“But what? Leah, you know you can ask me anything. Don’t go shy on me now.” He stood, capturing her once more in his arms.
“Well…” Still she hesitated, her face coloring ever so slightly. “What about your, uh, duties? Can Sons even get married?”
He laughed, his fears calming. “A few of my brothers already have, so I don’t see why not. I’ll still have to make deposits to the fertility banks, but you’re my woman, Leah. I only want you from now on.”
“Oh, Michael.” Tears gathered in her eyes and he took it as a good sign, though she still hadn’t said yes.
“I never knew what love was until I met you. I’ve never said this before to anyone, but… I love you, Leah, with all my heart.” He drew one of her hands up between them, placing a kiss gallantly on the back of it. “Will you be mine? Marry me, work with me, let us raise our sons together? I need you more than I need my next breath, woman. Say yes and put me out of my misery.” His hopes grew with each sharp intake of her breath, each tear that rolled down her soft cheeks.
“Yes, Michael. Yes!” She sobbed as she threw both arms around his neck, kissing his face with eager lips.
Within moments the rest of his armor was thrown off and Leah’s clothes made a heap at the foot of the bed. They clung together, each refusing to let the other go far until Michael asserted his authority. He rolled them so she lay astride his hips and pushed gently at her shoulders until she sat up, sheathing him in her tight warmth.
“Ride me, woman.”
“My, you’re bossy.” She smiled down at him as she undulated over his hips.
Michael smiled. “You love it, though. And you…” Uncharacteristically, he paused as if unsure, his gaze narrowing. “You love me.” She gasped as he tugged at her hips with his hands. “Don’t you, Leah?”
“Yes, Michael.” Her voice was sure, her eyes speaking volumes. “I love you with all my heart.”
*
Hours later, Michael stroked Leah’s shoulder as they lay twined together in the big bed. They’d have to get dressed and see to the cleanup of the station in a few more minutes, but they’d do it side by side. As it would be now, forever. Michael still couldn’t quite believe it.
“When we get back, I’ll have to ask the elders if you can be inducted into the tribe.”
Leah’s voice startled him out of his thoughts and her words had him scrambling for meaning. His confusion must have been written on his face. She leaned up on one elbow to look at him.
“Blackfoot is more than my family name, you know. It’s also the name of my tribe. I’m descended from a long line of warriors, and now by marrying me, you’ll be joining their ranks.” She leaned back, snuggling into his chest. “If the elders think you’re worthy, of course, but I wouldn’t worry about that.” She chuckled and stroked his chest the way he liked.
“I can see I’m going to have to do some research. Just how does one join your tribe?”
“Well, there’s a ceremony and a big celebration. In the old days, the warriors—mostly men—would spend the day in games of skill while the women prepared a feast. Nowadays, with no men left in the tribe, the women warriors usually compete, but it’s much more low-key. The food is still plentiful though, and quite tasty. Then the medicine woman will say a few words and you’ll be inducted. Come to think of it, she could marry us, too, if you don’t mind a traditional ceremony. Our medicine woman is licensed to perform legal marriages, though it’s been quite a number of years since she’s been called upon to do so.” Leah kissed his collar bone. “I think it would bring a lot of joy to all of them to see the old ways live on a little with us and our children. It would bring hope too. A new start for the tribe. What do you think?”
“I’d be honored to marry you in the traditional way, Leah. Bringing hope is what we Sons do, more than anything else. This’ll just be a different way of doing it, but I’m all for discovering new things.” He sipped from her lips, sealing the thought with a tender kiss.
*
Weeks later, Michael and Leah met with her grandmother, the matriarch of her family, and one of the most powerful elders of the tribe. They’d taken precious leave time and traveled to Pacifica Tert, the planet on which Leah was born and where her family lived still. Michael had learned about the tribe in the intervening weeks, meeting with a few of the other elders who lived on stations and worlds roughly on their path to Pac Tert, as the natives called it. The tribe, it turned out, was spread over the galaxy, with thousands and thousands of members, though their numbers had been cut in half by the virus, just like every other human population.
Every elder looked at Michael with an appraising eye—something he was used to as a Son—but in an entirely non-sexual way. They evaluated his character, his strength, his will, and his suitability to join their tribe. They all held great respect for Leah, welcoming her as a long-lost daughter who’d become a hero in their eyes. He liked the way they interacted with her and cared for her comfort. Their hospitality was undeniable, as was their acceptance of him after their initial appraisal. Things had gone well, but the most important hurdle was yet to be jumped.
Leah’s grandmother. Retired General Adelaide Blackfoot herself.
Michael had never really connected Leah to the famous woman in his mind. General Blackfoot was a legend among the space-going soldiers of the line. Michael had studied her strategies from the early parts of the war between humanity and the jit’suku when he’d still been under Dr. Amber’s care.
Now that he put two and two together, he realized Leah Blackfoot came from a long line of military commanders. Her grandmother wasn’t the only famous Blackfoot general. Leah’s father and brothers had acquitted themselves more than honorably in the ongoing war before succumbing to the alien virus. Losing them had been a fierce blow to humanity’s forces, but the women picked up and soldiered on.
Leah herself had done so, even after the tragedy of losing her husband so young. His admiration for her only increased when he realized how much she’d lost and what her bloodlines must have instilled in her. More and more, he began to feel almost unworthy of her, but there was no way he could ever let her go.
The old woman was still spry, though well into her retirement. Her shrewd eyes made Michael feel like a young recruit as he was introduced to the living legend, Adelaide Blackfoot. He shook her hand respectfully, surprised by the strength of her gnarled grip. Leah hugged the old woman close, tears of genuine joy and affection in her lovely eyes.
“So you want to marry my girl, eh?” the general asked.
Michael nodded. “I do, ma’am.”
Shrewd eyes studied him. “I’ve heard all about you Sons. I even had a little input when Amber Waithe suggested the project. I bet you didn’t know you have Blackfoot DNA in you.” She chuckled.
“I know little of my genetic origins, ma’am, but I’m intrigued to learn whatever you can tell me.”
The old woman settled into her chair. “I’ll tell you what I know, young man. Pour the tea, Leah,” she directed her granddaughter to a tea service that had been laid out on the table. “I knew Amber Waithe when she was just an upstart geneticist with a brilliant idea. She wanted to combine the DNA of the best of humanity to come up with you Sons. Judging by the look of you and the stories of you and your brothers’ exploits, she did a damn fine job of it, too.”
“Thank you, ma’am. But how—?”
“How do I know where at least part of your DNA came from?” She cut him off with a knowing grin on her wrinkled face. “Because I’m the one who gave it to her.” She sipped her tea, leaving him hanging while her eyes twinkled. “I’m not a Blackfoot by birth, you understand. I married in. My people were of another tribe, now mostly lost. When Amber came looking for warrior DNA, I gave her a sample of my husband’s. I had his old hairbrush and it contained—according to Amber—enough hairs with root follicles intact to give her at least a little of his genetic code. I gave her my own DNA as well, since she wanted diverse samples to combine together. I don’t know how much of it ended up in the final mix that created you, but I like to think we did our part, and that something of my husband lives on in you and your brothers.”
Michael was stunned as he sat back in the chair. Leah looked about the same as the old woman continued talking.
“It all comes full circle now, of course. The Great Spirit has seen fit to bring you back to the tribe, to renew and rejuvenate our dwindling numbers and hopes. I like it. It has a sense of destiny about it and a feeling of rightness. What say you?”
She sipped her tea in the silence that followed.
“I honestly don’t know what to say, ma’am.”
Leah looked worried though. “But what if—?”
“I thought you might worry.” Adelaide leaned forward and tossed Leah a data pad she’d had hidden under a pillow at her side. “I commed Amber a few days ago and asked her if there could be any complications. This is what she sent back.”
Leah scanned the pad and her eyes widened, but she didn’t speak. A moment later, she handed the datapad to him. Michael read the words, amazed by what he was seeing. Dr. Amber had run an analysis of his DNA against a sample of Leah’s obtained from her service file. The bottom line conclusion was that they’d have healthy, happy offspring and weren’t a close enough genetic match to make any difference.
Amber had also included a private message at the bottom for Michael, wishing them well.
“Now that’s out of the way,” Adelaide went on, “I’m pleased to welcome you to the family, Michael…and to the tribe.”
Leah grasped his hand, squeezing tightly. “Thank you, grandmother.”
*
A week later, they were married in an elaborate ceremony and Michael was officially inducted into the tribe. A huge party followed at which he was astounded to find not only his superior officers, but Dr. Amber Waithe and the Leader of the Governing Council herself, Mathilde Gray. It was a high honor that such important women would come to witness their marriage.
They took a few minutes out of the party to present both bride and groom with Distinguished Service Medals for their work in busting up the piracy ring in Smithson’s sector. Leader Gray spoke glowing words about them both, much to the crowd’s delight. Most of the tribe came to the wedding from planets near and far, summoned by the elders to witness what they were touting as the rebirth of their people. It was a heavy load to bear, but Leah handled it well. Michael was used to the pressure of having most of humanity depend on him for one thing or another, but this was slightly different. This was somehow more intimate. He was no longer just another of the Sons, but Michael Amber, husband to Leah Blackfoot-Amber, the first male to marry into the tribe since the virus struck.
It was a new beginning in many different ways.
“To the newlyweds,” Leader Gray toasted them as they gathered for dinner in the formal dining hall that had been decorated by the tribal community in garlands and shimmering beadwork tapestries. “May they live long, healthy, fruitful lives, serving both the Blackfoot people and all of humanity.”
A chorus of answering wishes rose from the assembly as they raised their glasses over and over. Michael rose, taking the occasion to put into words the feelings he’d never been good at discussing. Now was the time to let the women in his life know what he felt. Plus, the alcohol he’d already consumed helped loosen his tongue.
“I’d like to thank Dr. Amber Waithe.” Michael spoke into the silence, raising his glass toward the scientist who’d designed him. “We call ourselves her Sons, but in every way that really matters, she truly is our mother. Thank you for being here to witness my marriage. Your presence means more than you can know.” The woman teared up, smiling lovingly at Michael as he paused to recognize her.
“Thanks also to Leader Gray and those members of the Governing Council and the chain of command who came all this way to join our celebration. Leah and I have lived much of our lives in the service. The military is our family as well, and we’re proud to have you here and have your blessing as we join our lives together.” Murmurs of agreement sounded as the many uniformed officers and politicians in stylish suits bowed their heads or nodded and smiled in approval of his heartfelt words. But Michael wasn’t finished.
“And thanks to my new wife, my heart, Leah.” He turned to her, seated beside him, looking up with love in her eyes. She’d declared her love for him, but he hadn’t reciprocated. Not in so many words. “I didn’t know love until I met you, Leah. You’ve taught me so much I never imagined about being human. I value you as my best friend, the other half of my soul and the best damn Executive Officer I’ve ever had. I fully expect you to run the rest of my life as efficiently as you’ve run my command these past years.” The crowd chuckled as he’d intended. He reached down and raised Leah by one hand until she stood at his side, gazing up at him. “I love you, Leah, with all my heart and forevermore.”
He tugged on her hand until she was in his arms, his lips on hers as the crowd sighed. He kissed her with all the love in his heart, glad to finally be able to articulate at least some of the amazing feelings coursing through him. He tasted the salt of Leah’s tears and broke off, folding one of her hands against his heart as he gazed into her weepy eyes.
“I’m glad you said that, Michael, because I love you, too.” She breathed deep to try to control her tears, but the smile on her face was full of joy. “And I have something to tell everyone, too.” A little devil of mischief entered her twinkling eyes. She squeezed his hand, holding his gaze as she spoke outward in a strong voice, to the assembly. “I’m pregnant.”
Cheers erupted along with a flurry of congratulations. Everyone drank to the toast, but Leah’s crystal flute of champagne was quickly replaced with a glass of water as she laughed at the fuss everyone made. Michael couldn’t let go of her hand. He’d made many women pregnant, but never his chosen lifemate, the miraculous woman who’d brought him into her family, her tribe, her life. He’d never belonged before—not the way he belonged now.
Michael felt as if he’d finally found his place in the human race. He’d found a family to belong to, and suddenly the future generations seemed much closer than they had before. Michael looked forward to raising this child, and any others they might have together.