Page 11 of Proslo

“How far to the shops, and is there a library?’”

“You can borrow absolutely any human book in print through the Fleet library,” he responded, “and read it on your tablet. When you go into library mode to read a book or periodical, the nanites adjust so it is the same to your eyes as reading print. If you wish to have a bound paper copy, you will have to order it through the Fleet Shop app unless one of the independent bookshops within the Fleet happens to carry it. If they do, it will show up in your search ahead of the listing in the app.”

“Indie bookstores?” Now I knew I was in heaven.

“Yes, there are a few, run by various mates. The Fleet’s online library is overseen by Xeranos with the help of several other mates, as is the rest of the Fleet Shop.” He palmed open an elevator door and spoke aloud, telling Xeranos where we wanted to go. The doors slid shut and the elevator began to move up.

“That all sounds great, and I can imagine we’d run out of space quickly if all my books were paperbacks and hardbacks. I tend to read mostly on the e-reader I got myself for Christmas last year. It’s not a big name brand or anything and reads epubs and pdfs.”

“Whatever those are, I’m sure Xeranos can link it up if you prefer it over a tablet.”

“I don’t have a Mylos tablet,” I pointed out.

“You’ll be issued one. Odds are that there’s one waiting for you already in our quarters.”

I was beginning to wonder if maybe they were a little too efficient. Then I gasped, throwing out a hand to steady myself as the elevator paused before suddenly moving sideways, startling me. I grabbed his arm, causing him to glance down in concern.

“I was not expecting that. The, um, going sideways thing. Elevators on Earth don’t do that.”

“Ah,” he simply replied.

I kept my hand where it was, liking the way his quiet strength helped me feel grounded. The elevator stopped again, this time the door opening to reveal what looked like a really nice apartment or hotel corridor. Polished floors that looked like terrazzo, hanging plants, quality ambient lighting, and absolutely gorgeous wood-look front doors. He brought us to a stop in front of one and pressed his palm onto a polished glass plate with what could be his name or a string of numbers for all I knew, seeing as it was in their alien alphabet. Something I needed to learn, that was for sure, or I’d never figure out which door was ours. It slid open, revealing a well appointed open plan L-shaped living and dining room area plus the kitchen. A small hallway led off of the living room and a quick look showed two bedrooms and a shared bathroom were there. Another door on the far wall of the dining room led to another bedroom, this one with an en suite jack and jill bathroom shared with another room that looked to be a study judging by the desk and what looked like a computer terminal in there.

I gave a shaky laugh. “Three bedrooms, huh? Guess they really are expecting us to pop out a couple of kids.”

He sat Pumpkin’s carrier down on the desk, opening it to let him out to explore. Pumpkin immediately ran under the desk hissing.

“I feel you are wanting to have a conversation about the possibility of young. Your profile said you’d planned to foster a child, maybe two, and hopefully adopt.”

I swallowed. “Yes. There are so many needy children out there. My best friend in elementary school and junior high was a foster kid who got adopted. It made a big impact on me.” He looked thoughtful, his mouth turning into the tiniest of frowns. “I don’t mind having a child with you as well, though, if that’s what you want,” I hurried to reassure him.

“But is that what you want?” he countered. “This is something we should both want, not something you should do to please me.”

I knew that. I really did, intellectually anyway. It was something that I’d have vehemently told someone else, in fact. But emotionally, when it came to wanting to ensure a happy ever after, even if I had to compromise on something like this? Yeah, that was a different matter, until it suddenly wasn’t. That the change for me was because he said so was something I needed to unpack later, but right now? All I felt was vindication. I hadn’t been wrong all those times.

“It’s your body, so really, in the end, how we have the young we both seem to desire is down to you.

And the lottery wins just kept coming. Damn, I should have bought a roll of scratch off cards this morning when I stopped for gas.

“Can I think about it, maybe consider us making a baby together once I graduate and settle into work? Even if everything went perfectly, pregnancy is a lot on the body and then there’s daycare and night feedings and I think it would be better to not also try to do school or start a new job at the same time.” I bit my lip. “That’ll put me past forty though.”

He made a dismissive gesture. “With our medicine, that’s not going to be an issue. And yes, you make very valid points. So, fostering first?”

I nodded. “I thought an older child maybe, possibly with a younger sibling.”

He beamed. “That sounds wonderful. Your profile also mentioned that you’d planned to apply as soon as you had your apartment set up.”

I swallowed. “Yes. I’ve wanted to be a mom for so long.”

He nodded slowly. “Once we have finished setting up our home, do you still wish to apply immediately? We could take the foster parent classes as soon as you’d like and after that, be matched with a needy child once a home visit is completed.”

“Really? You’d do that? Even though we just got together?”

“Yes. You seem to identify strongly with a need to nurture at least one child. I, too, have dreamed of parenting young. If this is what you wish, then I am all for it, as long as we also make time for ourselves.” He pursed his lips. “Perhaps after the wedding would be best? That can be as soon as you’d like as well.”

I snorted. “Well, I might have Googled Guam and elopement weddings,” I drawled. “Mrs. Titchmarsh had been quite keen on that location and I have to admit, it looks great.”

“An elopement?” he looked puzzled.