Page 75 of The Alien I Fell in Love with on Walpurgis Night

“Please, there’s nothing I want more than to remember. It’s been terrible not knowing what happened during that month.”

“You didn’t give her a memory filler? She’s known all this time something was wrong?” The doctor is too old to make such a rookie mistake. I know he did it on purpose. “Why would you punish her like that?”

“By the goddesses Axl, use your mind.”

“We knew she was pregnant but we wanted the goddesses’ will to play out,” Caroline says. “It’s protocol. Sometimes people are unable to follow the goddesses’ light without help.”

“But I didn’t know how I became pregnant,” Georgiana interrupts. “How did I become pregnant? I’ve never had sex.”

“You have,” Axl says. “And once the doctor restores your memories, you will remember.”

“Did you rape me?”

“No,” I say horrified. “Return her memories this instant,” I order the doctor loudly. “I’m tired of these games.”

“Calm yourself or you’ll be sent to the brig. You’re no longer imperial Axl. You’re an officer here,” the doctor says. “And I out rank you.”

“Axl, please let the doctor work,” Caroline says, motioning me to back away.

I reluctantly let go of Georgiana and step back a few paces as I watch the doctor work.

32

Georgiana

I open my eyes when the doctor tells me I can. I see some familiar faces. I hear Axl’s voice. I sit up. I’m so dizzy. “Axl?”

His hand is in mine. I hear the doctor and the nurse talking about something but I can’t make it out. My heart is beating so loudly in my ears.

“Is this really real?”

“Yes.”

“Are you going to make me return to the Empire because I’m pregnant?”

“No.”

“Are you going to live on Earth with me?”

“No.”

“What are we going to do?” Anguish crosses her face.

“We’re going to live here. I’ve renounced my House and my position in the Empire. Commander Fox has given me a place here with the Alliance Force.”

“On the space station?” I realize that I shouldn’t have said it so derogatory in front of people who call this place their home.

“Axl has given up everything for you,” the doctor says from his computer. “It’s only right you give up something for him.”

“Doctor, please keep your opinions to yourself,” Caroline chides him. Then to me says, “It’s not as bad as you think. You’ll be able to visit Earth and still have access to all your communications and social media.”

“But I have to live here?”

“You’ll be with me. It’s the only way we can be together,” Axl says. “I thought that’s what you wanted.”

“I did. I mean, I do. I feel so confused and upset. Did you only come back because of the baby? Would you have left me forever otherwise?”

He looks around. It’s clear he doesn’t want to have this conversation here.

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