Page 38 of My Christmas Alien Mate

I did. I remembered that conversation because my father had tried once again to convince me to return to officer training and join him and Adred at the top of the military.

"I do, but I found something much better and more fulfilling," I said.

"I can't protect you on Earth," he warned.

"I'm a big boy," I reassured him.

"You haven't even known her a week," Adred exploded. "I'm sorry," he turned to Amber. "I mean no disrespect."

"I told him the same thing," Amber addressed Adred. "But we want to give this, us, a shot."

"It may not be according to custom, but I know deep in my heart that Amber is the one," I said looking only at her.

"Earth seems worth keeping an eye on," my father said, before turning back to Amber. "I apologize if this sounds patronizing or condescending, but you are much more than I expected of a citizen from a Class-D planet."

"I'm not offended," Amber waved him off. "Seeing your technology," she shook her head, "you are so far ahead of us, it's humbling."

I noticed something in Kzod's eyes that I hadn't seen very often, admiration. He liked Amber. "I will have ships return routinely, every Earth year, to keep an eye on it and… you." He nodded at me.

"Gee, thanks, Dad," I said in imitation of a movie I couldn't remember the name of.

Amber chuckled appreciatively next to me, but as expected, the joke went over my father's and Andred's heads.

I didn't want to overwhelm Amber completely. She was doing very well with my family and being aboard our flagship, but from the way her head was moving from different objects to another, I realized she was probably ready for a break.

"Is there anything you need?" my father asked, probably sensing I was about to call it a day.

My mind did a quick inventory of my room, but there was really nothing I wanted to take with me. Family pictures and books were on my data processor, I wouldn't be able to wear my clothing, and I had never collected knickknacks like Amber's. So I shook my head. "I think I have everything I need right here." I squeezed Amber's shoulder.

"We would be very happy if the two of you would join us on Christmas Eve for dinner and maybe even stay for Christmas morning. We could have breakfast together," Amber invited Kzod and Adred, surprising me.

"We can't possibly leave—" Adred started to decline, but surprising me even more, my father interrupted, "We would be honored."

Adred's startled glance toward our father told me he was just as astounded as me, but he recovered quickly. "Yes, that would be very nice."

I knew he meant it too. Besides his love of commanding others, Adred had always enjoyed learning about new cultures and getting to know new species.

"Great," Amber beamed at me.

"Great," I echoed, not quite as thrilled as her.

"We'll see you in a few days then," I said, standing and pulling Amber up with me.

"I'm looking forward to it," my father echoed, standing as well.

This time, shocking all three of us, Amber went first to my father then to Adred, to give them both a tight hug. "I promise we'll have a traditional Christmas dinner for you."

"If it's as good as your goodies, I can't wait," Adred stated. "What about all this though? As good as it tastes, we can't possibly eat all this alone."

"Gee, Adred, where's your Christmas spirit?" I chided with a laugh. "Share it with the crew."

A small cleaning drone entered and began cleaning the windows. It was hard to miss Amber's interest as her eyes followed the narrow disk. "Wow, those are pretty neat. We have Roombas that look like this, but I don't think they're quite as efficient."

"You have cleaning drones?" my father asked.

Amber nodded. "If that's what you call them, then yes. Probably not anywhere close to as sophisticated as yours, but they're available."

"Interesting." My father rubbed his chin but didn't elaborate.

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