Diena ignored the astonishedlooks of the nurses as she left the maternity centre.Her body had pulled in a dramatic amount, and she only had a slight roundness to her figure that was going to require a gym to work off.She had enjoyed taste-testing at the playpark a little too much.
Jenaki came with her and transformed into his action-look outside.He smiled and lifted her, moving just as carefully now as he had when he brought her in.
She looked out over the city as it was waking and coming to life.
“You did very well, Diena.Even dealing with the family last night.”
She snorted.“The reason we work on need is that if we work with our own impulses, that kid would have been an orphan.Their lack of respect for my moments of quiet was infuriating, and I had enough of a hormone load to splat them flat.”
“Well, I am glad you didn’t.It would have put a dent in my record as a responsible OB.”
She laughed.“You were cuddling with a patient.”
“I was cuddling with my intended.There is a difference.”
She snorted softly.“Oh, I am going to be so happy to get into normal clothing again.I have really missed my feet.”
He grinned.“You are going to continue to work at Z-Corp?”
“No.Once I get the final all clear from...you, I guess, I am going to focus my efforts on the playpark.”
He nodded.“Does your supervisor know?”
“They have an idea, but I haven’t formalized it yet.I needed the maternity coverage, and it was in the contract that I would remain on site and as an employee until the child was delivered.”
He cocked his head.“I think I understand.They were watching you.”
“Yup.I am fairly sure Kritz knew who I was.”
He descended to the drive outside her house and walked toward the door.Ithal flung the door open.“We are making waffles!”
Diena laughed.She looked at Jenaki.“Do you have a full day ahead?”
He shook his head.“Not until afternoon.”
He walked into the house with her, and she said, “Do you like waffles?”
Alody called out, “We have strawberries.”
He carried her to see the flour explosion and the eight-year-old wearing batter on his cheekbones.
Jenaki looked at her.“I love waffles.”
He set her down on a chair near the counter.
Alody smirked.“Everything smooth after we left?”
Diena reached forward and stole a strawberry.“Just what I expected.Tycho tracked me from my scent on the baby, and they all came in to thank me.I think hugs were about to happen.Torun and Zera came by, and that is where it went to heck.”
Alody paused.“I used to know Torun.”
“Oh, that was clear.He locked up when he saw me.”
Alody looked at Ithal.“Can someone supervise the great strawberry massacre?”
Jenaki was still in battle gear, but he walked around.“Got it.”
Alody walked into the next room, and Diena could hear her talking quietly in an amused tone that paused and got tense.“What ishedoing here?”
