Page 21 of What Makes an Alien a Dad?

Chapter 9

Kear

“So, where are you taking me today?” Maya all but skipped at his side as he walked to his place after picking her up after lunch.

The loose-fitting pantsuit he’d chosen for her appeared to drown her figure in white fabric, but she didn’t seem to mind. Her eyes shone with anticipation. She appeared to burst with excitement, finally getting the chance to go out.

Had he kept her locked in this hospital for way too long? It had been for her safety. The City of Voran wasn’t particularly dangerous, but in Maya’s unique situation, even the slightest incident could have devastating consequences. He simply couldn’t take the risk.

It appeared, however, that the isolation he’d imposed on Maya had some negative effects, too. He had to tread delicately and find the optimal balance between safety and boredom.

“Can we go to a park?” she asked as they entered the elevator.

“I was thinking a shopping mall would be better for now, since you haven’t been provided with a set of pajamas yet.”

Come to think of it, the pantsuit he got for her looked very much like pajamas. He’d wanted her clothes to be soft and comfortable, but now, she looked like she was ready for bed, not a trip into the city.

“Shopping?” She clapped her hands. “How fun!”

He sensed she’d find anything fun at this point. He could’ve told her he was taking her to a waste processing facility, and she’d be just as excited. He winced at a pinch of guilt in his chest. Yes, he’d certainly overdone it with her isolation.

“How are we going to get there?” She matched her speed to his as they exited the elevator and headed down the corridor, nearly running at his side.

He slowed his steps, realizing her legs were much shorter than his.

“We’ll fly. Like most people in this city do.”

He stopped at his door and touched the AI screen mounted by the doorframe.

“Oooh.” Maya’s eyes grew wider as she entered his main room and slowly turned around. “What is this place?”

“It’s my suite,” he said, closing the front door behind them.

“You live here?” She walked between the glass pillars that were draped in flower garlands. “There are more flowers in here than anywhere else in the hospital.”

“Rules on the amount and the kind of plants are different for private residences. My suite is not categorized as a medical facility. There are fewer restrictions.”

The lower level of his place was open to the floor above that had a glass dome for a ceiling. Bright daylight flooded the space to the benefit of the flower garlands hanging from the two-story-high pillars and the indoor balconies above. Glass-covered terraces opened up the space from both ends to the right and the left of them. The kitchen, his workroom with some lab equipment, the sitting room, and another large room he had no purpose for occupied the lower level between the terraces.

Upstairs held his exercise room and several bedrooms, only one of which was furnished.

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