Avelyn and the Alien Daddy (Intergalactic Brides 3)

Avelyn and the Alien Daddy (Intergalactic Brides 3)
Jessica Coulter Smith
All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2015 Jessica Coulter Smith

Avelyn Murray clutched at her purse strap as she made her way through the Terran station of the Las Vegas strip. She was ready for a new chapter in her life, even if she wasn't sure what it would be. She was torn between looking for a job at the station and signing up for the bride program. It wasn't the first time it had crossed her mind, but it was the first time she'd found the courage to actually enter the station to put her plan in motion.

As she approached the reception desk, she argued with herself over which to ask for -- the employment station or the bride application counter. She'd only been divorced for six months, so Avelyn wasn't entirely certain she was ready for another relationship, even though she'd heard the Terrans made wonderful husbands. They were everything her ex was not, but the thought of signing her life over to another male made her a little nervous. Although, if the right male came along...

Avelyn waited in line to speak with the receptionist. She looked around, taking everything in. Aliens of all races rushed around, and reminded her that if she signed up for the bride program, it wouldn't just be Terrans who would be interested.

In the last month, they had opened the program up to other races. Males of all types wandered through the station, some openly admiring her, and others bustling by without even realizing she was there. Maybe the bride program wasn't for her after all. Besides, she'd heard that having children was a requirement, and she wouldn't pass that test.

When it was her turn to speak with the receptionist, she smiled and waited for the woman to acknowledge her. It took a few minutes before the phone stopped ringing and the woman looked up.

"May I help you?" the receptionist asked.

"I wondered if the Terran station might be hiring humans? I'm looking for a job."

"I'm not privy to any openings for human females, but you can certainly ask the employment desk. It's through that archway," she said, pointing slightly behind her and to the right. "When you reach the next open area like this one, you'll see an employment sign on the far right wall. They'll be able to tell you if there are any openings and what you'll need to do in order to apply."

"Thank you."

Avelyn smiled at her once more and then hurried toward the archway. The hallway was brightly lit and very long. As she entered the next large room, the sound hit her and nearly knocked her off her feet. Somewhere in the midst of loud voices, a baby wailed. When it seemed that no one was going to quiet the poor child, Avelyn went in search of her, or him. What if it was a small child and not a baby? What if they were lost or hurt?

She pushed her way through the crowd and came to a stop in front of a large Terran warrior holding a squalling red baby. She'd never seen a baby quite like this one, with ruby red skin, sharp fangs, and coal black hair. But regardless of how the child looked, she was obviously in distress. The man holding her looked completely inept and her heart went out to him. He fumbled with the child, making shushing noises and bouncing her in his arms.

Avelyn bit her lip and wondered if he would welcome her help, or feel insulted that she thought he couldn't handle the baby. She finally took a step closer and held her hands out.

"Mind if I try?" she asked.

He looked momentarily startled, hesitated a few seconds, and then handed her the baby.

"Her name is Lily," he said.

Avelyn held the baby closer and cooed at her. "Aren't you a pretty girl? What has Miss Lily so upset?"

The baby's cries stuttered and then stopped as she sucked in huge snotty breaths and looked up at Avelyn. She babbled at Avelyn and reached out to place her small, chubby hand against Avelyn's cheek.

"Well, aren't you a sweetheart?" Avelyn smiled at the girl with the pink bow in her hair.

"She likes you," the male said. "I sometimes think she doesn't like me very much. But then, Lily doesn't seem to like most people. The daycare where I work refuses to keep her because she screams the entire time she's there."

"What about hiring a nanny?" Avelyn asked and winced as the baby tugged on a strand of her hair. "You could hire someone to live with you and take care of Lily in your home."

"Who would accept such an offer from a Terran male? They would expect to become my bride, would they not? And how can I even think of getting into a relationship with someone when Lily clearly needs more from me than I'm able to give already?"

Avelyn looked at the sweet baby girl in her arms and then up at the Terran male. "I would."

"You would be willing to move to live with Lily and me?"

"Move?" She smiled. "You mean into your home?"

"No. I live near the station in Kentucky outside of Lexington. I merely came here in search of Lily's mother."

"Did you find her?"

The male nodded. "She signed away her rights to Lily. I've already adopted her, so I never have to worry about someone trying to take her away from me. Her father abandoned her before she was born and her mother left her at the station where I work with a note clipped to her diaper bag."

Avelyn brushed her cheek against the baby's soft curls. "I can't imagine anyone giving up their baby."

Tears misted her eyes as she thought about the child she'd lost. If things had gone a little differently, she'd be holding her own baby in her arms at this very moment. Of course, she'd also still be married to her abusive asshole of an ex-husband, and that would be truly horrifying. She couldn't imagine letting that monster anywhere near a child, but if she'd kept the baby, she had planned to stay with him. Now she realized just how foolish that was. The moment she'd found out she was pregnant, she should have packed a bag and taken off.

"It makes you sad to move elsewhere?" the alien asked, mistaking her tears.

"No. Moving away is actually a really good idea. I wanted a fresh start, and I can't think of a better way to do it. I don't have much to pack. When would we leave? Do you need me to fill out an application or complete a background check or something?"

He frowned. "I hadn't really thought about it. I've never hired a nanny before. I've only been Lily's father for a few short months. Let's go to the employment desk and see what they recommend. I want to make sure I do this the correct way so no one questions why you're staying with me."

"I'll follow you. Do you mind if I carry Lily?"

A smile spread across his face, making Avelyn go weak in the knees. Good lord, but the man was fine! He'd been handsome before, but now he was downright sexy. How he wasn't already mated to someone, she couldn't imagine. He seemed to truly care for his wee daughter, and from what she'd seen so far, he was a genuinely nice male. What woman wouldn't want him?

"You may carry Lily."

He led the way across the room to the employment station.

At the desk, a Terran male looked up to greet them.

"How may I help you, Thrace?" the alien asked.

Thrace. So that was his name.