Epilogue

Four months later…

H'zim slipped outof the house, closing the door on the sound of the festivities, and took a deep breath of the frosty air. He knew Kara had seen him go, but she'd only smiled and turned back to Evie. The main farmhouse had been prepared for Christmas, the human winter holiday, and his brother's mate was as excited as if she'd never celebrated a holiday before, dancing around and exclaiming over the food and the decorations and the presents while his brother watched fondly.

But as much as he appreciated feeling like a fully accepted member of his squad, the chaos was a little overwhelming sometimes. Right now he preferred being out here in the quiet, especially knowing that he would be welcome when he chose to return. Despite that he was not altogether surprised when S'kal came out to join him a short while later.

"Checking up on me?" he asked dryly. "Or looking for some quiet?"

"Can't it be both?"

He laughed.

"I suppose so. Everyone looks happy, don't they?"

"They do. Even Borgaz has a smile on that ugly face of his."

They both laughed again.

"And you? Are you happy, brother?"

"I am. The farm is prospering. I have a wonderful mate."

"And the nightmares?"

He shrugged.

"Only once in a while. And Kara is always there to bring me out of them."

He watched his mate through the window again. She was holding Naffon and Dora's little girl, looking more beautiful than ever, and he was struck by a pang of longing so intense that it stole his breath away. They had discussed having a child and decided that they should wait until the farm was more established. It was a rational decision, but right now he didn't want rational. Perhaps he should mention it to Kara again…

"I am truly glad," S'kal said seriously. "We were all damaged in that damn war."

"And yet we have all managed to find peace. Eventually."

The door opened again and Kalpar stomped out.

"Naffon is annoying me," he announced.

S'kal shook his head.

"If you didn't react like this, he wouldn't bother."

Kalpar's eyes narrowed.

"Really?"

"No," they all said in unison.

The other warrior shook his head, then looked out over the fields.

"What are you planning to plant on your land next year? Maybe we could try something together. Work out a partnership. I enjoy working with the cattle, but it's nice to have other options."

He'd considered the idea as well.

"I would like that very much."

"I think you should try grapes," S'kal volunteered. "I'd like to expand into winemaking."

"I like the idea, but I need to do some research first."

"All right. Let's meet in the new year."

The one thing he did know about wine is that the vines could take years before producing a decent vintage. The thought made him smile. He'd refused to think about the future for so long and now he was contemplating plans that could take years to come to fruition.

The door opened again and Celenk came out to join them, breathing a sigh of relief.

"It's much more peaceful out here."

Kalpar scowled at him. "Well, it was."

He shook his head, but he was used to their byplay. The two of them loved to argue.

Celenk started to respond but was interrupted by an annoyed chittering as Raja, the small kedji who had been riding in his shirt pocket poked his nose out and encountered the cold air. Celenk laughed and tucked Raja into his hand.

"He does not approve of the cold."

"I don't blame him," Kalpar agreed.

All of them were looking in through the kitchen windows now and he suspected they were all watching their mates. Celenk followed Lottie's movements for a moment, then turned to them and smiled.

"Lottie is pregnant." he announced, beaming proudly.

He joined in the congratulations but the longing he'd felt earlier had only intensified. The sooner they talked about it the better.

The kitchen door suddenly flew open and Evie came racing out.

"S'kal!"

His brother immediately went to her, wrapping a protective arm around her shoulders.

"What's wrong, little one? Is it the baby?"

"No, of course not. Everything's fine. But guess who just came waltzing in through the front door?"

"I have no idea. Are you sure you're all right?"

Evie rolled her eyes at him and tried to tug him back into the house. She looked rather like a flyer trying to tug a freighter, but S'kal let her pull him away.

"I'm fine, but come with me. Tomlin's back."

S'kal came to an abrupt halt, and all of the males on the porch froze.

"He's back?" S'kal asked slowly.

"Yes, and he's not alone! Come on."

S'kal hurried into the house with Evie and Kalpar immediately followed.

"This will be difficult for Constance," he muttered as he went.

Celenk started to follow them then looked over at H'zim.

"Are you coming?"

"In a minute."

He wasn't quite ready to return to the chaos inside, especially since the murmur of voice had gotten louder. Celenk nodded and opened the door just as Kara approached from the other side. She smiled at Celenk but continued out onto the porch, coming over to wrap her arms around his waist, tilting her head back to look up at him.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes. It was just… a lot. Sometimes it still seems impossible to believe that I'm really here and not back in that cell."

"You're here," she said fiercely, tightening her arms around him.

He had to admit that the warm soft weight of her body against his was a convincing argument.

"Thank the gods."

She nestled against him with a contented sigh, then looked up again.

"You know, I was thinking about Christmas presents."

"What about them?" he asked warily. He'd gotten suggestions from Evie and Ida but the whole experience of exchanging presents was new to him.

"I never told you what I really wanted," she whispered.

Fuck. What was it? Was it too late to get it for her?

"It might be a little late," he said quickly. "But tell me what you want."

She laughed.

"Oh I know it will be late. About nine months late."

He froze.

"You mean…"

"Yes. I don't want to wait any longer. The farm's doing well enough and I don't want to waste any more time."

He growled and kissed her, his mouth hard and hungry. When he finally raised his head, she gave a breathless laugh.

"I guess you like the idea."

He pulled her harder against the thick ridge of her erection.

"Yes. Now."

"But don't you have to -"

"Now," he growled. He didn't care if it was only symbolic, he wanted this moment.

Her eyes lit up, but then she slipped under his arm.

"You'll have to catch me first."

She darted away, down the porch steps and out into the snowy field. He chased after her, his heart racing with excitement and his cock throbbing with desire. As always she didn't make it easy for him to catch her. He was faster but she was astonishingly nimble, slipping away even when he thought he had her captured. But he caught her at last, trapping her against the wall of the barn.

She looked up at him, breathless from laughter, but then the laughter disappeared, replaced by need. She was still panting and her eyes were heavy as she reached for him.

"H'zim… please…"

He pinned her against the barn and covered her mouth with his, devouring her as his hands ran possessively over her body. The thick layers of clothing frustrated him, and he tugged impatiently at them until her coat gaped open and he could slide his hands up under her shirt. The warmth of her skin was like a furnace and she moaned and arched against his hand as he found a plump nipple.

"I need you," he growled. "Right here. Right now."

She gasped and nodded.

He pushed her skirt up and ripped impatiently at her tights. As soon as he reached her wet swollen heat, he freed his erection, pulling her down over his cock in one swift motion. Fuck, she was tight. He usually took more time, allowing her to adjust to his size, but tonight he couldn't. He was caught in a frenzy of pure, hot need. He kissed her again, his mouth hard and demanding as he thrust up into her, moving faster and harder as her body softened.

She urged him on with soft, wordless cries as heat engulfed them both and his cock grew even harder. She whimpered and he could feel her muscles squeezing him, driving him towards his own completion. He held off, waiting until he felt her quiver, until he felt the exquisite grip of her pleasure, and then he tumbled after her, his roar echoing across the fields as he emptied himself into her sweet body.

She slumped down over him, her head falling on his shoulder as she panted for breath. He cradled her gently in his arms as he recovered his own breath, his heart racing as it always did when he was with her.

"I love you," he said hoarsely.

She raised her head and smiled up at him.

"I love you too." She wiggled a little on his cock, then gave a soft gasp as she realized that he was still hard. "You really enjoyed chasing me, don't you?"

He grinned.

"I do. And I love catching you even more. And I love filling you with my seed most of all."

They both felt his cock jerk as the words, but he took a step back and lifted her off of him. Her skirts fell over the tattered remains of her tights and he was tempted to tear her clothes off, but instead he picked her up and carried her into the barn.

"What are you doing?" she asked breathlessly.

"I'm not finished and it's warmer in here."

"You know this is only practice," she teased.

"Perhaps. Or perhaps the gods will smile on us."

They did. Their daughter was born exactly nine months later.

Tomlin's controlhas finally been shattered! Find out what has happened to him in How the Aliens Were Won: Tomlin!