CHAPTER 188: INSTANT POPPA, JUST ADD LOVE

Early one morning the pod trucks arrived with a new home to be assembled for Tim and Mason. Carter handed a plaque to Mason, and when he unwrapped it, it read: Tim and Mason Spinelli.

Mason hugged his neck and thanked him. For the first time in his life he had a true home—one that he could share with his future mate and their children.

It took the better part of the day to remove the old cabin, stabilize it, and relocate it to its new location at the Learning Center Museum.

The new pod home went together very quickly, and by that evening lights were being hooked up to it. Tim and Mason were the first to walk into their new home. There was no furniture yet, but they were amazed at how large it was. Tim was very humbled at what he saw before him—the gracious gift and his love that was on his arm.

Tim surprised Mason and everyone there when he took to one knee and asked Mason if he would join him in his life as his mate, and that no matter what, this was an unbreakable bond they were to share forever. Of course, Mason did everything that was expected—he cried, he hugged Tim, and kissed him profusely.

Tim and Mason worked on the new house every chance they got, putting their own touches in the home and making their own memories in their new home.

Earl would stop by on his way to the clinic and labs to check on Shannon, sit by his pod, and read him the latest news on the planet.

---

Earl was making his way down the hallway when Lex stepped out of one of the rooms.

"Earl, I need you right now. Drop whatever you’re doing—you can do it later—but I need you. I need your expertise. You just have to follow our lead," Lex said urgently, carrying Earl into a delivery room.

In the delivery station was a very young Genman trying to give birth.

"Earl, this is 682. It’s his time and he’s having problems. His hips and his pelvic bones have not shifted, and the baby is causing a lot of distress trying to force its way down. We’re doing everything we can, but I can’t guarantee that we won’t lose him or even them both," Lex explained.

"Lex, what is the young man’s name? I don’t need a number for a patient—what is his name?" Earl asked.

"Earl, some of the young men here don’t have names yet. They still have their numbers that were assigned from the breeding program that was raided."

Lex sat Earl in the chair in front of 682 and introduced them to one another. Earl smiled warmly.

"Well, some stupid old number is not going to do for you. I’m going to call you Billy because that’s what you look like—you look like a Billy to me."

Billy smiled as a tear ran down his cheek. "Doesn’t it always hurt like this? My insides feel like they’re ready to explode."

"Well Billy, first we gotta get your pelvic bone to release so that the baby can come on out and we can get your pressure down. You just need to take a few deep breaths and relax your body." Earl’s voice was gentle and reassuring. "I’ve been through this six times before, and like you, with my first one I was scared too. I didn’t know what to expect from my body, much less the baby trying to come out of it. But like my dad said, ’Take deep breaths, son, and relax your body. Pretend that you’re floating in the heavens above, weightless like the stars.’"

"I’m just so tired, Mr. Earl. It seems that I’ve been at this forever and he just can’t move. Oh wait a minute—it feels kind of funny down in my lower stomach, like something’s moving around," Billy said weakly.

"Billy, that’s your pelvic bone moving outward to allow the baby to come through. Now, what do you want to name him when he gets here?"

"I hadn’t thought of no names because I don’t know what to do with him."

"Well, have you thought about the name Christian? It’s a peaceful and gentle name," Earl suggested.

"I guess if you say it’s good, that’s fine with me. I don’t have a place and I don’t know how to take care of anything. Wait a minute—I feel something like I’m stretching back down there."

Earl kind of chuckled. "Billy, look at the monitor—that’s your vent there, and what you’re feeling stretching is your vent opening to let your baby out. Now when they tell you to push, you need to push as hard as you can. It should take three good pushes and your son will be born."

Lex came around to the front and told Billy he needed to relax for a minute so his blood pressure would go down because it was too high.

Earl helped Billy take some deep breaths and relax his body some more. Christian slipped out to his shoulders, and Lex told him to gently push. As he tried to push, his blood pressure spiked again.

"Billy, I’m going to give you an injection to help ease down your pressure. It may make you a little groggy—we have to do this before this baby is born," Lex said with concern.

Billy knew he was definitely in trouble, as was Christian. "Mr. Earl, if anything happens to me, promise to take care of Christian. He needs a good start in life. I feel that mine is gone."

Earl was holding Billy’s hand when he heard his son cry. Billy smiled at Earl, then his head slumped downward as all of his vitals collapsed.

Earl gently hugged Billy and told him softly, "You can rest now, sweetheart. The hard part’s done—you brought him into the world, and now it’s my place to raise Christian for you." He kissed him on his cheek as the staff laid him backward on the gurney.

The nursing staff had cleaned Christian up and placed him into the bassinet. Earl walked up to him and caressed his face.

"You don’t have to worry about anything. Poppa Earl is here to take care of you, my sweet prince," he whispered tenderly.

Earl moved his shirt aside, picked up Christian, and placed him upon his right gland so that he could nurse.

Lex walked up to Earl. "We can find him a foster home temporarily until he can be placed with a family."

"There’s no need, Lex. He’s got a home, with plenty of uncles to watch out for him, and his Poppa Earl will make sure that he’s nursed and raised right." Earl’s voice was firm with resolve. "When I lay his dad to rest, it shall read ’Billy Earl O’Malley, proud Daddy of Christian.’ He will not have just a number on the headstone—he will be remembered."