Epilogue

EPILOGUE

O ne month later…

"Mom, Mom!" Billy came rushing into their new home, his red hair even more disheveled than usual. Va'rik had built the pink stone house not far from the lab, combining the traditional structure with all the modern conveniences she could want.

"Slow down," she laughed, looking up from the book she had been studying. "Why are you in such a hurry?"

"Myk-El said he'd take me for a flight and show me the valley if you agreed. And you do agree, don't you? Dad said it was up to you."

Dad . She loved hearing Billy refer to Va'rik that way almost as much as she loved hearing him call her Mom.

Myk-El was one of Billy's tutors. As Jane had predicted, all of the other couples had pitched in to teach Billy, although in somewhat unconventional ways. His education currently included everything from tracking to meditation to a complicated dice game, but he seemed to have a special bond with Myk-El and frequently joined him in the lab.

Although she wasn't crazy about the idea of her son flying through the air, she couldn't bear to squash his excitement. And since Myk-El seemed to have no problem carrying both his wife and his son, she didn't think the huge winged male would have a problem with Billy's slight weight.

"I suppose it's all right."

"Yay!"

He threw his arms up in the air, then gave her a quick hug, his skinny arms tight around her neck. As he pulled away, he stopped and frowned.

"Are you all right, Mom?"

"I'm fine. Just a little tired."

For an excellent reason , she thought happily.

He gave her another quick glance, then his face relaxed and he headed for the door.

"Be sure and say thank you," she called after him, just as Va'rik entered.

He gave Billy an affectionate pat on the head as the boy rushed by, but his gaze immediately went to her. The little purple flames flickered in his eyes as he crossed towards her.

"You know how much I like the sound of those words on your lips," he murmured as he bent and kissed her.

"It's not exactly the same thing," she laughed when he finally released her.

"No, but I do like our version."

She hummed her agreement. "Actually, there is something I want to thank you for."

"Come with me."

Taking his hand, she led him into their bedroom. It wasn't a large room, but it had a huge bed and an expansive view of the valley.

"What is it, my mate?"

She took his hand and pressed it against the soft curve of her stomach. "Can you feel that?"

"Oh, yes. Soft, silky skin." His hand wandered up to cup her breast. "Lush, warm curves."

"My body doesn't seem any different?" Her breath caught as he brushed his thumb over a taut, sensitive nipple.

"It is as wonderful as ever," he assured her, gently teasing her breasts.

Why was this so hard?

"I'm pregnant," she burst out.

Va'rik's hands froze. "What?"

"I'm pregnant. We're going to have a baby. Aren't you happy?" she added anxiously when he still didn't respond.

He collapsed to his knees, throwing his arms around her, and pressing his head against her stomach.

"Thank you," he whispered, and then he was covering her stomach with kisses. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, my mate."

When he looked up at her, his face was alight with happiness.

"You don't mind, do you? We have a house now—and plumbing—and Billy seems to be adjusting just fine."

"Of course not, but…" A small furrow appeared between his brows, then he sighed. "I suspect La'tok'at'bron decided to intervene, without bothering to inform either of us. He is very anxious to confirm that our experiment is completely successful. You… you are happy about this too?"

"I'm thrilled." She started to bend towards him, but he was on his feet and carrying her to the bed before she made it.

A long time later, Va'rik smiled up at the ceiling. Amanda was curled against his side, already half asleep as he stroked her hair and basked in their shared happiness. The rush of footsteps interrupted the quiet. Billy was back. She scrambled for the covers, even as he laughed and sat up.

"I'll head him off. You need your sleep."

She mumbled a protest, but he tucked the blanket around her and went to meet his son.

Billy began an excited account of his adventures, then frowned.

"Where's Mom?"

"She's feeling tired, so I told her to rest." He hesitated, trying to decide the best way to approach the subject. "She will need to rest more over the next few months."

"Why?" Billy's eyes widened in fear. "Is she sick?"

"No, not at all." Best to get it over with, he decided. "Your mother is going to have a baby."

The thin shoulders stiffened.

"Oh." The boy gave him a strained smile, then dropped his eyes. "I guess I'd better start packing."

"Packing? What are you talking about?"

"If you're going to have a baby, you won't want me anymore."

"Of course we want you. You're our son. Nothing is ever going to change that."

Hope blazed on that pale face.

"Do you really mean it?"

"Have I ever lied to you?" Billy shook his head and Va'rik wrapped his arm around the small shoulders. "It just means that our family is growing. You're going to be a big brother."

"A brother?"

"A big brother," Amanda added. She emerged from the bedroom, looking sleepy and tousled and absolutely desirable, but her eyes were focused on Billy. "It's a very important job. The baby is going to need you to show him?—"

"Or her," he interjected, and she smiled at him.

"—or her how things work around here. Can you do that?"

"Yeah, I guess I can." Despite the casual words, Billy's huge grin lit up his face.

"Good." Amanda sat down on the other side of Billy, and Va'rik reached out to include her. "Because we're a family. And families look after each other."

A family—a growing family—and hope for the future at last. Happiness filled him as he gathered them close, determined that this time he would not fail.

Five years later…

"Are you disappointed?"

Amanda's soft question distracted Va'rik from his absorbed study of their newborn daughter. Beneath a fuzzy cap of dark curls, her eyes were as dark as Amanda's but her skin was a delicate lavender. He tore his gaze away to study his mate. Her face was pale and tired, but she looked as beautiful as ever. He cupped her cheek.

"Why would I be disappointed?"

"We already have a daughter."

"And we already have a son." He tilted his head, wondering at the implication. "Billy is the finest son I could hope to have. Do you not know this?"

"Of course I do. It's just… I know how important it is to you to save your people."

"And we are saving them. More each year." He ran a gentle finger down their daughter's cheek, but she had latched on and started suckling and paid no attention to him. "But you are all part of the future of our race—you, Billy, our daughters. You will make us stronger and stop us from fading away again."

Amanda's eyes filled with tears and she reached for his hand, just as Dr. Webber appeared at the door. A brisk, no nonsense woman, she was—as always—accompanied by her silent mate, looming protectively over her.

Va'rik had a great deal of respect for the doctor. As the number of matches grew, a small village had grown up around the existing lab building, although very few knew of the underground labs deep beneath the surface. Dr. Webber had been primarily responsible for converting a portion of the upper lab to an up-to-date medical facility.

Sharp eyes inspected Amanda's face. "What's this? Is something wrong?"

"No, not at all." His mate gave the doctor a misty smile. "I think I'm just a little emotional."

Dr. Webber smiled, the expression softening her usually serious face. "Only to be expected. I'll just run a check on this little one and then your other children can come in. They are somewhat impatient," she added dryly.

"Poor Mina," Amanda murmured. "You know how excited Joy gets."

"I am sure Billy will make sure she does not get carried away."

As if in response to his words, the door swung open and Joy came racing in, Billy hot on her heels. "Mama, Mama! I wanna see."

Va'rik caught Joy just before the little girl flung herself at Amanda and the baby. Their first daughter had golden skin and purple eyes, sparkling now as she leaned precariously over his arm in an effort to reach the baby.

"She's so small!"

"You were that small once, squirt," Billy said, then gave him an apologetic glance. "Sorry, she got away from me."

"And perhaps you were impatient to meet your new sister as well?"

Billy grinned and ducked his head. "Maybe."

"What do you think of her?" Amanda asked.

"She looks like she'll be less trouble than this one." Billy ruffled Joy's curls, and she pouted up at him.

"I'm not twouble."

"Yes you are." He relented and lifted her out of Va'rik's arms to swing her around in a circle. "But you're my kind of trouble."

Joy squealed happily and hugged his neck, then leaned over to look at the baby again. "When can I play wif her?"

"Not until she is a little bigger," he said.

"Then I wanna go back outside."

"Just a minute." Billy looked down at Amanda, a worried frown on his young face. "Are you okay, Mom? You look tired."

"Birthing babies is hard work." She smiled up at him. "But it's worth every minute. And it really helps that I don't have to worry about Joy because I know you're looking after her."

Billy's face threatened to turn the color of his hair, but he gave her a shy grin.

After kisses all round, the children left. Dr. Webber completed her examination, then she and her mate left also, leaving the three of them alone.

"You do look tired, my mate," he said softly, sitting next to her on the bed so he could put his arm around her and their now sleeping daughter.

"I'm fine. Isn't she beautiful?"

"As beautiful as her mother." He bent over and brushed a kiss to her lips. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For loving me. For giving me a family. For our son and our daughters."

Her eyes sparkled with tears, but she gave him a teasing smile. "Just remember that. In about six weeks I'll let you thank me properly."

His cock flexed involuntarily, already anticipating the occasion. "It will be my great pleasure."

The baby grunted in her sleep, and they both looked down at her.

"Did you decide on a name?" he asked.

"I thought perhaps, Felicity. It means happiness."

"Then it is perfect. Now try and rest. If she is anything like Joy, you will not sleep for long."

She laughed ruefully, then snuggled into his arms. He settled back in the quiet room to watch over them as they slept, happier than he had ever thought to be.

Ten years later…

Amanda watched her son dancing with his new mate and tried not to cry. Bill was undoubtedly a man now - tall and strong, his red hair darkened to a rich auburn - but in her mind she could still see the small figure sitting on the swing, his thin shoulders hunched against the cold.

Big warm arms encircled her waist, then Va'rik's familiar cinnamon scent filled her head.

"Do not be sad," he whispered.

"I'm not sad. It's just… He still seems so young."

"He is a grown male who has lived on his own for two years now."

"Against my wishes," she muttered.

His arms tightened. "I know. But you are a good mother and you let him go. Just as you are doing now. You like his mate, do you not?"

"Of course. Alice is a very sweet girl." But also very young.

Alice's mother, Janet, looked over and smiled at Amanda. She suspected that Janet shared her doubts, but neither one of them had the heart to object when the two announced they wanted a mating ceremony. Alice's father, Sabrost, had not been so restrained. It was one of the few times Amanda had ever seen the male's serenity falter. He had announced that he had to meditate on the situation, and disappeared for an entire day while Alice fretted and Bill paced. But in the end, he had returned and given the young couple his blessing.

"But I don't know why they had to rush into this," she added.

"My mate, I knew I loved you from the moment I saw you. Bill knows his own mind. And so does Alice."

"I suppose you're right."

The ceremony had taken place in the hillside town where Alice lived - the same one they had passed so many years ago. No longer in ruins, the ancient stone buildings were draped in flowers for the occasion, small flickering lights half-hidden in the vines. The warm breeze off the ocean mingled with the scent of the flowers. People danced in the ancient stone courtyard, many of them former students of hers, the light catching glints of all the different skin colors.

They were surrounded by friends and family, but she felt suddenly restless.

"Where are the girls?"

Va'rik sighed. "Joy is following Mar-Kel around."

Their exuberant daughter had turned fourteen this year and suddenly discovered the attraction of the opposite sex. Fortunately, Myk-El and Mina's son, a whole year older than Joy, had been patient with her crush on him.

"And I supposed Felicity is curled up in the corner with a book?"

Their quiet younger daughter adored her brother, and she had retreated since he had announced his mating.

"Not exactly. Look."

She followed his gesture and saw Bill dancing with his sister. Felicity smiled up at him, looking happier than she had in weeks, and Amanda's eyes filled with tears again.

"You must stop crying, my mate." Va'rik gently brushed away a stray drop. "This is a happy occasion."

"I know. I'm just feeling sentimental tonight. Do you think La'tok'at'bron is watching? He's the reason we are all here."

Along with the original four couples, they were the only ones who knew of the scientist's presence in the great underground lab, and she and Va'rik were the only ones who still visited him. He had insisted it was better that way, but she couldn't help feeling sorry for him.

"I have no doubt he is watching. Would you like to dance?"

"I would rather go for a walk with you."

The sparks of purple fire ignited in his eyes. "I will ask Myk-El to keep an eye on the girls."

He hurried away, and she watched admiringly as he crossed the crowded floor. The white pants he had donned for the occasion clung to his still remarkably fine ass, a striking contrast against the deep lavender of his skin. When he returned, his Elaman already had a soft purple glow, and she ran a teasing finger over the lines before taking his hand and leading him towards the beach.

"Are you happy to see me?"

"Always." He tilted his head. "But I suspect you meant something different."

She dropped his hand and cupped the prominent bulge beneath the white silk. "It means that you are aroused."

"Also always," he growled, covering her hand with his own and pressing it tighter against his cock.

She could feel his petals stir beneath her fingers, and the familiar ache started low in her stomach. Before she could respond to his words, he lifted her into his arms, walking far more quickly than she could in the dim moonlight. He didn't stop until they were in a sheltered spot between two dunes.

"I will always have an affection for the beach," he said as he put her down and started untying her gown.

"Why is that?" she teased. "Because you like the salt air?"

The silk slipped away from her breasts and his mouth replaced it, startlingly hot and wet on the tight peaks.

"Yes," he growled against her skin, the vibration adding to the excitement racing through her system.

"Or maybe it's the sound of the waves," she said breathlessly.

His big hand parted her thighs, growling again when he found her slick and ready.

Her body was on fire with longing, her swollen clit throbbing with each beat of her heart, but she managed to continue the game. "Or the sand in uncomfortable places?"

He finally raised his head, his eyes alight with purple fire to match the vibrant glow of his Elaman, and the look on his face made her heart skip a beat.

"Because it was our first time, my mate. And you changed everything for me."

Then he pulled her down over him and she lost the ability to talk. He made love to her with the same intensity, the same wonder, as the very first time, leaving her limp and satisfied in his arms.

"We should get back to our family," he murmured eventually, stroking her hair.

"We will."

The stars danced overhead, and a cool breeze blew in off the ocean, but she was warm and safe in his arms. Their family awaited, but for now, the two of them were enough. She smiled into the night.

Many years later…

La'tok'at'bron's tank floated between the rows of empty shelves that had once contained the essence of his people. Not a single vessel remained. All of them had been implanted in healthy new bodies and sent off to begin their new lives with human females at their sides.

Not all of the matches had been successful, of course, but the failure rate was only a fraction of a percent. After his experience with Va'rik's mate, he had searched more deeply for family ties with some… unusual results. And yet, those had often been the most successful matches.

He floated back out of the room and turned off the power. No one would ever enter it again.

He continued his circuit through the abandoned laboratories and the empty supply rooms, ending up in the observation room. It was his favorite place in the entire complex, and he spent most of his time here. He scanned the monitors. A new port had sprung up at the junction where the river met the ocean, he noticed approvingly. Trade was thriving—a successful endeavor started many years ago by one of the first subjects. A'rien's descendants had inherited his ability to survive in the ocean, and that had encouraged them to explore and to set up new trade routes.

Many of the descendants of those original four couples had bred true, and it was not uncommon to also see green and gold skin tones scattered amongst the population, along with the flash of wings. A shock of bright red hair was equally common. He and Va'rik'at'char had chosen well.

At the thought of his friend, he turned to his favorite monitor. Va'rik'at'char's great-great-grandson, a teacher like his long-ago grandmother, was leading a group of children through a history lesson. My most successful match , La'tok'at'bron thought proudly. Although he still missed his friend…

Va'rik'at'char and his mate had lived long and happy lives, as had all of their original matches. But they were all gone now. The world had changed, and he had every hope that his people would survive and live on. His work was done.

He began turning off the power to the rest of the facility, the rooms going still and dark, until only the observation room remained. He adjusted the feed so that every screen showed pictures of Va'rik'at'char and his descendants, then began the process of shutting down his tank.

Perhaps he should have chosen to remain, to watch and guide, but he was tired. He had even considered creating a body for himself, but it was not for him. He was a scientist. His great love had always been his work.

The words of one of the books Va'rik'at'char's mate had often read flickered through his mind. He was going to a far, far better rest than he had ever known.

The lights in his tank began to dim, and he felt his thoughts begin to slow. He didn't resist. With his last remaining consciousness, he watched his friend's happy life. He only wished that he could smile as he slipped into the darkness.

The tank went dark, and then the monitors shut off, one by one. The lab complex lay locked in silent darkness. But up above, the sun shone and La'tok'at'bron's people went about their busy, happy lives.