Page 16 of Baby For The Tark Commander

He set her on her feet and kissed her again, his heart bursting with joy. He was going to be a father, and he couldn’t wait to start their life together on Baxa.

Epilogue

TRUE TO HIS WORD, SARKO had traded in a few favors and somehow pulled enough strings to allow her parents a refugee pass to Baxa. They soon had a POD on the same land, and she was glad to have her parents nearby, especially with her pregnancy.

It was happening faster than a typical human pregnancy, and she was a little nervous. She couldn’t hide that as she tried to explain it to her mother. “From what I understand, the baby will be born in a sack-like membrane, almost like an eggshell. It’ll crack with some effort, and then he or she will emerge.”

Anitra looked stunned and slightly horrified. “Then do you sit on it like you would a chicken egg?”

Rana laughed. “No. The incubating stage happens in my body.” She rubbed her large stomach, which was pointier and more oval-shaped than it would be with a human baby. “The Faction resources and the Mosaic doctor at the Hub say it’s no more painful than giving birth to a human baby.”

“How long now?” asked her father, looking nervous.

“Any time.” She looked around. “Which is why I hope Sarko returns soon.” He’d made a last-minute trip to the hub, citing a need for some kind of urgent supplies.

Her mother and father traded a look.

“What?” she asked with suspicion.

“Nothing. Will the baby nurse like a human child?”

“Yes. The development is roughly the same timeline, but you should expect your grandchild to have wings and clawed feet.” She smiled.

Anitra looked unbothered. “I’m simply grateful to have a grandchild.”

She rubbed her stomach. “I feel the same way...” She trailed off as Sarko’s ship returned.

When the ramp lowered, she stared in shock as Priya sauntered down it and rushed toward her. “What are you doing here?”

“Your mate arranged it as a surprise.” Priya grinned. “I’m allowed to stay until the birth and for a month afterward.”

Rana turned to see Sarko striding toward her. “Is this true?”

“It is. I know how much you miss your friend, and I wanted to make you happy.”

She threw her arms around him. “You’ve made me happier than I ever dreamed possible.”

---