Finding Their Own (UC,M/L/Mi,ADULT) Pt10 - AN 08/21/04 [WIP]

[ccrswll]

TITLE: Finding Their Own
AUTHOR: Charlotte
RATING: ADULT / Slash
CATEGORY: AU M/L/Mi/Zu, their children
DISCLAIMER: I wish I owned the rights to Roswell, but I don't (boohoo)
SUMMARY: Sequel to Meant to Be

Author's note: I don't know how often that I can post a part (my housework suffered horribly last year because of this story), but I do have quite a bit written so far. I just have to decide if that is the direction that I want to go with the story. You guys have been wonderful. I started 'Meant to Be' because the show was depressing me, and I felt that Liz got a raw deal. And I really hated the way that they assassinated Max's character, so I decided to create my own fantasy. Boy who knew that I had that stuff in my head? I gave her Michael just for extra fun, but Zulis was a suprise even to me. I've calmed down so I don't think any of the children will have more than one mate, but who knows what my brain will spit out. I hope that I can keep the story going. Enjoy.


Part 1

Liz walked into the king's sitting room to find Juran sitting on one of the couches. Liz smiled when he surged to his feet, "Juran, what can I do for you? And please sit down."

Juran waited for Liz to sit, then he sat himself on the edge of the couch, "My queen....my queen...I need to know.....well I wanted to know when Leah will be allowed to bond with me?" Juran let a rush of air out when he finished.

Liz looked at him seriously, "Shouldn't you be discussing this with her fathers also?"

Juran looked embarrassed, "Of course, I'll ask their permission. I wanted to know... you're a female and you would know if she's ready. She just turned seventeen and I wish to bond with her."

"Well..." Liz was startled when the door burst open and her three youngest ran into the room, being chased by Leah. Leah stopped when she saw Juran sitting with her mother, but her brother and sisters captured her attention again. Joshua followed at a more leisurely pace holding Erin's hand.

Leah turned to her mother, "Mother, they won't listen to me. Just tell them to do what I say and this problem will be solved."

Liz first noticed that her three youngest, Parker, Bailey and Hannah all ran behind her chair. Then she watched Leah stop to primp for Juran then resume her tirade about her siblings. A frown crossed her face when she noticed Joshua pull Erin behind him when he noticed Juran in the room.

Liz turned to Leah, "First, you need to show your manners to your mate."

Leah blushed and turned to Juran, "Juran, what are you doing here?" Juran had surged to his feet when Leah had entered the room.

"Leah!", Liz turned to her daughter, "You are a princess, act like one."

Leah tucked her head to hide her smirk, she loved to rattle Juran and she was going to do her best to fluster him right now. She walked toward him and laid her head and hand on his chest, "Forgive me?"

Juran wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head, "Of course, Leah. I can never be angry at you."

Leah moved her other hand around his waist and pinched his butt, knowing that Juran wouldn't let her mother know what she had done. She looked up at his red face while she rubbed the spot that she had pinched. 'God he's gorgeous, NO, get that out of your head. It's just a chemical attraction, but it feels so wonderful when he wraps his arms around me. I love Juran, but does he really love me ?'
Liz looked when she heard Erin laughing behind Joshua's back, those two were another issue that needed to be taken care of. But right now she had to straighten out her youngest, "Parker, Bailey and Hannah come here."

Parker took his sisters' hands and moved from behind the chair. He stood like the proud prince that he was and looked at his mother.

Liz looked at each of her children. Parker looked so much like Zan, Bailey and Hannah looked like her other daughters. But just like Rhiann, Hannah had inherited Zulis's eyes, and Bailey had Rath's silver eyes. All of her daughters had traits that they had inherited from their fathers, all of her older daughters were slightly taller than Liz. All except Erin, who only came to Liz's nose.

Liz opened her arms and all three threw themselves at her, all of them telling her the situation, "She wants us to", "blow up", "rocks". All three looked disgusted.

Liz tried to look serious, "All of this is because you don't want to blow up rocks?"

They all nodded and Parker looked at Leah under his lashes, "She was throwing them in the air by the council chamber windows."

Liz's eyes jerked to her daughter who was trying to look innocent, "Leah Meredith Evans ne Zan, what do you have to say for yourself?"

Juran still had his arm around Leah's shoulder, when Liz spoke to Leah sternly he pulled her into his side, "I'm positive, Leah didn't mean any harm. Right Leah?"

Leah nodded her head, "I just wanted to shake them up a bit, they're so stuffy."

Joshua, who was still growing but was already almost six foot, stepped forward, "Mother, I wouldn't have allowed them to do it anyway. Leah was just teasing them."

Liz turned to Joshua and noticed that he was still holding Erin's hand but she was now behind his back, "Erin, sweetie, come here."

Erin moved toward her mother, only to have Joshua place himself between Erin and Juran.

"Joshua, Juran isn't going to touch Erin. He has already found his mate."

"Sorry Mother, Erin doesn't like men near her."

Liz squinted her eyes in thought, "Leah take your brother into the other room."

Leah smiled, "Which one?"

"Leah, you know very well which one, now do as I told you to do." Liz was becoming exasperated with Leah. Leah took Joshua's arm and pulled him from the room, he didn't take his eyes off of Erin until he was out of the room and the door was shut.

Juran started to follow, but Liz stopped him, "Juran stay here a minute, we weren't done." She turned to her youngest, "Go to the music room and practice for a while, but before you go will you tell Zarin that I wish for him to meet with me?"

Parker ran to his mother and kissed her, "Okay, mommy." Bailey and Hannah also kissed their mother, then followed their brother out of the room.

Liz returned her attention to Erin, "Erin, you have to stop hiding behind Joshua. I have made a decision, and your fathers agree with me that it is time." Liz, Max, Michael and Zulis had discussed the problem regarding Joshua and Erin and were just waiting for the right time to put their plan in place. Joshua was overprotecting his sister and not allowing her to explore on her own. They allowed the situation to go on out of a sense of pride for their son, he was only protecting his sister. But they were realising that Joshua would never allow Erin to learn by making mistakes, and that is something she needed to do.

Erin stood perfectly still as the guard Zarin entered the room.

Liz turned to Zarin, "Are you bonded?" She asked him the question out of courtesy, she already knew the answer.

Zarin bowed to his queen, "No my queen."

Erin moved closer to her mother, and the movement didn't go unnoticed by Liz.

"Zarin have any of you had a chance to touch Erin?" Liz knew the answer and she also knew he was Erin's mate.

Zarin smiled, "My queen, your son is like a mother changa when it comes to his sister and Lord Zulis was the only guard to carry her when she was young."

Liz nodded, "That is what I thought. Zarin, you may touch her."

Erin leaned into her mother, "But mother, Joshua will get mad. He says that I'm too small to find a mate, and that the men on this planet are too big for me."

Liz kissed her daughter's forehead, "Erin, sweetheart, I'm your mother and I would never do anything to hurt you. Your fathers will be having a long overdue talk with your brother, he has coddled you for too long."

"He loves me and just wants to keep me safe."

Liz stroked her daughter's head, "I know baby, but you have to learn to think for yourself. Joshua will grow up and find his own mate one day, he can't think for you the rest of your life. Promise me that you'll try to speak up."

"I'll try mother." Liz smiled at the determined look on her daughter's face.

Liz watched Zarin kneel in front of Erin and as his hand moved toward her she seemed to sway toward him. Zarin's hand caressed her cheek and an amazing smile crossed his face. Zarin turned his eyes to his queen, "You knew?"

Liz nodded, "I've known for a while." She and her mates knew who each of their children's mates were, but they had decided that they would allow their children to find their mates naturally. They also knew that if they didn't interfere, Joshua would have never allowed Erin to find her mate.

Zarin scooped Erin into his arms. Liz was pleased when she saw Erin lay her head on Zarin's shoulder.

Liz sighed when she heard her son yell, "Let her go, let her go right now."

"Joshua!"

Joshua ran into the room and dropped to his knees in front of his mother's legs, "Mother, tell him to let my Erin go. He'll hurt her, she's my sister. I have to protect her, she's my baby sister."

Liz stroked his head, "She is seventeen years old and no longer yours to protect Joshua. And Zarin would never hurt her."

"Leah and Erin would you go to the music room and make sure that your siblings are practicing, I wish to talk to Juran, Zarin and Joshua."

Leah and Erin kissed their mother. Liz noticed the apprehensive look on Leah's face and the dreamy look on Erin's.

Liz stroked Joshua's hair, "Zarin, I need you to inform Joshua of your intentions for his sister."

Zarin looked startled, "My queen, I just found her. I've known her since she was a baby, but I don't really know her. I'd like to get to know her and I'd like to give her the time to love me."

Liz smiled, "Thank you Zarin. You will have to let her explore and make mistakes, she hasn't been able to do that."

Joshua interrupted, "But she'll get hurt, that's what I'm saying."

Liz stroked Joshua's cheek, "Joshua, you have to let her get hurt once in a while. You've been a wonderful brother protecting her, but it's time to set her free. Remember how the mother bird has to push the baby bird out of the nest so that they learn to fly ? It's time to let Erin fly."

Liz turned to Zarin, "I'd like you to take Erin to your family home until you bond. It is for the best. Tell your parents that the king and his mates will visit them often, to check the progress of their daughter." Liz paused, "Zulis is sending a replacement for you as we speak."

Joshua got up, "I will go and pack mine and Erin's things."

"Joshua, you will not be going with Erin." Her son had to be the most stubborn and mule headed person that she had ever known, even more than his father was in High School.

Michael walked into the room, "Dad, mom is sending Erin away with Zarin. Tell her I have to go."

Michael put his arm around his son's shoulder, "Son, she's going with Zarin alone. Let her grow up, she needs this. She loves you, but she'll start to resent you if you keep this up."

Joshua bowed his head, "I'll go help her pack."

Liz walked over to Michael and wrapped her arms around his waist as they watched their devastated son leave the room.

Michael looked at Zarin, "You have arrangements to make."

Zarin bowed, "Yes sir."

Liz giggled as Zarin left the room, "Was he skipping?"

Michael looked offended, "Men don't skip, their steps get lighter."

Both turned and gave Juran their full attention. Michael took a deep breath, "Juran, your road with Leah is going to be rocky before it smoothes out."

Liz laughed, "What are you, some kind of oracle?"

Michael smiled, "I worked on that all morning, didn't you like it?"

Liz poked him, "I think Max has finally rubbed off on you."

Michael snorted, "Bite your tongue, that will never happen."

Juran had watched this behaviour for years, but they still confused him, "Commander, my queen, what are you saying?"

Liz smiled sympathetically at Juran, "Leah is afraid of bonding with you. She thinks that you don't love her..."

"What? Of course, I love..."

Liz held up her hand, "I know you love her Juran, you know everything about her. You can probably even guess what she will choose to wear every morning, but her fear is real. She thinks that the only reason that you are with her is because of the feeling of contentment that you get when your skin touches hers."

Michael put his hand on Juran's shoulder, "We are not the one's that you need to convince of your love, we know that you love her. You have indulged her for too long and her fear has grown. Take some time away from her and think about why you love her."

Liz smiled when Michael used the word indulged, "Oh and Juran, the next time my daughter pinches your butt in my presence, please feel free to embarrass her."

Juran turned red and bowed to his queen, "I will do my best, my queen."

She smiled at him, "See that you do, it might go a long way to fixing this relationship."

*****************************

Leah and Erin entered their room to find Joshua packing. Then they noticed that he was packing Erin's things and he had tears in his eyes.

Leah rushed over, "What are you doing?"

He turned his devastated face to Leah, "Mother and Father are sending Erin away, she is going with Zarin to his home."

Leah looked horrified, "What? Joshua, is she to bond?" Leah panicked, she was only eight months younger than Erin, if they were allowing Erin to bond then that meant that Juran would be coming to claim her soon.

Erin placed her hand on Joshua's, "Josh, it's okay. He won't hurt me."

Joshua pulled Erin into his arms, "I packed my old teddy, you can take him with you. I know how much you love him and if you feel lonely you can hug him and think of me. I also packed a communicator and if you just want to talk you can call me. Okay?" Joshua let go of her and walked out of the room.

Erin nodded, "I'd like to go say goodbye to my brothers and sisters." She turned to Leah, "I'll be back in a while to finish packing."

Leah nodded, she was doing her best to look calm. As soon as the door shut she pulled a bag from under her bed and started throwing her clothes and toiletries into the bag. She threw the bag over her shoulder and headed for the kitchens.

Leah hid her bag in a closet and went to the head cook, "The younger children want to play grocery store can I take some food?"

The cook bowed, "Of course princess, take whatever you want. There are bags in the pantry. Do you wish for someone to help you?"

Leah smiled, "I can handle it, thank you."

The cook turned back to his task and forgot about the princess.

Leah took her bag of food and retrieved her bag from the closet. It took forever to get to the hanger, she was constantly having to hide her bags. She finally was able to sneak onto a shuttle that was preparing to leave.

Leah hid her things in a back storage locker, knowing that whoever was using this shuttle would put their things in the front locker.

Leah heard what could only be a man enter the shuttle and then she heard her sister's voice, "I don't understand why Leah wouldn't come to say goodbye. Is she mad at me?"

Zarin stroked her face, "No little one, your parents told me that Leah is thinking about her own life right now and needs to be alone."

Erin perked up, "Oh, that makes sense. She told me she's not ready to bond with Juran yet."

Zarin gave Erin an odd look, but decided not to press her, "So, little one, how would you like to learn to fly this thing?"

Erin's face lit up, "Really, you'd let me fly? Joshua would never have allowed that."

Zarin took the time to explain what each switch on the panel was for, he turned to Erin, "When we get into the air, I'll let you take the controls. Okay?"

Erin was sitting on the edge of the co-pilot's chair, so that her toes could touch the floor, "Okay." Zarin couldn't help the goofy smile on his face, Erin watched every move that he made with a huge grin on her face.

Zarin turned to Erin, "Are you ready, co-pilot?"

Erin saluted him, "Yes captain."

"Take the controls."

Erin soaked up everything that Zarin told her. To his amazement, Erin turned out to be a natural pilot. But his amazement and pride were brought to an abrupt halt, when it suddenly dawned on him that Erin was flying straight at a mountain. She skimmed the top of the mountain with a shout of triumph. Zarin quickly fastened his seat belts and had to ball his hands into fists to keep himself from taking over when she headed for disaster several times, but she always pulled them out. It would seem that once she was away from Joshua, she decided to abandon all of her fear.

Leah was about to have a heart attack in her hiding place, whatever possessed Zarin to allow Erin to fly the shuttle. And what had happened to shy, little timid Erin?

"Little one, I need to take the controls to land us."

Erin turned her attention to Zarin, "Why can't I land?"

Zarin tried to hide his grimace at her question, "I'm afraid that that lesson will have to wait." Under his breath he muttered, 'At least until I get my internal organs out of my throat.'

Zarin took the controls and his mood improved quickly. He watched Erin bounce on the edge of the seat, and had to smile at her eagerness.

Zarin helped Erin out of the cockpit. She was grinning from ear to ear, "So can we have another lesson after dinner? Or should we wait until tomo..." Erin stopped in the middle of her word when she saw movement. Her eyes widened and noticed that Zarin was also about to turn in the direction that she was looking. Erin reached up and laid her hand on his arm to bring his attention completely to her, "Zarin, can we go tomorrow? Please? I've never done that before, it was amazing. Wasn't it amazing?"

Zarin was concentrating on her touch, and his mind kept repeating over and over, 'your touch is amazing.' Zarin shook his head to clear it.

Erin frowned at him shaking his head, "You didn't think it was amazing?"

Zarin stroked her face, "Of course it was amazing. I think anything you do will be amazing."

Leah rolled her eyes, making Erin giggle.

Erin looked up at Zarin, "We should go and greet your parents. Mother always told us to be polite, and I think that she would think we are being rude by staying in the shuttle for so long." While looking at him she took the time to study his face, she had known Zarin her whole life but never had the chance to truly study him.

Everyone was bigger than Erin, so his size didn't intimidate her. She realised that he was incredibly handsome. He had a square jaw, sharp cheekbones, and his nose looked like it had been punched in the past. She liked the slightly crooked nose, his dark hair and his silver eyes.

Zarin had been sucked into Erin's perusal of his face and had stayed quiet. She smiled at him and placed her hand on his arm, "Shall we go?"

Zarin smiled at her, "Wherever you lead, I will follow?"

"Let's go together."

Leah rolled her eyes at Erin's silliness. These two were starting to sound like Juran. Leah's heart lurched when she thought of him, 'stop it, just stop it, we're here to think. right?'

end part 1

[ccrswll]

Matthew (Max) Allie & Emma (Michael) 18 1/2 years.
Erin (Max) Joshua (Michael) 18 in two months
Leah (Max) 17 years old
Riley (Max) Regan (Michael) Rhys & Rhiann (Zulis) 16 1/2 years old



Parker (Zan) Bailey (Rath) Hannah (Zulis) 12 years old

I think that's right, I think that my brain is on overload.

There is 8 months between the first four groups, but the last one was a planned pregnancy.

[ccrswll]

Part 2


Zarin's parents were waiting for them in a sitting room. They stood as he and Erin entered the room. Zarin felt Erin stiffen and move closer to him, he bent and whispered in her ear, "My parents never bit anyone, I don't think that they'll start today."

Erin giggled and relaxed. She wasn't afraid of his parents, she was just amazed at how identical Zarin and his father appeared. She didn't know why that amazed her, her papa and daddy Zulis were almost identical also.

"Mother, Father, may I present Princess Erinya Nicole Evans ne Zan, my mate."

Erin looked up at Zarin, "You know my name?"

Zarin tweaked her chin, "I know all of your sisters and brothers names."

Erin giggled, "I'm impressed."

He turned back to his parents, "Father, with your permission, Erin and I will be staying here until we bond. Her parents wish to visit her here with your permission. Then we will all return to the palace for our bonding."

Rinla and Zayanta sucked in their breaths. Rinla looked astonished, "The king is coming here?"

"With your permission, of course."

"My permission? Who needs to give the king permission?....", Rinla was speechless.

Zayanta looked at her son, "Luckily the bonding will not be for a long time, since your mate is still so young. We will have plenty of time to prepare."

Zarin shook his head, "Mother, Erin is seventeen. We will bond next month."

Zayanta gave her son a stern look, "You will not bond with this child next month. She's still in her early cycles. Seventeen, impossible."

Zarin noticed Erin's grin, but was amazed when she turned her smile on his mother. His mother immediately calmed down, but she continued to stand firm.

Erin smiled up at Zarin's mother, "I'm really not a child. I'm sure that you've heard how small my mother is, I just got my height from her. Daddy Zulis thought mother was a child when she first arrived on Antar, he actually asked her if the queen would be joining them. Even Grandmother Valan thought she was a child. My sisters were luckier, they are taller than our mother. Rhiann is the luckiest, she is almost as tall as any Antarian. She was born with Regan and Riley, they are very tall too. Rhys is almost as tall as daddy Zulis." Erin looked at Zarin under her lashes, "Zarin is almost as tall as daddy Zulis, but a little taller than daddy Rath."

Rinla finally was able to speak again, he had almost become flustered again when she started talking about Valan, Zulis and Rath, "Of course, you're not a child. Your parents would never have allowed you to leave their home with Zarin if you were a child."

Erin smiled, "My parents are wonderful, they are very eager to meet you. Mother told me to ask you if you would treat them just like you would anyone else, since we will be family soon. She comes from Earth, I was also born on Earth. Josh and I were born together. We've never been away from each other...." Zarin and Zayanta noticed Erin's eyes tear up.

Zarin wrapped his arms around her, "Little one, I know that you miss Joshua, but you have me." He nudged her chin and kissed her forehead, "Besides I have it on very reliable authority that Joshua will be going on an adventure of his own soon and won't have time to be so worried about you. Maybe he'll find his mate."

Erin smiled really big, "Really? An adventure? And to find his mate. None of my brothers have shown an interest in bonding. Matthew is so busy working with daddy, Rhys is busy working with the guard, Joshua was always busy taking care of me, and Parker is too young. I'm so happy for Joshua. Will he be going to Earth with the others?"

Zarin shrugged his shoulders, "They didn't tell me that much. Just that Joshua will have his hands full soon enough."

Erin smiled, thinking of Joshua being happy.

Zayanta placed her hand on her son's arm, "Son, we should show Erin to her room. Then you can show her around."

Zarin led Erin to her room, "This is your room until we've bonded. Our room is across the hall." Erin blushed.

"I will leave you to get settled and I will be back in a few moments."

Erin quickly found pencil and paper, drawing a map to show Leah how to get to her room.

Zarin knocked on her door, then opened it. She stepped up to him, "I'm ready, can we stop by the shuttle? I seem to have lost a ribbon."

Erin made additions to her map every chance she could take, when they arrived at the shuttle she turned to Zarin, "I'll just run in and be a minute, I promise not to take off in the shuttle."

Zarin laughed and kissed her forehead, "Are you sure that you don't want me to help?"

Erin nodded, "Quite sure, it shouldn't be hard to find."

Erin entered the shuttle and hissed, "Leah, where are you?"

"I'm here." Leah crawled out of her hiding place, "I knew that you would be back."

Erin looked at her sister sternly, "What are you doing here? Mother and our fathers are probably having a fit."

Leah rolled her eyes, "Oh please, they know. If they weren't okay with me running then that shuttle would have never taken off. I can only assume that they feel I'll be safe since I'm with you. But Juran, he's another story...."

Erin sat down next to Leah, "Why are you running away?"

"I'm not ready to bond with Juran, I need more time. I just need time to think, it's always been Juran and me together. I love him, I love him a lot. He's so caring, but I just don't know if he loves me."

It was Erin's turn to roll her eyes, "Leah, you have to be kidding me. Juran is so in love with you it's sickening. Our parents have spoken of it often enough for everyone to be aware of it, and then there is the way he acts around you. He's such a doofus..."

Leah jumped to her feet, "He's not a doofus... he's just frustrating. Don't ever call him a doofus again."

Erin hid her smile by looking down, "Please forgive me Leah, you're right. Juran isn't a doofus." Erin stood up, "I have to get back outside, I made you a map. Go to my room and stay there, if Zarin catches you he'll take you home."

Leah placed her hand on Erin's arm to stop her, "Are you okay with all of this?"

Erin smiled, "If you mean bonding with Zarin, yes, I'm okay. Mother told me what would happen, we both know that she and our fathers wouldn't do it all of the time if it wasn't wonderful."

Erin hid her shock when she saw Leah blush, "Isn't it embarrassing?"

Erin laughed, "I think it's amazing. I want that kind of love, mother is the luckiest woman in the world. Remember don't get caught."

Erin exited the shuttle holding up a ribbon, "Found it."

Zarin was leaning against a wall with his arms crossed, "I was beginning to wonder if you were trying to figure out how to start the shuttle."

Erin started walking away, then looked at Zarin over her shoulder, "Oh no, I already know how to do that. I paid attention when we left earlier."

Zarin's heart skipped a beat at the thought of her taking off in the shuttle. He moved to catch up with her, "Can I hold your hand?"

Erin stopped and looked at him, "Of course you can." Then she smiled mischievously, "You can kiss me too."

Zarin sucked in his breath, "I'll do that.........later."

Erin smiled at him, "Promise?"

His whole body clenched with desire, "I promise." Zarin realised that even he had been looking at her like a child, until she started flirting with him. Then he saw the young woman in her, and he was in trouble. He thought the next month of getting to know her was going to be easy, but now he knew that he wouldn't last the whole month.

***********************

Zarin led Erin to the dining room to have dinner with his parents. He was surprised to see his brother when he entered the room, "Rinza, when did you arrive?"

"Mother and Father sent for me, they said that you were bringing home your mate. Where is she?", Rinza watched Zarin place his arm around a little girl's shoulders.

"This is Erin, my mate."

He turned to his Father, "I don't understand, you said that the bonding would be soon, she's a child."

Erin moved closer to Zarin, she was tired of being called a child but she didn't want to fight.

Zarin looked at his brother sternly, "My mate is not a child, she is seventeen years. And you dear brother would be smart to show her the respect that she deserves as the daughter of your king and your brother's mate."

Rinza jumped out of his chair and looked at the little girl, then looked at his father who was nodding his head. Rinza bowed, "Forgive me, Princess."

Erin smiled and reached to pat him on the shoulder, but Zarin's lightning fast reflexes shot his hand out to block her from touching his brother. Zarin smiled down into her startled eyes, "I'm sorry...this is just so new." Zarin's thumb caressed her hand until she smiled at him again.

Erin was startled, even though she understood. Her family and close friends were different than most Antarians. Touching was not forbidden, and hugs were normal behavior for them.

Erin let Zarin seat her at the table.

Zarin kissed the top of her head, and stood back up, "We will bond next month, maybe by then I will have adjusted to your family's ways."

Erin looked into his eyes and nodded her understanding.

Zayanta and Rinla didn't know what to think. They had watched the whole scene and both had stilled with disbelief when they watched Erin reach out to touch her mate's brother. They knew that their king had returned a different person, but this was something they were unused to.

Zarin watched Erin throughout the meal, she seemed fidgety. He got the impression that she wanted to end the meal. She had enthusiastically answered all of his parents and brother's questions. He had been around the royal family since the day they had arrived and Erin wasn't even walking. But he had never heard so many words come out of her mouth before. He had only seen Joshua taking care of her every need and making sure that she was never in harms way.

Erin leaned over to Zarin, "If I want a snack later, what do I do? Joshua always made sure that I had an evening snack." Erin was worried about Leah needing food.

Zarin looked at his parents and excused himself and Erin from the table, claiming that they were tired.

Zarin led Erin to the kitchens and introduced her to the head cook. The cook was so excited to have a princess to serve that he told her that as long as she was there all she needed to do was stop by and he would take care of her.

Zarin walked Erin to her room and stood with her outside of her door. He reached out and lifted her chin, "I believe I promised you a kiss." His hand slid to the nape of her neck.

Erin blushed and watched him lower his mouth toward hers. She closed her eyes in anticipation and felt his lips brush her cheek and withdraw. Erin opened her eyes to see him looking down at her. She was breathing heavily and her knees were weak just from a simple touch of his lips.

"Good night, sweet Erin." It took every ounce of his control to open her door, push her into her room and pull the door closed.

Leah watched Erin being pushed into the room from the corner closet and frowned. As soon as the door shut Erin burst into tears.

Leah ran to her, "Sweetie, what did the jerk do to you?"

"He" sniff "promised" sniff "but he" sniff "doesn't want me." Erin ran across the room and threw herself on the bed sobbing.

Leah grabbed a small towel and pulled Erin up and into her arms, "What do you mean, he doesn't want you? Of course he does, he doesn't have a choice. You're his mate."

Leah wiped Erin's face. Erin thought about Leah's words and it just made her want to cry more, "By that logic, then maybe he would have chosen someone else if he had a choice."

Leah took a deep breath and realised that she needed to push her own insecurities aside or she would really mess up Erin. Erin didn't need anyone to coddle her anymore.

Leah lifted Erin's face, "Erin, that's not what I mean. Look at it this way, on Earth when you choose whom to marry you don't know if you'll always love each other. But here, you'll always be with Zarin and you know that he'll always want only you. Besides, Joshua probably threatened him with bodily harm if he hurt you, and from what I know it hurts really bad the first time you ......you know. He's a lot bigger than you, so it's probably going to really hurt. Maybe he doesn't want to hurt you? And you've seen our parents, none of our fathers have any control when they are around our mother."

Erin burst into tears again, "So he'll never touch me? But I want him too."

"Then go tell him what you want. March yourself across that hall and throw yourself at him."

Erin stopped crying and thought about it, "I can't do that."

Leah rolled her eyes, "Why not? Do you think they are the only ones that can be bold or make the first move?"

Erin sat up and wiped her face with the towel, "No, I'd just like to know more about him."

Leah smiled, "And maybe that's all he wants too." Her smile vanished when she was hit in the face with a pillow.

Leah opened her eyes only to see another pillow swinging in her direction. Leah grabbed a pillow and started hitting Erin with it.

Later when Leah and Erin were lying on their pile of pillows, Erin took Leah's hand, "Thank you Leah."

Leah put a superior look on her face, "So my words of wisdom finally sank in?"

Erin burst out laughing, "Words of wisdom, uhmm NO, the pillow fight. You hit me back. Joshua never hit me back and wouldn't let anyone else hit me back. So I stopped trying."

Leah turned and looked at Erin realising just how much she had missed out on because of Joshua's interference, "You know what I think?"

"No", Erin watched Leah get up and open her bag searching for something, she watched her pull out Joshua's teddy.

"I think that you became Joshua's teddy. Remember when you took his teddy, he acted like it was no big deal?" Erin nodded her head, and Leah continued, "He was really upset, but he didn't want to hurt your feelings. So he let you keep the teddy and you became the teddy substitute."

Erin rolled her eyes, "You're warped, did you know that? That is the most ludicrous thing I've ever heard you come up with yet. Joshua saw me scrape my leg badly once and was so upset that it took all of our parents to calm him down. He was so upset that our parents told him that since he was bigger than me that he could protect me from harm, that's what started this whole thing. I think that we were only five at the time, before then I did what I wanted. Joshua just took it to the extreme, and I've really appreciated his love and protectiveness. It's just that sometimes it was too much. I really miss him, but I also don't miss him and that makes me sad."

Leah walked over and handed the teddy to Erin, "Well when you miss him hug teddy, and when you want to kick him in the butt just drop kick teddy."

Erin giggled, "I'm not going to abuse my teddy. You know what, keep your hands off of my teddy. I don't think I can trust you with him."

Both girls fell into a fit of giggles.


Special thanks to jero for proofreading the parts

[ccrswll]

Author's note:

I know what you mean. Joshua gets on my nerves too. Don't worry, he'll have to redirect his focus. Maybe it will be a mate or maybe it will be something else. Who knows, oh wait, I know. My lips are sealed.

This part isn't very long, but I wanted to give you guys some M/L time. They are our favorite couple. Of course, with all of the extra couples there is going to be a lot of nookie. I'll have to add in some parts with K/T and I/A and their offspring. I can't remember their names either, I'll have to make a chart. What have I gotten myself into?

Part 3

Zarin lay in his bed, mentally kicking himself. He wanted to kiss her so badly, but didn't think that his control would hold out for a month if he kissed her now. He had seen the look of disappointment on her face and felt terrible. The next month was going to be hell.

Zarin sat up, he needed to just look at her. He pulled his pants on and walked across the hall. As he walked toward her bed, he wondered why it was so lumpy.

He saw her and another head. His first instinct was rage, then fear, then surprise. ' What is Leah doing in my mate's bed?' Both girls were on top of a bunch of pillows and still fully dressed.

Erin had that ugly brown thing clutched in her arms that she had carried around as a child. He hoped that she didn't always sleep with that thing, she certainly wouldn't need to hug it when she had him to hug at night. Once again desire shot through his body.

Zarin picked up a blanket and put it over his love and then put one over Leah. Zarin walked over to a chair in the corner of her room and sat down, he watched Erin sleep. He wished that he could hold her but he was so afraid of taking it too far, she was so small and maybe Joshua was right. Would his size hurt her? He couldn't cause her pain, but he also knew that he wouldn't be able to keep from touching her for very long.

Erin snuggled into the blanket that was covering her when her eyes flew open. Blanket? Then she calmed, Leah probably put the blanket on her.

Erin rolled over and smiled, she opened her eyes again only to see Zarin asleep in a chair in her room. Erin panicked at first, but realised that he may already know that Leah is here. Erin laid there studying his chest, the urge to touch him was too much.

Erin slid out of bed and moved toward him. She laid her hand on his shoulder and watched his lips turn up into a smile.

Her hand moved downward, caressing him softly. She felt a hand on her hip pulling her toward him.

Erin moved to straddle his hips and reached up to stroke his face. She smiled at the way he nuzzled into her hand. Sitting up with her knees on either side of his legs and she studied his face. She needed to feel his lips against hers. Erin lowered her face and touched his lips with hers. Two bands of steel crushed her to his body, one moving up to hold her face to his. Her mouth was invaded by his tongue, Erin felt like her heart was going to burst out of her chest. She tentatively touched his tongue with hers and heard him groan. She became more bold, thrusting her tongue against his. Her hands speared through his hair to make sure that he didn't try to leave her.

Zarin was having the most delicious dream, his love was in his arms and she tasted so sweet. Zarin suddenly realised that she really was in his arms and she was kissing him back. He pulled his mouth from hers and laid his forehead on her chin, trying to compose himself and get his control back.

His hands slid down her back toward her waist. He picked her up and set her on her feet, "I'm so sorry, little one, I didn't hurt you did I?"

Erin looked at the floor, hiding her disappointment and shook her head.

Zarin nodded, "Good. I don't know what happened, I usually have better control. I didn't mean to attack you."

Erin kept her eyes down, but that was dangerous. She could see the bulge in his pants and the sight of his bare stomach was making her stomach twist into knots. Her hand started to move toward his waistband, but she was able to redirect it to her hair.

Erin took a deep breath, "Maybe I attacked you."

Zarin chuckled, "Little one, you would never attack anyone."

'I would attack your body, and enjoy every minute of it.' Erin was snapped out of her thoughts by Zarin's next words.

He was looking at her bed, "Where is your sister hiding?"

Erin spun around, "My sister?"

Zarin stood up searching the room with his eyes, he stepped around Erin and moved toward her bed.

Erin ran after him, "Zarin, my sister isn't here. What are you talking about?"

Zarin stopped and looked down at Erin, "Princess, she was here last night laying right beside you. I covered both of you with blankets."

Erin looked down in shame, "I didn't mean to lie.."

Zarin picked her chin up, "I know, you're trying to protect your sister."

Leah walked out of the closet, "Zarin, don't send me back. I'm not ready to go back yet."

Zarin turned to Erin, "Do you wish her to stay for a while?"

Erin smiled at him with hope in her eyes, "Can she stay?"

Zarin nodded, "King Zan told me to expect a visitor, but he wouldn't explain himself." Zarin shook his head, "Juran will be upset to have you so far away from him, I could invite him to also visit."

Leah shook her head, "No, please Zarin. Not yet. I need some time."

Zarin looked at her funny, "I don't understand why you would wish to be away from your mate."

Leah sighed, "I don't know either Zarin, that's why I need some time."

Zarin nodded to Leah, "Don't take too long, your absence will hurt Juran. I don't think you wish to cause your mate pain." Zarin turned to Erin and clasped her chin in his hand, stroking her cheek with his thumb, "It is almost time for the morning meal, I will wait for you and Leah in the hall." Zarin's thumb stroked lightly over her lips before he pulled his hand away and exited the room.

Leah was lost in the thought of Juran in pain, her heart panicked at the thought that she was causing him pain. Her hand flew to her mouth, "What have I done?"

Erin was pulled out of her dreamy daze by Leah's question. She walked over to her and put her arm around her, "Lets change our clothes, maybe later you'll know what you want to do."

**************************

Juran paced back and forth in the king's sitting room waiting for the king and his mates to get out of bed.

Zulis entered the room and stopped, causing Rath to run into him. Rath nudged him, "What's the matter Zulis?" Then he noticed Juran, he had been hoping that this confrontation could wait, "Juran, what can we do for you?"

Juran stopped and turned, "I can't find Leah, do you know where she is? Please tell me nothing has happened to her."

Liz walked in followed by Max, Max walked over to Juran, "Juran, please sit down and talk with us."

Max watched Liz walk over and sit next to Juran. A thrill always ran through Max's chest when he looked at Liz, she still looked the same as the day she first stepped off of the ship onto Antar. Even he and Michael looked the same, the only exception was that they were actually in better shape.

Liz reached out and took Juran's hand, she giggled when she felt jealously from her three mates, "Juran, Michael and I told you that Leah was nervous. She just needs a little time to realise what you mean to her. She is having a change of heart as we speak. She has realised that her absence is causing you pain and that hurts her...."

Juran's hand squeezed Liz's, "Leah is hurting, I must go to her....please tell me where she is...please."

Max leaned forward, "We are leaving in three weeks to retrieve Erin for her bonding ceremony to Zarin. You may accompany us, and maybe Leah will show up. And Juran, you need to stop letting Leah have all of the control in your relationship."

Juran looked devastated, "Three weeks, Leah has never been away from me for so long. I can't do this. She needs me."

Zulis stood up, "Juran, I'll keep you so busy that you won't even realise that she's gone. And then when you see her, your exhausting weeks spent in my company will make you very determined to help Leah see the error in her thinking."

"But...three weeks?"

Zulis started to move in Juran's direction, but was held back by a small hand. Liz pulled Zulis down and whispered in his ear, "You, my love, had better not be exhausted. Let the trainers do their job."

Zulis smiled and kissed her neck, pulling her up into his arms, "I would never be too tired to pleasure my mates. The trainers will be instructed on Juran's need for a refresher." Zulis kissed Liz deeply and set her back down.

Zulis grabbed Juran's shoulder and led him from the room.

**********************

Liz woke up realising that she and Max were alone in their bed, she nuzzled her nose into his neck and felt his arms tighten around her, "Ehmmm, do that again."

Liz giggled, Max wasn't completely awake. She moved her hand over his shoulder, watching his muscles quiver as her hand caressed his skin.

Liz moved over him and watched his face for a moment, she loved the power that she had over him and used it on him every chance that she could. She bent forward and placed nibbling kisses along his jawline, working her way to his neck.

As she moved lower, she continued to lightly nibble on his skin. Lingering on his nipples, first lightly biting them then licking to soothe the pleasure pain. Her tongue moved lower circling his belly button with slow deliberate strokes, when she felt his length jab her chin she decided that she would play some more.

She continued to place nibbling kisses on his lower stomach making sure that she didn't touch his hard length, "Lizzzz.......don't tease.....you know I've never been able to take your teasing." Liz giggled and moved up his body straddling his hips and placing her warm moist folds over him.

Max grabbed her hips and slid her back and forth over him. She leaned forward, "I thought that I was the one in control."

Max flipped her over and surged into her, "You thought wrong."

Max worked his magic on her body, bringing her to a fever pitch then pushing her over the edge. After riding out the storm of their orgasm Max moved to Liz's side and wrapped his arms around her tightly.

Liz stroked his hair, "Where are Zulis and Michael?"

Max chuckled and bit at her shoulder, "Am I not enough for you?"

Liz pulled his ear playfully, "That's so not fair, husband." Max watched her eyes change to a deep desire, "You're Max." As if that answered all questions.

Max kissed the spot that he had just nipped, "I believe Zulis is off torturing Juran, and Michael is making preparations for our trip. I know that you and I are hiding in here to avoid the "Bonding Nazi" since she found out that Erin needs a bonding ceremony. You know Isabel."

Liz shivered when he mentioned Isabel, "I told her to do whatever pleased her, then when she turned her back I ran as fast as I could. You know I haven't seen Tess in the last couple of days, I think she's also hiding."

Max chuckled and froze, when he heard movement in the sitting room. He bent down and whispered into Liz's ear, "We're in trouble and we need to hide, Izzy is in the sitting room heading this way. Oh God, we need to hide. She has her planning book." Liz couldn't help the giggle that escaped her throat at the sound of Max's desperate fear of his sister.

Max rolled himself and Liz off of the bed and onto the floor, both of them lay perfectly still as they heard Isabel calling out to them, "Max? Liz? I'm coming in, I hope you're decent........Where are they?"

They watched her foot tap and then she moved toward the bed, "I know you're in here....."

Max was panicking, he didn't want his sister to see him naked. So he pushed Liz up.

Isabel saw Liz's head pop over the side of the bed. Liz smiled at Isabel as she pinched Max's nipple. Max grimaced from the shock of her pinch, but when Liz glanced at him she could see his desire for her building in his eyes. Liz smiled at Isabel again, "Isabel, I'm sorry that I didn't answer you. I was looking for something under the bed."

Isabel raised her eyebrow, "Something, huh?"

Liz reached down and squeezed Max's length, "Uh huh, something.......ahhh, I think that I found it. Why don't you wait for me in the sitting room, I'll be out in a second."

Liz had stroked Max until he had another erection, as soon as Isabel closed the door Max tried to roll Liz under him. Liz jumped up and laughed, "Sorry, sweetie, you know that if I don't get out there pretty quick she'll storm back in here."

"But Liz.....you can't leave me like this....come on baby...."

Liz bent down and grasped him firmly in her hand. She bent close and flicked her tongue across the tip and just hovered above him for a second, then plunged her mouth over his length. She pulled back and jumped up, "Sorry, gotta go."

She grabbed a dress and ran for the door, only to be caught by Max, "Not fair my love." Max held her front against the door and lifted her dress. He bent his knees and rubbed his tip against her moist heat, "Are you sure that you don't have time?"

"I....I....Oh God" Max plunged into her.

He whispered into her ear, "Ssshhhh, we wouldn't want Izzy to hear." Max moved his hand to her folds and stroked her as he moved in and out of her. He felt her walls tighten and pull him along with her. He pulled out when his body had calmed down, and pushed her into the sitting room still reeling from her orgasm.

Isabel snorted, "Good grief, you could have just told me to come back. Watching you after my brother gives you an after sex glow isn't my idea of fun."

Liz walked to the couch, "I just need to sit for a minute." On second thought, "Yeah, why don't we meet in an hour."

Isabel cleared her throat and gave Liz a skeptical look. Liz smiled, "I'll be here." Liz stood up and walked back to her bedroom.

Isabel yelled after her, "No more fooling around, or you'll never get out of that bedroom." Isabel yelled louder, "Did you hear me Maxwell or Zan, whoever you are today, keep your hands off of your wife for now. She needs to plan Erin's ceremony."

Max was laying on the bed with hands behind his head and his ankles crossed laughing at Liz, who was still a little dazed. Max opened his arms, "Come here, we didn't get to cuddle."

Liz smiled as she pulled her dress off. Max pulled her against his body. Both of their hands wandered over each other's skin, until they couldn't take anymore.

[ccrswll]

Hey Guys, I know this part is short. So RL takes precedence, my troop made beads that I need to bake. I went on a field trip to the James River with my daughter's class to plant bay grasses. Did you know that the bay grasses almost completely died out in the 60's? The Chesapeake foundation, is trying to restore them with area school's help. They are having an 85% success rate. Did I know that there wouldn't be bathrooms on this field trip? NO. We're talking about a field trip from 8:30 to 5:15. Did the kids care, NO, they had a blast. They went canoeing, then came back and played in the water while learning to fish with a net, and then they planted their grasses. I have the say the canoeing was hilarious, only one boat in my daughter's class had trouble getting started. But the other class, one boat continued to go in the opposite direction, four boats kept going in circles and crashing, three boats took off down the river, and the parents stood on shore laughing (behind our hands of course). Well here it is. Short, but at least it's something.




Part 4


Erin and Zarin had spent the last three weeks getting to know each other. Zarin had watched Erin grow up and had been there to see most of her siblings in action, but had never had the opportunity to talk with her or any of her siblings.

Rinla and Zayanta welcomed Leah to their home, but spent most of their time preparing for the arrival of their king. The king and his family would be arriving soon and they wanted everything perfect. Plus they had to prepare more rooms than usual because of Erin's unusual number of brothers and sisters.

Zarin walked Erin to her door every evening, kissed her on the cheek and pushed her into her bedroom and it was starting to make her angry.

Erin's anger disappeared every morning when Zarin greeted her before the morning meal.

Leah's answer to her anger was the same every night, "Then do something Erin, go over there and tell him you want him to kiss you. Better yet, just march in there and kiss him yourself."

After three weeks of hearing Leah tell her to take matters into her own hands, she blew up at Leah, "Then why don't you take your own advice Leah? Instead of running from Juran, why aren't you telling him what you want?"

Leah was stunned, then she covered her face with her hands, "I don't know. I just don't know, Erin."

Erin felt terrible for her outburst. She walked over and put her arm around Leah's shoulder, "What is this really about, Leah?"

"I....I've had a lot of time to think about it since I arrived here. And I still don't know. Juran...Juran is the most caring, attentive, available mate that a person could pray for, but I don't know."

Erin nodded, "Okay, he's caring, attentive and available. What else?"

Leah sighed, "I don't know Erin, he's just Juran. He's been there my whole life, but I don't know if he loves me."

Erin smiled, but really felt like laughing, "Leah, that man is so in love with you it's almost as bad as our fathers. He found you when you were just a few weeks old, and from what our parents have said he was a royal pain in the butt. It drove him crazy if anyone touched you. He has backed down from so many things because he wants your happiness, if that isn't love I don't know what love is. Why do you think he didn't hunt you down and drag you home, he knew that you needed this time and he gave it to you. I think that you're afraid of committing to him, but what you don't realise is that you have been committed to him your whole life. Stop running and let Juran make you happy."

Leah turned to Erin, "I don't think I've ever heard you talk that much before. Zarin has been good for you."

Erin looked down at her hands, "If he'd only stop worrying about touching me."

Leah recognised her sister's pain and made a decision. She waited for Erin to fall asleep and slipped out of the room. Leah walked across the hall and knocked.

Zarin had been laying there fantasizing about Erin, trying to decide what he was going to do after their ceremony. He heard the knock and sighed, hoping that it wasn't Erin. He didn't think that he could let her go back to her room if it was her.

He opened the door and Leah nearly knocked him down storming into the room. Then she turned on him poking him in the chest, "You....you are hurting my sister." Leah threw her hands into the air, "Men, sometimes I think you are so stupid."

Zarin rubbed his chest, what had he done. He kept himself under control, he was making sure that Erin was taken care of. What did Leah mean that he was hurting Erin? He would never hurt Erin. That's why he didn't kiss her, he was afraid he would attack her and that he wouldn't be able to stop himself.

"My sister thinks that you don't want her...."

"What? Of course, I want her. I want her so badly it's killing me to keep her at arms distance."

"Well, smarty, your arms distance is why she thinks that you don't want her. You promised to kiss her and you still haven't kissed her. And don't even try to say that that brotherly peck on her cheek is a kiss. She wants you to kiss her. You had better straighten this out before the bonding ceremony." Leah pushed past him and walked back across the hall.

Zarin didn't get much sleep that night. The next morning he greeted Erin and realised just how subdued she was from the girl who wanted to fly the shuttle.

Zarin took her hand startling her, and proceeded to pull her to their room.

Zarin pulled her through the door, shut it and spun her around. He lifted her against the door and pressed his body into hers, letting her feel his need.

Erin bit her bottom lip as Zarin studied her face, then her eyes grew bigger as he moved closer to her.

Zarin pulled her top lip into his mouth, causing her to release her bottom lip from between her teeth. Once he realised that her bottom lip was free, he pulled that into his mouth nibbling on her lip for a second. He pulled back and looked into her eyes, "Do you know how hard it's been not to do this for the past three weeks?"

Erin shook her head.

Zarin's hands slid down her body, lifting her thighs so that they circled his waist. He moved his hands back to her neck and framed her face. As he lowered his mouth to hers he pressed his lower body into her center. Her groan was all he needed. His tongue pushed past her lips, searching for her tongue. He moved his hips in a steady rhythm. One hand left her face and moved slowly down her chest until he palmed her breast in his hand. Zarin ran his thumb over her nipple, smiling when her hips started matching his rhythm.

Zarin felt her body tense, holding her tightly until she had recovered. He whispered in her ear, "After our bonding I can do that whenever you or I want to, but the next time we do this I'll be inside you."

Even Zarin could feel the joy that surged through her body. He kissed her deeply again and let her slide down his body.

Leah watched Zarin and Erin enter the dining room. Erin was clinging to Zarin's hand and she had a huge grin on her face.

Leah smiled at them, very satisfied with herself.

Erin floated through the next day, and was bouncing on her toes when her family's shuttle landed.

Max stepped out of the shuttle first and just caught Erin as she launched herself at him, "Daddy, I'm so happy to see you."

Max twirled her around, and kissed her cheek, "It looks like you'll be happy with Zarin, am I right?"

Erin grinned at her father, "Yes, daddy. I'm happy."

Michael walked out with Liz and Zulis right behind him, "Where's my hug?"

Erin moved to Michael, she threw her arms up and around his neck, "I missed you daddy."

Zulis walked up and pulled her out of Michael's arms, "How is my princess?"

"I missed you too daddy.", Erin kissed all over his face as she hugged him.

Zulis put Erin down and pushed her to her mother, "Mom, he's wonderful. Thank you."

Liz pulled her daughter into her arms, "I knew that he would make you happy. Now you need to help your brother cope with your happiness."

Erin looked up and saw a dejected Joshua sitting in the shuttle. Erin ran in and hugged him, "I've missed you so much Joshua. Please be happy for me. Zarin is wonderful and he'd never hurt me. He let me fly the shuttle, can you believe that. It was so wonderful. I don't think I've ever felt that free. I think I scared him a few times, but I was actually very good. He says that he'll teach me to land the shuttle next..."

Joshua put his hand over her mouth and smiled at her, "Wow, did you always talk this much?"

Erin giggled, "Only in my head, or to teddy."

Joshua looked down at their joined hands, "I'm so sorry Erin. I shouldn't have kept you from doing so many things."

Erin jumped up and hugged him, "You were only protecting me and I love you for it. Don't ever forget that I love you Joshua. No one will ever take that away from us."

Joshua smiled and hugged her back, then walked out of the shuttle with his arm around her.

Max and his mates were watching Juran as he walked off of the shuttle when they noticed movement down the hall. Juran noticed it at the same time and took off running.

end part 4

[ccrswll]

Okay guys, here it is. I hope you enjoy. Jero, thank you again for correcting my fumbling finger mistakes. I hope that you guys enjoy.


Finding Their Own
Part 5

Leah just had to see Juran, but she didn't know how to face him. When she saw him look in her direction, she started back to her room. She entered the room, just as she shut the door it was opened and slammed shut. Leah turned to see Juran standing there facing the door, she saw his hand pass over the lock. He wouldn't, would he?
Leah backed up, "Did you lock that door?"
Juran turned and looked at Leah with intense desire, "Yes, and melted it too."
"You had better unlock that door right now."
"No."
Leah sucked in her breath, Juran always did what she wanted, "What do you mean no?"
Juran walked toward her, his hand started unbuttoning his vest, "I.....said......no."
Leah put her hand up as she watched him strip off his vest, "What are you doing? Put your vest back on." God she loved his chest, could anyone be more handsome? And were his muscles bigger?
Juran's hands went to his pants as he advanced on her, "No."
Leah's leg hit the bed just as Juran reached her, his arm went around her waist to keep her from falling. He started leaning over her, "This is long overdue."
Juran captured Leah's mouth. Juran had never kissed her like this before, his hands were skimming up her legs lifting her dress as they moved up. Leah's couldn't think of anything but Juran's kiss.
Juran broke the kiss long enough to pull her dress over her head. He placed his knee on the bed lowering Leah down to its softness.
He trailed kisses down her face and neck, moving his mouth close to her breasts. Leah arched her back and dug her fingers into his hair.
His lips stopped a hair's breadth from her nipple and he looked into her eyes, "Tell me you want me, tell me you want this Leah."
Leah's hands tightened on his hair as she said, "I....I..please Juran."
Juran's tongue touched the tip of her breast, then retracted, "Tell me, that you feel what I feel. Tell me you need more." Juran swiped his tongue across her nipple.
Leah groaned with frustration, "Juran please."
"Please what Leah? Tell me what to do, I don't know what you want."
Leah stilled at the desperateness in his voice, "I don't know what I want."
Juran pulled her nipple into his mouth, then let it go, "Tell me you felt that Leah."
Leah's heart was pounding heavily in her chest, "Yes"
Juran ran his fingers lightly down her body and stopped at her hip, "Tell me you want more."
Leah speared her fingers through his hair, "Yes......I......yes please."
Juran stood up, causing Leah to raise up onto her elbows, "Don't leave."
Juran smiled and pulled off the rest of his clothes. He crawled back up next to Leah, kissing her deeply. Leah was ready to explode by the time he pulled her nipple into his mouth again. Juran smiled against her breast when he felt Leah orgasm so quickly. He had just begun to play with her and he hoped that he could bring her to a pleasurable release several times before he finally made her his for life.
Juran kissed his way down her body. He stopped when he reached the juncture of her legs. Leah looked down at Juran, "Juran, what....oh God...what.."
Juran had moved in and licked her, his eyes never leaving hers. Her scent and taste were as intoxicating as he imagined. He continued to feast on her until she exploded again.
Juran crawled up her body and positioned himself and waited.
Leah looked into his eyes, "Please Juran, please."
"Tell me that you need me, that you want me. Leah, tell me that you love me."
Leah's hands moved to his face, stroking him with her fingers, "I love you with all of my heart Juran."
Juran growled and moved into her but stopped when he reached her barrier, "I love you so much Leah......this will hurt.....I'm so sorry." Juran sank into her, breaking through her barrier.
Juran held himself still, allowing her feelings to pulse through his body. He leaned up, "Are you okay?"
Leah had tears in her eyes, but she nodded her head, "I'm so sorry Juran, I didn't mean to hurt you by leaving."
"I know baby, I know." Juran bent and captured her mouth. He started slowly, testing to see if she was ready. Juran reached down and pulled her legs around his body, and moved deeper. He held back his own release until he felt her body tighten around him, then he reached between their bodies and stroked her causing her to fall with him right behind her.
*****************************************
Zarin walked Erin to her room to get cleaned up for dinner. He frowned when the door wouldn't open, so he waved his hand over the door unlocking and repairing it. He frowned deeper thinking that Leah must be acting childish.
He opened her door and looked up. Erin started walking through the door when Zarin's hand covered her eyes and she was pulled against his body.
Desire shot through her as she was pulled back against him, her hands moved to clutch his thighs.
Zarin backed both of them into the hall and closed the door. He uncovered Erin's eyes and turned her toward him and was brought up short by the look of desire in her eyes. Zarin reached up and stroked her cheek, "I wish that we had time to do the same as Juran and Leah..." Erin realised why she was pulled out of the room now, "but your parents might come looking for us and find all of us. I worry more for Juran than for us, our ceremony is tomorrow, but I don't know if your parents have planned their ceremony."
Erin giggled, "I'm sure that my parents are aware, even if they don't want to be. Did you forget what they are? Of course, they may block this kind of thing from their minds. I'm not sure if I'd want to be so completely aware of when our children first bond..."
Erin was pulled against Zarin's chest and his mouth was crushed against hers before she took her next breath. Zarin pulled back and rubbed his forehead against her cheek, "You said our children, the thought of a miniature you. Can we have a baby? I want a baby to grow up, just like your parents. The babies were so.....I don't even know the words....but I want our own baby."
Erin giggled, "I have what is needed to unblock the inhibitor, do you want me to do that? I will, I want a baby too."
Zarin kissed her cheek, "It's too soon, maybe we should wait a year. I think that I'd like to have you to myself for a while, yes I like that idea best. How about that, we'll have a baby in a year?"
Erin smiled, "I like that, can we have more than two babies?"
Zarin laughed, "Lots of babies, just not as many as your mother had at the same time. I don't think I'd like sharing you with another mate, you are mine, all mine."
Erin kissed all over his face, "I like the sound of that, I am all yours."
Zarin took her hand, "Come on, you can get cleaned up in our room. We'll just keep the door open for now."
"I'll tell my parents that Juran and Leah are discussing their relationship and that things are going well."
Zarin burst out laughing and pulled her towards their room.
*****************************************
Juran held his weight tenderly off of Leah. As he looked down at her, he brushed the hair out of her face and kissed her several times.
Leah moved her hips and frowned.
Juran noticed Leah's eyes tear up and got worried that he had hurt her, "Baby, what is it? Was I too rough? It won't hurt like this next time."
Leah sniffled, "You didn't.....I thought....didn't I please you?"
Juran blinked his eyes, "Leah? Of course you pleased me..."
"Then why are you still hard? I know enough to know that after you're pleased it will get soft."
Juran's relief caused him to drop his weight onto her and he buried his face into her neck, Leah felt him shaking.
Leah tried to turn her face to his but she couldn't, then she realised that he was laughing. Leah started pushing at his shoulders.
Juran grabbed her fists and pinned her arms over her head, "Leah, baby, I'm just ready to go again. I've waited for you for so long, wanted you for so long, that just once won't be enough for a long time. I plan on doing this over" he kissed her neck "and over" he pulled out and thrust back into her, "and over." Juran let go of her arms and framed her face to capture her mouth as his body picked up speed.
*****************************************
As Erin and Zarin entered the dining room, Matthew grabbed Erin around the waist and twirled her around. Erin laughed at Matthew, and Matthew hugged her tightly, "Erin, my little sister, do you know how happy I am for you?" Matthew bent and whispered into her ear, "I think your mate is getting angry, this is fun. Let me make him really angry."
Erin leaned back and smacked his arm as she glanced at Zarin, "Matthew, that is so mean." Matthew ignored her protest and twirled her again.
Allie and Emma walked up to them. Allie laughed at Matthew's antics, but Emma put her hand on Matthew's shoulder, "Matthew, let her down. Zarin is going to clobber you any minute and you are purposely trying to make him mad. Our parents won't like that."
Matthew set Erin down and grabbed Emma, twirling her in a circle, "Ahhh, Emma, my voice of reason. Always say you'll be by my side." He set Emma down and wrapped his arms around Allie's waist slow dancing with her from behind, "And Allie, my song bird, the voice to soothe me when I need comforting. Tell me you'll never abandon me like my sweet Erin."
Allie pushed at his hands, "Oh get off of me, you are even worse than daddy Max is with mother."
Max choked on his drink and gave his daughter a dirty look, "I heard that Allie, I'll have you know that your mother loves my ways and Matthew's mate will appreciate that he is like me." Max nudged Liz, "Tell her my love, tell her that you can't live without my romantic ways." Matthew's look at the mention of a mate didn't go unnoticed by any of his parents. They knew that he wanted to wait to find his mate.
Liz smirked up at Max, "Oh too true, too true." Liz turned to her daughters, "Don't criticize what you haven't experienced, your father is the most romantic man born on Earth or Antar. Sing me that love song in Spanish again, sweetie."
All of the children yelled, "No dad, please don't."
Max blushed and bent to whisper in Liz's ear, "I'll sing for you later." Liz pulled his lips to hers.
Rhiann walked over to Matthew and smacked him in the head, "Now see what you've started, I thought we might make it through one meal without them actually making out in front of us."
Regan and Riley both turned to look at their parents kissing, both groaned at the same time, "Mommmm, Dadddyyyyy, do you have to do that at the table?" Michael and Zulis just stood there chuckling.
Rhys put his arms around Regan and Riley, "I think it's nice to know that our parents are so happy and in love."
Rhiann turned to Rhys, "Knowing and constantly witnessing are two different things." She turned to Zulis and Michael, "Please, don't you two start. Please daddy. We're in the home of people who don't know us. Please try to control your urges."
Michael smiled really big and put his arm around Zulis, "Where in the world did Rhiann inherit this need to over dramatise? If I didn't know better I would think she was Maria's daughter."
Zulis turned to Michael and nuzzled the side of his face, "Well it has to be from my beloved, Antarians don't over dramatise anything. Or maybe we should limit the time she spends with Maria."
Rhiann had covered her eyes as soon as her fathers started talking and rubbing on each other, "Hello, young and impressionable here. Did you forget?"
Zulis and Michael were laughing so hard that they had to separate and sit down on either side of Max and Liz.
Max and Liz had purposely prolonged their kissing to irritate their children, plus they could never get enough of each other. Liz peeked down the table to see Joshua encouraging her three youngest to scrunch up their noses and make gagging noises. Liz couldn't help pulling away and laughing. Max looked and also burst out laughing.
Liz turned to Max and stroked his face, "I'm beginning to think it's time for more children, we'll be losing most of our children to mates soon. What would we do without all of the love and understanding that just oozes from our children?"
All of her children turned and looked at her like she'd lost her mind. Liz and her mates burst out laughing again.
Max kissed her hard, "I think you're right my love, more children to fill our lives would be very welcome. Besides we haven't had a baby in twelve years."
Rhiann stomped over to her chair, "Greattttttttt, more making out to put up with."
Rinla and Zayanta just stood in the doorway with their mouths hanging open. Zarin took pity on his parents and went over to them, "You get used to it after a while. I've been with them for seventeen years, so watching the king and his mates all over each other is normal."
Rinla coughed, "That is, uhmmm, unusual. But the way the children talk to our king, he allows that?"
Zarin laughed, "The king respects and loves all thirteen of his children. He wants them to speak their minds and he wants them to be anything that they want to be."
Zayanta made a funny noise, "Thirteen? If I weren't seeing the children I wouldn't believe it."
Zarin looked shocked, "Mother, you can believe it, and I wouldn't be surprised if they do have more."
Zarin tensed when he heard the words that he had been dreading from his king, "So has anyone seen Juran or Leah?"
Max, Liz, Michael and Zulis watched Erin move to Zarin's side. Zarin put his arm around her and hugged her, then looked at her parents, "We saw them.....they are.....dealing with....."
Erin looked up at Zarin, "Their relationship. I think they've worked out any problems that existed. Leah won't be running away again."
The four continued looking at the pair for several seconds to see if they would add anything to what was already said. Then Liz looked at her daughter seriously, "So Erin, do you mind sharing your bonding ceremony with another couple? I believe Juran and Leah are in need of a ceremony."
Zarin and Erin looked guilty for a second, the smiles that her parents turned her way relieved her guilt.
Zarin led Erin to her seat, "I think we should get this dinner started, before more questions are asked or my parents faint."
Erin looked up at his parents and giggled, "They looked shocked. We are difficult to take when you first meet us aren't we?"
Zarin stared into her eyes and was immediately captured by her charm, he brushed his lips against hers and pulled away when he felt a thump on his back.
Rhiann was standing there with her hands on her hips, "I'd appreciate it if you would restrain yourself from mauling my sister until after the ceremony. We get enough of that from our parents. Now, can we sit down and eat?" Rhiann grabbed Rhys and pulled him to a chair next to her. Regan and Riley followed sitting on either side of the two.
Erin giggled behind her hand as Zarin went to his parents and led his dazed parents to their chairs.
After dinner, Zarin's parents excused themselves to attend to the final preparations for their departure to attend the ceremony. They graciously turned down Liz's offer to help.
The royal family adjourned to a sitting room that had been made available to them. This was one of the family's favorite times. They talked about their day, played games or listened to music.
Liz walked over to Erin and pulled her aside for a private conversation, she had felt Erin's unease when they had mentioned Juran and Leah, "Erin, sweetie, we're okay with Juran and Leah. Your fathers and I didn't have a bonding ceremony until you were almost two. The bond really occurs when you are intimate with your mate. Juran and Leah are already bonded. So you were right, she won't be running again. So if you would prefer to not share your ceremony with Leah, it isn't a big deal. We will just have to plan one when we drag her butt back home."
Erin giggled, "I don't mind, I think it would be nice sharing that time with my sister." Liz nodded and started to walk away, "Mommy." Liz was a little surprised by Erin, she hadn't called her mommy since she was eleven, so she knew it was serious.
Liz turned back to her daughter, "Erin, I wouldn't be disappointed if you don't wait until after the ceremony. That is your and Zarin's decision, but I'm wondering if that decision wasn't taken out of your hands by Leah. If Juran is with her, where were you planning on sleeping tonight?"
Erin's mouth dropped open and she covered her mouth with her hand, "Oh, I hadn't thought about that. I suppose that I could sleep with Allie or Emma, or Regan, Riley and Rhiann. It would be like one of those girls nights that you always told us about."
Liz laughed, "You know that Matthew, Joshua and Rhys will just crash it."
Erin giggled, "Then it will be just like when Uncle Alex spent the night with you and Aunt Maria."
Liz got a devious look on her face, "I can cook up some make up for you guys." Liz turned serious again, "But like I said, the decision is up to you. It is wonderful, but you will have the rest of your life with your mate. How often do you get the chance to put makeup on your brothers?"
Liz turned to walk back to her chair. And couldn't hold in her laughter when she saw her mates' faces. Michael puffed out his chest, "Our sons have too much of us in them to allow that, you wait and see."
Liz held up her hand then acted like she was counting down, when she got close enough to her mates she leaned down and said, "Count it boys, it's six to three. The girls outnumber them, they'll be beauty queens before the night is over."
Max shook his head, "Our sons won't allow it. I have spoken."
Zulis, Liz and Michael all turned to Max as he stated his last words and burst out laughing.

[ccrswll]

Hi Guys,

Don't faint, I hope that you enjoy the part.


Part 6


Liz sat back and watched her family. She loved that she had her children on Antar, it was so different than growing up on Earth.

When her children found their mates, they would never have to go through the heartache that she had once experienced. She didn't want to ever have to experience that through her children. Liz felt hands take hers, and two hands on her shoulders.

She squeezed Zulis and Max's hands, while rubbing her cheek against the back of Michael's hand on her shoulder, "I don't know if I can let them go with mom and dad to Earth. Even though I know that they must go."

All of the parents had chosen to stay on Antar. Jim, Amy and the Evans had returned to Earth, but had only gone back to tie up loose ends and then they had returned to live on Antar.


Philip Evans took care of all legal issues so that the Crashdown was still owned by the Parkers, but run by a management company, and he did the same for his law firm and Amy's curio shop. All of the income from their businesses would go into a central account for use by any of them when they visited Earth.

The Parkers had planned a trip to Earth to check on everything and had asked if the older children could go with them. They wanted them to learn about their human side.

Max pulled Liz onto his lap, "I know what you are feeling. But just like Joshua had to let Erin go, we have to let our children go. It scares the hell out of me, but we have to let them go to Earth if that's what they want."

Liz turned Max's face to hers, "I won't let Parker, Bailey or Hannah go yet. They're too young to be away from us. I don't really want the musketeers to go, Rhiann and Rhys are especially at risk because of their eyes. What if they make a mistake? What if they trust the wrong person?"

Zulis moved to Liz's chair, "It pains me to see them go away also, but we have to trust that they will use the skills that we have taught them and they will be okay. Besides, Matthew, Allie and
Emma are very level headed and will make sure that the others are taken care of."

Michael sat back in his chair, "Well I for one don't understand why they all have to go. Why can't only the ones that need to go, go to Earth?"

Max sighed, "We've been over this several times. Trips to Earth will be few and far between, and all of them want to go. And I forgot to mention, that Joshua will be going now that Erin is to be bonded." Joshua had declined the invitation for he and Erin.

Michael shook his head and sighed, "I know, I know, but Max they're our babies. If something happened to even one of them.......we won't be there to protect them...we can protect them here."

Max pulled Liz tighter into his embrace, "I know." None of them noticed the stillness in the room, but all of their children had stopped to listen as soon as their parents had started talking in English. They always used English when they wanted to talk so others wouldn't understand.

Regan, Riley, Rhys and Rhiann knew that their parent's major fear was for them. They were the ones who could never control themselves and were constantly getting into trouble. Regan took

Rhiann's hand, silently communicating to her sister. Rhiann turned to Riley, who turned to Rhys. The four walked to their parents and knelt in front of them, the girls turned to Rhys to have him tell their parents what they were thinking.

Rhys took his mother's hands, "Mom, we promise that we will be on our best behaviour. No pranks, except in the privacy of our grandparents house or our house. We can at least promise that much. My sisters and I don't want you to be so afraid for us, so we will do our best to make you proud of us."

Liz stroked Rhys's cheek, marvelling at how much he looked like Zulis. Then she exhaled sharply, "Rhys, I know that you will behave, but you've always been a push over when it comes to your sisters." Liz turned to Rhiann, "You are the one that comes up with most of the pranks. Just please be careful, that's all I can ask."

Rhiann laid her face against her mother's hand, feeling daddy Max stroke her hair, "I promise mother. Nothing public." Then she laughed, "That means that we can use Grandpa Jim's handcuffs on Matthew." Rhiann jumped up and pulled Riley and Regan with her, planning her activities for her trip to Earth.
Liz sighed loudly as she watched the three run to the corner of the room. Rhys kissed his mother's cheek and joined his sisters.

Allie hugged Matthew and kissed his cheek, "Looks like you won't be getting too much sleep on Earth."
"We'll see about that. I have my own plans for those four.",

Matthew narrowed his eyes as he saw his three sisters look at him with smiles on their faces. He would be the one handcuffing those three. His parents couldn't control them, but maybe he could teach them a lesson or two away from their parents. Matthew smiled at his sisters and saw each of them frown, making him smile even bigger.

****************************

Juran couldn't sleep, he was starting to feel guilty for his actions. He didn't regret finally making Leah his, but he was feeling guilt for not waiting to bond with their families present. He had taken something precious from Leah, and he regretted that.

Juran pulled Leah as tightly as he could to his body, she had finally given into exhaustion after he had made love to her for the fourth time. He felt Leah's hand move across his chest and then she started kissing her way to his face, "Juran, your guilt is hitting me pretty hard. You shouldn't feel guilty."

Juran pushed Leah to her back and laid his head on her chest, "We didn't have our bonding ceremony...."

"We will have that.....remember my parents...didn't have one....until later...." Juran was licking the bottom of her small breast.

Juran raised his head and looked at Leah, "You are mine and you have to know that I love you. Please say that you know that I love you."

Leah framed his face, "I know that you love me Juran."
Juran slid over her body and captured her mouth with his. Leah reluctantly pulled her mouth from his, "Juran, I love you."

********************************

Michael turned to Max, "So who's going to go drag Juran and Leah out of that bed in the morning, and tell them that they will have their ceremony immediately?"

Liz chuckled, "I will go, since none of you will be able to handle seeing your daughter in bed with a man."

Zulis pulled Liz to him, "I will go with you beloved. I am happy for Leah and Juran, I don't have the same problem that Max and Michael have with our children mating."

Michael crossed his arms over his chest, "I don't have a problem, I just think that she's too young. She's our baby......." Michael's expression crumbled and he put his face into his hands, "I just keep picturing that tiny baby that Max was always hogging..."

Max sat forward, "I was hogging, I seem to remember that you were continually taking her away from me." Max sat back and looked away from his mates, "She was such a beautiful baby and so was my Erin." Max wiped his hand over his face to hide the wetness in his eyes, "I should apologise to your father my love, I know how he feels now."

Liz walked over and sat in Max's lap, "But think about how happy he is for me now and how much he loves the three of you. And then there are the grandchildren that we have given him." Liz sucked in her breath and covered her mouth, "Oh dear Lord, we'll be grandparents. I'm not old enough to be a grandmother. I plan on having more children of my own." Liz framed Max's face, "Can we make them not have children for a while? God, grandchildren!"

Liz turned to Michael when she felt his happiness. Michael shrugged, "What can I say, the thought of babies makes me happy. You know we get to spoil them rotten, then send them home."

Liz smiled mischieviously, "That's so true grandpa."

Michael's eyes went to her face, "Grandpa? No, I'm not a grandpa. They can call me poppa Rath. Yeah, I like that." Michael sat back looking proud of himself.

**************************************

Zarin pulled Erin to the side, "Erin.......uhm.....since Juran is staying with Leah....will you....I mean....well, I thought that you would stay in our room tonight. If you want to. We will be bonded tomorrow, so we will definitely be together tomorrow night. But tonight.....I just wanted to say...." Zarin stopped talking and pulled Erin into his arms, crushing his mouth to hers.

Matthew put his hand on Joshua's shoulder to keep him seated.

Allie reached out and massaged his fists to get him to unclench his hands, "Joshua, she's happy. Let it go."

Joshua turned to Allie, "She's too young, you aren't even bonded yet. You and Emma should be bonded before Leah and Erin."

Emma giggled, "Who made that rule up? Allie and I will bond if and when our mates find us. Mother has said that we all have mates, but that they would have to find us on their own. And if they are too thick headed to find us, then she'll consider helping them.

Besides, I like tormenting Matthew way too much to leave him yet and we all know how much he doesn't want a mate any time soon."

Zarin held Erin at his side all evening, he was both terrified and excited about the possibility of holding her in his arms all night. Feeling her body, free of clothes, stretched out beside him.

Zarin shook his head to clear his thoughts, if he didn't control his urges he would drag Erin to their room and never let her out.

Erin couldn't stop the smile on her face. Zarin held her firmly against his side and would bend down and kiss her every few minutes. He was really making her decision about tonight hard. She was going to spend the evening with her sisters, so that she could be a part of tormenting her brothers.

Erin had already made arrangements with her sisters and their mother had made sure that everything was ready for them.

Zarin watched Erin's sisters kiss their parents goodnight. Allie walked over and stood beside Zarin. She peaked at Erin, then up at Zarin. Allie jabbed her elbow into Zarin's ribs to get his attention, "You know, you'll have to let go of her so that she can kiss our parent's goodnight, don't you?"

Zarin blinked, and rubbed his ribs where she had poked him, "I.....". Erin's sisters seemed to have this need to poke people all of the time.

Allie smiled up at him, "You need to say goodnight to Erin before we take her with us to our room."

The look on Zarin's face was priceless, "To your...."

"Of course, since the rest of her evenings will be yours after tomorrow we think that she should spend the evening with us. Don't you agree?" Allie gave him her best, don't even think about arguing with me look.

Zarin watched as Allie walked away, then looked down at Erin, "I guess, my hopes of tonight aren't going to happen until tomorrow."

Erin threw her arms around his neck, "You really would have....you know....tonight? I didn't think....."

Zarin smiled, "Tonight and every night for the rest of our lives, little one. But your sister is right, this is the last night that I could possibly let you be away from me. So stay with your sisters and don't torment your brothers too badly."

Erin giggled, "Oh no, not too badly." Erin pulled Zarin's lips to hers, "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too, little one." Zarin deepened their kiss and put her back on the ground. He gently nudged her in her parents' direction, "I will see you tomorrow, and then you will be mine."

**************************

The six girls had piled blankets and pillows all over the floor. Emma was brushing Erin's hair, while the others nibbled on the sweets that Zarin had the cook provide for them.
Regan sat up, "So Erin, tell us how it feels to find your mate."

Erin smiled shyly, "He's wonderful."

Rhiann snorted, "Erin, Erin, Erin, get your head out of the clouds and answer the question. As much as it annoys me to watch our parents making out, I also want to know....." Rhiann stopped when she saw the incredulous looks from her sisters, "What? You can't tell me that watching our parents all over each other ALL of the time doesn't get annoying." And for the first time ever her sisters saw Rhiann get a dreamy look on her face, "I wouldn't mind finding my mate, well....one day. Not now of course, I'd like to meet him in five years. That's my plan, I have it all charted out....." Rhiann was promptly hit with five pillows.

That started the pillow fight that the boys walked into the middle of, Joshua started to go and protect Erin when two hands pulled him back. Matthew turned him around and looked him in the eye, "Don't do it. We are here to make sure that she has fun, don't spoil that by going into protector mode again. Go over there and whack her with a pillow."

Joshua nodded and picked up a pillow. He headed straight for Erin, but changed his tactics. If he hit the others then they wouldn't hit Erin so much.

Erin saw him coming and moved around Allie, she lifted her pillow and hit Joshua as hard as she could then turned and hit Allie in the back.

Joshua laughed and hit Erin with his pillow lightly.

Erin turned, "Is that all you have?" She promptly hit him again and ran around him to hit Rhys, who grabbed a pillow and hit her back.

Later, they all lay in a pile on the floor laughing. Matthew crawled over and laid his head in Emma's lap, "So what started this?"
Allie laughed, "Oh, you know, Erin was telling us what it felt like to find a mate." Allie and Emma watched Matthew wince. Allie turned to Erin, "Care to finish telling us?"

Erin shook her head, suddenly feeling very shy. Rhys wrapped his arms around her shoulders, "I think that Erin is very lucky to have found Zarin, and her feelings are none of our business."

Rhys kissed her temple, "So what do we have to munch on?"
Regan laughed, "That's the Rhys we love, always thinking about what's important."

Rhys looked hurt, "What, I'm still growing and I need my strength."

Erin took Rhys's hand, "I'll show you the munchies, Zarin made sure that we had lots of goodies." Everyone noticed the dreamy look when she said Zarin, "He's all by himself, you know we could invite..."

Rhiann jumped and covered Erin's mouth, "No, just us. I don't want to watch you and Zarin making out. We'll get enough of that after tomorrow."

Erin nodded. She moved over to Joshua's side, "Daddy told me that you are going to Earth. I'll really miss you. You'll have so much fun...."

Joshua perked up for a second, "Why don't you and Zarin come with us? Zarin could keep an eye on the musketeers for mother."

Erin smiled, "That would be wonderful. I've always wanted to see where mom and our fathers grew up. I don't know if Zarin will agree. Maybe if daddy told him to go....no...that would be devious. I'd rather that he agree to go because he wants to go.....but on the other hand, if I told him it's what I want he'll probably say we can go. But if he is over protective he will probably have a reason why we can't...."

Joshua put his hand over her mouth and smiled at her, "I'll talk to him and he'll agree to coming with us."


Erin looked at Joshua suspiciously, "Don't bully him Joshua....."
Joshua burst out laughing, "Bully?" He sighed heavily, "Erin have you taken a good look at your mate? He's as big as me, I don't think that bullying will work on him. I was just going to talk to him."

He saw Erin's look, so he held up his hands, "I swear, I'll just talk to him and tell him how it will make you happy to go to Earth."

Erin smiled dreamily, "Oh yeah..... he'll probably say yes if it will make me happy...."

Allie sat down next to Erin, "Of course he will, so let's get this party started. Who's up for a game of twister..."

Emma laughed, "How about chess?"

Matthew snorted, "Chess? Emmi, Emmi, Emmi that's not a party game."

Joshua heard Erin say excitedly, "I want to play twister."

Joshua jumped up, "We're playing twister."

Erin jumped up with him, "Oh boy, I'm going to stomp your butt. I'm smaller and more flexible."

Joshua poked her in the stomach, "Yeah, well I'm bigger and can stretch over the others and reach more circles."

Erin giggled and threw her arms around Joshua's neck, hugging him tightly.

****************************

After collapsing in fits of laughter on top of each other, the girls looked at each other and gave their preplanned signal. Each girl put earplugs in their ears and watched Allie begin to sing her lullaby. It always amazed everyone how that song still put Allie's siblings to sleep.

Erin watched Riley start to stroke Rhys's hair. Allie moved behind

Matthew and massaged his shoulders, and Erin motioned for

Joshua to lay his head in her lap. She stroked his temples until he fell asleep.

****************************

All of the girls stood back and admired their hard work. Their mother would be proud.

Erin laid down beside Joshua and fell asleep. When she woke up she couldn't help the huge smile on her face. Joshua opened his eyes and smiled back at her, "What has you so chipper this morning?"

Erin giggled, "It's my bonding day."

Joshua sighed, "Right, that's right." He looked at her questionably when she continued to beam at him, "What?"

Erin giggled again, "Nothing, lets go have breakfast." She pulled him out of the room so that he didn't have time to see his brothers.

Regan nudged Rhys, "Rhys, I'm hungry let's go eat." Rhys sat up and was immediately pulled up by his three sisters. They watched Allie and Emma guiding Matthew out of another door to the dining room.

Matthew was busy teasing Emma and was not paying attention to his younger siblings.

Matthew entered the room and pointed at Joshua as he roared with laughter. Rhys entered and did the same, then he turned to

Matthew and pointed. Rhys and Matthew stopped laughing when they realised that they were pointing at each other.

Max, Michael, Zulis and Liz entered the room.

Max shook his head. Michael started laughing with Liz. Zulis just stared at the way his sons looked.

Liz walked over to her daughters and high fived Allie and Emma, "Nice, very nice."

Zarin entered the room and immediately walked to Erin's side, everyone's laughter made him finally look up and notice his mate's brothers, "What is wrong with your faces?"

All of Erin's sister's lost it at that point. Erin pulled Zarin down into his chair and explained to him what they had done. He smiled at her while she explained. He wasn't interested in her playing jokes on her brothers.

Erin finally gave up when he pulled her close to his body and whispered into her ear, "Today is our bonding, and tonight you are mine."

Erin melted into his embrace and attacked his mouth. Liz walked over to her spouses, "Well we had better get this show on the road. Zulis, are you going to join me in rousting Leah and Juran from their bed?"

Zulis chuckled, "It would be an honor to intimidate Juran once again."

**********************

Zulis and Liz threw open the door letting it hit the wall. Juran sat up pulling Leah into his side and holding the covers over her.

Leah gasped, "Mom, daddy, what....."

Liz held up her hand, "Don't start Leah, Erin would like to share her bonding ceremony with you and we only have an hour to prepare you before we leave for home." Liz turned to Juran, "Your parents have been informed and are on their way."

Leah's mouth opened and closed several times, then she frowned, "But today is for Erin. I don't want to intrude..."

"Erin wishes to share the time with you. We would know if it wasn't a sincere offer. So get your butt out of that bed......Juran you'll have to let go of her."

Zulis was enjoying towering over Juran. Juran looked up at

Zulis, "You'll have to leave the room, we aren't dressed."

Liz snorted, "Big surprise there, get out of that bed. NOW!" Liz grabbed Zulis's hand and pulled him out of the room.

Liz laughed when the door was shut, "That was more fun than I thought it would be." Liz giggled and whispered to Zulis.

Zulis turned to the door and hit it hard several times with his fist, "Juran, don't even think about it. Your Queen has spoken and you had better get to the shuttle quickly."

Juran jumped away from Leah and started yanking on his clothing.

[ccrswll]

Author's Note:

Peaking from behind my chair I know, I'm so sorry. I promised this a week ago. I thought that I'd have more time, but I didn't. Here is part 7 finally. I'll try to do a lot better next time. I do have a lot written for future parts.



Part 7

Leah turned to Erin as their sisters helped them into their robes, "Erin.....thank you for sharing this day with me."

Erin smiled and moved to her sister pulling her into a hug, "I love you Leah, and I love Juran. It will make this day even more special to me, to know that I've shared it with the people that I love."

Emma stroked Erin's hair, "Sweety, we need to finish getting you ready. Zarin is probably anxious to get this ceremony started."

Regan laughed, "Anxious? The man is terrified that Erin will change her mind and run. He's knocked on the door four times. Daddy finally had to drag him back to the room with his parents. Zarin's father is giving him a lecture at the moment."

Riley and Rhiann stepped in front of Erin as she tried to run for the door. Riley hugged her sister, "You've met his parents. I'm sure that it's not a stern lecture."

Emma moved Erin back to her chair and finished her hair. They all turned to the door when someone knocked. Allie opened the door to reveal their mother and daddy Zan.

Erin and Leah walked to their parents, only to be pulled into a tight hug by their father, "You do not know what it does to my heart to see my beautiful babies so grown up." He kissed both of their foreheads, "I love both of you so much."

Liz watched with damp eyes, "It's time my love. Our daughters will know the love that we have. I am happy for that, but it breaks my heart to let them go too."

Liz turned to her other daughters, "You should join the rest of the family." The girls left just as Rath and Zulis entered the room. Each girl was pulled from Zan and hugged tightly. Liz moved into Zan's arms and watched Rath and Zulis tell the girls how much they were loved.

******************

Zarin entered the circle with his father and watched as Erin was led to the center of the circle by all of her parents.

Erin was stopped by Joshua before they entered and was crushed to his chest. Zarin felt content to watch the brother and sister.

Joshua kissed Erin's cheek, "I love you, all I ask is for you to be happy and safe."

Erin smiled, "I want the same for you." Erin was hugged by each of her brothers and sisters, then it was time. She stepped between her parents and moved into the circle. Leah watched with anticipation, she and Juran would enter the circle next.

******************************************

Examining the ring on her finger, Erin couldn't help the feeling of joy running through her body.

Flashback:


As Zarin lowered their arms, Erin smiled up at him and it was time for his surprise to her. They had discussed her parents' rings and their meaning. He had seen that they held a romantic meaning for Erin as well. Zarin looked at his father and nodded.

Rinla raised his hand and opened it palm up. Erin gasped as she saw the two rings sitting in his palm. She threw her arms around Zarin's neck and kissed him deeply.

He placed Erin back on the step and took the tiny ring from his father. He took her left hand and slid the ring onto her finger. Bending forward, he kissed her hand then leaned up and looked her in the eye, "You mean more to me than you'll ever know. I hope that you find me a worthy mate."

Erin took the larger ring from Rinla and placed it on Zarin's finger, "You are so wonderful. Just so wonderful......to have these rings made.......you really listen to me.......we only talked about them once.....but you listened and that means so much to me. I hope that I can be as good to you as you are to me.....I'm so lucky to have you and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you....and I can't wait for tonight..........." Zarin bent and kissed her deeply.

The kiss ended and Zarin wrapped his arms around his mate.

end flash

Erin hugged Zarin's waist and felt him pull her closer to his side. Their family and friends surrounded them.

Her cousins were enjoying teasing her. James and Jonathan, Tess and Kyle's first born, were doing their best to rile Zarin. Erin smiled when she didn't feel an ounce of irritation from Zarin. He felt too happy to allow anyone to ruin this day.

Zarin ignored the two boys in front of him. He bent to kiss his mate and pulled back, "What are you smiling about?"

"My ring. Did I thank you yet?"

"Yes, but you can thank me again.", he captured her lips.

When Zarin released her lips, she sucked in a deep breath, "Can we leave yet?"

Zarin chuckled, "Not yet my love, and you know that asking that every few seconds isn't going to change the answer."

Erin blew out loudly in exasperation. Erin looked at her sister Leah and rolled her eyes. Erin noticed that Leah was also twisting the ring on her finger and smiled. Their mother helped Juran to design the ring, after he came to her for help.

Flashback:

Juran had spoken to Zarin before the ceremony and knew that he was surprising Erin with matching rings. So he sought the Queen's help in making a set of rings for his bonding to Leah.

Zan smiled at his beautiful daughter, "Please hold hands." He held up a blue ribbon and wound it around their joined hands, "This ribbon is to join your souls in loyalty and honesty."

Liz held up a red ribbon and wound it around their other hands, "This ribbon is to join your hearts and minds."

As soon as the ribbons were wound around their hands, Juran raised his and Leah's arms above their heads moving his body closer to hers. Zan and Liz placed a hand on both of their heads, they felt Zulis and Michael move behind them and their hands joined the bonding. All four began to recite, "May the One bless this union, and bring joy and happiness to their lives."

Juran formed a connection with Leah. Both of their bodies began to glow. Leah's body was surrounded by a vibrant yellow. Juran's body was surrounded by a pale purple.

Family and friends watched as the two colors touched. Images started to form in their minds, the families could see flashes of Juran and Leah growing up. The grandparents laughed at Leah smearing dirt on Juran as often as possible.

Soon the flashes stopped for the families, but continued for Juran and Leah. They lived each others lives in those few moments, they had no more secrets and were linked for eternity. Juran lowered their hands letting the ribbons loosen around their forearms. He reached foreward and framed Leah's face with his large hands. She smiled up at her husband, yearning for his kiss. Juran lowered his lips to hers and had to quickly wrap an arm around her waist when her knees turned to jelly.

Liz stepped forward clearing her throat and handed the rings to Juran. Leah's eyes widened at her mother handing the rings to Juran.

Juran bent forward and whispered, "She helped me." Leah turned to her mother and smiled her thank you.

The larger ring was handed to Leah to hold. Juran lifted Leah's hand and slid the ring onto her finger, "I have watched you grow into the most beautiful woman. I would not have known you were mine if your father hadn't allowed me to touch you as an infant. To be able to watch you grow was an honor, and...." Juran paused and smiled brightly as his eyes flicked to his Queen, "and an test of patience for your parents. I will cherish all of my time with you until I am no more."

Leah slid the larger ring onto Juran's finger, "I am the one that was blessed. You showed me infinite patience and love. I knew that I loved you the day the you sat and watched me make a mud pie with Parker, Bailey and Hannah, then you pretended to eat it. I hope that I have as much patience and love with our own children. I love you Juran, and I will always love you."

end flash


Zarin bent down, "We can leave in a few minutes."

"I'll just go talk to my parents for a moment."

Liz couldn't help the feeling of laughter running through her. As Erin approached her and her fathers, Zan became more and more agitated.

Max moved past Liz and pulled Erin into his arms, "I love you baby. You know all you have to do is mentally call us and we'll be there for you, right?"

Erin giggled, "Daddy, I'll be fine. Why are you being so weird? This is part of growing up."

"Yeah, well you should have just stayed a baby. It's bad enough that we have to put up with Juran. Who's next? Allie? Emma? And God forbid, Regan, Riley and Rhiann. They're just children...."

Erin stroked his cheek, "But not too young to mate. I love you daddy, and Zarin will make you proud of him. He is perfect to me and he'll be the perfect mate."

Max pushed her to Liz, "You should take her and get her ready. Do you want me to send our other daughters?"

Liz nodded, "We'll get Erin settled and then Leah."

"I'll just let Zarin know that we are leaving."

Liz put her arm around her daughter, "There is no need, he will know when your fathers gang up on him. I believe that they have a lecture all prepared for him....."

"But mother, they shouldn't bully him....."

"Oh let them have their fun."

****************************************************

Zarin entered the room and stopped. He knew that she'd be this breathtaking, but he wasn't prepared for the way it made him feel. The vision that moved toward him couldn't belong to him. Erin was a vision in shear white. Every move she made in his direction gave him glimpses of her body.

Her hand moved up his chest, pushing his robe off of his shoulders. He watched as her hands moved to unfasten his vest, before he moved to stop her hands. Zarin moved so fast that Erin barely had time to suck in her breath.

He had her pinned to the wall, holding her up with his body while his mouth captured hers. He wrenched his mouth away from hers, "You know I have no control. You shouldn't have worn that.........Erin....I.....I....can't control myself."

Erin placed her finger over his lips, "Sshhhhh, you have too much control. I want you wild, I want to know that you want me this badly......." Zarin had pulled her finger into his mouth, swirling his tongue around the tip. Erin pulled her finger out of his mouth. His mouth moved to suck and kiss on her neck, "Zarin, make me yours. I'm not as delicate as you may think. I know that this will hurt the first time, but I want the pain over with and then we can move onto the pleasure."

Zarin turned with Erin in his arms walking briskly to their bed. With no effort at all he laid her down, moving with her to the center of the bed, "Take the gown off. It is only in our way."

Erin giggled, "I'll take it off in a second. First, I want you naked."

Zarin's chest swelled with passion as her hands slid his vest off of his shoulders. When she reached for his pants he stopped her again, "If you touch me I won't last." He kissed her deeply, "Just give me a minute."

Zarin slowly pushed a strap from Erin's shoulder, kissing each piece of skin as he exposed it. Erin thought her body was going to explode as he neared her breast, her hands moved on their own pushing his head closer to where she needed him most. Zarin smiled at her urgency, his own hand had a mind of it's own. His fingers grasped her knee, then moved up her leg leaving a tingling trail in their wake.

Erin pushed her hips toward his hand as she felt the first feathery stroke close to her center, "Zarin.....please."

Zarin moved one finger between her folds, stroking softly. Erin shuddered with release, his name on her lips.

Zarin stood and pulled her gown off, then removed his pants. He slid up her body, watching her. Her eyes were closed and the most adorably contented smile was on her face. As his body pressed over hers, she opened her eyes and she whispered, "I want more....."

Zarin bent to her ear as he moved to her opening, "I'll be as gentle as possible."

Erin grabbed his head, "Make it fast, I want the pain gone..." Erin almost screamed when she felt the intense pressure from his entrance.

Zarin pushed into Erin before she finished her sentence, he covered her mouth with his. He held his body still while she adjusted. He leaned up on his elbows and captured her face in his hands, wiping the tear from her eye with his thumb, "I'm so sorry, I would have kept the pain from you if I could......Oh God, don't do that...." Erin had moved her hips, Zarin's body exploded, "I'm so sorry, baby....I'm so sorry." His hips began moving as his body released his seed into her.

He finally stiffened and held himself rigid. Zarin rolled to Erin's side stroking her face and shoulders, "I didn't last very long..." Erin covered his lips with her finger tips, "I'm sure that you'll make it up to me, many times in our future."

Zarin smiled and captured her lips, "I think I will.....and now is a good time."

[ccrswll]

A/N: I know, it took me forever to get this out. I have all kinds of excuses but I won't bore you with them. Anyway, I hope that you like the part. Char


Joshua paced back and forth in front of Erin and Zarin's room. They hadn't come out of the room in two days, and he was worried. Juran and Leah had come to breakfast this morning. Besides, the transport to Earth would be leaving in a week. Erin would need to spend time with her siblings, or get ready if she and Zarin were going.

Joshua nodded to himself, 'Yes, that's a good reason to disturb them.' He raised his hand, as it started to descend it was stopped by another hand.

Joshua looked up at his father. Michael just raised his eyebrow, "Josh, she's fine. They will emerge when they are ready."

Josh shoved his hands in his pockets, very much like Max had always done when he was uncomfortable, "I just thought she should spend time with us before we leave, or that she should know that she only has a week to pack her things if she's going with us."

Michael put his arm around his son's shoulder, "Joshua, Erin is lucky to have a brother that loves her so much, but she's very happy. I'd say she's almost as happy as your mother, if that's possible. By the way, you should be more concerned with spending time with your mom than with Erin. Your mother is a wreck right now, she is terrified that one of you will get hurt and we won't be there to help you." Michael paused, "And I don't want any of you to think that she doesn't have faith in you, it's just some humans are..."

Joshua interrupted him, "I know she has faith in us. Father told us she was experiencing "Empty Nest Syndrome" and papa Zulis told us that she thinks that she'll be lonely without us."

Both men laughed at Zulis's attempt at explaining Liz's behavior lately, then they heard the door open behind them.

Zarin stepped out of the room and looked surprised to see the two men, "Good morning, Father , Joshua."

They watched Zarin walk past them with astonished looks on their faces. Zarin was a mess. His vest was open and he looked exhausted. His hair was all over the place.

Michael grabbed Zarin's arm, "Zarin, maybe you should button your vest before you present yourself in front of your king and queen, and a brush through your hair wouldn't hurt either."

Joshua stood behind them, he had only one thing on his mind, "Where's Erin?"

The smile that crossed Zarin's face startled Joshua, "She's resting, I thought that I'd get some food for us to enjoy when she wakes up. Got to keep up her strength, she's used a lot of energy the last two........"
Michael cleared his throat reminding Zarin that he was talking about his daughter. Even the thought that he was about to say something intimate about this man's daughter didn't stop the smile on Zarin's face.

At that moment, Zarin spun around to catch Erin as she threw herself at him, "Precious, I left you resting."

Erin frowned, "You were gone too long."

Zarin bent and captured her lips, "It was too long wasn't it." He picked her up and took her back to their room.

Michael chuckled at Joshua's look, "Well son, I guess you got to see for yourself that she is in good hands." Michael paused, "I guess I should send them some food, otherwise they'll starve to death before they come out of that room. Liz would have a fit if she knew I let our daughter starve because she's so distracted by her mate."

Joshua muttered under his breath, "Leah and Juran aren't acting like moon puppies."

Michael burst out laughing, "Yes they are, they just hide it better. Let's go order food for your darling sister and her mate."

Joshua snorted.

************************************************

"Allie, have you seen the new clothes that Aunt Isabel and Aunt Tess made us?"

Allie continued to play the piano as her sisters paraded around to show off their new clothes. She smiled, "They're lovely."

Emma had stopped at the door and watched her younger sisters' excitement.

Regan, Rhiann and Riley began to dance around the piano. Allie called out, "Who's going to make our Earth clothes?"

Riley stopped, "Grandma and Grandpa have jeans and shirts for us to wear."

Regan wrinkled her nose, "They're very stiff, but grandma says that they'll loosen up. I made mine softer already, I don't want to wait for them to loosen up."

Emma joined Allie, "Are you done packing?"

Allie nodded, "And you?"

Emma smiled, "Of course, I was going to go help mother pack Matthew's things. When I left a few minutes ago she was sniffling and petting all of his old stuffed animals. She keeps putting the toys in his bag and he takes them out behind her back. Our fathers are trying to help her deal with her pain, but even they aren't dealing well. She's really taking this hard, but I know that everything will be fine. Mother knows it too, she'll just miss having us all underfoot."

Allie turned her concerned eyes to her sister, even with her worry she still had a smile on her face, "I'll miss our parents too. But this is something that I feel we should be doing, I just feel that some of us are destined to go to Earth at this time. But I also know that we'll all be returning to Antar, and that we'll bring others with us."

Emma nodded, "I feel the same thing, and we're always right. Besides, our daddies will do their best to occupy mother. And Parker, Bailey and Hannah are still a handful."

************************************************

Max held Liz tightly as he watched the children's guards take the luggage onto the shuttle that would take them to their ship. Michael was giving last minute instructions to Matthew, Allie and Emma. Zulis held Rhiann, Riley and Regan in his arms while he reminded them of the rules that they had gone over and that they were to mind their grandparents and their elder brothers and sisters.

After kissing the three girls, Zulis pulled Rhys into his arms, "Son, you and Rhiann must be extra careful. Take care of your sisters, I give them to your care for now. But I expect them returned to my care."
Rhys nodded, "I will honor your trust father." Rhys turned to see his papa Max giving the care of his sisters to Matthew.

*********************************

Matthew, Allie and Emma entered the Crashdown. Emma's eyes were immediately drawn to the girl in the corner booth. She had watched the girl come into the cafe everyday after school and do her homework. She never ordered food, only water. Emma had also noticed how Matthew watched the girl. Emma asked her nana about the girl, but she really didn't know that much. The girl had asked for a job, but she was too young to get a job without parental permission. Nancy had told her that she would hire her the day that she turned 16.

She had been in the same seat everyday, but she didn't seem to be there to socialize with anyone. Her clothes were clean but old, and her demeanor screamed that she was hiding. But hiding from what?

Emma looked up at her brother and noticed that he also was watching the girl. She reached across the table and took his hand, "She looks like she could use a friend. Do you want to talk to her, or would you let Allie or I befriend her?"

Matthew's eyes narrowed, "Why are you asking me? If you want to help her, then by all means help her. I just......feel...I feel that she needs our help."

Allie turned and looked at the girl. She nudged Emma, "Let's go, we need to do this. I can't stand this anymore."

Allie and Emma approached the girl's booth and sat across from her. The girl was startled, but didn't look up.

Emma smiled at her, "Hi! I couldn't help but notice that you come here often. I'm Emma, Allie and I are visiting and we don't have many friends. We thought that maybe you would be willing to show us around."

The girl peered from under her hair. Emma and Allie both waited for her response. But the girl said nothing.

Allie tried, "Our brothers and sisters are with us also. Our grandparents own this restaurant and we are visiting them."

The girl reached for her books and started to stand up. Emma reached out and laid her hand on her arm, but jerked it back when the girl cried in pain, "I have to go. I have to get home and make dinner." She ran out of the door before Allie or Emma could stop her.

Kathy, one of the waitresses, came over, "She's an odd one. We go to the same school, but she misses a lot. She skipped like three or four grades that's why she's so young in high school. And the girl wears that sweatshirt jacket and long pants all of the time....I've heard..."

Emma laid her hand on Kathy's arm, "What's her name?"

Kathy looked startled, "Lily, her name is Lily Swenson. Her mother died a couple of years ago, people say that the father started drinking and became really mean after that. That's kind of when Lily started acting funny too."

Kathy walked away when Matthew walked up. Emma watched him bend and pick up a composition book. Matthew fell back onto one of the benches in the booth.

Matthew dropped the book and realised that Allie was stroking his hair, "Oh God. So much pain......"

Emma and Allie exchanged looks of concern. Both girls helped Matthew to stand and wrapped their arms around his waist.

Lily watched the girls wrap their arms around the most beautiful boy she had ever seen and felt pain shoot through her heart. No one that beautiful would ever look at her or love her. Only her mother loved her.....but she was gone.

Emma saw movement and just caught a glimpse of blonde hair. "Allie, can you go ahead with Matthew? I have something that I need to do."
Allie nodded, "Be careful."

Emma smiled, "I will use the Mak'tar stealth face ..."

Allie rolled her eyes, "You guys have got to stop watching that silly 'Galaxy Quest' movie."

Matthew and Allie entered the house and were immediately surrounded by their siblings. Rhys helped Allie get Matthew to the couch, "What's wrong with him?"

Allie pulled Rhys and the others followed them into the kitchen, "I think.....no I'm probably wrong......anyway, there was this girl....."

Rhiann snorted, "Girl? Don't tell me....."

Allie sighed heavily, "Rhiann, be quiet. She's in pain and we are trying to help her, Matthew has always been sensitive to other's pain. Emma is following the girl at the moment to find out what she can. Where's Joshua?"

Rhys grabbed Allie's shoulder, "He's out. Change my eyes and tell me where you left Emma. I will go to help her, she should not be alone."
"Rhys, there is no way that you can discreetly follow someone. You're huge even by human standards......"

"I'll go. Change my eyes......" Allie turned and noticed that Rhiann was already picking up her backpack. "I can never seem to get my eyes the same color."

Regan snickered, "That's because you keep trying to make them green or blue, you should just make the center black like your real eyes."

"It is my responsibility to protect my sisters, I should go."

Riley stepped forward, "I'll go with Rhiann to keep her out of trouble."

Regan smiled, "Me too."

Allie threw up her hands, "You all can't go. Emma is trying to follow Lily, not gang up on her." She sighed with exasperation," Rhiann go, I left her at the corner of Main and Elmont......" Allie closed her eyes, "Emma is at Mercer and Adobe." Allie waved her hand in front of Rhiann's face, then studied her work. She nodded and led Rhiann to the door.

Allie stroked Rhiann's arm, "Be careful..."

Rhiann nodded her head and giggled, "I'll be using the Mak'tar stealth face..."

Allie pushed her out the door, "Oh, get out of here." Rhiann's laughter could be heard through the door.

Allie mumbled as she walked by her siblings, "I'm going to break that DVD."

Riley sucked in her breath in mock horror, "That's sacrilegious, besides we each have our own copy."

Allie groaned, "I should have known." Allie looked up when he heard Matthew's protest. Rhys had informed him that Rhiann was on her own and Matthew wasn't happy.


*********************************

Rhiann hurried to catch up with Emma, and didn't see the boys stepping out of the store. She knocked two of them down and stopped to apologise, "Oh no, I'm so sorry. I wasn't looking and I'm really in a hurry, please forgive me....." Rhiann watched the boys get to their feet, as the last boy stood to his feet her eyes traveled up his body then stopped on the bluest eyes with the longest black lashes that she'd ever seen. Rhiann loved blue eyes. Her cousins, Jonathan and James, had beautiful eyes. But this guy, had 'to die for eyes'. Rhiann realised that she was staring and jerked her eyes to one of the other boys.

One boy put his arm around her shoulder, "Hey baby, you didn't hurt them. They're used to being knocked down."

Rhiann tried to shrug the boy's arm off of her shoulder.

Another boy moved closer, "What's your name beautiful? We haven't seen you around town before."

Rhiann stood up straighter, "My name is Rhiann Myritha Evans nal Zulis"

Rhiann heard one of the boys snort, "That's an awful fancy name."

Causing Rhiann to jerk her head toward the offensive youth. She glared, "Yes, it is." She turned her head to the boy with his arm around her, "Remove your arm before I must hurt you....."

This caused all of the boys to burst out laughing, except Mr. Blue eyes. He moved forward, "Hey man, just let her go. We have a game tomorrow and we don't need to get into trouble."

Before anyone could react, the boy was jerked away from Rhiann and faced with two huge mountains of fury. Matthew held the boy by the collar, "Why do you have your arm on my sister? Never touch my sister again." Rhys stepped forward when one of the boys started to move to defend his friend. Rhiann moved to her brother's side and felt him put his arm around her.

Mr. Blue eyes moved forward, "Look, we didn't mean any harm." He turned to Rhiann, "I'm sorry if they scared you."

Rhys rolled his eyes when he saw his sister's smile. She watched the boy push his hand toward her and she would have let him touch her if her brother hadn't grabbed her hand and glared at the boy. Rhiann elbowed Rhys, but he ignored her attempts to move away from him.

Stephen sized Rhiann's brother up and realised that none of them wanted to make either of her brothers angry, "I apologise for the Neanderthals. We really didn't mean any harm...."

"Wow, they all look alike. Just different....wow and the eyes.", exclaimed one of the boys as they watched three girls run up to Matthew. One moved to the shorter brother's side and the other two moved to the larger brother.

Matthew turned and glared at his sister, "Allie, you should not have come. Rhys and I can take care of a couple of boys...."

Another giant came running up, "What is going on? Why are these boys near our sisters?"

Stephen stepped toward Matthew, "Look, you don't need to take care of anything. She knocked us down and Rob was just trying to reassure her that everything was okay. Right, Rob?"

Rob nodded his head, "Yeah man, we were just going to invite her to our game on Friday night."

Rhiann smiled, "Game? What kind of game?"

Joshua looked at Rhiann, "You may not go to a game with these boys."

Matthew turned to Joshua, "Joshua!"

Joshua backed down, but glared at the boys.
"Football. What else is there?", Rob smiled back at her but kept glancing at the newest arrival.

Rhiann looked up at Matthew, "Can we go to a game?"

Regan and Riley smiled up at Rhys, "Oh goody, a game. We've played football before, can we go play with them?"

Rob laughed, "No man, we're playing for our school. You'd just come and watch us play our rival school." All of the boys looked at them strangely.

Matthew looked at his sisters' eager faces, "We will ask papa if it is okay." He turned back to the boys, "For which school do you play?"

Stephen scratched his head, "West Roswell High, of course."

Allie nodded, "That's the school that mother and our fathers went too."

"Who are your mother and father?" asked Glen, one of the other boys.

Matthew, Joshua and Rhys were tight lipped and refused to answer. Allie closed her eyes and felt no evil intent from the boys, "Our mother was called Liz Parker in school and our father, Max Evans." Allie decided to not mention Michael.

Rob laughed, "My parents are going to shi.....I mean freak when they hear this." He thought better of cussing in front of the girls after looking at their brothers again.

Matthew turned to Allie, "Take your sisters home, we will go after Emma."

Glen choked, "There's another one that looks like them?"

Allie laughed, "Actually, just like me. We're identical. Matthew, Emma and I are triplets. We left four more at home, and another brother."

Rob snorted, "Jeez! My parents will love to know that your parents really did go at it like bun....I mean...never mind."

Matthew glared at his sister, "Take the girls and go home. We need to find Emma."

Allie took Rhiann's hand, pulling her in the direction of their home. Rhiann turned her head around and watched the boys, smiling at Stephen.

Stephen ran up behind them and handed a piece of paper to Rhiann. Allie took the paper and read it as they continued walking

The game is at 7pm. If you
have questions call me 776-0008
Stephen

Rhiann grabbed the paper from Allie, "He gave me his phone number? Will papa let me call him?"

"You know that we leave for home in three months and this boy will stay on Earth."

Rhiann turned her attention to Allie, "I know, but did you see his eyes. They're gorgeous. I just want to spend time with him to gaze into those eyes."

Regan laughed, "Well she's got you there Allie, you have to admit that he has great eyes."

"Why would I notice his eyes? He looked like any other boy." Allie paused, "We should get home."

******************************************

Matthew, Joshua and Rhys found Emma walking back toward them crying.

Matthew put his arm around his sister, "Tell me Emma."

"Oh Matthew, it's so sad. That poor girl, he called her horrible names. She made dinner but she wasn't allowed to eat until he's done eating what he wants. He complained about the food the whole time. She obviously does the best that she can do with what he gives her. It's just so sad." Emma looked up at Matthew, "I want to take her with us."

Matthew shook his head, "As much as we'd like to help her, we can't just start taking people to our planet."

"Just her Matthew. I'm going to talk to papa about this, he'll let me take her."

"She's not a pet Emma. Her life may be miserable, but that man is her father. She probably won't appreciate you trying to fix her problems."

Matthew stopped for a second, "Do you remember her address?"

"Yes, and I'm still going to talk to papa and nana. They won't like someone being abused, they'll let me help her."

Joshua had been patient enough, "What the hell is going on? Who is yelling at who?"

Emma moved to Joshua's side and took his hand, "Oh Joshua, you will help me. This poor girl, her name is Lily........

*******************************************

The next day, Emma sat across from Lily and placed a plate of fries in the middle of the table. Emma remained quiet for a minute, "Lily, right?"

Lily nodded. Emma smiled, "You know you'll have to talk if you are going to work here, don't you?"

A tiny voice answered, "Yes."

"Want some of my fries? There are too many for me to eat."

A little hand slid across the table and took a fry, "Thank you."

"Do you like ketchup? I personally like ketchup with tabasco in it." Emma paused, "Have you ever tried ketchup with tabasco? It's delicious. Here try some." Emma pushed a small plate with the mixture on it toward Lily.

Lily dipped a fry into the concoction and stuck it in her mouth, she reached for her water coughing.

Matthew walked over as she was drinking gulps of water, "Emma, are trying to scare her? No one likes as much tabasco as you like." He turned to Lily, "I'm sorry that she asked you to try her ketchup. Trust me when I say, don't let any of my siblings ask you to try their food. We tend to like our food hot. Very spicy hot." Matthew stuck out his hand, "I'm Matthew."

Lily's hands slid off of the table and she seemed to withdraw, "I have to go."

Emma watched her leave, "I talked with papa."

"I know."

"He said that it depends on the circumstances."

"Okay."

"Okay? So now you're okay with this."

Matthew turned to look at Emma, "Emma, I've never been against helping her. But like I've said before, we can't help everyone that needs it."

Emma smiled, "Just her, I promise........she's going home with us." Emma stopped his objection, "I won't force her, but she's going home with us. You know that I'm always right." Emma looked at her brother out of the corner of her eyes, "She thinks that you're gorgeous. Oh Matthew, she's so hurt. When she looks at you all she can think about is the terrible things that her father has said to her."

Matthew glared at his sister, "Emma, you know it's wrong to listen to her thoughts....."

"I know, but she needs our help. I can't help her if I don't know what she's thinking. She's not going to tell me."

Matthew nodded and started to walk away. Emma stopped him, "Matthew, she's afraid of you. Let me and Allie befriend her first, and then we'll work on her getting to know you. Rhys and Joshua are pretty intimidating, even though they're big teddy bears. I just think she'll have an easier time getting to know us girls first."

"Okay, I get it. I'll stay away, when you are talking to her."

"Thank you. By the way, where is Joshua disappearing to every day?"
Matthew shrugged, "I don't know, but maybe it's time we found out."

*******************************

Matthew watched his sisters trying to gain Lily's trust for days, before he became curious about his brother's activities. Joshua walked past him in the cafe and waved at Allie and Emma as he walked out. This was the first time that Joshua had gone out in days, he had sat with Matthew and watched Lily. Matthew waited until he was out of sight and followed.

Joshua walked about a mile, then entered a building. Matthew crossed the street to observe. He couldn't help the laughter when he read the sign in the window. We can teach anyone to drive. Ace Driving School? Joshua was learning to drive a car? Joshua was an excellent pilot, why was he taking driving lessons? All he had to do was read the manual and Joshua could drive anything.

Matthew moved closer to the building just as a back door opened. Joshua walked out followed by the toughest looking girl that Matthew had ever seen. Well, maybe not the toughest looking. Maybe the word was determined. The girl was beautiful, but she looked like she could take on the entire race of skins. She was wearing black leather pants and a black leather vest, it reminded Matthew of the clothes on Antar.

Matthew's attention was pulled back to his brother when he heard a loud rumble. Joshua came roaring around the corner on a motorcycle with the girl seated firmly behind his back.

How was he going to explain this to Emma and Allie? They had been bugging him for days to find out about Joshua. A motorcycle? What was Joshua up to?

************************************

Allie smiled at Lily, "So, do you think that you could spend the night with us?"

Lily had really enjoyed getting to know Allie and Emma, she had also met their other sisters. But she didn't feel comfortable enough to tell them the truth, "I can't, my father works all day and I need to get home to make sure he eats. He doesn't take care of himself unless I'm there."

"We could take him some food and then bring you back here. What time does he get off of work?" They watched Lily squirm in her seat.

"He has different hours, I'm not sure what time he'll be home. He doesn't like me to spend the night with people."

The three looked up when Matthew entered the cafe. Lily tried to appear smaller, while the others waved to their brother. Allie leaned forward, "Matthew thinks that you are adorable....."

Lily jumped out of the booth, "I have to go..."

Matthew was concerned when Lily ran out. He ran over, "What did you two do? The girl looked positively terrified."

Both of his sisters turned to him, "It was you, she's afraid of you."

"Me? I didn't do anything."

Emma stared out of the front window, "Maybe it's just men who get a little too close to her heart."

Matthew choked, "Emma, I've barely said two words to the girl without her running off. I don't think that I've gotten close to her heart. Besides, I have no desire to get that close to her. We are only helping her, remember? I will follow her to make sure that she's okay."

"Are you sure that you should?"

"I won't approach her unless she needs help."

Matthew walked in the direction of Lily's house. He noted that it was a decent neighborhood. Her father obviously made enough money to live nicely. So why did Lily look like she was practically starving, and her clothes were definitely not good quality. What puzzled him even more, he could feel her ahead of him. He could feel the pain in her back and ribs, how difficult it is was to breathe.

Matthew watched her walk up to a window and look in, then she walked around the house and entered the back door. Matthew walked home, he wanted to be angry with his sisters for getting him involved but he couldn't be angry at them for trying to help someone. His anger stemmed more from the fact that he felt this girl's pain, but that was it. He never felt anything else but sorrow and pain. Was she never happy? And why did he have to feel it? Why not Emma or Allie, they were the ones so determined to help her.

His sisters pulled him to the couch and sat on each side of him. Both were eager to talk but Allie let Emma start, "So, is she okay?"

Matthew looked at his sisters, trying to decide if they knew he could feel Lily, "She went in her house, what else could I know?"

Emma looked disgusted with her brother, "Matthew, you just left after she went in didn't you?"

"Of course, she was in her house and safe."

Allie shook her head, "Don't you get it? That is where she is the least safe, I think her father hurts her. I got a flash of a man with his fist raised and ready to strike her." Allie paused, "Oh Matthew, it's horrible. She's so afraid."

Matthew sighed, "We already agreed to take her with us. We just have to wait and see." Matthew started playing with his fingernail, "So, is Josh home yet?"

Emma turned to Matthew, "You know something, don't you?"

Matthew shrugged his shoulder, "It's hard to know...." Matthew looked up as the front door opened, "Joshua, where have you been brother?"

Joshua shrugged, "Out, why?"

Matthew smiled, "Just out?"

Joshua stood very still, "Yes, just out? Why do you ask?"

"Just curious." Matthew stood up and walked toward Joshua. He stopped in front of him, "Is that a bug squashed on your neck?"

Joshua's hand went to his neck. Matthew started laughing, confusing Joshua even more. Joshua gave him a dirty look and turned to his sisters, "What's with him?"

Both spoke at the same time, "That's what we'd like to know?"

************************

Joshua had never felt freer than when he was on a motorcycle. He had walked all over Roswell learning his surroundings when he heard a whistle behind him. Normally, he'd ignore it but it drew his attention. He turned and saw a girl about his age, he assumed, staring right at him.

He turned around and walked toward her. She was tall and beautiful, but what caught his attention was the outfit. She was wearing black leather pants and a black vest. Just like the clothing he wore at home. Her dark brown hair was long, but it was braided down her back. Once his eyes travelled up her body and reached her bright green eyes, she actually laughed at him.

She walked up to him and stood in front of him, appraising him the same way that he had just done to her, "So gorgeous, want to ride my bike?"

Joshua was pulled out of his trance, "Ride your bike? What bike?"

She pointed beside the building and Joshua followed her finger, "Oh a motorcycle. You'll have to teach me."

She laughed again, "That's what I do for a living."

Joshua squinted his eyes at her, "Oh, so this is what you'd call a sales pitch."

She looked him up and down again, "Nah, you can ride for free."

Joshua had the strongest urge to reach out and touch her, but he couldn't.

She was human, she couldn't be his.

She laughed at the desire she saw flare in his eyes, "Name's Mackenna Calahan, Mac to my friends. And you are?"

"Joshua Philip Evans nal Guerin"

Mac whistled, "That long name fits you. Tall name for a tall guy. So? Want to ride? I have the day off and I'll teach you everything that you need to know Joshie boy."

They had seen each other every day for two weeks when Joshua finally got up the nerve to touch her, and he knew instantly that she did belong to him.

They had ridden her bike out to the lake. They lay on a blanket just staring up into the trees. Joshua turned to look at Mac, "Do you believe in aliens?"

She turned and looked at him and then burst out laughing. She jumped up and straddled him, "Do you mean brain sucking aliens? We're here to take over your planet. Take me to your leader kind of aliens?"

Joshua rolled her over and pinned her down, "No, obviously aliens have sucked your brains out." He watched her pretend to be hurt look and he continued, "I mean, aliens that look just like humans and they have integrated themselves into the human society."

Mac moved her eyes to the side like she was thinking really hard, "Let me see. Yes, I do believe that I believe in that kind of alien. One is pinning me to the ground right now."

Joshua sucked in his breath, "How did..."

Mac burst out laughing, "You are such a goof. Aliens, please!!!! Are you joking?"

"So you don't believe that life exists on other planets?"

"I didn't say that. You asked if I believed they were on Earth. Must be some pretty hard up aliens if they come to Earth."

"What does that mean?" Joshua moved off of her and sat down in a huff.

"Well let me see, these guys are capable of travelling millions of light years and they chose Earth? I'd say that they can't learn much from us. Ohhhh, my God. Maybe they're here to steal the women." She moved close to Joshua and shivered, "Would you protect me from the big bad green alien?"

"Green? What makes you think they're green?"

"They're always green. Oh wait, not always. On Star Trek some do actually look human. Oh no, they really are here to steal women. They just need us to make babies."

Joshua couldn't take anymore, so he grabbed her and kissed her. This was going to be harder than he thought, maybe he should just kidnap her and take her back to his ship. Here to steal Earth women indeed, well wasn't that what he planned on doing? Joshua remembered one of the silly alien movies that he'd seen and pulled her close, "You know, I hear Earth girls are easy."

She snorted, "Not this Earth girl."

"Yeah, I kind of figured that one out. I have a more serious subject to discuss. You know Roswell better than me, what do you know about a girl named Lily......"

**********************************************

A week later Mac told Joshua what she'd found out about Lily, "She goes to the local high school, but she's a lot younger than the other kids. She would be picked on for that reason alone, except she started acting really withdrawn a couple of years ago. She's about to turn fourteen and she's a senior. She's already been offered full scholarships to some of the top Universities but she hasn't accepted any of them. I went to her address and watched from outside." She stopped, "Her father is really abusive. I saw him slap her and call her names. How are you involved with this little girl?"

"She comes to the Crashdown everyday and my sisters are concerned about her."

Mac poked him in his ribs, "You know, you keep mentioning a brother or a sister and I'd like to know how many you have and when I'm going to meet them?"

Joshua cleared his throat, "How about tonight? I kind of told papa that I might bring someone to dinner."

"Well I guess, I'll have to go. Now tell me about them so that I don't act stupid."
Joshua smiled, "You act stupid? Well maybe you're right."
She smacked him, "Just dish forth the info buster."

"Well there are the oldest. Matthew, Allie and Emma. Matthew is very fatherly, Emma very motherly, and Allie is the musician. Then there's Leah, she was the only one born alone. She didn't come with us and neither did my Erin. Erin was born with me and just recently took a husband."

At that statement, Mac burst out laughing, "Took a husband. The way you talk sometimes. And aren't you only seventeen? I bet your parents threw a fit."

"No, she found her husband and my parents are happy for her. Now on with my list of siblings." Mac zipped her lip and threw away the key, "Then there are Rhys, Rhiann, Regan and Riley. They are the mischief makers. My parents pull their hair out trying to make them behave. Honestly Rhys is only going along with his sisters, but he should have better control of them." Mac snorted but stayed quiet, once again indicating her lips were zipped.

"They came with us and you'll meet them. Then the last, unless mother has more before we return, are Parker, Bailey and Hannah. They are my favorite. But that could change once they reach their teens. They stayed home with our parents."

At this point he looked at Mac's mouth hanging open, "If she hasn't had more? Good Lord, doesn't your mother believe in birth control? You know modern medicine has come up with that, did someone bother to tell her?"

"My mother loves us. What does it hurt to have so many, besides with three h..........." Joshua stopped himself before he said the unthinkable to an Earth girl. She would understand once they got to Antar.

[ccrswll]

I know, please don't kill me. RL has just been so hectic, and now I've got a trip with my troop and I'm going to the Tribeca Film Festival to see JB's movie "Happily Even After". And JB is supposed to be there.

I thought that I'd post some of what I have written. I haven't even had time to send this to jero to go over. So I'll just post this and hope that you guys can forgive the mistakes. It's not long, but the parts after this have given me a lot of trouble. I don't write angst very well. Anybody want to help me?

Part 9

Mac's interest perked up when Joshua didn't complete his sentence, "Three what? What does your mother have three of? It isn't children? Unless, you mean how she seems to have three and four of them at a time." She grabbed his shirt and started jerking him back and forth. Even though she was a tall girl, her strength was no match to Joshua's strength. He barely moved.

Joshua eyed her hands clutching his shirt, "She has three eyes, you know just like an alien would have and she's sent her offspring to your planet to kidnap women to make babies. Oh and we're supposed to go to the high school football game after dinner. Rhiann, insisted on going every Friday. Our sisters have decided that we'll attend. Rhiann just wants to look at this boy's eyes. If I have to hear one more time how gorgeous that boys eyes are, I'm going to go take them out of his head and give them to her."

Mac pushed on him, "You are so full of it. You're the biggest teddy bear that I know. And I know that you'd do anything your sisters tell you to do." She leaned back against him, "So what did you tell your family about me?"

Joshua cleared his throat and turned his face away from her, "Uhm, nothing really."

She sat up and glared at him, "Nothing? So, I'm like a suprise? Cool. You know that I should be mad, but I've decided not to be since you will make it up to me. Right?"

Joshua pulled her back into his arms, "Of course. I wouldn't be my fathers' son if I didn't. Or my mother's. She'd definitely let me know if I made my girl unhappy."

Joshua was still trying to figure out how he was going to get his mate onto the ship. He could just give her sleeping pills and deal with the repercussions later. He didn't really have the right, they hadn't bonded yet. Maybe he should push the issue. Mac was very adamant that she didn't have casual sex. You either commit to her and reap the benefits or you were just a boyfriend. She had a lot of male friends. That was one thing that got onto Joshua's nerves. Joshua needed his fathers to help him on this one. Matthew will refuse to let him just drag her on the ship, but he'd ask. His papa and nana would stand behind Matthew. Allie and Emma would be sympathetic but agree with Matthew. The others might help him just for the sheer enjoyment of carrying out a devious plan. He'd start with Rhiann if Matthew refused to let him bring her home. Rhiann came up with the best plans.

******************************************

Liz bent over Zan, stroking his face. Who would have ever thought she would be here, with Zan? She leaned forward nibbled on his bottom lip. Her heart raced when she heard his moan and his eyes opened.

"Bat are ew vuing?"

Liz giggled,"Ohm vimmling on ew."

His eyebrows arched, "Huh?"

Liz leaned back, "I'm trying to seduce you." She began moving off of him, "But if you aren't interested." Liz squealed as she was pulled back.

"I never said or implied that I wasn't interested. As a matter of fact all you have to do is breath and I'm interested." Zan motioned for her to nibble on him again, "You know, I like Zulis being busy with the guard and Rath off visiting his sisters for the day."

"I miss them. I miss my children."

"They'll be home soon enough, now get back to seducing me. Even though I'm easy, I still need a little push."

Liz laughed and pushed his shoulder, "Will that do?"

He rolled her beneath him, "That'll do. By the God, I love you."

Liz pulled his mouth to hers, "Not as much as I love you."

********************************

Joshua walked into the house with Mac.

His sisters all jumped up to see who Joshua had brought with him.

Emma was first, "Joshua, who's your friend?"

Joshua cleared his throat, "This is Mac, I mean Mackenna Calahan. My m..friend."

Allie caught the mistake, "I see. And how long have you known....her?

Joshua was distracted when Rhiann jumped in, "Why is she allowed to wear black? Father won't let me wear black, he says that only men...."

Joshua put his hand over Rhiann's mouth and glared at Rhys, who just shrugged, "She has a point."

Rhiann licked Joshua's hand and he promptly let go. Matthew sighed when he saw the wheels start turning in Rhiann's head.

Mac watched the exchange with interest. 'What is with all of this not being allowed? Don't these people know about free will?' Mac was starting to think that their father was a very controlling person. I mean really who ever heard of having so many kids in this day and age?

Allie and Emma noticed Mac's observation, while Rhys and Matthew stood back and watched Rhiann practically scream 'we're aliens and we have different ideas'. Both were immediately distracted from Rhiann's outburst when Joshua turned to Matthew. He had noticed the small figure on the couch, "How did you get her to come?"

"It wasn't me, Emma found out that her father was out of town for two days and insisted that she stay here. She's opened up a little, but not much. Riley did manage to heal some of her old injuries without suspicion. One of her arms was broken and had healed wrong. It's no wonder that she was always in pain. She's probably trying to figure out why her arm doesn't hurt."

"I have a problem. I want to bring Mac with us, she's mine."

Matthew said through clinched teeth, "You've bonded?"

"Not yet, but I was thinking of an Earth ceremony so that she'd let us bond."

"Does she know?"

Joshua looked at the ground, "I've tried to talk with her, but she thinks that aliens are a joke. I think we'll just have to show her after we're on the ship."

"Joshua it's not going to happen. She either agrees or she doesn't come."

Joshua looked past his brother, "Yeah, okay. I'll talk with her."