Alien Proliferation

sure? Because .  . . I’m so in love with him.” She started to cry a little. “And . . . I don’t know what I’ll do if . . .”
    I heard the door open. “If he decides he’d rather be alone, lonely, and unhappy instead of with the girl he’s in love with? He’s an alien, not an idiot.” I hugged her, then let go and walked out. Christopher held the door for me. “Really, this is romance, not sex, time. We’re on a schedule.”
    “Got it. Kitty . . . thanks.”
    I kissed his cheek. “You did the same for me, if you recall.”
    Jeff was leaning against the wall. “Were we this stupid?”
    “You were, if memory serves.”
    He laughed. “I told you I was going to marry you within, what, ten minutes?”
    “I think it was thirty, but who’s counting?” He took Jamie and put her on his shoulder again while I snuggled up against him and buried my face in his shirt. “So, how did you pick this particular T-shirt?” He wrapped his free arm around me.
    “It was the only one that fit me.”
    “Being totally ripped and all big and brawny does limit your clothing choices, I guess. Have I mentioned that you look so hot in these clothes?”
    “I feel stupid.”
    “You look great. How many women flung themselves at you on your way into Notre Dame?”
    “I was running to get to you before you got into trouble. Didn’t stop to flirt.”
    “You don’t need to. Your shirt says it all.”
    “What does my shirt say?”
    I looked up at him. “Make love with me.”
    His eyelids drooped, and he got the half-smile, half-snarl on his face that always reminded me of a jungle cat about to strike. “Maybe I’ll keep the shirt.” His voice was a purr. I started to grind against him, and he slid his thigh between my legs while his hand stroked the small of my back. “Maybe I’ll have you wear the shirt . . . and nothing else.” My breath was getting ragged. “What do you want, baby?” His voice was a low growl as he slid his hand over my bottom and squeezed.
    I moaned softly. “You.”
    Jamie made a baby sound and started fussing. We both took a deep breath and then shifted back to good parenting positions. Jeff cuddled Jamie while I put the Snugli on and tried to get my nipples to stop poking through my shirt.
    Just in time, as Christopher and Amy came out of the women’s bathroom. He had his arm around her shoulders, and she had both arms around his waist. I finally paid attention to their shirts. His said “Fall in love in Paris” and hers said “Parisian Princess.” Fitting, really.
    “All set?” Jeff asked.
    Christopher nodded. “Yeah.” He looked around. “Kind of nice to be here again.”
    “Get used to it.”
    He gave me a confused look. “Why?”
    “Oh, right. You two were, ah, busy when your dad explained all the new, fun things we’re going to be doing.” Jeff slipped Jamie into the Snugli, then put his arm around me. I wrapped my arm around his waist as I leaned against him. “We’ll tell you on the way to the shower. Ceremony. Whatever.” I couldn’t help it, I yawned. Widely. I was still tired from the Surcenthumain Rage High.
    We took the elevator down to the basement. “You really did it in all those places?” Amy asked.
    “More than they listed.” I shrugged. “What can I say? My needs are simple, my wants are few.”
    “Yeah,” Jeff said happily. “It sucks to be me.”

 
    CHAPTER 72
     
    W E ARRIVED BACK at the launch area. Same A-C on gate duty. “Nice to see you back, Commanders.” He had a brave little smile on his face. “Is the situation under control?”
    “Nice to be back, and it’s under control now.” I took a deep breath. “I’m sorry we weren’t in time to save Wayne or the others.”
    He shook his head. “Wayne was Field, ma’am. He knew the risks. They all did.”
    I doubted very much that Wayne or the others had expected what they had gotten, but I chose to keep that one to myself. “What’s your name?”
    “Walter.”
    I studied him. I’d been too late to save Wayne, but I could do something for his brothers, so that maybe they’d have something positive to discuss at a future family dinner. William and Wayne had said they were one of the best Field teams, after all, and I didn’t doubt it. And Walter, with no A-C talents, had managed to hold out against Al Dejahl’s mind control at least as long as Gladys had, maybe longer.
    Walter shifted. “Is something wrong, Commander?”
    “You like it in Dulce,