Page 51 of Secret Twins for the Alien Dad

MYRA

Music croons softly from the speakers connected to Zair’s comm-pad, and the smell of roasting herbs fills the air. I’m waiting at the table while Zair cooks one of Eva’s recipes the old-fashioned way. We’ve both discovered that there’s something about food made by hand that tastes far better than anything made by a synthesizer.

“I can’t make any promises about how this will turn out,” he says over the sizzling of the valtyi steak in the pan.

“It smells absolutely amazing.” I pour a glass of Kalei wine for him and a sparkling fruit juice for myself. I may not be able to imbibe, but I can at least pretend.

“Let’s hope that it tastes as good as it smells,” he replies, flipping the steaks and unleashing another hiss from the sizzling food.

My stomach grumbles in anticipation, and I feel the babies shifting inside me. They’ve been moving a lot more lately, though it’s so crowded in there the movement mostly just feels like pressure. Not to mention, my back has been sore on and off all day. I breathe through another twinge.

“All good?” Zair asks, looking a bit concerned as he shuts off the stove. He must have seen the pained expression on my face.

I wave him off. “Yeah, everything’s fine. The babies have just been murder on my back today.”

“Oh, well, that won’t do.” He comes over and rubs my shoulders. I sigh as his strong hands relieve some of the tension in my back. “Better?”

The pain has passed for the most part, so I lean into his touch. “Much.”

He kisses the top of my head and goes back to the kitchen to plate the steaks and sauteed vegetables. I get up to light old-fashioned wax candles and turn off the holographic light projectors. It’s just more romantic that way.

As he passes by, I steal a peck on his cheek. He raises his eyebrows. “I thought that dessert came after dinner,” he says.

I smirk. “It’s just a taste of what’s to come.”

“Or…” His green eyes take on a mischievous glint. “Or maybe we can skip dinner and get straight to dessert.”

I shake my head. “I love you, babe, but I’m starving. Food first, and then whatever happens after.”

“Your wish is my command.” He sets the plates on the table, and I take my seat next to him.

I dig into the valtyi steak, letting out an almost involuntary moan of approval. “Who knew you could cook?” I say.

He shrugs and takes a bite. “Not me. I just followed Eva’s directions to the letter. She made it all so simple that a child could do it.”

“Where would we be without her?” I ask, and then raise my glass in a toast. “To Eva, the woman who will always be our hero.”

“To Eva,” he echoes.

I sip my sparkling fruit juice as a mild cramp runs through me. Closing my eyes, I breathe through it.

Zair squints at me. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

I smile. “I’m fine, you worrywart. It’s just a cramp.”

“If you say so…” he replies doubtfully.

“I do say so.” I take a defiant bite of the steak. “Besides, it’s one of our last nights without children. I’d like to enjoy the lack of responsibilities for now.”

He sighs, but his eyes crinkle in amusement. “Fine, I’ll drop it if you want. We can just relax and enjoy our time as a childless couple.”

“Thank you,” I say. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited to be a mother, but I’d like to savor the freedom while I can.”

He nods. “Of course. You're talking to a man well-versed in the single life. I know all about the advantages of being free to run amok sometimes. Not that eating a quiet dinner is exactly amok.”

I pick at my vegetables. “You, uh, you don’t regret getting tied down by us, though, do you?” I know what he is going to say, but I still want to hear him say it. I don’t think I’ll ever want to stop hearing it.

“Of course, I don’t regret it,” he says, covering my hand with his. “Myra, from the moment I saw you, everything changed for me. All my priorities realigned. My whole universe shifted so that you would be at the center of it.”

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