Mama and the Alien Warrior (Treasured By The Alien #1) - Honey Phillips Page 0,58

she echoed his earlier thoughts, he could contain himself no longer. “I love you, Abigail.”

Her eyes filled with tears. “Oh, Hrebec. I think I love you too. It’s just that it’s all been so fast… and so confusing.”

“Shh, I know.”

Using his tail, he pulled her back against his chest, his heart full. She had not denied her feelings for him. For now, it was enough.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Abby lay awake long after Hrebec carried her to bed. His arms were wrapped around her and his tail was a comforting weight across her stomach. He loved her. The knowledge filled her with a mixture of joy and sorrow. While she had told him that she wasn’t sure, she had no real doubts that she felt the same way. If she had been the only one involved, she didn’t think she would have hesitated to join her life with his and explore this strange new world at his side. But she wasn’t the only one. She had a responsibility to the girls, of course, but even more, she had a responsibility to Lucie. What would become of her daughter in this alien environment? Lucie might want—possibly even need—a father, but she also needed a home, an education, and the promise of a future.

After a restless night, she awoke to find Lucie already dressed in her new pink dress and watching her anxiously.

The words rushed out of Lucie as soon as Abby’s eyes opened. “We’s coming to the planet and Leonardo says we can watch, but not ‘til you wakes up and I can’t wakes you.”

“Guess I’m awake now,” she said, smiling at her daughter.

“Yay!” she shrieked. “She’s awake, Leonardo!”

“Softly, Lucie,” Hrebec said, appearing in the doorway. Tiana was in his arms, feeding contentedly. “I can see that. Did you sleep well, my flower?”

“Well enough.” She shrugged, pretending she didn’t see the concern in his eyes. “We’re arriving at Trevelor?”

“Yes. We’ll be landing in about an hour. I thought perhaps your females would enjoy seeing the approach. I have had a message sent to them.”

“I’m sure they’ll be thrilled. It will just take me a minute to get dressed.”

She climbed out of bed as she spoke, and his eyes surveyed her appreciatively. “You are dressed most delightfully.”

“Silly,” Lucie giggled. “That’s Mama’s nightgown. She can’t wear that outside!”

“No? I suppose you’re right. I would not want anyone else to see how beautiful she looks.”

“She’ll feel a lot more beautiful after she’s had a chance to wash her face and brush her teeth,” Abby said firmly. “Lucie, did you brush your teeth?”

“Yes, Mama. See?” She opened her mouth wide. “Leonardo helped me, just like a papa would do.”

Her words fell into a stricken silence, but Abby managed to clear her throat and respond. “I’m sure you did a good job, baby. Now scoot on out of here while I get ready.”

A short time later, the four of them walked onto the bridge, and Abby couldn’t hold help but gasp at the sight. It looked exactly like something out of a science fiction movie, from the consoles sparkling with colored lights to the wide screens that dominated the front of the room. On the center screen, she could see a planet approaching. Even though the continents weren’t remotely similar to any pictures she had seen of Earth from space, the mixture of blues and greens was familiar enough to bring a lump to her throat.

“It’s beautiful,” she murmured.

“I believe it to be a very pleasant place,” Hrebec agreed. “Their population has always been low, but they didn’t lose many to the Red Death, so their civilization remains intact.”

“Isn’t this cool, Miss Abby?” TeShawna asked.

She was standing to one side with Vanessa in her arms. Mekoi stood behind her, and Abby noticed that his tail was wrapped around TeShawna and the baby. She couldn’t help wondering why they were together so early in the morning. Had they spent the night with him? Maybe it had been as inevitable as her ending up with Hrebec.

As she continued to look around, she saw that Jedan, Elaina, and their two babies were also present.

“Where’s Cassie? Is she coming? Or Molly and Amber?”

“Cassie went to get Molly,” TeShawna said frowning. “She didn’t want to come and Amber didn’t want to leave her, even though she wanted to see all this too. Cassie isn’t going to put up with that sh—nonsense.”

“I hope she can convince her. I’d hate for them to miss this.”

The planet grew closer, filling the large screen, and she could begin