by Keith Martin
They walked together as a family going to their quarters, Jill had Ashley by the arm… both chatting non-stop like old friends.
* * *
They loved their new home but voiced concerns about its size. While Jill was in the shower, Linda asked the sisters about the amount of room needed for a growing family. Otto stepped out to phone Ton checking on Steve’s condition.
“He’s doing great. He will make it, but the Doc thinks he should stay out of the mines from now on. If he can pull that off, I’ll eat my hat!” Ton said knowing Steve would be back in the mines as soon as he could stand up and work. Only death could stop that, and even then, Steve would find work in heaven.
“That’s great news Ton. Let’s see how long we can keep him out of the mines, just until he can heal properly of course.” Otto said it like he saw it.
Ton agreed knowing that Steve would have to be tied down to keep him from working.
“I‘m taking you up on that offer of moving in next to your place Ton. Now that I have the girls up here we are going to need the space.”
“I hear their real lookers Otto. How did an old war horse like you find such dazzling friends?” Ton teased.
“You could do it too, if you would stop moving long enough to let a woman notice you.” Otto shot back a chunk of truth.
They both got a laugh and then Ton broached a subject that had to be tackled. “Otto I know this is not a good day to be bringing this up.” He started.
“Just ask it of me and it’s yours my friend.” Otto assured him.
“The gas pocket needs to be opened up and you’re the only one, except for me that I trust not to get anyone killed. I’ve got to stay with Steve right now. Could you just take a look at it for me? I know you will figure a way to get us into the chamber.”
“Consider it done.” Otto said.
“One last thing…. How big? Will five thousand square feet do to start?”
“That will be just fine. But you stay with Steve for now. I’ve got your back until you’re ready to return.”
“Thanks Otto, I’ll get a crew to begin roughing it out though. Get me a floor plan ok?”
“Sure thing Ton, but for now let’s just get Steve well while we figure out how to tap that gas.” Otto hung up and then checked in with the miners to be certain all was running smoothly.
He was chastised for his concern, and told the men were insulted he would think them unable to keep things running while Ton was away tending Steve. All in a thick Irish accent with extra blarney mixed in for good measure.
“I humbly stand corrected Patty.” Otto stated.
“Be ok this once, we all be a bit off center with the lad taken flying lessons without a shuttle. But we miners will not be ‘earing of this again!” Patty O’Brian was the senior digger on the day shift and a good man to have in ones corner.
“If I send down some beer, would that help to smooth things over?” He knew how to groom a great crew too.
Patty didn’t pull punches. “Otto for beer the crews would carve you a statue the Pharoses’ would rise from their graves to witness.”
“Anything needs tending I’m the one called until Ton is ready to return to work. Agreed?”
“You have our word on that Otto. And let Steve know that the Popes ears are red from ‘earen our prayers for his recovery.”
“I’ll do that Patty. The beer will be on its way at shift change.” And hung up.
Before Patty could turn to think Ton called him. “I want a place for Otto and his family next to my place. I want it to be grand... tall ceilings, massive rooms, great pillars and an amazing view from a porch big enough to hold a ball.”
“I think we can work that in Boss. I’ll be asken for volunteers to get it roughed out right away. Give me a few days and it will be taken shape.” The new house plans were laid and a crew was soon to be on it. Everyone even hearing of the dig wanted to help get it finished quickly for Otto. The volunteer crew grew so large Patty was going to take advantage of it and make a mining miracle happen for the Chisholm family.
* * *
Jill made it a quick shower, she was out with the girls drying her hair and pacing. A rush of emotions flooded through her body. She felt as if she were alive for the first time, more than she could ever remember feeling in her life. A rush of emotions and dreams all flashing by needing to find reality. “What’s wrong Jill?” Ashley asked. She could tell something was up.
“You guys…oh my gods… you two are so lucky!”
She had all of their attention now.
“…. Oh my god… I was frightened I would come here and not find what Linda feels for Otto…. But I see how much you all love him and his love for you is so strong… I know I’m going to fall for him big time.” She just said it to get it on the table not knowing how they would react, but she had to be honest.
A scream rose up and there was a dog pile of chattering woman on the couch all-speaking at once.
He heard the scream and stepped inside to be sure everything was still ok. As he opened the door they fell silent and tried to look innocent. Intuition told him not to ask. “Steve is doing fine, he will live. Ton asked me to look into something for him. I need about two hours or so. Our house is going to be carved out as soon as you give me a floor plan for the miners. Make it for a five thousand square foot home and choose the ceiling height you want in the house.” He turned to go then added. “And I love you all.” Then door closed.
Jill jumped up to watch him walk down the hall. She threw the door open and found Otto leaning on the door jam waiting for her. “Yes you too Jill, the second I laid eyes on you.” He kissed her with passion then turned and left to do his work.
Jill just stood there stunned. “How did he know how I was feeling?” She thought to herself out loud. She had a lot to learn about her new family.
“Get used to it girl… he does that all the time.” Shianne informed her taking her hand to guide her back into the room. “And don’t think that Linda really knows Dad. In a way she too is just meeting him. To know him, you have to live with him.”
Linda spoke up next. “Hold it right now…. Steve will live?”
“A friend of ours had a little accident in the mines last evening. His name is Steve and he is a real fighter. Dad will check on him every few hours until he is on his feet.” Shianne filled them in on the situation. “He is on his way to inspect the site of the blast and figure out how to finish the tunnel.”
She sounded as if this kind of thing happened every day around here.
“Will he be safe? I just found him.” Jill asked over whelmed by her first few hours on the base.
“He’s still walking; and not too old.” Shianne teased to make light of the goings on around base.
Again, the four of them fell onto the couch together, all talking at once.
* * *
Joshua woke from a dream with a start. He got up and started pacing the floor trying to get things straight in his mind. He knew that his dreams where more than just dreams. He was seeing things that were or would be. He had to talk to Samantha about this right away. He needed to use her as his sounding board.
Going to her bunk, He sat on the edge and reached to move a wayward lock of hair off her face. Impulsively, he leaned down and softly kissed her forehead, she stirred slightly. He kissed her again; she moaned and rolled over toward him, reaching for him.
The devil took control for just a second and he thought ‘Payback time’ Whispering softly into her ear. “Honey, make love to me.”
Her eyes bolted open and she reached for him with hunger.
He leaped away and started to dance. “Can’t touch this!” He teased her doing his best MC Hammer.
“That’s mean…!” Samantha complained yelling at him and then turned over to pout.
“Waking me by telling me you’re nude is nice? Offering to cook nude is fair game?” He stated in his defense.
She turned back around and sat up. He came to her and
they spent a little time telling each other of their love and a few passionate kisses where shared as he held her close.
“It was the dream again?” Samantha asked.
“I can’t seem to shake it.”
“Tell me about this one?”
“It’s Dad, and he is married to his friend Linda. There are two small children running around….”
“Lucky girl….” Samantha commented with a wry grin.
Joshua playfully pinched her and continued. “There is also this very beautiful blond woman. He was kissing her as he was going to work. Linda kissed him also, and he kicked me out of my house!”
“I think you should call him and tell him what you have been thinking.” Samantha said trying to help her man.
“I…. We will be back in a few days. Then we can tell him about us, and I can talk to him about all of this. It’s just weird that it’s so vivid.”
* * *
Otto suited up then made his way down to the site of the explosion and began to inspect the damage. It wasn’t bad at all. The tunnel was still in great shape. He was sure the blast had spread out down the long tunnel losing its power as it went. The flash had been so hot it didn’t even leave soot on the rock. This gas was clean whatever it was.
Ben pulled up just then; getting out of his transport, he spoke to Otto. “Had the women clean out the loose muck and make the area ready for business. Just an hour of digging I figure. Two, three loads of muck and we are into the chamber.”
No one had assigned him to this duty, no one expected him to be at work at all. He was given a week off by Ton to help keep a watch on Steve. But he had plans for this job and had his men watching Otto like a hawk. So when he was seen suiting up to inspect the dig, Ben hurried to be there with him. No hole was beating him.
“That’s what I figure too.” His mind searched for the answer. Even with the gas cutter head now being installed on the tunnel cutter, it would be a dangerous job.
The two looked over the site together, and spoke of what they were seeing. They had been there for fifteen minutes when Ben said. “We need to go Otto. Our air supply will be running out soon.”
The answer hit him full force. “Ben, we’ll need to construct a blast door up here to contain the gas once were into it right?”
“Sure. Two if we’re smart, with a long chamber between to take a blasts pressure if it should happen.” He agreed.
“Can you rig a tunneler and mucker to run on electric power for us?”
“Sure Otto, it’s not a problem at all.”
“Then we flood the digging area with carbon monoxide, all we can get. Force out all the oxygen and then we dig. That way no flame can be produced, and we will just dig in.”
Ben thought the idea so simple and brilliant, he knew it would work. “It will take a few hours to rig up. The Blast door can be put up in a couple of days. Let’s do this in… lets say six days I’ll have her ready.”
“We only need one man in the tunnel. The mucker can be run by remote.” Otto tried to make it so that he would be the only one at risk.
“Don’t be going and making a fuss. We’ll get this for Steve together, and that’s the end of it.” Ben stated as he climbed into his transport. “Now let’s back out of here so I can get the ladies to work. I’ll hear no more of it Sir, my honor would not allow it, I’m sure you understand?” He drew his line in the sand.
“Ben there is no one I would rather have risking their lives with me than you. So I will leave you to the preparation. As soon as it’s ready, we will do the deed.” Otto was glad he was there. Men true to their word were hard to find on Earth; many had been imported to the Moon just in time.
* * *
There was a wedding to plan for Joshua and Samantha and the girls got on it. If Otto was going to be away at work on their first day here, then they would do the same. They had Ashley call Dr. Craft; soon she was with them in their quarters. After chastising Otto for leaving them on their first day at the base, the five of them started making plans for the bonding of the two families.
Otto was making his way through the main chamber when he spotted an army of women working at decorating what would be the reception area. He spotted Jill in a crowd of woman giving instructions. He pulled up and waited for her to notice him. He was enjoying the view of this beautiful woman as she moved so cat like about her work.
As she spotted him, she ran up and was kissed soundly. “Can we talk?” She asked.
“Jill what are you doing here? Where is Linda?”
He looked around to see if he could spot her. “I was on my way to have lunch with you two.”
“Stay right here.” She kissed him again and ran off leaving him at the transport.
Several children came up to him to get hugs and say hi as he waited. The children of the Moon loved him dearly. He was the man who brought them the toys needed to fill their lives with wonder. Little did they know all he brought them was designed to stimulate their minds and creativity. Otto had plans for them all, and knew how to create smart children that grow into smart adults.
In a few minutes Jill returned with Linda. He took both by the arm and walked off so they could have some private time. He didn’t want what he was about to say spreading throughout the base like everything else that went on. “I know this is only your first day on the Moon, and I’m a fool for leaving you so soon. I had planned to be with you all day. But my life is intertwined with every life here. Every soul on this base runs my life and sets my schedule. I don’t have a real job like most of the personnel here. I just put out fires as they spark up. I’m kind of the fixit man. I should have told you that you would be sharing me with everyone. I worry that you’ll feel I’m not paying enough attention to you, that you will think less of me; that’s not what I want.”
“May I Linda?” Jill asked.
“Go right ahead, but don’t sugar coat it.”
“Otto…. I think I will fall for you in a big way, because you have enough love inside of you to care for all of these people. I pray that I am able to live up to your expectations of what a good woman is. I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to do just that.”
“And I feel the same way.” Linda added.
Otto knew he had chosen well, they were strong of body and will. Just what he knew they would have to be. “Well I’ve been giving this a lot of thought. I don’t think I would be setting a very good example if we all just live in sin together.” He didn’t know how to ask two women at once to marry him.
“Are you saying you want to marry us Otto!” Jill helped him out.
“Yes.” He straightened up, and took them both in his arms. “Will you both do me the honor of being my brides?”
He got two Passionate kisses and two ‘Yes’ replies.
“Great, then after Fred is done marrying Joshua and Samantha, we will have him quietly tie our knot. How’s that sound?”
Jill turned to the crowd of women and shouted “Otto just asked us to marry him, it’s now a celebration for two weddings.” She let the base know the plan had changed and a quiet wedding was not in her plan.
* * *
Steve spent the first thirty-six hours after the explosion unconscious. When he woke, he found his brother sleeping in a chair next to him. From the look of it, Ton was even taking his meals here.
He vowed not to leave until Steve woke and he knew that his brother would be ok.
Now it was Steve’s turn to watch over Ton while he slept.
The hours passed as Steve slipped in and out of sleep. He could feel the pain throughout his body, the painkillers where making him sleepy and they dulled the pain just enough.
As he woke again, he could see Ton’s eyes were open and he tried to find out what was going on. “Blue…. Flame…. Ouch…. Chest? Head? Ouch. Flame. Where…? Ouch…. Ben? …. In the truck?”
“Slow down big guy.” Ton stood at his side. “You hit a gas pocket. It blew you off the cutter. You have three broken ribs and your spleen
was removed. You had some bleeding in your head but that has stopped. You’re going to be just fine.”
“Ben?”
“Ben is just fine. He saved your life. You have been out for thirty-six hours, and you’re still ugly.” His words comforted Steve’s worries. “Don’t talk, don’t think. Just sleep.” Ton demanded.
Spent from the effort of just talking for a few seconds; sleep took Steve away.
* * *
It was 4:15 a.m. when Steve woke, he and Ton talked for a good ten minutes. Steve was asking about Ben again, and he was making plans to dig his way into the gas chamber. In the middle of his planning, he fell asleep, spent.
Ton dialed Otto’s number to pass the word of his brother’s progress. Linda woke to the sound of Otto’s cell phone ringing and she took the call as he slept. “Good morning. This is Otto’s number. How can I help you?”
“Hi…is this Linda or Jill?” Ton asked.
“Linda… what time is it?”
“Oh my God I’m so sorry Linda. I’ll let you go.” He noticed the time.
“Ton?” She asked. She was not sure, but knew he was living through a hard time, what with almost losing his brother.
“Yes I’m Ton. It’s good to finally meet you Linda. But it’s too early for me to be disturbing you; I’ll call back in a few hours.”
“Ok Ton. You just hold on now. You are family and you can call here day or night, your call is always welcome.” She was going to make sure Otto’s life did not change simply because She and Jill were now in his bed.
“Yes Linda.” He knew not to argue with this woman. He could hear in her voice that to do so would be futile. “And the same goes for you and Jill also. You call me any time you need me.”
“I’m on my way to you with some breakfast now. Give me thirty to get there. I will sit with Steve while you go shower and get some rest. You are at the Med Lab right?”
He said that would be fine and she hung up. He knew at once he would love these two women.