"Not only have we figured out where I came from, but now we know we can risk having children," Clark said happily to Lois. "If someone from my planet came before and started this tribe with an Indian woman, it's okay for us to have children as well."

"You're right. That isn't to say I want any if we can help it, but we can risk it. Thank goodness for pioneers."

"I know. It doesn't sound like he thought a whole lot of her though because how could he have been sure that he wouldn't hurt her? Not to mention, he abandoned her with children."

"He did sound like a lovely man, didn't he? Just goes to show you there are idiots on every planet, or at least on every planet with any sort of intelligent life."

Add must have realized what the problem was when they came back, as he said nothing more about a wedding for Clark and Narrow. Instead, he showed them where they would sleep. They were put with Katawache families. Lois was to stay in a lodge with only women and Clark stayed in a lodge with only men.

"Hawe," the woman and girls greeted Lois. It must have been the word for hello. "Hah-way," Lois said back, carefully enunciating the two syllables back to them.

They had a bed laid out for her and she sat down on it. She was glad she was nowhere near Narrow.

They were all fascinated by the way she wore her hair up. It appeared the style here was either to wear it in a braid or to wear it loose. The youngest girl, who appeared to be about 4, was especially fascinated by it and reached out and touched it. Her mother gave her a sharp reprimand in their native language. Lois smiled kindly at the girl. Then she took her hair down so that it was more like theirs and the girls lost their interest.

Clark had a much less exciting reception as the men and boys in his lodge were already asleep. He followed their example and quickly fell asleep.

Lois left her hair down when she got up. She didn't want more little girls prodding her hair, but they all were still fascinated by her dress.

There was venison and berries for breakfast. After breakfast, Clark pulled Lois aside and said, "Lucy is not far from here."

"She's not?" Lois asked in surprise. "How far is not far?"

Clark pointed toward the wooded area, "You just go straight ahead for about 2 miles and you're there."

Lois looked wistfully in that direction.

Clark smiled, "I know you are dying to see her. Go ahead."

"What will you do?"

"I'm going to stay here and explain to Add and Narrow that while I may be Naman, I do not have a destiny to marry Narrow."

"It sounds like a plan to me. Then are we leaving, right?"

"If you are willing, I would like to stay for a couple more days and see if there is anything else I can learn."

"I understand and it will give me a chance to visit with Lucy. I don't know how I am going to explain my presence to her."

"I am sure you will think of something," he said, kissing her goodbye and Lois set off.

Clark told Add and Narrow where she was going and then that he needed to talk to them alone. They went inside their lodge for the conversation.

Clark was right. It couldn't have been but 2 miles before Lois found Lucy and Ron's home. It was a charming, little log cabin recently built. Lois heard Lucy's screams as she approached and rushed in to help.

"Oh, no. Now I'm hallucinating!" Lucy cried when she saw her. She lay on the bed covered in beads of sweat.

"I don't care where you came from or if you are Lucy's hallucination, I need help," Ron said in a panicky voice. "I don't know what to do."

"Calm down. She is just having a baby. This thing mostly takes care of itself. I think the first thing we need to do though is pull back her skirt a little, so we can see what we're doing."

Lucy squeezed her hand when she came over. "You're real?"

"The last time I checked," she answered. "Ron, we're going to need water, some rags if you have any, and a blanket to wrap the baby in it."

"Right," he said, hurrying to get the supplies.

Lois took a peek. "Everything looks good."

"When did you ever deliver a baby?" Lucy asked suspiciously.

"I helped Father deliver a colt, remember?"

Lucy looked murderous. "You think this is like delivering a colt?"

Lois smiled as she set a chair in front of her sister, "I know it is. Unless you plan on laying an egg, the process works the same. And I don't think you're in a position to question my credentials."

The labor didn't last but 2 hours.

"It's a boy," Lois said, handing the swaddled baby to his mother. His father, who had recovered, looked at the mother and son proudly.

"He's so small and perfect," Lucy said in awe. The baby had beautifully long lashes and nut brown skin. Then she sighed from exhaustion and complained, "It's hot in here."

Ron cracked the front door open. "Is that better?"

"Much," she answered, leaning her head back against the pillows. There was a little bit more admiration by his parents and aunt before the door came swinging all the way open and a white wolf came running in with a fierce growl.

Lois acted quickly and took the baby in her arms and got up on the chair. The wolf went after Lois and the baby.

Ron had gotten his rifle and was now pointing it at the wolf. The gun resounded as Ron took a shot. The bullet missed the wolf and went into the wall, but it had managed to graze its front leg. The wolf instantly retreated, running out of the house. They all sighed breaths of relief.

"There was something off about that wolf," Ron said, putting his rifle back. "I can't explain it."

"I think so too," Lois agreed, coming down off the crude, wobbly chair after giving the baby to Ron. "And I'm going to find out what it is."

TBC