Into the Ether - Complete

Spring, When New Things Grow: Part 15

The stewardess was giving me an appreciative look as I boarded, and I considered reciprocating to try to get an upgrade, but even smiling at another woman seemed like cheating on my milaya, so I trudged down to the middle of the aircraft, found my seat and stowed my single bag in the overhead locker. I was on the red eye Aeroflot service between Omsk and Moscow, so was surrounded mostly by business travelers, which suited me. No one was inclined to talk.

I'd scored a window seat, so I stretched out as well as I was able and watched Omsk disappear beneath us as we climbed into the sky. The flight took three and a half hours, so we'd be offered a hot breakfast. I was still tired, but also getting hungry, so I quickly glanced at the menu. It looks like they were serving;

Cold sliced chicken breast with
Gouda and Cheddar cheeses, Chinese cabbage and cherry tomato,
Cake with fruit filling,
Butter, yogurt, jam, and a roll

Plus a choice of:

Omelet, ratatouille with vegetarian-style tomato sauce,
Millet porridge with pumpkin, or
Pancakes with cherries and cream sauce

The man beside me saw me studying the menu and advised, "If there's a choice left by the time they get this far down, you want anything except the porridge."

I laughed but thanked him. Being a Guardian and used to eating mass prepared food, I prided myself on my ability to eat just about anything. But that didn't mean I'd go out of my way to choose something unpleasant. I ended up with the pancakes, and they were ok. Not as large a serve as I'd usually eat, but humans didn't have the same sort of muscle mass I did, so they didn't need as much food.

Once I'd eaten, and my tray was cleared, I closed my eyes and let my mind wander. The whole time I'd been away, I'd thought of Rose – but now I had something new to think about. The baby. Our baby. She'd said in her e-mail she didn't know if it were a boy or a girl yet. When I thought about our child, I immediately imagined a little girl. With our colorings, she'd probably be dark haired and dark eyed. In my mind's eye, she looked just like a miniature Rose. I chuckled quietly, already imagining me wrapped around her little finger.

I knew myself, and there's no way I'd be able to prevent myself spoiling her rotten! I'd still discipline her, of course, and give her a solid foundation of values to build upon. But she'd always know her Papa loved her – that he'd do anything for her. Heaven help the guy who got my little girl pregnant at seventeen, I mused hypocritically. He'd want to start running now because I'd catch up with him and there'd be hell to pay. For the first time, I think I was a little grateful Rose didn't know her father and barely had a mother. Not that I would do the wrong thing by her – I was back, and I was going to spend the rest of my life devoted to her and our child.

Thinking back to her e-mail I knew Lissa and Art knew about her pregnancy – so I was assuming Alberta, and the other Guardians did, too. She'd also mentioned no longer sparring with the other Novices, so perhaps they knew as well? I'm sure I'd find out once I read the stack of emails in my bag. There had been about thirty all up. Some quite short, others longer. I thought I'd wait to be settled on the long flight to Los Angeles before I read them in order.

My eyes closed, I also considered Karo's words to me. Particularly her comments about being sexual with Rose. I knew I had no right to expect it, but I hoped she'd still have some interest in being intimate with me when I returned home. Galina rubbing me through my pants was mercifully the furthest she'd gone, so it had been months since I'd had any relief. Not since that last time in Rose's dorm room. I'd take things into my own hand if Rose were unwilling, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't craving to reconnect with her in that way as soon as possible; not just for the physical relief – I was craving the intimacy with my girl.