Sitting next to Larten, I snickered as I nibbled my cake. “You’ll have to move fast to get between a Nobek and food, sweetheart. Let that be a lesson to you.”
Attracted by my voice—and riveted by my cake—Anrel yelled at me. “Ma-ma-ma-ma!”
“You’ve had plenty, precious. Keep eating like that, you’ll do more rolling than crawling.”
“Ma-ma-ma-ma!” Her cherub’s face purpled in fury, making us laugh. That girl loves her cake.
She loves it so much that she let go of Seot’s arm. Her purple eyes glaring with intent, she took a step. Then another. And three more wobbling, wide-legged strides to reach me. Well, to reach my food, at any rate.
Her first steps. The way we adults yelled and carried on, an onlooker would have imagined Anrel had cured a terminal disease. Hey, we’re parents. She’s our firstborn. Of course we’re going to be excited.
And yes, I let her have my cake.
Because we’re ridiculous, we held a full-on celebration. Joelle, Elwa’s clan, Katrina, Candy, Cifa’s sibling clans—we invited them all for a big dinner. Because they’re as crazy about Anrel as we are—or maybe because they’re a bunch of partying fools—they put aside whatever plans they’d had and accepted.
Cifa, forever the master of all ceremonies, had it planned within a couple of hours. I commed everyone I could think of to share the news. I even managed to record vid of Anrel repeating her feat, enticing her with a cookie to make it happen. At dinner we got her to do it again for our guests.
You’d have thought a child never walked before. We agreed we were absurd to carry on over it as we did, but we still carried on. It was fun to get together and celebrate Anrel’s milestone. No one was about to apologize for it.
I especially enjoyed the chance during the merrymaking to talk to my mother figures, Joelle and Elwa. They both observed I appeared to be doing well with clan life.
“I am,” I affirmed. “Things couldn’t be better.”
“No more visions of running off? Freaking out?” Joelle pressed.
“Not really. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m truly over the abandonment nonsense or because I’m distracted by the projects I’m involved in. Either way, leaving before I can be left hasn’t occurred to me in some time.”
“That is excellent,” Elwa said. “Speaking of your many tasks, I was considering of holding a benefit dinner for your foundation. What do you think?”
While I was delighted with her plan, what I really think is that I have the best family I could ask for. After years of depending on a sick mother who couldn’t be relied on for any real support, I have loyal relatives in every corner. Growing up as an only child, I’d dreamed of a large family. I have a huge one, and I couldn’t be happier. Especially with the main core of Seot, Cifa, Larten, and Anrel.
Doing well with clan life? That’s an understatement.
February 25
My first eggs have found a home—a womb, to be specific. A Kalquorian woman has been chosen to receive my donation.
Dr. Flencik sounded like a mad chemist telling me about it. “I’ve already inseminated the eggs with her clanmates’ sperm. Cell division is perfect in both eggs we’ve used. I’ll add genetic material from all three men and the Matara herself next. We’ll implant the embryos in a week.”
A baby or twins with five biological parents. Wow. “How long before you’ll know if everything is moving along okay?” I asked.
“We’ll screen for the anomalies before implantation. Then we’ll keep testing with each checkup. We’ll know if it worked within three months.”
I had to laugh at myself. I was sitting in my office as I spoke to him, literally on the edge of my chair, squirming violently. “I can’t imagine how the mother-to-be is feeling. I’m on eggshells, and I’m not her!”
“It’s exciting, isn’t it? Emperor Egilka has commed me at least once each hour since we inseminated, just to comment on the continued success. He’s ecstatic. Okay, I’ll admit it—I’ve been watching the live real-time results running in my office and on my handheld. Kalquorian women are going to have live, healthy daughters. They’ll have you to thank for it.”
I waved him off. “Eventually, someone would have started a similar program. I started the party a little early, that’s all.”
“You’re too modest. It’s been talked about, but nobody could get the ball rolling. Now I understand why. We needed an Earther to spearhead the effort. Someone who could sympathize with Kalquorian women and inspire other Earthers to help them.”
He made a big to-do because he’s a nice guy and he figured I needed the pep talk. Dr. Flencik is one of the most unabashedly sweet men I’ve ever met. I’m pretty much of the opinion that it’ll be Emperor Egilka and Hina’s stories that’ll tug at my fellow fertile ladies to donate.
We’ll soon find out. The presentation is tomorrow.
February 26
We survived the terrifying ‘give-us-your-eggs’ meeting. I’m glad that part is over. Relief is my most profound emotion at this point, which is kind of funny given how it turned out.
When the doors to the meeting room opened to let in the attendees, I expected a slow trickle. I hoped for at least half of the three hundred seats Katrina had set out to be filled.
What we got was women pouring in, filling the room to overflowing. Standing room only. Katrina chuckled in my ear. “Close your mouth, Shalia. You’ll attract flies, and I don’t mean the nice, manly kind.”
I shook my head in disbelief. “Did you promise naked men serving cocktails?”
She grinned. “Not quite as yummy as that. Emperor Egilka’s offering of a bonus allowance to those who attend must have done the trick.”
“I love a good bribe.” So that was what the two had been putting their heads together about. I had the sneaking suspicion it had been Katrina’s idea.
Drs. Cafir and Conyod also attended, as did my clan and Hina’s. It was wonderful to have the support, because my anxiety level was in the stratosphere.
Katrina introduced me to begin. I did a quick and hopefully not-boring overview of the foundation, along with what we wanted to accomplish. I then turned it over to the emperor.
Egilka’s story of his sister, a bright and beautiful young woman who committed suicide when she’d learned of her infertility, brought a large number of us to tears. He’d provided me a number of stills and vids of her, from baby shots to the last year of her life—in which the sadness was palpable in her dignified bearing. The vid package played on the large holo monitor behind the emperor.
He unashamedly wept himself. “Our society has placed far too great a burden on its women to save us from extinction. Despite all efforts to undo the damage, they bear the brunt of our need. I have worked my entire life to find a cure for the infertility and the defects which kill off the majority of our daughters who are born. That cure is out of our reach, however. We’ve turned to you, our generous Earther friends, to join our clans. To give our culture a chance for survival. Now we ask another favor: help our women, who dream of bearing healthy daughters of their own, to realize the joy of doing so.”
His emotional speech affected us greatly. I thought he had a decent number of the Mataras won over already when I introduced Flencik.
Since the good doctor was speaking about the egg collection procedure itself, we knew it would be the driest portion of the presentation, even with the vid I’d produced. He’d told me he expected to put my audience to sleep. “Only a catnap though,” he’d chuckled. “You know how quickly the procedure goes. My explanation will take only two or three minutes more.”
The oversized sweetie hadn’t counted on his appeal. Flencik’s kindness shines through with no effort, as was obvious when he wrapped up and asked for questions. Tons of hands shot up, waving for attention. He called on an attendee at the front. “Yes?”
“Do you already have a Matara?” she asked.
That brought on cheers and applause. Darn if the poor man didn’t blush
. With a self-conscious grin, he said, “Yes, I’m lucky to say I am clanned to a beautiful Earther.”
That brought on a chorus of profound disappointment from at least half the room. Emperor Egilka was biting his lips together and staring at the floor. I’m sure I heard him snorting laughter despite his efforts. It was a relief to see him lighten up after his emotional story.
“Any other questions?” Flencik asked. There were none since his clanning status had been verified.
As he passed me on his way to his seat at the back of the stage, he muttered, “That was embarrassing.”
“Ladies love the big men,” I teased. “The curls framing that handsome face can’t be discounted either.” I heard him groan as I stood at the podium to introduce Candy. I ignored Cifa’s narrowed gaze pointed at poor, innocent Flencik.
Candy’s enthusiastic story of how easy it had been to donate eggs was well received. “It lasted a shorter amount of time than to tell you about it. Though I told my boss I needed the afternoon off to recover—which I did with an extended lunch and shopping excursion.” Her gaze lit on my Imdiko clanmate, and she pretended surprise. “Oh, hellooo, Cifa. My boss, everyone. I had nooo idea you’d be here!” She addressed the laughing audience again. “I’m also taking unexpected retirement donations, so give until it hurts, ladies.”
Things got heavy again during Hina’s talk. She talked about being pregnant with her first daughter, how she’d known all along the odds against giving birth to a healthy child but not being able to resist hope she’d be among the lucky—only to get the tests back that her unborn was profoundly affected by genetic abnormalities.
She’d continued the pregnancy, wanting those few precious hours of life she’d be allowed to spend with her daughter. After the birth, she’d held her child, told her she loved her, and watched her slip away. Yes, we had pictures of the baby, whom Hina had named Curo. Despite the deformities, she was as precious as any newborn. The profound love in Hina’s eyes as she looked at her was unguarded. Heart wrenching. As was the story of the spontaneous miscarriage that had ended her second daughter’s existence. I have to hand it to Hina. I don’t imagine for an instant that I would have survived going through what she did. That she didn’t fall apart worse than she did says a lot for her strength.
I cried as I closed the meeting with my final plea for donations. I wasn’t the only person weeping. Tears were pouring as the women stood up, applauding us. Some were outright bawling. Then they lined up to register to donate or to speak to those of us from the foundation. Hina, Egilka, and Flencik were crowded by admirers.
It was a blur for a couple of hours. A gleeful Katrina whispered to me that she thought only about a dozen left without agreeing to contribute. I’m not sure about the exact numbers at the moment, but it’s in the hundreds. Since the presentation was recorded and is set to be shown on the complex’s in-house vid system tomorrow, we may win more.
We’re up and running for real. I’m too relieved to have the talk done to feel thrilled, but maybe that will come later. It’s good to relax and have that particular task over with.
February 27
Woohoo! We received over 450 pledges to donate eggs at yesterday’s presentation. Those were the ones done on the spot. Since then, word of mouth has spread and the vid recording is bringing in more. Dr. Flencik has ordered a whole team to follow up and schedule the procedures.
Now I’m excited. Now I feel I accomplished something. Yesterday’s burned-out mood is gone. I am revitalized.
Even better news: Dr. Conyod contacted me later in the day after I wrote my last entry. He consulted with Dr. Cafir and some other therapists he works with. After reviewing Hina’s case history and recent events, they are satisfied she’s ready to try for another daughter.
“There are issues yet to be resolved, but they are more in line with someone who is in a normal grieving process. The motivation that led Hina to kidnap Anrel is no longer present,” Conyod informed me. “I’ve interviewed her clanmates and her sons. She was an exemplary mother to them when they were boys, even when she was dealing with the loss of her daughters.”
“I’m so happy to hear that,” I enthused. “I have eggs at the ready, waiting for her to take advantage of the opportunity. When will you tell her?”
“As soon as I’m done talking to you. I’ll com her Dramok first, so he can be prepared if it’s emotionally overwhelming for her.”
Hina commed me this morning, laughing and crying and exuberant to be receiving another chance. After a long stream of thank-yous, she said, “I wasn’t told until an hour ago. Everyone knew before I did!”
“What took Dr. Conyod so long to com you?” I wondered. “He was supposed to give you the good news last night.”
“So I’ve heard. There were circumstances that delayed him telling me, however.”
“Such as?”
“You know how emotional yesterday was, as well as a success. Katrina decided we should recover and celebrate over a few drinks.”
I snorted, grinning from ear to ear. “Say no more. I’m quite aware what’s involved with that woman and her ‘few drinks’. How drunk did she get you?”
“Not as drunk as I got her. I was still pretty—what was the word she used? Bolo? Boffo?”
“Blotto?”
“That’s it.” Hina’s laughter was loud and genuine. “My Dramok had the sense to tell Dr. Conyod to hold off on the news until today after I’d gotten some sleep and stim tabs. Plus pain inhibitors. I haven’t had a hangover like that since my twenties.”
“I’m delighted for you, Hina. Dr. Flencik has your eggs set aside. Whenever you’re ready, they’re there.”
“I already commed him. My clanmates are there at the hospital, giving him their man juice. Ew, that doesn’t sound right, does it?”
I chortled. “We need to work on your euphemisms.”
“I’m heading out later today to contribute some of my genetic material to be added once the embryos are deemed viable.” Hina paused. “Dear ancestors, Shalia. Do you realize what this means if it works? You and I’ll have had a child together. How wild is that?”
It was an odd thought. In a way, an amazing one. Hina tried to take my baby. Now I was attempting to give her one. Irony. Gotta love it.
March 3
It’s safe to say the initial stages of the donor program are a success. Our pledges and scheduled collections currently number in the thousands.
There has been some pushback, however. Some feel it’s wrong for Kalquorian women to use Earther eggs—they deem it as being unnatural to mix genetics up, or some such nonsense.
“There appears to be a faction forming of those who believe we should go extinct rather than mix the species in any way,” Emperor Egilka confirmed. “It’s a small number and will gain little traction. Only the most fanatical of bigots would consider such nonsense.”
“I’ve heard some of the fertile Kalquorian Mataras who have produced daughters are against the program.” Flencik smiled as if discussing wayward children. “I imagine they feel their privileged status is being threatened.”
We talked about such subjects during the foundation’s board meeting today. Our real interest lay in the discussion of our next steps. We talked about casting a wider net to garner more Earther eggs. It was agreed we would do so in stages. We’ll promote our case to the rest of Kalquor, inviting clanned Earthers to contribute. Next, we’ll apply to Haven, a few space stations, and colonies within the empire. Then we’ll go farther, calling out to the Earther colonies in Galactic and Joshadan space, as well as the ones set up by my race before Armageddon, colonies like Mercy and New Bethlehem—that is, assuming New Bethlehem gets its act together sometime soon. I’ve heard rumors recently of conflicts between Kalquorian military and some Earther rebels there, including what some are calling a massacre. I try not to listen to the news vids when such stories come out. I’ve had my fill of war and bloodshed.
Nope, life is awesome here. I’m more than
ready to concentrate on that.
Hina’s implantation procedure went without a hitch. We’re all cautiously excited about her pregnancy. We’ll be on pins and needles for the next several months as we wait to find out how it goes. She’s beaming, but I could tell there is plenty of anxiety too. If things don’t work out with this pregnancy, I doubt she’ll try again.
I’d be lying if I didn’t admit it’s not a tad strange to consider that a child is developing from my egg in someone else’s body. I’m having moments of possessive feelings and even loss—not that I’d EVER tell Hina about them. The reaction I’m having is bizarre. I’ll bring it up to Dr. Cafir later. I don’t want to have some weird behaviors crop up because of new subconscious issues. I do not want a repeat of what nearly kept me from joining Seot’s clan.
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