Unexpected News, part 3

Tyr was surprisingly amused by Dylan's reactions to his impending fatherhood: for a man who normally seemed to know exactly what he was doing, he was freaking out big time. He put his book down and walked over to Dylan, "Is there anything you wish to talk about?" Dylan looked at the big Nietzschean, "I'm just a little shocked: I always wanted to have a family, but when I got together with Rommie, I just assumed that it was not to be."

Sighing, Tyr sat-down next to Dylan, "You want to have a family, right?" Dylan nodded. "You love Rommie, right?" Tyr continued. Again Dylan nodded. Tyr slapped him round the side of the head, "Then what's the problem? Call it love, call it the need to propagate your DNA, call it what you will, but the universe has seen fit to give you this child. Be happy." Dylan looked at Tyr; "You sounded just like Rev Bem for a moment there." Tyr shrugged, "I've been reading some of his books: I finished all my own."

Dylan smiled as he walked back to medical, Tyr was right, this was what he wanted, and he should, and would, be happy about it. Rommie was involved in an animated discussion with her main AI and it's hologram. He leaned against the doorway and waited for them to notice him. After five minuets, he gave up, "Can't the three of you agree on anything?"

It was strange to have the three of them look at him at once: he felt like he was seeing double, only triple. Rommie looked upset, "They think I should get rid of the baby." The hologram took a step back, "Wow there! SHE thinks you should get rid of the baby, not me!" The main AI blinked on the screen, "I was mealy playing devils advocate: how can she continue to act as my Avatar if she is pregnant?" Dylan rubbed his eyes, "Can an AI develop multiple personality syndrome? Look, we'll use regular High Guard regulations about maternity leave: Rommie will continue to fulfil her duties on ship until her doctor, or in this case, Harper and Trance, say otherwise. Ok?"

The other three exchanged glances, and then nodded. "That will be acceptable." announced the main AI. Dylan smiled, "Now I want the two of you here to witness this, as it concerns you too." He took Rommie's hand and got down on one knee, "Rommie, I love you more than life its self: will you marry me?"

TBC.