by Lynn Best
Han paced on the other side of the bed, lost. Brandy had always seen him as a powerhouse, demanding things, knowing exactly what he wanted, but right now, he was a scared little boy in a man’s body. Her heart went out to him, even though he’d just been ordering the execution of the father of her child.
They’d deal with that later. Right now, they needed to make sure Charis was okay. And from the looks of things, she wasn’t.
Brandy crawled on the white bed, grabbing Charis’s hand gently. Her eyes snapped open. When she saw it was Brandy, she gave a weary smile.
“You’re here.”
“Of course I’m here, honey. Where else would I be?” Brandy wiped the sweat off her friend’s forehead with her sleeve.
Charis smiled and opened her mouth to speak, but her body went rigid as another wave of pain hit her. She squeezed Brandy’s hand so tightly her fingers started to tingle. Charis’s throaty moan made Han stalk beside the bed like a caged animal. Aliens darted out of the way to avoid him.
Two alien humanoids tried to remove Brandy from her position on the bed, but Charis shook her head, and they left her alone. A worried and unsure Harper appeared. Charis waved her in. She took up residence on the other side of the bed, offering silent support. Brandy knew she was a nurse, though not a labor and delivery one, but it was nice to have her all the same.
Hours passed as Brandy wiped the sweat from Charis’s brow, offered her ice chips, and rubbed her back. When it was time to deliver, she held one of Charis’s legs while Harper held the other. Charis delivered her child like a champ. The baby emerged squalling. It was alien in features—big eyes, oval head, long arms and fingers, and scaled skin—but when he opened his round eyes and stared at his mama, Charis melted. They all did.
Charis pulled the baby into her arms as Han leaned over. “It’s a boy,” Charis whispered, exhausted but amazingly happy and radiant. Han leaned down and kissed his mate’s forehead.
When Brandy flicked her gaze to Han, she was shocked to see tears in his eyes. After they cut the cord, Han picked up the little bundle and snuggled the baby close to his chest, cooing. It was so uncharacteristic and amazing to see.
His glistening eyes surveyed the room as his face exuded happiness. “I have a son.”
His gaze fell on Brandy. She grinned, happy for him. This wasn’t a time for their dispute, but his smile faded. She worried he would yell at her to leave now that the crisis was averted.
“No child should grow up without a father,” he said, locking eyes with her.
She nodded. Was he saying…
“I’ll reconsider Wrek’s offer,” Han said.
Brandy could not believe her ears. “Does this mean…”
“I’ll put a stay on the execution. We’ll renegotiate.”
Her heart leaped. “Thank you, Han. You won’t regret it.”
Han turned his attention back to his mate and baby. Brandy knew she had to be the one to deliver the good news. She gave Charis a kiss on the forehead and slipped away. She couldn’t wait to see the expressions on her men’s faces.
15
Brandy sat on the soft velvet couch, rubbing one hand over her burgeoning belly. Alien babies did grow fast. A three-month gestation and she’d be a mother. In the two weeks since she found out, she was still not sure she’d gotten a handle on it. But a lot had changed since then.
For starters, Han and Charis were new parents. It was so amazing to see Charis cuddling her baby, feeding him, and tackling diapers. Alien babies were just like human ones in so many ways. And Charis was a natural, so nurturing and loving. Brandy had known she would be great, but Charis was taking it to a whole other level.
Han had officially been crowned king of his people. There was a ceremony with elaborate alien speeches, decorations, and lots of food Brandy could not try on her sensitive stomach. She’d been served her favorite meal of shepherd’s pie while the others ate their strange green fish and lopsided fruit. Charis had been glowing in her emerald and gold gown, the baby on her lap. Even Han’s mother seemed mostly pleased with the outcome, and she was never pleased about anything.
Rahan and Kahn were there. And Harper sat between them in a radiant gown of red that flattered her figure. Brandy felt fat and unattractive in her stretchy blue dress, but it was a mile ahead of being a prisoner on an alien ship. Plus, she had her men at her side.
Han had held good to his word, meeting with Wrek and then all three brothers to charter a peace treaty. Wrek had agreed to share his discovery of solving their reproduction problem with Han in exchange for full pardons. It was a tentative peace, but it was working. All three of the men were now free to roam the ship as they pleased. Wrek had been meeting with Bram to transfer knowledge. And Rahan and Tork had formed an unexpected friendship over their love of women and working out.
Drake was still surly. Han was still angry. The baby cried, and Brandy had morning sickness. But things were good. More than good.
Now, back in her Central Perk simulation, she and all three brothers were enjoying a little peace and quiet. Splayed on the couch, Drake was at one end rubbing her feet while Wrek brought her a decaf cup of coffee just the way she liked it.
“You know, if you keep treating me like this, I’m going to get used to it,” Brandy said, smiling at Wrek as he handed her the large mug. Steam wafted her way, smelling delicious. Her baby liked coffee. He took right after his mother.
“You should get used to it,” Wrek said. “The mother of our child deserves only the best treatment.”
She cupped his cheek sweetly.
“It’s because of you that we’re even alive,” Drake said, rubbing the soreness away from her ankles.
“I didn’t do anything. It was Han seeing his baby boy.”
The wall opened. Tork walked in, shirtless and wiping sweat from his glistening chest. Brandy’s eyes widened at his gloriousness. Pregnancy had not dulled her desire for men. If anything, it had heightened it. And all three of the men seemed more than happy to allow her to scratch her itch, so to speak.
Tork caught her eye and winked seductively. It was his night for a date with her, and she was looking forward to it immensely.
Wrek brought a stack of books over to the coffee table and set them down among the mugs. “I’ve dug up all I can on offspring of our species. Some of these need to be translated, but I am sure I can make that happen.”
Brandy put her hand on Wrek’s, causing him to stop and meet her eyes. “This is wonderful. Thank you. I’ll be very prepared.”
Her trepidation about motherhood was still there, but it had eased some since Charis’s delivery. It helped so much to see Charis love on her baby, to see him coo at his mother, bonded by a love that transcended species. When Brandy held that baby, her own heart swelled. Soon, she would have one of her own. Charis would help. And the baby would have three strong role models as fathers. What could go wrong?
Well, lots of things. She could get homesick. The men could fight. She might get pregnant with one of their babies and the others could get jealous. She might turn selfish, angry, and resentful. But she didn’t think any of it would stick. Being with her men and her best friend was the happiest she’d ever felt. And the joy of motherhood seemed like the last piece of her very content puzzle.
She got up, Drake helping her to her feet. Her belly was swollen, as if already in her second trimester. For a moment, she thought about how big she was, but Tork and the others had already assured her they found her just as attractive, if not more so, in her current state, so she told her inner critic to shut the hell up.
After she dressed in a cute floral maternity sundress and flip-flops for her date with Tork, he arrived showered and ready at the door, his eyes sparkling.
He held his arm out. “Ready, sugar?”
She smiled. “Where to tonight?”
His eyes sparkled mischievously. “It’s a surprise. You’ll like it.”
She took his arm, the thrill of being with him as new and fresh
as the first time. It might wear off eventually, but this other feeling growing under her ribs would stick. She leaned into his touch. “Take me anywhere, as long as it’s with you.”
THE END
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Also by Lynn Best
The Cartharian Series - Alien Abduction
Chasing Charis
Hunting Harper
Becoming Brandy
Catching Camila (Found in the 20 Shades of Shifters Boxset)
The Bite Series - Vampire Romance
Love Bite: Book One
Bite Mark: Book Two
Love Bites Back: Book Three
Bitten: A Short Story (Currently free!)
About the Author
Lynn is a seasoned writer with over a dozen books under her belt. She’s been writing for years under another name and is excited to try something new. With multiple awards and Amazon best sellers to her credit, she’s pleased a lot of fans in many genres. She loved paranormal romance before Twilight. She’s also a wife, mother, and avid Pinterest obsessionist. Find her at LynnBest.com.