Page 72 of Whoops-A-Mate From Outer Space
I nodded, then licked my lips. “What about Eashai’s pregnancy? He’s not showing now, but it’s only a matter of time.”
General Block snickered and straightened. “These soldiers will have to get used to seeing pregnant men if they’re going to make it here. I personally consider it another mark in the pro column.”
He glanced between us again. “Obviously, I cannot order either of you to do this. But I am hoping that you will accept the positions.”
I looked over at my mate, and his calm smile was enough to tell me what he was thinking.
I turned back to the general. “As long as I can work it around my teaching schedule, I’m in.”
“And I will need to consider my pregnancy and any trips to Lyll,” Eashai stated.
General Block nodded. “Those requests are reasonable and expected. Do you have any other concerns that I need to consider?”
“I think my next worry would be around Eashai’s due date,” I replied. “We expect it to be right at the start of summer, so I wasn’t worried about taking a leave from teaching. But Iexpect we will want to spend some time away from work as he recovers.”
Another nod from the general. “Also reasonable and expected. We can determine options closer to that time. There should have been plenty of matings by then, so we could look into another qualified person to speak temporarily, or we might slow volunteer recruitment if we have more early volunteers than expected.”
I glanced over at my mate, then rested my hand on top of his. We shared a smile, then I faced the general again.
“Ok, we’re in.”
He smiled. “Thank you, gentlemen. I’m sure with your experience, our soldiers will be better prepared to understand and decide if mating is for them.”
I squeezed Eashai’s hand and thought about the discussion from the hall. I was happy with my choices, but also glad that I’d be able to help others prepare for the changes they could expect.
∞∞∞
“Hey, Doc G,” Ashley chirped as she appeared on screen. “Hey, invisible advisor!”
My eyes shifted to where my very pregnant mate was suppressing a laugh.
“Good afternoon, Ashley,” I replied. “How are things working out with Doctor Brown as your new advisor?”
“Good,” she paused. “But I’m glad you’re still my unofficial one.”
I smiled. “I’ll do what I can to keep helping from here. But I wanted to make sure you were well established before things got hectic this summer.”
She giggled. “You know there’s a betting pool, right?”
“On what?”
“What’s going to keep you so busy. Austin thinks they’re sending you to some sort of simulator to get real-time data about either deep-sea or space travel. Pam thinks they’re putting you on that hospital ship the Navy has so you can talk to people in disaster areas.”
“And what do you think?”
She grinned. “There’s a rumor going around campus that you’re married now. I think your new wife might be pregnant.”
“You’re basing your guess on a rumor?” I asked, hoping that my face wasn’t giving anything away.
She shrugged. “As weird as everything has been lately, it’s at least something other than some secret installation somewhere. A new wife and baby are things for you to be happy about. It’s not all work all the time.”
I smiled. “I’m glad you’re hoping for good things for me.”
She laughed. “It’s not as if any of us will know any time soon, if ever.”
“I’m sure one day I’ll be able to talk about the work I’m doing. Now, onto your research. Let’s start with things Doctor Brown hasn’t been able to help with.”
She nodded and got serious as she detailed the current state of her research.
