Deeper than the Night

They left the motel at dusk. Kara's wound, though sore, seemed to be healing nicely, and Alex was certain it was because he'd given her his blood. His own wounds had always healed swiftly, leaving no scar.

Kara glanced at Alex. She should have been weak, suffering from the blood she'd lost, but when Alex had checked her this morning, the gunshot wound had appeared to be no more serious than a scratch. Certainly it was far less painful than the awkward silence between her and Alex.

She glanced at him now, thinking how handsome he was, how much she loved him. But she loved his baby, too, and she wasn't going to get rid of it.

"I think we should drop Gail off at the Ralstons'," Kara said.

Alex glanced at her. It was the first time she'd spoken directly to him since last night. "All right."

"No, Kara!" Gail leaned over the seat. "I want to stay with you."

Kara shook her head. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"Why not?"

"Because we might still be in danger from Barrett," Kara said. She turned in the seat so she could face Gail. "It'll only be for a little while, sweetie."

"But_"

"Please, Gail, don't argue with me. Not now. I'll keep in touch with you, I promise."

In a huff, Gail sank back on the seat and stared out the window. A short time later, she was asleep.

"Alex?"

"Hmmm?"

"I'm healing so fast because of you, aren't I? Because you gave me your blood?"

He nodded.

"That's twice you've saved my life."

He glanced at her briefly, then turned his attention to the road once again. He'd saved her life. Would he also be the one to take it from her?

The silence in the car lengthened, grew awkward.

Kara stared out the window, one hand resting protectively over her stomach. Alien or human, she already loved the child in her womb. She would fight Alex, Barrett, the whole world, if necessary, but no one was going to harm her child.

Feeling Alex's gaze on her face, she slowly turned to face him. When he spoke, she knew he'd been reading her mind again.

"You don't really think I'd hurt the child, do you?"

"No, not really. But I know you don't want it."

"Kara, that's not true." His hands tightened on the steering wheel. "I'd like nothing more thanto have children with you. Dozens of children. But I don't want to put your life at risk." He glanced at her again. "How do you feel?"

"All right. I'm nauseous in the morning, but that's normal."

"That's all? You don't feel sick or anything?"

"No." She scooted across the seat and placedher hand on his thigh. "Couldn't we be happy about this until we have reason to worry? I've never been pregnant before. I don't want anything to spoil it."

"I'll try," Alex said. He covered her hand with his. "But I can't promise not to worry."

"I love you, Alex."

"There's a small wedding chapel in Eagle Flats," Alex said. "Will you marry me, Kara? Will you be my wife?"

"Yes, Alex, oh, yes." She leaned toward him and kissed him on the cheek. "Everything will be all right. I know it will."

With a nod, he put his arm around her shoulders and drew herclose.

By the time they reached Darnell, Gail was resigned to staying with Mrs. Zimmermann, but she still wasn't happy about it.

As soon as Alex pulled into the driveway, Gail got out of the car and slammed the door, then ran into the house.

Kara squeezed Alex's hand as he helped her out of the car. "You look like you're about to be thrown to the lions," she remarked.

"I feel like it, too," Alex replied. He'd spent years avoiding people whenever possible. He wasn't looking forward to seeing Kara's grandmother again, or answering the questions that would inevitably follow.

"Well, come on," Kara said, grinning at him. "We might as well get it over with."

Lena Corley studied Alex through shrewd eyes when Kara introduced him. "You're the man from the hospital," she said. "The author."

"Yes. It's a pleasure to see you again, Mrs. Corley," Alex said.

Lena Corley slanted a glance in Kara's direction. "Have you known my granddaughter long?" Lena asked.

"A few months."

"She said you met in the hospital. You donated some blood, I believe."

Alex glanced at Kara. "I. . ."

"Mrs. Corley, would you mind setting the dining room table? The dishes are in the cabinet against the wall." Nancy smiled as she gave Alex a little push. "Alex, why don't you make yourself at home? My husband will be here soon. Kara, would you mind helping me in the kitchen?"

Smiling his gratitude, Alex escaped to the living room.

Taking Kara into the kitchen, Nancy dragged her to the table and practically pushed her into a chair. "He's gorgeous!" she exclaimed. "Where on earth did you meet him?"

"It's a long story," Kara said.

"Give me the Reader's Digest condensed version."

"You're a married woman, remember?"

"Oh, I know, and I love my husband, but good grief, girl, he's out of this world!"

Kara couldn't help it, she laughed. "You've got that right," she replied. "Listen, I met him while I was in the hospital. We became friends, that's all."

"Friends?"

Kara felt her cheeks redden. "All right, maybe we're more than friends." She hesitated a moment. "Nancy, I'm pregnant."

Nancy sat back in her chair, her expression almost comical. "Well, I guess you are more than friends. When's the baby due?"

Kara shook her head. "I'm not sure." She was carrying an alien baby. Would her term be nine months, or would the time be longer or shorter?

"How do you feel?"

"Fine, except for a little morning sickness."

"It'll pass. Have you told Alex?"

"Of course, but my grandmother doesn't know, and I'd rather not tell her just yet."

"I can keep a secret." Nancy shook her head. "Well, what a day this has been. Guess I'd better fix dinner. Jim will be home soon." She pulled some potatoes out of the fridge. "Wanna help me peel these?"

"Sure."

"Ah, listen, since your grandmother doesn't know about the baby, she probably doesn't know you and Alex are . . . I mean . . . anyway, Alex can sleep on the hide-a-bed in the den."

Kara nodded. "That will be fine."

The evening passed pleasantly. Nancy's husband and Alex seemed to hit it off and the conversation at the dinner table was relaxed and easy, as if they'd all been friends for years instead of hours. At one point, Nancy mentioned that her sister was expecting a baby, which led the women into a discussion of pregnancy and childbirth. Kara listened avidly, only then realizing how very little she actually knew about having a baby. She'd never realized babies required so many things_baby clothes, cribs, diapers, bottles, playpens, high chairs_the list seemed to go on and on.

After dinner, they watched television for a while. About nine o'clock Nana and Mrs. Zimmermann retired to their beds. Nancy and her husband said good-night an hour later.

"Gail, I think it's time we called it a night, too."

"It's only ten o'clock!"

"I know, but it won't hurt you to go to bed early for once."

"Oh, all right. Good-night, Alex."

"Good-night."

Kara kissed Alex on the cheek. "See you tomorrow."

"Sleep well."

"You, too."

Alone in the living room, Alex switched off the TV, then went out into the backyard. Head back, he stared up at the moon, basking in its cool light, sighing as he felt his body rejuvenate itself.

She was pregnant.

The very idea scared the hell out of him.

Alex? Are you awake?

Yes. Is anything wrong?

No, I'm just lonely for you.

Come to me, then.

He went back into the house; moments later, Kara was sitting beside him on the sofa. He drew her into his arms, holding her close, grateful beyond words that she was alive and well, that they were together again, as they were meant to be.

There was no need for words between them. He knew her thoughts as he knew his own. Wrapped in his arms, secure in his embrace, she quickly fell asleep.

He held her all through the night, content to hold her, to look at her, to walk in her dreams.

With the coming of dawn, he woke her with a kiss. "You'd better go back to your room," he said."I don't want to upset your grandmother."

"Me, either. See you later."

She kissed him once, twice, and then, reluctantly, slipped out of his arms and went back to her own room.

They left for Eagle Flats at dusk. Kara hugged Nana, assuring her that she wouldn't be gone long, and then went to say good-bye to Gail, who was still sulking because she couldn't go with them.

"Remember, Gail, not a word to anyone about Alex. And please don't say anything about the baby to Nana."

"I won't," Gail said, her expression sullen. "Are you going to marry him?"

"Yes."

"When?"

"Tonight."

"I thought you wanted a big wedding in a church, with bridesmaids and flowers and stuff like that."

"We can't always have everything we want."

"Tell me about it."

"Gail, please don't make this difficult. Maybe when this mess is straightened out, we'll have that church wedding, and you can be my maid of honor."

"You're just saying that."

"Gail, have I ever lied to you?"

"No."

"And I'm not lying now. Take care of Nana for me. I'll call when I can."

"All right." With a sniff, Gail threw her arms around her sister and hugged her tight. "Be careful."

"I will."

"Good-bye, Gail," Alex said, coming up to stand beside Kara.

" 'Bye. You'd better take good care of my sister."

"I will, don't worry."

A last hug, a last wave, and they were on their way.

"How's your side?" Alex asked after a while.

"It's fine. A little sore is all." She slid across the seat and rested her head on his shoulder. "How are you?"

"I'm all right."

"You never told me how you managed to get away."

"I bribed Hamblin."

"Again? How much did it cost you this time?"

"A hundred and fifty grand."

"Do you have that much money?"

"Yeah."

"I guess I never realized there was so much money to be made from writing."

"It's been a lucrative career," Alex said, grinning. "I'm supposed to meet Hamblin at the bank at ten."

"How long are we going to stay in Eagle Flats?"

"I don't know. Not long. As soon as you feelup to it, we'll leave. Where would you like to go?"

"Go?"

"We can't stay in Moulton Bay as long as Barrett's looking for us."

Kara nodded. "He doesn't seem like the type to give up, does he?" She stared ahead at the road for a few minutes, then asked, "What about Gail, and Nana?"

"Once we're settled, you can send for them."

She nodded her agreement even though she wasn't crazy about the idea of moving. She liked it here. Her job was here . . . her job! She hadn't thought about her job in weeks. When they reached Eagle Flats, she'd have to call her boss and try to explain. Or maybe just call and quit, if they hadn't already replaced her.

With a sigh, she realized she no longer had to work. She was about to become the wife of a rich man. The thought made her smile. She could stay home, be a housewife. And a mother . . .

"Alex?"

"What?"

"How long are women pregnant on ErAdona?"

"Nine months, just like here."

Well, she mused, that was a relief. "Are you hoping for a boy or a girl?"

"It doesn't matter. So long as it's healthy. So long as you survive."

"I'd like a boy," she said. "One with black hair and dark eyes, just like you."

Just like you . . .Her words echoed in his mind. Just like you. Would his child have to live forever in the shadows, unable to run and play in the sun? Would they have to hide it away from the world? Would it even survive?

"Alex, you promised not to worry until there was something to worry about."

"Reading my mind, natayah?"

"No, just the expression on your face."

"We'll be in Eagle Flats soon. You haven't changed your mind about marrying me, have you?"

"No." She glanced at her attire, and frowned. "I would like to be married in something a little nicer than jeans and a sweater. Do you think we could go shopping tonight, and get married tomorrow?"

"If you wish." He smiled at her, his heart filled with love and tenderness. "What would you like me to wear?"

"A black suit, of course."

"And what will you wear?"

"I don't know. I always dreamed of getting married in a long white dress in a church filled with flowers."

"No doubt you always dreamed of marrying a human male, as well."

"Alex, don't!"

"You shouldn't have to settle for less than your dreams, Kara."

"You're every dream I've ever had," she said fervently. "Anyway, we can have a big wedding later, if it's all right with you."

"Whatever you wish."

"Maybe you don't want to marry me," she said. "I've been nothing but trouble since you met me."

"Kara! You're the best thing that's ever happened to me."

She smiled at him. "And I feel the same."

"Ah, Kara," he said softly. "Forgive me for being such a fool. It's just that I feel you deserve so much more than you're getting."

"Am I complaining?"

"No. But then, you never do."

"Are you happy?"

"Yes."

"Me, too. So, it's all settled. We'll shop tonight and get married tomorrow. And live happily ever after, just like Cinderella and the prince." She stared at him as a new thought crossed her mind. "Alex, we can't get married! We don't have a license."

"I know a minister who will marry us, Kara. He's a big fan of mine."

The Eagle Flats mall wasn't overly large, but it had several nice shops. Alex bought a black suit and tie, a white shirt, new shoes and socks, then sat on a hard-backed chair while Kara tried on dresses. It took her an hour to find one she liked, and then she refused to let him see it, saying it was bad luck for the groom to see the bride's dress before the wedding.

It was near midnight when they reached the cavern. They put away the groceries they'd bought just before they left town, then settled in front of the fireplace. Only then did Alex recall he was supposed to meet Hamblin at the bank. He swore under his breath.

"What's wrong?" Kara asked.

Alex shrugged. "Nothing. I was supposed to meet Hamblin at the bank at ten."

"We can do it tomorrow, can't we?"

Alex nodded. Tomorrow would have to be soon enough.

It was near dawn when they went to bed.

Kara snuggled up to Alex, her head pillowed on his shoulder.

Tomorrow night, she mused sleepily. Tomorrow night she would be Mrs. Alexander J. Claybourne.