The birth of little Taylor – named after my Pa - was a good reason for an exception. I understood the reasoning. The Volardi wanted Volardi Omegas – even if we didn’t start out as such. They didn’t want uteruses with greater loyalty to Earth. They needed babies desperately, but also families loyal to their new life.

The trial period was so that we would bond to our new home. After my recent adventures and tending our Oma back to health, I was Volardi inside and out. I hugged little Taylor to my side and held him to my chest as he nursed. The soft steps of our Oma grew.

He was tiny like me but no longer frail. An older man who reminded me of my Pa. He didn’t have sinewy muscles, or look like he could work a farm. Still, he didn’t look like he was at Death’s door anymore. His grey, damp hair clung to his head, and I smiled.

“Ocean?”

He grinned and pointed to two red slits along his neck. “Gills. Another present from the Ryba.”

He opened his mouth to say something but didn’t. Instead, he smiled and walked over to the window as the bright light ran over his topless chest. There were no words, but I understood. He used to tell me how he swam with his Alpha and Matros’ Second Father in the ocean. After the sickness, he lost the ocean and was confined to a force field prison. I understood the mentality behind Matros’ decision. If my Pa were still sick, I’d do anything I could to make sure he lived.

Well… I kinda did.

I looked down into Taylor’s dark hair. The purple stripe was just coming in. Volardi children grew fast and then tapered off to the equivalent of a one-year-old. Then they aged normally.

I got pregnant so I could save the family farm, but most importantly to make sure that my Pa would live. My fingertips ran over the back of my child. I did it for money and power. Got that, but a baby came with it. I made out all right.

Our Oma spun around slowly in the sun almost like a kid. Perhaps he was. This was a new life for him. Out of the room, no longer having to look at the ocean with sadness.

“So, what’s it like to breathe underwater?”

“Not that different from our implants. Although it’s nice to walk out and swim whenever I want.” He blinked slow. “I was lucky… even before. Matros’ fathers were kind to me.” He turned and smiled at us both. “I did my best to make sure he would be good to his Femeni or Omega.”

“He is,” I said quietly.