The chair that the medical staff had put next to Alyla’s gestation tube had small rockers, so she moved herself to the time of the story.She read until her voice was hoarse and her lids were drooping.Medic Carhill came to her and shook her shoulder. “Minerva, you need to get some rest. I will watch over her. I promise.”Minny looked at the familiar face with tired eyes. “How much longer?”“Five months. You are halfway there.” The medic smiled. “Do you need help?”“No. No. I am fine.” She set the tablet down and got to her feet. She swayed and kissed her fingers before pressing them against the tank where her daughter floated at twice the size she had been when Minerva had given birth to her. Her father’s species—whatever it was—aged slower and had a much longer gestation period. Alyla wasn’t the size of a human baby yet, but she was nearly there. Soon, she would be heading toward the growth spurt that would take her up to the projected fourteen pounds, and from there, it would be a matter of weeks before Minerva could hold her in her arms.There was nothing like the hollow feeling of not having her baby with her when she returned home every night.With a heavy heart, Minny headed for her quarters, but her soul was still with her child, floating quietly in the liquid that was letting her grow and be healthy.
