Victoria and the Alien Doctor (Intergalactic Brides 2) (4 page)

Xonos ushered them out of the room and down to the waiting limo. When they arrived at the station, Evie clung to her mother’s hand, eyeing the surrounding aliens with wide eyes. Thanks to Brielle, negotiations were being made with other races to take part in the bride program, and several dignitaries were at the station, checking things out. Gray aliens, blue aliens, aliens with tattoos, some with fangs. There were a wide variety residing on the station.

They entered the lab, and Xonos led them back to his office. Pulling up some cartoons on his large Vid-Comm, he settled Evie in the chair behind his desk. She looked at everything in curiosity but didn’t reach for the items on his desk. He gave her a few instructions, mostly not to mess with his papers, and then led Victoria to an exam room. He pulled out a hospital gown and gave her orders to strip and put it on.

While she was changing, he stepped out of the room to find his assistant and let him know what was going on. The male was in training to be a doctor, but hadn’t finished his studies yet. He had several years left but knew enough to handle the blood samples that came through the lab, and could even give basic exams now. Xonos had to admit the male was brilliant, if a bit young still.

Zaylon gave him a knowing smirk and Xonos scowled back. “What?”

“You’re acting out of character. I think you have feelings for this woman.”

Xonos shook his head. “It isn’t like that. She needs my help.”

Zaylon kept smiling, but wisely kept his mouth shut. Thinking Victoria had had plenty of time to change he went to check on her, stopping long enough to pick up the tools he’d need to do a scan and draw her blood. He knocked before entering and found her sitting on the edge of the exam table.

Was that disappointment that he felt? He had to admit he wouldn’t have been disappointed if she hadn’t put on the gown yet. After feeling her curves against him last night, he was more than ready to get a look at her without her clothes, and maybe do a little exploring of the non-medical kind.

“You’ll need to lie back.”

While she complied, he washed his hands with a special cleanser that would kill any bacteria on his hands, far stronger than Earth’s version of anti-bacterial soap. He moved to stand beside her once more and held up the Terran version of a syringe.

“I need to get the blood samples first. This needle is similar to the ones you use on Earth, but it will compartmentalize the samples inside the barrel, based on the programming I entered. It saves me from filling many vials, as they’re all part of the needle.”

She frowned at the gadget. “It doesn’t look like it holds very much.”

“More than you think.” He smiled. “Now take a deep breath and relax.”

After she complied, he stuck the needle in her arm and withdrew the amount of blood needed, then put a small bandage over the pinprick. Next, he picked up his scanner, explained how it worked, and did a scan of her from head to toe, paying special attention to her reproductive organs. Everything looked to be in good shape.

Xonos set the machine aside and proceeded with the physical part of the exam. His pulse raced at the thought of touching his potential mate. He gave her a brief exam, checking her lymph nodes, her throat, and her eyes. Then he stepped back to give her some space.

“All done?” she asked. “I have to admit, when you told me to put on a gown, I thought your exam would be a bit more invasive.”

He smiled. “Nothing like the yearly exams human women go through. My scan and the blood work will tell me most of what I need to know. I’ll go type up my notes while you change back into your clothes and then we can head out for a day of shopping.”

She sighed. “You don’t have to spend a lot of money on us, Xonos. If the council denies our mating, I’ll just have to find a way to pay you back and I’d rather not have to go through that.”

“You won’t owe me anything, Victoria. Let me make your life, and your daughter’s life, comfortable for a while. Like you said, she deserves a chance to get to see a different side of life. I can’t very well spend money on her and not her mother. How do you think that would make her feel?”

Victoria chewed on her lower lip. “She’s rather observant.”

Xonos nodded. “I’ve noticed.”

“Very well, but keep the spending to a minimum. It won’t take much to make her happy. If it weren’t for charity, she wouldn’t have had a Christmas -- ever. And I’m a horrible mother because I didn’t think to pack the few toys she did own. They weren’t much, mostly things I’d found at the dollar store, but at least she had something to play with. Now she has nothing.”

“Then the first place we’re stopping is a toy store.”

“Xonos…”

He held up a hand. “It’s not negotiable, Victoria. I will treat her as if she is mine, and you’re going to let me. It’s important that Evie and I bond, and if you’re always undermining me and telling me I can’t do things for her, then Evie will think you don’t want the two of us to become close and she’ll hold back.”

“You’re right.” Victoria sighed. “I don’t like it, though.”

“Do you remember the way to my office?”

She nodded.

“Get dressed and head in that direction. I’ll be waiting with Evie.”

He closed the door behind him and entered his office with a smile on his face. Evie was curled in his chair, her chin propped on her fist, as she watched the cartoon on the screen with rapt fascination. Xonos settled on the leather sofa, not wanting to disturb her, as he typed up his notes and created a file for Victoria. If all went according to plan, he’d know by end of the day whether or not the council would accept her as a mate. At least, as far as the physical aspect went. Convincing them to let him bond to a mate with a human child was another matter, especially one who had already been rejected for the bride program.

Victoria entered the room a few minutes later, and he set aside his work and stood. When she came closer, there was a look in her eyes that he didn’t like. He wasn’t sure how he knew, but something had happened since she’d left to change clothes, and whatever it was had obviously upset her.

“What happened?” he asked.

She shook her head.

“Don’t lie to me, Victoria. I know something happened.”

“Your assistant barged in while I was changing. He caught me in my bra and panties.” Her cheeks flushed. “He… he said he didn’t understand why you would want an exam and bloodwork on me when I was obviously not woman enough for a male of your intellect.”

Anger built slowly and steadily, traveling through his veins like hot lava, until he was certain steam was coming out of his ears. Someone had dared see his mate in a state of undress? And then made disparaging comments about her?

With a command for Victoria and Evie to stay in his office, he charged out into the clinic to find his assistant. His soon to be
ex
-assistant. The male might be intelligent when it came to medical matters, but obviously he was lacking in other areas. Insults to Xonos’ mate would not be tolerated for any reason.

“Zaylon,” he roared as he stormed down the halls.

His assistant popped out of an exam room, a look of curiosity on his face. “Is something wrong?”

“Did you or did you not insult my intended?”

Zaylon couldn’t stop the sneer from spreading across his face. “Mate,” he spat. “She’s not your mate and she’s not fit to lick your boots. Do you honestly think the council will approve a match to someone like her?”

Xonos stalked closer, wrapping his hand around Zaylon’s throat. “Let me make something perfectly clear. That woman
will
be my mate, whether the council approves or not, and you
will
treat her with respect. As of now, your position is terminated. I want you on the next shuttle back to Terran.”

“Terran.” The male growled. “If it weren’t for these useless humans, we wouldn’t have had to change the name of our beloved Zelthrane-3. They’re inferior to us in all ways, and it’s insulting that we should breed with them.”

His hand tightened on Zaylon’s throat. “Out. Now.”

He dropped the male back to his feet, not even realizing he’d lifted him off the floor, then watched as Zaylon scurried out of the clinic. Heading to the nearest Vid-Comm, he called security to inform them that Zaylon was to be on the next shuttle home and then called the council to inform them of what had happened.

“So you’re taking a mate?” Larimar asked. “I thought you’d decided against it.”

“Victoria needs me, and I’m starting to realize that perhaps I need her as well. I’ll have the lab results and my exam notes to the council before nightfall. I had intended for someone impartial to run the results, but with Zaylon out of the picture, there’s no one left but me. I can’t wait for the labs to be sent home.”

“If she was previously denied, why do you think we would accept her now?” Larimar asked.

“Because you denied her on the premise that no one would want a sick child. I’m willing to claim Evie as my own, regardless of her illness. You and I both know that this is the best chance that little girl has to have a normal life, even if it’s only for a short while. But Syl and I are going to do everything in our power to ensure she lives a long time.”

“Get me your results and I’ll speak with the council. If anyone deserves to have a mate of their choosing, it’s you. I have to tell you though, there’s been talk of bringing you back to Terran. Your replacement is not adequate as far as the council is concerned. How much longer do you intend to remain on Earth?”

“Until Syl’s child is born. No one on Earth has more experience delivering Terran-Human babies than I do. I’m glad the council reconsidered and has allowed Syl to work for the Terrans once more. Now I need them to agree to allow me to remain until his child is born.”

“Very well.” Larimar smiled. “I’ll see what I can do.”

Xonos ended the call and then went back to his office where he found Victoria and Evie curled up on his sofa watching the Vid-Comm. He leaned against the doorframe, just drinking in the scene, before making his presence known. Victoria looked his way, but Evie kept watching the cartoon.

“I’m going to have to stay long enough to process your bloodwork and then put together a report to send to the council. We can go shopping once I’m done. So, maybe an hour? Do you want to hang out here in my office, or would you prefer to go back to the hotel?”

“Here is fine. If we aren’t in your way?”

He shook his head. “If you’re going to sit there, I can work at the desk. The cartoon won’t bother me. I’ll be in the labs for a little while. Take a right down this hall, then a left at the T and I’ll be in the second lab on the right. I’m going to lock up the front and put up a notice that we’re closed today.”

Victoria turned away from him so he wandered off, leaving them to the show they were watching. In the labs, he ran all the necessary tests, made some notes, then gathered what he needed for his report. He cleaned up the lab and then went back to his office. Neither Victoria nor Evie looked up when he walked in. When he stepped in front of them, he realized they’d both fallen asleep. A glance at his watch showed he’d been busy a little longer than he’d anticipated.

Sitting at his desk, he began to type up his report, giving all his findings and trying to stay clinical in his observations. It was hard since this was a personal matter for him, but he tried to keep his emotions out of the equation. When he was done, he cleaned off his desk and gently woke Victoria and Evie.

“Are you finished?” Victoria said, blinking at him sleepily.

“I am. Are the two of you ready for some shopping? Or would you prefer to return to the hotel for a nap?”

Evie’s eye widened. “We can go shopping now? In real stores?”

Real stores
? He must have looked puzzled because Victoria gave him a sheepish look. “She means stores that aren’t thrift stores. She’s never owned anything new before, except for a few things from the dollar store.”

He wasn’t surprised, not after having seen where they lived and hearing a little more about Victoria’s background. Xonos was anxious to buy as much as Victoria would allow. He wanted them to have the best of everything and hoped he could convince her to get rid of their old belongings. Neither of the girls needed a reminder of their past, not when their future was going to be so much better. At least, if he had anything to say about it. One way or another, he was taking Victoria as his mate, and he would do all he could to cure Evie.

Evie was wilting like a flower after too much sun, but the little girl just refused to quit. Victoria knew it had been an exciting day, for both of them, but she worried her little girl was going to overdo it. Evie needed lots of rest, even if her energy levels had been high today. Victoria knew tomorrow could be the complete opposite, with Evie staying in bed the entire day, barely able to walk herself to the bathroom.

Xonos removed something from his pocket. A green laser slid across Evie’s forehead, and he frowned down at the device before eying the little girl once more. He knelt in front of Evie, taking her small hand in his much larger one.

“Today has been fun, hasn’t it?” he asked.

Evie nodded enthusiastically.

“But we have lots of days ahead of us to have more fun. We don’t have to squeeze everything into just one day. What do you say we go back home, order some room service, and watch a movie?” Xonos asked.

Evie wavered.

“You can pick any movie you want. I had someone at the Terran station set up several of those streaming accounts for me, so you’ll have lots to choose from. It can be something you’ve seen a hundred times or something you’ve never watched before.”

“I want to see that new movie at the theater about the princess who gets lost.” Evie gave him a pleading look.

Xonos smiled. “Why don’t we save that one for another day? I’ll have to go into the office tomorrow to work for a little bit, but if you’re up for it, maybe we can go see it tomorrow night. Or we can wait until another day when you’re feeling not quite so tired.”

“We aren’t going back to the apartment tomorrow?” Evie asked softly, scuffing her toe along the ground.