Chapter 9

"You ok in there?" Arakai called through the bathroom door.

"Do I sound like I'm- UUUAAAGGCCHH - cough cough – ok…?" Amee had been nauseous all morning. It had been a couple weeks since the wedding and for the most part everything had been fine until now.

"You want me to get a doctor?" Arakai offered.

"WHAT DO YOU THINK!? YES, I WANT A DOCTOR!"

"Ok ok, geez, just trying to help,"

"Help faster!"

"Is she doing any better?" Shetka asked.

"Take a wild guess," Arakai told him and headed out the door.

"Well, what should I do while you're gone?"

"Beats me," Arakai said, "Just be there whenever she needs you, I guess."

"SHETKA!"

"Oh boy," Shetka mumbled as he headed towards the bathroom.

Arakai had to go all the way up to Mos Espa to get to Dr. Freeves office. He arrived just in time to wait in line for about a half hour before finally meeting with him.

"Please come quick," Arakai begged, "My wife is very sick and she's been nauseous all day. I don't know what to do."

"I'm very sorry," Dr. Freeves explained, "but in order for me to make a house call you must make an appointment three hours in advance."

"She could die in three hours for all I know," Arakai pleaded, "I can't wait that long."

"You must understand I do have other patients that require my attendance," Freeves continued, "Some of them need it more than your wife. If you really want me to come to your house you must and will make an appointment."

"But-" Arakai was cut off.

"If you don't have an illness I can attend to then stop wasting my time. Good day."

"Good day? How can I have a good day when my wife is in agony?"

"I'm sure you'll figure it out, now leave me be."

With that, Dr. Freeves moved on to the next patient standing in line. Arakai went home angry and sad. When he arrived he found Shetka sitting over a bowl on the sofa.

"What's wrong with you now?" Arakai asked.

"He can't stomach seeing of what I can't stomach!" Amee called from the other room.

Arakai glared at Shetka. "What?" Shetka asked, "It's gross."

"Get in the speeder. You're coming with," Arakai commanded, "Amee, honey, we're going to the doctor ok?"

"Why didn't you bring him here?"

"I'm sure he'd love to explain himself when we get there so let's go."

Arakai helped Amee into the speeder and they flew off to Mos Espa, Amee vomiting all the way. When they arrived at Dr. Freeves office they had to wait in line again for yet another forty-five minutes. Finally they were called in.

"Ah, Mr. Remes," Dr. Freeves began, "I see you've returned, and this time with your wife."

"You'd better be able to make her feel better," Arakai scowled.

"That depends on what the scan results say," said the doctor, "Please be patient, this could be a few moments."

Arakai was not a patient patient. The entire time he had an angry frown on his face. Eventually Dr. Freeves reached a diagnosis.

"I know what's ailing your wife," he began.

"Well, spit it out already!" Arakai shouted.

"Very poor choice of words," Shetka muttered.

"Congratulations, your wife is pregnant."

All the anger in Arakai was instantly flushed away. (I know, that too was a poor choice of words.) He looked at Amee with pure joy.

"Did you hear that?" he said, "We're gonna be parents!"

Amee smiled sickly. "I'm still nauseous," she said, but it was clear that she was happy now.

"Now if you'll excuse me," Dr. Freeves said, "I have sick patients to attend to."

"Like me?" Shetka asked.

"No, you're fine," Dr. Freeves remarked, "Just don't join the military or become a doctor."

"Funny story actually," Shetka started, "See, I was in a military-"

"And I don't care," Dr. Freeves interrupted, "Good day again and good luck."

Arakai during this time had been running throughout the clinic telling literally everyone that he was going to be a father. When he finally returned he helped his wife back into the speeder and they flew home.

And then Arakai flew back after realizing he had forgotten Shetka.

"I fear for your child," Shetka informed Arakai after he arrived to pick him up.

"I'm so sorry," Arakai apologized, "This has just been a crazy day."

"That's an understatement," Shetka commented. And so they went back to the shack, dreaming all the way of what joys the child would bring into their lives.