"And how is motherhood treating you?" asked Beka as she walked into Obs. Deck with Caden on her hip.
Rommie looked up from bouncing Mara on her knee and pondered her answer.
It had been six months since Harper had adopted the child and he was more than thrilled when Mara had grappled onto Andromeda as her mother.
Daddy's an engineer and Mommy's a warship. What a family.
And family was something Rommie once thought that she could never have with Harper. After being together for three years and seeing everyone else around them having children, the reality really sunk in.
Well, unless Harper built their children and new AI's were created but it still wouldn't be the same. It would still be all her and nothing of him. But then Harper had taken in Mara, it had surprised her but as soon as the child got a hold of her bulkhead everything about it just seemed right.
The warship, the AI, and the avatar had a daughter with their chief engineer.
"Considering how I wasn't designed to have children, it's going very well."
The children were set on the ground to play as their mothers sat and watched them.
Caden made a grab for the strange girl's tail, which kept flicking just out of his reach.
"I never thought I'd be having children either until Cassie happened."
"Well Rhade is a Nietzschean and their conception rate is above a ninety percent accuracy..."
"Stop. No more. We're not having any more. I'm taking strong stuff and no matter where he tries to look for my birth control he's never going to find it."
"You keep moving it don't you."
"Stop spying on me and don't you dare tell him."
"I don't spy, I monitor. And I wouldn't tell him. If the two of you want more children you'll discuss it like sane people."
"Pfft. Yeah, tell him that. And tell his mother that too. Did you know she's sent me three messages already asking when I think I'm going to be pregnant again?"
"Octavia Rhade did have six children."
"I'm not having six children."
"No one says you have to."
"Rhade wants to. Actually I think he mentioned something about twelve..." Beka trailed off with a faraway look on her face.
"I'm sure you'll survive."
"What kind of reassurance is that?"
"I thought this conversation started with you asking me how I was handling motherhood and now you're worrying about children you may never have?"
"Paranoid is more like it. You don't know how sneaky my cleverly darling husband can be."
"Beka?"
"So how's Mara?"
"You've changed the subject once, I'm not letting you change it again."
"We should invite Trance into our conversation. She's a mom too."
"We all are now."
"Trance and Dylan."
"Yes, Trance and Dylan."
"Why am I the only one on this ship with more than one baby?"
"You married a Nietzschean."
"...oh yeah."
"And besides they're cute when they're little," Rommie smiled.
"Just wait till she gets sick."
"I have been thinking about that and I will know the instant she needs me."
"Can't hide when momma's everywhere."
"Exactly."
"She can also just call you and, poof, you appear."
Rommie puffed with pride. "Whenever my daughter needs me."
Both the women turned to look at their children as Caden let out a surprised chirp as Mara jumped and landed on him.
>>>
A/N: Ha! I finally did it! This chapter had me stuck until today. I thought it was too stiff but then it started flowing nicely together once more. And I also got a new idea for the next chapter:)
Jade Rhade: Mara's name is pure coincidence. I kind of forgot about Mara Jade until you mentioned her. I had only seen her name on some SW books back in high school, so I didn't make the connection until you pointed it out.
PhoenixOrchid: I did watch Winnie the Pooh when I was younger, I knew their names together were the animal but I didn't know they had a rhyme for it. It's been a looooong time.
PeaceKeeper Dax: Yup, Harper and Rommie have indeed been together before Mara:)
Thanks to everyone who reviewed Chapter 21: Prin69, Tam, B.L.A. the Mouse, Jade Rhade, PhonixOrchid, Jeff, Rhade's Rebel, Ryua Malfoy, Elven Companion, Jamieson Z, PeaceKeeper Dax