The Space Empress He Craved

Chapter 79

POV: Lyra

The service android showed Orion and me to the table that Orion had specifically reserved earlier. It was a secluded corner booth with privacy shields. After placing our order through the holo-menu, the android activated the translucent barriers and left us alone.

I reached for Orion's hands across the chrome table as I asked in concern, "Are you okay?"

He smiled, pathways warming, and kissed my hand more normally this time, neural sparks gentle. "I am now."

I returned his smile. "So uh... your question on offspring. I've always thought about having my own before the string of rejections. After the latest psychic bond severance, I actually made peace with the fact that I may never have offspring of my own. The plan was to adopt a youngling when I was ready, like when there were fewer Rogue attacks so that I'd have more time on my hands. But last cycle was clearly not the best time to take on that type of responsibility so I haven't committed myself to motherhood just yet."

Orion's pathways dimmed sadly. "Aren't you at least reconsidering having your own offspring now?" That question was more than what it seemed. He was asking whether I'd considered having offspring with him.

I immediately explained, "I was getting there, Orion. Adoption was the plan until I saw that you're... different. I admit that I haven't given thought to the details on the subject just yet. But I can't deny that... it's a possibility now."

Orion took hold of my hands, his pathways blazing with warmth. "How many have you always wanted?"

I was surprised by the enthusiasm in his voice, my skin shifting to uncertain grey. "Uh... w-well, I don't really know. But definitely not too many. I can't handle that many younglings, to be honest. I still want to be able to keep doing the things I do now so... I guess two? One is a little lonely. I was lucky to have Juan as a sibling-like figure to grow up with."

Orion smiled wider, pathways pulsing with joy. "I'm with you there. Life would've been boring without Christian. I mean, I had Greg too. But I always wanted to eject him out an airlock, not that I could ever."

I chuckled lightly, the sound making his inner Lyrokan pulse with happiness through our bond.

He kissed my hands, neural energy flowing between us. "You're going to be a great mother, Lyra."

I was stunned by how fast Orion was ready for something like this. We just met a week ago. I wasn't even ready to accept a bonding ceremony proposal from him if he made one, at least not yet. Now, he was already excited about me becoming a mother?

I responded, "I—I don't know about that, Orion. I hope to be one, that's for sure."

"Star-heart," Orion looked at me in disbelief, his smile still glued effortlessly on his face, pathways bright with certainty. "Have you seen yourself around younglings? You're a natural!"

I furrowed my brows. "Orion, speaking sweetly to them and having to do the midnight feeding, hygiene maintenance, cleaning, and a whole list of other things are very different. Motherhood is a whole occupation on its own."

He squeezed my hands slightly, pulses of reassurance flowing through our bond. "But you won't be doing it alone, Lyra. You'd have me."

I smiled, skin warming to contented pink. "I know." I stroked his hand once. "Thank you."

Orion pressed another kiss to my hand. "Anything for you, Lyra."

There was a short pause before I asked, "So, what about you? Have you ever thought about offspring? Before we met, I mean."

He played with my fingers, tiny sparks dancing between them. "Before we met, I was always conflicted on that particular subject. I didn't know whether I wanted the responsibility of raising another being. I mean, I would've been proud to bring up a little Christian but if I brought up a little Greg, I don't think I'd be doing the galaxy any good."

I chuckled lightly at his reasoning before asking, "What about bringing up a little you? You turned out alright."

Orion kissed my fingers as he locked eyes with me through our bond. "Only if it's with you, Lyra. Though I must admit..." He leaned closer, pathways pulsing mischievously. "I prefer a female offspring who'll grow up to be as beautiful as her mother."

I was already flustered, skin shifting to embarrassed pink, but I tried to keep my voice steady. "The gender shouldn't matter, Orion, as long as it's healthy. Having a male offspring who'll look as handsome as you would be a blessing too, don't you think?"

Completely disregarding the compliment, Orion said, "That depends. If he's going to get your embraces and oral contacts without effort, then I might have a problem with him." His inner Lyrokan was nodding in agreement through our bond.

I narrowed my eyes sarcastically. "So, what would you do if you have a male offspring? Send him to a youngling care facility?"

Orion pondered, pathways flickering thoughtfully. "Hm... It'll be cheaper if we got Christian and Annie to help raise him."

"You better be joking, Orion." I said sternly, skin flashing warning red.

Orion chuckled and stroked my hands lovingly, soothing neural pulses flowing between us. "Of course I'm joking, sweetheart. Male or female, as long as it's from you, it'll be a blessing." My tension eased only for a second before Orion added, "Still, a female would be better."

A service android came with our nutrients. After the barriers were reactivated, Orion asked casually, "Have you thought about offspring designations?"