Page 71 of Prize for the Alien Grumpus

"Sam needed a sister." I smile at the memory of my daughter's face when she first held little Aurora. "You should have seen how gentle she was."

"And how's the big blue daddy handling it?"

"He cried. Actually cried when she grabbed his finger. Don't tell him I told you that."

"Your secret's safe. But seriously, Mel. You just got out of the hospital yesterday. Maybe slow down on the baby-making?"

I laugh, remembering how Krampus paced the delivery room like a caged animal. "Trust me, we're good with two fornow. Though you should see him with Aurora. He's completely wrapped around her tiny finger already."

"Like father, like daughter. Sam's had him whipped since day one."

"True. Remember when she wanted to learn ballet? He took her to every single class."

"In a tutu." June says.

"The other dance moms still talk about it." I pause as tiny cries echo from the nursery. "Speaking of daddy's girls, I think someone's hungry. Talk later?"

Aurora's cries lead me upstairs to the nursery. The rocking chair creaks as I settle in, cradling her against my breast. Her tiny fingers curl around the fabric of my shirt as she nurses.

The front door opens downstairs, followed by Sam's excited chatter about her day at school.

"And then Jessica said her dad could beat up any other dad, but I told her my dad's literally Krampus and he eats bad guys for breakfast."

"Sam, what did we say about telling people that?"

"I know, I know. Secret identity and stuff."

Heavy footsteps climb the stairs - no matter what form he takes, Krampus never quite masters being quiet. He fills the nursery doorway, his image inducer flickering off to reveal his true blue-furred self.

"How are my girls?"

The tender look in his eyes makes my heart skip. For someone who used to terrorize the wicked across multiple galaxies, he's turned into such a softie. His massive hand strokes Aurora's wispy hair with impossible gentleness.

"Perfect timing. She just started."

He kneels beside the rocking chair, watching us with pure adoration. The fierce warrior who once made emperors tremble now melts at the sight of his nursing daughter.

A contented sigh escapes me. Two years ago, I never imagined my life would turn out like this - married to an alien vigilante, mother to a precocious ten-year-old and a newborn. But I wouldn't change a single thing.

"Mom and Dad want us to go on their yacht trip to Aruba next month."

"Perfect. I need a vacation." Krampus cradles Aurora against his massive chest, her tiny form almost lost in his blue fur. "Your father's boat has enough room."

"She's only eight weeks old. What if something happens?"

"Like what?" He tickles Aurora's chin, earning a toothless grin. "Seasickness? She's half Odex. Our kind evolved in the methane seas of-"

"Please don't finish that sentence while I'm trying to eat breakfast."

"Point is, she's tougher than you think. Aren't you, little warrior?" Aurora coos and grabs his finger. "See? She agrees."

I push my eggs around the plate. "What about her shots? And the sun-"

"Mel." He reaches across the table, engulfing my hand in his. "You're overthinking this. Aurora will be fine. Sam will love it. And you need a break."

"I guess..." The warmth of his touch melts my resolve. "But what if someone notices you're blue?"

"Image inducer, remember? I'll just be Kevin, your incredibly handsome human husband."

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