{Enki | Medical Bay}
Lynn admired her husband for being such an amazing doctor and such an amazing person. The moment their side won, she wanted to have twelve of his babies. Until then, it was warming up bays, waiting for their hostages/potential partners to wake up, and listening to the intense situation unfolding in Celindria’s lab. Although a little sore from missing out on all the action, Lynn was grateful she wasn’t with Fury’s team.
Poor Ross.
Poor Chris.
And poor Karter.
Poor Pax was a given. Lynn couldn’t wait to hug that kid the instant she saw him next—Of course, only once Tameka let him go. Everyone foresaw potential for an overly protective period ahead.
No blame or shame there.
Sure, that also meant they’d need new digs. The idea of them all living under one roof again left Lynn conflicted. On the one hand, it was super comforting to share tears and laughs with her favorite people. But every now and again, she wanted to leave the room for a naked snack break during marathon sex. Not really an option in a house filled with forty-plus people. Those twelve babies might tack on a few extra difficulties to accommodate in one house. Then there was Pax and Echo. And all the other children surely on the way. They’d need room to grow.
So Lynn and Pablo would find a house of their own, but where would they end up after this ride? Close to family felt right, and their duties would only get more complicated as the galaxy became involved. Lynn supposed it was really a matter of climate preference. Someplace perpetually spring. She liked the idea of a flower garden for the twelve children to play in with warm days and frosty nights. Maybe even an occasional snowfall. Peaceful.
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With a treehouse—
Oh, hey.
The new recruits regained consciousness and awoke in quite the panic. Clear across three bays, Lynn heard their shouts.
“Qas, you traitor!”
The doctor staved another Tritan with his hands out in surrender. “No, please listen. They left you unharmed because they’re not here to wipe out the Tritans. They’re here to take out Imminent.”
Another one barked, “You sold us out for a fucking fairytale?!”
As Caedes and Twenty-One trained nacre-disabling weapons on them, Qas tried again. “No, listen. Primary Rem, Eminent Celindria, and Eminent Abresson are with Imminent. Along with the father of this woman’s baby. It’s all real.”
The first one challenged Qas. “So what if it’s real? Imminent is still more pro-Tritan than—”
“The Shadow want us to survive the destruction of Enki. They’re here to help. Please. This girl can show you.”
Lynn stayed still, watching, but separate. If she joined, another Shadow would only frighten the rabbits. One tentatively approached Qas and held his hand out to Bethany. Soon, they all would, and this mess would clean itself up.
Meanwhile, Lynn considered how many boys and how many girls she wanted. All of them should have Pablo’s eyes, brows, obviously his lips. Honestly, the only features they needed from their mother were her nose and complexion—
“Celindria, take my volition. I’m ready to give it.”
Caught daydreaming, Lynn balked at Tameka’s words and stumbled over the next device, nearly falling into it. Was this really happening?!
It was, and Celindria said so. “Repeat the words I say. ‘Under my own will, I forfeit my volition. Perfectly and consensually until she returns me unto myself.’”
On the mic, Lynn heard Tameka’s shoulders straighten. “After you separate Chris from Ross. We’ll all give you our volition to keep her safe.”
Shit.
Some shuffling followed, and then Ross’ sobs were closer to Tameka, implying Celindria had released her.
Loud enough to pick up on the earpieces, the First Progeny called, “You come out first, Tameka.”
After some movement, the brave Powerhouse that was Fury said, “Under my own will, I forfeit my volition. Perfectly and consensually until she returns me unto myself.”
Lynn held her breath.
The moment of truth.