by Anna Lewis
She held up a golden amulet with purple stars in the center, a symbol of their ancestors that had been worn since the dawn of their species. It was said to hold good luck during hard times as well as the sacred ashes of the first Kuhlarai child. Her mother carefully attached it around Anna Leigh’s neck.
“Wear this everywhere you go and you will feel the protective light of the two suns,” her mother said with a smile. “And don’t forget who you are. It is deeply rooted in who you will be.”
Elu touched her face, bringing her back to the present moment. He smiled and leaned in to kiss her lips, his touch alone resurfacing the emotions she had felt prior to Xander’s arrest. She succumbed quickly and parted her lips to allow his tongue entry while moaning softly. Fingers tangled through her hair and she felt him press against her, his erection evident through his jeans.
“My goodness,” she whispered when he pulled away. “I can tell you’ve missed me.”
He chuckled.
“I couldn’t even begin to tell you,” he replied. “And I feel so guilty without Xander being here.”
“I do, too,” she admitted.
“Let me make a few phone calls and see what I can do about his visitation clearance,” Elu said before kissing her forehead.
Anna Leigh smiled and nodded, returning to the chair in front of his desk. She watched as he lifted the phone and spoke heatedly through the speaker at whomever was on the other end, smiling every so often at his passionate determination in getting Xander more time out with visitors. Behind him, the two suns were quickly descending and she would have to return to her home for dinner. She pulled out her phone to look through her messages, her heart jumping as she scrolled over the ones from Elu. They were dated weeks ago.
Now, he was sitting in front of her with hope written all over his face. She gripped the charm around her neck and prayed for the first time in years that Elu was genuine in his efforts to ease Xander’s punishment. Xander had mentioned the plea bargain to Anna Leigh while she in the cell, but he had also hardly looked at her. He seemed ashamed of his actions.
“I don’t know, Anna Leigh. I feel like I should serve my time and get it over with,” he'd said.
Anna Leigh cradled her belly. She wasn’t showing yet, but she also felt compelled to touch her stomach at every turn, even while walking around tables or people. It was a protective response that seemed to come from a place of maternal instinct. She placed her free hand on Xander’s shoulder.
“I’m really proud of you for recognizing you’re wrong in this situation, but the Federation is brutal,” she whispered. “They’re going to hang you out to dry.”
“I realize that,” Xander said. “I’m willing to take whatever punishment comes my way. I regretted doing all of this as soon as those guards came for me. All I could think about was how much I had hurt you.”
She grimaced and looked down at her knees. A finger rested underneath her chin and brought it up to level with his, eyes shining as she sniffled.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “It’s all my fault.”
She shook her head.
“Something has to give. Maybe my family can hire you a better lawyer,” she said.
“No, I’ve got a good lawyer,” he said. “Some of my private funds weren’t taken when they arrested me. I’m paying him well.”
“That’s good. I’m just worried. I would feel better hiring another lawyer for you. Two heads are always better than one,” Anna Leigh said.
“I realize that, darling, but I think I have everything under control,” he said.
Anna Leigh nodded and sighed.
“Alright,” she said. “Look, I should really tell–”
“Time is up,” the guard said.
Anna Leigh looked up at him and frowned, her eyes returning to Xander as she stood. She instinctively reached for her purse that she usually carried on her left arm, but it wasn’t there. They had collected it upon her arrival. She couldn’t even carry her cell phone inside. Before she left, Xander gave her a quick kiss on the lips and squeezed her hand.
“I’ll see you soon,” she said as she left.
She didn’t want to turn around. She didn’t want to see the miserable look in his eyes as she walked away from him. It was hard enough seeing him in the orange suit with stubble on his cheek. He wasn’t even allowed to shave, which seemed strange to her, but she hardly knew anything about prison life. Passing by the other cells was difficult because the prisoners cat-called her. She wrapped her arms around her shoulders to keep herself from screaming.
“I’ve got it,” Elu said while setting the phone down.
Anna Leigh raised her eyebrows. Getting lost in thought had made her exceptionally tired and now she wanted a nap.
“I’ve been granted permission to see him in a private interrogation room and the cameras will be turned off, so we won’t have to worry about being watched,” Elu said while standing. “I might get into a little trouble for doing that, but it should be fine.”
“Well, I don’t want you to get into trouble,” she said as she stood up.
“It’s all for our family. I don’t care,” he said.
“You should care,” she insisted, taking his hand in hers.
“I care more about the three of us than I do this wretched Federation,” he said.
“I wouldn’t say that too loud,” Anna Leigh advised while looking around. “I have no knowledge of how this usually proceeds, but I feel like we’re getting ourselves into a little trouble.”
“I know. Doesn’t it feel exhilarating?” he asked while wrapping his arms around her.
Anna Leigh giggled.
“I didn’t know you could be such a rebel,” she teased.
“I might be an agent, but I do like to cut loose every so often,” he joked. “Let’s go see our boy.”
With that, Anna Leigh took his hand and led him out of the office, only stopping when Elu informed his secretary that he would be in a meeting for two hours. They walked up a long hallway, ducked down into a private staircase, and then walked down another hall that led to a private interrogation room. The guard standing outside the door nodded to Elu and then opened the door to allow them entry.
Standing in the corner without a steel cuff was Xander. He looked rather timid sitting in the room all alone. When Anna Leigh walked in, he instantly took her into his arms and sighed heavily.
“I thought I was about to be interviewed and I couldn’t stop freaking out,” he said into her neck.
Anna Leigh smiled warmly and ran her fingers through his hair, pulling away to look into his eyes.
“It was just us,” she said.
Xander looked over at Elu timidly. They hadn’t seen each other since the incident. It was awkward standing between the two, but Anna Leigh knew they would eventually come to this point. They just needed some time to adjust. She knew they likely missed each other because they were so close, but it was difficult to tell whether they would recover.
“Well?” she asked while looking between the two of them. “Say something. Apologize. Hug. Just stop gaping at each other.”
“It’s just been so long,” Xander commented.
“It has been three weeks and a few days,” Elu said.
“Too long,” Xander said.
“That it has,” Elu agreed.
The two nodded and continued to stare, causing Anna Leigh to take a step back as she studied their features. Xander looked almost horrified while Elu remained relatively calm. It was remarkable to watch them interact.
“I’m sorry,” Elu finally said.
Xander nodded.
“I know,” Xander said.
“I really am very sorry for everything. I didn’t know we would form such a strong bond, and then Anna Leigh...” Elu trailed off as his eyes filled with tears.
She held her arms out for him, but he shook his head and took a step toward Xander.
“I miss you as my brother and as my friend. My only wish is to fix what I
’ve done and have our family back again,” Elu said through tears.
Xander stepped forward and held out his arms for Elu to collapse in, allowing him the time to start to cry before beckoning Anna Leigh to join. For some time, Elu cried. His sobs shook his body and echoed off the walls of the small room where they stood for what seemed like forever.
It was the first time in weeks they were holding each other. Anna Leigh felt overwhelmed with joy. In the same moment, she also felt fear—this wasn’t going to last forever. Xander would eventually have to return to his cell and she would have to go back home to her mother. A stern expression crossed her face and Elu stood up, wiping his nose.
“Are you alright?” Xander asked.
Anna Leigh raised an eyebrow and shrugged.
“I’m fine,” she said.
“Are you sure? You look worried,” Elu pointed out.
She sighed heavily, her shoulders falling forward as she pressed her forehead to Xander’s shoulder and reached for Elu at the same time.
“There’s something I need to tell you, Xander,” she said.
“What’s that?” he asked, leading them over to the table to sit.
Anna Leigh sat in the chair and then reconsidered, standing up immediately while shoving Xander down into the chair.
“You should really sit for this,” she advised.
“What do you mean?” he asked with a nervous chuckle.
Elu smiled and Anna Leigh took their hands in hers.
“Well, I have some really great news although the timing is really poor,” she explained. “I’m pregnant.”
Xander’s eyes went wide immediately and he bit his lower lip to keep from crying all over again. He reached out to touch her stomach as if it were a precious crystal.
“Really?” he asked tearfully. “Oh, sweetheart... this is amazing news.”
“I didn’t want to tell you yet, so I told Elu, but then I felt guilty. He arranged everything for us to see you,” she said.
“I appreciate that, Elu,” Xander said.
“You’re not mad?” Elu asked.
“About what?” Xander asked in return.
“That I found out first?”
Xander looked down at their hands and shook his head.
“I mean, I can understand why you waited to tell me, but I’m glad you came immediately after finding out,” Xander replied.
Elu nodded.
“I want us to be a family together,” he said. “I can’t live without either of you. I've realized that. It was awful. I’ve just had this weight on my shoulders for the longest time.”
“I’m so glad you’re here now,” Xander said. “I thought you hated me.”
Elu laughed.
“I thought the same,” he admitted.
Xander shook his head.
“No, I don’t hate you. I’ve been reflecting about the whole situation and I feel like I need to do my time,” Xander explained. “But you don’t have to, Xander,” Elu said.
“I mean, how else am I getting out of this?” Xander asked.
“I’ll refute the evidence. I’ll drop the case,” Elu said.
“You would do that for me?” Xander asked tearfully.
“Of course I will,” Elu said. “I want us to start this family together. We can’t have you here in prison and our child asking where you are.”
Xander smiled and pulled him into a hug, standing in order to embrace Anna Leigh as well. She kissed away his tears and ran her fingers through his hair, giggling when she felt his erection through his pants. Elu leaned against the table.
“We do have about an hour to kill in here,” he mentioned.
“Oh, yeah?” Anna Leigh asked. “What were you thinking?”
Elu offered a sly smile, looking up at the camera in the corner of the room.
“I cut off the camera, so we could celebrate the good news without any prying eyes,” he suggested.
“I like that idea,” Anna Leigh whispered while pulling him in close.
Xander stood up from his chair, but Anna Leigh pushed him back down, pulling up her dress while straddling him. She pulled his erect cock from his pants and leaned in for a kiss while stroking it. He moaned. Elu positioned himself behind her while rubbing her neck, pressing kisses all along her shoulder. Pulling down the straps of her dress, he nipped the skin and then took her hand to place on his own priapic erection.
Lips tangled together as Anna Leigh continued to stroke their cocks, leaning back into Elu as he dropped his pants. Anna Leigh turned the chair so it was adjacent to the table and positioned Elu next to her. He held his cock in his hand and smiled, stroking her chin. As she stroked the length of his shaft, Xander pulled aside her thong and rubbed his cock against her soaked lips.
She moaned while taking Elu into her mouth, slowly dragging her tongue up to the head of his cock as he sighed. Xander gently massaged her thighs while kissing her neck, waiting patiently for her to pull back before lifting her up over his cock. She smiled, her hand still gripping Elu.
“Are you ready?” Xander asked.
“Yes,” she replied in a drunken whisper.
While gripping her hips, Xander eased her down over his erection and hissed when her portal swallowed the head. She moaned softly and gasped as she slid down further, stroking Elu as she accepted Xander’s girth. Her thighs twitched as she settled, reminding her of the weeks she had spent without his touch. It made her shiver with desire. She draped an arm over his shoulder.
While she began to roll her hips, she turned to take Elu back into her mouth and groaned as Xander leaned back in his chair. Her back arched and she tried to keep Elu in her mouth, but he kept slipping. He chuckled while holding the base, stroking her cheek as her head bobbed up and down over his shaft. Black hair fell into her face and he brushed it back, holding it as she sucked dutifully at the tip of his cock. He groaned.
Anna Leigh slurped and sucked while bouncing against Xander, gripping his shoulder hard to keep her balance. Xander produced her breasts from her dress and gripped them as he pumped into her sweet portal, eliciting all manner of moans to escape her occupied lips. A tongue unfurled to lap at her nipple and she squeaked. He sucked on her breast and it tickled her pelvis, causing her to pull away from Elu’s cock while gasping.
Her hand continued to stroke and Elu grunted, his hips thrusting forward uncontrollably. Xander pumped harder as Anna Leigh squeaked, her moans growing louder as Xander buried himself in her sweet heat. She teetered on the edge, throwing her head back in glorious rapture as drugging waves washed over her body.
“Oh, I can feel it,” she groaned. “I’m going to come.”
“Me, too,” Elu chimed as he guided her hand to stroke harder.
“Go ahead,” Xander instructed. “Please, come.”
Anna Leigh smiled and rode harder, grinding her hips until they were sore. The coil tightened in her stomach until it finally snapped and she shook violently on top of Xander who gripped her thighs. While she came, Elu shuddered and released his load all over her breasts, decorating them with his creamy white come. Smiling with satisfaction, Xander dug his nails in Anna Leigh’s skin and pumped harder while groaning, his own orgasm taking over his shuddering body and causing him to cry out.
The three were panting in the small room as the guard knocked on the door, informing them that their time was nearly up. Xander offered a bashful smile and then leaned in to kiss Anna Leigh, using the underside of his shirt to wipe the come from her chest. She smiled.
“That was wonderful,” she whispered. “Let’s not wait long to do that again.”
***
The court date was fast approaching. It made Xander’s stomach knot to look at the digital calendar on his wall, counting down the days in digital red marker while trying to retain his sanity. He had started visiting a therapist provided by the Federation, a common occurrence for first time offenders in the galaxy. The therapist was kind and he wore a pair of spectacles which he removed with his tent
acled hand whenever listening to a lengthy outpouring by Xander.
“I feel like lying would just be the worst thing I could do,” Xander said. “But admitting I was wrong and pleading for mercy just seems... I don’t know. It seems a little beneath me, Dr. Cartz.”
“It’s not begging to take a plea bargain,” Dr. Cartz explained.
“I realize that, but I’m also worried about Anna Leigh,” Xander said.
“Why are you so concerned about her?” Dr. Cartz asked.
Xander smiled, looking down at his hands that were folded in his lap.
“Well, she’s pregnant with my child,” he replied. “I’m excited to become a father, but I’m worried that I’ll have to do it from prison.”
“So, why don’t you fight harder to get out of prison? Instead of a plea bargain, why don’t you build a case against the man who put you here?” Dr. Cartz asked.
“I can’t do that,” Xander replied.
“You could if you wanted to,” Dr. Cartz said.
“But that might put Elu in prison,” Xander insisted.
“Do you have any other options?” Dr. Cartz asked.
Xander shrugged.
“I can do my time or I can put my child’s co-father in prison. It’s a horrible conundrum. At least with Elu out there, he would be able to raise our child with Anna Leigh,” Xander explained.
“Ah, a traditional triad bond,” Dr. Cartz said while stroking his chin with a tentacle. “I remember when my parents bonded. Both of my mothers were exhilarated to find my father. He was quite happy bonding with two women, as most men of my species find.”
“Is it really that common?” Xander asked.
“Absolutely. Many aliens find themselves in a triad bond. Humans adopted the same notion not long after joining the Intergalactic Federation which is why you’ve been attracted to the bond, I presume,” Dr. Cartz explained.
“It’s been the best thing to have ever happened to me,” Xander said. “And I feel like it’s going to get thrown away because of my mistake.”
“I would suggest pushing for more than your plea bargain. Those are merely made to speed up the process of your trial. You might find yourself pleasantly surprised by how much you can gain by serving your sentence while also building a case. You could be out in two years instead of ten,” Dr. Cartz said.