Smiley(96)
His gut tightened and emotion choked him. She wanted babies with him one day and to become a family. It was a dream of his as well.
“Too much to ask? I’m sorry. I know some men are weird about that.” She tried to tug her hands away, a resigned look on her face.
He clasped them tightly, refusing to let go. “Vanni, we can have children.”
She blinked. “Are you just saying that? It wouldn’t bother you raising a baby or two that is all human?”
He leaned in and brushed his lips over hers. He released her hands and rose to take a seat on the couch next to her. She watched him. He just turned and lifted her, putting her across his lap. She allowed it but he could see he’d surprised her. He held her close and kept eye contact.
“I was hesitant to tell you this after what the Woods Church told you. We want to live in peace with humans. We never want to take over the world. Running the NSO is difficult enough. Do you believe that?”
She nodded.
“They fear us but there’s no reason to. A lot of the ones who hate us are waiting for us to die. They think Species are a blight with a limited time on their Earth. Mercile attempted to breed us but it never worked. We’re still trying to figure out why but since we were freed some children have been born.”
He could see her confusion.
“We hide them from your world. We fear for their safety. The male I told you about who lived in your world and who was taken with his female were kidnapped for a reason. They wanted to use her against him to make him do as they demanded. It seems there’s a black market for Species babies—as exotic pets. Do you understand our fears and horror? They want to enslave our children the way we were. They stole the male to attempt to figure out how to create more.”
“Oh god.”
“They would steal our children and sell them. Worse, some would wish them killed outright to prevent Species from multiplying and having a future. Morons like the members of Woods Church would spread their fear that we’ll overrun the humans. It’s not true. We just want to live in peace.”
Tears filled her eyes but she blinked them back.
“I trust you with their lives by telling you this, Vanni. You can’t share this news with anyone without endangering the Species children. There aren’t many, but some. It’s possible for me to get you pregnant if we’re both in good health and blessed. My genetics are stronger than yours. The question isn’t whether I would be willing to be father to a human child. More importantly, would you be willing to mother a Species child? He would look like me, a primate. All our children are born male. It’s the way we were created in Mercile’s laboratories.”
“I’ll never tell and I’d love to have kids that are just like you.”
Warmth spread through his chest, as well as an overriding sense of relief when she smiled. No deceit showed and he knew he could trust her words. “I want you to be my mate, Vanni. I want to spend the rest of my life with you in my arms. I’ll marry you in an official human ceremony. I know you will want that.”
“That doesn’t matter to me.”
He scowled. “It’s important to all humans.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and he liked the way she rested her head against his shoulder. It proved she trusted him when she snuggled closer. “I got kind of sick of making wedding plans. It burned me out. Would you elope with me?”
“What is that? I’ll do it but you need to tell me what to do first.”
She chuckled. “You would do it, huh? What if it’s something horrible?”
“I’ll still do it for you if it makes you happy.”
She eased her hold on his shoulders and cupped his face. Her kiss was welcome when she planted her lips on his. He tried to deepen it but she pulled back though she stayed close.
“Elope means we run away together and just get married. Sometimes you invite a few close friends. I don’t want a big wedding. It would remind me of the nightmare with Carl.”
“Where would you like to elope to? I’ll arrange it.” She was saying yes. He’d make it happen. “We have a helicopter and we’ll take a security detail.”
“We could do it here. I don’t care where. It’s just supposed to be somewhere pretty and private so we can enjoy doing it together.”
“Reservation,” he decided. “I know the exact spot. Would that be okay?”
“I need to take Beth. She’s my best friend. She’d never forgive me otherwise. Who is your best friend?”
“I have a few.”
“Invite them.”
“What about your siblings and parents?”