Torun grinned.“This is fun.It reminds me of old times between missions.”
Silver Storm looked over and bowed.“Ladies?Please have a seat.”
He held the chair for Alody, but she snorted and held the chair for Diena.“It is her home, and she gave birth in the early hours of the night.”
Diena laughed and took the seat.“Thanks, Mom.”
Jenaki settled the waffles in front of her and kissed the top of her head again.“Eat, Diena.”
She nodded, paused, and held up her hands.Spray cream and chocolate syrup smacked into them, and she set them on the table.The first set of waffles was assembled, and she passed the tray over to Ithal.After that, it was Alody, and then the male actives took the huge stack down to almost nothing.
Her coffee was poured, and Alody added cream and sugar before sliding it toward her.They ate in near silence until Ithal said, “I’m full.Can I go talk to Vaken on the com?”
“Use the one in the media room, love.”Alody smiled.
When the very astute child was gone, Diena asked, “So, Silver Storm, what is your normal name?”
He paused and smiled.“Gaireth Eskin, miss.”
Alody looked at Diena.“What did Ithal tell you?”
She shrugged.“Nothing major.So, Eskin, if you pursue Alody, you are aware she has passed her sixth decade and has two stunningly talented children?”
He coughed, and Jenaki smiled.“I believe that escaped his awareness, not his notice.”
Eskin smiled.“She was very much an adult when I locked onto her as a partner.”
Alody muttered, “And he very much wasn’t.He was on his way, but he wasn’t there yet.”
Eskin chuckled.“I made it; it just took a while.Apparently, I am a slow learner.”
Torun grinned.“I swear I thought you were going to say something else.”
Alody winced.“If I remember his medical visits correctly, that is true, too.”
Diena blinked.“Oh, TMI.”
Torun chortled.“So, little Alody junior, how is it that you are looking like you were not in labour twelve hours ago?”
She sipped at her coffee with a loud, satisfied sigh.“Good genes.”
Jenaki held the hand that was resting next to her plate.Diena looked around at the table, and everything levitated and then neatly stacked itself in the dishwasher.
Alody blinked.“I didn’t know you could do that.”
Diena smiled.“I needed a tidy kitchen before I went to take a shower.I am spending today recovering.While I wouldn’t mind doing it again one day, it is tiring, and bracing for lunatics to come through the door doesn’t give restful sleep.”
Jenaki stroked her hair.
Torun smirked.“Zera was slamming her head against the wall.You two could have made a lot of money for the BDC.”
Alody snorted.“I have an eight-year-old son.There isn’t anything in the charter about childcare.”
Torun tilted his head.“How is that?What happened when you left?”
Alody nodded and told the tale of the Lorn emperor.The exchange of her for exotic minerals had probably benefited Kritz and Zera alike.
Torun’s eyes widened when he heard that.“Oh, damn.”
