Page 54 of So I Married an Alien
I start on dinner, a recipe I have not seen Amara make, but I think it will work given what I’ve learned about human food.Amara especially loves peppers, so I will use many of the mild ones.I also make her favorite rice to go with it.
I turn when I hear her footsteps outside the front door.The knob turns and the door opens, and Amara comes inside with her shoulders tight.
“Welcome home,” I say.She stiffens even further.I know my presence here hurts her.“I have a surprise.”
Her brows knit together.“Why?Don’t get me things.I don’t want?—”
But I am already picking up Bernard and holding him up for her.Her eyes go round, and she takes a few hesitant steps toward us.
“Is that a cat, Roth’kar?”she asks, though it is obvious to both of us that it is.
“I am not trying to buy your affection.”I feel this is important to clarify.“This is not a gift so that you’ll reconsider.But I worry about… when you are alone.”
Her frown gets deeper.“You don’t need to worry about me.”
“But I will!”I grit my teeth together.“I will.But if Bernard is with you, then I know you won’t be alone when I am gone.”
Most unexpectedly, Amara’s eyes grow wet and shining.She takes another step closer, and I offer Bernard to her, who is purring in my arms.
She takes him uncertainly, but he is already content, curling up in the crook of her elbow.Tears stream from her eyes as she looks down at the furry animal, and then she hugs him, clutching him close to her chest.
I think it was a good gift.
