“Should I bring the bassinet up here?” Quentin asked, flicking switches on the Scrapper’s console as they descended into Zeltron airspace. He half turned to face her, “You know, in case your arms get tired.” Artificial gravity created by the ship gave way to the planet’s natural gravity, and Mara stirred, before finally blinking awake.
Kaydia spared him a moment’s glance, before turning her attention back to Mara. “I don’t ever want to let her go.”
“I would think that after 9 months, you would want a break from carrying her.” Quentin eased the ship towards the berthing pit, “Besides, I want to hold her too.”
“Well, I suppose I can hand her over.” She nuzzled Mara, planting feather-light kisses on her nose, before flashing Quentin a smirk, “Next time she needs a change, that is.”
Zeltron space control crackled through the speakers, giving Quentin landing instructions. Kaydia tuned out the noise and stared out the blast-shield window, taking in the sprawling ecumenopolis spreading out beneath them. She’d enjoyed visiting Zeltron in the past, but now she was going to have to accept it as her home. It was a minor thing, everything else considered. A place where she could have her family, her Quentin and her Mara, and they could be safe. It could have been far worse.
Turning her thoughts toward their new life, Kaydia asked, “So, who am I now?”
“Taia Eldrei.” The syllables dripped like honey from his lips, as if they might melt on his tongue.
She hummed into her closed mouth and nodded. “It’s pretty. Did you pick it out?”
“Yeah. I hope you don’t mind. I needed to have everything ready before I could get you out,”
“No, I like it. And you’re the one who’s going to be calling it out in bed.” She joined Quentin in laughing, before opening her mind to his.
Besides, we will always be Kaydia and Quentin here, right?
His thoughts enveloped hers, so warm and familiar she couldn’t help but shudder.
Always, Kaydia. For several moments, she basked in the silence between them. Silence filled with Mara’s breathing and the whirring of the Scrapper’s engine and the quiet contentment of Quentin’s heartbeat. His presence, and Mara’s too, was enough to soothe her. There is passion, yet there is peace.
But she’d had enough of silent peace, so she moved back towards passion. She’d missed so much these past few months. “Speaking of which, I am rather looking forward to testing out your new name. Once there damn stitches heal.”
His amusement came through their bond. “I am not in any rush.”
“Who’s talking about you?” Kaydia snickered. “I know you aren’t in any rush; I can feel your memories. But I’ve missed your touch. And everything that goes along with it.”
“And you’ll know it, and more once you’ve healed.” The promise carried on his word made her skin tingle and her stomach flutter.
Kaydia stood in the doorway between the bathroom and the bedroom, toweling her hair dry. Her nude skin was still slightly damp, but it was a blessing against the humid Zeltron evening, and she decided against a nightgown. Besides, she wasn’t in any hurry to get to bed. Not with Quentin cradling Mara and humming a soft lullaby.
I can feel your eyes on me, he whispered on the force, still singing and swaying with their daughter.
And I can feel that you don’t mind so much. Bare feet padded across the wood floors, until she was behind him, and then pressed her naked body against his.
I am not sure you have ever looked sexier.
A small laugh reached her through their bond,
Really?
Yeah, you are already an amazing father. She let her eyes trail over his figure, shirtless, with loose pants that hung just below his hips.
And, well, showing skin isn’t hurting either.
Quentin eased Mara down into the crib and planted a kiss on her forehead. Kaydia shifted beside him, offering their daughter another goodnight kiss, before leaning into his side. His arm went around her shoulder, still warm from having held Mara, and Kaydia thought her heart might burst.
“I can’t believe I thought you were dead just a month ago,” Quentin confessed, pulling her closer and kissing her head. “And now…you’re alive, and we’re a family.” Gentle fingers cupped her face, turning it so he could meet her eyes. “I’m sorry it took me so long to find you this time.”
“Don’t be,” Kaydia insisted, too content to think back to her imprisonment. “You were there when I needed you. You didn’t let me down.”
