slight weight. All those years ago, if he had only known that this was all it took: holding them. The Cires had been so desperate to save themselves that they set their children apart, confining them to sterile incubators rather than embracing each precious little life. And it shocked him to his core that having Tiana in his arms now kept him from sinking into guilt and sorrow over all those lost lives. Because with Tiana, he had been able to save someone.
A soft noise drew his attention to the doorway. Abigail stood there, looking sleepy and adorable.
“You didn’t need the cardigan,” she said a little sadly.
“No, my flower.” He held out his free hand, and she came and joined him on the couch, curling against his side as they both watched Tiana. “I suspect it is no longer necessary.”
Her lips trembled as she tried to smile. “Good. That’s good. She doesn’t need me anymore.”
“I don’t think that’s it.” He looked down at the infant to see that her eyes were focused on Abigail. “After last night, our scents are mingled. I believe that she has accepted me because of that.”
“But that’s temporary, right? What happens when it wears off?”
He suspected that would never happen—that Abigail was a part of him now—but he didn’t mention it.
Instead, he shrugged lightly. “Hopefully, by then she will have grown accustomed to my scent as well.”
“I was thinking about that yesterday,” she said slowly. “What if that’s something else your babies need to thrive? They bond—imprint—on their first caregiver. Perhaps your labs should add that to the other things they are trying.”
He stroked Tiana’s tiny tail where it wrapped around his wrist as he considered what Abigail had said. The infants needed more than just physical contact; they needed a bond with their caregivers.
“It had not occurred to me,” he admitted, “but given the way Tiana has reacted, that is an excellent suggestion. I will send a message to see if it would be possible to assign a specific person to each group of infants.”
Pleased as he was with his mate’s suggestion, he found he was not as excited as he should have been. Of course, he wanted his people to continue, but his thoughts were no longer concerned with their fate, but with his new family.
“You’s left me.” Now Lucie stood in the doorway, an accusatory look on her face.
“Just letting you sleep, baby,” Abigail said, holding out her arms.
Lucie pouted but came over and curled up in Abigail’s lap. His tail wrapped around them both, pulling them into his side while he fed Tiana. Immense contentment filled him as they sat together in the quiet room.
“What do you plan to do today?” he asked at last.
Abigail sighed. “I’m not sure. I still have a little more sewing to do, but I’m almost done. At home, I work with the girls on various things—learning household skills, financial planning, educational programs, whatever they need to prepare them to take care of themselves and their children.”
“That is most admirable.” Abigail’s role in the lives of her girls was similar to his duty to his young crew members.
“It’s why I started the home to begin with. To give girls with few alternatives a safe place to give birth and get a head start on a better life.”
“Chores and school first, then naps, then play time,” Lucie piped up, and Abigail laughed.
“That’s right, baby.” She smiled at the little girl, then looked at him. “I’ve found that a routine helps the girls. We also make dinner together.”
“Would you like to do that tonight?” He only hoped that Pravit’s tolerance towards Lucie would extend to the rest of the females.
“Maybe. Everyone has their hands full with the extra babies, but it might be nice to help Pravit. If he doesn’t mind, of course.”
“I likes Pravit,” Lucie said. “I wants to help him!”
“Just because you help him doesn’t mean you get any pastries,” Abigail warned.
Lucie’s face fell. “None at all?”
“You can have one, and that’s only if you’re good.”
“Okay,” she sighed, then smiled. “I likes his stories, too.”
Tiana had finished her bottle and dozed in his arms. He burped her as Abigail had shown him before he asked, “Do you have the cloth for the sling?”
“Are you going to take her again?”
“Yes. As you suggested, I want her to get accustomed to me.”
“You’re right. But maybe I can have a turn with her after lunch.” She bit her lip. “I won’t have much time left with her.”
“Yes, my flower.