Liz wished she could just let herself enjoy the pampering. A young girl worked on her face, lightly massaging and moisturizing her. It had taken the girl a few minutes to get up the nerve to touch her. Liz had given her a small smile and closed her eyes. It felt so good but Zan was at the edge of her thoughts. Zan and their son. Her hands came to rest on her lower stomach. It had just been a few days but they already knew they were having a son... a prince. For some reason, that made it all the more real. Carrying the heir to the throne of Antar. Softly she began singing to herself and her unborn son. �I can�t be losing sleep over this, no, I can�t, And now, I cannot stop pacing. Give me a few hours, I�ll have this all sorted out, If my mind would just stop racing.�
�That is very lovely, milady.� The girl whispered. Liz just arched an eyebrow and kept singing softly.
�Cause I cannot stand still. I can�t be this unsturdy. This cannot be happening.� Liz sighed and thought about what Zan might be doing at that exact moment. �This is over my head but underneath my feet. Cause by tomorrow morning, I�ll have this thing beat. And everything thing will be back to the way that it was. I wish that it was just that easy. I really wish...�
--
Zan hummed to himself as he watched the dressmaker stretch materials over a dummy with Liz�s dimensions. �Cause I am waiting for tonight, Then waiting for tomorrow. And I�m somewhere in between... What is real and just a dream. What is real and just a dream. What is real and just a dream.�
�Did you say something, your majesty?� The seamstress asked of her king.
�Nothing.� Zan shook his head and examined the cut of the dress. He had been thinking over his conversations with Michael and then some odd flashes had come to him. One included Liz and a white dress. �Very good. I shall return.�
�Yes, sire.� The man bowed his head as the leader took his leave.
Zan traveled the corridors quickly. He looked in on his bedroom where a group of men and women were redecorating. One or two looked up when he walked in. He simply glanced around and nodded. He backed out of the room still humming to himself. �Would you catch me if I fall out of what I fell in. Don�t be surprised if I collapse down at your feet again. I don�t want to run away from this. I know that I just don�t need this.�
Then he stopped in at the communications center. The Monoan on duty looked up and gestured to the machine in front of him. �The correct alignment should be achieved in two hours. Then it will last approximately five.�
�We won�t need that long. I thank you.� Zan left feeling incredibly light and excited. This would all work. He was sure of it. �Cause I cannot stand still. I can�t be there so sturdy. This cannot be happening.� He passed into the hall where he and his Elizabeth would be having their dinner that evening. Everything had to be perfect. �Cause I�m waiting for tonight, Then I�m waiting for tomorrow and I am somewhere in between... What is real and just a dream. What is real and just a dream.�
--
Liz sat in the chair she was guided to, next to Sam, and leaned back to allow the young girl to apply make up. �Okay. Something is definitely up.�
�No doubt.� Sam agreed. �Whatever they�re planning had better be good if I have to wear makeup.�
�I�m sure it will be okay.� Liz lied to herself. She just shouldn�t shake the feeling that she might be losing her husband. She tried once more to fully relax while someone else was doing all the work. �What is real and just a dream. What is real and just a dream.�
--
Michael stood perfectly still. A man measured him carefully and then again. �Yes, yes. I can do this. Step down please.�
Finally breathing, Michael stepped off the pedestal and turned to Zan. �So, it works?�
�It is presumed to be fully functional.� Zan answered him as he held still for his own measurements. He hopped down and nodded to the tailor. �Now, these will only take a few minutes. I had the Lorenis take their measurements. Their gowns should be ready soon as well.�
�Now see, that�s something that I didn�t think of. Glad to have you on my side.� Michael nodded. �Let�s go get dressed.�
--
�What is this?� Liz gaped as the white dress was brought to her.
�Your gown for this evening.� Deina smiled and released the ties to help her into it. Liz felt the silky cloth wrap around her and was sent back five years. It was a dress from a dream she had before Zan and Max had merged. �Why are you crying?�
�He remembered.� Liz sniffed suddenly. She felt like bawling just then but she restrained herself. She traced over all the silver stitching she could reach.
�Wow. Liz, you look amazing.� Sam oohed.
�You don�t look so bad yourself.� Liz eyed the dark robe-like dress that adorned her friend. �Wow.�
�Okay, Erik, let�s go find Daddy.� Sam went to get him but Deina shook her head. �What?�
�I�m... babysitting. Erik and I are going to have fun, right?�
�Mama!� Erik screeched and reached for Sam.
�Come here baby.� She swept her son into her arms. He pouted and leaned his head on her shoulder. �I�m sure he�ll behave.�
�No, really. I insist. Go. I�ll take care of him.� Deina shook her head and reached for Erik. �How about I show you the� um� pool?�
�Pool?� Erik�s eyebrows shot out and he dove into Deina�s arms. As they left the room, Liz couldn�t help but stare after them. She wanted to know what was going on.
A throat cleared and a tall man in fine clothes approached them. He bowed low and kept his head down when he straightened. �Your majesty. Please follow me.�
Part 13
Liz gasped when she entered the room. It was perfection in the sky. Lights hung suspended over a table and chairs upon which a delicious looking meal had been set out. Glancing up, she saw her husband standing with his back to her. His broad shoulders were covered in the same white leather material that her dress was made of. �Zan?�
�Elizabeth.� He turned with a gentle smile, which quickly faded when he set eyes on her. His hand went to his chest and then slowly approached her. �You are absolutely breathtaking.�
�You shaved your goatee.� Liz moved to meet him near the table. She noted the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. �I like it. I haven�t seen you without it in so many years.�
�It itched.� He bowed his head in laughter. �I was hoping you wouldn�t mind.�
�Zan�� She waited until he looked at her again. �What is all this?�
�A surprise for the mother of my child.� Zan guided her to her seat. �Sit and enjoy. I thought that dinner alone might be a good idea.�
�Wow.� Liz waited for him to take a seat.
�I haven�t been myself, Elizabeth. I just want you to love me.�
Liz couldn�t stop a smile from spreading across her face at the look on his. He looked like a lost little boy. �Zan. I do love you and all your quirks. You don�t have to do this.�
�But I want to.� Zan insisted. Then he gestured to the table. �Shall we?�
--
�Michael? What is all this?� Samantha stepped into the room. She stopped short when she saw her husband. He was the most dressed up that she had ever seen him and that included their wedding day. �And who hit you with the magic dust?�
�Like it?� Michael gestured to the dimly lit room with the food.
�I�m thinking that I do. What�s the occasion? Our anniversary�s next week� It�s not my birthday�� She circled the room, keeping the table between them at all times. �What is all this about?�
�Let�s just say that I miss my unbelievably beautiful wife and want some alone time with her.� Michael adjusted the neck of his shirt nervously. �Do you like it?�
�Yeah. And I like seeing you all spiffy.� She finally allowed him to close the distance between them. �I don�t know about all this stuff they did to me today, though.�
�You look� better than anything I could possibly describe.� Slipping his arm around her waist. His lips met hers briefly and he had to pull away before they got carried away. He looked over her black tresses, mocha skin and beautiful body outlined by the deep burgundy gown. Clearing his throat, he pulled a small box out of his pocket. �I� kept these.�
�What�s that?� Sam took the box from his hand.
�I was gonna save it for next week but these really close quarters have been� really close and if you�re feeling it anywhere near as I am�� He trailed off and waited for her to open the box.
Sam lifted the lid to find her jewelry. The six earrings that were once at home in her left ear, the four for right, and the belly button ring that Michael had given her once. �I haven�t worn these since I started showing with Erik.�
�Yeah. I know� I� thought you might be wondering where they were.� Michael leaned in.
�Thank you. Now, I was primped and teased and painted and now� I�m starving.� She smiled up at him.
�Then let�s eat.�
--
Liz put down her fork. Zan had been quiet all through dinner. �Do you have anything else planned for tonight?�
�I have a surprise for you� for you all, actually. I know that Samantha wasn�t as close to everyone as you were though.� Zan set his napkin aside and rose, his hand extended to take hers.
�What do you have up your sleeve?� Liz narrowed her eyes at him.
�Come with me, my love.�
--
�You done?� Michael watched in amusement as, for the first time on the ship, his wife completed a meal and finished off his.
�Sorry, were you going to eat that?� Sam gestured to his now empty plate.
�I guess not. Feeling better?� He teased.
�Yeah. I guess I am. Thanks. I think this is the first time I�ve relaxed since we came aboard.� She had to resist the urge to burp. Setting down her glass, she leaned back in her chair. �You certainly know that the way to my heart is through my stomach.�
Michael laughed and reached out for her hand. �Just glad to see you eating again.� He took a deep breath. �If I didn�t know better, I�d swear you were pregnant.�
She laughed and sighed. �I know. My hormones have been all over the place.�
�I won�t comment on that.� He held his tongue, knowing better after having lived with her for three and a half years. �Come on. Zan and I have a surprise for you guys.�
--
�Max? Is that you?� Isabel�s figure appeared on the screen.
�Hello, Vilandra.� Zan smiled gently at her. �I�m glad you got my message.�
Liz noticed Isabel�s expression falter when Zan called her Vilandra. �Isabel, is everyone with you?�
�Yeah but� I�m not sure how this works. I mean� they just turned on by themselves and you were telling me to get everyone together� can you see them?� Isabel ranted, her smile returning. �God, Max, I miss you so much already. How is everyone?�
�We�re great. Can you see them all okay?� Zan stepped slightly to the side to expose the three people behind him.
�Yeah. How long will this last?� Isabel turned her eyes to the side.
�About five hours. Are our parents there? I have something I want to tell them�� Zan snuck a glance at Liz. �We� we have something to tell them.�
�Yeah. They�re here. What is it Max?� Isabel moved forward and then suddenly took a big step back. Then a couch full of people came into view. She had sent the orbs on the coffee table.
Zan took Liz�s hand in his and couldn�t help a big smile from crossing his face. �Mother, Father� Elizabeth and I are going to have a son.�
A chorus of congratulations and exclamations traveled through the stars and back to Zan and Liz�s ears.
--
Sam watched with a smile on her face as Liz chatted with Isabel, Maria and Alex. Zan kept his talking to a minimum after seeing how upset Isabel got every time he called her Vilandra. Michael went last. He talked with Isabel, laughed with Alex, sent his regards to the Evans and then he was face to face with Maria.
"How are you doing, Maria?" Michael leaned on the console, his eyes cast down.
"I'm fine, Michael."
"Maria�" Michael started and took a deep breath. "I just want to know that we're alright. I know we didn't end well but it means a lot to me that you're still a friend."
"I don't see how that can happen." Maria shifted in her seat. "You clearly have no respect for me."
Michael's hand slammed down on the console. "I don't have respect for you? No. This isn't about how I did you wrong. This is about how you feel you were done wrong."
"I really don�t see the difference."
"Maria. I remember everything you used to get on my case about. How I was never there for you and how I was such an ass. When I was finally there for you and I stopped being an ass� where were you?" Michael locked eyes with her. "You were off somewhere pretending that if you completely ignored me that I would become someone that I've never been."
Maria stayed silent on her end. Michael looked near tears. "I didn't start this to bring this up again. It's been so long, Maria. Why can't you let it go? I am happy for the first time in my life and just because it's not you that made me that way, you want me to suffer. You want my wife to suffer."
"I don't have anything against her."
"Don't you?" Michael slammed the console again. "Dammit Maria! Do you always have to be such a drama queen? If you don't say something to redeem yourself now� it's over. Our friendship is gone and you will never hear about any of us again."
"What are you talking about?" Maria whispered.
Michael shifted his position only slightly. "Maria. I have moved on from you. I have a wife and a son. We are happy together. You keep clinging to this thing. Everyone knew Maria. I'm sorry you didn't. It doesn't excuse the way you treated Sam or the glaring at Erik. They don't deserve it. They didn't take me from you. You pushed me away and when I was gone you wanted me back. It doesn't work like that. You told me that. Grow up, Maria."
Sam couldn�t take it anymore. She reached out and put a hand on his arm. He immediately calmed down. "Michael�"
"She can't do this." Michael whispered to her.
"Michael�" Sam whispered back. "Let it go."
"She's right." Michael turned his eyes back up to Maria. "I have to let it go, too. I can't do that unless you do too."
"I� don't have a clue what you're talking about." Maria whispered.
"Fine. We never have to speak again. Goodbye, Maria." Michael stormed off, leaving Sam at the console. Her brown eyes met green ones across the distance of untold space.
"Sam�" Maria tried but found she couldn't. "Be good to him."
The image flickered and faded, signaling the end of the transmission. Sam stared at the console for a moment and then turned to look for her husband. She waved to Liz and Zan who had waited to see the outcome of the transmission. They nodded and went off in their own direction. Sam kept walking until she found Michael in an observation deck. "Michael?"
"She just makes me so angry." He raged at the stars. Then he turned. "I'm sorry. This isn't how tonight was supposed to go."
"Michael, I know her friendship means a lot to you�" Sam met him in the middle of the deck, her hands running up his arms.
"But it doesn't�" Michael sighed and brought his hands up to cup her face. "I was only trying to make peace with her for you."
"For me?" She shook her head.
"You wanted us to still be friends. I made the effort for you."
--
Zan led Liz to their bedroom. "Tonight has been just wonderful, Zan." Liz sighed and looked up at him. "And I'm not even going to ask how you got them to let us talk with them. I really wanted to tell Maria about the baby."
"It was complicated. We found a way to do it without compromising our position. I knew you wanted to tell them." Zan paused just outside their bedroom. "I have one more surprise for you."
"Oh yeah?" Liz tipped her head back to look at him. "What's that?"
Zan leaned in as if to kiss her but reached past her to open their door. "Take a look."
Liz narrowed her eyes at him but stepped into the room, gasping when she saw the drastic d�cor change. Gone were the gaudy Vegas sheets and drapes, in their stead were white sheets, white drapes, white cushions and a mirror. Liz stepped toward it and was swept away by the memory of a dream so long forgotten. She gravitated toward the mirror, barely hearing the whoosh as the door slid shut behind her. Her reflection showed her white dress trimmed with silver and a turn of her head revealed her mark, her anointing as Zan's chosen bride.
She watched his reflection approach her. Her heart sped up as he neared. His lips touched her temple, his hands ran down over her body. His mouth moved down her face, tasting her neck while his hands continued to touch and caress her curves. Slender fingers wound into his hair, pulling slightly to keep his mouth near.
Zan pulled her toward the bed, his mouth never leaving her flesh, her moans growing with every second. Her body turned toward him, arching and seeking for more of him. Lost in the feel of his wife, Zan moved on instinct. His hands found the ties on her gown and released them.
Liz let out a moan when her gown loosened around her body. His hands slid against her bare flesh beneath the cool leather. "Zan�" Opening her eyes, she sought out the ties on his shirt, pulling too hard on the straps, stretching them slightly. Pulling her gown away, Zan gently pushed her onto the bed. He couldn't help but stare at her bare skin from head to toe. "Zan, you're dressed."
Her whisper hit his ears and went straight to his groin. Hands trembling, he slipped out of his shirt and reached for his pants. He didn't realize she had sat up until her mouth burned up his stomach, her hands releasing him from his leather confines. They pushed the pants down over his taut gluts and revealing his erection. She slipped her shoes off and leaned back on the bed. Zan stepped out of his own shoes and then his pants before climbing onto the bed between her spread legs.
Closing his eyes, he knelt and opened his mouth over her stomach, his hands caressing her silken thighs. His smooth chin slid over her stomach, gliding up to her heaving chest. Liz's mouth opened in soft cries at the sensations that his careful movements elicited. Unable to contain himself, his tongue snaked out to lick a trail from the base of her ribcage to one protruding nipple.
Liz's hands grasped at the cool sheets beneath her hot body and couldn't control the bucking of her hips under her husband's attentions. "Zan, please� I need you. I need you inside me."
"My Elizabeth, anything, anything for you." He whispered against her chest before positioning himself at her hot entrance. The wet warmth he found grinding against his cock was unlike anything he could remember feeling. His mouth traveled up to devour hers, their tongues dueled until his hips pulled back to dive into her wet walls.
Her nails were the first thing that registered when he allowed himself to feel anything else. Her nails that scraped down his back and urged him to move insider her. Mouths breathing heavily into each other, they moved steadily, slowly stoking and bucking into each other. Every grunt puffed onto her lips as every cry spilled onto his. His hand gripped her thigh to push as deep as he could go, his other hand clasped in the bedding to keep them from moving around too much on the huge bed. He could feel her hands shifting their direction, one clasping flat-palmed to his shoulder blade and the other urging him deeper by gripping his ass.
Zan could feel his climax building and quickened the pace at which he withdrew and thrust back into her clinching body. He found himself pounding forcefully into her small body and his name spilling from her lips in a high-pitched mantra. Liz threw her head back as far it would go. It was too much, the pressure had been building so long. She came, shuddering and quivering all around him, her legs wrapping around him in an effort to hold onto reality.
With her ever-tightening walls squeezing him, Zan continued to thrust into her vice-like walls as he spilled his seed forth. "Liz!"
Liz pressed kisses to his shoulders as they both recovered from what had been the most mind-blowing experience they had ever had without connecting. "My Zan�"
"My Liz." He whispered back, rolling over to relieve her of his weight. "I love you so much. You and our son."
"We love you, too." Liz murmured as she snuggled in close to him, smiling as she realized he had stopped calling her Elizabeth.
Part 14
Sam reached up and kissed her husband's lips. His pressed back lightly. She looked up into his eyes. "Guess this makes us even. I want you to keep your friends but not if it doesn't mean what it should. I'm not worth the fighting, Michael."
"You are worth more than the fighting, Sam." He told her earnestly. His hands rose to cup her face. "Do you have any clue how much I love you?"
Their mouths came together again, hungrier, urgently. Her arms wrapped around his upper body pulling him closer and holding him tight. As they devoured each other, their bodies heatedly rubbed against each other's. Michael's hands snaked between them and parted the folds of her dress, finding the opening he so urgently sought for. Her body stood quivering next to his as he reached around to hoist her up against him, pulling those long legs around his waist.
Two steps forward and he had her pinned against the wall, kissing her desperately, wanting her frantically. With one hand he tugged open the neck of her gown to caress her breasts. His mouth slid down her throat, allowing her moans to be heard. Her hands ran around him until they found the clasp on his pants.
"Michael." Sam breathed as she reached inside to caress his hardening member. She gasped when he took a step forward and shifted his hips against her. She could feel the wall behind her back and reached back to hold on. She barely had time to brace herself before he was inside her. Gripping his hips tight with her knees, she rode out his swift thrusts and deep penetrations.
"Sam." He gritted out, teeth bared against the tender flesh of her throat. Before he could stop it, their minds merged. The second he was completely immersed in her thoughts, his body released leaving him panting and her body quivering. Their minds swiftly separated and she planted reassuring kisses on his forehead. He couldn't help but feel he had ruined the night. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to... I'm sorry."
"It's okay." She kept on with her soft kisses. "It was too late and not long enough. It's okay. We're okay." Her hand left the wall and tangled in his hair. "Take me to bed, baby."
--
Zan stared at his wife from the bay window he had discovered in one of the walls. Apparently their chauffeurs had thought of everything for the return of the king. His robe hung loose from his body, he wasn't ready to lose the smell of the gorgeous creature that he had claimed finally. He watched on as she slept peacefully.
From his guess, it was early 'morning' when the door slid open to reveal his Deina. She was at his side the second he motioned her into the room. He waited until the door slid shut to grant her permission to speak. Her words came out quickly, urgently and softly. She waited patiently for his response. Zan regarded the stars that glittered in the heavens around them as he turned over the information in his mind. When he had made his decision, he gave his orders. Head bowed, she left the room for him to dress, her cheeks flaming at the amount of flesh her king had left exposed to her.
--
Michael smiled when his wife giggled. His fingers danced over her stomach again and she couldn't contain the laughter. He swooped in for a kiss at the same time his hand stole down between her legs. Her thighs clamped together as her back arched. "Michael... mmm..." She couldn't seem to escape his mouth. "Baby... we should really go get our baby. He's going to be cranky."
Sighing, Michael pulled away but she didn't release his hand. She was right though, they had spent the entire night reacquainting themselves and it was time to retrieve their son. He wiggled his eyebrows and his fingers at the same time. Groaning, she released his hand. The wet finger ran along her skin and up between her breasts. Her rich skin against his pale skin always looked right to him.
Sighing again, he got up when she playfully shoved at his chest. He headed to the bathroom to get cleaned up and go retrieve his son. Once done, he scooted out the door, ignoring the sexy way she was sprawled on the bed.
Sam had been about to get up and clean up herself when the door slid open. Immediately she raised the sheet against her chest. "Zan?"
"Get dressed. I need to speak with you. Hurry." The tall man turned and exited as swiftly as he had come. Furrowing her brow, she did as ordered. It was only as she was dressing that she realized that was exactly what it was. An order. In all the years, albeit it not many, she had known him, Zan had never ordered her to do anything.
--
Liz awoke to find her husband leaning over her, just staring. "What?"
"In my lifetimes I have seen many people naked. Most of them soldiers and not worth looking at but you..." He took a deep breath and let it out slowly as he looked her over. "You're magnificent. I can see how I chose you. You're beautiful... inside and out..."
"Zan..." She whined and reached up to touch him. She noted the way he leaned into her touch. It was different. Everything was different. "How are you doing today?"
"I feel like a new man. I think I am finally ready for this role. I can be king." He nodded emphatically. "I was never ready before but I am now."
"Are you coming back to bed?" She let her fingers slide up into his hair, brushing the white strands on his forehead.
"Tempting." He sighed and leaned forward to kiss her forehead. "I have a meeting. You need your rest. Our son will be perfect and strong..." He placed a hand on her abdomen, leaving a warm palm print just as his father did his mother's stomach, and his grandfather to his grandmother's and so on and back through the royal line of Antarian warrior kings. "Rest, my love. Grow strong. I'll have Deina bring you something to eat when you're ready."
--
Sam knew she had guessed right when she picked her outfit from an Antarian set rather than from her Earth clothes the second she stepped into the meeting room. The Captain sat at the head of the table, Zan at his right hand, and the doctor at his left. There were 12 men and women total from three different races seated around that table.
Swiftly she was ushered in the chair at the end of the table. Clearing her throat, she sat up straight. "What is all this about?"
"Some things have come to light since you've been aboard this ship." The Captain spoke clearly and evenly, his eyes never meeting Sam's but remained unreadable. "King Zan has been informed as have I that... you are not who you say you are."
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