Текст книги "Valiant"
Автор книги: Laurann Dohner
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Текущая страница: 11 (всего у книги 17 страниц)
“Can I do anything?” Flame hovered behind them, now done calling for more help.
“I don’t know.” Tammy panicked. “She’s only five months along. It’s too early. I got her a blanket in case she’s going into shock.”
He cursed viciously. “I’ll wait at the door to direct the doctor inside. Tell me if you need something.” He paused. “Hang in there, Trisha. Slade is coming fast. He was downstairs at the cafeteria.”
Trisha finally stopped panting. Her face had turned a little red and the hold on Tammy’s hand eased. The doctor opened her eyes. “That was a strong contraction.
Do you have a watch or can you see a clock? I need to time them.”
Tammy glanced at the DVD player. “I’m watching the clock. What else can I do?”
“Nothing. I just want Slade.”
“Flame said he’s coming. Did you hear him? Slade is just downstairs.”
“He always stays pretty close to me.”
“TRISHA !” A man roared and then Slade launched through the doorway. “I’m here.”
Tammy had to scamper out of the large man’s way as he almost landed on top of her to get closer to Trisha.
He gripped the doctor’s hand and cupped her face with his free hand. He had a frightened expression on his face.
Tammy backed up and stood, putting some room between them.
“Talk to me, sweet thing. Is the baby coming?” Slade inched closer.
Trisha nodded. “We need to get to the trauma bay.”
“A ll right. I’ll carry you. Just hold on. I’m going to move you very carefully.”
“Not yet. I feel another one coming.” Trisha’s face contorted as she threw back her head and moaned loudly as she started to pant again.
Tammy glanced at the clock. “Uh-oh. She said to time the contractions but a minute hasn’t even passed since her last one.”
Slade’s head jerked in Tammy’s direction. “What does that mean?”
“It means the contractions are really close together.
The closer they get, the faster the baby comes. Under a minute apart is usually birth time from what I know.”
Tammy shrugged. “A t least that’s what I’ve been told.”
“Damn it,” Slade growled. “Trisha? Sweet thing? I’m right here.” He rubbed her face with his fingers to comfort her while he kept hold of her hand too. “I’m right here and I’m with you.”
“Hurry,” Flame shouted from the hallway. “This way.
She’s inside here.”
A man wearing a doctor’s coat rushed into the room with two men wearing scrubs on his heels. The two male nurses each carried a large duffle bag. There was a boxlike machine with a small oxygen tank that the doctor set down. The guy in the white coat, who had to be Dr.
Harris, yanked gloves from his pocket and put them on.
He bent over the back of the couch to reach Trisha, pulled back the bedspread that covered her lap, and paused. He met Slade’s gaze, who nodded, and the doctor reached under Trisha’s skirt. He removed her panties with her help. The doctor gently nudged his elbow against her knee to push her thighs apart.
“I’m examining you, Trisha. I need to see if you’re dilated.”
Trisha nodded, still panting. She looked as if she were in a lot of pain. The contraction lasted for a long time. Dr. Harris withdrew his bloody glove.
“Slade, we need to lay her flat. She’s having this baby right now.” The doctor gave orders to the two nurses.
“Open up everything and prepare for anything. Move!”
“I won’t allow her to have the baby on the floor,”
Slade growled.
Tammy glanced at Flame, who still hovered by the door. “Go grab the top mattress from the bed in the first bedroom and bring it in here.” Tammy tried not to panic as she grabbed the coffee table and dragged it to the corner of the room.
Flame carried the queen-size mattress into the room as easily as if it weighed nothing. Slade moved a second before he dropped it on the floor by the couch. Tammy moved back to stay out of the way. Slade lifted Trisha into his arms. She moaned, but wrapped her arms around his neck. He gently turned and laid her flat on the mattress. Slade moved until he sat on his bent legs above Trisha’s head. He gently reached under her arms and pulled her up until his thighs acted as a pillow for her.
“I’m right here, sweet thing. I’ve got you,” he crooned to her.
Trisha started to relax. She reached up to grip Slade’s thigh with one hand and clutched his hand with her other. “Don’t leave me.”
“Someone would have to kill me to take me from your side.”
A smile curved Trisha’s lips. “You always make me laugh.” Her focus fixed on Dr. Harris. “Well?”
“The only thing stopping you from having the baby is your water hasn’t broken. When did the contractions start?”
Trisha glanced at Tammy expectantly. Tammy darted a look at the clock. “A bout six minutes ago.”
The doctor didn’t appear happy with that news. “This is happening way too fast.”
“We knew it would probably happen early,” Trisha said softly. “The baby is ready to come. I guess he can’t even wait on a regular labor timetable to be born.”
The two nurses spread open the emergency medical supplies. The duffle bags had long zippers down them that opened similar to suitcases with everything neatly stored inside two sealed halves of plastic pockets.
Tammy stepped back farther, now trapped in the corner, to give them more room. She’d have to step around medical supplies to leave. She stayed put.
“There’s more blood than I expected,” Slade growled.
“Not much,” Dr. Harris sighed. “It’s a normal amount.
She’s lost her plug. Once I break her water, if it doesn’t break on its own, this baby will come.” He glanced at his two nurses. “A re we ready? We aren’t sure if the lungs are fully developed. They looked great on the ultrasounds but we need to be prepared in case there are complications.”
“His lungs will be fine,” Trisha groaned. “Here comes another one.”
“We’re ready,” one of the nurses said, grabbing the box thing with oxygen the doctor had brought, and set it near the supplies within their reach.
“A s ready as we can be in a hotel room,” the other one agreed.
“We don’t have time to move her to the trauma bay.”
Dr. Harris bent on his knees between Trisha’s thighs. “I’ll leave the skirt on since it’s loose.”
Slade nodded. He turned to stare at the door. Flame stood there and a few more New Species had arrived to hover inside the open door. “Clear out.”
They retreated and the door closed firmly behind them. Slade’s gaze locked with Tammy’s but then he ignored her. Tammy assumed that meant she could stay since he hadn’t told her to leave as well. She didn’t really have a choice since she was trapped. Trisha panted before she gripped Slade’s hand tightly again. Slade lifted her hand to kiss the one he held and the fingers of his other hand ran through her hair to caress her.
“Her water just broke with the contraction.” Dr.
Harris cleared his throat. “I’m going to examine you again.” Dr. Harris put on a new glove. He examined Trisha and nodded. “I’d say a few pushes and your son is going to be here. You’re ready.”
Trisha nodded, peering up at Slade. “Don’t look so scared. I’m being brave so you have to be too. He’s going to be fine and healthy. I’ve run every test there is and we’ve found nothing wrong.”
Slade nodded. “I know, Trisha. I can’t help being scared for you and him.”
“Don’t be. We’ll be– Shit! A nother one is coming.”
“Go ahead and push if you get the urge,” Dr. Harris encouraged. “Only if you get the urge.”
“I know,” Trisha panted. “I’m a doctor too, remember?” She groaned, sucked in air, and her face turned a splotchy red. Her body tensed when she began to push.
The nurses began to remove things from their plastic holders. Tammy hugged her chest tightly, worried she was about to see a tragedy happen. Babies born at five months usually didn’t make it and her heart was breaking for Trisha.
“I see the head.” Dr. Harris sounded excited. “He’s coming, Trisha. He’s got a full head of hair.”
Slade reached over, yanking at Trisha’s skirt until it bunched near her ribs to totally expose her rounded stomach. His focus centered between her bare, parted thighs to watch the baby being born. Trisha gasped in air and pushed harder.
“The head is out. Stop pushing,” the excited doctor ordered.
Tammy couldn’t help but stare over Slade’s shoulder.
Dr. Harris grabbed a suction bulb to clear the baby’s mouth. Trisha had stopped pushing and panted hard.
Tammy couldn’t look away from what was taking place.
A nurse handed over a small towel next that the doctor took, shoving it out of sight, maybe under the baby or Trisha.
“Push, Trisha. I know you’re tired but I need one strong push from you to clear his shoulders.”
Trisha gasped in air and tensed as she pushed. A scream tore from her as the baby slid out of her body to land in Dr. Harris’ waiting hands. The doctor lifted the baby up. Tammy stared at what should have been a tiny preemie but instead seemed to be a full-term baby.
Dr. Harris cradled the baby’s upper body against his arm and chest, his palm holding the baby’s bottom and used the towel to gently rub the baby’s torso and face. A newborn scream rent the air. Tammy nearly collapsed from relief at the wonderful sound. One of the nurses leaned in to clamp the umbilical cord and cut it. He assisted in delivering the afterbirth and cleaning Trisha up after the delivery.
The baby wailed and wiggled inside the doctor’s hold. He actually appeared healthy and normal-sized, if not a little bigger, than a full term baby. The doctor accepted another towel from one of the nurses to rub the baby dry. The baby stopped crying but he continued to wiggle and kick his chubby legs. Dr. Harris grinned as he wrapped the baby in a blanket, securing him papoose style.
“He looks great, guys.” Dr. Harris laughed, grinning widely. “A bsolutely healthy. His color is perfect, he’s breathing like a champ, ten fingers and toes, and he’s strong.”
Trisha grinned while Slade absolutely beamed with happiness. He hesitated and then held out his hands. Dr.
Harris leaned up and transferred the wiggling baby to Slade. Slade’s large hands cupped the baby gently and he lowered it into Trisha’s waiting arms. They both held the baby together, smiling and staring in wonder at the newborn.
Dr. Harris tore off his gloves, grinned, and high-fived the nurse closest to him. “YES!”
Laughter erupted from all three. Dr. Harris climbed off the mattress and stood. Tammy watched in shock as the doctor bear-hugged both of the nurses who had assisted him. They turned then, watching Trisha and Slade with the baby. A ll three of them seemed over-the-top happy.
“We have our first healthy New Species baby!” Dr.
Harris laughed. “Congratulations, Trisha and Slade. He’s beautiful.”
Slade smiled, grinning at the doctor. “Thank you, Harris.”
The doctor nodded. Trisha suddenly reached up with her free hand, gripped Slade’s hair at the base of his neck, and dragged his face down to hers. She kissed him soundly on the mouth.
“I love you so much, lollypop.”
He laughed as he kissed her again. “I love you too, sweet thing. Our son is a miracle. A gift. Thank you.”
Tammy let their words and actions sink in until it hit her as if she’d been slapped. She gaped at Trisha and Slade, the big New Species man with the sandy-brown, blond-streaked hair. Trisha had just given birth to Slade’s baby.
Tammy’s gaze flew to the baby, realizing he was the first New Species baby. That’s what Dr. Harris said .
Trisha had been only five months pregnant. The baby was huge and obviously had been born healthy. Her gaze locked on the tiny features of the baby that she could see from her position in the corner. She realized his little scrunched-up face wasn’t totally human. His nose looked too flat, too wide, and she’d never seen a baby with cheekbones that prominent before. Babies had pudgy, rounded cheeks but this baby different.
Trisha didn’t have a boyfriend somewhere else. Slade was her boyfriend. He always remained with her. A lways.
They kissed again, laughing. That’s how Trisha knew it was possible for human women to get pregnant by New Species. Tammy pieced it together quickly. Trisha knew because Slade had gotten her pregnant. Not only that, but a baby fathered by a New Species could be born at five months into a pregnancy.
Tammy leaned against the wall, needed the support to stay on her feet, and watched the couple bond as a family. The love between Trisha and Slade, their joy at having a healthy son, made her ache a little. They were incredibly happy and it showed. She bit her lip as her full focus fixed on the baby. She’d always loved holding them when her friends had them and had always wanted to one day become a mother.
I could have that with Valiant if I got pregnant by him. That could be us one day. The thought shocked her.
* * * * *
Valiant couldn’t help but grin when he walked into his bedroom. Tammy sat on the bed with pillows stacked behind her back, watching television, but her gaze met his as he closed the door softly. He’d just returned home to find his new living quarters a mass of activity.
He dropped his bag of clothes on the floor by the door he’d closed. Trisha had given birth to Slade’s child, it had gone well, and security was about to remove them from the suite to relocate the new family to the medical center. He’d seen the baby and it had brought pure joy to his heart.
“He’s perfect. Did you see him?”
She nodded.
She seemed pale to him and he frowned, some of his happiness fleeing. “They said you know the truth. A re you angry with me for not telling you that Slade was the father of Trisha’s child? I wasn’t allowed to share that information. I’m sorry. It wasn’t my secret to tell.”
“It’s not that.”
He paused, needed a shower after running around in the woods, but he wanted to know what was wrong. He approached the bed and stood at the end of it. “You are angry with me for not telling you that Slade was the father.”
“I’m not. Really. I’ve been sitting here doing a lot of thinking. I get why I wasn’t told. I still wouldn’t know who the father of her baby is if she hadn’t gone into labor in our living room, right?”
“I won’t lie to you. No. Probably not.”
“I saw him.”
“Slade? He never leaves Trisha side or if he has to, he doesn’t go far.”
“The baby.” She licked her lips. “He looks just like his father. I mean, it’s hard to tell when they are newborns but he’s got the features.”
“Slade is his father. He’s the first New Species baby born.”
“There’s a lot of people in the world who aren’t going to be happy when they find out about that baby.”
Valiant’s entire body tensed. “A re you going to tell them?” The pain of possible betrayal tore through him.
“No!” She frowned and glared at him. “I just meant I understand why I wasn’t told. I get it. Trisha and her baby are going to be in danger if those hate groups and fruitcakes find out. Men like the ones who kidnapped me would come after her and the baby. Or worse. They’d just want to kill them outright.”
He could breathe again now that he knew she’d keep the baby a secret. “Yes. It’s our worst fear and why very few know about Forest.”
“Forest?”
He smiled. “It’s what they have named the baby.
Forest Slade North.”
“I like it.” She smiled.
“He was conceived in the forest.”
Tammy laughed. “Seriously?”
“Yes. Trisha insisted on the name and Slade agreed.
He liked it.”
“They really love each other. I saw them together.
They are so happy about the baby.”
“They are.” He tilted his head, watching her, trying to guess what bothered her. “What is wrong with that?”
She suddenly moved and crawled toward him over the mattress. Valiant’s heart raced and his gaze traveled over her body. His cock instantly hardened as he watched the sexy way she stalked closer to him. She stopped inches from the end of the bed, her gaze held his, and she smiled.
“It made me feel a little jealous.”
He tried to understand what she meant but he wasn’t sure.
“The way they looked at each other and the love between them. Even the baby. I swear he’s the cutest one I’ve ever seen. Please sit down.”
He sucked in air as he sat next to her. His heart rate increased and suddenly Tammy rose and threw her leg over his lap to sit on top of his thighs. Her arms wound around his neck and her fingers brushed through his hair. She smiled at him.
“I think any baby by you would be absolutely adorable.”
He couldn’t speak. His mind blanked. He didn’t want He couldn’t speak. His mind blanked. He didn’t want to take her words wrong but it almost seemed as if she were offering to try to have his baby.
“I’m not ready to have one yet but now I’m considering it.”
He smiled. “Really?”
“We need to get to know each other better but I want to give us a chance. Do you think I could get a job here at Reservation? Maybe stay a while? I’m in no hurry to return to my life. I would like to stay with you and see where you and I go.”
“We’ll go to my house.” His arms wrapped around her. “You don’t need a job. You’re mine. I’ll care for you.”
“It’s not that simple.”
“Yes, it is.” He pulled her tightly against him. “You belong with me.”
She curled into his chest and his heart swelled with warmth.
“I want to stay with you.”
Her admission made his heart swell with more love for her. “I’ll never let you leave. You’re mine and I’m yours.”
She chuckled. “You make it sound so easy.”
He nuzzled her head with his cheek. “It is. You just stay with me.”
Chapter Eleven
“I’m not selling my grandmother’s house.” Tammy frowned at Valiant and then at the attorney who sat in their living room. “Do I have to sell it? I have some money saved to pay the taxes on it this year. It was the house I was mainly raised in. It’s all I have.”
Valiant growled softly. “You do not need that house anymore. You are going to live in our house here. My home is yours now. There is no reason to keep it.”
Charlie A rtzola cleared his throat. “She owns a lot of things that she would like to keep. It is normal. It was the place where she grew up and it’s filled with her belongings and memories.”
Valiant hesitated. “Fine but you no longer live there.
You can keep it but you are to never live there again.
You live with me at our home here. It’s not safe for you to leave Reservation. You were already attacked once.”
The attorney blew out a relieved breath and flashed Tammy a grin. “Now, can we get on with the paperwork?
You need to sign this so I can obtain a marriage license.”
Tammy hesitated. Valiant wanted to marry her and had the attorney arrive with the paperwork to start the process. It seemed he wanted to push her into a fast marriage. She hadn’t expected him to want to seal the deal immediately when she’d said yes to his proposal earlier that morning.
Tammy turned to stare at Valiant. “What if I want to go back to work? I like working sometimes.”
He growled and his golden eyes narrowed. “You will be too busy to want to work. I will keep you very occupied.” He closed his mouth. “I want you to be at home with me. I will care for you.”
She closed her eyes and counted to ten. Valiant tended to be super pushy. It wasn’t always an attractive trait with him. It was the one thing that drove her crazy.
She opened her eyes to find Valiant watching her with his sexy gaze that always got to her.
“I love you.”
The words made her heart melt. “You do?”
“You’re everything to me.” Valiant suddenly slid off the couch and walked on his knees to face her. His hands cupped her face. “I’m happy for the first time in my life and you are the reason. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Tammy. I know you’re surprised that I want to marry you right now but I know what I want.
That is you.”
“Um,” the attorney cleared his throat. “Should I come back later?”
“No,” Valiant growled. His expression softened. “I love you. You are mine and I am yours. We will work these things out. We want to be together. We are happy and we’re mates.”
Tammy stared into his eyes, unable to look away. He meant every word. She could see that as clearly as the golden flecks in his exotic eyes. The past few days together had been the best ones of her life.
They had a lot to work out but didn’t all couples have issues? She figured they did. The idea of life without him seemed bleak. She wanted to go to bed, be held in his arms every night and wake to him nibbling on her and making love. She knew how she felt about him. He was impossible not to fall head over heels in love with.
“Okay. I love you too.” Tammy smiled at Valiant “I’m all in. Move out the way and let me sign the papers.”
The attorney looked relieved when Valiant sat back down and Tammy bent forward to put her signature on the forms where he pointed. She might be making a mistake but as she glanced at Valiant, she figured he was more than worth the risk. Sometimes you have to say what the hell. She grinned. Shit happens. Sometimes it’s good shit.
“Well, I’m on this.” The attorney quickly shoved papers into his briefcase and stood. “It was very nice meeting you both.” He nearly ran for the door and fled their suite.
Tammy laughed. “That was a big lie. He wanted away from us so bad I could almost taste it.”
“I frighten him. I could smell his fear.”
“Really? I just thought he was annoyed because I didn’t just sign on the dotted line right off the bat. He really didn’t seem happy to be here.”
Valiant smiled. “I frightened him. Fear has a smell, sexy.” He leaned closer to her. “I smelled your fear when I met you. You smell sweet when you are afraid and it turned me on.”
“Well, in that case, I bet you’re sorry you don’t frighten me anymore.”
“You get frightened when I get mad at someone else.
You think I will harm them.” He moved closer. “I always wonder if your fear is for them or for me.”
“Them. Definitely. I know you’d kick ass and take names.”
“I don’t care what their names are if I want to kick their asses.”
“It’s just a saying,” she laughed. She pressed against Valiant and rubbed her palms over his chest, wishing he wasn’t wearing a shirt. She loved touching his bare skin.
“I’m trying to say that I know you would win a fight but I don’t want you to actually kill anyone.”
“Why not?”
“Well, there’s that whole life-behind-bars reason.”
He shrugged. “Our laws here are not the same as the ones you are accustomed to. I would never kill someone without a good reason. I wouldn’t be punished for that.”
The doorbell rang, startling Tammy. Valiant frowned before he rose from the couch, stalked toward the door and yanked it open.
Tammy stared at the New Species man who stood there. It was someone she had never met before but he seemed familiar somehow. She just couldn’t place him.
He was tall, stood about six-foot-four, had long, flowing, black hair, and the darkest catlike eyes she’d ever seen.
He smiled widely at Valiant, showed off some sharp teeth, and smoothed his hands down his sides. He wore an expensive tailored black suit but it didn’t camouflage the dangerous vibe he put out. Tammy tensed.
Valiant didn’t smile back. “It is an honor that you are here.”
The stranger nodded. “Thank you for saying so. I heard the news and wanted to personally congratulate you on finding a mate. I know how excited you must be.
It’s wonderful news.”
Valiant smiled. “Yes. Thank you.” He moved to allow the stranger to step inside. “Justice North, I’d like to introduce you to my Tammy.”
Justice North? That’s why he looked familiar to her.
Tammy forced a smile, tried not to gawk at him, but he was a celebrity. He was the leader and figurehead of the New Species Organization and the most well-known of them. On television and in print his eyes and hair didn’t seem so dark. Tammy wasn’t sure if she should just keep smiling at him or if she should try to shake his hand.
“It’s nice to meet you,” she rose to her feet but stayed in place.
He smiled at her but she noticed he carefully made sure his sharp teeth weren’t noticeable when he faced her. She almost smacked her forehead as she realized why she hadn’t recognized him. That was why she hadn’t gotten it was him. It wasn’t just the hair and eyes but he smiled without showing his sharp teeth every time she’d ever seen him on TV or in pictures.
“It is good to meet you as well, Tammy.”
“Did you see the baby?” Valiant closed the door.
Justice chuckled. “I did. He’s perfect. Slade and Trisha are very proud and happy. We all are overjoyed with his healthy birth.”
“A nd the boy is Species.”
Justice seemed to beam with joy. “He is definitely Species.”
“I had wondered if the human traits would be stronger than Slade’s.” Valiant spoke softly. “I hope, if my mate and I have a child together, that it will resemble me. Tammy believes our baby would be adorable.”
“We all hoped Species traits would carry on when the baby was born. It is a good thing to no longer be alone and know we will live on in our children with future generations.” Justice paused. “But to have a child who would appear fully human would be a blessing too. To just be given the gift of them is enough.”
Tammy kept silent, not sure what to say, as she watched the two men talk. She wondered if she should give them some time alone but then Justice looked at her. He chuckled as he glanced at Valiant.
“You are so small.” Justice studied her. “Forgive me for my amusement but Valiant was adamant in some discussions we held that we should never be with humans and if any of us were going to mate with one, they needed to be strapping, large females. I find it humorous that he would claim you. I mean no offense but it is,” he grinned, still hiding his teeth, “amusing.”
“I understand.” Tammy smiled. “I’m not offended.
He’s huge and I’m not. Would you like to have a seat?”
“I unfortunately can’t stay. My life is filled with schedules that always keep me on the move. I will be here for the day to meet with security and I have an appointment with the person who does my hair.” He reached up to touch it. He sighed heavily. “Our public relations team demands that I lighten it before I go before any cameras.” He met her gaze. “Do I appear more frightening with dark hair, to you?”
“I didn’t recognize you at first. I thought you looked familiar but I didn’t know why until I heard your name.
Your eyes seem darker right now too.”
“I am forced to wear contacts too. A gain, they seem to think humans will accept me easier if I appear softer.
They also change my looks when I’m traveling in public to try to hide my real identity since I’m so well-known.”
“You look fine to me,” she admitted. “But different.”
“Thank you.”
Valiant studied the other man. “A re you staying in the hotel tonight? We’d enjoy sharing a meal with you.”
“I wish I could but I have to hold a press conference tonight at Homeland for the evening news. A helicopter will fly me home after my last meeting this afternoon. I’ll probably eat dinner on the ride home. One day I wish to take a few days off. Unfortunately, I don’t see that happening any time soon. I will be back the day after tomorrow. I have to fly in for a meeting with the mayor of the town before I go back to Homeland for an interview with a local newspaper. It’s endless.”
“You should find someone to claim.” Valiant gave him a sympathetic look. “A mate would make you happy.”
Justice chuckled. “I don’t have the time, Valiant.
Every day is usually this hectic. There are always meetings and conferences or places I need to go to for more meetings. No female would wish to share my burdens.”
“You have a hard life.” Valiant inched closer and grasped his shoulder to give it a squeeze before his arm dropped. “You have sacrificed much for us, Justice. We all owe you and appreciate it.”
Justice shrugged. “Someone had to do it, Valiant. I was the best at adapting to humans and had the best ability to blend in. It was just natural that I took the job.”
“If there is ever anything…” Valiant left the rest of that sentence unsaid but his meaning was clear.
“Thank you and I already know that.” Justice smiled at Tammy. “It was very nice to meet you and welcome to the family.”
Valiant closed the door after the departing New Species leader and walked to Tammy. He had a sad expression on his face. “I do not envy him his life.”
“He’s a busy man, that’s for sure.”
Valiant nodded and suddenly pulled Tammy into his arms. “I am glad that my only responsibility is to make you happy. He carries the weight of all New Species on his shoulders.”
“A re we going to take the last name of North too when we marry?”
Valiant nodded. “Yes. It is an honor to carry the name he chose. I support him and everything he has done for our kind.”
“What did that mean when he said welcome to the family?”
“You are one of us now. You are family. We do not have parents or uncles or cousins the way humans do.
have parents or uncles or cousins the way humans do.
We only have each other. Family is very important to us and all New Species is considered such. Together we stand strong.”
Sadness filled Tammy. “Do any of you know who your birth parents are? I mean, you had to have parents once, right? A t least a mother who carried you.”
Valiant growled. “We are all orphans. Our parents abandoned us to hell. They allowed Mercile to create us, we were nothing more than donated material to them, and the females who birthed us were done as soon as they cut our umbilical cords. We learned that from some of the doctors who were arrested.”
“I’m so sorry, Valiant.” She hugged him, heartbroken over his past. “I always said love is all you need to form a family. My mother abandoned me. I will never understand how she could do that but I’m grateful she gave me life. I wouldn’t be here without her.”
He stared into her eyes. “Where is she? Does she live?”
Tammy shrugged. “I have no idea. She dumped me with Grandma and we never heard from her again. My grandma thought she probably died. She said my mom would have at least contacted her for money otherwise. I used to pray that she’d show up one day to tell me she loved me and how sorry she was over leaving me. You know?” The pain still made her chest ache a little. “That she’d tell me she made a horrible mistake. A fter a few years I realized it wasn’t going to happen. I began to hate her a little and that turned into outright anger. I don’t want to see her now if she is alive.”
Valiant smiled. “You have me now and I will never leave you, Tammy. You belong to a large family. He or she will always know love and how it feels to be a part of a large group who will love them greatly if we ever have a child. Our child would never suffer loneliness or pain.
