Page 68 of Alien's Love Child

Back inside, Leo sprawls across the couch, his head drooping despite his protests. "Not sleepy."

His yawn stretches wide enough to swallow a small moon. Jesse catches my eye, a soft smile playing at her corners of her mouth.

"One more story," Leo pleads, rubbing his eyes. "Please?"

Rena settles next to him, tucking her legs underneath her. "Alright, space cadet. Ever hear about the Crystal Nebula Pirates?"

"No." Leo snuggles closer, his eyes wide with wonder

"Well, there was this crew of space pirates who lived in a nebula made entirely of crystals. Their ship was invisible because the crystals reflected all the colors of space around them."

"Like a chameleon?" Leo's eyes widen.

"Chameleon?" Par asks.

"Earth animal," Jesse explains.

"Exactly. But here's the thing - they weren't mean pirates. They only stole from the meanest, richest merchants in the galaxy."

"Why?"

"To give the crystals to children who needed birthday presents, of course." Rena taps his nose. "In fact, I heard they might've left something special for a certain birthday boy..."

Leo sits up straighter, suddenly more awake. "Where?"

"Can't tell you that. It's a secret pirate hiding spot." Rena lowers her voice to a whisper. "But maybe tomorrow, if you get enough sleep..."

Jesse and I exchange glances. The weight of the messages on my PerComm feels heavier watching this peaceful scene. Tomorrow everything changes, but for now, we let Leo drift off to Rena's tales of crystal ships and noble pirates.

Taluk trips over his own feet heading to the kitchen, still growing into his body. Paraxan quietly cleans dishes, his fur catching the light. We'll tell them soon enough. But not yet. Not while Leo dreams of space pirates and hidden treasures.

CHAPTER 25

JESSE

Leo's head droops against my shoulder, his soft breaths tickling my neck. The sugar crash from birthday cake has finally claimed its victory. Through the doorway, I hear Rena's laughter mixing with the others – a sound that used to mean success after a dangerous job, now just the warmth of friendship and safety.

"Time for bed, little man," I whisper, carrying him down the hallway to his room. His arms hang loose, completely surrendered to sleep.

The nightlight casts star patterns across his ceiling – Davin installed it last week, after spending hours researching what constellations would be visible from Kalei. I lay Leo down, his hair spreading across the pillow. My fingers brush his cheek, tracing the constellation of freckles that mirror my own.

"Mama?" His eyes flutter open for just a moment.

"Shh, go back to sleep."

"Did I say g'night to daddy?"

"You gave him the biggest hug, remember? Right after the cake."

He nods, already drifting off again. I tuck his favorite blanket around him, the one with spaceships that Rena brought him forhis first birthday. Back when I was still alone, still raw from losing Davin. Back when every gift felt like both a blessing and a reminder of what we'd lost.

I stand in the doorway, watching Leo's chest rise and fall. Three years ago, I never imagined this – a home, a family, Davin returned to us. The sound of his deep laugh echoes from the living room, and my heart swells. Even with everything we've been through, all the danger and uncertainty, we've built something real here. Something worth protecting.

Through the window, the moons cast their silver light across Leo's peaceful face. I close his door quietly, letting my hand linger on the frame for just a moment. We've come so far from that cramped ship cabin where I first realized I was pregnant, terrified and alone. Now, I have everything I never knew I wanted.

I just have to protect it, one last time.

I return to the living room where empty cake plates litter the coffee table. Davin catches my eye, and I give him a slight nod. The weight of what's coming is heavy in my bones.

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