Zen (22 page)

Two days later Shawna stood with Zen in the small chapel on the GCFA ship. That’s where the funeral was held. Her father didn’t want to hold a funeral and had refused to come there for it. She held one anyway for her and Rage. Their friends came to lend their support. It was a bittersweet moment. She was finally with her brother as a family, but then their mother was dead.

As many problems she had with her mother, there were snippets of moments she remembered from her childhood that were filled with joy. Moments spent with her mother. She wished Rage could have had that. She was determined to be a part of Rage’s life so he would always know what it means to have family. Looking around at the fighters and friends who came for him, he knew some of it already.

“How are you holding up?” Zen asked as he took her in his arms for another hug. He knew it saddened her that her father refused to come for the service. Just like he refused to have anything to do with Shawna if she remained with Zen.

“I’m okay. I can’t believe all these people came.” Shawna looked around at the small chapel. There were people for the GCFA like Nigel, all the fighters had shown up, some of the GCFA security, Jimmie, and her boss from the Galactic Times had come. Talon came without Lindy but expressed Lindy’s apologies but the baby was being fussy. None of them were her mother’s friends, which had been notified. All these years her mother had put all her stock in pleasing those snobby rich people, but none of them were there for her or her children in the end.

Nigel came up to give Shawna a small hug. He smirked at Zen trying to hold back his growl. “Easy, Zen. I know she’s yours.”

“Nigel, I want to thank the GCFA for setting up the banquet room for all the visitation guests,” Shawna choked back a sob. It seemed that everyone was generous and kind.

“We were so sorry to hear about what happened and wanted to make sure you and your brother had the service you needed.” Nigel nodded at Zen as he left to head to the banquet room along with everyone else.

Soon it was just her, Zen, Rage, and Rachel standing there at the casket. Zen knew she wanted a moment alone with Rage and her mother so they could say goodbye. “Rachel, let me escort you to the banquet room.” Zen held out his arm as Rachel took it. They left the little chapel.

Rage took Shawna in his big arms and hugged her. Shawna started crying again. “I just can’t believe she’s gone.”

“I never wanted this for her. I just wanted…” Rage choked by his own tears.

“You just wanted her to love you,” Shawna finished for him. She felt him nod against the top of her head. “She did, in her own strange way. She loved us both. Sometimes it takes people their whole lives before they finally realize what was truly important. I think it’s true of our mother. She finally at the end realized just how much she loved us both.

“I am grateful to have you in my life,” Rage told her, kissing her on her forehead.

“I am of you too.”

“Are you going back to your job with the Galactic Times?” Rage asked.

“I’m staying here with Zen. I can write from anywhere. I might speak with Nigel to see if their press people have an opening,” she told him. They started heading toward the banquet.

“I’m glad you’re staying. We can finally start being the family we were always meant to be. I’m also glad you have Zen. He’s good for you. Just don’t tell him I said that.”

Shawna laughed, “Oh no, wouldn’t want to let that out.”

Later that night Zen made love to her gentle and sweet. It brought tears to her eyes. He needed to finally claim her as his mate so turning her onto her hands and knees, he pressed her chest down on the mattress, and positioned himself behind her.

“Zen?” Shawna looked back at him with dazed eyes.

“I want and need to claim you, the way my kind claim their mates.”

“Yes, I want that too.”

He entered her from behind and began moving in and out. He waited until she was on the verge of another orgasm, then he leaned over her and bit down on her shoulder, holding her down as he released his seed within her.

Afterwards he took her into his arms and simply held her close.

“I love you, Shawna.”

“I love you, too, Zen Master.”

Three weeks after Shannon Baker’s funeral, two more special events were being celebrated in the GCFA banquet room. The naming ceremony of Talon and Lindy’s baby, and a first ever Valentine’s Day Celebration. Most halfsies didn’t celebrate the human holidays, but since there were more and more humans on board the GCFA ship it was decided they would try to incorporate their celebrations. What better holiday to start with than Valentine's Day.

“Thank you everyone for coming. Lindy and I are honored to be able to share this special day with all of you. The naming ceremony is an old Arian tradition. We formally announce our daughter’s name, and then we name two guardians who will make sure she is protected and cared for in case something happens to us.”

Lindy stood beside Talon, holding their one month old daughter. She removed the little baby hood so her daughter’s head and face was revealed. She handed her to Talon who carefully presented her to the room.

“Your mother and I name you Hope. For you are our hope for a bright future and hope for a loving family.” He signaled Rage to step forward. “I name you, Rage, as guardian. Do you promise to be there for Hope as a friend and a protector should she need it?”

Rage spoke, “I so promise.” He then bent down and placed a soft kiss on Hope’s forehead.

Then Talon motioned for Zara to step forward. “I name you, Zara, guardian of Hope. Do you promise to be there for Hope as a friend and a protector should she need it?”

Zara had a tear in her eye. “I so promise.” She bent forward and placed a kiss on Hope’s forehead.

There were sniffles throughout the room as the joyous occasion was applauded. Everyone present went to welcome Hope to the GCFA family. The baby had everyone wrapped around her little finger already.

The music began playing signaling the start of the Valentine’s celebration. People milled around the buffet or went to the dance floor. That’s where Zen and Shawna were.

“Do you want one?” Zen asked Shawna as he twirled her around the dance floor.

Shawna smiled. “One day. Right now, I just want to enjoy our time together. But when we are both ready, I would love to have a baby with you.”

“First you will be married,” Rage said as he danced past them with Rachel in his arms.

Zen rolled his eyes at Rage. “Is this going to be a shotgun wedding?”

“Probably,” Shawna laughed.

Torch walked around the room. He had been watching her most of the time, but hadn’t approached. This was truly impossible. They were complete opposites, in so many ways. But he had been fighting this attraction since he came to the GCFA. He finally decided to approach.

“Do you want to dance?” He asked the tiny blond with the amazing eyes and tattoos.

Isis turned to look at the annoying male, Torch. She should say no. He wasn’t her type at all. But she found herself nodding and letting him lead her out onto the dance floor. She put her hands in his and felt a sizzle of electric current go through her. She narrowed her eyes at him. “Did you just send heat through my hand?”

He blushed. “Not purposely. I felt a sizzle myself.” He moved them to the slow dance, trying to get her small frame as close to his as possible. He looked down and found himself trapped in her hypnotic eyes.
Wow, she really was gorgeous. Not like Alana
. More in a fragile and exotic way.

“Will you let me be your Valentine?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.

She snorted. “You have to have a heart to celebrate Valentine's.”

“Ouch…that hurt. That’s okay, I’m not after love anyway. Love is for fools. How about we ditch this party and go back to my place and see if I can make you less frigid?” he offered.

She didn’t say a word. She simply reached up and smacked his face before storming away.

Torch watched her go with a goofy look on his face. For an Ice Queen, she was fucking hot!

Katieran Series

Katieran Prime

Prime Commander

Prime Medic

Kiljorn Prime

Prime Deliverance

Prime Salvation

Colonial Prime

Katieran Prime Celebration – Coming Soon

Galactic Cage Fighters

Rage

Talon

Taurus

Zara

Hammer

Zen

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