Page 39 of What Makes an Alien a Dad?

I’m glad to hear you like Voran. It is a lovely country, from what I know. Just make sure not to overexert yourself. The study is nearing its end. You’ve done so well. I’m very proud of you, Maya. I really am.

Sorry I didn’t realize before how difficult it must be for someone in your situation. My work had been my priority for so long, I failed to consider the toll that being away from home would take on you. I should’ve been there for you much sooner.

Well, I am here now. And I’ll be here for as long as you need me. I’ve hardly interacted with anyone this frequently before. It’s unusual to do so now, but not unpleasant. I often find myself talking to you in my head as I go about my day. I’d tell you about the daily challenges of my work or about the people I meet, then wonder what your reply would be.

It’s a very bizarre feeling, Maya, like I always have you with me, and I’m never alone.

I’m afraid I’m getting used to having you in my life and will miss you immensely when you leave... I mean, if we were ever to part from each other.

The work is doing great. Thank you so much for asking. It’s busy and very demanding, but also rewarding. I’ve been working late almost every night for over a month now. But the results are delightful...”

A smile played on my lips as I read yet another letter from Walter, sitting at my usual table in the rooftop garden café.

His letters were a little shorter than before, but he wrote so much more frequently. Sometimes, it would be just a short note with wishes for a good day and reminders to take care of myself. But I got at least something from him every morning.

I liked turning on my tablet, looking forward to yet another message from him. Reading them always put me in a good mood, making it the best way to start the day.

I enjoyed watching changes in Walter. He’d grown more responsible. Even the style of his writing had evolved. He sounded more mature and caring.

His earlier letters had often contained long lists of grievances against everyone and everything, from the weather, to the economy, to every single person who had wronged him since he’d written to me last. It had made him sound rather self-centered. I’d even begun to wonder if being away from Walter gave me a chance to learn things about him I hadn’t paid attention to when we lived together, the things I wasn’t sure I liked very much.

This new side of him delighted me now. I loved the caring, mature Walter. I believed we were connecting on a deeper emotional level, too. I felt closer to him now than I had when I was back on Earth.

The physical aspect of our relationship had been put on hold, however. Walter hadn’t sent me any sexy pictures or videos of himself lately. He didn’t even write anything light or flirty anymore.

It was fine for now. We could always rekindle the steamy parts later, couldn’t we?

“Would you mind if I joined you, Madam Maya Gupta?” a male voice sounded above me.

I was waiting for Professor Thormus to have lunch together as we did almost daily for the past two and a half months. The Voranian man standing over me wasn’t him, though he, too, was wearing a white lab coverall.

His dark orange eyes squinted at me as he smiled. “I’ve been dying to meet you.”

“You have?” I was certain I’d never seen this man in my life. “Why?”

“I appreciate what you’re doing for my nation, Madam Maya. This study is phenomenal.” He offered me his hand. “I’m Professor Fizier Sussil Egus.”

A professor, after all. Just not the one I was expecting.

“Thank you.” I placed my right hand on top of his and he covered it with his other one in a Voranian greeting. “But the study belongs to Professor Thormus. My role in it is minimal.”

“He would’ve never been able to achieve what he did without you.”

“I guess,” I conceded, putting away my tablet. “I’m waiting for him right now, actually.”

“Were you planning to have lunch together?”

“Yes. I’m a little early today, but he should be here any minute now. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if you joined us.” I gestured at one of the spare chairs at the table.

“I wouldn’t be so sure.” He smirked but took the seat next to me, then ordered us both tea through a hospital drone.

I stirred the tea in my cup when the deep voice of Professor Thormus boomed over my shoulder.

“Egus? What are you doing here?” He glared at our new lunch buddy, visibly annoyed.

His frown didn’t stop the rush of excitement through my chest at the sound of his voice or the warm wave of tingling along my skin at the sight of him.

This was the most inconvenient side effect I had developed while spending time with him. As my emotional relationship with Walter was being repaired, physically I was drawn to the professor in a way that grew more and more alarming.

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