Molly was staring at them as the hugged in the water.Molly was staring at them as the hugged in the water. "You know, I really envy you two. I wish I understood what it was that made you two work so well." "Well," Nickolai asked, nuzzling Furry close, "What about Ken and P'nyssa and Aaden? That seems to work, too." "Can I ask you a question?" "Sure," Nickolai replied. "How long do you two think you'll be together?" "Hopefully," Furry replied, "a long time. I don't know. I really don't. Something could come up, something that makes us incompatible. I hope not. I mean, we've only had two weeks to really get to know each other, and on the one hand it's been a wonderful two weeks, and on the other I'm starting to itch to get back into school, and get ready for a professional life, who knows. To really find out, we'd have to spend a long time together. Maybe we'll get that opportunity someday." "I'd like that," Nickolai said quietly. "Is that all it takes? A willingess to try?" "That's all it takes," a new voice interceded. "I wondered about that. At forty, you're a little beyond the norm to not have had kids yet, Molly." Shardik stood by the edge of the pool and looked down. "Hi, Dad." "Hiya, Molly." Shardik knelt down to kiss Molly. "Guys, let me tell you about Molly. Actually, let me tell you about a political matter. Terra used to fight this argument a lot. Molly here was what used to be called an unwanted child. You don't mind if I say that, do you?" Molly shook her head. "Her biomother decided, after reviewing the fact that her genetics were pretty much perfect, not to terminate the pregnancy even though she was absolutely sure that she could not take the time from her present project to raise a daughter. It's a very private situation, too. Because of the AI's involved, I don't know her biomother. She knows who I am, and Dave knows the whole story, and he's authorized to walk in anytime she wants and she knows it. But P'nyssa, Aaden and I all raised Molly. And she's grown up a fine child." "Thanks," Molly said, blushing. "What's wrong with the truth?" Ken asked. "You're a beautiful child, Molinar, and nothing will ever change that. |