Part 3 – Thinking About It
"So … That's a 'no?'" Charlie said sadly.
"Huh? No!"
Charlie brightened. "So it's a 'yes?'"
"Charlie! You don't just … decide on this sort of thing! Maybe you've been thinking about it a while, but I haven't. Give me a minute!"
"Sorry," Charlie mumbled.
"Actually," Colby said. "Give me a week to think about it. We'll talk in a week, okay? And don't tell anybody, especially your father, that you're thinking about this!"
Charlie gave an unhappy nod then turned and went into the house. Colby sat back in his chair and closed his eyes. Dear God … Hopefully it will blow over, like the Alaska thing. But did he want it to blow over? He'd always regretted missing Nena's early years … The surge of panic the idea had given him still had his heart pounding in his chest. But … Colby looked through the patio door at Nena, who was explaining her latest artwork to Charlie. Give it a week, Granger. See what you think in a week.
It was a long week. Colby thought about it non-stop and, though Charlie didn't actually mention it, his hopeful looks were getting on Colby's nerves. Colby loved giving Charlie anything his heart desired, but this had to be thought through much more thoroughly.
Six days from the day that Charlie had first talked about it, Colby went for his morning run. Then, instead of heading for the shower, he slipped into the Solarium and shut the door. He settled himself on the rug in the classic lotus position and closed his eyes. He was going to try a technique that had been taught to him by Dr. Fox, his shrink.
Okay, I'm gonna divide myself into PositiveColby and NegativeColby.
Go.
The negative voice came instantly. Why would you possibly want a baby? Don't have enough stress in your life?
The positive voice was a little slower to respond, but no less clear. We could offer a baby a lot. A loving home, an extended family, a big sister.
Then why don't you adopt a baby from China or something?
That wouldn't fulfill Charlie's desire to have a baby with Eppes genes.
Talk about pride! 'I'm such a genius that I can't deprive the next generation of my genes'
Well, maybe that's true. And it's not just Charlie that will be passed on, it's his parents and grandparents, the whole Eppes line. Don's not interested in having a child, even ignoring the logistical difficulties.
Oh yeah, those difficulties. The ones you're gonna have. Planning on cruising the Internet for a surrogate mother? And then you could just have Charlie knock her up the old-fashioned way. Isn't that a pleasant thought …
It can be done in a more clinical way, with donor eggs and stuff. I'm sure there are some geniuses in that fancy gene bank that could be used to make a double genius.
Yikes, a 'double genius.' As if having one genius in your life isn't trouble enough.
The baby might not be a genius, just incredibly smart like Nena.
Charlie would be upset if a child of his doesn't blow the lid off an IQ test.
That's not true.
Isn't it?
… I don't think so. And there's more to Charlie than just his IQ test. Some part of Charlie would be passed on to a baby, and even if the baby gets all of Charlie's worst characteristics, I'm sure it would get some of the good ones, too.
So it would be 'Charlie's Baby,' not yours.
That's true but not true. Charlie is Nena's daddy, too, and he's only been in her life two years. A baby would be raised by both of us from the beginning.
Do you have any idea how much work a baby is? Charlie isn't going to be much help unless you give him instructions and an alarm clock.
He'll help. And there will be others, too. It won't be all my job. Alan's here and I know that Don and Will would be willing to help on occasion. And we can hire a nanny.
Right, with what money? And speaking of money, how in the hell are you going to be able to afford a surrogate? That's huge money!
If we decide that this is what we want, we'll find a way.
What, have a bake sale?
If we have to.
And the costs of raising another child. You don't make enough at the FBI.
I make enough. Plenty of people get by on less. And it's not like mine's the only income. Charlie makes a decent living plus his grants, awards and royalty checks.
Chump change. Do you have any idea how much college will be in 18 years?
We'll get by. Having a baby isn't about if you're rich enough.
Colby sat, breathing deeply, his eyes closed, and waited for the next thought to surface.
It's just stupid.
Running out of arguments?
Well, I think you've already decided that you want to go ahead.
… Maybe I have.
Colby opened his eyes and smiled.