Volume II

by Ronnie Coleinger

  Jill took Trish’s hand and they walked to Trish’s room. When the door closed, Trish said, “Jill, it feels really good to be home.” Jill took Trish’s hand and gently pushed her down onto the bed. When she was setting on the edge with her feet on the floor, Jill kneeled down in front of her and said, “Cousin, I need to say something to you and I do not know exactly how to say it, so hear me out before you throw me out of your room.” Trish put her hands on Jill’s shoulders, and then waited for Jill to tell her what was on her mind. Jill finally started, “Trish I just want you to know how important you and this child are to me, and that you can come to me anytime you get depressed or if you ever feel that your life is not worth living anymore.” Trish did not let Jill continue, she put her fingers on Jill’s lips and said, “Jill, I am not suicidal, I love you, I love this child, I love my God, and I love this life I am living. I could never ever consider ending it. I understand what is behind your fears, but do not be concerned; Jill, I would never end my life.”

  Trish put her head on Jill’s shoulder, trying not to cry, but the tears ran down her face anyways. Trish looked up at Jill and said, “I think my hormones are all fucked up. I seem to cry every time you try to comfort me and I apologize for that.” Jill said, “Are you hungry cousin, we have not eaten in over ten hours and baby might be getting hungry.” Trish said she was starving, so they headed to the kitchen to see what was on the menu at the local food replicator. As they considered the possibilities, Trish said, “Look, tuna sandwiches are on special tonight.” Jill laughed, said she was not pregnant and was not eating any damn tuna tonight. Trish asked Jill if she was getting a cup of coffee and Jill said, “Not if the smell drives you crazy.” Trish said, “I am not weaned from the caffeine yet, so if you are getting a cup, I might mooch half an ounce or so from your cup.” Jill ordered a cup of hot coffee and put some in another cup for Trish. Trish ordered a glass of goats’ milk, and then asked the computer if the milk was fresh or if he had let it spoil. She got no response from the computer, but Jill liked the question.

  Chapter 6 – The Birth of James Sam Wilson Yutaka

  As the doctor wrapped the tiny child in a warm towel and placed him on Trish’s belly, he began to scream. The doctor watched as Trish gently rubbed her sons back and sang softly to him. Within moments, James Sam Wilson Yutaka, put his tiny hand in his mouth and allowed his mother to comfort him. The nurse moved the child up to Trish’s breast and James immediately began nursing. As the doctor worked on Trish, Jill began talking to Trish in attempt to occupy her mind with pleasant thoughts. Jill asked Trish, “How did you decide on the name James Sam Wilson Yutaka for this cute little boy child.” Trish explained that James was the name of Ronnie’s sister Janet’s boyfriend. Sam is my great-uncle Ronnie’s middle name, Wilson is my mother’s maiden name, and Yutaka is my grandmother’s family name. Jill said, “That is a long name for a child to remember,” and Trish agreed with her. Trish said, “The birth certificate will show all four names, but I will raise him by the name, James Sam Wilson, so he has the last name as his mother.” As Jill leaned down and kissed James on the cheek while he nursed, he stopped sucking, focused his eyes, and smiled at Jill. Jill felt tears run down her cheeks and she was unable to speak when the nurse asked her if she would like a chair. Jill had her hands over her mouth and just nodded to the nurse. The nurse spoke quietly to Jill and said, “I cry each and every time a Mother pushes a tiny miracle from her belly and I get to hold and love them for the first time.” James stopped nursing, so the nurse wrapped him in a fresh warm blanket, and then placed him in Jill’s arms. Jill could not control herself and cried over the tiny child in her arms. Trish smiled at the doctor, as he covered Trish in a warm blanket and moved her onto a comfortable bed. As the nurse started to move Trish from the delivery room, Trish said, “Thanks doctor for helping me manage my pain.” The doctor smiled and said, “It is an easy task since I am telepathic and I can feel your pain. I just gave you pain medication until I felt your mind relax. Then you quickly returned to the task of allowing your body to deliver this child.” The doctor patted Trish’s hand and said, “Have a great life my friend.”

  Jill went with the staff as they moved Trish’s bed into her room where she would spend the next two days. Trish had just gotten herself comfortably settled when the nurse wheeled James into the room in his bassinet. As the nurse placed him into Trish’s arms, Jill saw the tears begin to run down Trish’s face. The nurse sat a box of tissues beside her and asked if she was okay with James for a few minutes. Trish said, “Yes, this tiny child and I need to bond.” The nurse smiled and said, “If he needs a diaper change, or you need anything, push the button for the next few hours. I don’t want you out of bed until I am certain the stitches are secure.” The nurse said, “Okay?”, and Trish said, “Yes, I will call when I need help, thanks.”

  The nurse placed a stack of diapers, powder, wet wipes and everything needed for James care on a table. Jill said to the nurse, “You may not get to many calls while I am here, because I would love to change my first diaper and put loving hands on this child’s body every chance I get.” The nurse asked Jill if she had ever changed diapers before and Jill said she had not. The nurse smiled and said, “If you need my help the first few times, push the button, and I will gladly guide you through the process.”

  When the nurse had left the room, Trish cuddled and loved on James for almost an hour, often sharing James with Jill. As the nurse walked by the room, she asked if Trish could use a good nap and then she could bring James back to her when she woke. Trish said, “I feel I need to be responsible for my sons care, but I also need a nap very badly.” The nurse took James and placed him in his bassinet, then explained to Trish and Jill that for the next two days, Trish needed to allow herself time to rest and heal before taking over full control of James care. The nurse rolled James out of the room and Jill slid her chair up close to Trish’s bed. Jill said, “Cousin, I am going to return home and take care of business on The Empress, I will return in the morning.” Trish said, “Thanks for all your help Jill, I love having you in my life.” Jill realized that Trish’s eyes were getting very sleepy and as she held Trish’s hand, she fell asleep. Jill used the opportunity to walk to a secluded place and teleport to the ready room of The Empress.

  When she spoke to the computer, the computer immediately began asking about Trish and the new child. Jill listened and patiently answered every question. Then the computer asked when Trish and James could return to The Empress, and Jill explained that they should be able to return on Sunday afternoon. Jill could feel the excitement inside The Empress as the computer planned the arrival of the tiny new child. The computer kept Jill busy for the next few hours asking questions about how to arrange the nursery. Jill sent messages to twenty or so of her customers telling them of the arrival of her cousin’s son, James Sam Wilson Yutaka. Within an hour, gifts were being teleported into the cargo bay receiving area. Jill giggled over the large number of fabulous gifts sent to Trish and her son. Trish was highly respected by their customers, and it seemed that anyone who heard the name Yutaka immediately responded and wished Trish and her son the very best.

  It was late Sunday afternoon when Trish, James, and Jill returned to The Empress. Trish and Jill had originally decided that Trish and James would spend some time at Monica’s home on the planet Quantum, but Trish decided to bring James straight to The Empress and then receive family and friends whenever they wished to visit.

  When they teleported aboard The Empress, the first thing Trish did was introduce baby James to the computer. She stripped the tiny child naked and held him up in front of the travel computers monitor. The tiny child puckered up and cried, cried over the insult of his mother stripping him naked, holding him in the air like a sack of potatoes; to feel the chill of the air, while his mother displayed him like a trophy. Trish said, “Computer, this tiny child represents the love and friendship you and Jill have shown towards me from the first moment I stepped aboard thi
s vessel. I hope you understand that I cannot introduce you to this child’s Father, as I do not know his name. Computer, I am proud to present this boy child for your approval and acceptance, and ask that you allow him to live out his life here aboard The Empress. He will certainly be an inconvenience to you from time to time, he certainly will test everyone’s patience, and you may have to turn on the lights for him when he has a bad dream. He certainly will puke and stink from time to time, but I believe you will love him as I do. Computer, please meet, James Sam Wilson Yutaka.” The boy child wailed for his mother to warm and hold him close and Trish did exactly that, she wrapped her son in a very warm towel and held him to her breast to suckle.

  The following morning, Jill received a message from Trish’s Mother, Frederica, and Monica, Trish’s Aunt. They were requesting permission to visit Trish and get their hands on James. Jill checked with Trish before responding, but within minutes sent a message to Frederica that they were very welcome and she would schedule their teleportation whenever the two ladies were ready to travel. Within seconds, Frederica said they were both ready and were waiting in the living room of Monica’s home. Jill notified the Director of Operations for the planet of Quantum and requested permission to teleport the two ladies. The Director immediately input the teleport authorization and sent it to The Empress. Jill pressed the green button on the console and the two ladies appeared inside the ready room. When they were stable, Jill took them both to Trish’s room where they found Trish giving her son a bath in the sink. When Trish saw her mother, she wrapped James in a towel and placed the still dripping wet child into her mother’s arms. Frederica’s tears started almost immediately, and Monica moved her sister to a chair where she could set and safely love her grandchild. Monica practically had to pry James from Frederica’s arms, but she finally relinquished control of the tiny child to her sister. James never cried once while the ladies held, fussed, and loved on him. Frederica then realized that the child was getting cold, so she diapered and wrapped James in a warm blanket. Within seconds, he began sucking on his hand and fell asleep in Monica’s arms.

  When Trish kneeled down in front of the chair where Monica was setting, she realized that this time Monica was the one crying over the tiny child. Trish moved away and allowed Monica a few moments to bond with the child in her arms. Frederica took Trish by the arm and said, “Can you drink a little coffee or are you still restricted?” Trish said, “I just fed James, so I can sip a little with you, but I cannot drink very much.” When they got to the kitchen, Frederica saw the packets of hot chocolate and said, “Trish, maybe you would rather have hot chocolate, and then just a teaspoon or so of my coffee.” Trish said, “Thanks Mother that would be wonderful.”

  As the coffee perked on the stove, Trish commented that Jill would be stepping into the kitchen very shortly when she smelled the coffee brewing. Sure enough, Jill walked into the kitchen and said, “I see someone has put my father’s coffee pot to good use. The aroma of fresh perked coffee is permeating this entire vessel.” As they sat at the kitchen table and talked, James began to scream at the top of his lungs in the next room. Jill said, “May I rescue the child from the horrible monsters of his dreams.” Trish smiled and said, “I think it is your turn to love the child and he probably has a dirty diaper.” Jill pinched her nose with her fingers, and headed next door the rescue James.

  As they sipped their coffee and chocolate, Frederica said, “Tell us everything about you and Jill’s vacation in San Francisco. Jill said you two had a really good time at a beach house you rented.” Trish smiled and said, “Mother I will tell you some of the story, but there are things about that vacation that a mother should not hear.” Frederica said, “Okay, tell us everything that does not involve sexual activity.” Trish sat and rubbed her chin for a moment but said nothing. Frederica said, “Okay, tell me about this man that Jill met and seems to continually talk about.”

  Just as Trish was about to begin telling what she knew, Jill walked into the room carrying James. Jill asked Trish if she had finished her hot chocolate and Trish said she was done. Jill placed a towel over Trish’s shoulder and said, “Good, because James wants to sample chocolate flavored milk.” Jill placed James in Trish’s arms and stepped back. Trish giggled over Jill’s choice of words, and said, “Okay my son, here is your first taste of chocolate,” and placed James to her breast. As Trish fed her son, he soon stopped suckling and fell asleep in his mother’s arms. Trish giggled and said, “I don’t believe it. This boy child’s stomach is finally full. I fed him less than an hour ago, but he seems hungry all the time. I don’t think I am making enough milk. I may have to try adding some formula into his diet. I think I will call my doctor later today and ask a few questions.”

  Jill sat down and asked Frederica and Monica if their schedules would allow them a couple days aboard The Empress. She explained that they could visit the Open Market and pick up supplies and some repair parts for a customer on planet Earth. Frederica smiled, and Monica almost tipped over her coffee cup. Both women immediately said they had time if Jill and Trish could stand to have them around that long. Trish quickly told them that she would appreciate their company and help right now, because Jill was doing double duty trying to take care of the business and help with James whenever she could. Jill squeezed Trish’s hand and said, “Don’t worry about that Trish, you have helped me many times when I needed you. Besides, I cannot keep my hands off that child of yours.” Trish said, “Good, the more hands that love him the better.”

  Jill asked Frederica if she would like to join her at the control console and help with the Open Market transfers. Frederica smiled and said, “Yes, I was sitting here hoping you would ask.” Jill reached out and offered her hand to Frederica. As they sat down in the control console, Jill looked at Frederica and said, “May I ask you a question before we get under way?” Frederica looked puzzled by the question and said, “Jill, you know you can ask me anything you want.” Jill began telling Frederica how Trish’s doctor had telepathically worked out the exact dosage of pain medication she required during her delivery with her doctor. Frederica looked at Jill and said, “Jill, I believe that you have misunderstood what happened between the doctor and Trish. You see, a good telepath can often read another’s mind even though that person is not telepathic. Trish is not telepathic as you and I are. I am absolutely positive that Trish cannot mind speak or hear another’s thoughts even if those thoughts are directed directly to her.” Jill told Frederica that she just had to ask the question.

  Jill explained the destination to the computer and then verified the coordinates. On the monitor screen in front of them, Jill pulled up the list of merchandise she wished to purchase and the items she wished to transfer to the Open Market for other customer’s to pickup. When Jill and the computer had double-checked the list, Jill double-checked the IFTT flight plan and then pressed the green engage button on the console. Frederica had the slightest sense of movement and then the viewing port in front of them opened. Frederica heard the gasp of amazement come from her lips even thought she had seen this immense Open Market system twice before.

  As the merchandise left the cargo bay of The Empress, it moved onto the shelves along the outsides of the market, Frederica found she had drooled on the front of her flight suit from her mouth hanging open. Jill giggled as Frederica wiped the spit from her flight suit with a tissue. Then the merchandise they were purchasing began assembling in front of The Empress, and each item organized itself into the huge totes hovering out in front. As the totes filled, they began moving down the side of The Empress and hovered alongside the cargo bay door. When all the totes had assembled, the computer made the announcement to evacuate the cargo bay area, and began the countdown. As the computer counted, “five…four…three…two…one,” the horn blew twice, the light on the console changed from green to red, and then everyone inside The Empress felt a tiny change of air pressure in their ears. Frederica could now see the totes moving into the cargo bay. The carg
o bay doors closed, the pressure in the cabin rose to normal pressure, and then the light on the console changed from red to green.