“ ’Morning, Miss Lena, is the baby coming out today?”

Squinting her eyes against the bright sunlight flooding the small bedroom, Helena smiled to see the sunny face of 4-and-a-half year old Damon Morrow standing next to her bed.  He reached out and patted her extremely distended abdomen, giggling when he felt the baby move.  She shifted some to get more comfortable.

“I hope so, Damon.  I really, really hope so.”

Helena swung her swollen legs off the side of the bed and sat up with some effort.  She would be extremely grateful to regain her normal center of balance.  Feeling like a beached whale had lost its charm, even if the gravity on this planet was slightly lighter than Earth’s.  She felt around with her feet for the unseen slippers, somewhere down there below her gravid middle.  To be able to move easily, and yes, see her toes again.  Damon helpfully found her slippers and slid them on her feet.  Backwards.  Unobtrusively rearranging the slippers, Helena braced herself on the bed as Damon scrambled up and hugged her shoulders, which was the only part of her he could wrap his arms around comfortably.  He kissed her cheek.

“Daddy says I’ll go home after the baby’s born.”

Helena wrapped an arm around the thin but blessedly healthy boy.  “And what do you think about that?”  He’d been staying with them for the past week.

The little, brown-haired boy shrugged.  “S’okay.  As long as Becca doesn’t wake up and cry a lot.”

Helena reached out a hand and smoothed the boy’s sleep tousled brown hair and then touched the tip of his nose with her finger, making him giggle again.  Damon was a delight to have around, but Helena knew that the newborn would cry a lot more than almost one-year-old Rebecca Koenig.

“You’ll sleep better at your mother’s, there’s no doubt of that.”

“But I can come visit, right?”

“Of course.  Any time.  This is your home, too.”

Damon hugged her again and then slid off the Alphan bed to head out to the front room of the quonset hut.  “Daddy got us breakfast.  Come on!”

Helena chuckled.  Feed them, and they shall come. 

Damon was the son of Paul and Sandra, the son Paul never knew.  The boy had been born on this planet after John and Sandra had been stranded when Alpha was pulled into the far future.  By the time Alpha made it back, four years had passed on the planet to a mere six weeks for Helena and the others.  John was the boy’s father for all intents and purposes, especially as Paul had died on Alpha during that short window the moon had been away. 

In an odd twist of fate, Helena became pregnant at the same time as Sandra and thirteen others due to faulty injected contraceptives.  The child she carried was conceived at the same time as Damon, and yet would be more than four years younger.  And Rebecca Koenig, conceived and born on this planet years after her parents had given up hope of rescue, would be a year older.  Helena brushed her hair and pulled on a robe, a shiver of remembered terror running down her spine.  She still awoke each morning with the need to touch John to convince herself he had returned.

In the front multipurpose room she found John and Damon enjoying a breakfast of pancakes, fresh fruit and a local bacon-like meat from one of the indigenous animals.  It actually smelled quite good, but she knew from experience if she ate any she would have awful indigestion.  She most definitely was looking forward to the birth of this child. 

John stood and pulled her chair out for her.  “Today?” he smiled at her. 

Helena’s heart did a flip-flop at that lop-sided smile.  He was so very handsome.  His silver-streaked hair only made him more dashing, she thought.  He saw her settled and returned to his seat to finish breakfast.

“I hope.  If nothing happens by tomorrow, Bob said he’ll induce.  Two weeks overdue is quite long enough, thank you.”  All the other children due had been born.  Including June and David’s daughter two days ago.   Helena sipped some water, boiled as all water on Psychon had to be to eliminate certain proteins found throughout the food chain.  Or Nova Alpha, as most preferred to call their new home. 

“Daddy, you’re still my daddy, right?” 

John looked over in surprise to the boy seated next to Helena, happily working his way through his, and Helena’s, share of the strawberries. 

“Or course.  Why wouldn’t I be?”   John cast a quick look at Helena who shook her head slightly.  As far as he knew, Sandra had yet to tell the young boy about Paul.  She said her intention was to wait until he was a few years older to avoid confusion.  And whether he agreed or not, he’d let her make that call.

“ ’Cause Alan is staying with Mommy and you stay with Miss Lena now.  And Alan said he was going to ask Mommy to marry him.”

John looked at Helena with raised eyebrows. 

“Oh?  He told you that?”

Through a final mouthful of strawberries, Damon added, “Uh huh, he said ‘it’s about time’.  What’s that mean?”  He looked mildly befuddled but trustingly at John, his expression radiating complete faith that his daddy knew everything.

Helena kept still, limiting herself to only a slight grin.  She intended to stay out of this conversation.  She watched as John’s expressions varied from surprise to satisfaction to confusion on what was the right thing to say.

“I think you’d better ask Alan.  Before you ask your Mom.” 

Damon looked disappointed, but accepting.  “Okay.”  He got up from the table, putting his plate and utensils on the tray for a grow-up to return to the food-prep area.  “Can I go play with Maya now?  She said she would, all day!”

Helena now spoke up.  “Brush your teeth first.  You know where to meet her?”

Damon nodded already heading to the small lavatory.  “Her home.”

Smiling, she looked at John and said softly,  “Chicken.”

“Damn straight.  I’m not about to step my foot into that if Damon heard wrong.”

The boy came out, handing a hairbrush to Helena.  He knew the routine and wanted to get through it as fast as possible.  “And I washed my hands already, see!”  He held wet hands up for inspection, hands that had yet to  meet a towel.

“I see.”  Helena picked up a napkin and dried them off and then tamed the curly brown hair some.    Now presentable, she hugged the little boy.  “Have a fun day.”

Smiling, Damon ran out the door.  John stood from his seat and walked to the entrance to watch until he saw Maya step out of her home about a hundred meters away and take Damon’s hand.  He acknowledged the woman’s wave and returned to Helena.

“She really seems to like the children.”  John sat back down, picking up his half-full cup of citrus juice.  

“She told me she was the last child on Psychon.  She’s asked if it will be possible for her to have any.”

“And?”

Helena shrugged.  “We don’t know yet.  Ed is running genetic analyses when he has the time, but the findings are preliminary at best.  There is an incredible amount of similarity in the DNA, but it’s just too soon to say.”

John nodded.  Helena knew he was now comfortable around Maya and her rather unique abilities.  Complete trust was still in the works, but he had seen her with Damon and Jackie and knew she cared for the little boys, and they her.  He stood and prepared to leave for the day.  The settlement was coming along very well, but the work never ended.

Helena shifted uncomfortably in her seat and gratefully accepted John’s helpful hand to stand. 

“Off to Medical?”  John looked concerned as he pulled her in for a hug.

She nodded, smiling up into his wonderful blue eyes.  “Don’t worry, Bob is making sure I take it easy.  But I can’t stay here.  I’ll go crazy with nothing to do.  And, if I do go into labor, it’s the best place to be.” 

Sharing a final kiss, they parted to start the day.

Alan woke up late.  They had today off and he’d been certain to turn off the alarm last night.  He squinted at the small clock on the table on Sandra’s side of the bed.  0745.  He wrapped an arm around Sandra and nuzzled into her warmth, quite prepared to go back to sleep for another hour.

“It’s good I realized you muted the alarm, Alan.  David would have been displeased if I simply hadn’t shown up this morning.”

Eyes still closed, Alan smiled into Sandra’s hair.  “He would’ve survived.  Just because he doesn’t take his entitled down time, doesn’t mean you can’t.”

“True, but courtesy says you let him know.”

“Sahn, this is your day off.  If you don’t show, he’ll check the schedule.  He’s a bright boy.   We have the whole day to ourselves.” 

Alan’s hand started roaming under Sandra’s sleep shirt.  Maybe she’d linger a bit longer if he gave her the proper incentive.  A few minutes later, things were proceeding in quite the proper direction… when the rhythmic squeaking of plastic on wood could be heard from the small bedroom next door.

“Damn.”

Sandra chuckled.  “She’s probably hungry.  It’s an hour late for her, also.”

“Yeah, well we still get the rest of the day after she’s fed and dropped off with whoever has kid detail.” 

“Maya does.” 

Rolling over and sharing a quick kiss, Sandra slipped away before he could get a good grip on her.  Damn.  Yawning, he watched her walk into the lavatory between the two bedrooms and then poke her head back out.

“I get first shower today.”

Alan sighed at this final inconvenience to his morning’s leisure plans.  He sat up on the edge stretching to loosen the kinks.  Oh well, things should start looking up soon.  Sandra came out wearing a robe and holding a fresh uniform.  Smiling at how pretty she looked all tousled, Alan stood and pulled her into his arms.  Yeah, all day.  He let her go reluctantly and she headed out to the community showers a few buildings away.  The squeaking from next door got louder. 

“Coming, love.” 

He walked over to the children’s room.  Rebecca was at that age where she could easily pull up, but sitting down was still the occasional challenge.   And just now she was standing and hanging onto the edge of the crib, jumping up and down with great enthusiasm.  Alan had made the wooden, box-like crib for her.  It was plain but sanded very smooth and put together stoutly.  The cut down mattress had been covered with plastic for protection and wedged tight for safety.  Squeak reduction would be the goal of version 2.0. 

“Good morning, little love.”  Alan picked up the laughing dark-haired, dark-eyed little girl, swinging her about the room and just missing the walls with practiced ease.  A quick sniff and nappy change later, Becca was sitting on Alan’s hip bouncing up and down in happy anticipation of breakfast. 

“Keep your knickers on, love.”  Alan rooted around the small ‘kitchen’ area and found biscuits, fresh melon and the peas the little girl liked.

“Da,da,da,da,da.”

“Well, if you say so.  But I bet your father would prefer you call me ‘Alan’ like your brother does.”

“Da,da,da,da,da.”

“Alright, if you insist.  But you’re the one who gets to explains it to him.  Chow’s up.”

Pulling out the modified white Alphan chair, Alan placed the little girl in it, snugging down the Eagle-like restraints for safety.

Alan poured himself a cup of ‘coffee’ and sipped, watching tolerantly as the little girl make a mess of herself.   She was soon the most colorful thing in the home.  Alan smiled at her gustatory enthusiasm as he leaned against the wall and idly studied the small room of their pre-fab home.  Almost a hundred of the small, domed buildings had been made on Alpha against the possibility of colonization.  And now they were being used extensively.  Everyone was under roof, but furniture remained scarce.  Along with the table and four chairs, there was a sofa, one small table and a computer console all scavenged from Alpha.  That and two beds made up their allotment.

Still, not all was Alphan white.  Muted patches of color were scattered here and there.  Grass weavings Sandra had done in her free time.  They were quite pretty, actually.   And on the table she had placed a collection of different sized bowls made from chunks of wood smoothed down with abrasive sand.  Given how hard the wood was around here, it must have taken weeks for each one.   That and the odd book and photo were the sum total of the decorations.  Simple, but homey.  He finished his drink in time for Sandra to return, dressed for the day. 

“She’s all yours.”  He chucked the messy girl under her chin, put the cup in the ‘sink’ and grabbed his clothes.  At the door, he turned around and snagged Sandra by the arm pulling her close and planting a kiss on her check.  Walking to the men’s showers and whistling a cheerful tune, he ignored the funny looks sent his way.  It was going to be a grand day.

Taking blatant advantage of being chief pilot, Alan ran the pre-flight checks in Eagle 2 as Sandra stowed their picnic supplies in the back. It was nice to get away, just the two of them, for a few hours.    

For days he’d been looking forward to seeing a whole lot of emptiness.  Well, empty except for Sandra, of course.  He grew up roaming wide open spaces, and he knew Sahn still got antsy among the crowds after living almost alone on this planet for years.  He snorted at that understatement.  Unlike John who’d slipped back into his role with apparent ease, she’d become a loner.  And she was more than a bit odd compared to the woman they had known since Breakaway.  Quite a few Main Mission techs had mentioned that in his presence.  Being declared dead could do that to a person, he supposed.  And the rather obvious fact that she and John shared a child made most of the pilots leery of getting too close to her.  Alan selfishly played that up whenever he caught one of the guys eyeing her.  After all, how many were up to having John around when Becca went through puberty?

Today, he planned on showing Sandra a waterfall two valleys over he found on one of his surveillance flights. They both enjoyed the opportunities to explore new areas and the thrill that came with being first.  Alan grinned.  This is exactly why he’d joined the astronaut corps to begin with.  He’d filed the flight plans yesterday on the pretense of collecting more botanical specimens.  Tony had looked at the request on his tablet screen and lifted an eyebrow at the absence of a botanist, but had okayed it all the same.

Flying in from down valley to give the northern edge’s waterfall it’s most spectacular view, Alan smiled at Sandra’s look of delight.  It was not a high waterfall as these things went, but broad and majestic.  The water fell smoothly down a wide granite-like ledge, flowing like a sheet of glass over the flat rocks leading away and then tumbling a short distance more into a pool that led to the stream.  They could see small animals hopping away through the shallow flow as they approached. 

The Eagle touched down lightly about a hundred meters off the west side of the stream and Alan put it on standby.  “Come on, Sahn, it’s even more impressive up close.” 

He led the way out, not forgetting to make sure each had a hand laser.  This valley didn’t seem to have large predators, but he was taking no chances.  As they stepped out, one of the huge, harmless, iridescent flying mammals stooped low over them.  It took a good look and then soared away with a shriek. 

Cringing at the awful noise, Alan shook his head.  “I just wish they’d do their look-see quietly. They gotta get used to us sooner or later.”

Sandra smiled.  “They are curious, that’s all.  And since they taste awful, I can’t imagine anyone reducing their numbers by hunting.”  

Alan watched the huge creature until it roosted on an upper most branch of an equally huge tree, and then carefully scanned the surrounding woods. “Well, that seems to be the only one.  Come on, Sahn.”  He held out a hand and led the way.  

“I haven’t been in this valley before.”

“No?”

She shook her head no.  “Since our cave was on the other continent, we had no way to come here.  The Commander didn’t trust Eagle 1 after that systems failure crash landing.  When we made that short hop from the landing site to the clearing in the woods near the cave, the Eagle rattled horribly the entire way.  We never flew after that.” 

Alan stayed quiet.  As long as he didn’t interrupt, every so often Sandra would drop tidbits of those four long years.  The first few months with Lew Picard and John, and after Lew died, just John.  Until Damon and Rebecca were born.   

Alan enjoyed watching Sandra take in the surroundings.  He often found himself thinking in terms of what Sandra would like as he searched out new areas. 

“It’s beautiful here.”

Alan could see Sandra relax in the peace and quiet.  They approached the edge of the smooth water leading away from the falls.  Smiling, he kicked off his shoes and socks and rolled up his pants legs to go wading.   He shivered a bit at the first few steps, but quickly acclimated.

“Come on, Sahn, the water’s fine!”

“As long as you don’t drink it,” she answered, taking off her shoes and socks and, after tucking Alan’s socks carefully inside his boots, placing them neatly next to his.  She joined him in the ankle deep water, both enjoying the sensations of the cool running water and the fine mist from the waterfall not so far away. 

“I’m not planning on drinking it, woman.  Just splashing around.  Damon would love it here.”

Sandra smiled at Alan’s enthusiasm as he did just that, soaking his pants legs to mid thigh.  “That he would.  An excuse to come back. Especially if there are fish.”

They walked to the far side of the stream laughing and teasing each other, finally sitting down on the sun-warmed rocks by the falls.  The interrupted calls of woods ‘birds’ resumed in the background. 

Conversation slowly stilled as they enjoyed the view and each others company.   Sandra reached out and took Alan’s hand into her lap.  They watched as several of the bolder small mammals returned to the stream’s far edge to drink.  She pointed out which of the various species were carnivores or herbivores, and the one smaller than the rest that was very aggressive, but very tasty.  Silence returned, except for the fall of the water and the buzz of insects behind them.  Alan twined his fingers through hers and looked at her. 

“Sandra, marry me.”

“No.”

Alan sat straight up, as if he’d been slapped.  Well, that was certainly blunt enough. 

“You want me to move out?  I said I’d stay until everything was set up, and we’re getting there.”  He paused as an awful thought ran through his mind.  “Is there someone else?  John?”

Sandra turned to him in surprise, tucking a lock of mist-covered hair behind an ear. 

“No.”

“Alright then, why not?”

Shrugging her shoulders, Sandra considered.  Alan watched as she picked up a few rocks next to her and idly tossed them into the stream. 

“There’s no need.  The children will never lack for guardians, it’s not as if there is any wealth to inherit, and we all depend on each other for security, not just one person.  And there’s so few of us, that everyone knows that you,” Sandra paused for a moment more to think, “and then probably the Commander, could speak on my behalf if needed.”

At least it wasn’t another guy.  Alan reached out and wrapped both arms around her, pulling her into his lap.  She leaned comfortably against his chest. 

“Are you afraid I won’t keep the commitment?”

There was a wry smile in Sandra’s voice when she answered.  “Well, you do have a certain reputation.”

Theatrically, he growled a little as he nibbled her ear.  “Well, maybe it’s time to officially settle down and give up sowing my wild oats.”

Sandra frankly laughed and turned in his arms to face him.  She pulled back enough to wrap her arms around his neck and pull him down for a kiss.   

“Oh, that may be a bit extreme.  I rather like it when you sow your wild oats.”

Alan had to grin at the tone in her voice. For all that Sandra had the reputation of being prim and proper, she could be a randy little minx in private.  And he liked that.  “Alright, then…”  Scooping her up in his arms he splashed back across the stream, startling several small animals into fleeing.  He’d take her back to the Eagle and show her some expert ‘sowing’ techniques.

“The shoes, Alan, don’t forget the shoes!”

He paused briefly to gather the shoes, juggling woman and footwear until the latter were piled on the former and he could continue on to the shelter of the Eagle.  

The afternoon passed quickly and exceedingly pleasantly and they reluctantly returned home.  As had become their habit when it was just the two of them, Sandra sat in the co-pilot’s seat to keep him company.  The flight back took all of twenty minutes as they spoke of their hopes for the future, Alan still trying to figure out why she wouldn’t marry him.  Once over the final ridge, they saw their broad valley planted with several hectares of crops, many almost ready for harvest.  Teams of Alphans under the guidance of the agronomists worked the fields.  Everybody took their turn and Alan waggled the Eagle at finding Tony hard at work in the tiny vineyard.  As they landed, they could see activity outside the Rescue pod set aside as a labor and delivery suite. 

“Maybe Helena’s finally gone into labor.  That means we get Damon back tonight.”  Alan really enjoyed having the boy around.  He shut down the Eagle and extended a hand to help Sandra up.  Not that she particularly needed it, but because it gave him an excuse to hold her.  He tilted her face up to his for a last kiss before returning to the busy community.

“So, will you marry me?”

They both glanced back to the pod where someone outside was opening the door.   Probably an Eagle tech.   Sandra looked back at him with a gentle smile, reaching up a hand to trace the side of his face.  Alan held his breath, hopeful.

“No.”

Pacing through the darkness just outside the dim glow of the settlement’s safety lights, Alan burned off restless energy.  He could hear the occasional voice from the homes he passed, but for the most part tired Alphans were turning in.  Movement up high caught his attention and he paused to watch a meteorite cross above him, flaring into nonexistence.  It looked like it would be another glorious moonless night, brilliant with stars.  Alan sighed.  All the nights here were moonless, and it just didn’t feel right without one.  And that just added to his general sense of disgruntlement.  Damn.  He hadn’t expected her to say no.  Twice. 

He had already passed the extensive hydroponics ‘greenhouse’ section and the manufactories set up to make the things the Alphans needed on this new world.  One of the community showers was next, a buffer between the ‘working’ and residential parts of the community, and then a cluster of trees. Throughout the settlement there was a concerted effort to minimize their impact on the environment.   Trees and boulders were left in place as much as possible, and here by the showers they hid the pumps necessary to clean and recycle the water.  The illness-causing impurities in the water had become problem number one to solve. 

On their own, John and Sandra had boiled or cooked everything in the small food prep containers found in each Eagle.  A community of almost 300 had to find other solutions.  Pat Osgood and his fellow engineers had cobbled together sets of water scrubbers used on Alpha, and combined solar panels and portable generators to provide the energy to clean, warm and deliver water to the kitchens and showers.  And since water was no longer a finite resource, long hot showers could again be enjoyed.  And… if one juggled his schedule just right, you could even bring a partner and enjoy one together. 

Alan cast a sour look at the showers, determined to wallow in his bad mood.  As wonderful as a hot shower was, and especially with Sandra, Alan still longed to go for a proper swim.  One day, perhaps.  A longer term solution for ‘the water issue’ had yet to declare itself, but every specialty spent at least part of their time working on it.  A solution would be found eventually, of that Alan had no doubt.  Alphans always managed to find answers.

Now halfway through the residential area, he was approaching John and Helena’s place.  The commotion at the Medical Center area turned out to be a false alarm.  A visit by Sandra after dinner found that Helena had been sent back home to get some rest, walk around if she could, and return in the morning to be induced.  And as if on cue, Helena walked out of her home, pausing by the door. 

“May I join you, Alan?”

Turning back into the lit area he approached her.  “How’d you know it was me?”

Helena smiled sadly.  “That’s the same stride you used pacing around Alpha trying to get things righted after we lost everyone.  You were trying to do the work of John, Victor and Paul and I knew you were close to snapping.  Of course I kept close tabs on you.  Alpha depended on you, and Bob and I worried that the strain would be too much.”

“Almost was.”  Deliberately wanting to get away from memories of that difficult time, he changed the subject.  They walked side by side, but closer in to the safety of the community.  “So, where’s John?” 

“Tony called him to check on something.  He took Damon by your place first.”  Helena shrugged.  “He didn’t seem particularly upset about whatever it was.” 

Alan nodded.  He wasn’t back on duty until tomorrow.   John would call if help was needed. 

Helena’s presence by necessity slowed him down.  He kept an eye out for anything in their way, but also couldn’t stop thinking about Sandra’s refusal.  He cast a sideways glance at Helena.

“Helena, you’re a woman, right?”

“Well, yes, the last time I checked.”  Smiling, she rested a hand on the top of her bulging middle.

“I’m sorry, that was damn stupid.  I mean, can I ask for some advice.  Not medical, but woman things.”

“Of course.  But may I have an arm to lean on?  I’m feeling tired.”

Alan immediately leant a chivalrous arm, watching her closely.  She seemed all right.  They slowed even further and Alan started looking for a place to rest.  A convenient boulder presented itself on the edge of the immediate clearing and Alan guided Helena there. 

“You sure you’re alright?  You want me to call John?”

“No.  Not yet.  So, what are we to talk about?”

Alan squatted down on the earth near Helena, keeping to the shadows.  He wanted to keep an eye on her, but also didn’t want her seeing his face just then.  He picked up a stick and idly drew flight paths in the dirt.

“You know I care for Sandra.”

“Um hmm.”

“And the kids are great.  I couldn’t love them any more if they were my own.”

“Um hmm.”

“I’ve done my best to look after her and help her get settled.  She’s looking and acting like she’s happy with me.  We make each other laugh, and yes, the sex is great.  But, she refused to marry me when I asked her today.”

“Um hmm.”

Alan looked up at Helena.  She didn’t seem to be ready to say anything. 

“So, what did I do wrong?”

Helena sat quietly, rubbing her lower back for a few moments.  “Did you tell her you loved her?  You do love her, yes?” 

Alan felt slightly offended.  Of course he loved Sahn.  Hadn’t he done everything in his power to make sure she was safe and looked after? 

“Ah.  I see.”  Helena awkwardly resituated herself on the boulder, Alan not-so-patiently waiting while Helena thought.

“Alan, do you remember about a month after Operation Exodus, when this was all tents and a few of the quonset huts?”

Alan nodded, puzzled.  Certainly he remembered the hundreds of large and small mylar tents they had erected for immediate protection from the environment.  There had been enough lead time on Alpha for the chemists and Manufacturing to produce many hundred-meter rolls of the strong, opaque polymer material.  Planetside, they had carefully picked a clement location for their new home and set up the mylar tents.  Now, as the cooler season approached, the heavier-duty domed huts were becoming the main living buildings.  Alphans had paired off or agreed to live ‘dormitory’ style until spring when homes made from the wood, stone and rammed earth could be made.

“Sandra was still fairly debilitated from her years struggling to survive down here.  She wasn’t recovering anywhere as quickly as John, but then, she’d been almost at the point of starvation.  I watched her closely making sure she didn’t over exert herself.  She wanted to help with computer set up, but she was simply too frail to work more than a few hours a day, no matter how much David badgered her.”  

Alan nodded.  He’d had a few sharp words with Kano over that.  He remembered also the first time he’d laid hands on Sandra; he’d been appalled to find she was nothing but skin and bones.

“I caught up with her one afternoon when she was resting……”

Walking out of Medical, Helena paused to inhale a deep breath of fresh air.  A mere month on the planet had yet to make ordinary the magic of sunrises, sunsets and weather.  

She spent most of the morning in the OR pinning a nasty leg fracture on a member of Tony’s security team.  The man had been startled when one of the large flying ‘birds’ had shrieked right over his head and had taken a nasty tumble down a rocky incline.  He would be in a cast for weeks and then probably a brace, but should recover with only a minimal limp.  It was a sobering reminder that this planet was full of dangers to Alphans used to living in a highly controlled and artificial environment.

Bob chased her out of Medical after the case was done.  She knew she needed a break, but it seemed unfair to take any time to herself when everyone was working so hard for their survival.  Bob had been insistent, however, and had pulled rank as her personal physician and obstetrician.  Helena rested a hand on her belly, she still couldn’t quite accept that she was pregnant.  She never intended on being a mother.

Well enough, if she couldn’t stay in Medical, she could at least check in on another of her patients who had also been ordered to rest. With a chuckle she recalled that Bob had anticipated her plan, pointing out tartly that Sandra at least would follow orders. 

The walk was refreshing. The sun was very bright and almost at its zenith.  Clouds were few and tree shade became scarcer as she walked between the tents neatly placed in rows in the broad field the Alphans claimed as home.  Scanning the periphery of the camp, she finally spied a small body running around the base of a solitary tree, his laughter carrying to her on the light breeze.  She walked up and sat down on the blanket spread out in the shade.

“Sandra, he looks wonderful.” 

Sandra smiled her thanks, continuing to organize piles of wild grasses in front of her.  Helena looked at her critically, still worried. Sandra had gained some weight, and her skin no longer had that translucent quality of the nearly terminal, but the analyst was still dangerously malnourished.  She almost starved herself to make sure Damon and John had enough to eat.  And John still felt horrible for missing what was happening right in front of his eyes.  Sandra became thin each winter, but he had failed to take into account that this past winter she was also nursing Rebecca.  If Alpha had returned only a few weeks later, Helena believed they would have found two more graves; neither Sandra nor Rebecca would have survived much longer.  Helena watched as Sandra sat back on her heels, covering her eyes with a hand as she watched the boy run around happily.

“Damon feels like we’ve come home.  For him, I suppose we have.” 

Hearing his name, the four year old ran over to his mother, crossing almost immediately in front of Helena without a glance.  “When is Daddy going to come?  He promised we’d go fishing today!” 

Sandra smiled and reached out a hand to smooth the ever unruly hair.  “Soon.  He’s very busy now.  He’ll come if he’s able.  And he hasn’t called to say he can’t.” 

Damon sighed dramatically.  Helena knew that on several occasions John was forced to back out of promises made to the boy for time together.  Glancing only once in her direction, Damon walked away scuffing his feet in the dirt, but then he turned around and walked back up to her.  This was a surprise.  Damon rarely spoke to her.

“Can I ask you a secret?”

Helena nodded, confused by his question. 

“You’re Daddy’s special friend, right?”

Helena looked at Sandra who nodded marginally.

“Yes.  Your father is very special to me.”

Damon tilted his head in a motion very reminiscent of Sandra and eyed her carefully. 

“Okay.  Then can I call you Miss Helena?”

Helena smiled at the child’s earnestness.  “I’d like that.”  And to her surprise, the child ran into her arms and hugged her, and then was off running away again, chasing seed pods in the breeze.   Blushing, Helena looked at Sandra, but the other woman merely looked pleased. 

“How’s Rebecca?” 

Settling back more comfortably, Sandra truly smiled.  It was one of the first times Helena recognized the ‘old’ Sandra.

“Very well.” 

She picked up the small four-month-old baby from her other side, placing her next to Helena. 

“She’s trying to crawl.”  

Helena smiled watching the baby pull herself up on hands and knees, rocking back and forth.  She could see John in the baby’s fierce determination to master independence.

Helena watched as Sandra began to work with the grasses.  She was hand weaving something almost absentmindedly as she watched the children. 

“And how are you, Sandra?” 

Shrugging, Sandra’s face became still.  “I still miss him.” 

John?  Helena was almost afraid to ask. She knew John still regarded Sandra as a special responsibility, but he had left no doubt in her mind that his love was for her.  But, what if Sandra felt otherwise? 

“And how are you coping?”

“How everyone here has coped with death.  Day by day.”  

Helena was rightfully proud of her professional mask and smooth bedside manner, but something of her relief must have given her away.  Sandra looked at her with an odd expression.

“Did you think I meant the Commander?  Ah, you did.” Sandra smiled slightly.  “Helena, we did what was necessary to survive.  I was grieving for Paul, the Commander for you.  We needed each other to stay sane.  That’s all.  I don’t think even he understands what you mean to him.

“Here, let me show you how to weave a sun hat.  If Damon and the Commander insist on fishing, then I insist they do what they can to avoid heat stroke.  It’s a compromise we reached over the years.”

One of many, Helena suspected, and she turned her attention to learning how to make a hat for her foster son…  

“…she brought out a blanket and was sitting in the shade of the tree just over there to watch the children.”  Helena waved a hand at the large tree that stood near their domed hut. “It was sunny, and she had gathered some long grasses to weave into hats for her, the children, and John.  He was due to come by and pick up Damon to go fishing.”  Helena rolled her eyes a little.  Father and son spent time each week fishing.  They didn’t catch much, but they never seemed to tire of it.  “It was fascinating watching her work.  I asked her when she learned how, and she said she taught herself out of necessity.  She taught me and we had a lovely time.”

Helena paused to take some deep breaths.  Alan looked up concerned but she waved him off.  “It’s hard to breathe when you’re this pregnant.”

“I’ll take your word for it, Helena.”

Smiling down at Alan, Helena continued.  “We talked.  Or rather, she talked and I mostly listened.” 

Alan was surprised at that.  Sandra still didn’t exactly monopolize a conversation, she never had, and did so even less these days.

“I think she needed to talk just then, and she had things to say I needed to hear.  She talked about missing Alpha, about missing Paul, and even how much she missed you.” 

Looking up, Alan watched Helena closely.

“She told me how John and Lew fought hard to survive and how she felt so terribly guilty and embarrassed when she realized she was pregnant.  John apparently did not take the news well.”

Alan winced.  It wasn’t hard to imagine that little scene.

“After Lew died from a food reaction, John became even more protective of her.  They barely survived that first year, and the birth of Damon made it even harder.  But they persevered.  She told me how the two of them grew close, became friends and, finally, shared a bed.   She told me how John became a very dear friend to her, but no more than that.

“We reached an understanding of sorts that day.  She even asked if I would take care of her children if something ever happened to her.”

Alan nodded.  Sandra had told him that.  

“I remember how funny it felt sitting in the warm sunshine, listening to the tents snapping in the breeze after being on Alpha all those months, and to hear a very changed Sandra speak of child custody.  That despite everything, Alan, she trusted me enough to care for her children.  I also realized she had gone out of her way to make sure John and I had time to be together and find ourselves again.”

Alan sat quietly.  He would have liked to have heard that conversation.  “And John?  What does he say about Sahn?”

“Not much.  But I know he keeps an eye out for her.  Probably from habit more than anything else, but he always knows where she is and gets worried if she’s not where he expects.  Unless she’s with you.

“It’s hard to think they were away from us for four years.  I know how much we changed in just six weeks.”

“Yeah.”

“And, Alan?” 

Looking up he could see the pain of remembered loss in her eyes.  Pain he recalled too well.

“I remember how upset you were at losing John and the others.  At losing Sandra.  It was pretty obvious you cared for her and that’s why you gave Paul such a bad time.  I knew it.  He did, too.  You have a second chance now…”

Alan thought about what Helena had said.  He tried to show Sandra he cared for her, but John had done the same and she knew John didn’t really love her.  Alright, a change in strategy was in order.

“Thanks, Helena…” looking up, he noticed an odd expression on Helena’s face, and she was bracing herself on the rock.  He stood, concerned.  “Helena?” 

“I think you’d better get me to Medical.”

“Right.”  Helping her up, he placed an arm around her for support, leading the way while watching the dark ground so she wouldn’t trip.  Alan was almost relieved that here was something he could do.  Action was always easier than words. 

Keeping an eye on Helena and the ground both, he briefly took one hand away from helping her to call Mathias and alert him.  Helena was obviously in a lot of pain and barely moving.  Damn.  He needed to get her to Medical.  “Wait a moment.”  Moving around behind her he picked her up, much to the doctor’s surprise.

“Helena, just relax.  It’s not far.”

Moving swiftly then, he did his best not to jostle her.  He could feel her breathing very hard against his chest.  He hoped that was normal.  Ignoring the nurse at the entrance to the pod, he placed Helena on the nearest exam table.  Almost immediately, Gloria was at Helena’s side.  Alan tried to get out of the way, but Helena kept a tight grip on his arm.  He patted the hand awkwardly.

“Helena, it’s alright.  I’ll go find John.”

Helena tightened her grip and pulled him toward her.  She looked at him though a haze of pain.  “Tell her you love her.  She needs to hear that.”  Managing to smile a little through the contractions, she looked at him. “Don’t be an idiot and mess up again.”  The smile fading, Helena closed her eyes to focus on her breathing. 

Alan felt Bob walk up behind him.

“Alan, this isn’t the time to discuss your love life.”  Mathias directed the nurse to prepare Helena for exam, at the same time plucking Alan’s commlock off his belt and handing it to him. “Make yourself useful on the way out and call John.” 

Bob pointed to the door.

 
“Out, please.”

The late night activity level was greater than usual as word made it around that Helena was finally in labor.  Updating those who asked, Alan and Sandra sat next to one another on the wooden bench just outside their front door.  Deliberately placed so, the medical pods were far enough away they couldn’t hear any noise, but still close enough to see the people coming and going under the pod’s floodlights.  If Helena gave birth, they’d know.  And if that happened, Maya had offered to come watch the children so they could go visit.

Another hour passed and the settlement quieted again.  The night was cool but jacket-comfortable.  Alan pulled Sandra closer to him to share her warmth.  Maybe this would be a good time to follow through on Helena’s advice.  He took a few deep breaths to gather his courage.  This was worse than facing exploding nuclear waste dumps.

“Sandra, will…”

“No.”  She interrupted conversationally as she nestled closer to his side, wrapping an arm around his waist.

“Dammit, Sahn, let me get my sentence out, will you?  Why not?”

Sandra shrugged.  “We are comfortable together.  There’s no need for anything else.  And if things changes in the future, there will be no… messy officialness to undo.  We are friends,” Sandra smiled, running her hand up and down his inner thigh suggestively.  “And there are certain… agreeable fringe benefits to your friendship.”

Sighing, he picked up her hand and kissed it. 

“You don’t believe I’ll keep my promise?”

“Well, let’s see.”  Sandra tapped her lip as she ‘thought’.  “There’s Alyssa, Chai, June, Tanya, Lyndsey, Carol …”

“Alright, I get your point.”  Grimacing, Alan leaned over, silencing her with a kiss.  He felt her laughing even as he kissed her.  Sighing again, he gave up.  Sandra was plainly enjoying herself and having fun at his expense.

“… Annette, Cindy, Kate…”

“Not Kate.”

“What, too tired?”  Sandra’s eyes and smile widened playfully.

“Something like that.  And not Annette, either.  I don’t play games behind another guy’s back.”

“Why Captain Carter, then I do believe I’m insulted.  That’s almost every female in Main Mission but one.  Didn’t you notice you’d overlooked someone?”

Looking at her in exasperation, Alan counted to ten against a tart reply. “Yeah, I noticed, Sahn.  And I also noticed a certain Controller glaring at me every time I noticed.  I’m not blind.  And I don’t poach.  I saw the sparks between you two that time with the Ariel probes.  And the look he gave you when we evacuated before the Black Sun.”  Leaning back against the side of the small hut, he considered where to take this uncomfortable conversation. 

“Sandra, who do you think got you assigned to that aerial survey that time on Retha?”

Sandra’s expression went blank as she thought back over the years, surprised at the turn in the conversation.

“I assumed Paul.”

Smiling gently, Alan brushed a lock of wind tossed hair away from her eyes. “Nah, not Paul.  I put the Professor up to it, and he ‘suggested’ it to John who gave the okay.  I gave you the opportunity, but I wouldn’t do more than that.  Not then.  But it’s different now.  Helena and I talked tonight …”

“Helena?”  Sandra was obviously confused.

“Shh…”  Alan shushed, placing a finger on her lips, not wanting to lose his momentum.

“Sandra, yes, I love you. And no, I’m not all that fond of celibacy.”  He smiled at the small grin that confession caused.  “I owe it to Paul to be there for his boy.  But, I love you.  And I have for a very long time.  You and John survived hell, Sahn.  John has Helena again.  Paul’s gone, but there’s no need for you to be alone.

“So, will you marry me?”

Sandra watched him closely, her face completely unreadable.  She lifted her hand and placed it over his heart.  Alan bit his tongue to keep quiet and give her a chance to think.  He really hoped Helena was right.  Or else he’d just gone and made a very large ass of himself.  She leaned forward, kissing him, the kiss starting to lead to other things… when there was a flurry of activity at the medical pod. 

Sandra pulled back and looked toward the commotion.  Maya was heading toward them, a smile on her face.  Sandra relaxed, an echoing smile on her own face. 

“Come.”  Taking Alan’s hand she stood and led the way to Medical.  

Quickly catching up with Sandra to walk at her side, Alan took a few deep breaths trying not to curse mother nature’s abysmal timing.   

But… at least she hadn’t said no.

Helena looked up at the noise coming from the pod’s steps.  Alan and Sandra were standing there waiting for permission to enter.  Waving them in, she looked at John to make room in the tight space.  He had already pushed the two other beds out of the way and had appropriated chairs from the other rescue pods for the inevitable guests.  Nurse Gloria stayed unobtrusively in the background, but Helena knew it would take an order from Bob to make her leave.

Her visitors drew close and Helena rearranged the newborn in her arms so the baby could be dutifully admired.  Sandra leaned over to gently touch the newborn’s tiny clenched fist, Alan looking over her shoulder. 

“Her name is Deborah Abigail Koenig.”

“Helena, she’s beautiful.”

“Yeah, she’s a keeper.  That’s two for two on dark haired daughters, John.”  Wearing a big grin, Alan looked over to John. “Welcome back to nappy detail.  And don’t expect rank to get you out of it.  It hasn’t worked for me.”

John snorted and Helena smiled at her husband.  He looked almost as tired as she felt.

“May I?” Sandra asked gesturing to the infant. 

Helena passed Deborah to Sandra and had to smile as she watched the younger woman close her eyes and cuddle the newborn against cheek and shoulder.  The baby seemed to know she was in experienced hands and nestled in contentedly. 

Helena took the opportunity to glance at Alan, raising her eyebrows in unspoken question.  She frowned slightly when Alan shook his head no, John looking between the two of them and obviously realizing he was out of the info loop. 

Sandra opened her eyes and smiled at Helena.  “She’s a love, Helena.  If you ever need help, just call.”  She passed Deborah over to John who was holding his hands out for her. 

“Yeah, we’ll send Damon.”

John shook his head.  “Thanks, Carter.  Always trying to delegate, aren’t you?” 

Grinning, Alan gave Helena a peck on the cheek and shook John’s hand.  He draped an arm around Sandra and turned to leave, raising his hand in a backward wave. 

“Sandra, stay a moment.” 

Alan made glancing eye contact with Helena before continuing on out.  Sandra walked back to Helena’s side.

“Helena, are you alright?”  Sandra asked, obviously concerned.  Helena knew she was observant enough to realize the other mothers and children were released home within a few hours of delivery, while she was obviously settled in for the duration.

“I’m fine.”  Helena gave her a mildly disgusted look.  “Bob’s keeping me for observation overnight citing advanced maternal age.  I think he’s just being a mother hen.”

“And he can cluck all he wants.  You’re staying until he clears you.”  John’s tone left no room for discussion as he sat back down in the chair, Deborah held casually in the crook of his arm.

Helena looked back to Sandra.  “You see, I’m outnumbered.”

“And outranked.”  John shifted the now fussy baby absently onto his shoulder with practiced ease.

Rolling her eyes slightly, Helena looked up to see Sandra smiling at the verbal sparing between her and John.  Settling back against the pillows and resigned to her overnight stay, Helena turned to watch John and Deborah.  She rather envied his obvious competence.  Almost everyone around her seemed to have more experience with babies than she did.

Helena took a deep breath.  She was about to cross the line between professional concern and meddling.  Sandra was a private person and might easily take offence.   But… Alan had become a close confidant during those hellacious six weeks Alpha fell apart around them, and she wanted to see him happy.  Now more than ever she regretted not having that level of familiarity with the woman in front of her.  She caught Sandra’s eye.

“Sandra, you don’t have to say anything, but listen.  Alan does love you.”     

Helena watched as Sandra’s expression became very neutral and impossible to read, even to one whose expertise was in reading the nonverbal clues of others.  She looked at John for help.  He did have influence with Sandra, on those rare occasions he chose to use it.   A silent plea for help on her face, Helena watched as John deduced the problem.

“Sahn, it’s like I said before, you could do a lot worse.  He’s a good man.”    John’s expression was almost humorous.

Helena saw Sandra grimace at John who simply laughed at her.  

Helena was surprised.  That wasn’t the tack she would have used, but looking at Sandra, it seemed to work.  She glanced back at John then reached out and touched Sandra’s arm.

“Sandra, do you love him?” 

Sandra watched the sleeping infant still held by her father, carefully avoiding eye contact with anyone.  She reached out and ran a gentle finger down the infant’s cheek.  Still saying nothing, she turned and left.

Sandra paused to sit on a boulder halfway between Medical and home.  Gloria had turned off all but the few mandatory emergency lights outside the medical area and darkness had reclaimed the settlement.  The silence was soothing, as were the brilliant stars overhead.  Someday, someone would name the constellations, but for now she simply watched them wheel namelessly overhead.  They were old friends she had grown to know well.  Sometimes they helped anchor herself amongst all the changes over the past six months.   Sometimes.

Memories of those first few months lost on this planet flittered by.  The numbing realization that Alpha was gone.  Lew’s horrific death.  The fear and pain surrounding Damon’s birth.  John’s illness.  And worst of all, the soul wrenching losses of her children.  She would have given up years earlier if not for the Commander.  He never stopped fighting and pulling her along behind him.  She owed him her life, many times over.

Sandra smiled sadly.  Many, many times in the beginning they had played ‘what if’.  What if they had made it back to Alpha?  What if they had better provisions?  What if the Alphans could colonize the planet? 

Now, exceeding their wildest hopes, Alpha had returned.  And they were colonizing the planet under near optimal circumstances.  And the hard knowledge they won living here had saved Alphan lives many times over.  That almost made it worthwhile.  Almost. 

A memory intruded…two small graves next to Lew’s.

She doubted if she’d ever really feel comfortable among the Alphans again, and the others sensed that.  Even Kano.  She was changed.  But… she was alive and Damon and Rebecca needed her.   And her reclaimed computer skills were valuable to the community.

Alan was one of the few who seemed comfortable around her.  That had been surprising.  But then again, Alan never let what others think bother him.  She  rather supposed flying unaerodynamic nuclear-powered bricks in and out of hostile environments for a living made one immune to petty gossip.  And she knew from Jackie’s birth he liked children. 

Sandra took a deep breath, checking for the musky scents of predators.  Old habits causing her to carefully watch the surroundings even as she wool-gathered.

She’d always taken it for granted he’d move on.  Oh, he’d help Damon for Paul’s sake, but still.  She kept the relationship light on purpose.  That way it wouldn’t hurt so much when he left. 

She shivered in the cool air, pulling her jacket tighter about her. 

The barely audible alarm call of a tiny night scavenging animal caused her to look up quickly.  Noise meant danger here, not the silence.  She relaxed when she recognized the footfalls, and smiled when the extra jacket was laid over her shoulders. 

“Is Simmonds out tonight?”  A deep voice spoke quietly into the silence.

Sandra turned around and pointed at the baleful red planet low on the northern horizon.

“Ah yes, being his usual cheerful self I see.”

Sandra moved over enough that the Commander had room to join her on her rocky perch.

“Is Helena truly alright, Commander?”

John took a deep breath.  “Bob said she’ll recover, but Deborah may well be her only child.”

“I wondered.”

“As long as she’s alive, I don’t care.  I won’t risk losing her again.”

Sandra nodded.  John and Helena were soul-mates in the truest sense, and Sandra was still uncertain if the Commander understood that.  She knew from his nightmares and fever deliriums over the years.  Helena had never been far from his thoughts.  She just wished she could find someone who loved her that unquestioningly.

“Did she send you out after me?”

“No, not really.  I just needed to walk around.  But she did fill me in on a talk she and Alan had earlier.”

“I suspected.  Alan implied as much.”

Without effort, they settled into their old habit of night time talks.  There was little they didn’t know about one another.

“It’s obvious you two care for each other.  Why not take the next step?”

Sandra looked at the Commander’s shadowy profile.  The years on the planet had been very hard, but her friendship with this man was one of the good things to come of it.  That and the children.  She trusted the Commander not to lie to her.  And she could tell if he did. 

“He is very… popular.”

The Commander nodded.  Simple facts could not be disputed.  He resettled himself against the rock studying the sky.   There were meteorite showers coming from the north.

“Alan and I knew each other before Breakaway.  He flew as my wingman many times and saved my butt a time or two over the Mideast.  Did you know his dad was a Korean War veteran?”

Sandra shook her head no.  People’s lives pre-Breakaway were rarely discussed, even among close friends.  She and the Commander were an exception.

“Old man Carter was apparently quite the ladies man.”  John looked at Sandra and grinned.  “Not unlike the son.  Unfortunately, he kept playing the field even after he married Alan’s mom and Alan and his brothers knew that.  Alan told me he’d never do that to a woman he was serious about.”  John looked up at the twinkling stars.  “He hasn’t, has he?”

She sat quietly for a long while.  No, Alan hadn’t.  Sandra nodded to the security guard making his rounds, then stood and returned the jacket to its owner, smiling at the Commander.  “This will join the gossip, you know.  The two of us being out here together.” 

He shrugged.  “As long as Helena and Alan know where things stand, I don’t really care.” 

Sandra kissed him lightly on the cheek.  “Thank you, John.”

“You’re welcome, Sandra.”

This planet was just too damn quiet at night.  It wasn’t natural.  Sitting on their sofa in the dimly lit room, stocking-clad feet propped up on the table and arms crossed behind his head, Alan waited for Sandra.  The small, triangular windows were set too high to conveniently see outside.  Instead, he kept watch through the open front door, fairly certain he’d hear her before he saw her.  This place needed some night birds, insects or something. 

Alan knew why Helena asked Sahn to stay behind.  He appreciated the doc’s help, he just wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer.  He had rather moved in on Sahn, but like he’d told Helena, Sandra really did seem happy with him.  But then again, she hadn’t said all that much about the situation.  Well, there was that one time right after they’d made planetfall.  And it hadn’t exactly been a ringing vote of confidence.  But he figured she was still in shock from finding Paul’s body alive and being the one who shut off his artificial life support.  Still, no guy liked to hear his lover whisper another man’s name at just that moment.  Alan grimaced and tilted his head up to regard the curved, pre-fab ceiling.  Next spring he’d work on making them a real home.  If Sandra kept him around.

Damn.

“Alan?”

He jumped.  Four years on this mudball had also taught her to move quietly at night.  Recovering his composure, he leaned forward, holding out a hand for her to join him on the sofa.  Closing the door behind her, she did so.  She tucked her legs up under herself and rested her head against his shoulder.  He resettled himself, draping an arm comfortably about her thin shoulders, then leaned over to kiss her temple.

“The child is beautiful.  You can tell she’s Rebecca sister.”

“Yeah, except for Helena’s green eyes looking up at you.”

He felt Sahn yawn as she nodded her head against his shoulder.

“Almost makes you want to have another, doesn’t it?”  Alan asked hopefully.  He looked forward to his first child.  And he wanted it to be with Sandra.

“Perhaps.  Did the children give you any problems?”

“Nah.  Maya said they were as good as gold.  Becca’s asleep.  Damon wanted to see his new sister, but I promised him in the morning, if he slept in and didn’t wake us.”

“Clever. It might even work.”  Damon was an early riser and always the first up looking for breakfast.

They sat quietly together, Alan’s fingers running over Sandra’s soft hair.  His thoughts running in circles about whether to ask her again tonight, or perhaps just let things go until the morning.  She really hadn’t given him an answer that last time.  Yawning, Sandra stood up and held her hand out to him.

“Come to bed, Alan.”

Morning then. Standing and stretching, he followed her into their bedroom, closing the door behind him.

He watched Sandra cross the small, shadowy room to pull shut the curtains, remnants of one of the mylar tents.  His eyes gradually adjusting to the dark, Alan was surprised to find her standing in front of him, very still, only about a meter away.  She no longer looked tired.  In fact, the smile on her face was positively wicked. 

Making sure she had his eye, she slowly reached up and unzipped her shirt.  Alan watched with growing interest.  Pulling first one arm bare and then the other, Sandra allowed the shirt to fall gracefully to her feet.  Alan was now paying complete attention.  And no longer tired.  She unzipped her skirt, allowing it to slide down her hips where it gathered in a puddle on the floor.  Stepping free of its folds, she stood before him clad only in her undergarments.  Alan’s mouth went dry. 

He took a step toward her, and she stepped back, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.  She wasn’t through.  Reaching behind, she unhooked her bra, sliding down the straps with agonizing slowness until her breasts were bare.  Alan had to keep from reaching out, although other parts of him reacted enthusiastically enough.  He took a deep breath.  Motherhood had been very kind to Sandra.  With a sultry smile for his response, she began pushing down her panties until they were low enough she could kick them off to join the other clothes. 

Now clothed only in starlight, Sandra stretched, gracefully reaching for the ceiling.  Alan was mesmerized.  Six months found Sandra again as lithe and beautiful as she had ever been.  More so, to him.

Licking his lips, he couldn’t think of anything to say as he watched her walk toward him, one swaying step at a time.  She stopped in front of him, placing a hand on his shirt. Deliberately marching her fingers up his chest, she lightly traced up the side of his face, pausing to place her fingers over his lips.

“Shh...”

Both hands then undressed him, her fingers leaving searing paths in their wake.  Alan was completely bewitched.  Never has she performed such a provocative striptease before.  Now both bare and standing only centimeters apart, she looked him steadily in the eye, challenge radiating from her bold smile.

“Make love to me, Alan.”

Abruptly released from her spell, he reached out, lacing his fingers through her hair and pulling her close for a deep kiss.  His fingers loosened her hair from its braid, the soft, silky mass now tumbling free over his hands to her shoulders just as he liked.  Straightening briefly to simply look at her he couldn’t help but reach out and brush the soft, dark hair behind her shoulders.  The soft skin against his fingertips was entirely enticing.  Leaning down, he left a trail of kisses along her neck, well pleased at the shiver he felt running through her.  Then, unable to wait any longer, he gathered her close, for the briefest moment simply reveling in the touch of skin on skin, before sweeping her off her feet.  He  carried her over to their bed, finding her lips and kissing them hungrily, delighting that she met need with need.   

He placed her carefully in the center of their bed covering her body with his.  He felt her soft breasts against his chest as he ran his hands up and down over her smooth skin.  He loved her and wanted to prove that to her.   Recalling everything, every nuance, he had learned about her over the past six months, he rose to her challenge.   He made love to her with heart and soul and body.  And at that moment when she whispered his name, his love for her was unquestioned.  No one had ever touched him so profoundly, physically or emotionally.  And this time, he remembered to tell her so. 

The clock’s persistent chirping finally awoke Alan.  He rolled over to see the time.  Three hours since they’d fallen asleep.  Shaking his head at the events of last night, he wondered what caused Sandra to act the way she had.  Not that he was complaining, mind you, he just fervently hoped this wasn’t her way of making it easy on him before asking him to leave.  Damn.  He kicked himself again for reminding her of that. 

Childish laughter came from the front room.  At least that explained why Sandra wasn’t still at his side.  Well then, he’d best get up and help her get things ready before they each reported to duty.   The work never ended.

He sat up on the edge of the bed and stretched.   Knowing what was coming next, he kept an eye on the door.  On schedule, it opened stealthily and he had a bare moment to brace himself before twenty kilos of enthusiastic love jumped on the bed, and him.  Wrapping his arms around the laughing child he rolled on top of the boy, squashing him carefully and sharing a bear-hug.

“Morning , Alan!”

“G’day, pest.”

“I’m not a pest!” 

“Oh, yes you are.”  Alan had to smile at the boy who seemed in especially high spirits today.  He tossed Damon in the air a few times, the final time landing him standing up on his feet.  Still bantering back and forth, they pulled the bed together and the two trooped into the small lavatory where Alan got his things ready for the morning. 

“Alan, I have a secret.  And mommy forgot to make me promise not to tell!” 

Alan smiled.  This was a favorite morning game.  Damon loved secrets.  One adult would tell Damon a ‘secret’ which he was certain to go tell the other.  To be fair, if Sandra told the boy to keep quiet, Alan had to guess better, or tickle harder, and wait for the peels of laughter to tell when he was right. 

Sitting down on the edge of the bed, Alan pulled the boy into his lap. “Alright, you gonna tell me, or do I have to force it out of you?”  Alan wriggled his fingers menacingly above the giggling boy’s tummy and armpits.  Damon squealed happily.

“Mommy’s getting married!”

Alan froze, his brow furrowing.  It took him a moment to fully realize what Damon had said.  Had he heard right?  Remembering to breathe, Alan stood to go find Sandra as the boy slipped off his lap unnoticed.  He turned and headed toward the door, only to find her leaning against its frame dressed for the day, a pleased expression on her face.  Not the expression one expected prior to eviction.  He walked over to her.

“Really?”  Looking down at her smiling face, he brushed a wayward lock of hair off her cheek.  “I get to stay?”

She nodded her head and reached up to cover his hand with hers. “Officially.  I love you.”

Alan whooped with delight, picking her up by the waist and twirling her around the room before placing her back down and kissing her soundly.  Hearing high-pitched laughter, he turned around to see a delighted Damon clapping his hands.  He held out one of his to the boy all the while keeping a firm arm around Sandra.  

“Come on, kid.  Let’s get Becca and go see the new baby.”

Damon ran over and took Alan’s hand.  “Can I have Aunt Lena guess my secret?”

“Yeah, Aunt Lena and your Dad.  And you know what?  I bet they’ll get it right.”

11 February 2007

MGK

 

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