fruit taste faded.
I've wanted things, but never demanded them from life. There were music gigs I lost, men I thought were perfect, who didn't see me the same, and other potential lives. All cut off forever. I went with the flow because that's what you do. Get the wave that comes and make the most of it.
This time? Let me ask for something and get it.
Please?
In and out. My tongue lay swollen, tingling, and heavy against my teeth. The edges of the hut softened. Even with my eyes closed, a shimmering haze curled behind my eyes. I wasn't asleep and not exactly awake.
Mom...
I wished I could ask what it had felt like for her. Maybe we were more alike than I ever knew. I would have given anything for just one more moment. One more glimpse. Just once.
The last bite of fruit seared and burned as I swallowed. The blurry blind spot unfurled, not gentle but urgent, blooming like a swimmer breaking through water. Then she stepped through, or I imagined she did. Either option was beautiful.
Golden-brown hair spilled over her shoulders, and freckles dotted her cheeks like scattered stars. Her smile was gentler than I remembered, like a song I'd forgotten but still knew every note.
"Mom?" My voice trembled. My chest rose too fast. My heart pounded like it was trying to claw its way out. "Am I losing it?" I whispered.
She chuckled softly, a sound pleasing like wind chimes, and my closed eyes stung. "Oh, Hon, if anyone's got a reason to crack, it's you. Whatever this is, I'm here. Memory or otherwise."
Words echoed as if I were in a tunnel. "Uh, Zephyron says I should talk to my ancestors. I've spoken to Dad, friends, Joel, Chase, and even Wyatt. What do you think?"
She tilted her head thoughtfully. "About what, Hon?
Pregnancy? Your hubby? You being you?" She rested her hands on her stomach.
"A parent knows what's best for their child.
You'll do fine. As for your husband? He's a good man.
Flawed, like your father, but the good ones have burdens.
" A smaller, slowly spinning image of Zephyron appeared over her hand, and her mouth morphed into a slight grin.
"Your Conan babe is cute. I like Southern men myself, but yeah, he's right for you. "
"And the last thing?" I asked hesitantly.
She smiled warmly, stepping closer and resting a hand on my cheek.
"Oh, Tommy, I knew. Even as a child, you were different in everything from the other kids.
Special. You always had this spark and look what you've done with it.
Things I couldn't dream about. You've made a life in another world!
" Her voice broke slightly, and tears welled in her eyes.
"I wish I could've been there to protect you growing up. "
Her hand fell to my shoulder, and I gasped, feeling nothing but a butterfly's worth of weight.
"I didn't want to go to the doctor," she whispered.
"I felt fine enough, but deep down, I was scared.
If I went to the hospital, it would've made it real.
You know? Don't make my mistake. Letting life decide for you is still a decision.
One that can cost you and others." Her hand rested on my stomach.
Again, I had to ask. "Is this real?"
Her eyes sparkled. "Tommy, in a world with robots and desert planets, who knows? Maybe you opened a door, or it's the fruit, or the pregnancy hormones. I went through it four times, with dreams so strange, you wouldn't believe what I saw or who I spoke to."
Everything around us began to dissolve into the flickering light.
"Don't go. Please!"
Her voice softened. "You'll be fine, Hon. You've got this. Use that spark inside you and watch your daddy for me." She squeezed my hand gently, her eyes full of warmth. "And don't worry about your brothers, either. They'll find their way. Even the ones still figuring out who they are."
My forehead scrunched. When I opened my eyes, Varek leaned over me, scanning my stomach. "Are you well, Thomas?" Zephyron tensed as if ready to attack an unknown enemy.
Axios' voice chimed in, "You closed your eyes for roughly eleven point two of your seconds and did not breathe." Parker nodded and pointed to his camera, offering the video timestamps as proof.
Eleven seconds? Way too short for everything I saw and heard. It must have been the fruit and hormones, or was it?
No. I saw her. Really saw her face.
Unless I had a photo of my mom with me, her features never quite came into view. Always a little blurry or just a twinkling blind spot. This time, they came in clear as day, as did her voice. 'You'll be fine, Hon. You've got this.'
"Do it," I said firmly.
***
I lay with controlled breathing as Varek, and my Simulacrum friends prepared for delivery. The battery-fruit taste lingered on my tongue, and a slight, shimmering blur followed my moving hand.
"I know I asked before..." My medic waited with a knowing look. "The dried fruit? It's safe, right?" I then glanced at the glass in my hands, with a deep crimson color. "Is it okay to mix the two?"
Frowning was universal. It was like someone asking if I knew what a guitar could do.
He gave me a reassuring nod. "Yes, many Femeni consume Juka fruit slices to ease into labor. Your body will reject them if you eat too much." He pointed to the red drink. "This will steady the contractions and relax your muscles. Many, when ready to deliver, take both."
With a slow drink, I finished the liquid under Zephyron's steady gaze. Warmth bloomed in my abdomen like a hot spring underwater. Mom... Whatever it was, I'm grateful. Just wish there could be more time.
"What troubles you?" Zephyron's body tensed.
"Nothing, just... well, I took a page from your book, and I think I had a vision earlier. My mom—"
The medic's face grew serious, and Zephyron stiffened.
The medic spoke quickly, his tone gentle but firm.
"Thomas, it is not customary to share visions before delivery.
Other times yes, but not now. On Sudo, such experiences are sacred.
Personal! Even then, only between mates.
" He bowed slightly before my man, still wondering if he had the right to speak so directly.
Zephyron nodded, as if to say it was okay. "Varek is correct," he said. "To speak of it now takes away from our child's arrival."
I glanced at them both and mentally sighed. "Got it. I'll keep it to myself." My shoulders eased, and I leaned back, letting the fruit drink warmth spread throughout my body. My joints, tender for what felt like weeks, finally relaxed.
"Can Karel come in?" I asked. Despite my growing sensitivity to Sandari fur, his presence never seemed to affect me as badly as the other medic.
Zephyron, feeling the need to do something, hurried to get him.
My young friend entered quietly, with large ears twitching as he took in the scene.
My doctor had the decency to cover my lower half with a silver sheet.
I smiled, ignoring the growing tightness in my belly.
"Karel, I want to thank you, your folks, and the entire village.
For everything. For giving us a place here and making sure we're safe.
" My voice broke unexpectedly, and tears welled in my eyes.
His ears pointed forward gently in understanding thanks to his implant. "Thomas, it is we who are grateful. You have brought kindness to my people. When the time comes, we will call to the sky, louder than before. Remember, you are histo. Family that is from outside, but still our tribe."
I sniffled, nodding as he stepped away with a respectful bow, as my father strolled to the doorway.
"It's small here, and I figure y'all need the space.
" Dad turned to my younger brother and Ryan.
"You two should stay. I'll wait outside.
" Tessith excused himself, leaving my father at the door.
"Holler if you need anything, son." Dad gave me a shaky smile, then slipped out with one final lingering stare.
That left only Parker filming silently, Ryan leaning in the far corner, and Wyatt with his hand brushing the chair's edge. He shifted from foot to foot like he didn't know if he should approach.
"Glad you made it," I rasped, voice raw. "Nice having Dad here or outside, but... glad you were in the neighborhood, Hon." A second lens from Parker's camera lingered on us, capturing two brothers.
Something flickered in Wyatt's eyes. I opened my mouth, but whatever question I had, scattered with the next contraction. All I could do was gasp and clutch Zephyron's arm.
"Thomas!" He knelt beside me, his purple eyes searching mine.
I tried to smile, panting through the pain. "I wasn't born a Femeni or Omega. I chose this. Converted. What if I'm not good enough?"
"You are Volardi in your heart with Human cleverness," Zephyron took both my hands and squeezed. "You are here. With me. Together, we will do this."
I grinned between gasps.
Somewhere near the door, Wyatt panted, his concern obvious even without words. Ryan kept a further distance. He too was histo, and family that wasn't originally mine.
A question stirred again. A feeling about him, Ryan, or both, I couldn't quite grab in my mind. Then the next contraction hit, making me scream.
Solis glided closer, her glowing sensors scanning my vitals. "You are progressing well, Dear. The child's position is optimal."
A holographic image shimmered of our child curled in my womb. I barely had a moment to appreciate it before another contraction tore through.
Despite my effort, I squeezed Zephyron's hand with enough force to bruise or break his skin with my nails. "If I could take your pain, I would," he whispered raw.
Axios stood at the monitors, his analytical presence a welcome comfort. "Contractions have intensified. The next phase has begun."
"No kidding," I hissed.
"You're doing well," said Varek. "But you must push."
"I know!" I snapped, immediately regretting it. "Sorry. That was... oh, sorry!"
Zephyron rested his forehead gently against mine. "You are strong. You are my mate. You can do this."
Time blurred into agony and determination. Sweat stung my eyes, and burning muscles howled as the minutes dragged by.
Solis soothed. Axios narrated, calm as ever. I bore down, gritting my teeth as I pushed with every ounce of strength I had left.
With screams that had to have hurt him, Zephyron stayed. He held me as I tore myself apart and rebuilt with every wave.
Varek's voice broke through the haze. "I see his head."
Almost there. Almost. My entire world narrowed to one effort.
I shouldn't describe something like this as weird, but it was strange to feel shoulders, little arms, and legs from the inside.
After an eternity and a push where I felt half-drunk, a sharp cry filled the air between my spread legs. I sagged in relief, blinking away the dancing grey spots in my vision. Unseen medical devices or my Simulacrum buddies cleaned him off.
Varek soon held up our child, tiny and perfect, with reddish-bronze skin and closed eyes. He cried out loud. It was too early to decide his path, but those lungs already sang like a born singer.
Just like your Daddy. Well, one of two.
Maybe three, but that's way down the line.
Axios, once satisfied everything was fine, opened the door and waved high twice to those surrounding us. The outside air soon filled with musical howls and yips. A Volardi child came into the world from a Human, and the Sandari welcomed him with joy.
I'd chased meaning across two worlds. And now, here he was.
Zephyron's eyes glistened as he looked at our baby. "Beautiful... like you."
Tears streamed down my face, cradling our kid against my chest. "We did it," I whispered.
Zephyron wrapped his arms around both of us, his voice thick with wonder. "Yes, my heart. We did."
Varek's voice broke gently through the moment. "Femeni-Omega," he said. "Like Thomas," he directed to Wyatt, Ryan, and Parker, who continued recording in silence.
I glanced down at the tiny bundle tucked against me, so small and perfect, and something new settled deep inside my chest. Not fear. No doubt.
Hope.
His tiny breath warmed my skin. His little heart raced with mine.
He was here.
Ours.
Zephyron said new paths could offer wonder and joy.
He was right.
***