Ulrike ran out of the house, glowing. She forgot her anger at Han- mostly even as she skidded to a stop next to his rocket. “Han!”
He looked at her warily, wondering how much yelling she was going to do this time. Not that he didn’t deserve it, but a man (of any species or race) could only take so much abuse from all fronts. “Ul-ulrike… hi.”
“Hanhanhan!”
“What? What is it?” There was a sudden fear. Was she alright? She had been pretty ill…
“We’re gonna have a nooboo!”
Han could only stare at her for a moment, his mouth a big round ‘O’. Then he pulled her to him, hugging her tightly before kissing her senseless.
After a moment, he put her at arm’s length. “Ulrike… can you ever forgive me? I-I… I had to try. I-I thought maybe- maybe if I could talk to-to SOMEONE, maybe I could get my answers. I-I didn’t want this- thing to hang over our heads.”
Ulrike smiled gently at him. “I get it, Han. I do. I’m a Renegade, remember? I-I know that when someone tells you not to do something, it’s the first thing you want to do- and that’s just a normal thing. You- you lost your home. But- you have a new home now.” It was left unspoken that he had her- and now he would have a child as well.
“You’re right,” he whispered. “You’re right. Ulrike, I-I won’t do something so stupid again. Y-you… you and the child you carry. You’ll be my world now.”
“C’mon, let’s go inside.” They went back into the house, hand in hand.
Han cringed. “Is Ulrike in the bathroom again, Watcher?”
Afraid so. The morning sickness hits hardest during the early trimesters. And it’s hitting your poor wife pretty hard as it is. I can’t believe how sick you guys have been getting lately!
“Are you feeling better, baby?” Han asked his wife as she emerged from their bedroom to join him at the table.
She nodded. “Yeah, for now. It comes and goes.”
Han leaned over. “Be nice to mommy, kiddo.” Ulrike stood up and Han followed. He grinned as he leaned down to place to his hands on his wife’s swelling abdomen. “You’re gonna be the bestest wittle nooboo around! Aren’t you, sweetie?”
Ulrike grinned.
Ugh, medicine for you pal, soon as you’re done. Your wife doesn’t need to get sick again.
He frowned. “Yeah, need to do that.”
“Can’t believe it, man. You gonna be a daddy!”
“I know… it-it’s so weird! And yet- I can’t stop smiling about it, Marcus!”
Marcus gave a raucous laugh. “Yeah, there’s just- something about it.” He let out a deep breathe, still running.
Han concentrated on his reps for a moment, then asked tentatively, “You gotten to see any of your little ones lately?”
“Nah, not yet… I plan on making some rounds though.”
Han nodded.
How’s the painting coming along?
“Well enough. Helps take my mind off the backache… at least for a while,” Ulrike answered ruefully as she gave her painting a critical onceover.
Ulrike? What would you think of becoming a full time painter? You could quit your gallery job, spend your days here painting and still be around for when the nooboo arrives. We don’t need the money as much and honestly, your paintings sell for more than enough on their own.
Ulrike tilted her head to the side, thinking. “Actually… I think I’d like that. I really would. I only took the job at the gallery to get started, but you’re right. I would have more time for my own work and be able to be home with our baby.”
I hear Han. Why don’t you talk it over with him? See what he thinks?
“There’s my beautiful wife.” Han was beaming as he looked at Ulrike. She responded with a flirtatious tilt of her head and a fluttering of her lashes at him.
“I love you,” she murmured.
“And I you,” he responded. He had to lean down murmur to his wife’s belly. “I love you too, baby. I love you very much. Mommy and daddy can’t wait to meet you.”
“Awww,” Ulrike sniffed. “So cute! You’re going to make a great daddy.” She sighed and stretched, grimacing and letting out a groan as her back ached.
“Oh baby, why didn’t you say anything? Here, let me see what I can do for ya.” Han spun her around gently and then began to massage her back and shoulders.
“Uuuuhhhh, that feels so good! Oh, thank you so much, baby!” Once he was done, she turned around to wrap her arms around him, resting her head on his shoulder.
“Why don’t you get changed? Get comfortable and we’ll spend the evening relaxing,” Han told her.
“That sounds lovely.”
They found themselves in the sunroom, relaxing as Marcus did his nightly run. Han had gotten very comfortable, sitting in his skivvies with a glass of milk in hand.
“Hey hey! Lookin’ good there, mama!” Marcus called out, waving at them both from the treadmill.
“Don’t you know it!” she replied. Han just laughed.
“Hi, yes, I’m planning a birthday party. It’s my own. Turning into an adult. Yeah, yeah, middle-aged my rear! Yup, got what we needed. Wife has made the cake already. Yup, thanks!”
“Woo! I’m an adult now!”
–sigh—Yes, but it only got to silver… this timer bug is going to be difficult to maneuver around. That’s alright though. We have time yet.
“Yeah, I guess so.”
Ulrike, cake looks great, honey.
“Thanks Watcher.” Ulrike yawned. “I’m beat. I think I’m gonna call it a night.”
You do that. You’ve earned it. Anytime now and it’ll be time to meet your little one.
Just as Ulrike went to climb into bed, she caught her breath and let out a sharp cry as something seemed to release inside of her. “Oooooo! W-watcher, I-I think it’s time! M-my water just broke!”
Oh! Alright, sweetie. It’s ok. Let’s get you to the hospital! Han! Get your butt moving! It’s go time!
They arrived at the hospital, Han trying to remain calm, though his voice was about an octave higher than normal and he was talking much louder than necessary. As Ulrike checked in, Han stood there, looking particularly menacing. “If anything happens to her-“ He had been checking the computer on occasion and had stumbled upon Carl’s forums. He’d seen some of the horror stories. “I swear… I will hurt them like they’ve never been hurt!”
Yeah… I think you’re a bit too highly strung to be in there with her yet… C’mon, Han. This way. Don’t worry, Ulrike, I’m right here with you.
“Th-thanks, Watcher. This corridor is too darn long!”
I don’t know, sweetie. Poor design maybe? Almost there, though!
Ulrike finally reached the room and changed into the gown provided for her. She eased herself onto the cold steel table, a shiver running through her.
“Don’t worry Mrs. Galactus. Everything will be alright,” the Doctor soothed. He manned the controls, a thin sheen of sweat on his forehead. He hadn’t quite gotten the hang of these new contraptions. He found the proper setting with a small sigh of relief and hit the button. But as the machine whirred and the arm went through the slot, the EKG machine blared a warning and something that shouldn’t have been in the grip of the claws was!
“W-watch…er…” Ulrike let out a gasp and her head lulled to the side.
Oh my God! Do something you moron!
Outside the door, there was an all-too familiar voice. “Ulrike? Ulrike!”
If you don’t fix this now, I can’t promise I can hold him back! You are a dead Sim if he comes in and sees her like this!
Frantically, the doctor hit several buttons, his eyes wide in fear. The orderly peeked outside the doors, putting his life into his own hands just in case Han was still out there. The machines still blared their warning and Ulrike was still.
Doctor!
Finally, the machine responded to the doctor’s commands and a few moments later, the machine picked up a sinus rhythm. Ulrike’s eyes opened. “W-watcher?”
Oh thank the Forum! You’re ok, Ulrike. You’re fine, sweetie. And guess what? There’s someone here to see you.
A sharp cry split the air and Ulrike turned her head to look into the bassinet by the table. A beautiful little blue baby stared back at her.
Welcome little Ripley Galactus, the heir to the Dynasty.
Wolfie's Writings 