Page 18 of Arrested By the Orc

“That's how they do things,” she tries to explain to her family. “Birth control doesn't work with orcs. And it's not like us where, you know, we try to wait until after you're married to start a family. There isn't an actual wedding ceremony within orc culture. It's just I scent you are the one, my body is latched on to you and now we’re together forever until the day we die.”

“Oh,” the mother says. “Well, I like the whole together forever thing.”

Lila leans forward. “I've read the book about this and I know there is no cheating and no divorce with orcs.”

Sadie’s father grins. “This is good.”

“I bought this house hoping that Sadie would find it acceptable for our family. If not, we can move elsewhere.”

Sadie leans into my side. “This is perfect.”

“You're not renting this house?” her brother questions.

“I bought it at an estate sale.”

“You have a mortgage?”

“No. I purchased it outright.”

They all stare at me with looks of amazement.

“Well, this is wonderful that you and my daughter are settled and are a couple according to orc traditions,” her mother says. “But you need to know that Sadie also needs a human wedding ceremony. Um, does this need to happen soon because you said you’re starting a family right away?”

“She will become pregnant immediately.”

Sadie sighs and places her face in her hands.

“And she will never have daughters. She will only bear orc sons that will look very much like my tribe.”

“This sounds wonderful. I love the idea of orc grandchildren.”

The other adults in the room nod in agreement.

The kids look excited. “We’ll have orc cousins. Everyone will be jealous.”

“What about your parents? Where do they live? Are they on one of those communes I’ve heard about?”

“My parents live in Maine, but not in a commune. I was born and raised in a small town near a commune, but not inside. It was compromise. My mother wanted a regular town to live and work in with the other humans and my father wanted to be close to the commune he was raised in and where his family still lived. I visited the commune often though but was raised amongst humans and went to school with them.”

“Can I call your parents?”

“Yes, my mother would love to contact you. They'll be down here often to visit.”

“Oh good. I love this,” she claps. “The more family the better.”

I spend more time talking with Sadie’s family and begin to feel surprisingly comfortable in their presence. At one point I end up outside on deck chairs with her father. He tells me about his career as a former Navy Seal. It turns out we have much in common. And then he warns me that if I ever hurt his little girl, he’ll kill me. I nod in understanding and respect. I vow to treat her with care and we shake hands.

Eventually before they leave, I discover that I've got all their numbers in my phone.

Her father pats me on the shoulder. “Welcome to the family.”

And I'm invited to something called a barbeque next week.

“I think they like you more than me,” Sadie huffs.

Chapter 7

Sadie

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