Page 35 of Olivia

Olivia nodded, wiping a single tear from her cheek and wondering if it was possible that anyone couldeverform a bond of comfort with the grumpy alien warrior.

She snuck a glance at him and was stunned to see that his expression looked as bereft as she felt. Their eyes met for a moment of shared mourning. Suddenly, she felt even closer to him than she had when he was inside her.

“Are you in any pain right now?” Dr. Pan asked Olivia, her eyes serious. “Physical pain, I mean.”

“Um, I’m a little sore,” Olivia admitted quietly, turning back to her. “But it was the first time.”

She braced herself for judgement.

“That’s perfectly normal,” Dr. Pan said kindly. “Drink lots of fluids, and make sure your efforts today are gentle. And don’t feel bad about taking a night off if you need one. A week means lots of opportunities.”

It didn’t feel like lots of opportunities to Olivia. After spending years saving for treatments and months doing them, she wouldn’t be taking any days off. But shenodded to Dr. Pan anyway, knowing the woman was only doing her job.

“That’s all for today,” Dr. Pan said cheerfully. “I know Oberon had some fun things planned for you, but with the weather change, maybe those plans have been updated. In any case, I know you’ll have a wonderful day together.”

She gave them a little wave and headed for the door, closing it softly behind her.

“I’m sorry it didn’t work,” Stark said after a moment.

Olivia opened her mouth to agree and instead began sobbing.

Stark moved so quickly and gracefully, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close so that she could cry against the warmth of his chest.

“We’ll try again,” he murmured into her hair. “As many times as it takes.”

She just clung to him, weeping.

It felt better to share this sorrow with someone else who really understood it.

At last, her tears ran out and she pulled back slightly.

Stark cupped her face in his hand and she felt so small.

“Let’s have some breakfast,” he told her with a smile so warm it crinkled his eyes.

She nodded and they headed over to the kitchen island and uncovered a tray of delicious looking pastries.

“I’ve taken the liberty of preparing coffee,” Oberon’s voice said. “Take your time with your meal, and when you’re ready, you can head outside for the morning activity.”

A nice, hot drink and a sweet snack sounded just about perfect to her right then. As she watched Stark pour two mugs of steaming coffee, Olivia felt her mood lift again.

They had a week. Surely it would happen soon.

And after that first attempt, maybe a few more wouldn’t be so bad.

11

STARK

Stark was relieved to see Olivia eat a hearty breakfast.

Her tears had cut him to the bone, and he was determined that she would have no more reason to cry. Today. he would increase their chances of success by bonding with her in the best way he knew how.

That means you can’t lose your temper again,a little voice reminded him.

He thought back to earlier this morning when he had heard her giggling and telling someone that what he was doing wasromanticand he felt that fire in his chest all over again.

It had only been Oberon, showing off that he could make it snow. But somehow Stark was gritting his teeth again just thinking about it.

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