He nodded. “That’s true. Some of our males are hesitant to accept the children of another. We love all children, but moving to another planet can be difficult enough on an adult.”
“You’d be surprised at how well children would adapt to new surroundings,” Blossom said. “Besides, not all of you live on your home world. Has no one other than Brexton decided to raise a family on Earth?”
“There are others, even those who accepted human children. We’ll take it under advisement.” Zlerak stood. “Until Michael Moretti is captured, I will assign a guard to follow you and the children. There will be two, so they can rotate and be well rested for their shifts.”
Brexton frowned. “You didn’t have the resources before.”
“She was just a human before,” Zlerak said. “Now she’s your mate. Do you know what the council would do to me if I didn’t put forth every effort to protect your new mate and children?”
“Thank you,” Blossom said.
Zlerak paused. “You’re willing to have more children? With Brexton?”
“Yes. I mean, we haven’t really discussed it, but I’d always dreamed of having a big family,” Blossom said. “I just started having kids sooner than I had expected. Drew is three and RaeLynn is only a year old.”
“In your opinion, would women, who are considering abandoning their children for whatever reason, be open to an adoption with someone not of the human race?” Zlerak asked.
“Your mate can’t have children?” Blossom asked.
“I don’t have one,” Zlerak said. “But I’m getting older and I wish to have children. I realize some males don’t find their mates until later in life, and mine could still be out there, but for now… I’d like to have a family. The Intergalactic Adoption Agency prefers mated pairs, but I hoped perhaps a human adoption would be easier. I’m not opposed to having fully human children.”
“I don’t really know how all of that works,” Blossom said. “But I do know that single people have been able to adopt in the past. I think it’s more difficult, but not unheard of.”
He nodded. “Thank you. I’ll look into the matter.”
Blossom stood and took Brexton’s hand.
“For what it’s worth, I think they would foolish to turn you away,” Blossom said.
Zlerak smiled and nodded.
Brexton led Blossom out to his SUV and there was another Terran -- no, Zelthranite -- waiting nearby. He appeared young, but seemed strong and capable. Wearing the standard leather pants she’d seen most of the aliens wearing, and only a leather vest, his muscles were on display. He was nowhere near as big as Brexton, but still impressive. She would imagine the female population went crazy when he passed by.
“Joril,” Brexton said, slapping the other male on the back. “I take it you’ll be one of the guards protecting my mate and children?”
“Yes, Brexton,” Joril said. “I will lay down my life to keep them safe.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” her mate said.
“I’ll follow in my own vehicle,” Joril said. “I believe they’ve asked Ranvik to take the morning watch.”
“Thank you,” Blossom said.
Once Blossom was buckled, Brexton pulled out of his parking space and they drove home. She could see the headlights in her side view mirror of Joril’s vehicle the entire way, and he pulled through the gate behind them. Blossom was tired from such a stressful evening, but she was also looking forward to her first night with Brexton. She entered the house and found Mrs. Connors in the living room flipping through a magazine.
“Everything go all right?” Mrs. Connors asked, standing and coming toward her. “I got worried when you were gone for so long.”
“The children?” Blossom asked, her stomach tightening.
“They’re fine,” Mrs. Connors said. “Both had dinner, watched a little TV, and fell asleep. I carried them up to bed.”
“Thank you.”
She felt the heat of Brexton’s body behind her, before he settled his hand at her waist.
“Ready, mate?” he asked.
“Mate?” Mrs. Connors asked. “I thought you were engaged.”
