Avelyn and the Alien Daddy (Intergalactic Brides 3) by Jessica Coulter Smith Page B

clutched in his. He would never tell her, but his heart was pounding in his chest and his stomach didn’t feel so hot. Yes, he would defy the council, break from them and find his own way if they said he couldn’t be with Avelyn, but it would be so much better if they would say yes. He didn’t want to give up everything he knew, but he would gladly do it for her. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for Avelyn.
    “Thrace, it’s good to see you,” Larimar said. “As you can see, the council has convened over the matter of your mating. Everyone is present except for Borgoz.”
    A feeling of unease slid through him. Why would the Chief Councillor not be there unless they knew Thrace had blackmailed him?
    “Borgoz is dealing with some family issues today, but he’s given his opinion and we took that into consideration as we deliberated over the matter. As you know, the bride program was set up so we could further our existence once our females stopped being born. It was only going to be a matter of time before we died out, and it’s been proven that Terrans breed true when it comes to human women. Granted, there are a few males who have found matches in other female races and those children, while half-Terran, look nothing like us.”
    Thrace wasn’t sure where this was going and his nerves hadn’t eased. He tightened his grip on Avelyn’s hand.
    “We will approve your mating with one stipulation. During our studies of humans, it has come to our attention that sometimes, when a female is unable to have children, they bring in what is called a surrogate mother. Would you be willing to provide a sperm donation for a surrogate mother? Everything would be handled clinically, and once the child was born, you would have the option of raising it yourself.”
    He was so stunned he wasn’t sure he could draw breath. Looking down at Avelyn, he tried to judge her reaction to the situation. She didn’t look quite as surprised as him, which meant she was at least familiar with the practice, but how would she feel raising another woman’s child knowing he was the father? At least if they adopted, the child had unknown parents on both sides.
    “He wouldn’t have to have sex with her?” Avelyn asked. “Just give a donation like at a sperm bank? And the woman would have no rights to the child?”
    “She would be paid for her services, but she would be required to sign a paper stating she gave up all rights to the baby,” Larimar said. “We’ve thought about this a great deal and it’s the only way we’ll approve your mating. I know it’s a lot to ask of you, Avelyn. The baby would be Thrace’s by blood and not yours, and I know that has to be painful, but furthering our existence is very important. If he can’t have children with you, then he needs to contribute in some other way. Do you understand?”
    “I do,” Avelyn said, giving Thrace’s hand a squeeze.
    “If this is going to hurt Avelyn, I won’t do it,” Thrace said. “I could never cause her pain.”
    Avelyn tugged on his hand. “Perhaps they’ll let us interview the women and select one together? Maybe there’s a young woman out there trying to save for college who isn’t ready for kids, but would be willing to do this for us so we could have a baby that was yours in every way. As long as she won’t get emotionally involved, I don’t have a problem with it.”
    “But, Avelyn… “
    She placed a finger over his lips. “Just agree with the council, Thrace. It’s the only way for us to be together without turning your life upside down. It’s a good deal. And you can’t deny you want a child of your own.”
    “I want a child that is part you and part me,” he clarified. “I don’t want a child with some stranger.”
    “As you know,” Larimar said, “the Helios from Helon-9 have been working with DNA. If you’d like, we can wait on the donation. Perhaps, in a few years, there will be a way to add Avelyn’s DNA to the mix and the