Page 91 of Pulled By the Tail
“The kit will be here soon, my heart.” Another ice chip. “You have never looked more lovely.” Another. “You’ve made me the happiest male in the universe, my heart.”
Yup. Totally trying to keep her from yelling at him.
Voices rose in the corridor.
“Let me in!”
“Only family is allowed,” Belith said, blocking the door.
“Well, I am family and I’m her personal physician, now get out of my way.”
Georgia knew that voice and had desperately missed her friend over the last year. Joyful tears leaked at the corners of her eyes. Talen dapped at them with a tissue and murmured soft words of comfort.
“I have been treating this female for six months. I am her physician,” Belith argued.
“Then I guess we’re coworkers. Dr. Freema Jones. Now step aside.”
Freema strode into the room, a laminate ID badge hanging around her neck, and dragging a suitcase behind her.
“You look terrible,” Georgia said, struggling to sit up comfortably. She grimaced at her sore abdomen and complaining back.
“Humanity can travel the stars, but airports still suck balls.” Freema brushed back the hair from Georgia’s forehead. “Hey you. Long time, no see.”
“You’re late.”
“And that baby is early.”
“Not my fault.” A contraction rolled through her and she grabbed Talen’s tail, squeezing hard. To his credit, his face remained placid and he did not utter a sound of discomfort. A little part of her was thrilled to inflict a fraction of the pain she felt but a larger part of her felt remorse and vowed to make amends.
When Georgia could finally open her eyes, she found Freema watching her with a goofy look on her face. “What?”
“I’m so happy right now my heart hurts,” Freema said.
“Did you acclimate to the oxygen levels on this planet? Sounds—” Another contraction hit, derailing her snarky comment. There was so much she wanted to tell Freema and so many questions to ask, like was she staying on Corra? Did she get the post at the medical clinic in town or would she be on the other side of the world? Did she bring the damn coffee?
Belith lifted the paper blanket and made a pleased murmur. “Perfect. It’s time.”
“Let’s make a baby,” Freema said. “Where do I scrub up?”
“Sorry, only the papa is allowed in the room now. You can wait in the hall with the rest of the family,” Belith said, snapping on fresh gloves.
Fifteen minutes later, or three hours, she really couldn’t keep track of time, she held a slumbering bundle. Persistence Marie Achaval was perfect. Beyond perfect with her tiny little fingers and fingernails, little button of a nose, pink lips, slender tail, and triangular ears with a tuft of dark hair at the tips.
“Your ears don’t look like this,” she said, brushing the baby fine hair.
“Kit’s fur. It will fall out in time.” He sat on the bed next to her, brushing one large hand over his daughter’s hair.
“Hello baby,” she said, not quite believing this life she made; they made. She looked up at Talen, “We did this.”
“We did,” he agreed. One arm tightened around her and his tail waved happily.
The feel-good endorphins must have been flooding her brain because the recent agony of labor faded—which was a terrible trick for her body to play. All she could think about was her glorious daughter and how soon they could have another. “I think Endeavor is a good name for the next one.”
Epilogue
Georgia
G,
