Page 30 of Grulen

“Congratulations.”Morgan placed her hands on Abby’s shoulders and studied her.“Yeah, I think I see a glow about you.”

Abby slapped Morgan’s forearm.

“Stop teasing me.It’s too early for a pregnancy glow.”

“No, she’s right.You look serene.”Rain smirked.

“Fuck off.”Abby stuck up her middle finger.

“Are you going to teach your kid such language?”Kara arched an eyebrow and crossed her arms.“That’s my job as auntie.”

Laughing, the women pestered Abby about her due date and if she wanted to know the gender beforehand.Kara’s expression turned serious.

“Will you guys be leaving the Wing Raiders and settling on a planet?”

Abby shook her head.

“Not in our plans right now.You guys are family.We’re happy here.”

“But don’t you think you’ll be safer somewhere else?”Morgan bit her lip.“Space is dangerous and living on a ship with a kid, is that fair to him or her?”She spread her arms out.“I’m not judging.Just trying to understand.”

Abby’s lips firmed.

“First, everywhere is dangerous.Even if I were still on Earth—a planet—I’d have to worry about safety.Second, every single person on this ship would fight to the death to protect us.I’m not saying we won’t ever decide that a planet is better overall for our family, but for now, this is where we want and need to be.”

Rain and Kara nodded in agreement.

“She’s right.”

Morgan chewed slowly and let the chatter flow over her as she digested everyone’s thoughts.I think I’d want to be on a planet if I were pregnant.I’m starting to believe all those alien romance writers might have had it right—humans are universal breeders.Svesti, and now Jalaxians.I wonder if King Sovex would let the Wing Raiders settle on Costonia if they asked.

Wiping the sweat from her brow, Morgan smiled at the women.

“How’d that feel?”

“Shit, my core fucking hurts,” Kara moaned.

“Wuss.That was a great workout.”Feet apart, Rain laced her fingers and stretched her arms over her head before arching her back.“I’m amazed at how much my muscles burn just from doing the exercises on silks.”

Abby sucked down a water pouch.

“I’m with Kara on this one.I thought I was in shape, but now I’m not so sure.”

Morgan laughed.

“You said you performed on Earth and on Delizas.Can you show us what that looked like?”Abby pushed her hair back from her forehead.

“Sure.I’m out of practice, though.”

“Didn’t seem like it,” Kara griped while she grabbed her tablet.“Did you need music?I swiped some from the Svesti when we rescued you.They had Earth’s internet in their files.”

“GotImmigrant Song?”

“Coming right up.”

Morgan grabbed her silks and waited until the hard-driving beat filled the cargo bay.Quickly she climbed the fabric lengths sliding them through her feet and pulling with her arms.Wrapping her right wrist and grasping the cloth above, she began a series of movements that looked extremely difficult but relied on strong core muscles and balance.She twisted and turned occasionally billowing the fabric below her for visual effect while maneuvering to wrap each ankle in a silk and pausing in a mid-air split.

Something small flew by her face.Startled, she snapped her legs together and slid down before she fell.

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