Isocar’s rage faded slightly.“There is something else there.I can feel it.”
“I could only save your life once.I chose this moment.You survived the other on your own.”Nylora looked at her.“I chose this version of you because this is the one where we meet.Twins in the womb, I have missed you, but I am glad you are safe.I also respect your rage and frustration.I will be available if you ever want to talk.”
Isocar paused.“You are leaving me?”
“I am in town.I live nearby.I am currently working for the ambulance services.”
“You did that for me?”
Nylora nodded.“I needed to be in the right place.”
“So, what happens now?”
“We each get to live a life.Yours starts all over again.Scars gone, friends, and family wrapping around you.”
Isocar stared at her.“What is your natural face?”
Nylora wore her night and starlight with the lunar scars across her forehead and arms.
Isocar smiled.“You have big ears.”
“So do you, junior.Any piercings?”
“I can’t get them to stick.”
“I could help with that.”
Isocar smiled.“You had a good upbringing?”
“It was financially tight, but we managed.I was the eldest, and they had a natural daughter by the time I started high school.She let me rent space in her house, owns a bakery, and is a midwife.”She patted her waistband.“My midwife.”
Isocar looked at her belly, and Nylora could feel the pressure of the exam.“Use a light touch, or I will save you and wreck you in a forty-eight-hour period.”
Isocar smiled.“There’s a little person in there.”
“There is.Three months to go.”
Her sister smiled.“I will be an aunt.”
“Yup.We are tying you to the future, whether you like it or not.”She squeezed her sister’s hand.“Get well.Get strong, and we can meet for coffee.Decaf for me.”
Isocar smiled.“I think I could manage that.”
“I am not trying to smother you, so I will let this go at your pace.I am on nights for the next few days.I am about to head on shift for the night, but I wanted to see you and make sure that I broke the news while you have unlimited access to sedatives.”
Her sister giggled and then clutched her ribs.“You are funny.”
“I work alongside the XIA for a living.They are ridiculous, so I laugh a lot.”
The Gangers chuckled.
Isocar said, “Their daughter, Benny, is in the XIA.I used to babysit her when I was younger.Um...do you know who the father is?”
“Uh, yeah.”Nylora rubbed the back of her neck.“Six months ago, there was a thing and a fertility god, and a party, and we have just introduced ourselves today.Busy week.”She chuckled.“And the other guy.Different teams.”
The Gangers chortled.“Benny and the guys host barbecues at our place.I am fairly sure you will be invited.”
“Well, one guy was day shift, but the other is fairly entrenched on the night shift.So, only one to deal with at a time.”
