The Progenitor Project

by Bob Cooper

  “That’s great. Does she have a name yet?”

  “Not yet. They’re working on it. Uh, where are we going?”

  “I thought we would get some dinner and then go out dancing.”

  “Dancing! You dancing?”

  “You act surprised. I’ll have you know that in my younger day I could really get down.”

  “Get down?”

  “Yeah, like party hardy.”

  “This I got to see,” Acey said, laughing.

  Aidan pulled up to the valet at the restaurant and opened the door again for Acey.

  Twice in one night. What’s going on, she thought.

  The table was in the corner, away from the rest of the patrons. A fresh bouquet of red roses was neatly presented in a crystal vase. Out the window, the city lights sparkled in the desert night heat. Acey read the attached note: For all we’ve been through, Love, Aidan.

  “Thank you so much. They’re beautiful.”

  When Acey looked up, the waiter was there pouring two glasses champagne.

  “To us,” Aidan said, holding his glass up.

  “To us,” Acey said, smiling and clinking glasses with him.

  Acey suspected this was going to be a special night gauging Aidan’s non-characteristic behavior. She had a hunch he was going to propose.

  Aidan felt around in his pocket for the box containing the ring.

  “I have some rather extraordinary news to tell you. It happened this afternoon when I was talking to the Brothers.”

  “What was that?” he asked, sliding the box back into his pocket.

  “I’m the new CEO of the JPG Interstellar Mining Company. The Brother’s turned the company over to the employees to run. Plus, I keep my duties as Resident Archeologist. I’m going to be very busy getting the company organized.”

  “That’s great. I knew you were destined for great things.”

  She smiled at him, and he let out a loud sigh. Maybe this isn’t the right time to do this, he thought. There was a long period of silence as they sipped the champagne and read the menu. The waiter took their order, and Acey watched him process what she said. What started out as a very romantic evening was quickly becoming awkward. Finally, she took his hand.

  “How’s Annie doing?”

  “She’s fine. Andrea’s watching her.”

  He decided to go for it. He reached into his pocket with his other hand and put the small, purple box on the table. No matter what she says, he was going to ask her. Acey looked at the box, knowing what was coming next. She watched him open it. A half-carat diamond surrounded by several citrine stones sparkled as he took it out.

  “Acey, all I can say is I never loved anyone as much as I do you. I want us to spend the rest of our lives together. Will you marry me?”

  He waited, holding his breath as she stared at the ring. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She squeezed his hand tighter.

  “That depends,” she said, wiping her face.

  Aidan waited for her to specify the condition.

  “That depends on if you’re willing to be patient with me while I get the CEO position on track. It’s going to be a lot of hard work, and I’ll need your support.”

  Aidan exhaled and slipped the ring on her finger. “Of course, I will. We’re both experiencing new challenges in our lives. We can see them through together,” he said.

  “How do you think Annie will react?” Acey asked, voicing her other concern.

  “You know she thinks the world of you, and she was pushing hard for me to marry you. Besides, she said my consignment shop clothes weren’t cutting it. She likes to go shopping with you.”

  They both laughed again.

  Aidan stood up and came over to Acey. Coaxing her up from the chair, he took her with his good arm and kissed her as the waiters brought their meals.

  “I love you so much,” he said and kissed her again.

  Applause from the tables around them brought a shy smile to Acey as Aidan continued to hold her. He was oblivious to what was happening around him. After eating, Aidan showed her his best boogie moves.

  ***

  Acey woke to the clatter of dishes and the smell of coffee. Looking around, she became aware of her surroundings, and a smile came over her face. The door cracked open, and a pair of eyes peeked in.

  “She’s awake! She’s awake!” Annie yelled.

  “Shhh. Let her sleep,” Aidan said.

  “But the food will get cold.”

  “We can warm it up,” he said, as Acey approached the table in a robe Aidan left for her.

  “Good morning, I made these for you,” Annie said, hugging Acey around the waist.

  Acey looked at the pancakes piled high with blueberries.

  “Yum. They look delicious.”

  “Let me see your ring! Was Aidan a dork, when he asked you to marry him?”

  Acey laughed as she showed her the ring.

  “Actually, he was very romantic,” she said, looking at Aidan as he poured the coffee.

  They ate and discussed the recent events when Acey’s com link buzzed.

  “It’s Hillary,” she whispered to Aidan and Annie.

  “Hi. What’s happening?” she said.

  “Well, I’d like you to come to the hospital so you can see for yourself the perfect human being I created. Her name is Carina,” Hillary said.

  “You created? Like she is a piece of your art?” Acey said, laughing.

  “Alright, maybe Billy had something to do with it, but she truly is beautiful.”

  “I’ll be down as soon as I clean up.”

  “Great bring Aidan and tell Dirk and Raina to come down.”

  “See you in a bit,” Acey said, hanging up.

  ***

  Raina was already there with Dirk and Norma in the waiting room. Billy and Hillary were showing them the pictures they took yesterday.

  “They can’t let her out of intensive care yet, but they will allow you a short time to see her,” he explained.

  When Acey and Aidan walked into the waiting room, Annie caught Dirk’s eye and pointed to Acey’s hand with the ring on it.

  “Whoa. Hold on. What’s this I see?” he said, lifting Acey’s hand.

  “It’s official. I’m engaged to Aidan,” Acey said, showing off her ring. They offered congratulations, and after hugs and kisses, they continued to the intensive care unit.

  Hillary entered the nursery and lifted the baby for everyone to see.

  “She’s beautiful,” Raina said.

  Hillary came out and took off her mask. “The doctor said she gained a full pound and her organs are developing better than expected. We might be able to take her home next week. But there is something unusual,” Hillary said, drawing everyone’s attention.

  “What?” asked Acey.

  Hillary looked around to make sure no one else was around.

  “Last night, she communicated with me. No words, but I could hear her breathing contently in my head. Yep, she has it too. No doubt she’s a Star Child.”

  Acey could only imagine what new adventures would be in store for them.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Bob Cooper enjoys writing fiction and science fiction novels. To date, his books include:

  - The Antares Codex (Book 1 The Antares Codex Series)

  - The Progenitor Project (Book 2 The Antares Codex Series)

  - The SHOX Gene Variant (Book 3 The Antares Codex Series)

  - Crash! Boom! Bang!

  - The Emissary

  - The Redemption of Amos Trucker

  Bob lives in Tucson, AZ. For more information, visit his website https://coop1334.wixsite.com/bob-cooper

 

 

 
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