“Your back must hurt, and you probably need to use an elimination unit,” she said.
Sandar let out a startled rattle, making a few of the humans jump then chuckle. He heard them murmur about the rattle being louder than they expected.
“That’s all true,” Sandar said. “How did you know?”
Ophelia pointed to Sandar’s protruding belly. “Because I’ve been in the same position. We’ve made an appointment for you at the health center. As soon as Han’s message got to us, we contacted them to prep for a Talin pregnancy. They said there wasn’t a lot of information, but Talin and Hoquin physiology is similar enough they’re confident they can care for you.”
“You did all that before even meeting us?” Rensom asked, wrapping an arm around his wife’s shoulders.
Domonic, Han’s father, stepped up to stand next to his wife. “Of course we did. You’re carrying our great-grandchild! I bet they’ll look like me.”
He didn’t understand why Domonic would say that. “The child won’t look like you, Domonic. It will be Talin, not human. We’re not actually related to you.”
Several of the humans laughed, and he realized Domonic had been trying to be humorous. This was going to take some getting used to.
“Enough of that,” Ophelia said, giving Domonic a little shove then turning her attention back to Sandar. “Do you feel comfortable using the health center? If not, we could look for an alternative, but I had my last baby there and they were clean, professional, and kind.”
Sandar hesitated for a submark before answering. “The health center is fine, but would you go with me? I have questions.”
Of course.” Ophelia looked thrilled. “I’ll answer as best I can.”
“I don’t think we can all go to the health center,” Han said. “They’ve got rules about how many non-patients can be in there.”
“We arranged to rent a large domicile next to the health center,” Domonic said. “There’re plenty of rooms for everyone. We have everything planned out.”
“Now I see where Han gets her gift for planning,” Zeph said, making Han laugh, and Domonic gave him a big, closed mouth smile.
Suddenly Sandar gasped, grabbed her stomach, and doubled over. Ophelia didn’t hesitate to start ordering everyone around.
“Rensom, pick up your wife and follow me. Everyone else needs to go with Domonic. Lirsum and Rishmun, I want you to stick close to Yasmin and Kel. They need you to explain all the different kinds of food Talins can have.”
The children nodded and were quick to step close to the two humans who came forward. “We will,” Lirsum promised.
“Good!” Ophelia said, issuing a few more orders, then leading Rensom away with Sandar in his arms.
“I think we’re going to have more babies sooner than we thought,” Domonic said. “Okay everyone, follow me.”
Much later, after they all settled in the rented domicile and ate the food Domonic had ordered, they heard from Ophelia.
The health center had been forced to perform a medical procedure on Sandar. The birth couldn’t continue naturally because she had twins!
“Twin boys!” Domonic said to the cheers and clapping of the rest of the humans.
Zeph sat stunned. “Talins don’t have twins.”
“Did you make sure Sandar knew that?” Domonic answered with a hearty laugh.
Getting up, he danced awkwardly around the room to a tune he was making up on the spot.
“Dad, staaaahp!” one of Han’s siblings groaned. “You’re so embarrassing.”
“It’s like he’s having a seizure,” one of the cousins said.
“While on drugs,” said another.
Domonic ignored them and kept up his dancing for a few more steps before giving them the rest of the information from Ophelia.
“The babies are a little on the small side but perfectly healthy. We’ll be here a little longer than expected, but that gives us time to buy all the things baby Talins will need.”
