8 Days Later
Teresa leans forward across the bed and blows onto Enilka's tiny mottled belly; in the same manner that she once played with Vor'taalnis as a small childling. Vor'taalnis hears the sound and chitters loudly with laughter, covering his mouth with one hand. His round green eyes light up with pleasure and he grows excited.
Teresa glances over at her oldest son before repeating the action, causing Vor'taalnis to chitter even more. Enilka's chubby legs move up and down as she peers silently up at her mother. Erilnis chitters softly beside his more mild-mannered twin. The more sullen twin is close to tears and desires to be played with as well.
"Oh...Stop your jealousy, Erilnis," Teresa coos playfully. "You silly baby. Mommy hasn't forgotten you. I'm right here. So silly. Mommy loves you."
A knock on the door draws Teresa's attention. She motions for Vor'taalnis.
"Be a good big brother. Stay here for Mommy and watch Enilka and Erilnis. I'll only be a sec. I'll make you some Tihil tea when I get back. If you do that for Mommy!"
"Yes, Mother," Vor'taalnis says with a wide childish grin.
Teresa sweeps out of the room in a hurry. She goes to the front door and wrenches it open. Her heart does a leap when she views Elder Scar. Swallowing down the lump in her throat, Teresa tries to appear upbeat.
"Elder Scar...Hello. What brings you here? I was getting the twins ready for a bath before we head down to the river. I felt we could all use a little time outdoors."
"Then, I am just in time," Scar says smoothly. "Sajgoh, the wood crafter, has made you a gift. She wished for me to deliver it to you."
Scar steps to the side to reveal a beautifully carved yautja version of a baby stroller. The wooden work of art is complete with two small cushioned seats, and four adorable wooden wheels for locomotion. The wheels remind Teresa of miniature wagon wheels, from the Old Earth Oregon Trail days. She laughs with joy and the sudden flood of childhood memories.
"It's beautiful," Teresa gushes. "I've never really met Sajgoh. I've seen her around...I think. Please tell her I am so grateful. This will make things so much easier."
"That, I will do," Scar says, his eyes narrowing with hidden pleasure.
It was he who ordered Sajgoh to create the wheeled cart for the childlings. But what Teresa doesn't know, can't possibly drive her away.
"How rude of me," Teresa exclaims and motions toward the inside of her cabin. "I'm just standing here gawking. Please, Elder Scar...Do come inside."
Scar steps into the cabin and waits for Teresa to close the door. She offers him a tiny smile and strides toward the far bedroom. Scar's brow knits at the knowledge that she and the impotent young elder she calls a vil'par once shared n'fiis in that same room.
Of all the females who have traveled to V'Daha, with the exception of his Lex, Teresa shows the most spirit. Nothing seems to break her. Not even torture, at the hands of her own kind, had managed to do that. Yet, she loves an elder who loves his ambition more than he loves her.
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Teresa reaches the bedroom and goes to the bed. As instructed, Vor'taalnis stands beside the bed like a sentry. His eyes brighten when he catches sight of Elder Scar.
"D`oij!"
Teresa's anxiety grows and she whirls on Scar.
"Why does he keep calling you that? What does that word mean?"
"The ooman equivalent would be uncle. That is what I would like him to think of me as. We are like a family. That is the whole purpose of our settlement...Here on V'Daha."
"Oh," Teresa says, somewhat relieved. "I'm so sorry. I have no idea what I thought he was saying. I just hate that I can't understand what he is saying half the time."
Scooping up Erilnis, Teresa places him in one side of the wooden stroller. The male newborn settles in quickly, his gray eyes fluttering shut. Enilka, forever the quiet twin, allows Teresa to put her in the other cushioned seat without so much as a sound.
Scar watches Teresa go about her business with a thin smile. How beautiful she looks. So much like his Lex, in so many ways. At one point, Teresa's hair falls about her face. For a brief moment, Scar is able to pretend she is Lex. Until, Teresa sweeps the hair from in front of her face with a solitary hand.
The small amount of exertion needed to place the twins in the stroller causes sweat to appear on Teresa's flesh. She mops her forehead with the back of one hand. However, Scar's eyes have wandered elsewhere. He studies her admiringly.
"Well...All set," Teresa utters aloud.
She raises her eyes to find Scar staring at her strangely.
"Elder Scar? What wrong?"
Scar slowly approaches Teresa and places a hand on her left cheek. His voice is soft and reassuring.
"You deserve so much better than this. If I were your vil'par...I would never leave you."
Teresa's mouth falls open as the truth of Yau-tala's words hits her like a freight train. The healer was right about her father. But then again, of course she was.
"Elder Scar...I don't understand. I think, I may not have explained my situation well enough. It wasn't N-Vorl's idea to send me here. He came to V'Daha because he wanted to be with me and Vor'taalnis. He is trying to make great changes. Changes which could help every soul on this planet. But it is going to take time. I love N-Vorl. He's the father of my childlings. I trust he will return. When he can. I trust him. After all, he is my vil'par.
"That may be true," Scar says, inching closer. "But keep in mind. Mating is not an activity solely for the vil'par. Sometimes, there are urges...Which must be fulfilled. Are you sure this is not the situation? That you are not being deceived?"
"I don't..." Teresa begins, faltering. "I don't know. But you don't know the history N-Vorl and me share. You don't know N-Vorl."
"And you do?" Scar challenges.
"I think I know him a little better than you do," Teresa retorts. "No. A lot better than you do. I've carried his descendants. Twice. I've spent time in close quarters with him. Nearly getting killed. We've shared some of our most intimate secrets with each other. Yes, I think I know him well enough."
Scar moves even closer, his eyes riveted to Teresa's face. The ooman female's jaw is clenched in anger, making her seem all the more beautiful.
"I did not mean to incite you. I simply wish for you to consider everything that you know...And believe to be true. While your lover travels the universe and sits in council meetings...I am here. I will always be here. Should you want...Or need me. As I said, mating is not always for the vil'par. There will be times when you may feel lonely. I will be here."
"Are you serious?" Teresa exclaims in disbelief, her eyes widening.
"I have never been more serious," Scar says. "I want you to feel as I do. But I will not force it. N'fiis is not something which can be forced. It must be felt. Know...That I am here. This is all I ask."
Scar reaches out to touch the right side of Teresa's face. She does not flinch. In fact, her lips part almost expectantly. Scar eyes soften and he smiles wistfully. The ooman female's scent changes. She isn't completely receptive to his advances, but neither is she completely repulsed. With a head nod, Scar drops his hand from her cheek and turns to leave.
"Enjoy your afternoon beside the river. There is little chance of rain and the suns are hidden behind the white clouds. It should be pleasant today."
Before Teresa can respond, Elder Scar strides confidently from the room.
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Scientific term
The scientific term for when a litter has multiple fathers is superfecundation.
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How it happens
When a female animal is in heat, she releases multiple eggs during her fertile period. If she mates with more than one male during that time, sperm from each male can fertilize a different egg.
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Superfecundation can happen in many animals
This is sci-fi. Let's have some SCIENCE. ??