Generation 2, Chapter 26 - The Trouble With Time

Stepping out of the of time portal, Peter looked around. It looked exactly the same as when he was last there, but somehow it felt different. Shaking his head, he went in search of Emit. In the distance he saw a man with blue hair with is back to him. Assuming it was Emit, Peter tapped him on the shoulder. "Hey Emit we need to ...." his voice dwindled away when the man turned around. It was someone Peter had never seen before "I'm sorry I thought you were someone else."

"Happens all the time. I'm Logan ... Emits brother," he extended his hand. A friendly gesture that Peter felt wasn't what it seemed as he shook hands with him. Despite his smile Logan's eyes were cold, holding a hint of malice in them. Peter had a feeling he had fallen into a pit of rattlesnakes.

"It's nice to meet you," Peter smiled attempting to cover up his nervousness.

"Peter when did you get here?" Emit asked coming up behind him. Peter turned noticing the menacing look Logan gave Emit before he turned and walked away.

"This afternoon," Peter told him watching Logan from the corner of his eye. "I didn't know you had a brother."

"I don't," Emit said through clenched teeth.

"What? But ... how .... I don't understand?" Peter sputtered "he looks like you."

Shrugging Emit looked over at Logan as he stood casually watching them. "It's dangerous for you to be here."

"What's going on?" Peter asked his confusion growing.

"I don't entirely know," Emit told him. He doesn't know? That simple statement terrified Peter like nothing else could. The time keeper didn't know? How could he trust him with his son's life, if he didn't know? This couldn't be happening Peter felt as if he were sinking in quicksand.

"We can't talk here," Emit said lowering his voice extending his hand, Peter shook it "It was good to see you again," Emit said smiling at him before walking away and joining Logan on the bench.

Taking his cue, Peter left walking along the sidewalk not seeing the wonders all around him. Sitting on a bench a mile or so away from Emits place.   Peter opened the note Emit slipped into his hand.

Meet me here - it's a safe house.

Emit

Safe house? Safe from what? The note had an address and a time. Peter walked aimlessly around the streets of Oasis Landing not feeling the wonder he once had for the place. It felt wrong. He couldn't explain it but the entire atmosphere of the place felt wrong. Was this the result of saving him? Would he need to sacrifice himself to right the future?

He stopped in front of the legacy statue of himself. He had donated so much already to ensure the future for generations after him. What was one more sacrifice? Staring up at his own face, he knew what he was thinking wasn't right. He had to be here in order to stop the aliens. It was his brain that had been altered to understand the alien technology. It had to be something else.  Something more sinister than saving his life to cause these alterations.

Walking over to the Pioneer in Robotics Legacy statue, he stared up at it. This statue should have been that of Adam but wasn't.  Peering intently up at it Peter recognized the face. Shaking his head, it couldn't be.  Looking again he was positive he knew that face. Reading the name to make sure he was right.  Stunned he knew he found the reason for all the changes he perceived. Looking away, Peter sighed the face belonged to a brilliant lab technician he once had, Chase Mars.

Peter personally didn't like the man.  Chase had always been looking over his shoulder, snooping in his office. Turning back to the statue, staring into the cold, calculating eyes of Chase, Peter shivered. He had the same eyes as Emits so called brother, Logan. Unsettled by what he discovered in Legacy Park, Peter took a taxi to the address Emit had provided on the note. He was a little early to meet Emit, so he sat outside waiting.

Fifteen minutes later Emit arrived, breathless looking over his should as if he expected someone to be following. "Peter what are you doing outside? Come in, come in," Emit ushered Peter inside. "This is the house Adam will live in while he's here."

Dubious Peter nodded "is it safe?"

Hesitating Emit acknowledged "as safe as I can make it." Running his hands through his unruly blue hair "the future is a mess and I have people watching me."

"Chase Mars?" Peter said thinking of what he had seen at Legacy Park.

Motionless Emit slowly nodded "you know him?"

Shrugging "he was once a lab assistant of mine. I didn't trust him. I caught him snooping through my research papers. He was fired shortly after that. Now I find his statue in Legacy Park as the Pioneer in Robotics." Staring into space Peter was struck with an idea, turning towards Emit "do you think .... oh god that must be it. He must have found something in my papers that helped him make the discoveries that Adam was supposed to have made."

Nodding Emit sighed "that must have been what happened. Did you notice the resemblance he has to Logan?"

Shaking his head Peter asked "do you think they're related?"

"Somehow, I'm not sure but whatever he found he not only replaced Adam but he replaced another descendant in the timeline so that Logan could be my brother and an experienced time traveler. This timeline has two timekeepers where there should only be one, me. I know I never had a brother." Emit paced a few paces away, peering out the window "I have a lot of enemies that would like to see me disappear or replaced. It's what I had always feared would happen. Someone figured out who my ancestors are and making changes."

"Jean and I didn't tell anyone, I doubt Adam has either," Peter mused out loud. "Why do you think you suddenly have a brother?"

"I don't know," Emit turned from the window hands balled into fists. "I've never not known the timeline before. But ever since Logan showed up I've found I have superiors I have to report to. They call themselves The Watchers. They've been overseeing any and all changes to the time line. They work with Logan, there's nothing I do that's not observed by Logan and reported back to The Watchers. I know the changes began with Chase Mars stealing your research, we have to prevent him from figuring it out before Adam has a chance to make the same discovery."

"If your being watched, how can you hope to stop Chase?" Peter wondered out loud.

"I'll have to rely upon my good friends," Emit said with a smile turning towards Peter.

"You mean us, don't you?" Peter asked uncomfortable under Emits steely gaze. "Is that why you've been manipulating things to get Adam here? To meet that girl? To move?" Peter shot one question after another at Emit.

"Yes, yes to everything," Emit said turning away. "I should have known you would see right through me. I just didn't know how else to go about it without alerting the watchers."

"Now you have no choice," Peter stated grabbing Emits arm forcing Emit to face him. "because of me coming here I alerted them, didn't I?"

Glumly Emit nodded "the worst enemy I have is that so called brother of mine. Logan will have reported your appearance here in Oasis Landing. You should leave before they detain you."

Crossing his arms, Peter shook his head "I can't. At least not until I know Adam will be ok when he comes here. They've been through enough. I can't, I won't let them come here if they'll be in danger."

"You act like you don't trust me," Emit said his tone and facial expression showing how hurt he was.

"You're right. I don't." Peter told him refusing to relent.

Sighing Emit looked away from Peter's face unable to look him in the eye "a lot of things have changed since you were last here Peter."

"I can sense something's wrong," Peter told him not wanting to be put off or accept anything less than the whole truth. "You have to trust someone, it might as well be me." Peter shrugged not sure what good it would do for Emit to tell him. He wasn't a hero with superhuman strength. What he was, was a concerned father.

"Unit Logan showed up announcing he was my brother I thought everything was fine. Then Chase Mars replaced Adam as the pioneer in robotics then everything went from bad to worse." Pacing a few steps away "I suddenly have people watching me. The Watchers oversee everything, assigning Logan to observe the changes I make. They have an agenda as to what they perceive the future should be and it doesn't include me. They have Logan who can replace me in controlling time and creating a future of their design."

"What does that mean for me and my family?" Peter asked.

"Honestly Peter they'd like nothing more than to eliminate my entire ancestry line through history. But they can't. You're the only one who can eliminate the alien threat. They know you need Adam to accomplish certain things here in the future before that threat can be nullified." Sitting Emit continued "after Adam accomplishes his goals the watchers want him to go back to Appaloosa where Windy will be waiting to ambush him, angry because of his refusal to raise her children." Looking up he met Peter's gaze, sadness showing clearly "he won't survive this next attack. It will completely shatter Heath and he'll succumb to depression and commit suicide before his sixteenth birthday. The watchers will have what they want,  me gone, time travel safely in Logan's hands."

"But the alien threat won't be solved because I won't be. I'm only here now because of you being the timekeeper." Peter pointed out.

"I thought of that the timeline that the watchers are trying to create hinges upon Heath having a relationship with Joyce Richards when he's fifteen. She becomes pregnant, she puts the baby up for adoption after refusing to marry Heath. That's the catalyst that pushes Heath over the edge. The child is raised by members of the watchers, as is each successive generation until Logan and I come along. I'm safe as long as they need me to deceive you and Adam into a false sense of security. After Adam goes back, no doubt they will try to eliminate me."

Looking around him "you called this a safe house. Does that mean Logan can't see into this house and see what is going on in here?"

Faintly smiling "Peter my old friend you are much too bright for your own good. Essentially yes. I designed this  house in what you'd call a blind spot, where only the true time keeper can see. Logan is powerful but he can't do everything I can, which gives me my only advantage. I've figured out how we can thwart certain things that the watchers want to happen but I need Adam's cooperation for it to succeed."

"Ok I'm listening," Peter said sitting down to listen to Emits plan. The way things looked, he didn't have any other choice.

"It's vital that Adam move to Dragon Valley before he comes to Oasis Landing. Dragon Valley is another blind spot the watchers can't see into. It's a little backwards compared to the rest of Sim Nation but Adam and his family will thrive there...."

"I don't like it. Windy and Scot both lived there and could still have friends there." Peter objected.

"If they had friends they have long since moved or turned to enemies. Scot and Windy were thrown out of Dragon Valley and told to never return. The Dragon's that guard the town know who to keep out of the town ..."

"Dragons, like real dragons?" Peter asked astonishment clear in his voice.

"Yes real dragons.  I told you the town is a little backwards," Emit shook his head at him. "The dragons actually keep the watchers from seeing into the town. So it's the perfect place for Adam to raise his family."

"Ok if the town is everything you say it is I'm ok with Adam moving there." Peter accepted "but why do you want him to meet this girl? The one who will come here to help him."

Smiling Emit shrugged "you could say I'm playing matchmaker. This girl would make Adam a good wife and be his intellectual equal.  She'll help him to become the pioneer in robotics." Looking at Peter reassuringly he added "don't look so worried I'm good at matchmaking."
 
 

Generation 2, Chapter 25 - Pressure and Manipulation

Social Services came by multiple times after that night attempting to persuade Adam into taking Windy's children. "Sir you have the ideal situation to care for th0se children. You have family willing and able to help. I don't understand why you don't want you son to know his siblings."

"Do you have any idea what their mother put us through?" Adam asked angered by her utter lack of understanding.

"Why should that have any bearing on the welfare of these innocent children?" she said ignoring what Adam was attempting to tell her.

"It has everything to do with it," Adam told her. "Their father nearly killed me. What do you think he'll do when he finds out I have his kids?"

"You'll figure something out by the time he's out of prison," she assured him

"No Scot attacks first, without warning. Believe me you do not want to be anywhere near what he considers his." Adam sighed pushing away from the table, before he was able to go very far the stupid woman announced.

"We've spoken with Mr. Macklamoor regarding the welfare of his children. He is willing to let you have custody of his children until he is out of prison. He's up for parole in five years."

"You're out of your freaking mind," Adam looked at her appalled. Do you really think that I trust anything that Scot says? What kind of a fool do you think I am?"

"I think your paranoid and judgmental and a heartless beast for not taking those poor kids in," she told him as she stood up from the table.

"You're entitled to your opinion. I have two children of my own and their best interests come first." He stared at the stupid, obstinate woman in front of him before continuing "I will not, I repeat, will not be bullied into taking in those kids. I am sorry for them, really I am but there's nothing I can do."

"Windy assures me that you'll eventually give in," the woman told him with a smile. "All I need to do is keep persisting and you'll come around."

"Next time you'll be talking to my lawyer," Adam told her walking away.

Stopping by the door the woman called after him "your not the pushover she made you out to be."

Turning Adam stopped "I've learned a thing or two since then."

"Good," the woman said "Windy may be my client but she's bad news for you."

Taking a step forward Adam asked "then why all the pressure?"

Shrugging "you'd be good for those kids. They need an advocate. I've observed how you are with your kids, you're a good father." She turned and opened the door.

"Then you understand why I can't," Adam said from behind her.

"Yes," shrugging she said "Windy would entangle you into her web of lies and deceit if you took those kids in. I know that but I had to do my best for their sakes." Pausing she hesitated "if I were you Adam, I'd move as far away as you can get. Do it before Windy or Scot get out of prison." With those final words she turned and walked away.

***

 



Later that evening Adam approached his dad in the lab. The social workers words laid heavily on his mind. "Dad the social worker came by again today."

Looking up sharply from his work bench Peter asked "is she still trying to get you to take those kids in?" Squinting at Adam he asked "you're not considering it, are you? After all Windy's put you and Heath thru. I can't believe you'd let yourself be talked into this....."

"Dad," Adam called sharply "take a chill pill. I haven't been talked into anything yet. I do feel sorry for them. I'd be lying if I said I didn't care but there's nothing I can do for them. I won't put my children in jeopardy, they come first." Looking away Adam sat down abruptly in a chair.

"Then what's bothering you?" Peter asked following Adam, taking the opposite chair.

"The social worker suggested I move far away from here before Windy and Scot get out of prison. She seems to think I'll be in danger if I stick around here." Looking up "what do you think?"

Leaning forward Peter considered what he should say "son it might not be a bad idea."

"No way, this is my home" Adam was shocked. He hadn't thought is dad would agree but he seemed to have given it some thought.

"Adam, you don't have to decide right now. You still have time to consider your options."

"I know I have time," Adam leaned back in his chair. "Dad when do you think it'll be safe for me to travel through the time portal?"

"When Irissa's at least a year old. Why?"

"It'd be nice to have at least one problem solved before I have to decide to move," Adam explained. "What exactly do you need me to do in the future?"

They spent the next couple hours discussing what needed to be done. Peter didn't mention that he hoped that while Adam was in the future it would spark his interest in robotics again. Peter smiled remembering the little boy who told him he was going to be the pioneer in robotics. Shaking his head, if things kept going as they were that dream would never come to reality and the future would be changed forever.

"What are you thinking about Dad?" Adam asked after his father had been silent for a few minutes.

Smiling Peter asked "Do you remember when we went to the future together?"

Nodding "it was one of the best times we had just the two of us."

"You called it our vacation get away," Peter recalled fondly. "Try and duplicate that feeling with your kids. It may be the first time you'll have to bond with them without the stresses you've had to deal with here."

"I know dad," shrugging Adam smiled "I'm actually looking forward to it. All except the part of living in the same house with that girl. Are you sure that's what Emit has arranged?"

"She's there to help you Adam. Try to at least get along with her. No one expects you to marry the girl," Peter said laughing at his son's expression.

"Ok you win, I'll do it your way. I just don't understand Emit sometimes." Adam sighed thinking aloud "do you think I'll have time to...." his voice drifted away.

"Time for what?" Peter asked with a smile.

Shrugging "time to study robotics while I'm there."

"I'm sure that could be arranged," Peter said seriously trying to keep the smile from his face "just remember what you're there for."

"How could I forget? Irissa will be there to remind me everyday. Also I don't want Heath to have to worry about aliens when he grows up. It's time to put an end to this menace once and for all."

"It will be one way or another" Peter confirmed going over to his work bench to resume his experiment.

After Adam left, Peter found he couldn't concentrate. Putting his experiment away, he sat thinking about their conversation. He should have confided in Adam that moving was what Emit told him he should do. Why didn't he mention it? Shaking his head, he didn't mention it because there was something he didn't like about the way Emit told him. There was nothing he could put his finger on but he just didn't trust it.

He had a feeling he and Adam were being manipulated and pushed into a certain direction. What was Emit up to? What was Emit concealing? These questions were eroding his confidence in Emit, at one time he would have just done as Emit suggested without question. Emit was his friend, wasn't he? Emit had saved his life and was helping them save billions of other lives. So why all the doubts? But he couldn't ignore the warning bells going off in his head when he thought about Adam moving.

Wouldn't Emit be just as concerned about keeping Adam and Heath safe as he was? After all Emit wouldn't exist without them and neither would time travel. But the last communication he had received from Emit, he got the impression Emit wasn't telling him the truth. After years of dealing with Vallari, he had become good at telling when someone was lying and trying to manipulate him. He was getting that same vibe from Emit.

Sighing Peter got up realizing sitting there asking questions without answers wasn't helping.   Unlocking the storage room where the time portal was kept.  As he disappeared Peter hoped he was doing the right thing.
 


 

Generation 2, Chapter 24 - Secrets and Hidden Agendas

One afternoon Shannon came by the house to see how Adam was doing. "I'm fine," Adam told her. "How are you coping without Brian?"

"As good as can be expected I guess," she replied.

Looking at her Adam smiled "I miss him too."

She smiled in relief "I get tired of putting on a strong front for people."

"You don't have to, at least not in front of me," Adam told her. "Are you feeling ok?"

"Sure, just a little tired," Shannon sat on the couch patting the cushion next to her.

Sitting down Adam turned to her asking "any particular reason why your tired?" He attempted to figure out if it was her health or just worry over Brian being out of town.

A feint smile flashed across her face as she replied "that's a not so subtle inquiry into my health if I ever heard one."

Chuckling a little Adam said "you're right, do you mind?"

"No I guess not," she smiled at him. "How's the baby?"

"Good, hardly makes a sound," Adam moved to get up "would you like to hold her?"

"Not right now," Shannon bit her lip to stop herself from continuing. Adam looked at her in concern before sitting down beside her.

"Something's wrong I can tell," he grabbed her hand "is the leukemia back?" That would be the worst possible news he could give his brother. Even worse since Brian was out of town.

"No it's not that," Shannon sighed.

"If it's not that then what is it?" Adam asked trying to figure out why she was acting so weird. "You're not leaving Brian are you?" he asked jumping to the wrong conclusion. "If you are the least you could do is wait until he's home to tell him."

Lifting her hand she pressed her fingers against his mouth to stop the flow of words. She laughed at him saying "don't be silly I'd never leave Brian, at least not willingly. I'm pregnant."

"You're what?" Adam choked not sure he heard right.

 

"I'm pregnant," Shannon repeated laughing at his astonished face. "I want it to be a surprise. Please don't tell anyone."

"I won't I promise," Adam smiled wide at her "have you told Brian yet?"

Shaking her head "do you think I should? I mean I don't want to distract him while he's doing Sim Star.  It was hard enough to convince him to do the show, if he finds out I'm pregnant he'll be on the first flight home."

"Are there any health risks that he should know about?" Adam asked in concern uncomfortable with keeping this a secret.

Shaking her head "no in fact I'm a little surprised that I got pregnant so easy. I expected to have fertility issues with all my past cancer treatments it was a possibility."

"Well I'm happy for you and Brian," Adam told her then added with a  mischievous grin "the next thing you'll be telling me is your having twins."

"Don't say that, one at a time is enough," she laughed. "Have you seen Doloris and the twins? They're just adorable."

"She brought them by just the other day," Adam smiled at the memory. Doloris appeared to be happy in her role as mom. "the twins are just a little over a year older than Irissa."

"What are there names again?" Shannon asked trying to recall them. "Joseph and Rebecca, right?"

"That's it," Adam confirmed "so how far along are you?"

"Not far, a few weeks," she smiled "they're honeymoon babies." Shannon got up "I should be going or I'll be late for my appointment." At Adam's look of concern she laughed "don't worry it's just a checkup."

Relieved Adam followed her to the door "Shannon if you need anything while Brian's gone let me know."

"I'll do that," Shannon accepted "remember this is our secret, at least until I figure out how to tell Brian."

"I promise," Adam hugged her goodbye. "Don't take too long, people will start asking questions. It's not like you can hide a pregnant belly."

Laughing up at him Shannon agreed "speaking from experience?"

"I am, so take my advice and tell Brian as soon as you can." Adam watched Shannon drive away waving. Why couldn't he have found someone like that? Brian was lucky to have found her. Sighing Adam shook his head at his foolishness in picking Windy of all people. But he couldn't regret the little boy that resulted from that relationship.

***

"How's daddy's little princess?" Adam asked as he lifted Irissa from her crib. Wrinkling his nose he gagged "ugh gross," he looked at the little girl in his arms "what have you been eating? Cow manure?" Where's the clothes pin when you need one? He would gladly chop his nose off right this second if it meant he wouldn't have to smell her diaper.

He set a speed record changing her diaper. Leaving the room with Irissa secure in his arms he bumped into Faith and Grace coming into the room.

"Adam come quick," Faith gasped out of breath.

"Heath needs you, now?" Grace added pulling at his arm.

"What's happening?" Adam asked beginning to panic.

"The lady with the blue air ...." Faith started to explain.

Before she was able to finish, Adam was running towards the door, mindless of the infant in his arms. He was in full panic mode when he rounded the corner beholding Heath struggling with Windy. "What do you think you're doing?" he bellowed at her as he ran up beside his son.

Dropping her hands from Heath's arms, Windy coldly eyed Adam as he ran up beside his son. Heath visibly breathed a sigh of relief "dad the bad lady tried to make me go with her but I fought her off."

"I'm not 'the bad lady," Windy huffed "I'm your mother."

"No you're not," Heath asserted "you're a bad lady. All you ever do is hurt me and my dad. That in my book makes you a bad lady," Heath told her lifting his chin.

"What nonsense have you been telling this boy?" Windy glared at Adam.

"Only the truth," Adam said "he concluded the rest himself. Heath go in the house and wait for me."

"No not until the bad lady goes," Heath obstinately stood his ground.

"Heath do as you're told," Adam demanded.

"No," Heath shot back. "I just got you back. I'm not letting this so called mother of mine hurt you or Irissa." He crossed his arms "I'm staying."

At the mention of Irissa Adam realized she was in his arms, staring up at him in alarm. "Ok son we'll do it you're way." Taking his phone from his pocket, he handed it to Heath "call your grandpa and tell him of our unwelcome visitor."

Taking the phone from his father, Heath did as he was told. Disconnecting he listened to them argue.

"Windy you need to leave," Adam told her.

"Don't be like that Adam," Windy said coming closer to him. "We used to be good together, don't you remember?"

"No I don't," Adam told her coldly.

Smiling up at him Windy winked "it must have been good once. Look at our son, that's the result of our love." She attempted to wrap her arms around him.

"Don't," Adam stepped back forcing her to drop her arms. "Whatever we had was ruined a long time ago. Your manipulations don't work with me anymore. Give up and go home."

"You need me," she purred in his ears as she stepped close to him. Laughing as Adam sidestepped her move, she knew eventually she would corner him, it was only a matter of time.

"Don't you mean, you need me," Adam said "how many kids did Scot leave you with?"

"Three," Windy shouted losing patience "and all three are as worthless as their father."

Out of the corner of his eye Adam saw a girl a year or so younger than Heath glaring at Windy. "Is that one of them?" Adam asked hoping to divert Windy's attention and hopefully stop her from saying anything else.

Turning to see who he was talking about Windy yelled at the little girl "didn't I tell you to stay in the car?"

The girl shook under her mother's harsh glare "I .... I" taking a breath "Maurice is hungry and needs to be changed," she stammered.

"So what do you expect me to do about it?" Windy yelled at her.

"But .... but mama," she stuttered glancing over at Adam than back at her mother. "You said you'd be right back. You said it wouldn't take long to get our brother."

As her words resounded in his head Adam was overcome with a desire to throttle the woman in front of him. "You were planning to take my son and would have if he hadn't fought you."

"Yes," she snapped at him. "He's my son too. You've kept him from me."

"You never wanted him, remember?" Adam shouted back at her. "You signed the papers giving up all rights to him. Why now? Why do you want him now?"

"Because he's yours," she shouted at him "I'd take that green brat too if it meant you'd come back to me." She struggled as two officers pinned her arms behind her back.

"You're delusional," Adam told her putting an arm around Heath.

"But you'd come," Windy asserted "you'd come because of them." She nodded towards them. "Your love for them would have made you come."

"You're right, I'd have come for them, not you." Adam told her "but you would never have me. You would have had the shell that looked like me but inside where it counts, you'd never have me."

Windy screamed, struggling against the officers as they handcuffed her. Glaring at Adam she growled "I'll get you one day and you won't escape."

One of the officers started to give her her rights when she turned on him shouting "I know my rights, so shut up." She screamed as the officer ignored her as he led her to the police car.

As Adam began to walk back towards the house, an officer ran up to him. "Sir she says your the children's guardian."

"I'm what?" Adam asked shocked.

"The children's guardian," the officer pointed towards a group of small children huddled together beside an old beat up car.

"She's mistaken. I'm not their guardian," Adam told the officer.

"Maybe you could take them just for the night," Officer suggested "otherwise we'll have to get social services involved."

As much as it pained Adam to see those frightened children, he knew he couldn't take them. It was just another trap. He couldn't take Windy's children without giving her hope that he still cared, not to mention future trouble with Scot. Her words came back to him and realized that if he took the children, she would have him. He would never be able to let the children go back to her once she was out of jail. He wouldn't have the heart to abandon them to her tender mercies. Shaking his head "no I can't I'm sorry."

"With all due respect sir they are your son's half siblings," the officer reasoned.

Looking at the officer Heath stepped away from his father, stomping his foot "I don't care if they're my half siblings. I don't know them and don't want to know them. I never knew about them until the bad lady came to take me away with them." He looked towards his dad "I don't want them here."

Smiling at his son Adam turned to the officer "my son said it all. You'll have to make other arrangements."
 
 If you' like to read more about Brian at Sim Idol you can check it out here Sim Star Idol

  

Generation 2, Chapter 23 - In the Nick of Time

Adam intended only to use his father's painkillers to get him thru the day with his son but as time went by he found he was using them to, get thru the days leading up to Brian's wedding. He knew something was wrong but he didn't want to disappoint his brother by not being a part of the wedding.

"Adam are you alright?" Peter asked coming up behind him.

"Yeah Dad," Adam said rubbing his shoulder "I must have slept wrong, my shoulder hurts."

"You look a little pale," Peter peered at him in concern. "Are you experiencing any abdominal pain?"

Shaking his head Adam moved towards the door "I'd tell you if I were" he mumbled.

Staring after his son Peter sighed. He felt arms wrap around him "What's wrong?" Jean asked.

"I don't know. Maybe nothing," Peter said turning towards her. "I just have a feeling Adam's hiding something from me."

Looking at Peter she asked "What makes you think that?"

Shrugging "he's in pain and denying it. He's so pale and listless lately," Peter explained.

"Has anything shown up on his exams?"

"That's another thing, he's rescheduled the last couple of checkups because of the wedding." Peter stopped as Jean put her hands to his face to calm him. "I think something's wrong and he's not telling me."

Biting her lip Jean said "you may be right. I..." she hesitated "I ... this may have nothing to do with what's going on but ..... I noticed that your old painkillers were missing from the medicine cabinet. Did you throw them out?"

"What?" Peter asked blankly "Oh I forgot all about those Did I still have some left?"

"Yes," Jean sighted. "I meant to throw them out but never got around to it."

"You think Adam's taking them don't you?" Peter asked.

Nodding she said "it makes sense doesn't it? If he's in pain and afraid to admit it he would take them. He doesn't want to disappoint Brian or his son again."

"That stupid idiot," Peter fumed "wait until I get my hands on him."

Grabbing his hand Jean restrained him "Peter don't, not today. Let him have this, let him be there for his brother."

"But ..."

"I know, I do. It's dangerous but it's obvious this means a lot to him." Looking into Peter's eyes she continued "don't you think he knows the risk he's taking?"

"Yes and he obviously isn't thinking straight," Peter grumbled.

"Maybe," Jean argued "but try to understand that he feels like a catastrophe waiting to happen and he's afraid of disappointing the ones he loves. Can't we let him have this?"

"I want to say no, the sooner we find out what's wrong the better," Peter looked at her and relented. "I know what your telling me. Adam's been depressed over the time he's missed with his son and family. None of it's been his fault and I wish there was something that could be done to help him. We'll give him the day but at the first sign of trouble I'm taking Adam to the hospital. The thing that worries me the most is we don't know how long he's been masking the pain."

During the wedding Peter watched over Adam like a hawk, anxious he might miss something. As the day progressed and Adam appeared to be ok, Peter's worry lessened allowing him to enjoy Brian's wedding

The morning after the wedding, Adam woke up to the feeling his insides were exploding. Trying to sit up he succeeded in rolling off the bed to the floor. As he fell he knocked over the night stand and his alarm clock went flying and crashed into the wall.

Peter woke with a jerk at the sound of something crashing, he got up to investigate it. Coming into Adam's room he found Adam lying on the floor moaning. Rushing to his side Peter felt for his pulse, weak and rapid, he was barely conscious. "Son?" Peter asked "son can you hear me?"

"Dad?" Adam croaked.

"Can you tell me where it hurts?" Peter asked as he carefully turned Adam over so he could check for abdominal tenderness. Stopping when Adam cried out in pain as he pressed down on his side. "How long have you been in pain?"

Biting his lip to keep from screaming Adam concentrated on answering "couple of, couple of weeks," he managed.

"You've been taking my old painkillers haven't you?" Peter asked trying to get as much information from Adam before he passed out. Adam nodded. "How's the pain in the shoulder?"

"Worse," Adam panted.

Peter swore under his breath. He should have taken Adam to the hospital sooner, when he first mentioned the shoulder pain. He's probably been bleeding internally since yesterday, god how could he have been so stupid? He should never have let himself be talked into letting Adam get thru the wedding.

After several hours, Peter was allowed into Adam's room. He sat in a chair beside Adam's bed waiting for Adam to open his eyes. Adam stirred in his sleep, moaning. Reaching out Peter held Adam's hand and gently wiped the hair from his son's forehead. His heart ached at what he had to tell him. How would he take the knowledge of losing a child, even one that never had a chance to live?

Leaning back in the uncomfortable chair, Peter drifted off to sleep. Awakening a couple of hours later to find Adam awake and staring at him. "Good morning," Adam said in a hoarse whisper.

Glancing at his watch Peter yawned "more like evening," he mumbled.

 

"Whatever," Adam said looking away.

"Why son, why'd you do it?" Peter asked leaning forward.

Shrugged Adam continued to stare at the far corner of the room unable to meet his father's caring gaze.

"You could have died, do you know that?" Peter asked his frustration, hurt and anger mixed in his voice as he spoke.

"I'm sorry," Adam said focusing on the dark corner. He knew this conversation was coming and he would have done anything to avoid it. Adam spent what felt like hours watching his dad sleep in the chair beside him trying to prepare what he was going to say. Now that his dad was awake, Adam had no idea what to say. What could he say? That he put his life in danger because he wanted to spend the day with his son. That Brian's wedding was more important than his life? It all sounded so stupid now.

Peter sighed so loud Adam glanced in his direction curious. "Son I understand, believe me I do. Why do you think I put off seeing the doctor when I was so sick? I knew something was wrong but I wanted to pretend there wasn't. We all do stupid things when faced with the alternative of disappointing the people we love."

"I just wanted to give Heath what he wanted, my time and attention. I was going to tell you,  then there was the wedding. I didn't want to disappoint Brian or have him postpone the wedding again on account of me." Adam struggled to sit up, finding it difficult to move.

Peter reached out to assist him asking "didn't you think your son and brother would have understood?"

"Yes, no .... I don't know. I didn't want to disappoint them. It seems like every time I promise to do something, something comes along and makes it impossible." Adam looked down into his lap picking at the blanket.

"Don't you think Brian and Heath would rather be disappointed than have you dead?" Adam's head jerked up as his father's words hit home.

"It wasn't that bad was it?" Adam asked fear gripping his heart. For the first time he noticed the heart monitor, the tubes and needles. Then he noticed the tired, strained look on his father's face and he had his answer whispering "I'm sorry."

"I know," Peter said gently holding Adam's hand in both of this. "If I hadn't heard you fall it may have been too late to save you." Peter took a deep breath before continuing "you were bleeding internally ..."

"From what?" Adam interrupted "I was in pain but I don't remember getting hurt."

"You remember I said the aliens didn't allow enough time for you to adjust to the modifications they made?"

"Yeah I remember but what does that have to do with it?" he asked in confusion.

"Do you know what an ectopic pregnancy is?" Peter asked

Thinking for a moment Adam nodded "that's where an egg implants in the fallopian tubes instead of the uterus. But I thought that wasn't a possibility since I don't have either."

"Well I was wrong," Peter smiled at Adam's look of shock. "You have the alien equivalent to a uterus where the embryo should have been. Since the aliens hadn't waited long enough there were small holes in the wall that allowed an egg to slip thru and it lodged in your abdomen. When it burst it caused internal damage resulting in severe blood loss."

"I lost the baby didn't I?" Adam asked his voice full of sadness.

"Yes I'm sorry," Peter confirmed "there was no way to save it once it attached to the abdominal wall." Squeezing Adam's hand he looked into his son's dark eyes "son there's something else and I'm not sure you'll like the decision I made."

Wetting his lips with a mouth gone dry Adam asked unsure whether he wanted to know or not "what else? What decision?"

"You were having twins. I'm not sure if that was what the aliens intended or not but the twin to the one that was lost is still in the uterus equivalent." Patting Adam's hand Peter continued "The embryo was stressed out and struggling but it's doing better now. It appears that it sensed something was wrong and was doing it's best to help you."

"What? I don't understand," Adam blurted out looking at his father surprise and shock mixed on his face.

Pushing Adam down to the bed Peter told him "I doubt you would have survived as long as you had if it weren't for it's help. The aliens have remarkable regenerative powers and the embryo was tapping into that and endangering itself to save you. Up until I learned this I was all for terminating it." Peter stopped to look at Adam to gauge how he was taking what he was saying.   "I didn't have the heart after learning how it was struggling to save your life at the cost of it's own."

"Was that the decision you thought I might not like?" Adam asked putting a hand to his stomach.

"Yes, I thought you might have wanted to end both pregnancies." Sighing Peter said "I didn't make the decision on my own." This was what concerned Peter the most. He wasn't sure how Adam would react knowing he involved his young son. "Heath was really worried about you and upset about the alien baby that hurt his dad. I had to tell him what was happening. I explained that it wasn't the baby's fault that it wasn't where it was supposed to be. Heath being his stubborn self insisted it was a bad alien out to hurt you. So I told him about the other baby that was trying to help you." Looking into Adam's face Peter smiled "You know what he said? Heath told me it was ok to help the good alien baby because that was what his daddy would want."

***

For the remainder of the pregnancy Adam was  on bed rest.  He delivered a baby girl six and half weeks early. After much deliberation Adam named his little girl Irissa May Van Winkle.

Coming home from the hospital Heath insisted on holding his baby sister.  With Irissa in his arms Heath whispered to her "thank you for saving our daddy's life and for being a good alien baby."

 

Brian's Wedding Pictures