The quiet didn't stay long past their return.
"All right, Gene," Jim snapped. "Where's the money?" Jim was surprised to see a wad of bills appear under his face.
"Here," Gene said, simply.
"Are you feeling better, Aisha?" Melfina inquired concernedly.
"Yeah," Jim said, as he counted the money. "Did this pervert apologize for whatever he said or did?"
Aisha grumbled for a couple of seconds, her arms crossed trying to look irritable and tough, but she was unable to hide her stupid smile, and burning blush.
“Aisha?” inquired Jim.
"I'm pregnant," she said finally. Melfina gasped while Jim started with the response he'd had thought out before hand.
"Yeah, I figured he'd..." Jim stopped and blinked. "You're WHAT!?"
"Melfina," Gene said in the aftershock. "We need to talk about this."
"Oh, oh right," Melfina said.
All four of them stood in place, dead silent once again. Jim was slack jawed, almost bent over with shock. Melfina still was quite suppressed, while Aisha stood in place, the uncomfortable, embarrassed, and irritable center of attention.
“Mel?” Gene pointed toward her room. “Talk?”
Melfina nodded and they both slipped into Mel’s bedroom, closing the door behind them.
----------
One the door was closed, both parties attempted to get comfortable. Melfina sat on her bed, while he leaned back against the door.
“So,” Melfina wondered. “What now.”
Gene sighed. “I have to marry her. If I don’t and soon, it’ll destroy not only he reputation, but could destroy her life. According to Aisha, Ctarl-Ctarl have some hefty taboos against premarital sex and mating outside the species. If we at least make it look like we were married, then we could pad the blow.”
Melfina sighed and looked down. “I see...”
Gene pounded the door in frustration growled to himself. “Melfina, I’m sorry... I know it’s strange between us, but I do love you.”
Melfina gasped, and looked up.
Gene continued speaking. “I’ve been trying to give you space to grow more... that’s why I’ve been dragging me feet. If we had been in any other situation, I’d have asked you to be my wife after the damn Layline. I’m sorry Mel.”
“Why don’t you?” asked Melfina. “Aisha’s Ctarl-Ctarl. I doubt she’d mind. They do practice polygamy.”
“You knew that?” asked Gene.
Melfina nodded. “I’ve also been suspecting that she was... you know.”
“How do you know this crap?” asked Gene.
Melfina smiled and walked to her bookshelf. From it she drew a yellow bound copy of “Ctarl-Ctarl for Dummies. A Guide to the Details and Culture of the Feline Warrior Race for the Rest of Us.”
Gene shook his head. “Still, we’re humans, and humans don’t.”
Melfina smiled. “That’s where you’re wrong.”
“Oh?”
“Humans possess very diverse and often contradictory cultural norms,” Melfina shook her head and walked over to a map plastered on her wall. “I can point out at least three systems with in three jumps that would allow for a polygamous marriage.”
Gene walked over to the map and stared at it. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“Of course not,” stated Melfina. She gave the map a glance, then pointed to three stars. “Here… Al Alkard, Q’mart, and Post John Smith.”
“Are you sure?”
Melfina nodded. “Yes. I think we should double check, but chances are good. I even know someone who can perform a wedding and would be willing to back date a marriage certificate.“
“How do you know all this?”
Melfina blushed. “I used to do a lot of soul searching... and I read a lot.”
"Thanks Mel!"
Melfina blushed. "If you want, we can have a double wedding..."
Gene blushed. "Ah, Mel..."
"If you want, I'll even ask Suzuka if she wants in too..."
Gene's face twisted with embarasment and shock. "Mel, lets ah..."
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(Posted Wed, 16 Jul 2003 03:16)
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