Afterglow by Stein Willard

Author:Stein Willard [Willard, Stein]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction, First Contact, Fiction, Fantasy, lesbian, Alien Invasion
Amazon: B0124A8HM6
Publisher: Stein Willard
Published: 2015-07-19T04:00:00+00:00

SEVEN

Palmer was acutely aware of Hem’s subtle scrutiny as she sat eating her breakfast. After last night and the way they’d left things, she had woken up this morning feeling drained and numbed. With the pain of loss came the realization that Hem was right on one account. Their priority should be the girls. She had glanced at the pillow noticing the indent of a head and smiled. Nael had stayed with her. No matter what she felt for Hem, she had raised their daughters well and for that the Pharmac had her utmost respect.

Soft footfalls sounded and looking over her shoulder, Palmer was surprised to see Ahalpa entering the dining hall with a small bundle in her arms. The Pharmac captain was smiling broadly as she walked over to Hem, who in the meantime had risen to her feet. Hem eagerly held her hands out to receive the bundle. Palmer remembered Ahalpa mentioning her daughter and she smiled warmly at the beaming mother.

“She has grown since I last saw her,” Hem said softly as she rocked the baby.

Ahalpa smiled proudly as she laid her hand against the wrapped bundle. “She is staying awake for longer now. Last night, Selit had to sit with her for almost an hour, before she finally slept.” Ahalpa turned to face the rest of the table and bowed slightly. “Senator, Captain.”

“Captain Ahalpa,” Senator Keane greeted warmly.

“Captain,” Palmer greeted and pointed at the bundle in Hem’s arms. “Who’s the young lady?” Palmer almost loved at the lovesick expression that came over Ahalpa’s face as she glanced at her daughter. Her gaze shifted to the baby and found intense black and gold eyes studying her. Looking away quickly, Palmer focused her attention on Ahalpa. The Pharmac took her daughter from Hem and came to sit next to Palmer. With a gentle touch Ahalpa uncovered the face of the baby and Palmer smiled in pure delight at the sight of two midnight dark eyes. “She’s a beauty,” Palmer gushed. She could see the senator leave her chair to come and stand between Ahalpa and her.

“She is gorgeous,” Senator Keane said and brushed her finger against the baby’s cheek. “What’s her name?”

“Her name is Redla.” Ahalpa offered as she nuzzled the small fist with her lips. “We named her after our mother.”

Palmer’s eyes swung to Hem and back to Ahalpa. “Your mother? She’s still alive?”

“Both our parents are still alive. They arrive today for the Yram,” Ahalpa said without looking up from her daughter’s dozing face. “They are eager to meet Redla and to support the girls.”

At the mention of the girls, soft laughter sounded. Elyst, Taffy and Mara entered the dining hall. Palmer smiled when her daughter’s troubled gaze landed on her and stayed for a few moments. No doubt Nael told her what happened, Palmer thought.

Redla quickly manipulated the attention of the newcomers, giving Palmer a chance to slyly study Hem. The woman looked beautiful as always. The white tunic she wore this morning emphasized the darkness of her skin tone.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.