Page 75 of Salvation
Epilogue
Nick drifted peacefully in that blissful state between sleep and awake, Sakura’s body pressed warm against his as they spooned. Wife. He allowed the word to float around his drowsy mind. It was a word to savor, to treasure, just like the memories from last night. It’d been worth the month of headaches involved for two Terrians to plan a traditional Anferthian style wedding. It was a meaningful ceremony for them and for the dissenters, strengthening the bonds between them. Although, he had been skeptical about drinkingrymaagain. But, as Storo had promised, it didn’t have the same one-two punch as the first time.
Then there was making love to Saku for the first time as his wife. That had been as close to magical as he could imagine. He hadn’t been able to come three times in succession like an Anferthian in full frenzy mode, but he’d gone four rounds before dawn. That was noteworthy. His arousal stirred and he stroked his fingers over her belly, a soft sigh from her his reward. Maybe there was time for round five before breakfast.
Sakura launched from the bed in an explosion of blankets and sheets jacking his heart rate up to off-the-charts levels. “Wha…?”
She was gone, her pleasantly round bottom disappearing into the bathroom. Well, when you gotta go, you gotta go. He pulled the blankets back up to help retain some of the heat for her whenever she came back.
The sound of retching propelled him out of bed and into the bathroom. Sakura sat on the floor gasping over the toilet. What a lousy time for her to be sick. He glided his hand over her back, for what it was worth. It always seemed to help him when he was a kid and his mom sat with him.
“I’m all right,” she panted. “Probably just food poisoning.”
He grabbed the washcloth in the shower and wiped her face. Another tried and true Mom technique. “IfIhad cooked last night I might believe it, but I didn’t, and we ate the same thing.”
She shrugged. “Maybe it is stomach flu then. Help me back?”
“You got it.” He gave her a glass of water to rinse her mouth, then lifted her off the floor and carried her back to bed. “Let’s check and see what’s going on, shall we?”
“You sound like a doctor.”
“Can’t imagine why. Now, shh. I need to listen.” He placed one hand over her stomach and he extended his senses. Things were definitely loud and agitated inside her, like a noisy little factory. Something was different, new. It almost sounded like she had an extra…. Astonishment filled him and he opened his mouth, closed it, then met her worried gaze. “It’s not food poisoning.”
She groaned. “I am sick then. What do I have?”
He cleared his throat. “The forty-week flu.”
“What is that?” She shook her head, denial in her eyes. “You mean I am going to be sick for forty weeks?”
“God, I hope not.” He took her hand and placed it on her lower abdomen. “Check it.”
She did and her eyes nearly popped out of her head. “Theatolce…?”
“Didn’t work.”
“I am pregnant. How is that even possible? Oh, no.” She slapped her hands over her mouth. “Nick…the Anferthians.”
A large rock seemed to settle in his stomach. If theatolcewas defective, there’d be more than one baby born soon. He reached for his comm on the nightstand and gave it a tap. “Storo Z’bel.”
“Please tell me you do not need help getting your clothes off, little man.” Storo’s amused, sleepy voice drifted from the comm moments later.
Nick glanced at Sakura and grimaced. If Storo could see him standing naked next to the bed he’d probably laugh. “You’re such an ass.”
Storo chuckled. “What is so important that you have commed me in the midst of your—what did you call it? Ho-nee-moon?”
“I have a question aboutatolce. Sakura and I have been told by pretty much everyone that it’s effective immediately.”
“It is.”
“Are there any cases when it’s not?”
Silence. Then, “What is it you are not saying, Nick.”
There was no way to explain without telling Storo what they’d just discovered. He glanced down at Sakura again with what he hoped was an apologetic look. She shrugged. “Sakura’s about a month pregnant.”
Oh, god, it must have happened the night they christened the lab table. When his pants had been around his ankles. Jesus, if Storo ever found out he’d never hear the end of it.
“You mean you did notwait?”
