by Astrid Cielo
Anna began to cry, her tears seemed to frighten Kylan, but before he could panic she began to laugh and repeat, “Yes. Yes, I will.” Kylan picked her up and twirled her in the small galley, before setting her on her feet and kissing her. Anna looked over at Serenity and beamed. Serenity smiled at her as she went over and clasped her hand.
“Come on, Anna, we have a wedding to get ready for.”
Serenity helped Anna into her dress, which Anna thought was lovely. She kept asking where Serenity had found it, but Serenity just shrugged and stated, “Oh, I just altered something lying around.” She didn’t want Anna to feel self-conscious about wearing a sheet. Anna handed her the bouquet of paper flowers, and quickly slipped into a blue nightgown that was her favorite, its wide straps and empire waist made it look so much like a dress that she didn’t feel too terrible that it was a nightgown. She walked Anna to the room and outside the door, she turned Anna and said, “I know it isn’t what you probably wanted, but I couldn’t have you feeling guilty. He really didn’t know or he probably would have done everything in his power to marry you in our way.”
Anna nodded, the tears falling down her cheeks, “This is one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me, thank you Serenity.” She hugged her for a few moments, and then placed her hand on the panel. She gave her friend away to a man she knew loved her as much as she loved him. Eon and Kylan both played their parts very well. Serenity cheered when Eon announced that the groom could now kiss his bride. Eon left Kylan and Anna to their wedded bliss and captured Serenity pulling her close and he kissed her gently on the lips.
“You’re wearing blue, do you remember the last time you were wearing blue?”
“You remember? That’s been so long ago. Ever since that night, blue has always been my favorite color.”
He smiled down at her and bent to kiss her, she moved to the side, “Later, we have a reception to attend.” He swatted her rear as she walked toward Anna, and she threw a saucy smile over her shoulder.
* * * * * * * * *
Serenity woke her stomach turning. She leapt from the bed and ran to the bathroom, barely making it to the toilet before the contents of her stomach came up. She wiped her mouth on the towel that Eon handed her, his gaze concerned. “Are you ill, little one?” he asked.
“I don’t know. This is the third morning this has happened. And sometimes during the day, I get nauseated too. Maybe it was something I ate.” She said as he pulled her to her feet.
“Little one, please, let’s go to the medical scanner, let me make sure you aren’t ill. It will make me feel better.”
She nodded in agreement and walked with him to the medical scanner. He helped her into the device and placed the lid. She was relieved to note that she didn’t freak out as much as last time, but the look on Eon’s face as he helped her from the scanner made her feel sick all over again. “Eon, what is it? What’s wrong with me?”
“You are healthy, little one.”
“Then why are you looking at me like that?”
“You are healthy for a pregnant female.” He said so quietly, she almost didn’t hear him.
She walked over to him, and placed her hand on his shoulder before asking, “I’m pregnant?”
He nodded, but his demeanor seemed to cry that he wasn’t happy about it. She started to cry, and scream at him, “If you didn’t want me to get pregnant you shouldn’t have fucked me every chance you got!” She turned to walk away from him, her tears turning to sobs, when he caught her and pressed her head to his chest.
“Oh, little one, I am happy but I am also worried. What if I’m not a good father?”
“So you aren’t upset that I’m having a baby?” she sobbed.
He lifted her chin to peer into her gaze, “No, I love you. I want babies with you.”
She nodded and smiled before burying her head back into his chest. He held her for a few moments then picked her up and carried her back to their bed where he made slow sweet love to her, kissing all her tears away.
Chapter 11
Two days later she stood staring out at the planet she would now call home. Oddly enough it was the third planet in its solar system, but it sort of looked like a Mars mixed with Earth from the ship. She could see that a lot of the planet was reddish in color and it made her wonder if that was what caused Eon and Kylan’s reddish skin tone. When she asked Kylan he stated it was a possibility. She told him about how some humans turned orangey when they ate lots of carrots, so he analyzed some of the pigment from some of the wild life and minerals they consumed. Kylan told her that it was probably the reason they had reddish toned skin, when Serenity looked into the mirror after their conversation, she noted a small change, from pale alabaster to a slight pinking of her skin.
Eon had told her that upon landing she and Anna would be escorted to meet with the council, where Kylan would discuss his findings and Eon and Serenity would announce their pregnancy. She was worried they wouldn’t let them stay together, or they would request her to go back to where she came from. Eon told her not to worry, but she couldn’t help it. She didn’t know what she would do if the council decided against Eon’s and her union. She was pregnant with an alien’s baby for goodness sakes!
When they landed, Eon clasped her hand and led her down the landing ramp. She was amazed at how sweet the air smelled, the light breeze blowing her hair from her face. She was awed with the way their communities were built. They seemed to build with the planet adapting dwellings and cities to the land, not tearing down the land to make buildings. The buildings all seemed to be made with the reddish clay, and when she asked, Eon told her that the clay was made into bricks and coated in a plant byproduct that made it water proof when sealed. The homes were topped with thousand s of reflective surfaces that Eon described as solar panels. He told her that each house was equipped to catch water and solar energy. Apparently a plant on the planet was placed in the water tanks and acted as a natural filter, allowing for use and reuse of water. There were no power lines or telephone lines. No pavement. When she asked, he stated that they walked most of the places that they went, and for longer journeys they took solar powered vehicles that sort of floated above the ground. All in all she thought it was rather nice, and Eon also boasted that they left little to practically no imprint on the environment of their planet.
They walked down the path to the large building in the center of town. The absence of people made her kind of worried. She looked up at Eon, and asked, “Where is everybody?”
“They are waiting for us at the Council building. I called before we landed. They are excited to hear about our trip. I know it doesn’t seem like it but we’ve been gone for almost a year.” He replied. That didn’t make her feel that much better. They were waiting to ogle at the aliens that had been brought back. Eon ushered them past the small crowd standing outside the red building. She couldn’t help but notice how few females there were. She knew they had been ravaged by a virus, but it never really made sense until she saw if firsthand. She kept close to Eon, as he took a seat on some benches in the front row. Kylan and Anna not far behind sat beside them.
“Welcome home Eon and Kylan. We are happy to have you back and with such good news,” said the older man that sat at the front behind a long table full with six on each side of him, all looking at Eon and Kylan with interest. Eon stood and walked to a few feet in front of the man, before speaking.
“It is good to be home High Councilor Alric. We do bring good news. If you would allow Kylan to discuss his scientific findings, I will conclude with our announcement that I promised.”
Eon sat down at the High Councilor’s acceptance of his request. Kylan moved to the floor to discuss his findings. “Approximately five years ago, our planet’s peoples were ravaged by an illness that decimated our female population. Those who didn’t die from the virus were left infertile. As everyone knows we tried everything known to us. Almost a year ago, Eon and I were sent on a trip to Earth. The seer stated that th
is planet would be our salvation, the answer to our problems. I am here today to present the evidence that she was indeed correct. Earth is similar to our planet in mineral composition and wildlife, yet obviously different. The first information we gathered when landing on Earth was a DNA sample from the locals. What I found astounded me. The DNA was the same. We are genetically the same species.
I didn’t stop there. I collected ova from both male and female species and tested their compatibility with ours. The control group being the human male sperm mixed with a human female ovum. The experimental groups being Eon and my sperm mixed with a human female ovum. Not only did every test fertilize, it was evident that the control group couldn’t be separated from the experimental group.
Upon getting to know the earthlings I have concluded, that we are the same species and their differences stem from the differences in environment and culture, not genetics.”
At Kylan’s conclusion, Eon stood and clasped Serenity’s hand in his, taking her with him to the center of the room. Serenity blushed from all of the stares on her. “I’d like to introduce the Council to Serenity Smith, my mate. She is a female of Earth and we would like to announce her pregnancy of the first Salin and Earth mating.” She watched the looks of surprise flash across the faces of most of the councilors, but the High Councilor stood and walked toward them, he stood around the same height as Eon. He peered down at her, his eyes searching hers as if for her soul. Then a smile broke his face and he clasped her into an embrace. He released her and kissed her on the cheek, before clapping Eon on the shoulder and stating, “My son, you are to have a little one? I am so proud.”
Serenity forgot herself at his revelation, looking up at Eon and saying, “He’s your dad? You didn’t think to tell me I’d meet your father?” Eon and his father laughed at her dismay, but his father left to reclaim his seat. Eon led Serenity back to her seat, as Kylan led Anna to the same place. She didn’t miss Anna’s glance and Anna stared at her to say, “You’re pregnant?” Serenity nodded as she took her place beside Kylan.
“I’d like to introduce Anna Smith, my mate. She is a female of Earth and we would like to announce her pregnancy as the second Salin and Earth mating.” He said the pride evident in his voice. Eon rose and clapped his friend on the shoulder and went to regain his seat. The man to the right of the High Councilor stood and stared at Anna. He came forward and gave her a hug and kiss on the cheek. “Son, I am also proud. Alric and I are truly blessed to be able to welcome the children of our children.” He took his seat next to Alric and beamed with pride when Alric clapped him on the shoulder.
The High Councilor then stated, “Kylan and Eon have done Salin proud. We accept that Earth is the answer to our problems. The fact that we are essentially the same people is enough to authorize the Council to vote on whether we will allow our males to collect mates from Earth or accept our fate and die out. We will re-convene in five days’ time. The Council is dismissed.”
Chapter 12
Eon lived on the outskirts of his community next door to Kylan. He had a three bedroom house furnished in the natural colors of Salin. Serenity thought it was lovely. She was also happy to see the small field behind his house. It didn’t have wildflowers everywhere, but the trees at its edge gave it enough of a feel for her dream world field that she smiled. Eon had confessed he chose to live here because of the field. Kylan chose the house next to his because it had seemed a good idea at the time. Serenity was happy that Anna would be so close. The bedroom she and Eon shared held a bed with a beautiful green bedspread. Eon told her she could change whatever she wanted to change about the house. The only thing she had been eying was the bedroom she had decided would make a great nursery. The rest could be changed a little at a time if she decided it didn’t suit her tastes.
Four days on Salin and Serenity was cursing her pregnancy. She vomited at the drop of a hat and she felt horrible. She was fatigued. She hated it. It had started to get worse earlier that morning, and she told Eon that he needed to get Anna. She needed Anna’s L&D experience. Anna took one look at her, and then said, “Serenity, I’m really not sure this is the pregnancy. I mean, yeah, you have morning sickness and fatigue, but you’re running a fever and sweetie, what are these little bluish spots on your upper arms? Has Eon seen these?”
“No, I’ve felt like crap for the past couple of days, so he hasn’t really had a chance to see me naked. I didn’t even notice those bluish spots. What the hell?” Serenity replied.
Kylan walked into the room calling Anna’s name and stopped, the blood draining from his face as he saw the bluish spots on Serenity’s arms. He walked over and grabbed Anna, pulling her from the room. He called Eon’s name. Anna’s protests could be heard as he exited the house with her. Serenity moaned.
Eon rushed into the house a couple of minutes later, his face pale and an edge of panic on his face, as he scooped her up from the bed. “Eon, what’s wrong?” she asked as he hurried from the house. “Where are we going?”
“I’m taking you to the healing center, little one. You are exhibiting signs and symptoms of the virus, the blue death.”
Serenity’s world stopped on its axis. She felt the color drain from her face and her nausea rise in her throat. “Stop, Eon. I’m gonna be sick.”
He released her long enough to vomit, then hurried into the healing center. He took her straight to a scanner, sitting her gently into its cushioned interior. She felt panic rise as he closed the lid. When the lid didn’t open in a couple of minutes she began to beat on the lid, which finally slid open. She stared up into the face of a male with green eyes, his face grim. “Where is Eon?” she asked.
She sat up and the male helped her from the coffin –like scanner, but she fell to her knees from weakness. She noted Eon lying on the ground, and she crawled to him. Kylan walked into the room and picked her up in his arms, “Serenity, he had to be sedated. I’m going to take you to a different room where we can hook you up and start attempting to heal you. She looked up at Kylan in confusion.
“You have the blue death, Serenity. We have to try and stop it from killing you.”
She felt the tears slip down her cheek as he laid her on the cushioned bed. Other males began hooking her up to machines. Someone placed what she assumed was an IV or its equivalent in her arm. Kylan looked into her eyes and said, “I’m giving you something to help you sleep, Serenity. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of Eon when he wakes up. You rest, and I’m going to take very good care of you.” Serenity managed to nod once before the drug took her from consciousness.
* * * * * * * * * *
Eon roused slowly, reaching for Serenity but she wasn’t there. He sat up and looked around, only then did his memories rush back to him. He saw Kylan sitting in the chair by his bed. “How is she?” he asked, afraid to know the answer.
“She is stable at the moment. I gave her a sedative.” Kylan responded.
“It is the Blue Death, isn’t it? I’m going to lose my mate and child.” He said in a whisper.
“Don’t give up hope, Eon. Maybe it will be a very mild illness. Anna seems to not have contracted the illness. I am having her scanned twice daily. Would you like to see her?”
Eon nodded following Kylan to Serenity’s bedside. He crawled into the bed beside of her, careful of the monitors and tubes, and held her close, his tears spilling onto her face. His heart constricted painfully at the thought of losing her. He knew he wouldn’t be able to go on. If his Serenity died, then so would he.
“I love you, little one” he whispered into her ear. She smiled and clasped his hand in her sleep. He fell asleep holding her hand.
He met her in the field. She sat there in the sun in that pale blue nightgown. He sat beside her taking her hand in his. She looked over at him and smiled. “I love you, too.” She said to him. “Please make love to me. I need you.”
He pulled her onto his lap, his mouth taking hers, tasting her sweetly. He ached at the taste of her, the feel of her in his arms.
She encircled his neck losing herself in him. He laid her down gently and removed the pale blue nightgown from her frame. He kissed her from head to toe savoring her, showing how much he loved her. He entered her with gentleness, and moved so slowly and gently tears fell from her eyes. As they reached their completion together, he held her as she cried her anguish onto his chest. His heart was breaking from the possibility of telling her goodbye, and his silent vow that without her he would die also. He held her as she slept within his arms, awakening to the ugly truth that she was getting worse.
* * * * * * * * * *
Ceylon looked into the room to check on the little earth female. Eon was holding her close. He felt the tears slide down his cheek, and swiped them away before walking into the room and administering the pain medication. His heart was breaking all over again as he saw his beautiful Ashwin dying the slow death this little female seemed to be dying. They hadn’t been mated long when she woke up one morning with the blue spots. Their appearance like a kick in the gut that signaled the beginning of the end of her life. He remembered the way the Blue Death had taken the person he loved most and took everything from her to her last breath. He had for the past two years lived as a shell of the man he once was, his wounded heart bleeding once again as the virus ravaged another’s mate. He left Eon to his female, wiping the tears that seemed to keep flowing despite his efforts to remain apathetic.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Anna was furious at Kylan for not allowing her to see her friend. It had been three days and while she understood his reasoning, she still felt the need to see her. Kylan clasped her hand, and pleaded her with his eyes. She didn’t have any more tears to cry, she had cried so much. She laid her head in Kylan’s lap and let sleep take her. She dreamed of taking Anatomy and Physiology with Serenity, the time she asked her a few questions about the genetics chapter.