Genetically Perfect
This was the day.
The day my life would be changed. I would be married at sixteen. People in the past used to think that was young. But that was a hundred years ago. Now, the main focus is repopulation. I've lived in the Clardens for five in a half years. The first ten were spent in the Jarlends. You live in four places your whole life, and the only happiness in life is if the Jarlends can find you genetic love. If your genetics are damaged, you are banished to whatever remains of North America. The Jarlends sent scouts to see if they were alive. The scouts didn't survive. As I waited for my soon to be husband, my mind wandered. What would he look like? Would I know him from the Clardens? I hoped not. He might recognize me and remember what I did. I adjusted my pink dress and started reading the contract I would sign, binding me for life. I looked at the man who explained my new life. I was expected to be pregnant in three months. "Mr..?" I asked uncertainly.
"Robert" he responded with a tight smile.
"Right, so the contract states if I'm not pregnant in the required time, I'll be sent to the remnant of North America?" I state, almost shocked, but I chide myself for being so naïve. These are the Jarlends, who only want people to control.
"Indeed, Emma."
I hold a depressed sigh back. I sign my name reluctantly.
You only get one name to avoid confusion, and you don't know who your parents are. No one does.
"Excellent, now please follow me through this door, where you will meet Killian."
I freeze on my way to the door.
Mr. Gold stares at me expectedly. I move robotically through the door where I see the familiar look of dark, tousled hair.
I silently curse my parents for my genetics, and sit across from my future. His blue eyes pierce me. Thankfully, recognition doesn't flicker through, but he does give me that damn charming smile. I greatly suppress the urge to roll my eyes. There will be time for that later. The final step in our "marriage" is to tattoo each others names on our shoulder. It hurt like hell, but Killian didn't seem to mind the pain. They send us to the appointed house, where we will spend the rest of our life.
•*•*•*
When Killian unlocks the door, I rush to the couch and plop down. He comes and sits beside me.
"It's good to see my wife is so good looking."
This time Emma does roll her eyes. "You aren't so bad yourself, Killian."
He raised his eyebrow at her and smirked. "Great," Emma thought. "Now I've increased his ego."
He walks over to a drawer and takes out a ring and presents it to me. I look at him, shock evident on my face. "Where in hell did you find this?"
"I made it." He says, and scratches behind his ear, a blush creeping onto his face.
I lean up and kiss him on the cheek. I mean, I have to have a freaking kid with this guy. I can try to be nice. He looks slightly surprised, but covers it well.
"I'm exhausted, I'm going to bed. Will you join me?" I ask.
" Aye, I'll be right up."
I'm taken aback by his sudden lack of innuendo. I climb the stairs and fall into a deep sleep immediately.
•*•*•*
Pregnant.
It's been two months.
I shouldn't be surprised, but I still can't imagine myself as a mother. If it was my choice, I'd be 60 and still single. But it's the number one rule in Jarlend. Killian is working in computers, and I haven't told him yet. I don't expect him to be excited, but he is. He hugs me, and I am pleasantly surprised. I can't take it anymore. I have to tell him what happened in the Clardens. "There is something else." I say hesitantly. I see the worry on his face. "Two years ago, I met this guy named Neal. We illegally had sex, and I got pregnant." I pause as he registers the news. I see surprise, anger, and confusion.
"How is it possible? Where is he? And what became of the child?" He asks me.
"I had him early, and they sent him away before I met him. All I know is what his name is."
"And what is that?" He asks softly.
"His name is Henry."
•*•*•*
As I progress through my pregnancy, I become weaker and weaker. The doctors say it's normal, but that doesn't stop me and Killian worrying. Thanks to modern medicine, the labor will be relatively painless once I arrive at the hospital. At the Clardens, I spent most of my time at the crumbling library. I had the opportunity to share many sights into the past with Killian.
I am making breakfast for us when I feel lightheaded and more tired than usual. Killian looks at me with concern all over his face. I roll my eyes, and try to contain a smile.
"I'm not going to fall over and die you know." I wink playfully.
"Aye, but I must take extra precautions to insure our little one stays safe."
He smiles at my swollen stomach and I feel something I haven't felt in my life. Love.
•*•*•*
We are sitting cozily by a man-made fire reading,when I feel a very sharp pain. I grimace and avoid Killian's watchful eyes. I pretend to read my book, and try to divert my eyes from my staring at my belly. The pain comes back eleven minutes later. In an hour, it's every six minutes.
"Killian?" I say timidly.
"Yes love?" He answers, without looking up from his book.
"Um, I think it's time."
The way he bolts out of his chair is so ridiculous I can't help myself to keep from laughing. He scowls indignantly an carries me out the door, and all but runs to the nearest hospital.
•*•*•*
"Congratulations, Emma and Killian, it's a baby girl!" The doctor says before handing her to me.
"What are we going to name her?" I ask Killian softly.
"What about Lillian?" He says while tilting his head to the side.
I cry softly. "Hello Lilian! Welcome to the world."
•*•*•*
"She will be taken away tomorrow." The official says as he leaves our doorstep.
I nod numbly and look at her toys scattered around the house. After tomorrow, I will probably never see her again. Killian will be all I have left, until the government forces us to get pregnant again. I cry until Lillian starts crying to be taken out of her room to play. She's only four and a half. Saying goodbye is going to be the hardest thing I have ever done.
•*•*•*
There is a knock on the door. Killian and I look at each other with intense sadness in our eyes.
Killian picks Lillian up and kisses her nose. She is such a daddy's girl. We open the door and the officer roughly picks her up and swears. Killian looks at him, and punches him in the nose. Blood pours out and Lillian starts to scream. Killian grabs her, kicks the officer and slams the door and locks it. "We are not going to let them take her." He says, clenching his jaw. "We are going to fight for her." I nod firmly. "Ok, but before we do anything..." I trail off and glance at his lips. He seems to understand, and I kiss him gently. It immediately dives into a more passionate kiss. He's waited so long for this. He threads his fingers through my hair and deepens the kiss. When we break away, he leans his forehead on mine and I say " I love you." He stares deeply into my eyes. "I love you too."
•*•*•*