“I’ve never been so happy!” Caitlyn gushed as she toyed with Del’s tiny fingers.
Max kissed his wife’s cheek, “You did beautifully today, my love, and now we have this precious bundle to share.”
“Could you hold him for a little while? I’d like to take a quick shower,” Caitlyn requested.
“I’d be delighted!” Max gushed as she passed their son over.
Once Caitlyn had closed the bathroom door behind her, Max looked down to find his son seemingly gazing up at him. “Glad to see you’re awake, Big Guy,” Max greeted, already comfortable with the nickname he had spontaneously chosen for his son hours earlier.
He strolled over to the room’s only window and drew back the blinds, revealing a panoramic view of downtown East Chieftown, then positioned his son so that the boy was facing out the window. “This,” the told the infant, “is East Chieftown, your home and one of the greatest cities in the world. But even this massive place is only a tiny part of the planet, a planet full of many wonderful things. I want to share them all with you; the sunsets, snow, mud puddles, puppies, ice cream, and all the other great things there are out there. Before we get started, though, there are three pieces of advice I have to give you; love your family, respect equally those who are both higher and lower in station than yourself, and, most importantly, treat whoever you fall in love with like royalty.”
Max gazed silently out the window for a few seconds before resuming his little speech. “I’ll try my hardest to make your life a happy one, Del. You and your mother are the greatest joys in my life, and without you both, I’m nothing. I love you, Big Guy, and will forever.”
Max had difficulty swallowing past the rapidly forming lump in his throat. Taking a deep, shaky breath, he told his son, “I’m gonna sing you a song now called the ‘Raven’s Song’. It’s the song your grandfather sang to me every night until I was ten years old, and I’m gonna do that for you, too. It’s in an ancient language not commonly spoken in the Federation, but it’s about complete love and devotion, two things I feel for you.”
He began singing a slow, sweet tune that, despite his wretched singing talent, rang beautifully throughout the quiet room:
Für Sie werde ich alles sein.
Für Sie werde ich alles tun.
Für Sie werde ich bis zum Ende der Welt gehen.
Für Sie würde ich gerne sterben.
Für Sie werde ich die Raben singen.
Du bist meine Seele, mein Blut, und mein Leben.
Du bist mein größter Schatz.
Du bist meine Liebe liebt.
Sie, sind Sie alles, was zählt.
Für Sie werde ich die Raben singen.
Caitlyn had forgotten a wash cloth and had stepped out of the bathroom just as Max began singing to Del. She silently sat on the edge of her bed and listened as he serenaded their baby. Though she could not understand his words, Caitlyn was deeply moved by the heartfelt emotion pouring forth on her husband’s soft voice. As the song drew to a close, she rose from her bed and went to the two most important people in her life.
Max turned just in time to have Caitlyn give him a deep and loving kiss. After the kiss ended she took Del into her arms and gently kissed his tiny lips and button nose. “I love you both so very much!” she declared.
“And I love the both of you!” Max returned.
Love became a tangible presence that night for Max and Caitlyn, and they basked in its warmth and gave all they could muster to their sweet baby Del.
FIFTEEN
Del Von Raben was born on the twenty-third of April in the year 3165. The next day, Caitlyn began a video diary that was to be a memento of the experiences she and her son would share. The following entry was recorded on the seventeenth of May, 3170, the day before Founding Day:
Tomorrow, Del will attend his first Founding Day party. His father and I’ve decided he’s now old enough to appreciate such a celebration. It’s amazing how fast he’s grown! It seems like it was just yesterday that we were bringing him home for the first time, and already he’s passed his fifth birthday. I’ll never forget the past five years as they’ve been a wondrous experience for me and Max. Del’s an incredibly bright and happy boy! He’s already mastered reading, writing, and basic arithmetic, and with my and his father’s help, he’s on his way to becoming an accomplished martial artist.
His father dotes on him, teaching him to love life and find enjoyment in everything. I get great pleasure from watching the two of them together, and Del absolutely lights up whenever his father spends quality with him, which is far from a rare occurrence. I also cherish every moment with my lovely son, and am eternally grateful to have him. He has this talent for making me laugh regardless of the mood I may be in. The three of us have so much fun together, whether we’re out and about or even just cavorting about the house. As I said before, Del’s a happy boy with a delightful sense of humor and an incredible imagination, which has taken the three of us on many an exciting adventure.
“I’m certain he’ll be silly with glee tomorrow at the party. Many of his friends and family will be there, and he’ll get to stay up way past his bedtime. I can’t help but feel that this will be an amazing and unforgettable experience for all of us.
#
Founding Day started with Caitlyn rising early that morning to find her son stalking about the first floor of their home. “What cha doin’, Big Guy?” she asked from the living room doorway.
Del’s head snapped to her, a stern expression on his cute little face. “Quiet,” he hissed sharply, “I’m trackin’ killer robots!”
It was her son’s favorite imaginary game, the tracking and destruction of horrid killer robots. Caitlyn arched an eyebrow, “I think it’d hurt Uncle Daryl’s feelings to hear you talking about killer robots.”
Del ceased his stalking and turned to her with a puzzled expression, “Why?”
“He’s a robot.”
The boy giggled, “No, he’s not, Silly Mama, he’s a SIR!”
Silly Mama was the beloved pet name he had given her recently, one which addressed the playful nature which she often favored him with.
“You know,” she said, “you’re absolutely right. So then, my brave robot hunter, want some breakfast?”
Del let out an excited cheer and scampered after her into the kitchen. He took a seat at the small dining table located there and proceeded to regale her with tales of his robot hunting exploits while she cooked. Soon, she served his breakfast, and while he eagerly attacked his food, Caitlyn busied herself with cleaning her mess. Once finished, she peered into the refrigerator and decided on a cup of yogurt and a clump of fresh white grapes for her own breakfast. She had just taken the items in hand when the sounds of quiet but spirited play caught her attention. She turned from the refrigerator and found Del hunched over his plate, a sausage link held upright in each hand. He was using them as if they were action figures; combatants in an imaginary, yet apparently epic, battle. As he had his “combatants” bash against each other time and again, cartoonish sound effects, war cries, and wails of anguish escaped him.
Caitlyn headed to the table. “Quit playing with your food!” she scolded.
Del looked up as she sat her breakfast on the table. “I’m not playin’! This is battle, and daddy says battle’s serious business!” he retorted, his expression again stern.
“Oh really?” she asked, “You know what else is serious business?”
Del shook his head, prompting Caitlyn to favor him with an impish grin. “GRAPE ATTACKS!” she trumpeted before snatching a small handful of the fruits from their vine and proceeding to pelt her son with them one at a time.
Del let out a loud squeal of delight and laughed uproariously as he tried his best to dodge and deflect the salvo of fruit his mother launched at him. After a few moments, Caitlyn ceased her attack, went to her son, and lifted him into her arms. He settled on her hip, and she held up her one remaining grape in front of his mouth.
“Open
,” she ordered, popping the grape into Del’s mouth once he complied.
After he had chewed and swallowed the food, Caitlyn wrapped her free arm around her son and gently pulled him close. The boy rested his head on her shoulder and draped an arm around her neck, an embrace they had shared countless times. As always, she was amazed that she was still living as she was certain the human body was not designed to safely hold so much love for a single person.
Del, his head still on her shoulder, sighed, “Love ya buncha-bunches, Silly Mamma.”
A warm lump instantly formed in her throat, as it did every time Del spoke that lovely sentence. She asked herself, Will he ever be able to say that without me getting choked up?
She quickly collected herself and kissed the top of Del’s head. “Love you too, Big Guy. Now you sit down and eat. Eat, not play,” she said as he placed him in his chair, “Oh, and don’t forget we’re staying home tonight so you can clean your messy bedroom.”
“Nooo!” Del whined, “You said we’re gonna go to the Founding Day party at Uncle Bert’s!”
“Oh yeah, that’s right! We are going to the party.”
“That’s more like it, Silly Mamma!” Del scolded.
Caitlyn could not help but laugh.
#
That evening, Max volunteered to help Del dress for the party.
“Daddy, what’s Founding Day?” Del asked in his small, cheerful voice.
“It’s when we celebrate the foundin’ of the Federation,” Max answered as he helped Del into his formal clothes, a smartly cut suit of black.
“After the Battle of Anadarko,” Del added helpfully.
“I have such a smart son!”
“But why do all the grown-up men wear kimonos on Founding Day?” Del asked as he eyed his father’s dark gray formal kimono.
“Because that’s what Geoffrey Badeaux was wearin’ when he achieved his victory at Anadarko,” Max answered.
After he had finished helping his son into his shiny black dress shoes, Max stood back and gave him a final once over. “There,” he told Del, “now all the girls’ll be chasin’ after you tonight.”
Del’s expression became one of disgust, “Eew! No way! Girls are yucky!”
Max chuckled, “You’ll change your mind about that soon enough.”
Del perked up and hopped off the bed. “I made somethin’ for ya!”
Max watched happily as his son went to a shelf holding toys and crafting supplies, produced a sheet of white construction paper, and proudly presented it to him. Max took the paper and found it to be decorated with two sloppy little handprints done in black paint. “Is this for me?” he asked his son.
Del smiled proudly and nodded, “Mamma helped me make it this afternoon. They’re raven wings, because our song is the ‘Raven’s Song.’ ”
“And are these your handprints?”
“Yes sir, to make the painting extra special just for you!”
Max scooped his son up and squeezed him tight. “Thank you so much, Big Guy! I love it, and I love you!”
“Love you too, daddy!”
Max set his son down before carefully placing his gift back on the shelf. “I’ll hang it where everyone can see it when we get home. Now, are we ready to go?”
Del nodded excitedly.
“Good. Race ya!” Max exclaimed, and as he turned to bolt from the room he collided with what felt like a brick wall.
Landing in a sprawl on his back, he looked up to find Daryl towering over him with a slight smile on his face. Del laughed hysterically as Daryl helped Max to his feet.
“I apologize, my friend, I did not mean for that to happen. Your wife sent me to find you, but I had no intention of doing so this forcefully.”
“You’re fine, Daryl. Well, I suppose that’s why mommy says no runnin’ in the house, right Del?” Max asked.
“Yes sir,” Del acknowledged.
Max smiled and beckoned to his son, who came and took his father’s hand. The trio made their way downstairs, where Caitlyn, who was dressed in a lovely evening gown of shimmering, clover-green silk, waited by the front door. Max went to his wife and kissed her cheek.
“Thank you,” he whispered in her ear.
“For what?” she asked him.
“Bein’ so wonderful,” was his reply.
Turning to Del, Max suggested, “How about you and your Uncle Daryl lead the way.”
“Yes sir!” Del acknowledged as he and his family started off to the party.
#
The streets of East Chieftown were densely crowded, and the Lux-car carrying Max and his family was making poor time. Del had been sitting quietly as the Lux-car crept along when a thought occurred to him. “Daddy,” he asked, “why don’t we have to pay for food, but we have to pay for toys?”
Max looked to his son. “That’s a good question. Wouldja mind if your Uncle Daryl answers?”
Del shook his head, so Daryl, who was sitting across from his three human companions, commenced. “The things we need to live are provided by the president, and the rights of Federation citizens to have these things are inalienable,” he explained.
“Inalienable?” Del asked, slowly pronouncing the unfamiliar term.
“A word meaning that they cannot be taken away,” Daryl told him.
“Oh,” was Del’s response.
“These things are food, water, shelter, medical care, clothing, education, and energy. They are free to all citizens, but the president keeps a careful eye on them so we do not use them all up. Any other products, things like savory foods, big houses, fancy clothes, and even toys, are considered luxury items and must be purchased with money earned from working,” Daryl imparted.
“So mommy and daddy don’t have to work?! We could still have food and those things, and they could stay home and play with me all the time?!” Del asked excitedly.
“It is true that the three of you could survive even if your parents did not work, but, loss of luxuries aside, in Federation society joblessness without just cause is greatly frowned upon, which means it is not good,” Daryl told the boy.
“What else is frowned upon?” Del pressed.
“Criminal activity of any sort, laziness, all forms of bigotry, and stupidity, to name a few,” Daryl listed.
“I’ll never be frowned upon!” Del declared.
Max smiled warmly and ruffled his son’s hair, “I’m sure you won’t, Big Guy.”
SIXTEEN
The party at the Raven governor’s mansion was in full swing when Max and his family finally arrived. Large pavilions sheltering numerous tables were set up around a sizable dance floor that had been laid out on the mansion’s front lawn. While festive music rang out over the grounds, a surging throng of partygoers served themselves from a massive buffet table loaded with a multitude of fine foods. A small army of servers in white jackets moved among the tables, filling drinks and clearing away used dishes. Max quickly located his father and began making his way towards him. Del suddenly raced ahead and was swept into the arms of his grandfather.
Frederic began vigorously tickling the boy, who squealed in delight and thrashed about. “I’ve caught a gremlin! Somebody help me subdue ‘im!” the man exclaimed playfully.
“I’m not a gremlin!” Del cried.
Frederic ceased his assault. “Oh! My mistake! So, do you have a kiss for me, my human grandson?!” he asked the boy, and was rewarded by a hardy peck on the cheek.
Max and Caitlyn strolled up as Frederic was setting Del down.
“Happy Foundin’ Day, Father!” Max greeted.
“Likewise,” Frederic returned as he took Caitlyn’s hand and kissed it, causing the woman to blush.
“If you gentlemen will excuse me, my son and I are off to find my sister-in-law,” Caitlyn informed them before taking her son’s hand and wandering into the crowd.
“She’s too good to that boy,” Frederic remarked with a teasing grin.
“That’s not possible, Father,” Max insisted.
Fredric regarded his son with a businesslike expression. “I want you in my office at ten a.m. tomorrow. We have to discuss some minor points concerning public relations.”
They were interrupted just then when Angelina approached and gave her grandfather a quick hug. She was now fourteen and was quickly growing into a comely young woman, already attracting the attention of many a young suitor. Furthermore, she was very intelligent and had grown quiet and introspective over the years.
“I’ve heard you’ve been volunteering your time at the hospital, young lady,” Frederic remarked.
“Yes sir,” she answered, “I read to the children.”
Frederic nodded in approval, “A very noble action. I praise your generous nature.”
The band began to play a light, cheerful tune, so Frederic turned to his granddaughter. “Could I have this dance, young lady?”
Angelina smiled and took his hand.
#
The party wore on into the night as the guests continued their cheerful celebration unabated. After a spectacular firework show, the noise of which terrified Del, there was dancing, music, and more food for all to enjoy. Bert was only able to visit with his family for a brief moment as his duties as both governor and host kept him occupied. Del and numerous other children cavorted all over the yard. James, Del’s cousin by way of his Aunt Anna and Uncle Michael, was constantly by his side, and both boys’ parents could not help but notice their close friendship. As the night wore on, Del grew exhausted and soon crawled into his mother’s lap, where he drifted off to sleep while she sat conversing with her sister-in-law.
“I’ll go put him to bed in the house, if you want,” Max told Caitlyn as he gently brushed an errant lock of hair from the boy’s brow.
“I think that’d be a great idea,” Caitlyn agreed as she carefully passed Max their sleeping child.
“A spectacular father,” Anna complemented as she and Caitlyn watched Max stroll towards the house.
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