All Novell Ebook
42
Diana opened her eyes and looked over at Jack. Then she slid her eyes to SennLann. Her expression swung through confusion, awe, worry, longing then settled on happiness. Her eyes returned to Jack. “There is no way I could feel this good on Earth. When I look back at the path my life has followed so far, it only started to get better when I started working at the Gate Terminal and came into contact with all the wondrous beings who passed through. Jack, you’re such a departure from everything my life was and when I look forward I know I want this. I’m excited yet terrified about being a mother. On top of that I’m completely out of my element. I don’t know how to react and behave around non-humans. I’m worried that may prove troublesome for you. I’ll try to do my best to learn but I’m going to need your patience.”
“I can do that,” Jack smiled.
There was a chime from his front door. SennLann jumped off Jack and shot away to go get some clothes. Jack got up and pulled his clothes back on as Diana struggled to remember how the gown went on. He gently pushed her to the bedroom and closed the door. The chime went off again and he walked over to answer it.
The moment the door was open Queen Elissa barged in with Max in her arms. Karrel followed her in with Alex clutched to her chest. He’d already grown a little and gave Jack a smile as they passed. Leffera came last and Jack ran his palm affectionately over her tummy. She gave him a kiss in return.
He looked up in surprise and delight as he saw Aaros standing in the doorway. He held out an arm to bring her in and gave her a hug. She moved into the apartment and Jack took a look in the hallway but that was the last of his guests. He came inside and closed the door.
“To what do I owe the honor of this visit from you lovely ladies?” Jack asked.
Elissa stepped forward. “I’ve been informed that a Human female from Earth has applied for political asylum and that this female was brought here last night because you’re our resident human. This morning I was informed that she visited the hospital and was treated for injuries she sustained from a beating and she is pregnant.”
“My, you are well informed,” Jack said with raised eyebrows.
“I’m the Queen! It’s my job to be informed!” Elissa blurted. “With the recent turmoil and intrigue on Earth our Security Ministry has been keeping a close eye on things. She informed me that this female has ties to the people who tried to have you killed!”
“Yes, her father was the man who supplied the silver bullets for the gun Lunnae used to shoot me,” Jack agreed.
Elissa’s jaw was open but no words were coming out. Karrel picked up the argument for her. “There is concern that this group sent the female to lure you back to Earth. Perhaps to deliver you into their clutches! You do have a soft spot when it comes to women in distress and children especially.”
“We don’t want you to go!” Leffera blurted with tears in her eyes.
Jack looked at Aaros to see if she had anything to add but she was looking as bewildered as him. “I just dropped by to say hello and got swept along with the group.”
“Don’t just stand there gaping at us! Tell us what you are going to do about it!” The Queen had her royal voice back.
Jack snorted then got control over himself. He walked over to the bedroom door and opened it. Diana was inside looking frightened and had tears in her eyes. He took her under his arm and led her out to face her accusers who were looking embarrassed and worried at Jack’s intimate hold on the woman. Jack shared a look with SennLann who was watching the events with amused interest while stretched out on the back of the couch.
“Queen Elissa, may I introduce Diana Haven, my friend from Earth. As I said she was the daughter of the man with the silver bullets. Her father died after an altercation with Earth’s police. Diana never had any involvement with her father’s hate group outside of their getting her a job at a Gate Terminal. I know something about how hard it is to get work on Earth.”
“The injuries? Her father beat her when he discovered she’s pregnant with my child.” The ladies went wide eyed when they heard that.
“She escaped with her life but had to flee Earth due to death threats. Diana has decided to have the child and she’d like to live here on Altaria with me… if her political asylum is granted.”
“Oh!” the Queen said, seeming to have lost her voice again.
“Are these your children, Jack?” Diana asked meekly.
“Yes, Karrel is holding Alexander, which was my father’s name. Alex was my first born.” Karrel beamed with pride and brought the child forward for Diana to meet.
“Queen Elissa is carrying Maximilian who was named after my grandfather. She is also pregnant with a female.” Elissa was still embarrassed about her earlier outburst but talking about her children always comforted her.
“Do you have a name for our daughter, Jack?” Elissa asked.
“Yes, but I’m not telling you until she’s born and I see if the name suits her,” he admonished.
“But Leffera will have her daughter first and you’ll give the name to her!” she pouted as the truth came out. Leffera looked at the Queen in surprise.
“No, if Leffera wants help with a name I have another one in mind.” Leffera’s face lit up. “Again, I have to see the child first.” She nodded rapidly.
“I’m sorry Leffera. That was wicked of me to behave like that. Sometimes I think my hormones are taking over,” Elissa apologized.
“It’s ok, I know how that feels,” Leffera sighed.
Jack was smiling at Aaros who was looking distinctly embarrassed. She sent him some warning glances to be quiet but Diana caught on first.
“Eros is pregnant too!” she blurted.
The group spun and looked at the white furred female in surprise.
“Aaros, I know it sounds like Eros but there is a subtle difference,” Jack told Diana. “And I believe she wanted to keep her condition under wraps,” he whispered. She looked embarrassed and apologized to Aaros who just waved it off.
Elissa looked around at the gathered females. “Princess SennLann and Karrel are the only ones currently not carrying your child Jack!”
“I am pregnant too,” SennLann stated calmly. Heads whipped around to look at her then whipped back to look at Jack. “It’s not Jack’s though,” she pouted.
“I want to get back to work. I can have another child later,” Karrel said. “Alexander brings me all the joy I need for now.”
Jack leaned in to Diana’s ear. “Something you should know. Karrel is Elissa’s daughter. So Max is her brother and Max is Alex’s younger Uncle.” Diana looked at the children with confusion.
“Not to worry. Altarians don’t really follow the family tree very far. Mother’s, daughters, and sons. Fathers rarely matter but this father doesn’t play that game!” he growled. That drew smiles from the ladies.
“Are you going for a record or something?” Diana said nervously.
“No! This has been… an organic development. I didn’t intend to have so many children. Karrel thought I was safe to have sex with while she was off the pill and fertile. I had no idea how to tell when an Altarian female was fertile. Queen Elissa saw Alexander and decided she wanted more kids with me as their father. She tricked me for our first one. I thought she was Karrel,” Jack said with a smirk. The Queen had the good grace to look apologetic.
“Leffera’s pregnancy was my first intentional effort. Queen Elissa’s current pregnancy was my second. Aaros has no scent so I couldn’t tell she was fertile and her pregnancy took her by surprise but I love that she’s carrying my child,” Jack said with a smile for the Judge.Belonging to NôvelDrama.Org.
“And you… you told me you were on the pill and you thought I was probably safe,” Jack grinned. Diana looked embarrassed and looked at the other ladies. “Hey, we’re all family here. We should keep no secrets from each other!”
Jack felt a deep feeling of satisfaction as he gazed upon their smiling faces. “I wanted a big family and I certainly got one. Now all I want is to settle down into a peaceful life to enjoy it. I can do that!”
Six beautiful sets of eyes fixed on him with various levels of skepticism.
“What? It could happen!”