Page 20 of What Makes an Alien a Dad?

“The professor has nothing to worry about. It was mostly hormones and stuff.” I stroked my belly. It wasn’t huge yet. I’d been told it might never get very big at all since it was my first pregnancy and the fetus was on the smaller side.

After the initial morning sickness and the weird gray patches on my legs that had turned out to be a harmless, temporary side effect of some Voranian substances introduced to my system, I hardly even felt pregnant.

I had to reassure Alcus a few more times that I was fine before he finally seemed to believe me.

“You know you can call me anytime, Madam Maya Gupta,” he told me as we both headed for the door from my apartment.

It was almost the time for my exam, and I figured I might as well walk to the elevators with Alcus.

“Yes, thank you. I like talking to you,” I smiled, opening the door and coming face to face with Professor Thormus himself. “Oh...”

“Good morning, Maya.” He inclined his head. “Representative Alcus Hecear. Nice to see you here.”

He didn’t look surprised at finding Alcus in my place. They probably talked about him coming over when they spoke about me last night. It was to be expected since the Committee handled everything that involved humans in Voran, and Professor Thormus currently was in charge of everything that involved me.

There was not a trace left of the professor’s hurried appearance from last night. This morning, he was his usual neat self—crisp white coverall and perfectly styled fur. Only his eyes searched mine with the same concern as before, and his arrow-tipped tail twitched a little, tapping the side of his leg.

“Did you want to make sure I made it out of bed okay?” I asked, still smiling.

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Just wanted to wish you a good morning. And bring you this.” He shoved a bag into my hands.

“What is it?” I opened the bag, glimpsing some soft white material inside. “Is it a new hospital gown?” God knew, I had enough of those already.

“No.” He cleared his throat, looking more uncomfortable than normal. “Though I did use the size of your hospital gown to order it. I hope it’ll fit.”

I pulled out a garment. “Are those pants?”

They were loose and long.

“And a shirt,” he added.

“Pajamas? For me?” These looked like a pair of baggy pajamas. Still, a step up from a hospital gown. “Thanks.”

I smiled wider. At least, these would keep my butt warm when I slept.

The professor shook his head. “No. These are clothes to wear when you go outside.”

“Outside?” I couldn’t believe my ears. “Am I allowed to leave here? Really?”

“For a little while,” he conceded, somewhat reluctantly. “You wanted to see some of the City of Voran, so—”

“When?” I interrupted him. Excitement bubbled inside me already, making it hard to stand still.

“Whenever you wish.”

“Today?”

“Um...” He shifted his weight to another hoof. “Well, today we have your medical exam—”

“But after? This afternoon, maybe? Or for lunch?”

Alcus moved his eyes from me to the professor.

“What an excellent idea, Professor Thormus,” he gushed, catching my excitement. “It’s going to be gorgeous weather today. A perfect day for an outing.”

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