"Lucian, I found it!" I say excitedly as I adjust the magnification on the device in front of me.

"Where? What?" I feel him place his arms around me and I slip out from his embrace to let him get a proper view.

"This is the moon," He says as he looks through the telescope, the excitement in his voice now gone.

"Yes, isn't that amazing?" I stare at the large white device perched by the window, my gaze filled with awe.

He turns to me and shrugs nonchalantly. "It's nothing new. I've literally walked on this moon and most of the others."

I scowl at him and he laughs. He grabs my waist and pulls us back to the bed, the sheets already strewn all over the place because of the mess we'd made previously.

"I'd much rather look at you than a piece of rock," He smiles at me flirtatiously and I smack him on the shoulder.

"You are so cheesy!" I complain but my stomach is already all fluttery from the look of adoration on his face.

He leans in and kisses me, going slow at first and then more urgent. I grab his hair, pulling him closer, wanting to feel every inch of him against me. His lips are so soft, his body warm due to the weather here on Earth. It is a different feeling altogether, to have him here with me on the planet I fought to save with my life.

Our kisses start to get frantic, our hands roving, my core is throbbing for him but then he pulls away.

"We should probably stop," Lucian murmurs, his eyes clouded and the frustration in his face evident.

I sigh and lean against the head board of the large king sized bed. I want to argue but I know he is right.

Lucian siddles up to me and wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me to his chest.

"Earth suits you. You are absolutely glowing," He says before kissing the side of my head.

I turn around to face him and touch my face instinctively. "I am? You know what they say about women who glow?"

I remember what Cassandra used to say about pregnancy and a small buzz of panic rises in the pit of my stomach only to be extinguished by the medical officers words from the space station.

"Yes, the thought alone excites me," Lucian teases as he touches the side of my face and tucks a lock of dark hair behind my ears.

My cheeks redden considerably at the thought of a child in my belly.

His child.

"I'm not pregnant, Lucian. The medical officer said the internal damage I sustained would make pregnancy a huge risk for now," I murmur as I stare down at my belly and bruised ribs. Who would have thought that all those months of fighting would affect me that way.

I remember hearing those words from the medical officer the first time at the space station before I was cleared to go to Earth. Luna had been with me and she had gasped like it was the end of the world.

I was silent through it all. The only thing I thought about was Cassandra and a small part of me didn't want to admit how relieved I was.

To say I'm far from ready would be an understatement.

"It's not permanent. Once you heal, everything will be fine." I can tell Lucian is coaxing me. Trying to make me feel better about my injuries.

"Lucian, I'm okay," I affirm and then I rest my head on his bare chest. My fingers draw circles around his stomach. Every part of him is pure, hard muscle it feels like I am drawing on rock.

My ear rests on his heart and I can feel it beating in steady rhythm. It makes me think of the icicle that Lazarus had plunged through him, nearly killing him.

I hug Lucian instinctively, not wanting to let go. He has been so busy ever since he recovered. He came down with us to Earth and has been meeting with Earth's leaders -the ones who are aware of the Plutonians- almost everyday.

He has given them all the necessary information and technological guides to solve most of the issues created by the Plutonians. The remaining underground military bases have all been destroyed and Cat has arranged to meet us here in Europe.

I've never been to this side of the world before. But the small town we have been placed in, and the mansion in the hills provided to Lucian has been beautiful. I've loved every moment of being here - exploring the small secluded town with Joon during the days and nights with Lucian when he comes back.

Lucian has been very careful with me ever since he found out about my injuries but now I wonder if this has affected him as well.

Does he want a family with me now that the fighting is all over? We've never discussed this before. There are actually many things we haven't discussed, like what happens to us now.

I've tried bringing it up but he always either changes the topic or shuts down the conversation, leaving me to my doubts. I don't press him either since I myself don't know how to finish that conversation.

I'm finally back on Earth and Lucian will be leaving soon to lead his fleets elsewhere. That is his duty as Sole General, one that he cannot escape. I, on the other hand am free to make my choice only I don't know which one.

Stay here and experience what it is like?

Or leave with him?

The days have been so short, we've been through so much and neither of us want to get to the serious stuff anytime soon. I just want to live in our little cocoon of happiness for as long as I can.

My fingers glide along his chest, making him hold on to me tighter.

"Lucian, do you want children?" I ask, my voice barely a whisper. I try not to think of Cassandra but there she is in my thoughts. A happy face, announcing her pregnancy to me with large green eyes and a huge smile.

"I think I would want to be a father someday. With the right person," His hands glide through my hair and then they trail down my back. "When that person is ready."

"Are you ready?"

Lucian shifts slightly and then he cups my face, making me look at him.

"Not right now, no. I still have to find a new home for my citizens, which should be fast because we already have a few options. And then I need to settle all the trade issues in the empire. There's also the planets who want to leave the Plutonian control, although I'm surprised at how few there are. Most of them still want to trade and deal with us."

"That's because they have faith in you as Sole General," I peck him on the lips and smile at him, feeling proud. We've both come such a long way, together and apart. Him achieving his dreams of ruling the empire, me freeing Earth from a Plutonian invasion.

"No pressure," Lucian jokes. His fingers play with the straps of my dress and then he touches my stomach. "But who knows, in the future we might have a little Remulus running around the house?"

I grimace at the thought. "No, please! Imagine all the broken hearts he'd be causing. Definitely, no thanks."

Lucian laughs. "Of course. He must take after his father."

I roll my eyes at his statement. "You are far from a player. You have no game."

"What?" He places a hand on his chest, feigning hurt.

I nod and he doesn't argue because we both know it's the truth. Lucian is too much of a workaholic, his main focus has always been his responsibilities as a Plutonian leader.

Him falling in love with me was pure circumstance and I immediately think of General Lyra.

It's a sour topic that Lucian is not fond of. He had her arrested but I know he is keeping her in solidarity, somewhere safe. The generals reasons were malicious but everything worked in our favour instead of hers. It is one of the reasons why she wasn't prosecuted for treason.

"Shall we get something to eat? I found this really nice cafe." I say, rubbing my grumbling tummy.

Lucian is staring outside at the night sky, his gaze faraway. He turns to me and smiles. "Lead the way."

I get up and adjust my clothes while he follows suit. We leave the house and walk to the car idling by the drive way.

"SG Lucian, officer Aria, where to?" Remulus asks from the front seat. He wears a baseball cap, a lose fitting t shirt and some jeans making him look almost human. I'm surprised he knows how to drive a car.

"Ask the boss," Lucian gestures to me as we settle in and I give Remulus directions.

He pulls out and drives down the lone road by the mountain side. The view is so beautiful, with the sun setting just over the horizon. I feel Lucian's fingers intertwine with mine and I squeeze back.

He discusses with Remulus about their departure but makes no mention of us.

"When is everyone leaving?" I ask and Remulus hesitates slightly.

"We're here," He stops by a small old looking cafe that has a blue and white striped awning with yellow light bulbs hanging over the side.

Lucian pulls my hand and we notice a small night market that has been set up by the walk way. Humans bustle through, selling and buying food and trinkets.

Lucian wears his cap and glasses before stepping out. "Shall we take a look?"

I stare at the crowded street and nod excitedly. We walk side by side, taking our time as we look at what each stall is selling.

"You haven't told me when everyone is leaving," I repeat but our conversation is drowned out by the shouts of people bargaining.

The place is so crowded, it puts my guard up once again and for some reason my hand goes to my side where my gun usually is.

I feel someone trying to touch me and instinctively grab the hand behind me. I twist the small wrist, nearly breaking it and quickly stop when I hear a child's screams.

A small sized boy glares up at me. He has tears rolling down his face and I release him because people have started to stare.

Must be another pick pocket. The streets here are crawling with them.

"Aria, we're not on a battlefield. You don't have to be so violent," Lucian teases and then he drags me away from the crowd.

He leads us to a stall where a man is drawing portraits of customers.

"Draw her," He orders the man in English, who scowls at his commanding tone.

"And we are not on Pluto anymore. You don't have to be so bossy," I chide as I quickly hand the artist some money and apologise.

Lucian bristles in response and watches as the man takes his time to draw me. Once he is done, we take the rolled up sketch and leave.

"I don't like it," I complain. My face looks so distorted and my chin sharp like a knife.

Lucian just pockets it silently while we head to the cafe.

I see Cat seated inside with Joon at a corner table. We make our way through and she hugs me tightly.

She looks tired, there are dark circles under her eyes but her smile is content. The relief on her face evident.

"Hello lovebirds. Oh, my apologies. Am I allowed to tease you, your highness?" She eyes Lucian cheekily and he just smiles in response.

"Tease all you want but maybe tone down on the titles."

We order our food and Cat briefs me on all the challenges the humans faced during their missions. Some governments were cooperative, some sent out agents to kill them but when we won the war everyone had no choice but to cooperate.

We discuss quietly while the customers all around us eat their food and drink their wine, completely oblivious to the war that happened beneath their noses.

"Your documents are ready. Remulus has them," Lucian tells Joon and Cat and I stare at him apprehensively.

It makes me wonder about myself.

"Excuse me, sir. But you have the most exotic look. May I take a few pictures? I think you'd be perfect for our agency," A short man with very pointed glasses and an even pointier nose interrupts our conversation.

He holds up a camera and bends forward, studying Lucian's face like it is a textbook.

My hand fly's to my side, instinctively looking for my gun and I notice Joon and Lucian do the same. Only all of us are unarmed.

"Agency?" I ask.

"Modelling agency," Cat explains, raising her eyebrows and signalling for us to calm down. "I'm sorry but he's not into that kind of thing."

"Oh, no but he's perfect," The man pouts.

Lucian leans in and whispers in my ear. "I don't know why but I feel like shooting him."

"Just say the word SG Lucian and he's gone," Remulus murmurs into our ear pieces and I quickly shake my head.

Cat quickly stands up and ushers the model scout away from us.

Once she's gotten rid of him she sits down and casts us three a look. "You guys seriously need to tone down on the reflexes. That guy was harmless."

"I guess you're right. Every time someone approaches me I look around for my gun," Joon jokes in a whisper.

"I feel the same way," Lucian and I admit in unison and all of us burst out laughing.

Our food comes and Lucian loves the lasagna so much, he eats two portions. Once we are full, we walk to our car and Lucian hands Joon and Cat their new documents.

Each envelope contains passports, identification cards, bank accounts, a communicator device and some money to help them settle into their new lives.

He doesn't hand me anything and they leave us as we head back to our mansion in the woods.

One we are in our room he walks to a set of drawers and pulls out a similar looking envelope. I take it from him and pull out a passport with my face on it.

It reads Aria Mabel Quinn but the date of birth and address has been changed. There is also an identity card, bank account, an Earth's version of a communicator and some money.

"Lucian," I say, my voice thick with emotion. "What's this? I'm most probably coming with you."

"No, you're not," He says and I look up at him in shock. He walks up to me and takes my hand in his. "My people already took you away from your home once. I'm not going to do it again."

My body starts to shake and I suddenly feel like crying. "But what about us?"

He takes out a small, round metal device and places it in the palm of my hand. "Aria, you owe it to yourself to experience the life you never had here. I want you to do whatever it is you want, work, write, draw, date other humans, anything that would make you happy.

"Lucian," I mumble but he interrupts me.

"I'll give you five Earth years to decide and then only will I come back to hear your decision. If you want to leave Earth and become my wife and squad member, I will accept it."

He pauses for a moment and his gaze wavers. "If you decide to stay on Earth and continue your life here without me. I - I will also accept it."

He releases me, his body trembling and I realise that this decision is much harder for him than it is for me.

"When are you leaving?" I ask him as I clutch the metal device tightly.

"In a few hours."

"Why are just telling me this now?" I say angrily.

Lucian walks up to me and wraps his arms around me tightly. "Because I didn't want you to change my mind."

"You've completely blind sided me," I say as tears fall down my cheeks.

He pulls me to the bed and we lay in each others arms. The room is silent and I can't believe he is going to leave me so soon.

"What if you decide not to come back? What if you change your mind?" I ask him and the fear of my question lodges in my throat, threatening to choke me.

"Aria, five Earth years is not a long time," He kisses my head and his arms tighten around me. "I only want you. No one else."

I swallow hard, the fear and apprehension slowly building up in the pit of my stomach. It festers there and grows with each passing minute and soon Lucian's squad members alert him that the ship is ready for lift off.

I follow him to the back of the mansion, my bare feet trampling the grass and my dress flapping in the wind.

The sound of the ship's engines whirrs around us and Lucian stares down at me, his eyes almost teary. He grabs my hand, the one holding the device and holds it up to me.

"Once this blinks red it means I'm here. I will wait for your decision then."

He leans down and kisses me desperately and I hold on to him, not wanting to let go.

"Ready for lift off," Someone announces and he pulls away. He squeezes my hand and then lets go, walking up the ramp. The last I see of him is his silhouette, my squad members waving at me and then the ramp shuts. The ship hovers in the air for a few seconds and then it disappears into thin air, it's protective shields now up.

I then hear the soft swishing of the engines, flying up in the air, away from me.

Away from Earth.

Ahh second last chapter guys. Any of you expected the ending?

Also thanks so much for replying to my question in the last chapter. I plan to upload a much more light hearted story as a break after this one so I was curious about your preferences. Anyway hope you guys enjoyed. Much love :) :)