Page 98 of Trove’s Purpose

“Yeah,” a smile pulled at her cheeks as she looked out over the dark ocean. “If he hadn’t done what he did, I never would have been able to appreciate just how much they truly love me. I know how much my parents love me, how much they would do for me, even how much they love each other, because we had to be strong to get through his greed.”

Trove cocked his head, staring at her in amazement. “You really love your parents, don’t you?”

“I do,” she smiled, leaning her head against his arm. “They’re the most important people in my life. I would do anything for them, because I know they would do anything for me. And when I have kids… When we have kids, I’m going to love them the same way.”

Trove stilled, his gaze turning from her. He looked out over the sea, eyes unfocused like he was not really seeing the water.

“I don’t know the familial love you speak of.”

“That’s okay. I can teach you.”

He chuckled once without humor. “Just that easily?”

“It was taught to me,” she shrugged. “Who’s to say I can’t teach it to you?” She lifted her head again and looked at him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t ask you. Do you want kids?”

“Younglings?” He asked. Then frowned. “I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?” She laughed.

“It’s not something I’ve ever thought about.”

“Well, you have a chance now. Is that something you want?”

He frowned, his face crumpling. Like he was considering it and wasn’t really thrilled.

Chee tilted her head. “If you don’t want any, that’s okay. You can tell me.”

“It’s not that,” he assured her quickly, like he didn’t want her to think he was telling her no after she had already told him that she wanted them. “I just don’t really understand what you’re asking me.”

“Do you want to have children with me?”

“Isn’t that for you to decide?”

“No, it’s for us to decide together.”

“But it doesn’t matter to me.”

“Oh.” She tried to hide it, but Chee couldn’t completely conceal how her face fell.

“I’m not saying I don’t want younglings,” he said quickly. “I just don’t… I want your happiness, Chee. I will learn how to love any offspring you give me. But if you ask me if I want them… It’s just not that kind of feeling.”

He floundered, eyes searching around. He was aware that he wasn’t explaining himself correctly. But she understood. He didn’t not want younglings. He would adore any that Chee gave to him. But if she never wanted younglings, he wouldn’t be disappointed. It was irrelevant to him, because he didn’t care about creatures that didn’t exist. The only thing he cared about was Chee, doing his job, and making Chee happy.

It was kind of sweet, in a weird way.

“We have time,” she finally said, putting him out of his misery while giving him an understanding smile. “You’ve lived a strange life. Younglings probably never entered into your head as even being a possibility. So, you don’t know what to think about them, positive or negative.”

Trove let out a breath of relief, giving her a grateful look. “Yes. That’s it exactly.”

She beamed back at him. “Don’t worry. I had them pause my ovulation. You can’t get me pregnant right now, even if we tried.”

“Even though you want younglings?”

“Just because I want them doesn’t mean I want them right now,” she laughed. “We can wait until you’re more ready. I’m okay with that.”

She understood him so well now, even when he wasn’t able to verbalize himself properly. Because she had taken the time to understand him. Because she had listened. And she understood what he was having trouble saying.

She wanted younglings; therefore, he wanted younglings. But if he was on his own, he wouldn’t necessarily want them for himself.