II<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Evading the authorities was exhausting. On top of that, Gaia\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s first six months of pregnancy had been taxing. She oscillated rapidly between giddiness and terror. Vomiting was a twice-daily ordeal. Too many questions haunted her: Could a baby survive in this wasteland? Could they continue to dupe Zoran? Where were her parents? Gaia had last seen them and her twin sister, Mina, shortly before being hauled off by the government. She wondered how they were, and if her running away with Brion had affected them at all.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Later that day, Dr. Carlton would visit. Gaia was nervous, a small voice in the back of her head goading her into doubt. She was glad for Brion\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s support. He was a steadfast light in her life, always assuaging her fears.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The hours inched past until there was a brisk rap at their door. Brion answered, greeting the doctor.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Alright, where\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s our lovely mother?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Dr. Carlton chirped as he stepped in.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Waddling slightly with added weight and aching feet, Gaia plopped herself in front of the physician. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Here!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She answered brightly, flashing a dazzling smile of jagged teeth.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Dr. Carlton performed the check-up as Brion watched, all discussing the town and where Zoran was currently snooping around. Six months ago, the doctor had insisted Gaia was merely a hallucination caused by a concussion. Unfortunately, the officer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s thirst for finding the fugitives was not slaked by such a flimsy excuse. He continued hunting mercilessly, nearly recognizing Brion on both occasions he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d dared to visit town.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Clapping his hands together while rising, Dr. Carlton remarked, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, everything seems to be developing nicely. Your little bundle should be here in about three months.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Brion peered at his wife, knowing she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d be feeling both exuberance and anxiety. The emotions danced fiercely behind her large eyes. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Any questions before I leave?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d The doctor continued as he turned to depart. Both shook their heads, beginning to wave their goodbyes.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Before I forget\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the doctor trailed off before spinning on the spot and scanning. His gaze rested on the sword Drake had gifted Gaia. He took three large strides toward it and rested his thumb on the emerald in the hilt. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153If there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s ever an emergency, just press this and it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll connect you directly to the Sullivans.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The young couple squealed in delight. This kind of technology was commonplace in Taesh, but they hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t expected to find it here. The emerald began blinking, prompting Dr. Carlton to depress the jewel. A flickering image of Drake appeared. Sweat was raining down the side of his face. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Doc, you gotta get here. They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re sayin\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 an eruption\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcbouta go off.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Drake glanced behind him, worry etched in deep creases on his forehead.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be right there.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He pressed the emerald again and the transmission terminated. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Right. Use this if there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s any trouble. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be back in two weeks.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The air was tense as the door slammed.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A week later, Brion was cooking a small lizard he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d found scurrying across their ceiling when he felt a tremor, then heard a wail. Gaia stumbled in, clutching her abdomen. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Something\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s wrong\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she whined through clenched teeth. There was a trail of fluid behind her. Horror flooded Brion\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s veins, all thoughts of lunch evaporating instantaneously.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A lump rose in his throat as he reached hesitantly for the sword\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hilt. He steeled himself as his wife wailed and thrust his thumb into the jewel savagely. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I need Dr. Carlton right away, Drake!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Brion shouted hoarsely at the fuzzy image.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The sound of small footsteps greeted his ears. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Daddy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s talkin\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 to tha sunman!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Three-year-old Oscar stumbled into view.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Gaia lit up. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oscar!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she cooed, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I need your daddy. Could you tell him you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re hungry, sweet one?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The little boy grinned widely. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sho\u00e2\u20ac\u2122, Guy!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He pitter-pattered away, leaving Brion with nostrils flared and Gaia panting and yelping.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
An eternity passed before Drake appeared. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think Gaia\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s in labor!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Brion squeaked.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The color fled from Drake\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s face. He stammered, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I-I\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6the d-doctor\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6.Didya feel the eruption?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153How the hell is that important?! My wife is giving birth to our child! Three months too early! Get the doctor here immediately!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Brion raged, his pupils dilating to pinpricks in his sky blue eyes.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Brion. I know you and Gaia are scared. Doc can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t help now. But before you start railin\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 me, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll help you.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Gaia just let the baby come. There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s nothing we can do to stop it. Brion, grab a big tub and fill it with warm water. Put her in it. Grab a wet rag. Hold her hand. Give her water. Stay with her. This is how Oscar was born. I hafta deflect Zoran now. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll send Doc when I can.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The transmission ended. Gaia groaned while lying in the warm water. Their child did not cry.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Dr. Carlton arrived in the morning to help, exhausted as he was from treating burns. He found his patient seeping in a chilled pool bloodied by her still-attached placenta. Her husband held an oddly translucent hunk of flesh. Both had a despondent expression, with hollow eyes. The doctor swallowed nervously, fearing the worst until he saw shuddering breaths animate the infant.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Let me see the baby,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Dr. Carlton whispered. He checked the vital signs, his heart plummeting. It was a fragile thing, unlikely to survive their harsh environment for long. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s very weak. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll need to grab special equipment for its care. Until then, please handle it delicately.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t bear to personify it with its imminent death. He took his leave quietly.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Brion held the baby hesitantly, shock filling him. Sobs drew his attention. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s no way this child will live longer than me. There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s no way it will live past tomorrow!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Gaia wept hysterically, clasping onto Brion\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s forearm. He pressed their eerily silent and transparent child into his chest and pulled away from his wife, squaring his shoulders, and began to care for their babe.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Brittany Teodorski<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n