The next day, Nicholas arranged with his mother and sister to receive Zara and Merko for dinner. Although he was worried about his girlfriend's pregnancy, he knew he would have time before he was forced to reveal something because her belly would begin to appear and Zara would not just look "chubby". Lorena and Sophia were curious to meet the woman who had won Nicholas' heart. They knew he was a good boy, though he did not have much luck with girls and hoped that this time he'd found a good person. He undoubtedly deserved it.

When the bell rang, Sophia ran to the door to answer it, anxious.

"It must be her," said the little girl, with a sigh.

"Easy, dear. Let Nick get it. After all, it's his girlfriend," Lorena interjected.

"It's all right, mom. You can leave it to me, Sophia," said the boy, already heading for the door.

Nicholas welcomed Zara, who looked beautiful. She wore jeans and a red blouse. Simple yet elegant. He kissed her lightly on the mouth and hugged her. Then he took her hand and, sensing that she was nervous to meet her new family, gently led her toward his mother.

"Darling, this is my mother, about whom I have spoken so much."

"It's a pleasure, Zara. I'm glad to meet you. I see you have made my son very happy." Lorena was enchanted by the beauty of her future daughter-in-law. "And what a scare you guys took! I was getting desperate, and I think your father must have been through the same torment..."

Zara smiled, not understanding anything, since Merko and Nicholas had not told her anything yet. He quickly made mental contact with her and explained everything.

As soon as she knew everything, Zara answered the young man telepathically:

"Nick, you know I do not like lies!"

"But, honey, I didn't have what to say. If I said I was abducted and everything, my mother would never believe it. She would think I was crazy! Remember that it was for good reason. I promise I'll never do it again."

"Then fine." She replied, with suspicion in her eyes.

"What is it, Zara? You and Nick were paralyzed looking at each other as if you were seeing a haunt" Nick's mother asked, cutting off the contact between them.

"I'm sorry, Lorena. For a moment, I remembered the bad moments we have been through these last few weeks."

"You're right, my dear. Let's not talk about it anymore."

Nicholas bowed his head in agreement with his mother. Zara continued to speak:

"But back to our initial conversation, the pleasure is all mine of meeting you. In fact, it's your son the one who makes me happy."

"This is Sophia, my sister," said Nicholas, introducing the little girl who kept jumping around them. "Isn't she pretty?"

"I think she's much prettier than you mentioned in your comments, Nick."

Sophia blushed and hugged Zara. He smiled at her, a little embarrassed. She was very happy to meet her future sister-in-law.

As they talked, suddenly the image of a man appeared in the door that was still open. Lorena and Sophia were shocked because the mother, with the joy of meeting her son's girlfriend, had forgotten that there would be one more guest and the girl had not even heard of Zara's father.

"I'm sorry, Lorena, I forgot to tell you that my father was outside, parking the car." Merko looked at Lorena with a glint in his eyes. She gave him a look of admiration and they both froze for a few seconds.

"Hello, Merko. I wanted to thank you for saving my son's life."

"I'd do it over and over if I had to. Now that he's dating my daughter, I consider him my son too."

They were paralyzed, staring at each other again, and Nicholas cleared his throat to return to the place where they were.

"And your wife didn't come with you?" Lorena interjected.

"I'm a widower," Merko explained, leaving Nicholas's mother even more embarrassed.

"Oh my God, I could not imagine..."

"Don't worry, mom. He was widowed a few years ago. He's even in the mood for remarriage," Nicholas commented playfully, leaving not only his mother red, but Merko as well.

"Please, Nicholas! Speaking like that, it looks like my father is desperate to get another woman," Zara said, trying to lighten the mood without success.

"I'm sorry, Zara. I thought there was no problem in saying that."

"Let me interrupt you, but I think the stakeholder here is me and I'll find the right person at the best moment," Merko said, glancing back at Lorena. He took her hand gently and kissed it. "Nice to see you again, this time under nicer circumstances."

Lorena liked the praise and chivalry.

"Make yourself comfortable in our house and I hope you enjoy my food."

Nicholas, Zara, and Sophia exchanged glances, feeling the mood between them two.

"Your family is very nice, Nick. I hope they like me."

"I love you, Zara. And I want you to be part of my family."

"It will be a pleasure to have you here, Zara," replied Lorena.

Sophia just nodded in approval.

During dinner, Merko and Lorena looked at each other and he remembered when he first met her. He thought of her curly hair framing her beautiful features. Never in his life had he wanted a woman as much as the one in front of him, and this was the best decision he'd ever made, to travel with his son to planet Earth. Now he would do anything in his power to conquer that woman, and Lorena also became interested in him. Things seemed to take a new turn and love involved everyone that night.

The dinner was magnificent! The three women liked each other a lot and Zara already seemed to be part of the family. She praised Lorena's food a lot and took the opportunity to talk to Sophia, who showed her room and some of her projects at school.

Lorena asked Sophia to go up to do her homework. She said goodbye to everyone and went to her room. The mother was boiling tea in the kitchen, while Nicholas, Zara, and Merko talked on the balcony.

"I'm glad we're back!" Nicholas said.

"I'm going to miss my planet, my family, and my team. But I can get used to all this affection, right Nick?" Replied Zara.

"I'll miss my adventures. I don't know if it's time to retire yet. I was so fond of traveling through space!" Merko remembered his journeys and looked at the stars that shone in the sky.

Lorena got to the balcony, interrupting them:

"Looks like the chat is very nice, but let's have some hot tea? You better come in because it's a little chilly out there and the tea I made is delicious."

They sat in the living room and talked about various subjects. Then, Merko and Zara got up to leave. Zara and Nicholas went to the balcony and kissed. Meanwhile, Merko and Lorena were saying goodbye when he said:

"I would be very flattered if you went out with me tomorrow to go to the movies. We can watch a movie of your choice."

"I need to stay with my daughter. I don't like leaving her alone," Lorena said, embarrassed.

"You can go, mom, because tomorrow I'll be home at night and I'll take care of her for you." Nicholas said, listening to the conversation, ready to help them.

"I can help you if you want too, Nick," Zara added.

"I think the excuses have run out," Merko said, smiling.

"So, I have no other way out. I'm going to the movies with you tomorrow," she replied with a smile. "But I'll let you choose the movie this time."

"I love science fiction. What do you think?"

"I like it too, though it's not my favorite."

"I'll be here at eight then. Is it OK for you?"

"Great, I'll wait for you." She answered anxiously.

Merko squeezed Lorena's hand and pulled her lightly, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

She, ashamed, said goodbye to him. Nicholas smiled, satisfied. Everything was finally beginning to fit.

And that was only the beginning... Or the happy ending, the one from the typical nine-o'clock soap opera, that the mothers watch in front of the television, tearing themselves apart. Lorena and Merko began dating, Zara and Nicholas told her about the pregnancy and ended up getting married in a simple ceremony, but full of emotion. Things on the planet Life seemed tranquil and the danger seemed to have passed...

But would it really have?

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Also read #TheDeathMoon by #ChaieneSantosWriter