Talyak - who am I to argue with test results? I'm sure everyone was surprised.
Mira - Kaiba is stubborn and has a bit of a temper. And since he's always right, there's no reason to consult anyone else, right? And for the record, my standard posting schedule (at least for 2020) is once a week, with one additional chapter posted within 24hrs of any review or favorite. I always finish writing before I start posting, so all my stories will eventually complete. Right now, I have four additional stories ready or almost ready to post. After that, I may vanish while I finish more writing.
Chapter 18
Jerrad Otis (MaleHerm) had been married to Sven Hap (DoubleMale) for eight years when they decided to attend a party at a swing club where they had been members for several years. Mr. Otis does have a womb, however, he does not have ovaries and can not conceive his own child.
That evening, they had several encounters including one with LaTonya Freedmen, a FemaleHermaphrodite.
Ms. Freedmen is one of eight known FemaleHerms who have a unique condition known as Reverse Fertilization. Her ovaries and her testicals are in the reverse positions. When Ms. Freedmen ovulates, one or more eggs are released into her ejaculate and can be implanted into a womb during vaginal sex.
When Mr. Otis learned of his pregnancy, he and Mr. Hap - who did not desire children - divorced, agreeing that Mr. Otis could have uncontested custody of the child.
Neither gentleman expected the legal battle over the next three years as Mr. Otis fought for the child he delivered but had no legal or biological custody rights to.
Introduction, A History of Gestational Parents Rights, Harper Press
"Joey, I'm not kidding." Ishtar grabbed his arm to keep him from walking away. "Malik and Isis are drawing up the papers right now. If you seriously want an abortion, we'll take the baby."
"What, you got a vacuum?" Joey snapped.
Ishtar let his arm go and sighed. "They basically give you a c-section and plant the fetus real quick in a surrogate."
"You got a surrogate mom just hanging out?"
"Isis! She's totally flipped out over this. She's never carried her own kid before."
That could be a way out. Let her have it. The idea of having the baby cut out of him made Joey's skin crawl, but then so did the idea of a baby being inside him.
"Are you even listening to me?" Ishtar gave Joey a shake. "Look, everybody - well, everybody except Isis - wants you to just have him, ok? Nobody wants to force you into anything. And transferring the baby does have some serious risks. But I just wanted you to know, killing it isn't an option. We will stop you."
"Yeah, I hear you," Joey muttered. "Look, I - I don't know."
"It's kind of big, I know. We gotta do it before eight months. After that, it's too much risk to the baby, and nobody's happy. But think about it - think about how many people will be happy if you give this baby to someone who wants it."
Ishtar started to leave the room.
"So what do I do?" Joey asked. "I mean, if I decide to let her have it."
"Sign a few papers. Everyone with parental rights has to sign off that they knew about the procedure."
"Good luck with that," Joey scoffed. Kaiba had provided a DNA sample and then a Request to Terminate Parental Rights.
"If you want to do it, Joey-niisan, we'll make him sign."
xXxXxXx
"Nii-sama?"
"Hmm?" Seto realized with a start that he'd zoned out on the conversation. He had no idea what Mokuba had been talking about, and worse, Seto honestly could not say what he had been thinking about. "I'm afraid I've been having trouble focusing lately."
"I have noticed that you seem somewhat distracted, Nii-sama. If there is anything I can do to ease your mind, it would be my honor to assist you. I assure you, it will appear to be natural causes."
Seto looked at his brother for a moment. "I am going to presume that that is a joke in poor taste. I do not want anyone harmed. Jounouchi choose someone else. That is the end of the matter."
"As you wish, Nii-sama."
"There is no reason to threaten Jounouchi. He is not the cause of my recent distraction. I have been working on several projects, both for the company and school, and I am not satisfied with the results thus far."
"Please do not feel required to explain to me."
"And I have been getting less sleep recently. I thought eliminating having to go to the school building would reduce the constraints on my time, but it actually appears worse. I truly don't understand. I wake earlier, I go to bed later, I am no longer wasting my time catering to Jounouchi's carnal desires, and yet I keep getting less done."
Mokuba paused before he spoke again. "Perhaps you should speak to him. Maybe that would allow you to clear your mind."
"Why do you keep bringing him up?" Seto snapped. "For the last time, Katsuya and I had a trivial, meaningless fling! It was hardly memorable. I don't know why you are under the impression that there was more to it than that, but rest assured that I am not pining after a lost love like some ridiculous schoolgirl."
"Yes, Nii-sama."
"Fine," Seto huffed. "Are your studies going well?"
"Yes, Nii-sama."
"Excellent." Seto looked at his watch. "I hadn't realized it was so late. What time do you need to be back on campus?"
Mokuba looked at him oddly, the young boy's usually inhumanly calm demeanor visibly breaking for a moment. He looked down. "I am sorry I questioned your judgement. To return to school now, you will have to accompany me. It is after curfew."
"After? Isn't that rather early?"
"All students with off-campus passes must return on the date of the pass. My pass is for Monday, not today." Seto didn't react to the day. "Since today is the last Friday of the month, I have a weekend pass. But I would certainly go back to the school if you prefer."
"No." Seto actually looked distraught - which frightened Mokuba more than anything else. "No, of course not. I was just -"
"Big bro," Mokuba cut him off. Whatever excuse he was about to make wasn't necessary. "Can we just go home?"
"Of course." Seto smiled weakly, and signaled the waiter. And so quietly than Mokuba almost missed it, "thank you."