Chapter 2: Maureen's Condition and John's Dilemma.
The cosmic storms ceased.
A weak Maureen tried to get out of bed, when Will and Penny paraded in. They couldn't wait any longer to see their mother. Both children nearly knocked Maureen over trying to hug her. Judy rushed in to pull them back as she had been acting as temporary mother to them for a couple of days.
"It's alright, Judy. Company might do me some good," she said, latching onto Penny and Will, while motioning Judy to come sit with them.
"Mother?" Penny started, sweetly.
"Yes, dear," Maureen answered brushing Penny's hair with her hand.
"Will and I are sorry we didn't come back on time the other night—"
Will cut her off, "Yeah, Mom, me and Penny—"
"Penny and I," Maureen corrected.
"Gee whiz, Mom," Will protested. "Anyway, we'll never do it again."
"Well, if you promise," Maureen laughed. Then turned to Judy, "Thanks for taking over my duties."
"It was nothing Mother," Judy lied, as Penny and Will had started arguing over something immaterial.
John came in to break it up, "Will. Penny. Go help Don and let your mother alone."
Penny and Will hugged their mother one last time and sheepishly left. Judy could tell her father wanted to speak to Maureen, so she followed the children out.
"Oh, John, they weren't doing anything," Maureen said playfully.
"Maureen, that's the same attitude that got you into this situation."
"They're only children."
xx
In a couple of weeks' time, Maureen was back to her regular chores and motherly post.
"Really, I'm fine," she reassured them all.
They all believed her except John—he was suspicious. Maureen seemed, to him anyway, distant. She was more wordless and somewhat cold towards him. The last couple of nights they hardly spoke after retiring to their compartment. She looked feeble.
One afternoon, Maureen was helping Penny to set the table, when she felt tired. She held herself against the table, Penny hardly noticed. Maureen, not wanting to upset Penny bit her lip and started setting the table again. She couldn't go on, she drooped into a chair at the table.
"Are you alright, Mother?" Penny said, grabbing her mother.
Maureen smiled at Penny, "Yes, dear. I just needed to sit down for a minute."
"I'll finish the table," Penny said and walked to the other side.
"I'm just so tired, so suddenly," Maureen faintly declared, resting her head on her arms on the table.
Penny looked at her, "Mom, are you sure you're okay? Want me to call dad?"
"No, really—"
Maureen fell from her chair to the floor. Penny rushed to her side, "Dad! Dad! Judy!"
John carried a limp Maureen to her bunk in their compartment and demanded Dr. Smith run another series of tests.
"Alright, alright," Dr. Smith said with a brush of his hand and shooed everyone from the room.
Several minutes later Maureen woke, looking up to Dr. Smith reading a data report from the robot. Maureen looked startled. The anxiety that filled Maureen was confirmed by the expression on Dr. Smith's face.
"Interesting," he murmured, looking at the strip of paper.
"Doctor," Maureen said, he looked over. "There's no need to tell me the report. I know what it is—I've known for a while." She looked away from him about to cry. Then she sat up, grabbed Smith's arm, "Please, don't tell John or the others. I need to tell him."
"My dear lady, are you asking me to lie?"
"Doctor, please. I'm begging you. Now, I'm your friend and I've been your ally. I'm just asking for you to let me tell John."
"If that is what you wish, I guess I'll grant it, but only because it's for you, my dear lady."
Dr. Smith stood up, cleared his throat and quickly left before John could question him. John hurried in, it was becoming routine. He embraced his wife, "Maureen, what is it? Are you okay?"
"Yes, John. It's nothing serious."
"Well, what is it?" he asked, holding her face, but she did not look happy, there were tears. "Maureen, what is it!"
"John," she paused. "I'm going to have a baby." She looked away from him.
John laughed with delight and squeezed her tight. The thought of having a child born and raised in space. But then again anything could go wrong. Was this planet safe to give life to an infant? He kissed her all over. "Maureen, how long have you known?"
She was less upset now, "A couple of weeks now."
"A couple of weeks? Why did you wait to tell me? I thought you were keeping something from me. I'm delighted, darling. Are you? I'm sure we can manage."
His thoughts were everywhere. Maureen was very silent. Between all the joyous thoughts that screamed out in John's head were the words couple of weeks. John stopped and just thought about Maureen and himself—their relationship. The romance. Really, they had been busy and neglected each other. Really they had neglected each other physically, besides the everyday embraces and kisses, since before they left Earth. "A couple of weeks?" he pondered aloud. "It can't be. Maureen, it doesn't add up. It just doesn't add up."
"I know, John. I've looked at it myself."
"Maureen, is there something you're not telling me?"
"No, John."
John moved away from Maureen. He walked to the other side of the small room. Then he just gazed intensely out of the porthole.
"Oh, John," Maureen cried. She walked up behind him. "John, I know what you're thinking, please don't. There is no question."
John couldn't help but think about it. Though who? There were a couple on board with them who were capable of it. There could be others on the planet that he did not know about. But he didn't want to think that Maureen was capable of something like that—they had a perfectly healthy relationship. Maybe he had concentrated too much on his work and neglected her. He didn't want to think anymore.
He turned hopelessly to Maureen and asked, "Dr. Smith has confirmed this?" She nodded. "Perhaps, there was some delay due to the freezing tube? Let's consult Dr. Smith."
Maureen didn't want to consult Dr. Smith about this very private predicament and she feared even more what the children would think.
