26. Alyssa

CHAPTER 26

ALYSSA

T he next morning, I decide I want to sleep in. Laar came over for dinner and we all had too much Alzon brandy.

"Alyssa, darling," Maar says, nuzzling me. "I have some business to attend to with Boss Sneed."

"I love you," I say sleepy eyed. "Take care."

I wake up with a pounding headache, the taste of Alzon brandy still lingering on my tongue. Maar's side of the bed is cold, and I vaguely remember him mentioning something about Boss Sneed before he left. Groaning, I roll over and check the time.

"Shit," I mutter. It's well past noon.

I drag myself out of bed, stumbling towards the bathroom. The hot water of the shower helps clear my head, washing away the remnants of last night's overindulgence. As I towel off, my eyes drift to the dresser where I've stashed my recent purchases.

"Time to spice things up," I grin to myself, rifling through the drawer.

My fingers brush against silky fabrics and delicate lace. I pull out a sheer black teddy with strategically placed cutouts. It leaves little to the imagination, which is exactly what I'm going for.

Slipping it on, I admire my reflection in the full-length mirror. The fabric clings to my curves, accentuating all the right places. I can already imagine Maar's reaction when he sees me in this.

"Perfect," I whisper, a mischievous smile playing on my lips.

I've lost count of how many times we've made love in the past month. It's like we can't keep our hands off each other. Every surface in our apartment has become a potential playground for our desires. And yet, I want more.

The constant ache between my thighs, the delicious soreness in my muscles - it's addictive. I crave it, crave him. Each time Maar touches me, it's like electricity coursing through my body.

I sprawl across the bed, positioning myself in what I hope is an alluring pose. My mind wanders to all the ways I want Maar to take me when he returns. The anticipation builds, sending a shiver down my spine.

"Hurry home, Maar," I murmur to the empty room. "I've got a surprise waiting for you."

I'm lounging on the bed, feeling sexy and anticipating Maar's return, when suddenly a wave of nausea hits me. My stomach churns violently, and I barely make it to the bathroom before emptying its contents into the toilet.

"Fuck," I groan, gripping the porcelain bowl. The room spins as I heave again.

Once the initial wave passes, I slump against the cool tile wall, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. My skin feels clammy, and I'm shaking slightly.

"Maybe I overdid it with the brandy," I mutter, trying to stand. But as soon as I'm upright, another bout of nausea sends me rushing back to the toilet.

After what feels like an eternity, I manage to drag myself to the sink. I rinse my mouth and splash water on my face, avoiding my reflection in the mirror. The sexy lingerie I'd been so excited about now feels ridiculous.

I stumble back to the bedroom, stripping off the teddy and pulling on a loose shirt and sweatpants. My head is pounding, and my stomach still feels unsettled.

"This isn't normal," I whisper to myself, a tendril of worry creeping in. "Even for a hangover."

Decision made, I grab my comm device and call the local clinic.

"Dr. Zhen's office," a cheerful voice answers.

"Hi, this is Alyssa. I'm not feeling well. Is there any way I can come in today?"

"Of course, we have an opening in an hour. Can you make it?"

I nod, then remember they can't see me. "Yes, I'll be there. Thank you."

As I end the call, another wave of nausea hits. I dash back to the bathroom, praying this isn't something serious.

An hour later, I sit in the sterile exam room, my legs dangling off the edge of the table. The paper crinkles beneath me as I shift uncomfortably. My stomach's still doing somersaults, and I'm starting to regret not bringing a bucket.

Dr. Zhen enters, her face a mask of professional concern. "Alyssa, how are we feeling today?"

"Like I've been hit by a hover-tram," I groan. "And then it backed up over me for good measure."

She chuckles, pulling out a sleek medical scanner. "Let's take a look, shall we?"

The device hums as she passes it over my body. I watch her face, searching for any clue about what might be wrong. Her eyebrows raise slightly, and she taps the screen a few times.

"Well?" I ask, impatience getting the better of me.

Dr. Zhen looks up, a small smile playing on her lips. "Congratulations, Alyssa. You're pregnant."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I blink, sure I've misheard. "I'm... what?"

"Pregnant," she repeats, turning the scanner so I can see the results. "About six weeks along, by the looks of it."

My mind reels. Pregnant? How is that even possible? Maar and I have been careful... haven't we?

"But... but..." I stammer, trying to process this bombshell. "We used protection. And Maar's Vakutan. I didn't think we were compatible..."

Dr. Zhen shrugs. "Inter-species pregnancies are common. Especially with Vakutans. Their genetic structure is remarkably adaptable."

I slump back on the table, my head spinning. A baby. Maar's baby. Our baby.

"Oh, fuck," I whisper, the reality of our situation crashing down on me. We're fugitives, living under false identities on a planet where danger lurks around every corner. How the hell are we supposed to raise a child?

Dr. Zhen misinterprets my reaction. "I know it's a shock, but you have options. We can discuss-"

"No," I cut her off, surprising myself with the vehemence in my voice. "No, I... I want this baby."

"You'll need the max dose of prenatals to counteract any toxins…" she begins.

"I'll do whatever to save the baby," I say.

The words feel right as soon as they leave my mouth. Despite everything, despite the danger and uncertainty, I want this child. Our child.

I just don't know how I'll protect it.