Mama and the Alien Warrior (Treasured By The Alien #1) - Honey Phillips Page 0,68

you first. Do you think I’m doin’ the right thing?”

“To be perfectly honest, I don’t know,” Abby said slowly. “I understand why you want to stay, but you have to think of the future as well.”

Before she could continue, Cassie came rushing in. “Molly’s in labor!”

Chapter Twenty-Nine

After a quick apology to Elaina and an assurance from Cassie that they’d take care of the girls, Abby went running.

When she arrived, the change in Molly’s appearance shocked her. No longer pale and drawn, delicate color flushed her cheeks. The bed had been rearranged into a type of birthing chair and she was sitting up on her own. Ribel, on the other hand, looked like he’d lost twenty pounds overnight, but his voice was calm and certain as he urged Molly to breathe. Abby took Molly’s other hand, and the girl squeezed it.

Molly glanced up at her. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“I’m glad I am too. Now, let’s get this baby born.”

“Fine with me,” Molly said, clutching her hand as another contraction rolled through her.

Her labor seemed to last forever, although Abby knew that was just an illusion. Molly grew paler, while Ribel looked like only sheer force of will kept him going, although his voice never faltered. At long last, there was a gasping cry, and Molly’s daughter was born. Ribel took one look at her before he collapsed.

“Ribel!” Molly cried.

L’chong had the bed extended once again. Once Ribel was lying next to Molly again, more silver ribbons wrapped around his wrists and ankles.

“He’ll be fine,” the medic assured them. “But he will need to rest for some time. As will you.”

“But I have to take care of my daughter. Isn’t she beautiful, Miss Abby?”

“Gorgeous, honey,” Abby assured her. “And we’ll help with her, just like we have with all of the others. What are you going to call her?”

“I thought maybe Riba. I think Ribel would like that.”

“I’m sure he would.”

Abby helped Molly nurse Riba, slipping away when mother and child drifted into an exhausted sleep. A Trevelorian nurse stayed to watch over them while L’chong accompanied her out of the room.

“Is a mating bond always like that?” she asked. “It was like she actually drained him.”

“No,” he said. “Naturally, each partner draws strength from each other, but not to that extent. I encouraged the transfer of energy, but he also urged it on. As I warned you, they are more deeply bound now than ever before.”

“She isn’t going to want to leave him, is she?”

“No.” He sighed. “But then again, I suspect she never did.”

“She’s so young…”

“Yes, but she will get older. As do we all.”

Abby smiled ruefully at L’chong, and they parted ways, but as she returned to their suite, his words echoed in her thoughts. She wasn’t getting any younger, and for the first time in her life, she felt truly happy. Three of her girls already wanted to stay with the Cires—although where they would stay was still up for debate. Would they need her more than the other two? But she couldn’t just send them back to Earth without her.

When she returned to the room, everyone had left except Cassie and Inzen.

“Lucie had lunch and now she’s taking a nap,” Cassie said. “I wrapped Tiana in some of your clothes and managed to get her to take a bottle as well, although she wasn’t happy about it.”

Abby winced guiltily. “Hrebec isn’t back? Since no one brought Tiana to me, I thought he must have taken care of her.”

“Nah, he’s not back. I would have brought her to you if I couldn’t get her to take the bottle. How’s Molly?”

“She and the baby are fine. They were sleeping peacefully when I left.”

“And young Ribel?” Inzen asked.

“Drained. Whatever L’chong did seemed to take his strength and pass it on to Molly. I hope he’s going to be okay.”

“I’m sure he will be fine,” Inzen said, “but he would have willingly made any sacrifice to assist his mate.”

Cassie looked at him, then took a deep breath. “Miss Abby, TeShawna told me that she’s thinking about staying. I am too.”

“You?” Abby stared at her in shock. She hadn’t expected this from the practical Cassie. Unless… “You mean… you and Inzen are mates?”

“No,” they both said at the same time.

“Cassie is like a daughter to me,” Inzen assured her. “But as a father, I am concerned for her safety and her happiness. She has not been treated well on this Earth of yours.”

She couldn’t argue with that. “And this is what you