Loving Kit (Felines of Furyne Book 1)

by L. M. Brown

  Finally, Halor entered the room with the news Logan had been waiting for. “We’re ready to go,” he said.

  “Did they get everyone out?”

  “Yes,” Halor confirmed. “We wouldn’t leave otherwise.”

  Logan let out the breath he hadn’t realised he was holding. “Thank goodness.”

  Halor nodded to Kit. “He should be safe enough where he is for the journey. He certainly doesn’t seem to be in any danger of falling off the bed.”

  “I’ll stay with him,” Logan said. “Let’s get back to the Jupiter.”

  Halor gave him a quick kiss and squeezed his shoulder. “Then we’ll start looking for some crafts for your people to use. Once they’re self-sufficient in that regard, we can concentrate on Kit and the babies.”

  “Yes,” Logan agreed. “I’ve been thinking about our family, and as luxurious as this ship is, I’m not sure I want to raise a family on it.”

  “Me neither. Youngsters need fresh air and only on a planet will they find that. Mine is out of the question, as is yours. That leaves either Kit’s planet or one where multiple species co-exist. We’ll talk to Kit about our options when we’re back on the Jupiter.”

  Halor slipped back out of the bedchamber and Logan moved over to the bed, risking waking Kit so he could ensure he was safe if the ride became bumpy.

  He wondered where they would be when the babies were born and what the world they would raise their children on would be like. He guessed he would find out soon.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Back on the Jupiter, the three of them settled into a routine.

  Captain Trent had reluctantly accepted Logan’s resignation, which he felt obliged to give to her personally now, despite it already having been accepted by Captain Farraday.

  Ricky didn’t seem to want anything to do with the aliens and had been very vocal in speaking out against Halor and Kit whenever the occasion arose. Unfortunately, some of the other people were all too willing to listen to him. Kit made every effort to avoid Ricky whenever possible. He no longer felt accepted by the humans and retreated to the Bastet more and more often.

  His intention to stay out of sight wavered as his pregnancy progressed and he felt an unfamiliar restlessness. Slipping off Halor’s ship, he found a quiet corner of the Jupiter to pace instead.

  “There you are,” Logan said as he rounded the corner. “I’ve been searching everywhere for you. What are you doing all the way down here?”

  “Just walking around, thinking,” Kit said. “My back is aching all the time at the moment and I can’t get comfy.”

  “A nice warm bath might help with that.”

  Kit gave him a small snarl and Logan chuckled. “Still don’t want to immerse yourself in water?”

  “Definitely not.” Kit shook his head. There were some things that were just wrong, no matter what the circumstances.

  Logan gave him a sympathetic smile and rubbed the small of his back. “Better?”

  “A little, but I don’t think it’ll go away completely until after the birth.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault.”

  “Well, technically it is,” Logan reminded him. “I am the one who got you pregnant.”

  Kit grinned. “Yes, I guess I can blame you. I’m so relieved you stayed with us when you found out.”

  “I’m not leaving you for anything,” Logan said, “and neither is Halor.”

  “I know. Halor would give up everything for me, even his own family.”

  “Has he heard from them?” Logan asked.

  “A message arrived this morning from his mother. She still wants me to be punished for betraying Halor by having sex with you. Halor is furious.”

  “I don’t doubt it.”

  “I wonder how your parents would have reacted.” Kit said. “I wish I could meet them.”

  “I would hope they’d have been happy for us,” Logan said. “Though, since they died several years before I left Earth, I can’t say for sure. What about your own?”

  Kit sat down and rubbed his belly. “I don’t know who my father is. Since he had no wish to know his son or any of his children, I doubt he would care to meet his grandchildren, either.”

  “What about your mother? You’ve mentioned her before. Would she be pleased for you?”

  “I don’t know. My mama encouraged me to hide what I am, but I know that was because she feared for me if people were to find out. I’d like her to see the babies.”

  “Do you want to visit her?” Logan asked. “I’m sure Halor would take us to see her if we asked him.”

  “But what about the rest of your people? There are far more out there than those we got out of the Pleasure Station.”

  “We’ll find them, with the help of the crews of the Jupiter and Neptune.”

  “I know, but you can’t waste time pandering to my whims when your people could be in danger.”

  Logan sat down beside Kit and took hold of his hand. “You are every bit as important to me as the missing crew. You’re carrying my children and I’m going to spend the rest of my life with you and Halor.”

  “But the crew?”

  “The crew and passengers number in their thousands. It could take a lifetime to find them, and even then, we might never locate them all. If I were to put the rest of my life on hold while we search for them, I’d have no life at all. If you want to see your mama and rest a while as we welcome the babies into our family, then that’s what we’ll do.”

  “I don’t want to be selfish, stopping you from doing what you need to.” Kit sniffled and quietly cursed the female hormones he had begun to blame for every embarrassing emotional outburst.

  “It’s not selfish. Besides, Halor and I wanted to speak to you about where we’re going to start our family.”

  “You did?”

  “Yes. The Bastet might be the height of modern avian technology and luxurious enough for a royal prince, but it isn’t the best environment for bringing up children. Wouldn’t you rather live on a planet, in one place, where we can raise our babies in fresh air?”

  “Yes, but your people and Halor’s courier work…”

  “Halor can do short-haul work or find other employment, as can I—or you, if you like. Just because you’re carrying our children doesn’t mean you can’t have a job if you want one. Halor and I will be doing our share in caring for the babies.”

  “You won’t be able to feed them,” Kit pointed out. “I couldn’t leave them for long before they’re weaned.”

  “I know, but when they’re older, I want you to know that you have other options.”

  “Thank you,” Kit said and he hugged Logan tight.

  “Come on,” Logan said. “Let’s go speak to Halor and find out how long it would take to get to your planet. Then I’ll speak with the captains.”

  “You think the captains will just let you fly off with us?” Kit doubted it very much.

  “Why not?” Logan replied. “I resigned my commission, and if they should argue about my leaving, I’ll remind them that I’m entitled to paternity leave.”

  “What’s that?”

  “It means that even if I hadn’t resigned, I should get time off work to welcome our babies into the world.”

  * * * *

  Halor had no problem in charting a course for Kit’s planet and confirmed they should make it there in time for Kit to give birth, though they would be cutting it fine.

  Both Captain Trent and Captain Farraday agreed with Logan’s request, and, with a little persuasion, they convinced Captain Farraday to let Darcy come with them.

  Darcy had tried to talk them into letting another medic come with her but with no success. There were further rescue missions planned and they needed all the medics awake and ready to act in any emergency.

  Kit assured Darcy that his people had many healers who attended births and his mother had delivered many litters. All would be well, and chances were that Darcy would have to do litt
le more than monitor him on the journey and wait to welcome her nephews to the world.

  Kit could hardly believe he was going home after all this time. He hoped his mama would be pleased to see him, because he needed to see her—needed her comfort and her expertise in how to handle the two young hybrids he would shortly be bringing into the world.

  They left the Jupiter behind and headed out on the short journey to Kit’s planet. Kit hoped Halor was right and that they would make it there in time for his mama to assist with the births. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Darcy, but he’d like to have his mama’s expertise, too. His instincts told him his time would come soon. It seemed that even though he carried half-human babies, his pregnancy was only going to last the six months of a feline. Right now, with his back aching and his paws swollen, he found himself grateful for that fact.

  * * * *

  Logan woke to the feel of someone poking him in the ribs.

  “Wake up, Logan,” Kit said.

  “I’m awake,” Logan groaned. “What is it?”

  “It’s started,” Kit replied.

  “What’s started?”

  Kit nudged him again, harder this time. “What do you think? The babies are coming.”

  Logan’s first instinct was to panic, and he practically fell out of bed as he struggled to escape the sheets. “Stay calm. I’ll be right back, just stay calm.”

  “I think you need to take your own advice,” Kit said. “Go fetch Darcy.”

  Logan ran from the room and charged into Darcy’s quarters. “Darcy, come quick.”

  Darcy turned to face him and gave a small scream. “Logan, put some bloody clothes on!”

  “Fuck!” Logan tried, with little success, to cover his bits as he backed out the door. He grabbed Darcy’s clipboard from the desk and held it in front of his groin.

  “What are you running around naked for, anyway?” Darcy asked. “We haven’t reached Kit’s planet yet, have we? Though even if we’ve arrived, I’m quite sure you could spare a few minutes to put on your kilt.”

  “Kit. It’s Kit,” Logan said. “He’s in labour.”

  Darcy shot up. “How far are we away from Furyne?”

  “Still a few days before we’ll land there. It’s just visible in the distance, though I had to really strain to see it when Halor pointed it out earlier this morning.”

  Logan caught a brief, but quickly smothered, flash of panic in her eyes before she calmly gathered her things. “You should go fetch Halor. I’m sure Kit will want you both with him.”

  Logan ran to the hatch and called up through the opening. “Halor, it’s time. Park somewhere safe and get down here.”

  “Two minutes,” Halor called back.

  Logan could hear the sounds of the ship slowing down as Halor brought it to a halt in a safe orbit, out of the way of other vehicles. In this area of space, the Bastet was likely to be in the way of any number of ships unless they parked in a designated safe zone.

  Back in the main bedchamber, Kit was pacing along the back wall, his hands at the small of his back.

  “How are you doing?” Logan asked.

  Kit frowned at him. “Why are you carrying a clipboard?”

  Logan had forgotten he had picked it up at all. He tossed it onto the top of the chest of drawers.

  “Clothes, Logan,” Darcy reminded him.

  Logan grabbed his discarded kilt from the chair he had tossed it on and wrapped it round his waist. “Happy now?” he asked.

  “Much better,” Darcy replied.

  Logan huffed. “I notice you’re not complaining about Kit being naked.”

  Darcy rolled her eyes. “Kit isn’t my brother. He’s also about to give birth. When you’re the one going into labour, then you can be naked in my presence. Until then, keep it in your pants—or under your skirt, as the case may be.”

  “It’s a kilt,” Logan muttered.

  “Yeah, yeah, keep telling yourself that,” Darcy said. “Kit, how far apart are the contractions?”

  Kit growled at her. “I don’t know.”

  Darcy raised her hands, palms facing outward. “Okay, Kit. Do you want to get back on the bed so I can take a look at you?”

  Kit hissed and snarled.

  Halor appeared in the doorway. “Am I too late?”

  Darcy looked at him askance. “You’ve never been around anyone giving birth before, have you?”

  “No, I haven’t. How did you know?”

  Logan snickered. “Because even I know that was a really stupid question. Births tend to take a lot longer than the time it takes you to park a spaceship.”

  “Oh. How long do you think it’ll take?”

  Darcy shrugged. “I might be able to give you an idea if Kit would let me close enough to examine him.”

  “Kit, why don’t you let Darcy take a look at you?” Logan asked in his most calming tone.

  The only response from Kit was another stream of hissing and swearing.

  “Is this normal behaviour for felines giving birth?” he asked.

  Halor shrugged. “You’re asking me like I’ve been around pregnant felines before?”

  Darcy snorted and rolled her eyes. “You might not have been, but I’ve been around pregnant women, and I’d suggest you both stop talking about Kit like he’s not in the room, because it’s only making him more angry with you.”

  Logan inched closer to Kit. “Kit, darling, it’s going to be okay. I promise.”

  “This is your fault,” Kit snarled, swiping at him with his claws.

  “I know, and you’re right. My ignorance has got you into this situation.”

  “Stop patronising me,” Kit shouted.

  Before Logan could reply, Kit gave an ear-piercing yowl and dropped to his hands and knees.

  “That doesn’t sound good,” Logan said to Darcy.

  “I’ve heard worse,” Darcy replied as she dropped down beside Kit. “Come on, Kit. Let’s get you up onto the bed. You’ll be more comfortable there than here on the floor.”

  Kit hissed at her.

  “Um, you might want to step back,” Halor said. “Those claws are pretty lethal.”

  “Kit’s not going to hurt me. Are you, Kit?” Darcy asked.

  Kit mewled and whimpered as the contraction eased. He let Darcy help him onto the bed, but when Logan tried took a step closer, he hissed at him again.

  Darcy set up the holo-scan at the side of the bed so she could check the position of the babies.

  “You better stay back, Logan,” Darcy said. “I don’t think Kit wants you near him right now.”

  Halor approached from the other side of the bed, but Kit appeared equally reluctant to let him near, either.

  “Maybe I should wait on the flight deck,” Halor suggested.

  “Me, too,” Logan said.

  It was hard to say whose glare was the worst. Apparently neither Darcy nor Kit liked either of their suggestions.

  “Don’t you bloody dare,” Darcy snapped. “I’m going to need your help.”

  Logan hovered in the doorway. Every time Kit whimpered, he took half a step closer then remembered Kit’s reaction to his presence and stopped himself.

  Kit finally let Darcy near enough to examine him and Darcy announced that she thought they had a bit of time to go yet.

  “Time to get to Furyne?” Halor asked, though not with much hope in his voice.

  “How quick could we make it there?” Darcy asked.

  “Two days if I push her to her limits.”

  Darcy shook her head. “Forget it. The babies will be born well before then.”

  Logan and Halor paced the room as Darcy did her best to make Kit comfortable and set up what she needed for the birth.

  When Kit’s next contraction came, Logan and Halor exchanged a look, and Logan could tell exactly what Halor was thinking. It was the same as him. Kit’s labour had only just begun.

  Darcy had never liked seeing idle hands and quickly set Logan and Halor to work, fetching everythin
g that she needed while she took care of Kit.

  “You’re doing great,” Darcy said to Kit after he had passed through another wave of pain.

  When he saw one of the pillows was slipping, Logan walked to Kit’s side to put it right. He was right beside him when Kit yowled. Instinctively, Logan moved to comfort him. Kit normally kept his claws carefully sheathed, so much so that Logan often forgot he had them. In his pain, Kit’s usually dormant animal instincts were taking over. Now they were tearing up the bedding.

  When the next contraction started, Kit lashed out blindly, his claws swiping across Logan’s chest, tearing through his skin. Blood poured from the four gashes.

  Kit howled again.

  “Logan, you need to go find something to stem the bleeding,” Darcy said.

  “I can’t leave Kit.”

  “Those cuts are deep,” Darcy shouted. “You’re dripping blood all over the bed. Halor, drag him out if you have to. I can’t leave Kit, not at this stage. Just hurry back. I’ll need your help.”

  Halor pulled Logan out of the room by the arm. “The sooner we get you fixed up, the quicker we can get back to him.”

  They hurried to the galley and the nearest of the ship’s first-aid kits. They were close enough that Logan could still hear Kit’s cries.

  “I wish we were back on the Jupiter,” Logan said. “The ship would have far more options for Darcy to try to ease his pain. The stuff she brought with her isn’t doing any good.”

  “You don’t know that anything else would, either,” Halor pointed out as he passed a sterilised cloth to Logan. “Even though our three species appear to have evolved along very similar lines, we are remarkably different.”

  “I know, but I guess I forget sometimes.”

  Halor raised his hand and carefully unsheathed his own talons. “Our people evolved from creatures who were predators. We don’t retain many of their characteristics, but we have enough that we remember where we came from.”

  Logan shivered and lowered his eyes on the pretext of checking the scratches. “They’re still bleeding.”

  Halor rummaged through the emergency kit and found a strange-looking device about the size of a pen. “We’ll have to seal them with this.”