Eva and Frank were sprawled on the couch, lying in each other's arms, basking in the afterglow of their lovemaking. Eva could feel Frank still inside her, and the sensation spread a delicious warmth throughout her whole body. The news about her father was no longer a source of pain; if the fact her father was Transylvanian made it more likely she and Frank would fall in love, it was instead a cause for unadulterated celebration.
Thinking of her father reminded her of something her mother had said. "Frank, my mother told me to ask you about what happened to my father. What can you tell me about him? Is he still alive?"
Frank smiled and pulled her even closer. "He is very much alive. I spoke with my mother just yesterday, and she told me he is in fine health."
Eva was amazed. "Your mother knows my father?"
Frank laughed. He'd been looking forward to sharing this revelation with Eva ever since he'd discovered it. "She knows him very well…as do I. He is a highly esteemed scientist in her court, and served as my private tutor for several years. It was he who first introduced me to the wonders of science. I am quite sure I would have never become a scientist were it not for his influence."
Eva looked at him, her eyes wide. "Frank! You know him?? Tell me everything!!! What's he like?"
Frank shifted to a slightly more comfortable position and smiled. "He's a wonderful man, Eva. He's quite brilliant – it was mainly his work that made travel from Transsexual to Earth even possible. He is also highly principled and unfailingly respectful of others. He has an impeccable reputation around the Court, and rightfully so." He paused and laughed softly. "He even managed to handle me…and I assure you, back then I was not an easy person to deal with." He paused again, and his tone became more serious. "Most importantly…I can tell you how much you, and your mother, still meant to him, even many years after he was forced to leave you behind."
Eva looked at him curiously. "How can you know that? You didn't even know we existed."
"No, but he did something quite astonishing to prove his devotion. He took…a vow of celibacy. I don't think you can begin to understand how truly remarkable an act that is on Transsexual."
For a moment, Eva was rendered speechless. Finally, she found her voice. "You mean he hasn't had a lover in all this time?"
Frank nodded. "That's precisely what I mean. Of course, he refused to divulge the reason for his behavior, and he became the object of considerable ridicule because of it…even from me, although not to his face. I simply couldn't understand why anyone would do such a thing, particularly after I lost my virginity. The concept of voluntarily giving up something so pleasurable was completely beyond my ability to comprehend. Now I do understand, and I can't begin to tell you how much I respect the sacrifice he made."
Eva's eyes filled with tears. "He's alive…and he still loves us."
Frank brushed a stray lock of hair out of her eyes and gently kissed her forehead. "Yes. I've always known you have a remarkable mother, and now I've learned you have an equally remarkable father. It's no wonder you turned out to be the wonderful, kind, loving person you are."
Tears flowed down Eva's face as she pulled Frank's face to hers and kissed him. Between his words and her mother's, she realized she'd been granted a precious gift.
Finally breaking the kiss, she whispered, "Thank you."
His response was equally soft. "For what?"
She maneuvered herself until she was lying on top of him. Before leaning down to give him an even deeper kiss, she gave him a simple, heartfelt answer.
"For giving me my father."