Page 62 of Secret Twins for the Alien Dad

“I can’t wait to meet your folks,” says Myra as she climbs into the cab beside me. “Thank you for bringing me to meet them. I miss my parents a lot.”

“Kaleidians don’t tend to have the same bond with their parents as humans,” I tell her. “Once we’ve grown up, we take responsibility for ourselves and don’t feel the need to visit home much. But I really want you and the boys to meet them. Even if it’s only once.”

“I hope they like us,” she says apprehensively. “They might not approve of you having a human mate.”

“They will be overjoyed for us,” I tell her with a laugh. “Here on Kalei, finding your fated mate is the closest thing we have to spirituality. My parents will love you and our sons, human or not.”

I fly low over the canopy of the jungle. Myra keeps her nose pressed to the window, taking in everything.

“I’m sorry it’s not a proper vacation,” I tell her after a while. “We’ll go on a real trip next time.” I feel bad that I’ve dragged her here to meet my parents when I could have taken her to a resort somewhere.

“I never thought I’d get off planet again, you know,” she tells me. “When I was tied into Brev and the Casino, I thought I was there for life. I used to watch some of the old hookers walking home bow-legged in the mornings and think, ‘That will be me one day.’You saved me from that and brought me to this amazing place. I love it, and I can’t think of anywhere I would rather be.”

“I guess it’s because this is where I grew up. It’s not so special to me.”

“But it’s incredible,” she says, turning to face me. “It’s like paradise!”

We pull in to land on the roof of my parent's house. The landing pad already contains three other vehicles, but their house is large and there is plenty of room.

They must have heard us land, because my father comes striding out of the roof entrance with a huge smile on his face. “Zair,” he bellows. “It’s so good to see you again!” He wraps me in his strong arms and embraces me.

“Hey, Dad. This is Myra and our sons. Twins, Staxin and Raxnor. Your grandsons. Myra, this is my dad, Darrow.”

“Pleased to meet you,” he says, kissing her cheek. Then he gazes lovingly at my son. “Come,” he says. “Your mother is looking forward to seeing you.”

We follow him across the rooftop to the entrance of the house. The transporter takes us down to the lower levels and the doors open to a large, well-lit room.

Everything is just as I remember it. My mother loves the jungle that surrounds us, and she has adorned all the living areas with flowering plants. She even has them trailing across the ceiling.

“Here they are, the happy family!” declares my brother.

“Zac?” I’m surprised to see him here. “And you must be Jodie, Zac’s wife.”

Jodie smiles and nods her assent. It’s been years since I last saw my brother. He works at the military base here on Kalei and is usually off on some mission to distant planets. I did hear he has settled down a little since meeting Jodie, but I still didn’t expect to see him on this trip.

“It’s wonderful having both my sons under one roof for a while.”

“Mom! It’s good to be here,” I say, giving her a hug. “Everyone, this is Myra and my sons. This is Staxin, and this is Raxnor.”

I am pleased to see they are welcomed warmly, allaying Myra’s fears that she would not be accepted. Both the new babies are passed from hand to hand, I can hear Myra laughing with Jodie beside me, and I relax.

“Well, they’re going to be trouble when they get a bit older, aren’t they?” says Darrow, comparing the two boys.

“They are so sweet,” says Mom. “I remember when you boys were this size. It’s as if it was only yesterday. Look, they even have the same color of eyes!”

I have to admit, it’s obvious that they’re twins. There’s a few subtle differences I can spot, but for the most part, I don’t think ordinary people could tell them apart.

We don’t gather much as a family, and there is a lot of catching up to do. But eventually, my mother declares that it’s time to eat. It seems that everyone is talking at once as we consume the wonderful feast she has prepared.

“Come on,” I say when we’re done. “Let’s leave the boys with Mom and Dad for a while. There’s something I want to show you.”

“Yes, off you go, I’m quite happy here.” My mom is sitting with her newest grandchildren, making cooing noises.

I take Myra’s hand and lead her out into the jungle that surrounds the house.

“Your family is great,” she says. “They are all so welcoming, and Jodie has a wicked sense of humor. I can see why your brother took her as a mate.”

“Yes, he has quite a sense of humor, too. He was always thinking up pranks when we were kids.”

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