A/N: Thanks to Phish Tacko for beta'ing this.
Ch. 42
"Hey, don't go doing anything too intense," One of the other crew members yelled at Anthony. "We wouldn't want you to hurt yourself or the baby," He started laughing. A few other crew members also joined in.
Anthony sighed and went back to mopping the deck. He tried his best to ignore the jokes everyone had been making all morning.
"So, are you technically the wife in your marriage? Since you carry the babies and all," Another man asked.
"I'm NOT considered the woman, no," Anthony snapped at him. He was really getting tired of this. "Just because I can have children does not make me any less of a man."
The crew started laughing hysterically at this statement.
"Oh, remember the days when men were actually men?" The guy asked another person.
"Back when only women would have the babies?"
"Guys, knock it off." Everyone turned to see a younger member of the crew, known to them all as Kelso. "Anthony does his job. Leave him alone."
Kelso was muscular and very strong, so none of the crew really wanted to mess with him too much. Not to mention that he was a lot younger than all of them, so they knew that he could likely win any fight just based on stamina.
A few of them mumbled their whatevers and went back to work, leaving Anthony alone.
"Thanks, mate," Anthony said, reaching out to shake Kelso's hand.
"No problem. You always work hard, there's no reason for them to be making wisecracks at you."
"Thanks again."
Kelso nodded. "Well, I've got some organizing to do below deck. If you like, stop by my cabin later, we can play a game of cards or somethin'."
"Yeah, sure," Anthony agreed. He was happy to have a prospective new friend on board. Especially one that could take on any people who made fun of him.
"Great. I'll be off shift at seven. See you later."
With that, Kelso walked away.