Khol (Rescued by the Alien)

23. Nancy

Chapter 23

Nancy

“ S omeone’s very tired,” I said.

“I’s not tired,” Flora dramatically wailed. “I just slept. And I’s can’t eat cute piggies.”

“No pigs died to make this pizza. It’s all vegetables and grain. Cheese on the top. I think. It tastes like cheese, that is.” I nudged my chin toward her meal. “Finish up, and you can take a nice bath.”

“Can we go swimmin’?” she asked Khol.

“Not during the storm.” His gaze cut to the window.

It still rained outside, though the wind gusts weren’t hitting the building with as much force. Maybe it would end tonight, like he said. Who needed a meteorologist when we had Khol?

“Tomorrow,” he told her. “You can swim after we go fishing for our dinner. ”

“Fish for Christmas?” she asked. “I want turkey. Ham. No, no. I don’t want those. They’re friends.” Her sobs had stopped but she still appeared as dejected as if her entire life had been ripped out from beneath her, which I suppose it had.

“I’ll make it taste amazing,” I said. “You’re going to love it.”

“Okay,” she said with a sigh. “I miss my home. Dis isn’t my home.”

Khol’s face fell.

She’d hurt him, but I didn’t scold her. She was a child, and she had the right to miss the life she’d left behind on Earth. This was a major adjustment for me, and I was an adult. A child wouldn’t see it the same way.

But I took his hand and squeezed it. “I love it here. Zuldrux is special, and so are you.”

His smile lifted, though shadows still lingered in his eyes.

The water spirit removed our empty plates, and I took Flora to the bathroom, where I filled the tub. While she bobbed around and played in what looked like a six-person hot tub when compared to her, I told her more holiday stories. Cartoon shows had been a big thing for us back on Earth, and it would be wrong to say I wouldn’t miss them. I’d tell her our favorites every year, though, and I bet this would start a new Zuldrux tradition. We’d incorporate Zuldrux culture into our own, and before long, it would feel seamless.

Funny how when I thought about creating a permanent relationship with Khol, I hadn’t thought about how this would play out for my daughter .

Would she soon want to call him daddy? She’d asked about her father often, and I was as honest as I could be without painting myself a victim and her dad a horrible person. He hadn’t wanted anything to do with her, but that wasn’t a rejection of her, just the role of a parent.

After she was dressed in PJs, we left the bathroom, aiming for her bedroom.

“Need Khol kisses,” she said, rushing over to stand in front of him where he sat on the sofa. “Kisses, Khol. Kisses!”

He scooped her up and cradled her in his arms, nuzzling her neck while growling. She squealed with laughter and kicked her feet.

He’d make a great dad. A wonderful husband and mate. A perfect companion to spend the rest of my days with.

Was I in love with him? Hard to say when we’d only been together a short time. But I liked everything that made up this special guy, and I could easily see myself beside him for the rest of my days.

Even better, he seemed to feel the same way.

The warmth I felt for him couldn’t be denied. It was like a wave roaring toward the shore, determined to rush over me. I had a feeling I’d greet it with my arms open and my heart on fire.

When he lifted his head, he sent me a tusky grin that sunk right through me, warming me from the inside out.

Flora slipped from his arms and skipped over to me. “We gotta hang our stockings.”

“You’re right, sweetie.” As I stroked her hair, I felt like crying, and I knew why. I was falling for him, but I wasn’t sure I dared. Richard hurt me. Realistically, I knew they were two different men, but it wasn’t easy to convince my heart that I could trust anyone.

Fortunately, I didn’t have to decide right now. It was Christmas eve, and my little girl was excited. Tomorrow would be a slightly different day than the one we were used to, but it would be just as wonderful.

Maybe even better than wonderful, because we’d share it with Khol.

He got up off the couch. “I asked the house spirit to give us stockings, but I’m not sure it got it right.” He tugged something out from behind him. Had he been sitting on them, hiding them for a surprise? The twinkle in his eyes said yes. “What do you think of these?”

The house spirit had created stockings very much like the ones we’d used at home, big red and green things that no one would wear but were perfect for filling with small treats. Each had our names in scrolling letters.

“Dis mine,” Flora said, pointing. “Flora.”

Back on Earth, we were working on her letters, something I’d have to restart here. Books would pose a dilemma. I was a big reader, but it wasn’t like I could go to the bookstore or order some new reads online. No ereaders in sight.

Life on Zuldrux would be very different than the one we would’ve had on Earth. Better, though, I bet.

Since the house didn’t have a fireplace—the water spirit kept the temperature even all year long—we hung our stockings on the back of the door. I was banking on the spirits helping me fill her stocking tonight, along with Khol’s. As for his present, I had something in mind I hoped he’d been wishing for.

Me.

My veins felt all swirly and heady, as if I’d drunk a big glass of wine.

Tonight, I was going to suggest we take this farther.

From the moment I discovered I was pregnant and that I was going to be a single mom, I dedicated myself to being both parents for my daughter. As if I had to make up for Richard’s lack. I’d scrimped on everything to make sure she had what she needed, both financially and otherwise. I assumed I’d continue to do so until she’d finished college and started her own life. Only then might I consider doing something for myself.

Even now, I’d make sure everything was perfect for Flora’s Christmas before considering my own needs.

But tonight, after she’d gone to bed, I’d do something solely for me. My skin tingled at the thought.

Would Khol turn me down or grin and say, “It’s about time”?

“We hafta put out cookies and milk for Santa,” Flora said. “We gots cookies, but no milk.”

“I bet Santa would love a nice hot mug of tea,” I said. “And for his reindeer? I know they eat more than carrots. We’ll ask the water spirit to give us a plate full of vegetables that suit reindeer.”

“Yes,” she squealed, rushing toward the kitchen.

Khol lifted his unibrow. “Carrots? ”

“You’ll see,” I said with a smile. Now that I’d committed myself, my veins were on fire. I couldn’t wait to melt into his arms.

The water spirit came through with a plate of mixed vegetables, a mug of tea, and an empty plate for a few of the cookies we’d made earlier.

With great ceremony, we put them on the table.

“Now I’s gotta go to sleep or Santa will know I’m awake.” Flora danced toward her room. “I can’t wait for Santa to come for Cwis-maas.”

Khol came along with us, a whimsical smile on his face. We both tucked her in and gave her kisses, and for tonight, she didn’t want any stories.

“I’s gotta go to sleep.” She laid her clasped hands on her chest and closed her eyes. Her lips quivered with joy, and just seeing her happy made my heart soar. When I first got here, I was so worried about how we’d survive.

Now we had a new home with someone who cared for us.

I couldn’t wait to start my new life with Khol.

We shut the door and walked over to stand near the sofa.

“Presents,” I whispered. “Though we’ll have to wait in case she gets up.”

“Will she?” He kept his voice just as low. “I have a feeling she won’t dare get up in case Santa sees.”

“You’re probably right.”

He walked over to stand close to me, his fingers tentatively stroking across my face, smoothing hair behind my shoulder. “Shall we tell each other stories since we missed out? ”

The smile teasing across his lips made everything inside me shimmer with joy.

“I was thinking . . .” I pinched my eyes shut before opening them again. It would be so easy to hide, to step away from him and continue denying myself something I wanted.

But no more. I’d done everything for my daughter. It was time to do something solely for me.

Well, me and Khol.

“I was thinking . . .” I said, my voice much too croaky.

His face going serious, he nodded, urging me to finish.

“I want to be with you, Khol. Completely.”