Page 92 of Alien's Love Child

"Fishies!" Leo squeals, pointing at the aquarium built into one wall. "Blue ones like Papa!"

"Those are Kaleidian moon fish," Davin explains, crouching beside him. "They change color based on the water temperature."

"Can I feed them?"

"Let's unpack first," I say, but Leo's already dragging Davin toward the aquarium control panel.

"Just one feeding," Davin says, giving me that look that means he can't resist our son's enthusiasm. "Then we'll get settled properly."

I shake my head, smiling. "You're getting soft in your old age, bounty hunter."

"Only for my family." He pulls me close with his free arm, kissing my temple while Leo chatters excitedly about the fish food dispenser.

Leo presses his nose against the aquarium glass, his silver hair catching the blue glow. "That one's called a Moonspinner! It eats tiny shrimp and—and plankton."

"That's right." I ruffle his hair, amazed at how he's already memorizing the information from the plaques. "How did you know that?"

"It says right there, Mama." He points to the holographic text floating beside the tank. "And this one's from Papa's home planet!"

Davin sprinkles another pinch of food into the tank. "Most of these are. Though they've been bred in captivity for generations."

"He's reading so fast." I lean against Davin's shoulder. "I couldn't read half this well at his age."

"Kaleidian children develop quickly." His arm slides around my waist. "Our brains form neural pathways more efficiently in early development. Makes up for how long it takes us to get gray hair."

"So that's why you're still so pretty?" I tease.

"Papa's not pretty," Leo says, not looking away from the fish. "He's handsome. Like in the stories."

"Can't argue with that logic." I watch as Leo traces the path of a particularly sparkly fish with his finger. "I just wonder sometimes... about him being the first."

"First what?" Leo asks.

"First hybrid child I've ever met," I say. "It's not common, is it?"

"No." Davin's voice softens. "But that just makes him special. Like his mother."

"The fish changed color!" Leo bounces on his toes. "Did you see? It was blue and now it's purple!"

"That means the temperature dropped," Davin explains.

My concerns fade as I watch them together, both equally fascinated by the simple wonder of color-changing fish.

The dining roomof the Star Princess sparkles with crystalline chandeliers and polished silverware. I adjust Leo's collar as he squirms in the high chair between Davin and me.

"Sit still, sweetie. Your napkin's falling."

"But I'm hungry," Leo whines, reaching for the bread basket.

"Just a minute." I tuck the cloth napkin back into his shirt. "We need to order first."

The waiter approaches our table, carrying a bottle on a silver tray. "Compliments of a friend." He presents an emerald-colored bottle with an intricate gold label. "A '42 Centaurian Red."

My jaw drops. I pick up the bottle, examining the seal, and the small note attached to it.

"It says 'Cheers. Par.' He really, really shouldn't have."

"That old furball?" Davin whistles low. "This vintage costs more than our suite."

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