-1Chapter 7- the gift of life

Renton was sitting in the lounge of the ship playing with the children and waiting for Eureka to return when Mischa paged him on the intercom.

"Renton, could you come up to my office please?"

"On my way." Renton replied. "Is it ok if I bring the kids along?"

"Sure- their reaction to what I'm about to tell you two should be interesting."

"Oh, ok then. Be there in a few then." he responded and the com went silent.

"Well kids, let's go!" said Renton.

"Ok papa!" they all replied cheerfully. They then made their way up to Mischa's office. Within a few minutes time, Renton and the kids had made it up to the medical room. When they walked in, Eureka was sitting there patiently at one of the examining tables.

"Mama!" the children yelled.

"Hi kids." Eureka said softly

"Eureka." said Renton.

"Hi dear." she replied as he gave her a kiss.

"How are you feeling?" asked Renton.

"Ok at the moment." she replied. It was then that Mischa walked into the room.

"Everyone here?" she asked.

"Yeah we are." replied Renton. "So what's going on with her?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary." replied Mischa.

"What do you mean?"

"She's fine Renton. Nothings wrong with her at all."

"Then why is she so sick all of a sudden?"

"It's normal for a woman who is pregnant." said Mischa calmly. After she said that she turned to see Renton, Eureka, and the kids staring at her with their eyes wide open.

"What's wrong you guys?" asked Mischa.

"Did you say what I thought you just said?" replied Renton nervously.

"Yes I did." replied Mischa. "What Eureka had was the symptoms of morning sickness. She's just about a little over a week in."

"You mean me and Eureka are going to be….?" said Renton.

"Yes, parents." replied Mischa. "Congratulations you two."

"But so soon?" Renton thought to himself with a worried expression on his face. "We weren't planning on having a child this early."

"Eureka, I'll give you some medication to help keep your symptoms down ok?"

"Ok, thank you, Mischa."

"You're welcome dear. Now you guys get going. I'm sure you two have a lot to talk about."

Later on in their room, Renton and Eureka sat quietly on their bed surrounded by their kids trying to think about the whole situation at hand. They knew that they wanted a child of their own someday, but just not this soon and not without talking with the kids first. After a few minutes though, Maeter was the first one to finally break the silence that filled the room.

"Momma, are you and Renton really going to have a baby together?" she asked.

"Yes dear, that's what Mischa told us." Eureka replied.

"Did you plan this without us knowing about it?" asked Maurice.

"Of course not!" Renton replied. "We were going to talk about it with you guys about having one sometime in the future, just not right now at this point in time."

"Yeah." Eureka continued. "This was as big a surprise for us as it was for you."

"Are you sure about that momma?" asked Maurice snottingly.

"Maurice of course I'm sure!" Eureka replied harshly. "I didn't plan on this you know!!"

"Eureka!" Renton replied with a shocked tone to his voice.

"Sorry, Renton dear." she replied softly. "I guess everything that's going on has me on edge a bit that's all."

"It's ok." said Renton as he gave her a hug and a small reassuring kiss. He then looked at their kids and said "Listen you guys, this doesn't mean anything will change between all of us. Me and your mother still love you all the same now as we did back then. The only thing that's different now is that we're going to have a new addition to our family."

"Hey momma are we going to have a baby brother or sister?" asked Linck.

Eureka laughed slightly and said "We don't know Linck. It's still too early to tell yet."

"So we're going to go through with it then momma?" replied Maurice.

"Yes we are son." said Renton. "and I want you guys to help your momma whenever she needs it ok?"

"But what about the war momma?" asked Maeter.

"I'm still fighting." Eureka replied. "But I promise to protect our new child and the rest of our family."

"Are you sure Eureka?" asked Renton.

"Yes I am." she replied. "If Talho was able to do it for us when she was pregnant, I can too."

"Alright then, I guess it's all settled then. We're going to have this child and welcome it into this world and our family. I also promise to help you whenever you need it dear."

"Thank you, Renton." she replied.

"Hey Renton, what about Holland and Talho? We have to tell them too you know. If we don't, Mischa will tell them herself eventually." Maurice replied.

"Yeah, I guess I never thought of that." said Renton with a worried tone. "I guess we had better tell them now rather than later."

"I just hope that they don't get too mad at us." said Eureka. "This was an unexpected surprise to us."

"Yeah no kidding." Renton replied with a slight laugh. "But listen, it's late and you kids need to get to bed. After that, me and you will go talk to Holland and Talho, ok Eureka?"

"That's fine." Eureka replied. "Alright kids, let's go."

"Awww but momma." they all replied.

"Now no arguments, come on." she said gently.

"Ok momma." they replied. As Eureka led them out, she turned and looked at Renton with a smile, a smile telling him that everything would be alright, no matter what happened.

After a little bit, Eureka walked back into their room and saw Renton sitting on the end of their bed with his head hanging down looking at the floor. It almost looked like he was upset or worried about something.

"Renton, dear, are you alright?" she asked as she walked towards him. Renton then brought his head back up and said "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just a lot to take in at one time, that's all."

"I hope it isn't too much for you." she replied. Renton then looked at her with caring eyes, kissed her, and said "No, not at all. We've been through a lot worse than this before."

"That's good." she replied. "When should we go tell Holland and Talho?"

"Better we do it now while we have the chance. There may not be another one after tonight."

"True, lets go then." said Eureka nervously

"Alright, let's go."

At the same time, Holland and Talho were sitting on the floor in their room playing with their son. It was one of the few times that they were able to enjoy time with each other with everything that was going on.

"I hope Eureka is ok." said Talho. "She still wasn't feeling that well when I saw her this morning."

"I'm sure she'll be fine." Holland replied. "She has Mischa and Renton looking after her."

"I know, but I still worry about her. She is our daughter you know."

"I know I remember." replied Holland with a slight laugh. It was then at that time that someone knocked on their door.

"Come in!" said Talho. After she said that, Renton and Eureka walked into the room.

"Well hey you two!! How are you feeling Eureka?" asked Talho.

"I'm much better thank you." Eureka replied softly.

"That's good to hear. So what brings you two down here?" Holland asked.

"Well, there's something we need to tell you, but we're kind of afraid to." Renton replied.

"Why is that?" asked Talho.

"It's something that we don't want you to get mad at us about that's all." said Eureka.

"Eureka if this is about the other day, I already told you…." and Eureka stopped her there.

"It's not about that." Eureka replied.

"What is it then dear?" asked Talho.

"Well, you remember how I haven't been feeling well right?"

Talho got a worried look on her face and said "Yeah I remember why?"

"Well, Mischa finally told us what was going on with her." said Renton.

"Is it something serious?" Holland asked.

"No, come to find out she's perfectly healthy." Renton replied.

"Well what was it then?" asked Talho.

"Well, umm, we're expecting a baby. We're pregnant." said Eureka nervously.

"WHAT?!" yelled Holland. "But how?!"

"You should know the answer to that you idiot!" replied Talho. "When did you two find out about this?"

"Earlier this evening. Mischa dropped the news on us rather politely considering the situation." Renton replied.

"Are you going through with it?" asked Talho.

"Yes we are." replied Renton. "We already talked about the situation with the kids and they're ok with it."

"We can't let you two go out there and fight then." said Holland. "It'll be too dangerous."

"We're going to fight anyways." said Eureka. "If Talho could do it for us when she was pregnant, I can too."

"But…." said Holland.

"No arguments." Renton replied. "We've already decided to fight to protect our family."

"Making another decision without me I see." said Holland.

"We do what we believe in Holland, you know that." said Renton.

"Yeah, Yeah I know." said Holland. "But listen, we are going to give you two as much extra protection that we can, I'll make sure of it."

"Thanks Holland." replied Eureka.

"No problem you two. It's part of what we're here for." Holland replied. "Not only to win this war, but to also protect our family."

"Anyways you two, thanks for letting us know. Don't worry we're not mad at you, I'm sure it was an unexpected shock to both of you." said Talho.

"Yeah it was." replied Renton. "More than you know."

"Well, you two go get some rest now. We have a surprise coming for you guys tomorrow." said Holland.

"A surprise?" asked Renton.

"You'll find out tomorrow." Talho replied. "Now get going and get some sleep."

"Ok, goodnight mom, dad." said Eureka

"Goodnight you two." Holland replied. Renton and Eureka then walked out of the room and headed back towards their room.

"Well, that was a shocker." said Talho.

"Yeah I know." Holland replied. "Who would've guessed it would happen to them at this point in their lives."

"No kidding." said Talho. "I'm glad that they haven't found out about Anemone and Dominic joining us on the ship with a new LFO."

"It'll definitely make it an interesting day that's for sure."

"Which means we had better get some rest ourselves, dear." Talho replied.

"True." said Holland. "I'll go put our son to bed, then we can get to bed ourselves."

"Alright, see you in a few." replied Talho. Holland then took their son to his room next door to lay him down before retiring for the night.

The next morning Eureka and Renton got what they thought was going to be the surprise that Talho talked about. She had somehow managed to organize a last minute breakfast in bed party with the crew for them to congratulate them on the upcoming arrival. When Renton asked if this was their surprise, she said "No not yet. That's still to come."

Later on in the lounge, the young couple were sitting there playing games with the kids when Talho walked in and said "Renton, Eureka, come with me please."

As they were walking along, Renton asked "Talho, why are we heading towards the ships hangar?"
"You'll see." she answered.

When the three reached the hangar, Renton's jaw dropped at the sight of the LFO that sat in front of him.

"What kind of LFO is that?" he asked.

"Renton, Eureka, meet the Venturion." Talho replied.

"It's amazing Talho. Said Eureka. "Who pilots it?"

"Thought you'd never ask." said Talho. "Ok you guys, open her up!"

Slowly the canopy lid of the LFO opened up and exposed the two familiar and yet friendly faces sitting inside.

"Dominic, Anemone!" said Renton.

"Hey guys!" said Dominic as the two climbed down off the ship.

"Anemone!" said Eureka

"Eureka!" said Anemone as the two ran to each other and gave each other hugs. "How are you doing?"

"I'm great." Eureka replied. "How about you?"

"Same here." she replied.

"So how is married life treating you Renton?" asked Dominic.

"Oh, it's definitely been interesting to say the least." He replied.

"Why would you say that?" asked Anemone.

"Well," said Renton as he wrapped his arm around Eureka, "We're expecting a baby. We're pregnant."

"What?!" said Dominic. "Eureka, is this true?"

"Yes it is." she replied. "We found out yesterday. It was kind of a surprise to us."

"Well congrats you two!" said Anemone.

"Thanks." said Renton. "So what brings you two out here?"

"Well, other than the new LFO we wanted to show off, we had a meeting with captain Jurgens and he said we could stay here with you guys." replied Dominic.

"Awesome!" said Renton. "But where will you stay?"

"We have a room set up for them already." said Talho. "So there's plenty of space for them."

"I guess our family on this ship just got a little bigger." said Eureka.

"I guess so." said Talho. "Lets go you two. I'll show you to your room so you can get settled in."

"Alright." said Anemone. "See you two later?"

"See you soon." said Eureka. As the two watched Dominic and Anemone leave the hangar with Talho, Renton and Eureka knew somewhat that they had been brought in to help aid in their protection. They didn't care too much though, they were still happy to have their two friends aboard the ship anyways.

Early that evening, everyone was in the dining room eating yet another huge meal prepared by Eureka and Renton. The two had decided to make a welcome aboard dinner for Dominic and Anemone to make them feel more at home on the ship. The only problem that they had was that they made a little too much.

"Oh man, am I stuffed." said Matthieu.

"I won't be able to eat for another week." Stoner replied.

"Better make that a month the way those two feed us." said Ken Goh with a laugh.

"I've never seen so much food in my life." said Hilda.

"If I try to pack in another bite I'll explode." said Dominic.

"No kidding." Anemone replied. "Hey Talho, do you guys always eat like this?"

"Usually only when Renton and Eureka are around." said Talho jokingly.

"I think I've gained about 15 pounds or more since they started cooking again." said Holland.

Talho heard him say that and just couldn't resist firing on his response. "You needed it my dear husband."

"Hey now you." said Holland with a laugh.

"So I guess everyone had their fill tonight?" asked Renton.

"You said it." said Gidget.

"That was enough food to feed an army." Doggie replied.

"It was almost enough for two armies." said Hap.

"I'm sorry did we make too much for you guys?" asked Eureka.

"No, you're fine." said Talho. "Besides, you're eating for two now."

"Eating for two?" she replied.

"You and the baby silly." said Talho.

"Oh, ok, sorry." replied Eureka with a laugh.

"It's ok." Talho replied. "I guess you're still not used to being pregnant quite yet."

"No not really but I'm loving every minute of it so far."

"That's good to hear." Talho replied.

"So you two are really going through with it?" asked Dominic.

"Yeah we are." said Renton as he put his arm around his beautiful wife. "We wouldn't do it any other way.".

"We believe in the gift of life, so it's only natural." said Eureka.

"It's great to see you two so much in love." said Anemone. "It almost makes me jealous knowing you two are having a baby together."

"Ahhh, Anemone, dear, what are you saying?" asked Dominic nervously.

"We'll talk about it later, ok?" she replied as she kissed her husband.

"Uhh, ok." he replied.

"Geez, we're going to be running a daycare if that keeps up." said Holland.

"Yeah, but you love every minute of it and you know it." Talho replied.

"Yeah, yeah you got me. I guess it helps though that we have plenty of adults on board that are good with kids." replied Holland.

"It's a team effort." said Hilda. "But I know I love it."

"I know we do." said Renton about him and Eureka.

"I don't mind them." said Gidget. "I like playing with them."

Talho laughed and said "It fits your personality."

"Really?" asked Gidget.

"Yeah it does." said Talho. "You're always upbeat, cheery and smiling all the time."

"Wow, I didn't know I was like that all the time." Gidget replied.

"Yeah you are." Talho replied.

"Well, I guess we'll be getting some experience now too since we're on board this ship." said Anemone.

"But Anemone!" replied Dominic.

"No Dominic, she's right." said Holland. "If you want to stay, helping to watch and raise the kids is one of the duties of the ship."

"Yeah, Renton and Eureka have to have a day off sometimes too you know." said Hilda. "They like the rest of us are allowed personal days occasionally also."

"Alright, I understand." said Dominic.

"You had better." Anemone replied. "I am not passing this chance up for the world."

"I can see who sets the rules in that household." said Hap with a laugh.

"Hey now!" yelled Dominic.

"Chill dear." said Anemone. "He was only kidding so relax."

"Yeah I know." Dominic replied. "Natural reaction I guess."

"One we'll have to work on." said Anemone.

"Yes dear." said Dominic.

"Alright everyone, lets get this place cleaned up and retire for the night. Maybe then we can relax and wear off this food." said Holland. With that order, everyone pitched in to get the dining hall cleaned up after the huge meal. Within a half hours time, the room looked like nothing happened at all.

"Great job everyone." said Holland. "We'll see you all in the morning. Good night all."

"Goodnight Holland and Talho." everyone replied. After that everyone else retired to their rooms for night to try to digest all the food that they had ate that evening. A few minutes after leaving the dining room, Anemone and Dominic arrived in their room and began talking about the wonderful evening the Gekkostate crew had prepared for them.

"That was an awesome dinner wasn't it?" asked Anemone.

"Yeah it was." Dominic replied. "Those two really outdid themselves this time around."

"I'm really happy for those two. They have almost everything planned out for themselves as to what they're going to do and when they're going to do it."

"Yeah they do." said Dominic. He then changed the subject of the conversation to themselves. "By the way, did you mean what I though you did when the subject of those two having a baby came up?"

"Yeah I guess." she replied. "I've always dreamed about us having our own little miracle someday. I've always thought about how great it would be if we did."

"Anemone, how come you never told me about this?"

"A little nervous I guess." she replied. "I didn't know what your reaction would have been."

"We'll I'm glad you did, Anemone. I've though about it plenty of times myself too, believe me."

"You have?" she replied.

"Yes I have." said Dominic. "I think it would be great if we did sometime in the future also."

"Thanks Dominic, it makes me feel better now that I know that. I just never thought you'd really think about something like this." "You're welcome dear." said Dominic. "Now let's get into bed, relax, and get some sleep. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow getting used to everything here."

"Yeah, sounds like a good idea. I'm a little tired after traveling anyways." Anemone replied.

"Ok, see you in the morning then dear." he replied. He then gave her a goodnight kiss and fell into a deep sleep with his wife by his side.