Page 81 of Warrior's Captive
“I—what?”
Nadine’s expression softened. “We know you chafed for something more than what we could provide you. What this world could provide you. Perhaps on Yedahn you can be who you were meant to be.”
“Let us see our granddaughter,” her father said.
Vivian unwound the cloth sling and shifted the infant in her arms so Mayleen was facing forward. Her tiny head turned, eyes closed as she rooted for a nipple.
“Oh,” her father breathed. “She’s perfect.”
“Well done, Vivian,” her mother said. “A strong looking child. We have both requested a leave of absence. We will be there with you in a few months.”
Vivian blinked. “I would love to have you here, but . . . .” She didn’t know how to ask the question about their finances—her parents had never thought it appropriate to discuss money with theirchild—especially with Tai’ri hovering at her back.
Her mother waved a hand. “Your princess will incur the expense on behalf of her government, as it was one of her citizens who illegally took you from your home.”
Vivian stared at them, a little shocked. They had accepted help? She’d been so certain they would turn down an offer of aid.
Her father grinned at her. “The look on your face, girl,” he said. “That is what happens when a daughter thinks she knows better than her parents.”
“You’ll stay with us, of course,” Tai’ri said. “It would comfort Vivian to have her parents in her home.”
Well, yes and no. Father would take over the kitchen and mother would attempt to take over Vivian’s new business. Neither of them would let her hold her own baby, if the looks in their eyes was any indication.
Her chest warmed. “I can’t wait until you are both here.”
28
Vivian stood nakedin front of the full-length mirror, twisting and turning as she eyed herself critically. Experimentally, she bent down, touching her fingertips to the floor. Then her boobs started leaking, so she straightened and started to dress.
The first fifteen pounds had melted off, mostly blood and water weight. These last fifteen would need a little more attention. She should probably swap her morning fruit filled buns for more vegetable soup.
“House, locate Tai’ri,” she said as she finished slipping into undergarments, a belly wrap, simple leggings and an oversized t-shirt.
:Tai’ri is in the gym.:
She left the bathroom, padded to Mayleen’s bassinet and looked down. The tiny baby slept, arms and legs sprawled, plump belly rising and falling with her breath. Carefully she lifted the child, then left the bedroom and made her way to the lift, and to the basement gym.
The room was across from the med suite, and when she stepped inside she stopped, staring with unabashed interest at the tall, leanly muscled man going through a series of exercises.
“Is it lunchtime?” he asked, stopping after several moments.
“No. Abeyya said I could begin some light exercise this week. I want to learn self-defense too.”
He approached, touched the tip of the baby’s nose gently, then lowered his head and gave Vivian a kiss. It held all the pent-up hunger and frustration she’d also begun to feel over the last weeks as her body healed and her libido seemed determined to get her pregnant again.
But learning to care for a new baby, and exist in her new body, had belayed opportunities to pick up where they’d left off the day of Mayleen’s birth.
“We can start with some stretching and go from there,” he said.
Vivian walked to the corner of the room where there was already a bassinet for the baby, and set her inside, then turned once she was certain Mayleen would remain asleep.
“Stretches. Let’s begin.”
* * *
It felt so good to use her muscles. To walk and jump and stretch without the cumbersome weight of a pregnancy. She still marveled at how light she felt, and how fast she could move.
Which was why she pushed for more than stretches. “I can do more,” she insisted. “Try me.”
