Their new ship was coming along nicely. Seymour was sure some of the things they had requested sounded like odd ideas, but he didn't mind getting some strange looks as long as it wound up being something he and Audrey could enjoy traveling in together.

It was only going to be a fraction of the Viridian's size, though with any space outside the lab free for them to set up however they liked, it still sounded downright luxurious compared to bunk beds crammed into a room the size of a closet and a dining hall they had to share with a whole crowd of other passengers.

Most notably, it was going to be the first starship to include a yard. He knew that had seemed like an especially bizarre request. The crew helping him sort their plans out had brought up that their ships, especially small private ones, had a limited amount of free space, and wouldn't they rather use that spot to make their bedroom larger, or add something like a nice video system? But he had still insisted that their ship had to include a place where he could put down dirt, plant some grass, and maybe even have a little flower garden. Because as soon as he and Audrey had moved into their new home on Earth, and he'd seen how she looked happy enough to cry as it sunk in that they would actually be living in a place with enough plants to turn the whole ground green, he knew he couldn't dream of asking her to give that up ever again.

Now that all of their plans had been finalized, it wouldn't be long until they had their own little starship waiting to take them wherever they wanted to go.

As Seymour was sitting on their couch, he finished reading through a few updates that had been sent over that morning, and then looked out the window to see Audrey taking her usual early-morning stroll around their yard. Their cocker spaniel enjoyed the grass and fresh air as much as she did, and it was happily trotting along behind her, occasionally pausing to sniff at a flower or stumble over its feet as it tried to play with its own tail. That was another reason why it had felt important to make sure their ship would have a yard. They had both gotten attached enough to their little pup that they hated the thought of leaving him behind whenever they left for another planet, and it only seemed right to make sure he had some grass to use whenever they were traveling through space.

It would be nice to plan a getaway soon. He knew Audrey was eager to try out their new ship before flying got too uncomfortable for her. And they could use some time with just the two of them, now that she had recently gotten to a point where no amount of a dress being loose and flowy could manage to hide the fact that her stomach had turned into an ever-growing bump. It wasn't exactly as if it was a secret they wanted to hide. Both of them had been overjoyed when they first found out. But they still had to face the fact that the novelty of it attracted a little more attention than they would have liked.

Audrey was glad that the people in their neighborhood had been welcoming ever since they moved in, but she had to admit that she was getting a little tired of the questions about what color the baby was going to be. She knew they were just curious and trying to be friendly, but it was a bit of a sensitive topic for her. She hoped they would take more after Seymour, so she wouldn't have to worry as much about about whether or not they would fit in with the other children on Earth, and it would be easier to keep them safe from any of the judgements she had faced throughout her life. Though she was managing to get a bit less worried about that over time, with Seymour doing his best to reassure her that he thought she was perfect exactly how she was, and he would think their children were equally perfect even if they came out green as a cabbage.

And then there was the fact that she was still uneasy around doctors, but they both knew that frequent checkups were necessary when this was somewhat unfamiliar territory.

At least as far as anyone could find in any records, it was going to be the first child to be half-Earthling and half-Areolean. Or first two, as it had turned out. Audrey had become good friends with Crystal, Ronette, and Chiffon, and they had mentioned being pretty sure they sensed two consciouses forming. When it came to those three, he could never quite tell when they were telling the truth or when they were just trying to make him nervous, but it hadn't been long before a medical scan had proved them right.

In any case, they had also recommended a good clinic that specialized in interplanetary couples. The doctors had assured them that everything was going swimmingly so far, and it was just a matter of keeping things monitored and giving Audrey some supplements to ensure she would pass on the right nutrients.

Since there didn't seem to be anything else that needed to be addressed at the moment, Seymour decided that maybe he'd go into the kitchen and start making something to eat. They didn't have a replicator yet, but Audrey had honestly seemed even more impressed with the toaster, and he was sure she'd be happy to come back inside to find breakfast waiting.

But just as he was about to set his communicator down, it let out another ping. Expecting another message about either the ship or an update from their latest medical scans, he instead found a name that had been popping up from time to time ever since a certain plant had figured out what frequency to reach him on. Audrey seemed to find the whole thing amusing, even sending the creature that shared her name a few updates every once in a while, though Seymour still found that the Audrey II always seemed to be coming up with new ways to cause problems for him. Letting out a low groan, he opened the message and began to read, wondering what trouble he might end up dealing with this time.

It looks like you've finally conquered your own patch of land. Your companion sent me a few pictures. The plants there look very small and defenseless, but I suppose that's why you were able to take over. I'll give you some advice if you need to know how to keep them in line.

(Seymour wondered if it was worth the trouble of trying to explain how that wasn't in any way what buying a house with a lawn and garden meant.)

I've also been informed your companion is growing two sprouts. It's not very many, but I guess it's alright for your first growing season together. I just had eight podlings of my own a few weeks ago, and they're already big enough that they've climbed off my vines. Yours seem to be growing much slower. I told my little ones they'll probably have to wait a while longer before they can see what their aunt and uncle's new buds look like.

(It was another problem he'd have to address later that he and Audrey had apparently been deemed the aunt and uncle to a bunch of little carnivorous plants.)

Speaking of our podlings, I was told that your planet has a custom of giving presents when someone finds a place to set down roots, and that plants are one of the customary gifts to offer. I'm afraid they're much too important for me to simply give them away, but I've decided that since there are obviously no superior plants in the galaxy, it will be gift enough if I allow you a visit with one of mine. I picked the smallest one, so you should get along with it well. Transport has already been arranged, and it will be arriving shortly. You should know that it prefers B+ and will get sick from O-. I won't tell you how to plan its stay, but I'm sure it would appreciate a chance to conquer a small city or two.

"Oh no, no, no…"

Just as Seymour was about to try and get the Audrey II on the radio and attempt to talk it out of the whole idea, there came a few moments when sky got very dark with something anyone else might mistake for an eclipse, and he heard a humming sound coming from the yard that told him it was already much too late.

"Seymour… I think you might need to come take a look at something out here." Audrey's voice called out from the yard.

Turning to look out the window again, he saw her crouching to examine the creature that had suddenly appeared in their garden. To his relief, she looked surprised but not upset, and it sounded as if she found the situation a little bit funny. He stopped to grab a flowerpot on the way out, figuring that they couldn't exactly leave a guest sitting out in the front yard, even if it was a plant. He would still be getting on the radio later, because he would definitely need to explain that sending over a visitor should involve a lot more notice, and preferably asking permission first. But for now, he supposed there wasn't much they could do besides make the best of it.

At least he knew their lives weren't at much risk of becoming boring…

The End!