CHAPTER 11:
No More Tears, My Shining Star
A month later, things had not become easier as Kantra drove himself into his work mercilessly and Iliana stopped asking questions regarding his profession. Sau-Trul became surprised himself when his assistant spent more hours on the Arbitrator's level than he. Telling his mate about it, Sali'ah kept talking to Iliana about it but it seemed she'd fallen into a depression over it. She gave up her teaching position and spent most of her time tending to her children while spending most of her nights alone. And when Kantra did spend a night there, he'd go to sleep after her and leave before she woke. The arguments ended but tension between the two grew over time. Iliana then began to question her connection to her yautja mate but pushed arising negative thoughts away before she hurt herself more emotionally.
Eventually, Bai'Kar interfered in the situation at hand, especially with her being the most wise and respected female on board. That and the fact that she didn't want her son upset and his mate depressed after all they've been through over the years. Currently, she sat next to Iliana in the main room while the children were at play with Sali'ah. Her green eyes scanned Iliana's melancholy form wearing a long dress with a shawl wrapped over her arms for warmth despite the hot temperature.
"Iliana, what is wrong?" she asked, grabbing the younger woman's hands into hers. "Talk to me, I won't judge you in any way."
"No matter what I say or do, he still leaves" she whispered and looked away with her darker eyes. "I hate it."
"Why does he leave?" Bai'Kar asked gently. Iliana shook her head as her mind shielded itself again but saw green eyes peer into her own. Green eyes similar to her beloved mate's. "Why do you think it is so?"
"Because I don't like these trips he's taking" she answered timidly. She could never lie or keep silent against the older female, she had a maternal aura that made everyone comfortable and open around her. Sighing, Iliana said, "He's barely home and when he is, he's gone off to another level. I. .I feel as if I can't connect with him as I used to as time flows."
"Connect to him how?" she purred and smoothed Iliana's unkempt hair. Bai'Kar had never seen her in this manner before. Usually, she was headstrong and happy towards everyone, not this gloomy and quiet female before her.
What the hell has my son done now?, Bai'Kar thought bitterly.
"Humans need to feel an emotional connection to their mate and I felt that ever since we were on Earth" Iliana whispered softly as she looked down. With a sad smile, she said, "He drove me insane with his attitude but I loved him because of it. Over the years, our connection strengthened but when these long trips started, I didn't like it."
Why couldn't he have just stayed with us a little longer?, she thought sullenly.
"Eventually, his trips became longer and longer" she continued and felt tears leak down her cheeks again. Bai'Kar sighed in sympathy and embraced her unstable form. "I understood that his missions were to himself, they always have been and I've had no problem with that, but he closed himself about how his experiences affected him until he'd ignore the topic completely. I always made him feel better to make sure it didn't affect him when he used to travel before but. . .I guess he doesn't need me for that anymore. He's shut me out and I can't seem to reach him. He has his work to comfort him now upstairs, instead of me."
"These trips are the problem then?" Bai'Kar asked her. Iliana didn't answer her. "Iliana?"
"I think I'm losing him" she whimpered and wiped her eyes quickly. "I love him with my very being and I would die for him but. .he's colder now. I can talk and if I say something he doesn't like, the conversation ends and he leaves. My Kantra would've laughed it off and changed the topic easily without a change in demeanor. I wanted him to reach his dreams but not at this outcome. I . .I don't want my sons to have a cold father and for my baby to-"
"You're pregnant?" Bai'Kar asked instantly and she nodded. "Does he know?"
"No, I was going to tell him but we always got into an argument before I could" she sighed and touched her stomach with her palm. "I don't want anything to happen to it because of my erratic emotions but I can't control them. Every time I think about him or the baby, I feel this gloomy wave wash over me."
"Iliana, I'm going to have Ani-De prescribe something for you while I go talk to my mate" she informed and hugged her tightly. "You'll be all right along with the suckling. I take care of my family, even if I have to intervene to do it."
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"And the case onboard-" Kantra was informing the Arbitrator when their locked door had a green fist punch cleanly through it and two hands then ripped the metal door open as if it were thin paper. "What the-"
"Kantra!" his father's voice growled as he walked through the newly made hole in Sau-Trul's office.
Did my father just tear through a door?, he thought in disbelief.
"Leader Nak'Aru, you can't-" Sau-Trul began while his eyes glanced at the open gap.
"Out!" Nak'Aru snapped angrily and pointed to him.
"But-"
"Do I have to drag you from your cape like a pup or will you go willingly?" he hissed dangerously. Sau-Trul nodded and left quickly without a word. Turning to his son, he began, "Why have you neglected your duties as a mate?"
Did Iliana complain to him?, he thought quickly.
"What are you talking about? We are perfectly fine" Kantra said, casually. Then furrowed his brows, "However, I do not appreciate you ripping a door in half in-"
Nak'Aru walked over to his son and growled loudly, "Are you ordering me?! Last time I checked, I held a rank much higher than yours as well as being your sire! Must I knock sense into you?"
"I apologize" Kantra sighed and dipped his head respectfully. "I was out of line. Why are you here, father?"
"Your mother is concerned over your mate's well-being" he stated tensely. "Iliana is distressed over your demeanor towards her. As her mate, you know that you should never upset her-"
"But she can't upset me?" Kantra interrupted swiftly and busied himself with a tablet. "I am trying to reach my rank as Arbitrator but she does not understand the obstacles I must go through to reach it. I return to the Ade'k'ra safely but she still demands more-"
"Your mate needs you, she does not care about your status" Nak'Aru said tersely and yanked the tablet away from his son. "Your mate is ooman and her behavior will always be different from ours. No matter the species, you must please your mate to your fullest extent. Oomans are emotional beings and you've failed in your responsibilities to fulfill it. Have you not noticed the changes in your female?"
I know she's emotional, she always is recently, Kantra thought grumpily. Just because we argue doesn't mean I've failed her. People argue all the time, it's normal.
Kantra rumbled his chest in annoyance but nodded, "She doesn't want me taking long trips but I must in order to finish my requirements for rank, father. Surely, you must understand my point of view towards this?"
"Yes, I do understand that you want to better yourself in this clan" his father agreed but shook his head afterwards, "But is it worth possibly ruining your ties with Iliana? I've been with your mother for more than a century and I would never put anything before her or my offspring. Rank is very important here, Kantra, but is it worth losing the ones you care for? The ones you're doing all of this for? Do you want your rank to be held higher than your life partner? It's like weaponry, if you polish one constantly and ignore the other, one weapon will be sharp and ready while the other rusts and becomes useless. You must learn to balance both things, not hold one in high priority and forsake the other. "
How can I lose my mate? She's always there for me, he thought. Although. . .
"Do you think it's leading to that path?" Kantra asked quietly and sat down in a chair. "I don't want to lose Iliana, we've been together for almost ten years and nothing has caused problems before this."
"Over the years, traveling can put strain on a relationship, especially with a being like Iliana" Nak'Aru told his son while he sat down next to him. "Remind your mate that she is not losing you and stop taking so many trips. Assure her nothing will happen and speak to her about your expectations as well as hers. I am sure Sau-Trul will agree to extend each trip, you only have four more years to finish."
"What if those last four ruin everything? I can't lose her!" Kantra said quickly and curled his hands into fists on his lap. His mind felt as if it were being tugged in two directions, with neither side winning. "I don't want to extend my training but I can't damage my Iliana further."
"Put your priorities in order, Kantra" his father said firmly and patted his back. "Your mate aided you when you were disgraced and left her own planet to be with you. These changes in you over the years could turn you into a stranger to her and no one wants to realize they've given up everything to be with someone who wasn't meant to be with them in the end."
Is he implying something?, Kantra though angrily.
"We are meant to be!" he stated fiercely with a growl. "I don't want her in fear of me. I am meant to protect her from those who could cause her harm and I will not turn into one of them."
"Then go to her and tell her that" his father advised and stood up. "I suggest you both have a long talk but do not aggravate her, she is in no condition to worsen herself."
What? Is her health an issue now?, Kantra thought fearfully. Have I shut her out that much?
"Is something wrong with her?" he asked quickly and went to his father's side. "Tell me."
"Nothing is wrong but she's pregnant, Kantra" his father informed him calmly. His son looked at him in surprise and nodded quietly. "I suggest you go now."
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Kantra walked into his home quickly and began searching for his mate. Why in the world did he decide to ignore her now? He should've seen this coming over the past year but he was too much into his work to be concerned. Finding his mate in their bedroom, he suddenly felt nervous in approaching her. Her form lay on the bed in rest while her hand clutched a book in a soft grasp. Another book lay scattered next to her with open pages. Walking into the room silently, he sat down on the bed gently to not wake her and grabbed the open book into his hand quietly. He recognized it as one of the first journals she kept with her on Earth and the other in her grasp came from the ones she kept now. He looked at her serene face and sighed in relief that she was resting, instead of stressed.
Because of me, he thought regretfully. What have I done to you, Ana? You're usually resilient to most of the things I do.
He looked at the book he held and read the entry the page contained:
March 21, 1985
So my partner in crime decided to tell me his tale and I told mine in return. It was pretty bad, especially since he kept himself closed off about it constantly. I guess he realized that I do trust him completely and maybe he'll think the same of me. It was pretty nice of him to steal breakfast for us too. I love that cloaking thing he does, despite it scared the crap out of me when he was after me. But now. . .to be honest, he's growing on me. Yes, he's from another planet and a completely different being, most would call me insane for my thoughts and behavior but. . .I like Kantra. He challenges and protects me, his kind probably wouldn't give a rat's ass about me but he does. He's there for me despite my complaints and even tries to get rid of me so I can be safe, but I'm not leaving him alone with all of this. Everything he does for me makes my respect grow towards him. Besides, his little flirts are a good mood lifter and I think he tried to come onto me today. Not that I minded. He's my escape from the reality I'm living and I want to stay by his side until the end of all this.
P.S. He just made a horrible attempt at making a tent and wrapped it around himself instead so now I have to fix it. He's so cute when he gets confused and angry.
Kantra smiled at her written thoughts and went to the end of the book to read the last entry. He was surprised at her thoughts toward him back then because they matched his perfectly despite their differences. The years went by surprisingly fast when he thought about it. Finding the last page, he read it.
October something 1985, I lost count!,
I'm around six months pregnant now and my little one's decided to begin a kicking party inside me. Despite the annoyance, it makes me feel closer to my baby. Kantra likes to purr at the child so it'll calm him down inside. Surprisingly, it works too! Women on Earth would love this! I'm still surprised there's a little part of me growing inside making Kantra very overprotective of me. Being a first time father, he wants to make sure everything goes perfectly fine with the baby and I. He's like a mother bear tending to my every whim, which I don't like and pointed it out by making him do impossible tasks. But we're happy despite our little tantrums towards each other. His people may not like me much here but as long as I have him, I don't care. They can go to hell for their thoughts, I know I'm different and shouldn't be here, but I am and I plan to stay. Kantra and my child are the most important things to me now that I've left my planet and I plan to be there for them for as long as it takes. Oops, Kantra came in now and is looking at me with that crazy grin of his since he knows I went to Ani-De today to find out the gender of my baby. It's a boy! But I won't tell him that yet, I'll tease him a little before that.
Next to the last entry page, Iliana had placed a small printout of her ultrasound of Kahet. Kantra picked it up gently and remembered the day she told him it was a boy. He'd practically danced with pride and both had kept it a secret from the family until Kahet had been born. Now, she was pregnant with another child of his.
Let my little one stay safe inside its mother, Kantra thought and closed the book.
He placed the book back on the bed and gently took away the one in her hand. His mate simply curled up more and sighed gently as she kept sleeping. He flipped through the book to see the recent entry in her journal.
I don't like to pry into her personal things but I need to know what she thinks now, he thought as he sighed mentally. Her entries were happy years ago.
Year 10, mid-cycle
Kantra left today to go to work early as usual. He doesn't even see me anymore and usually eats his morning meal on the way to his office. He stays there most of the day so I still make sure he's eaten well when he leaves. I miss talking to him in the morning, I feel like a stranger in his bed lately. He's gone before I wake and it tears at my heart to know he's mere inches from me and I can't touch him without feeling nervous at how he'd react. It's almost as if he's the same man I met years ago when he hunted me. Bai'Kar came to see me and I had to tell her, I didn't want to, but I'm so tired of fighting. I just want it to end. Everywhere I walk, I feel alone and trapped in a world of shadow because I realize the only person that made me feel at home seems to not care much for me anymore. Every sentence I utter either ends in an argument or with him leaving. I try to stay strong for my babies but every time he pushes back, I think I'm losing any hope of getting my old mate back. I don't know how long I can take this before. . .I don't want to lose my beloved at all. I just can't.
He sighed and closed the book in disbelief. His father was correct after all. He was pushing away his mate for many months over the years. She saw it easily but he ignored it which he rarely did but. . .
This position is taking too much from me, he thought bitterly. I will not upset my mate, especially now that she's carrying my child. Oomans are so emotional and I will not ruin hers by being cold anymore. I will not be like most of the males in my clan and ignore sentimentality.
Kantra traced his claws gently through his mate's unruly hair and felt his throat tighten. He missed her despite not showing her much affection as of late, which she needed due to her humanity. Everything he did was to ensure both their safeties and his stature among the clan but he had been selfish by not taking her concerns into consideration. He always did that in the past but he'd been ignoring most of her worries over passing years. As a male, he'd thought they'd leave quickly like with yautja females but he was wrong. He sighed and leaned down to rest his forehead over her shoulder to feel her soft skin under his.
I haven't felt her skin against mine since. . .last month when I arrived, he thought forlornly. We had a fight the next day.
Iliana shifted around and he instantly backed away to give her room to either wake or keep sleeping. However, she woke up due to the fact that she spent most of her time sleeping during the day due to her depression while staying awake longer at night. She wiped her eyes and hazily stared over her bed until she noticed Kantra. Looking away, she grabbed her books and tried to get up from the bed but he stopped her.
"I won't get in your way" she said quietly and avoided his gaze. "You can sleep if you need to and the food's in-"
"I don't care about that, it's you that I need to see" he said, grabbing her hands into his but she tensed at the contact. With a small sigh, he said, "Iliana, I am sorry for being so rude towards you. I have failed you as your mate and everything I've promised you. You have every right to be upset with me and I apologize."
She stared at him in silence and hesitated, "You're serious? Look, if your parents put you up to this-"
"They knocked sense into me, I have neglected you and this is not what I've wanted for us" Kantra said, squeezing her hands. She looked down and returned a small squeeze to his hands. "You're meant to be happy and at peace within your own home and around me. You're. . .I'm not worthy to be your mate after ignoring your sentiments for this long."
"Yes, you are" she whispered and looked at him sadly, "But as the man I mated to before you kept leaving. I love you despite everything, you're why I'm here and I need you. You promised to always be there for me, that nothing and no one would ever separate us, but you're the one doing it. You're closing yourself away from me and I feel alone without you."
I've practically broken every promise, he thought darkly.
"You're right but I can't give up my rank, Iliana" he said softly as she nodded timidly. He traced his palm over her cheek to say, "I'll stop these trips until we fix this, I won't have you upset and unhappy like this. I'll fix it, whatever you ask of me, I'll do it."
"I just want you home with us" she sobbed quietly and wrapped her arms over his neck. He held her back tightly, afraid that she'd disappear out of his life and it scared him. "I don't want you to change into someone else who's darker and colder. Otherwise, you'd be no better than the aggressive hunters that live onboard. I've had nightmares about this new you so many times and it scares me. I don't want to love someone who can't connect with me anymore."
"I love you, I always have" he spoke firmly and traced his fingers over her cheek while her tears moistened his neck. "Nothing will ever change that fact and I will never give you up. Everything I've done is for you and our children, there is nothing more important to me than all of you."
"I wish you would tell me these things" she said, digging her face into the crook of his neck. She'd missed the physical contact of his body against hers after many lonely weeks. "You've always been very open with me despite your usual male pride. But when you started traveling long distances, you became quiet and I've been used to helping you de-stress from missions. When you began to push me away, I tried to fix it but it got worse and you-"
"I know, I know" Kantra soothed and sighed into her hair. "In trying to keep my dealings to myself, I pushed you away. I would've never done that if I knew this would happen."
"We've always had our arguments but this was too much for me" she admitted as she felt at ease against his warm skin. "I hate arguing with you like this lately. I feel so small and inferior when you get angry at me now. I'm human, Kantra, and I can't change that. I will be emotional but it's only because I love you and I want to share your pain and happiness. We've been together too long and I won't give up on you, even if it destroys me. You've known that since I met you and I will always see that to the end."
There can be no one more devoting than her, he thought gratefully. Why did I hurt her so much?
"I will change into the mate that you want me to be" he said softly and promised himself to never upset her again. She was his only love and he would not extinguish that flame. "I am sorry that I strayed away from the man you fell in love with. I cannot give up my assignments but I will extend them to keep you happy. I've missed you and I want you to be happy again, don't despair because of me. You are my shining star whenever I am near or far from you so never let that beautiful glow leave your face, my Iliana. You should always know all of this and remember it, it'll never change over time."
She squeezed him again and sniffled softly, "Thank you for listening to me. Sometimes I need you to keep reminding me that so I can be assured. You and the kids are my connection to this world. If I lose you, who will I look to for support? You're my soul mate, Kantra, and I never want to lose that connection with you. I know I'm stubborn but it's only because I care so much for you but I understand the things you do, it's in your genes and I can't stop it. I just hope you understand my reasoning for what I say."
The two stayed silent in each other's arms for minutes while assessing what had just happened. Iliana felt better at knowing he understood a little of how she felt now and she understood what he'd been trying to do for her sake. Kantra held his quiet mate and hoped he'd at least made it better for her to recover and come out of her gloomy outlook.
"I love you, always" he purred to her gently and placed his forehead over hers. She smiled meekly at him and he rumbled his chest against hers to keep her calm. "Ever since you took me to that cabin on Earth, I've belonged to you. . . I also know you're pregnant."
He what?, she thought quickly. Will he scold me for not taking better care of myself?
"The baby's fine so far" Iliana informed him and intertwined her fingers over her stomach. "I was going to tell you a month ago but that's when. .well, you started ignoring me."
Kantra grabbed one of her shaky hands into his and held it gently. Oh, how he missed her fingertips roaming over any part of his body. Smiling at her, he asked, "How far along are you?"
He smiled at me!, she thought pleased. He hasn't done that in weeks.
"Over two months" she said, while one corner of her mouth went into a small smile. Iliana grabbed his hand and placed it over her flat stomach as he purred gently to their child. "I'd really like a girl this time but who knows?"
"You deserve everything you ask for, my star" he said, rubbing his cheek against hers. "I should let you rest. I wanted to speak to you and found you like this making me want to wait but. . ."
"It's fine, you're talking to me and that's what matters" she stated and smiled gently at him. Looking over at her journals, she raised an eyebrow, "Where you reading my journals?"
"Yes, I saw them and I read some pages to get an insight to what you've been thinking this last year" he responded, a little ashamed. "I didn't read all of them."
"My thoughts are yours" she forgave him gently. "I'll always be here with whatever you need."
"As will I and I'm sorry I forgot that" he nodded firmly to her. "Is there anything you need right now?"
"Just hold me and stay with me" she whispered, holding him again. "You're all I need and I have it."
Kantra moved the journals to the side carefully as Iliana laid back onto the bed on her side. Knocking off his sandals and taking off his mesh, he joined her afterwards on his side to face her. He wrapped his arms around her to make her feel safe and to assure himself that they were mending their shaky path. She curled up against him in a fetal position and rested her head on his arm while her legs went underneath one of his. He watched her fall asleep as he stroked her hair with his free hand and smiled.
"Stay with me forever until the stars themselves die" he whispered and fell asleep later.
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"How do you feel today?" Kantra asked softly as Iliana finished fixing their morning meal on the table.
It was three months later and Kantra had stayed with his family for that amount of time to make sure his mate was ensured that he would do anything for her and to stabilize his family as well. Iliana knew it once his old personality traits came back and the quiet and distant male he used to be was gone. Her depression was gone with his aid and Ani-De's over the months so her baby would be in no problem due to it. However, in two months, he'd go on a trip but he'd assured her that he wouldn't close himself up and she could coddle him as much as she wanted when he returned.
"Dandy, I threw up but that's expected" Iliana sighed and stroked her pregnant stomach. "The baby didn't like some veggies I tried. Are the boys awake yet?"
"They're getting dressed" he informed and embraced his mate from behind. She chuckled at his gesture and rested her back against his warm body. Placing his chin on the top of her head, he said, "This one makes your body hectic, doesn't it?"
"Yes, it does" she chuckled and trailed her fingertips over the green stripes on his toned arms. "As long as it stays safe, I don't care. I just hope you still find me attractive despite my body looks as big as a ship."
"No, it does not!" Kantra objected and squeezed her softly while letting out a purr of comfort. "Your body always drives me wild, even when pregnant. Knowing that you're carrying my suckling makes me love you even more, if that's even possible."
"Thanks, love" she smiled as his hand stroked her growing stomach. "And this suckling proves my attraction towards you."
"I am very attractive, aren't I?" he grinned smugly as he gave her a sly look. She laughed and shook her head. "What?"
"I missed hearing you talk like that months ago" she admitted and turned around to trace her hand over his cheek. "I love my arrogant mate. You make me happy."
"I'm not arrogant, I'm just honest" he joked and placed his forehead against hers. "I'll do anything to keep you happy, my mate. I'm glad you're smiling like you used to."
"And I'm glad you're here to see the boys off to school" she said cheekily and he uttered a small groan. "No buts, this is your week. I did mines last week and besides, the beds need to be changed and I don't want you sleeping in again. I'm not strong enough to pull you out of the bed by your arm."
"But I like sleeping" he mumbled and bit her nose playfully.
"Yautjas don't sleep as long as humans do" she reminded as she stared into his bright green eyes. "Ever since we left Earth, you like to sleep longer."
"As long as my brethren don't complain, I don't care" he said and bit her top lip gently. "Besides, I like sleeping in so I can stay close and annoy you."
"That sounds like you, all right" she said with a smile and pulled one of his black dreads for fun. "Bad Kantra."
"Ow! Why the hair?" he whimpered and caressed his sore scalp. Closing his mandibles to give her a pout, she giggled and soothed his head with her fingertips. Tilting his head to her touch, he purred in content and nipped at her cheek. In a silky tone, he stated, "I've missed mating you, Iliana."
"So have I, but I want to wait" she said, looking down. He cupped her cheek and made eye contact with her while her fingers trailed down his temple. "I want to be sure this whole thing can be put behind us completely so we can be together again."
"I will wait for you, I will never pressure you" he said with a nod and nipped her lips softly with his teeth. "I love you."
"I know, maybe by then I can stop hurling all this food the baby hates" she grumbled and gave him a small smile, "Also, I want to mate with you all night long so build up your stamina."
"I'm ever ready, all you need is ask" he trilled and traced a mandible over her cheek as his warm breath tickled her lips. "If it wasn't for my self-control, I'd have you on this table while I impale you over and over-"
"Stop giving me those thoughts!" she scolded and flicked her fingers over one of his brow ridges. "It's bad enough my stomach's big and my feet hurt. I don't need you and your naughtiness making my hormones crazier."
"Don't you just love that about me?" he asked innocently and winked. Her face lost her scold and she gave him an appreciative smile. "Why don't we go to the gardens after the beds are done? The scents there may help your nausea."
He's always looking after me when I'm pregnant, she thought. Flowers help but. . .
"Nah, let's go eat in the mess hall" she said, after a quick thought. "The baby likes raw meat. I think it'll turn out just like you. It likes fruit and meat, but hates veggies."
"Oh, I like that" Kantra purred and thumped his chest proudly. "Kantra the Second."
"Not gonna happen" she said, bursting his bubble. "It sounds human, I want my babies with yautja names. Who said it's a boy anyway?"
"We've had nothing but boys" he pointed out and nodded decisively, "I'm positive it'll be a male and one hell of a male!"
"Just because you say so doesn't make it true" she said and patted his green cheek. He grunted but smiled back. "We only have four months before it arrives. I can't wait to hold our new child."
"And I'll be there to make sure everything goes well" he assured and squeezed her shoulders. She nodded but still held a look of concern. "Nothing will happen like it did with Leitjin."
"Nothing is certain" she said softly and pressed her cheek over his chest. "But I am glad you've taken on this human tradition to see our children born just for me."
"As long as I don't change diapers for a year, I'm more than happy" Kantra laughed and kissed her before she could retort. She returned it happily and felt his chest rumble against hers. His ears picked up two pairs of footsteps so he let go of her and patted her bottom lightly.
"Kantra" she laughed and squeezed his hand in affection.
Their two sons ran into the room and immediately sat down on the table to eat. They both wore their clean tunics after taking a shower every morning to stay fresh. Their hair was still wet so Iliana was usually the one to tie up their hair to make sure they looked presentable while they gobbled their food down.
"Morning to all" Leitjin said happily while his brother just waved and ate.
"What are you doing in class today?" Kantra asked his sons. He sat down to eat his own meal while Iliana sipped something to calm her stomach.
"Boring stuff" Kahet sighed and looked at his father. "When can I begin my Chiva training? It feels like forever!"
"Not until you're fourteen" he chuckled as his son sulked. "Learn what you can now."
"But it's useless" he grumbled and took a bite of his food. His emerald eyes half-closed while his wet hair fell over his shoulders. "How is watching a display of the first organisms of our world going to help me hunt?"
"That sounds pretty brutal" Kantra agreed, making a face. "I don't blame you. I hated learning, I was so happy when I began training. Perfect bliss." At seeing his son get more depressed, he quickly stated, "But learning can also open up new ideas on how to explore worlds when you visit them one day."
"Unless those organisms help me hunt, I don't care about it" Kahet said but smiled at his parent. "So you hated school too when you were my age?"
"Hated? I tried to hide every morning but my father usually found me" his father said with a grin in remembrance. "Either that or your Uncle Aru'Kar squealed on me. I was usually in class with wrinkled clothes and an angry scowl due to getting a cold shower as punishment."
"Ouch" Leitjin added in, making his father laugh again.
"Be glad you have a mother who makes sure you're clean and ready to go in the morning" Kantra said, smiling at his mate. "How she does it is past me. If I was a female, I don't think I'd survive a day, especially if I was pregnant one. We're lucky to have her."
"It still doesn't make school better" Kahet said but smiled at his mother. "Do I still get lunch?"
"Of course" she said gently, getting up to brush each of her sons hair. She began with Kahet who barely fidgeted and left her younger son last, whom was always moving around or forgetting something to put in his bag. Brushing a palm-sized round brush over his brown hair, she said, "I don't see why you hated it. I loved school since I was a little girl. I would've stayed in school forever if my parents hadn't told me to find a profession before getting too old."
"Loved? School?!" both Kahet and Kantra exclaimed. "Impossible!"
"Not everyone's like you" she said, sticking her nose in the air defiantly. "There's some of us who strive to succeed academically no matter what and love it. Besides, there were no open positions for intergalactic hunting on my world."
"I like school" Leitjin admitted, making her smile wider.
"You always drove me insane with your intellect when we met and still do" Kantra told her. Then to himself, "You keep getting smarter even now! I bonded myself to a scholar. Father always said the best I could do was a simple child bearer and here I am. Hah!"
"And I thought I'd marry a medic but here I am with a crazy soon-to-be Arbitrator" she smiled and winked in return. Then to her children, "Mate to a person who accepts you for what you're like, not your rank."
"I don't want to be with a girl, they're icky!" Leitjin exclaimed and Kahet nodded in agreement.
"Now, but one day, you won't live without them" Kantra laughed and purred at his mate who blushed.
"Etiquette, Kantra!" she scolded making him growl instead.
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Over the passing months, Kantra and Iliana reestablished their old selves in their relationship and got over that rough bump in life. Iliana understood the need for his travels and he compromised with Sau-Trul to only take the important ones and to forget the optional ones for rank. He'd rather spend his time with his growing family than at a desolate planet that held no one he cared for. The couple had become stable and made sure to keep their connection and communication with each other open so none would feel ignored or unappreciated. Now, they just had to await the arrival of their new child in the med bay.
"So why are we here again?" Leitjin asked his brother. He didn't like being apart from his mother, even if she did have to give birth to his sibling. He also didn't want the new baby taking all of his mother's attention away from him. He sat on the floor with a lonely look while Kahet was used to the situation.
"Mother's having the baby which means we must wait" Kahet sighed and looked up at his grandmother, "Do you know what it is?"
"It's a girl!" Nak'Aru announced, entering the room in high spirits which was rare for him. Bai'Kar stared in surprise but smiled afterwards at her mate who practically glided over the floor in joy. "Finally, after six grandchildren, I have a granddaughter!"
"Don't let Aru'Kar hear you, he'll think you don't like his new son" Bai'Kar teased her mate playfully.
"It's a girl" Kila said, jumping happily. "Can I baby-sit? I'm fifteen now, I can look after children!"
"No, she'll spoil her and pick on us" Kahet complained quickly. She hissed and he growled back. "Girls stick together, it's not good!"
On the level below theirs in the medical wing, Iliana held a sleeping newborn girl in her arms. The child held olive skin with light green shades around the arms, legs, and face that would develop later on. Her hair was brown like Iliana's while her closed eyes were a forest green. Iliana smiled tiredly but happily that her daughter was safe with no complications, unlike Leitjin years ago.
"She looks ooman" Kantra said surprised but proud nonetheless. He'd expected a son but was surprised that his mate had delivered a daughter instead.
No matter, I have my first daughter, he thought fondly. A little girl. And when she grows, I'll break any males trying to woo her.
"Hybrids are unexplored territory" Ani-De pointed out as he scribbled into his notes as usual. "Maybe her genetics took after the mother like your sons took after you."
"She has yautja traits though" Iliana reminded her mate. "Our boys don't have any human ones."
"It's doesn't matter" Kantra shrugged it off and caressed her cheek. "As long as you're both safe with me."
"Have you decided on a name?" his brother asked curiously.
"You choose it, Ana, I thought I would have a son so I only chose male names" Kantra said, sitting down on a chair in a small sulk. Iliana smiled at his antics and looked down at her child.
"Aloun'Da" she announced and held her newborn closer. Kantra nodded in approval while Ani-De wrote the name down in his tablet. "My beautiful Aloun'Da."
"Just like her mother" Kantra purred deeply and ran his mandibles down her cheeks. She smiled and kissed him while he did that.
"I'll leave you two alone" Ani-De said, not wanting to intrude and left.
"Yautjas worship their mating skills but have no flair for romance whatsoever" Iliana pointed out simply and sighed. "I hope my kids will do better."
"I did good, I attained you as a mate" Kantra objected quickly making her smile. "I did all sorts of crazy things for your attention and I was an alien. I should be the idol for intergalactic love!"
"Sought my attention as prey, friend, or mate?" she grinned cheekily at him while he rumbled his chest in annoyance. "There is no other who could compare himself to you, Kantra. Not in a hundred years."
"And I will keep it that way" he assured and pressed his cheek against hers.
"As for the idol, you're mine and I'm not a woman who shares what's hers" Iliana said and kissed him while he wore a silly grin in pride. With a sly look, she said, "Males here may have more than one mate but you're never getting another-"
"I would never think of it!" he said in fake indignation and grinned, "You're more than enough for me in body and mind, Ana. Who could ever handle a duo like us?"
"You're right, they'd run out the door at our first argument" she chuckled and kissed his cheek softly. Aloun'Da shifted in her arms gently and both parents gave her a loving look. "Our first daughter, this will be so exciting once she's at home."
"And here I thought it was a male" he said and sighed dramatically. "I suppose the new toys will go to my brother's new son."
"You're such a silly baby" Iliana giggled softly as he nuzzled his face against hers. "Hmm, I love you, Kantra."
"Sleep, my shining star" he smiled proudly and took their sleeping daughter from her arms. Iliana smiled back kindly and closed her eyes for some much needed sleep. "Forever isn't long enough for us but we'll make do with what we're given."
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End of Chapter 11. And the lovers patched themselves over time but is their struggle over? Only five more chapters till the end of this little story now. Also, thanks for my last reviewers as always. Thanks for reading and review, please!