Just a Little Chat

[tr'Jeth Dabi 0]

(Joint log between Torate tr'Jeth Dabi and Mimi Pavilion)

 

After completing her shift for the day, Mimi returned to her quarters that she shared with Torate. She took a seat on the couch, going over files of several women who had come into sickbay, when her husband left, due to being pregnant. All Mimi could think was that he had gone behind her back and started getting intimate with the women and she hoped the DNA would state otherwise.

 

It was a while that she sat there alone, stewing over their files before Torate returned from his double shift; a suitable time to get his staff overwrought with more work than they could possibly complete while he was gone. That was his way to keep them out of trouble.

 

“Jolan tru, e’lev,” were his words as he came in finding her head down reading a PADD. “Bringing au work home wtih au?” He stepped to the couch, reached for the PADD then placed it on the coffee table at the same time he landed next to her and drew her into his arms. The honeymoon certainly was not over for him; he couldn’t get enough time with Mimi. She brought him such joy.

 

“Hello my love. Yes, several Rihan women came in complaining of stomach cramps. How was work today?”

 

“It is interesting with so many assigned to the survey crews. You would think they would have no need for that many aboard, but I suppose with Athra and other threats possible, it is necessary. I have doubled their shift duties, and they all moan. I don’t know who they think would be betting all of the work done with so few... “ He caught himself answering a question she wasn’t really asking. Clearly, she didn’t really want to know about his real day, she was more interested in the women, by her expression.

 

“I hope there is not an outbreak. What is wrong with them?” He released his grip from her body and relaxed more on the couch, his long legs extending while dropping his feet to the table after his boots hit the floor.

 

“It seems their all pregnant. I guess the whole incident with the Rihan homeworld has gotten everybody thinking the same thing as you,” she answered.

 

“They are all Rihannsu women?” he said with pride. “The Empire should be notified that so many are being faithful in this time. I will inform my brother. This is indeed good news, my wife.” He bent towards her and gave her a kiss on the temple.

 

She looked at him. “I hope that you haven’t had anything to do with some of these women getting pregnant, my husband.”

 

He knew exactly what she was implying, but he wasn’t about to let on that quickly. He kept quiet for the moment and let her continue to see just how far she’d push it.

 

“So earlier, in my office, when you were talking about children with the Rihan women you’ve ‘selected,’ I do hope you’ll not be sharing the same bed,” she asked.

 

His pause was more than long. He was sure he’d explained the way this would be handled clearly, even before they were married. He felt like he was traveling across a very thin sheet of ice, without anyone around that would help him out. He started very cautiously, with a few more kisses to her cheek and neck to soften the conversation. “e’lev, how else would I father the children? I cannot be a strong father thru some tube.” He snuggled up to her, pulling her close under his arm.

 

Mimi waited a few minutes, before answering. “It just seems to me, not only as your wife, but as a doctor, there would be more options than a tube. After all, medicine has come a long way.”

 

He didn’t want to hear her suggestions, but had to open this conversation and settle the issue. “Mimi, how did you think I was going to marry more than one woman, you my e’lev, my first wife?” He hoped that was a gentle entrance to this delicate conversation.

 

She sighed, “I was hoping that I would be the only one you would truly have. But if you must have other women, might I remind you that I do love you and you do own all of my things. Of course you did say that I would make all the necessary decisions, no matter what the matter is.” Mimi hoped he remembered the vows he made to her.

 

‘Ie e’lev. Au make the decisions, but to father these children, I must be with them. I cannot go to them upon their adulthood and explain that I was never with their mother, and that a lab put the tr’Jeth Dabi mark upon their head. They would be exiled from the planet... “he paused to correct his wording, and his tone turned rather grim, “from the colony.”

 

Mimi looked at Torate, then towards the coffee table where the PADD listed the Rihan women’s names. “Then I guess I have no choice, but to abide by your decision... but must you marry them?”

 

He felt the need to really bring Mimi around to his way of thinking, so he pushed the coffee table far back from the couch, and kneeled down in front of her, taking her hands in his large ones, and looking up into her eyes. “Woman, au mean the most to me. Au and I shall pick other wives that I can bear many sons and daughters. Once they have had the children, they can move to the colony, and au will never have to see them again.” He waited for that to settle in for a bit, while he kissed her hands and fingertips, and held them up against his face.

 

“What if I find one trustworthy to look after our children, Aelabi,” Mimi asked.

 

“Ie.” He proceeded to add in the zinger, as gently as possible. “And if at any time we feel that a wife is suitable company for us, I can have separate quarters set up on the station for her and our offspring. Au may find that Rihan women are strong, hearty, trustworthy, and loyal women to get to know, and find comfort in having a sister-wife as a confidant.”

 

“So, what you’re saying is, after they have your children: they can either live at the colony or here on the station, depending if I find at least one of them trustworthy?”

 

His strong jaw turned into a wide grin, then he pursed his lips and gave her a big kiss with a deep belly growl, showing his appreciation. After he broke the kiss, he gazed into her eyes, “Of course, e’lev. If you do.” The emphasis was on the IF. His honeymoon wasn’t over, and he wasn’t about to topple that apple cart just yet. “And if you want, she can be assigned to assist you in sickbay, so your work load is lightened. How would you like that?”

 

She looked at her husband and stated, “Give me some time to consider the suggestion that you are proposing. In the meantime, why don’t we consider having children. Also, I want you to answer a question of mine.” She reached around Torate to the coffee table and grabbed the PADD she was looking at earlier and gave it to him. “Do any of these pregnant women’s names seem familiar and don’t lie to me.”

 

He grinned at her, knowing she finally came full circle with the original question. “Let me look and see what my first wife thinks I’ve been busy with.” He took the PADD and reviewed the names. He started mentioning a few, “I know of these 3,” he continued, pointing out just about every woman on the list. He watched as her eyes grew larger, and he knew she was about to pound him. He finally gave up the information after entertaining himself while watching her stew, then explained which women were sleeping with which Rihan men, none of them him at the time. “So you see dear,, I do have my ear to the station, but you are lucky, they are not mine for now.” He winked at her with another adorable grin, trying to keep the mood light and the tension down.

 

Mimi smiled at him, “Yes, I know for now I’m the lucky one to be all yours and not having to worry where you have been at all hours of the night.”

 

He chuckled at her, knowing she could always locate him through the station’s computer. Of course, he had ways around that, but never felt the need to use them, since he was honest and above board with his new wife.

 

“So are you hungry or do you want to wait until later,” Mimi asked.

 

He pulled her close, the lifted her up, “Now, about that child...”