PEARL

MONTHS LATER

"Merry Christmas," Dumuzi said, placing a box wrapped in glittery silver paper on the small, round table in front of me. It had a dark red bow, all nice and frilly, and my heart cinched right in my chest. 

It reminded me so much of home. Of Earth. After the tight pinch, a flood of warm came, and I gave him a smile. 

But then the pinch came back. 

I pursed my lips. "It's Christmas?"

I guess I wasn't paying much attention.

"On Earth, Oui," François said behind me, fiddling with some silver ribbon a table. She was putting together her own gift, it seemed. Who was it for? For Shadrach? 

I didn't have time to wonder for too long, because she stopped and sorted through a large box of baby garments, all of which had been handmade by elderly Enukis mothers, whom I had yet to meet. She was sorting them by size because Dumuzi and I couldn't go through them all by ourselves.

There were a ton.

Despite her recent busy schedule, she made time to see me, which was nice. She'd been a member of the council for a few months now, and her role was to oversee the defense of our home planet and to work on communication and teamwork. Her most recent goal was to integrate our civilizations together on a small scale, which the council deemed ridiculous and opposed strongly.

She was holding her ground, though, and I knew she would win out. 

She was doing it for a good reason; more numbers, more power. She believed that there were good humans that could learn Enuki technology and prepare themselves for a looming war; one that might involve even them.

As if we needed a war when we were picking up the pieces of our recent global catastrophe. 

Earth couldn't be sitting ducks. Knowledge was power, and Ona would forever be a threat. He had to be dealt with, but the cosmic laws were strict. We couldn't make the first move, only he could, and just as Dumuzi said, it could be years or decades.

The thought made me swallow hard. 

My son would be grown—a child—around the time the war began. Dumuzi was had a plan to keep us safe and was sure that Ona would meet his demise.

I hoped he was right, because this Ona had been the topic of many nightmares as of late...

"Thank you." I cleared my throat. "I'm kind of... gifted out, though. You didn't have to give me anything."

I glanced around our stylish, glittery room at all the boxes, flowers, and gifts given to me by various Enukis over the past couple of months. Even with the threat of a distant war, Dumuzi and his people were adamant about upholding a sense of normalcy.

I was gifted soaps, candies, perfumes, bouquets, jewelry, gowns—everything you could think of. Everybody was excited and celebrating, and all I could do was not panic and pee when I sneezed. Even a present from his mother sat unopened on a loveseat. As I thought about her gift, I made a face because that pinch was back. 

Or was it the baby kicking my ribs? 

I tugged on the red ribbon wrapped around Dumuzi's gift. I sat up, cradling my planet that was my stomach, and raised an eyebrow at what was inside. Man, I was a truly terrible gift-receiver. Was it the autism, or was that just... me? 

"Candies," Dumuzi muttered, looking a bit worried. For me? "Mainly for after the delivery."

Candies?

"I can't have any right now?" I picked out a few of them. They were wrapped with shiny foil and looked like hard candy. Did he have these made for me, like the ones from Earth? 

My eyes prickled with emotion.

"Of course you can. You eat too many sweet things at once. You need to be watching your blood sugar. It has been getting rather high in the mornings—"

I flapped a hand at him. "Yeah, yeah."

He was a nervous father already; I couldn't do anything without him shadowing my every step, watching everything I do, not letting me lift a finger for anything. He treated me like I was as breakable as glass.

Let me get that for you. 

You shouldn't be lifting. Nothing above fifteen pounds!

You need to stay off your feet today.

Pearl, when was the last time you ate?

Small meals throughout the day for your nausea. Please. 

It was the please that always got to me. 

I chewed my lip at what he was wearing; all gold and white, with a button-up shirt and long jacket. His hair was in a thick braid all the way down his back, as was tradition if you were an Enuki with a child on the way. His face was more handsome than normal, and his floral scent left me yearning and wanting in more ways than one. 

I would never get over how beautiful he was. How otherworldly. 

He wouldn't let me touch him. He used to let me, but now that I was poorly balanced and huge, he thought I would hurt myself. I wanted to roll my eyes again. 

I'd been trying to seduce him for months, wearing various gowns that resembled lingerie, and even got a traditional mating gown from Ogrik last night. The thing was stunning; transparent, glittery, and flowing. I felt like a sexy queen in it. 

Dumuzi took one look at me with it on and made a comment about the weather. He did it with a smile, intentionally. Because he knew. 

He very well knew what he did to me, and he was always quick to satisfy me in other ways, and I him, but I wanted all of him. 

It wasn't fair. Sometimes a girl needed to be dicked down, you know? 

I sighed, leaning back into my chair. "Thanks again." 

The prospect of having sex, which how large I was, probably wasn't the best all things considering. I was tired and achy most days, but I glowed. Even my hair had a nice sheen to it. I'd never seen my hair so healthy and long. My skin that was normally breaking out due to stress was clear as a summer sky. 

He chuckled. "You're welcome."

The days were ticking down to my delivery; it was close. I tried not to think about it, or it would send me panicking. I wanted to meet my son. I already loved my son. But I was sure nothing would ever be the same again as soon as he was here.

Our whole worlds would change.

François rounded my chair and held up two little booties and raised an eyebrow. The light coming in from the open window made her glasses shine. The curtains billowed in the wind, as did her soft chocolate curls that fluttered. 

"Look how tiny!" she squealed.

I looked away, feeling Dumuzi frown at me. I eyed his mother's gift from across the room and swallowed. I was too upset to think about booties, even though they were cute. Shit, there was just so much going on in my head at the moment. 

The twinge in my belly came back, along with a very strong ache in my back. I groaned. 

"A moment, François?" Dumuzi asked, and I knew that tone.

I clenched my jaw.

"Right," she said, tossing the tiny boots onto the table. "I've got some paperwork to turn into Shadrach, anyway. I'll be in my room nose-deep in a few books I need to read. I'm learning how to read and write Enuki!"

That was incredible, and I was happy for her. I'd love to learn as well, but... things. So many things. Within a few moments, she was gone, and I could feel myself tensing by the moment. 

Dumuzi sat in the chair across from me, crossing a leg, his lavender eyes gentle. I shifted in my seat and felt a kick to my rib. I sucked in a sharp breath, trying to give him a smile. 

He studied my face. All too keenly. "You are upset again. Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not really."

"It is about my mother. You are afraid to meet her. I do not know why." 

Damnit. He was always right and picked up on everything I didn't want him to, even without the bond letting him into my thoughts. 

I ran nervous fingers through my hair, shaking my head. I didn't even know what to say to him. I didn't feel adequate enough to meet her.

I was not one of them. I was human. 

"Yes, I am afraid of your mother," I admitted. "I've never met a gal Enuki. In my head, they are proud, as large as you, and probably a lot smarter than me." 

"Two of those things are correct. You are smarter than you give yourself credit for." 

According to rumor, Dumuz's mother was cold, stone-faced, and quiet. Unnerving to a degree. I was sure that didn't mean she was a bad person. Enukis were different from humans in a lot of ways. I just struggled to communicate with humans to begin with. 

"It is just something I need to get over, you know?" I went on. "Besides, I'm sure she will want to see our kid, so..."

"So?"

Dumuzi cocked his head to the side, waiting for me to continue. A lock of his white hair hung long all the way down his chest. My mouth went dry. My words were getting stuck in my throat as of late. 

I sighed and tried again. "So... this week, then? Is that good for you?"

Might as well get it over with.

"You cannot avoid her forever. She is a part of our family."

I nodded, feeling a little bad about avoiding her. When a particular jab to my ribs made me wince, I shifted my weight in my chair. I stood up, stretching my arms over my head. My eyes stung with a yawn. Sleep had been terrible as of late, since my child, like his father, didn't require much sleep, even for an gestating infant.

I winced. "I think I am going to take a nap. My back has been killing me today, and—"

Another really horrible cramp in my back. 

A sudden gush from down below made me jump.

Did I just pee myself?

I raised an eyebrow, my face going aflame. It certainly wouldn't have been the first time, but I didn't think I had to use the restroom. Shame made my head drop and my shoulders hunch. I was a mess nowadays. Could my backpain be a full bladder? I didn't think so, but weirder things have happened...

"Oops," I said, then stepped forward. More liquid gushed out. With. Each. Step.

Oh, shit.

I bit my lip and glanced at my husband, who looked... amused somehow. "Sorry. I didn't think I had to go. This is embarrassing. Can you get me a towel or something?"

"No need to be embarrassed." He smiled. "You did not urinate, Pearl, by the scent. I had a feeling this would happen soon. You have been three centimeters dilated for weeks now; I checked you just yesterday. You have been complaining of an aching back today, yes? Contractions, most likely."

I deadpanned. "So you are saying that is my water—"

"Yes."

"That means that the baby is coming soon, right?"

He gave me a sharp nod. He stood, brushing his fingers across my chin, and kissed my cheek. I rubbed my stomach, adrenaline flooding my limbs. The baby is coming, the baby is coming—

No! I still need time to... to... figure stuff out!

The stub of his straight nose ran alongside my neck, his cool breath raising goosebumps. "Relax, Pearl. The time has come for Rain; he is ready to meet the worlds. Ogrik is on his way, do not worry yourself."

I gave him a sharp, jerky nod. "Right. Relax. Got it."

Rain. I had given him that name. Rain gave Earth life; it was pure, thunderous or gentle, and much needed for life to take hold.

Ogrik came inside, flowing gracefully with a bright smile on his dark, handsome face. "It is time!" 

Pain shot from my back to my heels and I winced. I put a hand on the arm of the chair, bracing myself. More liquid gushed from between my legs. How could there be more? Christ on a cracker, how much water could their be?

"How are you feeling?" Ogrik asked, clasping his hands together. All he had to do was look at me to find out, so why did he ask? "We have your room put together. As discussed, Dumuzi will be the one delivering, and I, assisting with pain and comfort. We want this to be as painless as possible, and with our technologies, that can be achieved—"

It felt like my back was being kicked in half. My midsection hardened, and I spoke through my teeth. "Sound great. Sounds perfect. Some pain killers now would be nice. Jesus, my back! What is this? Is it supposed to be like this?"

Was it supposed to feel this freaking terrible? 

"It is his position," Dumuzi said, his face all too wiped of emotion. He likely wanted to seem calm for me. "Entirely normal. Let us go to check you, see to your comfort, and meet our Rain. Are you ready?"

No. 

But I guess I had to be, right? 

The pain ended and I gave out a shaky breath of relief. I knew it was just the beginning, though, and in a few minutes, it would be back. There was only one way to remedy this: to have a baby.

He held out a hand. 

I took it. "I'm ready. He's had an eviction notice for weeks now. I'm tired of being a big balloon."

Dumuzi chuckled. I followed him out of the room, leaning on him for support, waddling the entire way. Through the gilded hallways of the palace, my chest warmed as I thought about meeting Rain. I no longer was afraid, and no longer did I feel like I was going to be a failure.

I wasn't my mother.

I was Pearl.

I had fought hard to save Earth. Not only that, I had fought for what I believed was right. When war comes, I will fight hard, too.

Because of Osa, I would age the same as Dumuzi. I could spend my existence learning everything; spend my existence experiencing everything, bettering myself to prepare for the biggest fight of our lives. 

Right alongside him.

Before, the world had seen me as eccentric, entirely too much, with a feverish curiosity that one day might get me killed. I squeezed Dumuzi's hand. He smiled down at me, his sure gaze chasing the last bits of anxiety in my veins.

To him, I was just enough.

**

Rain was... beautiful. 

Wispy white hair like his father and so, so tiny, but had strength as he wrapped his hand around my finger. So warm, so soft, with gentle coos and grunts that made me smile. His eyes were the prettiest blue I had ever seen. Like aquamarine, bringing such a lovely rush of happiness through my sweat-soaked body. 

He was perfect. 

Son. You will do incredible things in life. I just know it.

***

BOOK TWO WITH SHADRACH POSTING VERY SOON.

UNTIL THEN,

Want another steamy love story with a darker, more forbidden flair? Check out my current story, MINE TO HAUNT, for a sizzling monster romance with a haunting vibe. *Mine to Haunt is a completely different story with new characters.

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