Chapter 43 A Week with the A. Goths, Pt. 2
"We need a bigger house anyway," said Alexander. "We might as well build a bridal suite for Isobel and Geoffrey, too."
"But --" Janessa began to protest.
"She was going to get married sooner or later," said Alexander. "She or Cornelia."
"But she's just a baby," said Janessa.
"We'll put our little alien in with her," said Alexander. "That way, he won't keep us awake."
"It's your little alien, not mine," Janessa muttered, but she gave the okay to the construction workers.
"Wow," said Geoffrey when he came over. "Your house grew."
"It's because you're marrying Isobel and moving in," said Cornelia.
"Corny!" said Isobel. "Do you mind? Can you give us some privacy?"
"Yeah," said Geoffrey. "Beat it, kid."
Cornelia rolled her eyes, but she went up the stairs.
"Well, now that Cornelia's let the cat out of the bag, Geoffrey, will you marry me?"
"Yeah, sure," said Geoffrey, "but where did the cat go?"
"That doesn't matter," said Isobel. "I, Isobel, promise to love you --"
"There's something you should know," said Geoffrey. "I'm insane."
"I know," Isobel said fondly. "And my dad's pregnant, so you should fit right in."
Early the next morning...
Looks like someone was happy with her pregnancy test.
"You're going to be a grandmother, Mom. Isn't that great!"
The next evening...
"Cut 'n' Gut has had to take some austerity measures," the receptionist told Alexander. "Anyone who really wants to receive medical care has to help out with some of the chores. The trash barrel is out front."
"And there's a floor that needs mopping," said the nurse, when he was finished with the trash.
"This baby is coming out now," said Alexander.
"Now there's nothing to worry about," said Dr. Lee. "I've had an alien baby myself, so I know what you're going through. In fact, once you've given birth you might want to join my support group.
"Let's see, which button do I press?" he continued. "Oops, that's the heart surgery one. My bad.
"And there you go a lovely little girl. Looks like she might have the same mother mine did Pollinator # 3, if I'm not mistaken."
Alexander wasn't paying much attention. He loved each of his daughters dearly, but this one was special. Janessa was right it was different when you carried them yourself. He decided to name her Qagnes, after his great-aunt.
At home, everyone was in love with the little eggplant. Janessa couldn't get enough of her.
And Isobel said she needed to practice feeding for when she had her own.
Meanwhile, Cornelia had a birthday. She became a genius and decided to go into the Tech Guru career.
She promptly fell sick. "I think it was the strawberry cake," she said. "I notice you didn't eat any, Isobel."
"That's just because I'm hoping for a boy," said her sister. "I'm sure the cake was fine."
"Don't worry," said Alexander. "I think I've replicated the formula of the medicine I took when I got sick." He handed her a beaker of snake oil serum.
Cornelia drank it and promptly slumped to the ground.
"Oh dear," said Alexander. "That's what happened at the lab, too."
"I don't feel well, either," said Isobel. "I'm breaking out in a rash and..."
"Do you want to go to the hospital?" asked Janessa.
"There's no way that claw thing is getting close to me or my baby," said Isobel. "Owwww!"
And just like that, she gave birth to a little boy. She decided to name him Mort.
Later, Cassandra came over to congratulate everyone. "I know you think I'm nosy," she told Isobel. "But really, I'm just concerned about our little community. I'm counting on you to take over once I'm gone."
Isobel didn't know what to say.
"It can be fun," said Cassandra. "Finding out who's romancing whom. Annoying the younger generation. It's a Crumplebottom tradition."
"What can I say?" said Isobel. "I'll give it the old college try."
