Page 26 of All You Need is Alien Love
I know for a fact that Benji wasn’t a perfect guardian to River, but I’ve come to realize that he was brilliant when it came to the things that mattered most. With him, River always felt safe, supported, and cared for. He never went hungry or had to worry about keeping a roof over his head. He had someone who was always patient and willing to answer all of his questions—even ones about gay sex—and never tried to turn him into someone he’s not. Benji never made fun of River’s geeky obsessions and even helped him in his quest to find aliens on Earth.
“Benji will always have the support of me and my family. As the man who raised River, he’ll hold a special place in our hearts forever.”
Melody wipes at her eyes. “Chris and I aren’t trying to erase the past or start over from when we left. That time has passed us by. River’s an adult now and even married.” She shakes her head. “It’s hard to reconcile in my head sometimes. But I want to meet him where he’s at now, and so does Chris.” She reaches outand takes hold of my hand. “I promise. We won’t let him down ever again.”
“Good. I’ll hold you to that.”
She laughs. “I would expect no less. I’ve met a few Iyarans over the years and I know how intense they can be when it comes to their mates.”
“River will always be my top priority in life. But I also want to respect his autonomy and his choices. He wants you both to be part of his life going forward and I support him in that. Make no mistake, I’ll also be holding you both accountable. If you fail to live up to your promises, you’ll answer to me. Trust me when I say, even the galactic gods won’t save you then.”
Far from intimidated, Melody grins. “I can see why River fell for you.” She reaches out to shake my hand and I accept. “We’re ready to prove ourselves in every way possible.”
River peeks his head out from the kitchen. “Babe, can you help me set the table?”
I get up to join him and he pulls me into the pantry.
“I don’t think now’s the time for a frolic in the cupboard,” I murmur.
He rolls his eyes. “How did your talk with Mom go?”
That’s my River. So sneaky, yet so impatient.
“So you did plan that, huh?”
“Of course. It was the quickest way to get you past your grumpy-pants attitude. You needed to have a direct conversation with her and my dad.”
Damn and blast, but he’s right.
I sigh. “We cleared the air. I told them I support your decision and will give them a chance. Everything will be fine so long as they don’t fuck that up.”
River waggles his eyebrows at me. “Ooh, I know how serious you are when you actually deign to use the F word.”
I pull him close and give him a thorough French kiss because I am never going to win when it comes to outtalking my mate.
Besides, shutting him up in this manner is most satisfying.
When he’s flushed and panting from my efforts, I let go and stroll out of the pantry, leaving him open-mouthed and stunned.
I whistle to myself as I start setting the table and River eventually comes over and whispers in my ear, “I’m so getting payback later.”
“I wait with bated breath, my darling,” I drawl back at him.
The flicker of lust that flares in his eyes is a satisfying enough reward for now.
We settle in for an enjoyable meal with River’s parents in which River fills them in on his life of late, spending a lot of time regaling them with his first time meeting me and learning about the Alliance before getting hired by them.
Even I have to marvel at just what a roller coaster ride our lives have been these last few months. So much has happened in such a short time, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Meeting River was the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
After our meal, we clean up and then put on a movie from River’s childhood,A Christmas Story.
“You’ll shoot your eye out!” he and his mother say in unison when the title screen of the movie comes on.
I pull River into my arms and savor every moment of laughter from him while we watch the film.
More peaceful and joy-filled nights like this will be in our future. I’ll make sure of that, no matter what obstacles may stand in our way.
Like Lord Vardox, I’ll eliminate every damn one if I have to.
