Jacie and the Alien Bodyguard (Intergalactic Brides 6) (11 page)

“Care to explain why the guard I sent to watch over Jacie not only told me he’s no longer welcome there, but looks like he’s been to war and back?” Larimar asked.

“I took exception to a comment he made about Jacie’s daughter. He suggested that she put the child up for adoption because she’ll be different from everyone else here. He didn’t see the child as being perfect and thought it would be better to get rid of her. I didn’t care too much for his opinion, and neither did Jacie since she broke her hand trying to punch him in the face.”

The councilman’s expression darkened. “Cosmir left that part out. I’ll deal with him later. Right now, I need to find another guard for Jacie.”

Barimere cleared his throat. “About that… I would like to petition the council to take Jacie as my mate. And… I’d like to ask that the council
not
contact Myro. Just let everyone believe the babies are mine. I was stationed on Earth the same time Myro was, so no one has to know they aren’t mine.”

“I’ll discuss it with the council, but if you’re certain you want to make Jacie your mate, I’m sure they won’t have an issue with it. We’re meeting tomorrow so I’ll put in your request then. I should have an answer for you by tomorrow night.”

“But you don’t foresee any problems with the mating?”

Larimar smiled. “No. In fact, the council will be delighted to hear that you’ve changed your mind. We were hoping the two of you would make a match of it when we put you together. I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have watching over Jacie and the babies. The doctor informed us about one of the girls being not quite right.”

Barimere growled. “There’s nothing wrong with my daughter. She’s going to be beautiful and perfect.”

Larimar lifted a hand. “I didn’t mean any offense. We’ll try to prepare the citizens of Terran Prime about the arrival of your daughter and what to expect. Perhaps, if they learn ahead of time about this Down Syndrome then maybe they’ll be more accepting when she’s born. We want her to have a happy life here, and if she can’t, then you’ll have to return to Earth.”

“I don’t care where we live, as long as I have Jacie and the babies in my life.”

“Good answer. Go ahead and introduce her to your parents, Barimere. I can guarantee your mating will be approved. And none of us will say a word to Myro. As far as everyone, including your family, is concerned, the babies are yours in every way.”

“Thank you.”

“You’ve never asked for anything, Barimere. It’s the least we can do for you.”

Shame burned through him as he thought of his time in captivity, but he pushed it aside. Jacie didn’t care about his scars or how he got them, and he wouldn’t either. It was a part of his past, and while he’d never forget, he could move on and start a new life with her.

Before he went in search of Jacie, he made arrangements with his parents to meet at the Earth diner for dinner. He didn’t tell them about Jacie and knew they were going to have some questions, and would be a little disappointed in him for getting her pregnant without the benefit of being mated. And truthfully, it isn’t something he would have done, but he had a role to play now and he needed to let Jacie know about it.

He found her in the bedroom, putting the last of his clothes away. She smiled when she saw him and walked over, then wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned into him. Barimere held her close and kissed the top of her head.

“You’re going to meet my parents at dinner tonight,” he told her. “And they know it isn’t typical of me to sleep with a woman, get her pregnant, and abandon her… so we’re going to have to think of something to say.”

“I’ll tell them partial truths. Just enough truth that it’s believable. When you left Earth, I didn’t realize I was pregnant. And by the time I told your council, they gave me some time to get my affairs in order and said I should tell you in person.”

“They’ll be angry I slept with you and didn’t claim you as my mate.”

“Maybe I was hesitant because I worried whether things could work between us.”

Barimere shook his head. “I’ll take the blame. I want them to love you, not resent you for thinking I might not be good enough. I’ll tell them that I worried you could never accept me as a mate because of my scars. It’s true enough.”

She pressed a kiss to his chest. “You don’t still think that, do you?”

“No. For whatever reason, you accept me just as I am.”

“What time did you say we were meeting your parents?”

“Dinner.”

She looked out the window at the setting suns and turned wide eyes his way. “I can’t meet your parents dressed like this! I need time to shower and put on something nice… and do my hair, and…”

He pressed his lips to hers in order to silence her. “They’re going to love you, Jacie. Calm down.”

She looked down at her bandaged hand. “How can I shower with this?”

“I’ll help you.”

Normally, washing Jacie would bring Barimere a rush of pleasure, but knowing he was helping because her hand had been broken made him feel a little sick. He was proud of her for standing up for herself and their child, but it bothered him that she’d gotten hurt doing it. His hands glided over her silky skin, but he forced his body not to react. Her breasts were lush and full, the weight pleasant in his hands. The gentle slope of her rounding stomach made him anxious to greet the children growing within. He took his time, savoring the moment and being careful not to harm her further, but even his touch didn’t seem to distract her. There was a tenseness to her shoulders and a hint of worry in her eyes. When she was washed and dried, Barimere helped her into a pretty dress and shoes before brushing out her hair for her.

“It looks awful,” she said, turning her head one way then another.

“I don’t have a way to dry it faster. I’m sure it will dry on the way there, if we walk. Are you up for a walk?”

“How far is it?”

“A few blocks. If you get tired, I’ll carry you.”

She smiled and kissed him softly.

Barimere held her hand as they walked to the diner and he felt the slight tremor in her grasp. He knew she was nervous about meeting his parents, but she had nothing to worry about. He, on the other hand, had everything to fear. His father was going to tear into him first chance he got, and his mother was going to give him those disappointed looks he’d seen growing up.

When they stepped inside the diner, his parents were already seated at a table and rose when they saw him. Their gazes went to Jacie and back to him, a million questions in their eyes. He hoped he hadn’t lied and that they really would love her. His mother, Zira, took a step forward and gave him a slight hug.

“Barimere, when you asked us to dine with you, we didn’t realize you were going to bring company.” Curiosity blazed in her eyes as she glanced at Jacie.

“It’s not like you to be so secretive,” his father, Ghyro, said.

“I’d like to introduce you to Jacie… my future mate, and mother of my children.”

His father’s countenance darkened and his mother blanched as she stared at Jacie’s belly.

“He didn’t know about the babies until I came here,” Jacie said. “And I didn’t realize there was more than one of them until the doctor here did a scan. The Terran doctor on Earth only did a brief test to assure the council the baby was half-Terran. When I contacted your council and said I had news for Barimere, they told me to wait and tell him in person and gave me a few months to get my affairs in order before moving here.”

Zira narrowed her eyes. “You slept with my son but he wasn’t good enough to be your mate while he was on Earth? He’s only good enough now that you carry his children?”

“I didn’t ask her,” Barimere said. “I thought… I didn’t think she should settle for someone like me.”

“I told him that his scars didn’t bother me, but he didn’t believe me.” Jacie’s hand tightened on his as she stared his parents down.

Zira eyed Jacie up and down before turning toward Ghyro, as if asking what he thought of the situation. Barimere was a little worried his father wouldn’t accept Jacie, but he was counting on those grandchildren she carried to be a big motivator for everyone to get along.

“You said babies,” Ghyro said. “How many are there?”

“Four,” Jacie said softly. “And one is… different from the others.”

Oh hell. Barimere hadn’t thought about that. It had taken his father a while to accept his scars when he’d returned from war. Would Ghyro be able to accept a baby that wasn’t perfect in his eyes?

“Different how?” Zira asked.

“Maybe we should sit down and order?” Barimere suggested. “We’re making a scene by standing here airing our family business in front of everyone.”

Zira and Ghyro sat on one side of the table, and Barimere seated Jacie to his left on the opposite side. Jacie’s hand trembled as she made her selection on the menu and Barimere reached out and took her hand in his. His parents weren’t exactly setting her at ease and he was getting angry with them. Maybe he shouldn’t have suggested this meeting. If he’d thought for one moment his family wouldn’t accept Jacie with open arms, he’d have kept her to himself a while longer. Maybe indefinitely.

“What did you mean one of the babies is different?” Zira asked.

“She has something called Down Syndrome,” Jacie said. “It’s an Earth condition and she’s going to look different from her sisters and brother. It seems your world thinks everyone should be perfect so I’m a little scared about her reception on Terran. I’m going to give her the best life I can, but she’s never going to be like the others.”

“Have you researched this Down Syndrome?” Ghyro asked Barimere.

“Not yet. We just found out today.”

Zira looked back and forth between them. “I’m going to be a grandmother?”

“Times four.” Barimere smiled. “I had thought you would be pleased with the news. I’ve already petitioned the council to make Jacie my mate and we’re just waiting to hear back. I was told I should know something by morning.”

“At one time, I was the type of male who valued perfection in those around me,” Ghyro said. “But after Barimere came back scarred, I had to re-evaluate things. The marks on his body didn’t make him any less than he’d been before. I’ll research this Down Syndrome so I will be familiar with it, but I will welcome my granddaughter with open arms regardless of what she looks like.”

Barimere felt Jacie relax next to him, and he was grateful that his parents were being reasonable.

“Have you bought any baby furniture?” Zira asked. “Or clothes? You said sisters and brother. Are there three girls and a boy?”

“We haven’t bought anything yet,” Jacie said. “And yes, there are three girls and a boy. I had thought maybe the girls could have Earth names and I’d let Barimere give his son a Terran name.”

Barimere was surprised, but pleasantly so. He hadn’t really thought about names, or who would choose them, but knowing she would allow him to name their son filled him with warmth. He’d been around humans enough to have picked up many Earth female names. He wondered if she’d let him help with those names as well.

“Have you thought of any names in particular?” Zira asked.

“I’ve always liked the name Ashley,” Jacie said.

“For our special daughter?” Barimere asked.

Jacie licked her lips. “I thought you might help me name her. Or…” Her gaze swung toward his parents. “Perhaps her grandparents would like to name her?”

Zira’s eyes widened and Barimere saw a flash of appreciation in Ghryo’s gaze.

“We don’t know many Earth names,” Zira confessed.

“I’ve always liked the name Jennifer,” Ghyro said. “I heard it once when we were first setting the terms with Earth’s government. One of their officials had his daughter with him and that was her name.”

“Jennifer,” Jacie said then smiled. “We could call her Jenny.”

Ghyro nodded and Barimere saw pride shining in his eyes. So it seemed two of their daughters had names. That left two more children to name. “I’d like to name our son Lyndir.” Barimere waited to see what Jacie would say about the name.

“It means something to you, doesn’t it?” she asked.

“Lyndir was my best friend growing up. We even went off to war together. Except I came home, and he didn’t. We were barely seventeen at the time.”

Jacie blanched. “My son won’t be required to go to war at such a young age, will he?”

Barimere shook his head. “We lost a lot of lives during that battle and the council decided that in future they would only send those who had trained for a certain amount of hours. The only way to meet that requirement is to train rigorously until you’re nineteen.”

“I don’t want my baby going off to war.” Tears gathered in her eyes and Barimere smoothed her hair back from her face.

“I’ll convince him to go into a safe profession that will keep him here at home with you,” Barimere said. “I don’t want to think of our son going through the hell I survived either. I come from a long line of warriors, but maybe it’s time to change that.”

Jacie nodded and leaned into him.

Their food arrived and they discussed the babies some more as they ate. Zira convinced Jacie to go shopping with her, when she felt up to it, to purchase some things for the babies. It seemed his parents were starting to come around and accept Jacie and the babies. Barimere hoped his parents would grow close to his new family. If anything ever happened to him, they would be all Jacie had on this world.

When dinner was over, Jacie hugged his mother then hesitantly approached his father. Barimere watched as Ghyro gave her a stern look before breaking out in a smile and dragging her into his arms for a tight hug. After they made their goodbyes, Barimere grabbed Jacie’s hand and led her back toward their home, stopping several times to ask if she wanted to be carried. The third time she glared at him.

“Do you want me to break my other hand?”

He was horrified she would even suggest such a thing. “Of course not!”

“Then stop asking if I need to be carried or I’ll see if your jaw is as tough as Cosmir’s was.”

He blinked, startled for a moment that she’d threatened violence toward him, then he laughed. Swooping down to kiss her in the middle of the street, he picked up the pace and hurried home a little faster. Suddenly, he couldn’t think of anything he wanted more than to get Jacie alone -- and naked.