Mama and the Alien Warrior (Treasured By The Alien #1) - Honey Phillips Page 0,47
of equipment at the hospital.”
“Just saying.” She shrugged.
“Everything will be sterilized,” Mekoi assured them both. “And we have clamps to separate the umbilical cord. I just wish I knew more about the process.”
“Then it’s a good thing I brought TeShawna along. She can describe the procedure when she gave birth,” Abby said cheerfully. “Why don’t you see what they have set up, TeShawna?”
The girl made another face but disappeared into the room, and a moment later, she could be seen questioning Kwaret intently. Mekoi went to join them, but Abby stopped him.
“Dr. Mekoi, are you familiar with birth control? To prevent pregnancy?”
“Of course I am familiar with the concept.” A shadow crossed his face. “It has been forbidden on Ciresia since the third year of the Red Death.”
“I can understand that, but now we have humans and Cires in, um, close companionship. I wouldn’t want any unexpected consequences.”
“You mean that humans and Cires can mate?” he asked eagerly. “But this is wonderful news.”
“I don’t know if they can or not,” she said quickly, her cheeks heating. “But we don’t need to find that out accidentally, either. We’re returning to Earth, remember?”
His eyes went to TeShawna, and he bowed his head. “I cannot forget.”
“And we don’t want anything unexpected showing up once we get there,” she said firmly. “A half-Cire child would not be treated well on our planet.” She shuddered to even think what would happen if the government got involved.
“I understand. Most Cires are not forgiving of differences either.” He finally dragged his eyes away from TeShawna. “You wish for something to prevent pregnancy?”
“I think it would be smart, yeah. Elaina and Jedan are sharing a cabin.”
“So are you and Hrebec.”
Her cheeks were definitely hot now. “Nothing has happened between us,” she said quickly, then sighed. “But if there’s one thing I preach to my girls, it’s that it only takes one slip. It’s better to be prepared.”
“Are you at a fertile time?”
She did a quick calculation in her head and decided she must be about three weeks into her cycle. “I should be past it for this month. Why?”
“I would like to take a blood sample.”
“Great.” She made a face but held out her arm. “Go ahead.”
“It won’t hurt,” he assured her.
Remembering how easily he had injected the translators, she tried to be optimistic about the procedure. He was true to his word; she only felt a brush of cool air and a slight pressure before he pulled back with a small vial of blood.
“I will see what I can determine,” he said, but as he took the vial to a counter, Abby noticed that his gaze wandered back to TeShawna. He placed the vial in another device and entered some information into its control panel.
“I think sooner—rather than later—would be best,” she said, and he shot her an amused look.
“I will make it a top priority,” he promised. “The spectrometer will perform the analysis while we talk. Did you wish to share your knowledge of childbirth now?”
“Sure.”
He led the way to the back room, and Abby gasped when she saw Kwaret’s battered face.
“What happened to you?” She whirled to confront Mekoi. “I thought the Cires were civilized.”
“They did not do this,” Kwaret said quickly. “Commander Khaen was… unhappy to learn that I provided assistance to the Cires. Captain Hrebec and Medic Mekoi have graciously allowed me to remain here rather than returning to the brig.”
“I’m so sorry you were hurt because you tried to help us.”
Kwaret looked uncomfortable. “I was originally trained as a medic. However, my family determined that it would be more profitable for me to join this… trading mission.”
Mekoi made a derogatory noise and Kwaret’s shoulders hunched. TeShawna and Abby both glared at the doctor and he looked a little ashamed.
“Well, I’m glad you were on this mission, no matter how ill-intentioned it might have been,” Abby said. “If it weren’t for you, Tiana would have died. You’ve also been a big help here on the ship.”
“He has been of assistance,” Mekoi admitted. “Now, shall we discuss how human females give birth?”
Chapter Twenty-One
When Abby left the lab with TeShawna a few hours later, there was a small packet burning a hole in her pocket. Mekoi’s machine had provided him with an analysis and he had slipped the resulting pills to her before they left. He had also provided two bottles with different variations on the nutritional supplement for Cassie to try with Angel.
“What did the doc give you?” TeShawna asked curiously.