to digging in the earth to plant the last of the flowers. “I’ve been feeling horrible all day. All of the beautiful flowers in your yard were destroyed during the concussion blast from the Tessa-jump last night. So I thought to surprise you by replanting them. I’d hoped to be finished by the time you came home from work but your neighbors have been extremely welcoming. They have been coming over and congratulating me on our recent matching. How was your last day of school?” Hmmm. More likely my neighbors were trying to get a closer look at the best piece of male ass this quiet street has ever seen. “It actually flew by knowing I was going to see you again.” She paused for a second unsure of how to say what was on her mind. Thinking the band-aid method was probably the best, she blurted out, “We have to talk though.” He rocked back on his heels and looked at her intently. “It sounds serious.” Suddenly nervous, she started fidgeting and playing with the plastic grocery bag. Dragon covered her hand and led her over to sit down on the steps with him. “Hey,” he said tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. “There should be nothing to be nervous about. Just tell me what is troubling you and we will fix it together.” She looked down at their entwined hands and wondered where the nervousness was coming from. She finally realized she had a true partner now. Someone to go through life sharing everything with, she no longer had to be “the strong one” in the relationship. She now had someone to lean on, in good times and in bad. “I was wondering where we’re going to live. Will we be living on the star cruiser or Fated Mates 51 Serralia? Would you consider living here on Earth?” She saw Dragon let out a breath he probably didn’t know he was holding and anxiety cleared from his gaze. “Is that all?” he whispered quietly. Liz dragged her hands away from him and looked at him indignantly. “What do you mean? Is that all? It’s an important question.” He grabbed her hands back and dragged them to his mouth for a kiss. “I apologize. I know this is an important question to you. Know as long as we are breathing, I don’t care where we live as long as we are together. Your happiness is the only thing I care about.” Liz’s eyes filled at his thoughtfulness. “I will tell you I resigned today. A star cruiser is not the type of place for us to live. Also, I have waited for too long for you only to be sent away on other missions.” “Okay. So it leaves us either Serralia or Earth.” “Would you mind, if we lived here on Earth? I happen to really like this planet and there is nothing left for me on Serralia. Here on Earth, you have a job and a family. I don’t want to take you away from them. A curiosity deep within me wants to see the place of my ancestors. What I will ask, is if you were to permit me to buy us a bigger house? We will at least have to get a new bed because I am sure this morning I did irreparable damage to the one upstairs.” Liz felt all buttery inside thinking about their lovemaking this morning. He was right, they were going to need a new bed. Dragon then placed his large hand against her abdomen causing her stomach muscles to contract and she momentarily lost track of their conversation. Her mind getting foggy from the desire blossoming within her body. “When your body grows ripe with my child, I want you perfectly happy. I’m sure having your mother close to you will be a comfort during that time.” She laughed nervously. “Pregnant? Do you think we created a baby last night?” Mentally, Liz did some quick calculations. If her calculation was correct, now was the perfect time to conceive.
52 Marie Rose Dufour Dragon’s hand lifted and gently cupped her cheek, “I don’t know what I did to deserve this happiness, but I accept the gift and will cherish it forever.” Liz threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “You are a