Page 61 of Alien's Love Child

The certainty in his voice makes my heart skip. After months of running, of watching over our shoulders, we're choosing something different. Something permanent.

The blocks clatter against each other as Leo stacks them higher and higher, his tiny tongue poking out in concentration. Davin steadies the tower with one hand, his movements gentle despite those battle-hardened reflexes.

"Red one next," Leo demands, shoving a block into Davin's palm.

"Where should it go?" Davin asks, and my chest tightens at the tenderness in his voice.

"Top!" Leo bounces on his knees, nearly toppling the whole structure.

I trace the edge of my PerComm, the property listings for Rivina blurring together. The Lightyear gang isn't known for letting go of grudges. Even when they find out we destroyed Xander's data, they'll want revenge for the betrayal. For the embarrassment.

"Mama, look!" Leo's voice pulls me back. "It's bigger than Daddy!"

"That's quite the achievement. What are you building?"

"A castle. For us!"

Davin catches my eye over Leo's head. He knows that look on my face, the one that means I'm running scenarios, plotting escape routes. Old habits.

"Your mother's thinking too hard again," he says to Leo, but his words are meant for me.

"We can't just pretend they won't find us," I whisper.

"No." He hands Leo another block. "But we can't let them steal his childhood either."

The tower sways dangerously as Leo adds another level. Just like us – one wrong move and everything could come crashing down. But watching them together, seeing Leo's face light up when Davin praises his engineering skills, I know we can't keep running. Some risks are worth taking.

"More blocks!" Leo demands, and I join them on the floor, choosing a blue one that matches Davin's skin.

The mountain airhits my lungs, fresh and clean, so different from recycled ship atmosphere. Our boots crunch on the gravelpath leading to the weathered stone house. Wildflowers dot the surrounding meadow, their purple petals swaying in the breeze.

"And what brings you folks to Rivina?" The property agent's PerComm clicks as she inputs information.

"I'm Mira," I say, the practiced lie flowing easily. "My husband Kane works in deep space communications maintenance. We're looking for somewhere quiet to raise our son."

"Space maintenance? That explains the..." She gestures vaguely at Davin's blue skin.

"Kaleidian engineering programs are the best," Davin says smoothly, adjusting Leo on his hip.

"I'm Captain Leo!" our son announces proudly.

"Oh, he's precious." The agent laughs. "Playing pretend?"

"He loves his space adventures." I ruffle Leo's hair. "Don't you, sweetie?"

"Shh, Mama! We're undercover!" Leo stage-whispers, making the agent coo.

The house itself is perfect - sturdy stone walls, large windows overlooking the valley, and enough land for that garden I've been dreaming about. The previous owners left years ago, letting nature reclaim parts of the property.

"The nearest neighbors are two kilometers that way." The agent points north. "Perfect for privacy, though the isolation isn't for everyone."

"It's exactly what we're looking for," Davin says, examining the security system. "The solitude will be good for my work."

"And the mountain air will be wonderful for Leo's health," I add, maintaining our cover story. "The station we were on was so industrial."

"Well, the price is negotiable, given how long it's been empty." She taps her PerComm. "Shall we discuss terms?"

Leo squirms down from Davin's arms, running to the window. "Mama, look! Purple trees, just like before!"

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