Triple X

by Amelia June

  "Look, I know what I said and I meant it. You guys are the most important thing in my life. But think of it, being able to get married publicly, legally? Becoming accepted by others, not shunned? We'd be part of the majority for the first time. Imagine the freedom we would have." His green eyes flashed brightly and he turned his gaze to Abby. "Imagine the power your image would have, love. I don't want you to speak or do anything, simply stand by us as we share our message with the public. After all, this is your information, your work that will open up possibilities for thousands of families like ours." He was on a roll, wrapped up in his vision of a better future. Though she knew this, she felt betrayed.

  "I can't believe you," she said simply. "I can't believe you're going back on your word. You know my boundaries on this. I won't have you push me with guilt or some sense of obligation." She stood and left the room, slamming the bedroom door behind her hard enough to shake the windows.

  Through the door she heard the shifting discomfort of people witnessing a fight between lovers. Eventually Jordan said, "No, let her go, Edan. Let her cool off a moment. It will just embarrass her if you continue this now." I guess he wanted to come after me. I cannot believe he's doing this.

  Abby cried herself silly on the bed, sprawled out dramatically in the first real fit of anger she'd felt at Edan. After a few minutes of self-indulgent fussing, she stopped, remembering what had drawn her to him in the first place. She knew he cared deeply for the causes he fought for, spent his entire life working toward a better future for people like them, and even for their child to be. After all, what kind of world would it be if our baby is not safe to be him or herself? Will he or she feel uncomfortable bringing friends over to a three parent home? Will he or she be ashamed of his parents' love for each other? Come to think of it, if most of America could not reproduce, how many friends would her child have? She knew all this logically, almost agreed with Edan in that moment. But her understanding of his position did not excuse his disrespect of her, and she'd be damned if she would just roll over and let him bully her into this. She got up, deciding to take a shower and give herself a chance to think about things from a more rational place.

  * * * *

  Jordan shuttled their guests out the door with a promise to continue the debate and planning session later. He and Edan swiftly cleared the dinner dishes and started washing up. He watched Edan move around the kitchen, and saw the defeat in his body posture. He smiled, thinking sometimes life was easier with three. There's usually one of the three that's not mad and can run interference. He wrapped his arms around Edan's waist and pulled him close. Edan lifted his eyes to Jordan's, and Jordan could see the pain there, the shame.

  "Sweetheart, oh, it's not that bad," said Jordan, holding him tightly. "She's upset but it's not the end of the world."

  "I promised her, Jordan, I promised you both and somehow I got carried away. I feel like I betrayed her, betrayed you both and our baby-to-be." Edan's eyes filled with tears. Those he worked with saw him as a razor sharp, take no prisoners lobbyist, but Jordan and Abby both saw his softer side. He could be a hellish enemy, a dominant lover, but in his heart he was a gentle man who needed support and love like any other. Jordan put one hand on the back of his head and rested it on his chest. They stood there for a few minutes, Jordan mewing soft words of support.

  "Look, she knows you better than anyone. She knows how strongly you believe in our cause. She knows how badly you want us to be accepted in society. She isn't going to hold that against you. We'll get this worked out. Sheesh, you two can be so dramatic sometimes." Edan chuckled at that, and looked up at Jordan.

  "Okay," he said, and pulled Jordan's face to his for a soft kiss. "I want to go talk to her now, head off any more drama before it starts. Do you think you should go settle her down first?"

  "Actually, no, I don't. She and I have a very tight relationship, can almost read each other's minds. I think you two need to deepen your bond, and this is your row to hoe. I'll come and back you both up with hugs and kisses if you like, but I'm not going to rescue you two from this."

  "All right, all right, sheesh. I'm going. I hope she can forgive me." He ran a hand through his dark hair, sighing.

  "Aw, babe, just flash those pretty green eyes at her and she'll melt. Wouldn't hurt to take your shirt off, either." Jordan smacked him on the butt as he turned to face the music.

  "Lech," Edan threw back over his shoulder, but he had to admit Jordan made him feel better, more confident. He knocked gently on the bedroom door, and Abby told him to come in.

  * * * *

  "Hey, baby," he said hesitantly. Abby had changed into her pajamas after her shower and was curled up in bed with a book. She set it down as he came in and fixed him with a piercing gaze. Then she sighed and smiled at him.

  "Apparently, I can't really stay mad at you. I tried, but I thought about your point of view and I'm afraid I might have decided to agree with you."

  Edan raised his eyebrows, then told her, "I came to apologize. You were totally right and I can't believe I was such an ass. Now you're saying you agree with me? I don't understand."

  "Edan, I thought about things and I realized just what kind of world I would be bringing our child into if that madman stays in power. We have to do something about this climate of hatred and fear, and if I have to be a public figure to do it, I will be. I'm tired of sitting on my data and allowing the government to deceive America. I've always thought about myself as a scientist; I never had any reason to get involved with politics. But I can't stay silent when my family, my child, is at risk."

  Edan sat down beside her on the bed and pulled her into his arms. "I'm so glad you understand where I'm coming from. But I promised I wouldn't put you in front of cameras or audiences. I got carried away in the excitement of making a difference and I just blew off your feelings. I will not let that go."

  "Apology accepted." She tackled him, pushing him over and kissing him deeply. After a few minutes she said, "Now tell me how we're gonna get this guy out of office and back to anonymity where he belongs."

  "Yay!" came Jordan's voice from the doorway. They looked to see his lanky frame leaning up against the door. "I knew you guys would work this out. I'm so proud." They beckoned him to the bed and he agreed eagerly, snuggling down between them with a happy sigh as he listened to his two passionate lovers discuss ways to oust the current administration.

  * * * *

  May 25th, 2008

  Abby looked up from her computer to see the former Chief of Staff of the White House enter the building. Well, that's a surprise, she thought.

  She had recently quit her job to work solely on the campaign to get her data to the public. They had naively expected the press to be all over the solid proof she had, but so far none of the major networks and newspapers would bite. They were being shut down over and over, being called radicals or worse, blasphemers. No news agency would even see them or look at the stolen report. The New York Times editor seemed sympathetic, and told them they had no hope of getting this information out in a traditional way. He implicated the government in a massive cover up, seeming to say that the mainstream media was being totally controlled by Jones and his cronies. She was appalled, scared, and angered at the situation, but it only served to redouble her determination to get the data out there. People deserved to know the truth, somehow. So far she had been working with Jordan on a massive internet drive. They spent their days on message boards and chat rooms, and some reputable internet-based news sources were starting to pick up their story. She had even spoken to someone from Slate Magazine yesterday, and felt hope begin to bloom in her chest. Now, it appeared, their efforts had attracted an interesting partner.

  The three lovers, along with a few other workers on duty, brought Cal Franklin inside and gave him a cup of coffee. He looked pale, nervous. Edan stepped up to shake his hand and said, "Mr. Franklin, we're glad to have you here. We've met a few times before, if you recall."

  "Yes, I remember yo
u, Jameson. You're a real bulldog. Do you know some members of Congress have taken to warning each other when you are on the premises?"

  Edan chuckled and said, "I'm not surprised. I do tend to bug the heck out of people. I kind of see it as my civic duty, annoying politicians." Franklin laughed, then appeared startled by the sound.

  "What can we do for you, Mr. Franklin? To be honest, I'm really surprised to see you here."

  "You're not the only one, Jameson. I never expected to be on your side. But the thing is, I wasn't sure where else to go, and I think you guys will appreciate what I have to say. I might be able to add some credibility to your cause."

  "We have irrefutable evidence that it takes two men and one woman to create life, Mr. Franklin. Our science is solid, and we have physical proof in the fact of Abby here, who has recently become pregnant with our child. What can you add to our cause that will make the press listen to us?" Jordan had piped up, clearly offended that their work was being downplayed.

  "I have a copy of the report the Centers for Disease Control gave to the President himself six months ago. In fact, he received the report the very day of his infamous press conference, the day I resigned." The original press conference where the President had called for the repentance of America had been referred to over and over on the news ever since. Jones was being lauded as a moral president who wanted only the best for the country.

  "You mean to tell us you have tangible proof that the President is concealing this information from the country to further his religious rhetoric?" Abby was starting to feel excitement brewing in her chest. Here was something they could really use.

  "That's right, young lady. I have evidence that Jones is a liar. Everything in the report backs up what you discovered in your research. Between the two of us, we can prove not only that the country can produce children, but that Jones has known all along."

  "That's all well and good," interrupted Edan, "but so far, the press has ignored us altogether, and not because our evidence is faulty. The cover up is wider than we ever expected, and I don't think even your evidence can get us on the air. Besides--why should we trust you? This could be some kind of set-up."

  Abby shot Edan a dirty look for his rudeness, but Edan ignored her.

  Franklin took a deep breath and looked at the three of them. He seemed to be unsure about what to say, then he just started talking. "Look, my sister, she wanted her whole life to have a baby. Even as a kid, if you asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up she would say 'a mommy'. When The Reaper hit, she was rendered as sterile as the rest of us, and she was heartbroken."

  "As are millions of other people as we speak," Edan said harshly.

  "I know. Do you really think I would come waltzing in here, working with...you people...if I didn't know that? When I got fired I went straight home and called my little sister. Now she's six months pregnant and happier than I've ever seen her. My conscious, however compromised by being here, won't let me keep this information from other women like her. I prayed for months to find a solution--all the while that idiot Jones is on the news telling people that all they have to do is pray harder and obey more. Ridiculous. God gave us science for a reason, damn it." His face was flush with anger, and he gave Edan a challenging look. Edan broke out in a smile and clapped Franklin on the back.

  "Now that's what I like to see, a man who believes more in doing what's right than blind faith. You're all right. But I still don't see how your proof helps us get the press's attention."

  "I agree, Jameson. But I have one last piece of information you might be able to use. The President is planning a special address to the nation next week. He's calling yet another special session of Congress, assembling the Cabinet and broadcasting on all the major networks. From my information, he is planning to address the issue of fertility once and for all by producing some kind of 'evidence' that reproduction between one man and one woman is possible."

  "How do you know all this?" asked Abby.

  "I have an informant still inside the White House. He's been passing me detailed reports for months now. He doesn't know what kind of evidence Jones has, but I'm convinced it is just more lies. I'm tired of the crap I see on the news; I'm tired of this weighing on my conscience. I've been thinking, and I wonder if someone determined couldn't make a scene at that speech, somehow get information to the public when we know the cameras will be rolling live. And as soon as I figured that out, I knew Jameson was the one to see." Edan chuckled but did not disagree.

  Jordan looked thoughtful as the rest of them chattered on about the new information and how best to make waves at the President's address. Abby noticed he was lost and thought and said, "I know that look. What's on your mind, babe?"

  "I was just wondering how hard it would be to hack one or two of the camera feeds. I'm sure they're going to be broadcasting live by satellite. I know they'll have tons of encryption but if they're feeding live I don't think it would be impossible to steal their feed altogether."

  "Are you serious? Do you really think we could steal live television? And what happens when they catch us? We could go to jail!" Abby was not happy about the idea of her husbands getting in trouble.

  "I have no idea what could happen, or even if I could pull it off," said Jordan. "But what if we could figure out how to do it? Imagine the possibilities." Jordan moved away from the group and vanished into the internet. Once he got an idea, he was hard to dissuade.

  "If he figures that out, we can hold a rally at the same time as the speech. If we can get enough people there, we can make a big statement to Jones and the country. We could present our documentation, and publish Franklin's paper on the internet at the same time. I don't think I would have a problem organizing a site by next week, if you all can work on getting the word out to the community." Edan's face glowed. Abby knew he had been starting to worry when the press was not responding to their data, but now she could see the familiar fire in his eyes.

  As Abby watched them carry on, a wave of nausea washed over her and she had to bolt for the bathroom. Even after helping hundreds of women become pregnant, she was still surprised at how the tiny life inside her could wreak havoc on her body. She was dizzy constantly and tossed her cookies at random times throughout the day. She was tired, and her breasts had already become tender to touch. She splashed water on her face at the sink and looked at her face in the mirror. She looked flushed, almost like she had a fever. She sighed and pulled her hair back into a ponytail. As she stood she groaned inwardly, cursing the fact that her jeans had already begun to tighten, an artifact of the water she was retaining. She felt like she had the worst PMS ever. Even her moods were uneven, sometimes she was fine and sometimes she was irritated for no clear reason. She hoped she could play the part of glowing pregnant woman at the rally, because in reality she felt like she had been hit by a truck most of the time.

  On the positive side, the boys had been waiting on her hand and foot. She had been banned from housework already despite being very capable of doing a load of laundry. They fussed over her like hens, one of them always bringing her a glass of water or fixing her a healthy snack or reminding her to take her prenatal vitamin. Lately she found herself daydreaming about the baby. Would it be a boy or a girl? Would it have Edan's Mediterranean features or Jordan's more fair looks? Or would she have a little redhead? They had already agreed to name the baby Sandra if it was a girl, after Abby's mother. She knew they were being silly, talking names so early, but they were all so thrilled they couldn't help themselves. One thing was certain, though. The baby would be born into a family filled with love and joy. She couldn't think of a better way to bring a child into the world.

  * * * *

  Jones looked again at the pregnancy test he had found in his wife's bathroom trash. He was overjoyed, filled with pride and faith in God. He knew his discipline of his wife had produced the miracle child. He wondered for a moment why Nina had not chosen to share her wonderful news with him, but he assumed she had been bu
sy planning and daydreaming about the baby. Soon after he discovered the test, he had ordered a full medical exam for her,including pregnancy blood test. She had complied willingly, as a dutiful wife should, and the results were faxed to him, confirming her pregnancy on paper. He fell to his knees before the cross and prayed fervent thanks to the Lord for blessing him, for rewarding his faith and service.

  After praying, he had called Van Sant and arranged the special session of Congress. This miracle was just what he was waiting for. With proof that the President and his wife had conceived a child, the country would easily join him on the path of righteousness. He laughed aloud, so pleased that in just one week he would bring the country together, united in their faith and love of Jesus. He could just imagine the prayers sent up to heaven on that fateful night. God surely would grant all people the same miracle He had granted Jones. He sat back in his chair, holding the little test in his hands, and imagined what his son would be like. Strong and wise, like Jones' own father, and a dedicated servant of the Lord. Jones imagined the baby having black curly hair like him and Nina's gentle eyes and smile. He was lost in thought when Van Sant entered the Oval Office, looking worried.

  "Mr. President, sir, I just got some interesting news. Apparently the Human Rights Campaign just submitted an application for a protest permit on the day of your speech, at the same time. This is very suspect, almost as though they know about the broadcast."

  "Van Sant, you worry too much. How on earth would these degenerates know about the broadcast? Everything has been carefully arranged and kept under the highest secrecy." Jones was in a great mood, and knew that God was on his side. No group of depraved homosexuals could ruin his announcement, his gift of life to America. He smiled, knowing at last the country would come fully into the light of the Lord.