Haven 4 AVOW - Sandra R Neeley Page 0,55

be able to have young ones. And doubly unfair if you are unable to provide him with them,” Mee'ta said regretfully.

Synclare looked down at the cup held in her hands. Mee'ta’s words were like a knife through her heart. She’d already thought of that herself. She didn’t understand why she hadn’t been able to produce ovum yet. According to all she’d heard and read, it should not have been that much of a problem to entice her body to produce ovum through the fertility treatments she’d endured. But then again, they shouldn’t have made her as sick as they did, either.

“The treatments make me very ill. It takes days before I’m able to get up and function again,” Synclare confided.

“Oh my! That is such a sacrifice,” Ph’eel exclaimed.

“It is, but children are important to us both,” Synclare said.

“I’m sure Lo'San will learn to be happy if you cannot give him young ones. He did, after all, choose you. I have no doubt he is devoted regardless,” Mee'ta said. “He’ll become accustomed to the idea of no young ones if it’s at all necessary.”

“We’re not giving up. We’re doing all we can,” Synclare assured them.

“I am sure you are, my bond-daughter.”

Chapter 15

Lo'San entered his and Synclare’s quarters quietly. He’d covered the afternoon and most of the night shift on the Command Deck, then spent some time with his brother’s family, and was sure Synclare was sleeping. He took his clothes off and slid into bed beside her, pulling her into his arms.

“Missed you,” she mumbled.

“You should be sleeping,” he answered.

“Did you have to work both shifts?” she asked, knowing he was later than anticipated.

“I spent some time with Ko'San, Ph’eel and their sons when I got off duty,” Lo'San explained.

“I’m glad you're enjoying your time with them,” she said, turning over so he’d spoon her from behind.

“I had forgotten how much I missed the feeling of home. It is a unique thing when those who knew you as a child see you and still care for you as an adult. It has given me a sense of pride.”

Synclare opened her eyes and stared into the darkness. His comment made her feel that it was the opinions of those recently reentering his life that mattered more than hers. Shaking her head at her insecurities, she settled back down and closed her eyes for sleep.

“What do you shake your head about?” he asked.

“Nothing,” Synclare answered.

“Ph’eel told me that she and my mother had a wonderful visit with you. She says the three of you spent the remainder of the day together and have grown quite close.”

“Your mother has taken to calling me her bond-daughter.”

“I am very happy you’ve found common ground, and even happier that my family has accepted you, my Sink Lar. I didn’t realize how much it would mean to me,” Lo'San confided.

Synclare shivered a bit when Lo'San pressed a kiss to her shoulder. “Thank you for bringing them here. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to have them prove me wrong. It would seem they truly only want me back in their lives, and they in mine. I would not have known this if not for you,” Lo'San said, the appreciation clear in his voice.

Synclare teared up a bit. She felt so many things she wasn’t quite sure which was making her so emotional. She blinked her eyes furiously, then closed them against the tears that threatened.

“Sink Lar?” Lo'San asked, propping himself up on his forearm as he looked down on her from behind. “Why do you cry? Has someone harmed you?”

Synclare shook her head again. “I’m just emotional lately. If I can’t tell you why I cried, then it’s not worth even speaking of,” she said, her voice shaky.

“If you cry at all it is worth speaking of!” Lo'San said passionately.

“Just… let it go. I’ll be fine. Get some sleep. We both have long days tomorrow.”

Lo'San eventually settled in behind her, holding her as close as he could.

Just before she drifted off to sleep, she heard him softly speaking to her. “I do not like your tears, my mate. They hurt my heart. No more tears,” he said, kissing her shoulder again, then the back of her neck.

Synclare didn’t reply, so Lo'San just snuggled her closer, and fell asleep with her in his arms.

~~~

Synclare woke the next morning alone. She lay in her bed, looking around the bedroom. She knew that Lo'San had most likely left her sleeping out of consideration, but she still would have liked to