Page 62 of Alien's Love Child

I catch Davin's eye and smile. Maybe this time, we really can make it work.

The mountain breeze carries the scent of fresh-cut wood as Davin and I arrange furniture in what will become Leo's room. Our son naps downstairs, worn out from "helping" us unpack all morning.

"This doesn't feel real," I say, smoothing the star-patterned blanket across Leo's new bed. "Having an actual house. Staying in one place."

Davin pauses in mounting a shelf, his tools spread across the floor. "You know what's stranger? I actually want to stay."

"Really?" I lean against the doorframe, studying his profile. "The great wanderer, ready to settle down?"

"Trust me, I'm as surprised as you are." He secures the last bracket. "Growing up, I couldn't wait to leave. My family had this estate on Kalei - generations of military service bought a lot of land. But it felt..." He gestures vaguely.

"Suffocating?"

"Exactly." He tests the shelf's stability. "I used to climb out my window at night just to look at the stars. Drove my parents crazy."

"And now?"

"Now?" He crosses to where I stand, his fingers brushing my hip. "Now I look at this place, and I see possibilities instead of walls. A home instead of a cage. Some place to call my own."

"That's... surprisingly poetic for you."

"Don't get used to it." His smile softens. "But thank you."

"For what?"

"For this. For Leo. For giving me something worth staying still for."

I stretch up to kiss him, my hands finding familiar purchase on his shoulders. "We make quite a pair, don't we? The smuggler and the bounty hunter, playing house."

"Playing? I'll have you know I'm very serious about my domestic duties." He pulls back, mock offense on his face. "I'm going to be the best damn gardener this mountain's ever seen."

"You keep telling yourself that, spacer."

CHAPTER 23

JESSE

The mountain breeze carries the scent of fresh-baked cake through the open windows. Leo bounces on his toes, watching Paraxan put the finishing touches on his masterpiece - a spacecraft-shaped confection complete with tiny edible thrusters.

"Is that my ship?" Leo presses his nose against the counter edge.

"Better." Paraxan's whiskers twitch. "It's a Kaleidian battlecruiser, like the ones your father flew."

"Papa! Look!" Leo tugs at Davin's pants. "Uncle Para made your ship!"

"That's impressive craftsmanship." Davin lifts Leo for a better view. "Though I don't remember the hull being quite so... purple."

"Artist's interpretation," Paraxan says with dignity, though I catch his slight smile.

Rena bursts through the front door, arms laden with wrapped packages. "Sorry I'm late! The local security checkpoint was a nightmare."

"Aunt Rena!" Leo squirms free of Davin's grip and races to hug her legs.

"Careful with those!" Taluk follows behind, juggling more gifts. "Some of them are actually breakable."

"Unlike your last attempt at cargo handling," Rena teases, making Taluk's scales flush darker red.

"That was one time-"

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