I am back in the saddle and writing groove again! WOOHOO! Thank you for everyone who's following this little story, especially the fabulous Umbre0n!

Amelia buried her face in her arms on her desk. She didn't expect toughing it out by herself to be this hard. She looked around her stateroom. Garbage littered the floor. Papers piled high. The window hung open, a soft breeze blew through it, ruffling the pages of the books laying around.

For all intents and purposes, it was a perfect day for sailing. Clear skies, gentle breeze, cawing gulls. Every spacer's fantasy voyage. But this was anything but Amelia's fantasy voyage.

She had spent the past week miserably attempting to run the Legacy, keep the rowdy-and-growing-rowdier crew in line, and maintain her health and the health of the children. But, it had not gone well. Eventually, she relinquished nearly all of her duties to Mr. Thornbuckle, except for the keeping of the map and keeping the Legacy on course. That she left in Dr. Doppler's capable hands.

Speaking of him, he hadn't come to visit her since their last meeting. Yes, he did speak to her when they came across each other through the day-to-day operations of the Legacy, but he didn't walk her to her quarters like he had before. At first she thought it was just a temporary absence; he was taking time to adjust to his new position on the ship and his new duties. But, after two weeks of no accompaniment, she began to worry. And after the third week, she accepted that he wasn't coming back.

And why should he? You told him you didn't love him! That you didn't want his children! That you thought it would be impossible for you to live with him; he's probably furious with you, or at the very least in no hurry to associate with you ever again.

Amelia rubbed the inner crevices of her eyes. Her stomach gurgled. She had made a horrible mistake. She was in the most difficult position of her life, and she had driven away the one person who was still alive who knew about it.

How could I have been so stupid…? Doppler loves me. He has said time and time again that he will take care of and provide for both me and the children. He was there for me after Arrow's death, when no one else was. He has cared for me obsessively these past four months. Why did I ever—

Amelia's train of thought was abruptly interrupted. Something had moved inside of her, right next to her lower left rib. For a moment, she was concerned. Was something wrong with the babies? It wasn't nearly time yet, she still had three months to go. Premature labor this early was rare, Doppler said. Rare, but not impossible. And that was the last thing she needed. Worried, she went to the door to go find Doppler.

Wait a moment. Get yourself back in order, Captain. Take a step back and think straight.

She was four months along. That's when most Felinids began to show. And when the fetuses began to move. She had seen her mother go through this twice, with her younger twin siblings. This was normal. No need to get flustered and raise alarms among the crew.

Another movement, this time near her lower abdomen, pulled her from her thoughts once more. She looked down her small bump. Hard to believe that four months ago, there was nothing there. Now, she had at least one, probably more, small children growing inside her. With a man that, had she met him before the voyage, she wouldn't have given a second glance.

Almost on cue, there was a knock at the door. Amelia straightened out her hair and jacket, then opened the door, ready to receive whoever was on the other side.

"Hello?"

"G…good afternoon Captain."

Amelia blinked. Doppler stood in the doorframe, wearing the same reddish-brown coat he always had, hair pulled back in the same style as when they first met. But he was different. His eyes were duller. Blue-purple rings hung under his eyes, and he looked as if he hadn't shaved in a week. He looked like a devastated, broken man.

"Doctor…please, come in."

Doppler nodded and crossed the threshold into her quarters. "What is it, Captain?"

"Please, Delbert…call me Amelia."

Doppler blinked, confused, obviously thrown by the sudden change in address. "Of course…Amelia," he said, pronouncing her name slowly, as if it was a new flavor he wanted to savor. "What is it? Is something wrong?"

Amelia smiled. There was the old Delbert. "No, nothing's wrong…come over here."

Still confused, Doppler obliged. Amelia took his right hand, and placed it on her stomach. She waited a moment. Nothing. Doppler looked at her with a mixture of confusion and anxiety. Then, when Amelia was about to give up, remove his hand from her abdomen, and apologize for wasting his time and get down to business, they moved. Four small flutters, each from a relatively different spot, nudged through her and to Doppler's hand.

Doppler was taken by surprise, she could see that easily. His eyes widened. The light returned. "They…they're kicking. Amelia, this is wonderful. When did this start?"

"Only a few moments ago. The first was up here," she gestured to the spot, "and the second was here," she gestured again, "and now there were two more. I suppose that means that there are four of them in there."

Doppler smiled. "Right on schedule. They're developing properly.

"Astounding, considering the position we're in. The Legacy is not the most ideal place to carry out a pregnancy."

"Amelia, this is…amazing. I dare say it's a miracle. I've never witnessed anything so spectacular."

Amelia laughed. "Delbert, I highly doubt you'll think that when we get a good look at Treasure Planet."

Doppler looked at her for a moment. Then, he exclaimed, "Of course! That's what I came down here to tell you about, I almost forgot! Treasure Planet is within our sights! Onus spotted it a few minutes ago. We should be docking planetside by nightfall."

Amelia smiled. Another successful voyage. She just wished poor Arrow was here to see it. "Delbert…there's something I have to tell you, something we have to talk about."

"What is it?"

"It's about the children…"

Before she could finish her sentence, a knock came from the other side of the door. "Now, who could that be?" she asked, partially to herself, partially out loud to Doppler.

"I'm not sure. When I came down, the crew was practically hanging off the rails on deck, trying to get a glimpse of Flint's Trove."

"Hm." Amelia opened the door. "Mister Hawkins? What are you doing here? I thought you of all people would be first in line to get a look at Treasure Planet."

"Yeah, yeah, it's pretty cool. But we have to get out."

"What are you talking about?" Doppler asked Jim.

"The crew. They're mutinying."

Oh yeah. Now it's getting good.

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