The Ring Chapter 8 Murphy's big news

The fourth year moved on for the Ring 7. No one mentioned going home anymore although it always played in the back of their minds but it seemed like so far away. Thinking about it became like a dream. The 5 year wait had suddenly become 7 and that was only if everything went well. Air became the constant worry for Monty and Raven. Would the hundred year old lighthouse aerator hold up on the Ark for an additional two years? Anything could go wrong and worrying about every possibility would make them both anxious and despondent. They would usually shake it off and keep going, but when it got bad, Bellamy would force Raven to take a day off and recoup. Harper would do the same with Monty. Everyone was aware when someone would get down. They were becoming a family.

Bellamy continued to spar with Echo, but Raven made it clear to the Azgeda warrior that it would end if Bellamy ever came away with a scratch. Echo wasn't afraid of Raven, but she agreed none the less.

Towards the end of the fourth year Emori refused to get out of bed, every time she rose she would be sick. Finally Murphy called Harper.

"She won't come to medical, but somethings wrong. She said to leave her alone, but I'm worried," Murphy said as he and Harper walked side by side to his room.

Murphy rarely reached out for help, so Harper knew it had to be serious if he came to her.

"Okay, I'll see if there's anything I can do," Harper said

"John, I said I didn't need her," Emori said in an angry tone when he came in their room with Harper.

Harper looked at Murphy with a frown. "I'm fine," Emori said to her.

"Emori, you're sick," Murphy said "She's here to help."

"Murphy said you've been throwing up," Harper said

"It's just an upset stomach," Emori said "Really it's nothing."

Harper looked at Murphy "Can you give us a minute?" she asked

Murphy looked unsure if he should go. Finally he moved to the door "I'll be right outside," he said

Harper moved towards Emori. "What's going on?" she asked with concern

Emori looked at Harper "I'm scared," she said "A baby here in space? it won't survive," she said.

Harper suspected it but didn't want to say. She saw Emori's chin quiver, she knew the grounder was imagining the worst. She was in a strange place, an unknown future, and now the idea of a child was scary.

Harper immediately sat down on the bed next to her. "Emori, There's nothing to be afraid of. I was born on this Ring, Murphy, Bellamy, Monty; Raven… we all were born in space. Babies can be born in space," she said "You'll be starting a new generation that isn't grounder or skaikru." She said trying to give Emori reassurance.

Emori relaxed a little. "It's not just being here, it's this," she said and uncovered her hand.

Harper understood, but didn't know what to say. She didn't know the right words. Finally she said, "None of that matters. Whatever child you have will be beautiful and you both will love it," she said. "I think you should tell Murphy, and I'll see if I can find something that will help with your nausea." Harper stood and smiled "Murphy going to be a father," she said shaking her head and smiling "congratulations."

Harper went outside and saw Murphy standing against the wall. "What is it? Is she okay?" he asked full of concern.

"She's going to be fine," Harper smiled "You can go on in."

Murphy rushed into the room and closed the door. Harper just smiled and left the couple alone.

Harper spent the rest of the day researching everything she could find on pregnancy. They did basic studies on the Ark in school, but didn't really focus on the medical portion of things. She hadn't been around pregnant women, or been involved with them so she needed to be prepared and it scared her. She knew that she could not look scared in front of Emori or Murphy. She needed to reassure them that everything would be okay.

She met with Emori again that afternoon and filled her in on what to expect and she wanted to try and pinpoint a due date. The questions were uncomfortable, and seemed personal to ask, but she did so like a professional.

Murphy was never more excited. He was scared too. He wouldn't let Emori do anything. It was cute the way he acted. Murphy would lie next to her just staring at her flat belly. His hand was always splayed open on it waiting to feel the first movement. He didn't want to miss a single thing.

"John, Raven says you won't be able to feel anything until after 5 months," Emori said when he first started holding her belly.

"I know, but it's still in there," he said. "You never know, she might be able to feel my hand," Murphy said

Emori laughed," What makes you think it's a girl?" she asked "It may be a boy, with dark hair just like you," Emori said

"No, It's a girl and she's going to be just as bad ass as you, and pretty like you too," He said and he leaded over and kissed her. "She'll be perfect just like her mother," he smiled and kissed her again.

Murphy leaned down to Emori's tummy and kissed it "You've got the prettiest mom in the world and I can't wait for you to see her," he said.

"John, you won't be mad if it's a boy will you?" she asked

"No," he smiled "I'll be happy with either, I just have a feeling,' he smiled

Murphy spent most of the morning with her until he finally went to medical to meet with Harper. He found her still buried in research.

"She still is nauseous, is there anything that you can find that will help her?" Murphy asked

"Actually I was going to ask you if you could come up with something in the galley," Harper said "they used bland foods, soda crackers was popular. You're the chef here, maybe you can cook up a type of bland cracker," she said

Murphy thought about it and smiled. "I think I can figure it out," he said and he rushed away.

Monty saw Murphy leaving medical. "How's Emori?" he asked.

"She told you?" Murphy asked "so much for privacy," he smirked

"Well, when I caught her going through all the pregnancy material earlier today, she kind of had too. I thought she was the one," Monty said "plus it's hard to keep that kind of secret," he said "Congratulations," Monty smiled

"Thank you Monty. It's great isn't it…" he said beaming with pride. "Who knows maybe you and Harper might…"

Monty held up his hands "No I think we'll wait," Monty said

Murphy just laughed and slapped Monty on the back. "You know the cool part of it is?" he asked "If we want to have another, we can. No one will float us," he said with a defiant tone.

Monty just smiled. "Are you scared?" he asked

"No kids were born on the Ark all the time, what's there to be afraid of?' Murphy asked

"I mean of actually raising a person. You know having to teach someone to be a good person." Monty said

Murphy got really serious. He looked at Monty in a determined tone "No. My kid is never going to be ashamed of who they are. They'll never have parents that hurt them, or are ashamed of them," he said "They will be loved and they will be happy," he said

Monty smiled "I know you're right," he said agreeing with Murphy. "I think you're going to be a good father Murphy," he said

"No Monty I'm going to be an awesome father," he smiled and walked away

Monty laughed and went into medical. "Still studying?" he asked

Harper looked up and had a frazzled look on her face. "I'm not ready for this," she said

"Hey, you're going to be fine. I just ran into Murphy and he seems really excited,' Monty said "Come," he nodded his head towards the door"you need a break."

Harper stood and stretched her back. "Yea I could use a short break, but I still have a lot more research to do," she said "what do you have in mind?" she asked him

"Well, I was thinking maybe since Murphy and Emori are going to have a baby…" he started

"Wait, don't even think it," she held up her hands and backed away, shaking her head no.

Monty smiled and reached for her arms, "No," he said "I figured we could practice the first part though, you know… for when we decide one day we may want to start a family," he smiled "we can never have too much practice."

Harper smiled slyly and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Now that is true Mr. Green, you need all the practice you can get," she laughed

"For some reason that didn't come out like I thought it would," he said in a self-humiliated tone.

Harper just smiled and leaned in to kiss him. "Practice makes perfect," she said "and I think you have had plenty of practice," she whispered into his mouth as she playfully nipped his lip.

"I can always use more though," he said and pulled her towards the door as they headed to their room.