Page 72 of It Varies
Xiroth sighed.“It seems that nothing untoward has occurred.”
“Yup.She would have been just fine without me there, but it was fun to catch the slippery little dude.”She looked at the doctor.“Am I in trouble for anything else, teach?”
He snorted.“No.Mother and baby are doing well and have access to medical treatment if necessary.”
Xiroth nodded.“I have watched the movies, the diapers are laid in, and the crib has been divested of the herd of stuffed animals that Xletl bought.”
Vine watched as he ticked things off on his fingers.Tummy time was accounted for, baby monitors were in place, friends were lined up to take care of them, and everyone had their shots and knew to wash their hands.
This baby was being brought into a community, and it had been loved long before there were signs it was there.
Jennika smiled.“You helped me get him started, so I am so glad you were here for his arrival.”
Vine blushed as Xiroth stared at her.“You didn’t tell him.”
“No.I didn’t, but when I came through, Vine offered me a complete cleansing if I was afraid or support if I had hope.She said she would support me to the end and far beyond, so I smiled and said yes.She gave me a charm, and I felt good.Really good.We waited six weeks and then made the appointment with Dr.Theo.”
Dr.Theo smiled.“And that is where I entered the life of the healthiest patient I have ever seen.She should have had some form of mate withdrawal, but there was nothing but robust health.”
“The tricky part was spoofing Xiroth’s energy, but I managed.”Vine smiled.
Understanding crossed his features.“You provided her with a simulation of my energy signature.”
“It’s amazing what I can cram into those little charms.It did mean I had to be careful with contact, or I could have thrown the whole thing off.”
Jennika blinked.“Which is why you were so hesitant to touch me.You had to make sure which energy you were putting out.”
“Yeah, speaking of putting out.Wait a year before the next one.”
Jennika blushed and glanced at Xiroth.“Uh, I will try.”
“Oh, jeesus, I don’t mean don’t have sex.Have tons; it’s good for you, just don’t get pregnant right away.These fellas live for quite a while.You can space out the kids.And he can use a condom.I have seen the evidence of that for myself.Mind you, it doesn’t work on tentacles, so I have to come up with something else.”
Jenn covered her smile and said, “Another charm?”
“It only works on one entity at a time.I could make a bracelet or even an earring for you.A set of anklets for when you are feeling frisky.I can control an egg.”
Jenn nodded.“You get on that.I don’t want to have another one until this one is talking.I want to enjoy every part of it.”
Vine smiled.“Good.I am back in two days and so very glad I made it for this.”
Xiroth chuckled.“We have been thinking about taking a trip to the islands.”
“Nice.They are building a hotel resort thing on the Breakridge Islands.A lot less spontaneous sex than on Wonder.”
Xiroth smiled, looked at the baby, and frowned.“Where can I get information on that?”
“From Kazuya or Mia or Meeda.Maybe me if I decide to pay attention.I would say contact Mia, but with our little grouping alone, they would be swamped in no time.”
Xiroth nodded.“Fair.I suppose we could build our own resort...spearheaded by two of our serpents.”
She snorted.“Oh, hells, your guys are building on Breakridge.”
Xiroth beamed.“We are.Our people are also good at building quickly and getting materials remarkably fast.I am going to be going on a sourcing trip in a few weeks if Jennika is ready to travel with the baby.”
Jennika looked at him.“I am on mat leave, and how will we be travelling?”
He laughed and cuddled them both.“A gateway between places if Vine will guide us.”
