Two couldn't remember the last time she felt even remotely normal. The last three months had been mayhem, a chaotic blur of changing species and an unplanned pregnancy. Lately, she'd been to the robotics lab more often than she'd been at work. As she took her apron off at the end of the first week she'd gone back to work full-time, Two began to believe that her life could settle back into a routine.
She sighed, smiled, and tossed her apron onto the armchair.
"Computer, do we have anything planned this weekend?"
The console on the wall blinked into life, showing a mercifully blank calendar. "No, ma'am," he announced.
"Hmmm. Thank you," Two purred. She knew she didn't have long to feel comfortable ‒ she had only just acclimated to being an Energy Vampire, and it would still be a week or two before the pregnancy started taking its toll. She was determined to make the most of this window of opportunity, and her first priority was to demolish the stack of novels on her bedside table.
Not bothering to put on a cloak, she took the first book off the pile and flopped onto the bed in her favorite reading position: laying on her side with her head at the foot of the bed. She snuggled into the velvety blanket and fingered the cover, reading over the dust jacket. She couldn't get into the novel quite yet... she still needed one last thing to make it perfect.
Just as Two started reading the copyright information, Nos-4-a2 hovered into the room. After she turned, he spent a lot of time coaching her through all the changes and new sensory systems, but after they found out about the baby, he made a point of spending every spare moment together. As soon as he felt Two come home, he'd wrap up whatever he was working on and join her in whatever she was doing. Her friends at work thought it was funny that the imposing Energy Vampire was secretively so overbearing, but Two adored every second of his anxious, loving attention.
She could sense a fondness in his electrical signature that warmed her from top to bottom. Neither said a word as he laid down behind her, tucking his arms around her sides and his chin against the top of her head. After everything they'd been through, silent cuddles and reading were the most luxurious things either could imagine. Nos started dozing off almost immediately ‒ he'd been wearing himself ragged, and Two was looking forward to getting him to relax this weekend. She smiled and nuzzled his chin.
Now she could start reading.