Quills: the Rise of the Northern Matriarch-Chapter 87: Two More Cycles Later (1)

"I am so happy it is only one this time. My hair started to fall out last time." Nora breathed a sigh of relief. She was, in addition to her diet, taking nutritional shots. There was something very different about her endocrine response to pregnancy. She was constantly hungry. So much so that the staff kitchen had begun to pick up the cooking slack. Luckily, they were talented and could follow the recipe instructions. Nora did not need to be as hands-on in the kitchen as she used to be. It was still frustrating to eat until you could not eat anymore, and it was still not enough. She looked at the image Janel was manipulating. The gesturing would look quite hilarious without an interface. It looked like its sisters did at the same development. She was happy, but Kai was just, well, he was very sensitive at the moment.

"I was worried to be honest that it would happen again, you, are already garnering too much attention." Janel said as he examined the image, looking for defects.

Talan looked at the image on the scanner. She had already conceived by the time that they had the ceremony. Next year he would start his adventures of becoming a biological father himself. His transition into the Quill home felt liberating. He had his own room. He felt like the dark cloud of depression was finally abating. He was not forced to work on anything in particular and could work on his dream of rebuilding a safe and more equitable version of the technology that his family had developed. It would free the masses from their servitude to corporations and from the families that ran them. His daughter would be the installer of the new legacy that he was building. It might take multiple children to get there; but they would be trying to create heirs for the Setton and Hudai Clan. There was a significantly high chance that his Clan would be in his hands.

"I am so lucky," Kai said as he gave Nora a loving yet watery look. Kai had tears in his eyes as he looked at the scanner. One eight-week infant was enlarged in front of Janel as he examined it. It was a mixture of him and her, who, regardless of their gender, would have much more of a voice in the world.

"I think you are more emotional than I am now." Nora smiled at Kai. Nora had been trying her hardest not to roll her eyes at him, he had been weepy and over-protective since the conception notice. Nora was not even shocked anymore at how easy it was. Her grandparents had so many children, her mother had her tubes tied after her and her sister were born because she did not want to have a huge family.

"I cannot thank you enough, you are a goddess," Kai said. Nora would protect her son, nurture him. He would be outstanding. If it was a girl, she would be the pride of the Setton family, she would have her hands on the largest security and military group on the globe. Under the tutelage of her collective parents, she would be a strong figurehead of the revolution. They would keep on trying until she came to this world. "I already love them so much," Kai cried. The normally stoic man broke down. He felt himself being embraced and felt Talan's embrace. Nora was trying hard not to laugh. She had never seen him like this. Talan looked at her and his lips hooked a slight smile.

"It is normal to be excited and happy. I did not think this would happen for us. I can see why you are so overjoyed," Talan said as he pat the man on his back. He was working on expressing his emotions with Janel. He wished he could cry like that. Happiness was new for him. It could be this overwhelming. This was a new side of Kai he had not yet seen. Would he be any better when it was his turn? He thought about how he would raise his own child. He liked what Nora was doing. The young girls were allowed to go about at their own pace. There was no competition among them, no expectations. The nursery was set up to foster their independence. They were able to make simple snacks for themselves, and get juice. The toys were made for growth and there were all sorts of toys to get their energy out. She called it a Montessori playground.

'I knew he had a sweet side, I did not know he would be this sensitive.' Nora thought as she watched Kai's happy cry.

"I am so happy. For you and for us. I missed the others' births. It is nice to be here for this," Talan said. Janel gave him an approving look. He was proud of Talan's progress. He did not know if Talan knew he was smiling now. He would comment on it during their session later. Talan was a very complex case. He had worked with Alphem men in similar situations. It was a miracle he had survived his upbringing without Lara murdering him, like his brothers.

"I am glad you are here too, Talan. The girls really love you." Nora said. She felt the absence of her other spouses, Kadir, Liem and Cerez, who were still very busy. They started alternating between taking time off to help with the children and spending time at home with her. Kai had finished his collaboration with Kadir. Leaving him relatively free during the day. Liem only handled the liaison and had meetings with the management staff. He was able to be at home more often. Kadir's work was decided as integral as it would save a lot of lives quickly. He received support from Talan on programming the Droids. The Mimicry program was helpful, but getting the Droids to use learned knowledge or prioritize tasks was something Talan was working on for Kadir. Kadir was busy sending off models on Sedai ships to learn the knowledge and performing some of the work himself with them.

"Is the reason why you only take one spouse at a time into your Bind now to allow each spouse to have his own experience with child-rearing before giving them an heir?" Talan asked.

"That and there is a lot of work getting to know someone and building a relationship. You are supposed to spend a lifetime with a group. Besides, taking the time to get to know the finest men is a worthwhile habit", Nora said and teased.

"The others, why do they spend so much time away?" Talan asked. He found it easy to work from the nursery or beside her. He would pause when he interacted with the children. They came first before the person he was communicating with or what he was doing.

"I really do not know. Cerez will be back soon. Kai was only busy recently. Liem and Kadir, with them, I do not know. I think it is a heavy responsibility to Kadir. Liem, I just do not know?" Nora answered honestly. Janel sighed audibly. Nora wanted to laugh. Kai gripped her hand. He did not understand either, he knew it bothered her. They all managed to find time for their vacations with her, but they were often not around. Nora looked at Talan and smiled softly.

"It will be fine soon. Kadir will finish soon. I have talked to them. But you know," Nora said sadly. Talan seemed to be different from the others. He seemed to be able to do the work while spending time with the children and her. He was able to split his attention. It was like he had two minds. It fascinated her. She actually had quite a crush on him. He helped with their education. He was excited about being with her and them. Cerez would normally offload work to the staff he had hired. He had to set up three new manufacturing plants, factories and plantations and perform yearly inspections of the others. He was momentarily busy. He promised he would hire staff to take care of this afterward. This left her with a segmented schedule with her spouses. She was happy that they had listened to her pouring her heart out. Now she had time with all of them. Talan was a huge help.

"So how is your relationship going with Monil, Janel?" Nora asked to break the awkward tension in the office. Janel looked up from his work.

"I was going to bring this up when I saw you all together, but I was wondering if he could move into my living area here?" Janel asked.

"So it is going really well. I did renovate that family unit for you. Are you going to give me nephews yet?" Nora said with a big grin on her face.

"We will have a meeting tonight. I will let them know that Monil and you will be moving to that unit.", Nora answered. Janel smiled back and looked at her seriously. Nora looked back, meeting his gaze.

"Monil is safe. I know the others will agree with me. It is a formality, you know how Liem is. There always has to be a meeting and I cannot decide alone." Nora explained quickly, not wanting to offend Janel.

"Whoa, Nora. Slow. Down." Janel paused. Nora erupted in howling laughter.

"Sorry you looked so serious when you asked. You are getting a hand of sass though, Monil has been dropping hints about wanting children. Come on. Peer pressure?" Nora said. Janel rolled his eyes and laughed.

"Yeah, yeah. Speaking about children. I found something pretty interesting when I was reviewing the genes between myself and the men who attacked you. I correlated the data with a guard on your transport that had the same instincts that I have that was sent to work for Quill Agriculture after his rehabilitation and counseling." Janel said. "I have found a therapy for men with the 'disturbing' set of genes and have created a gene-suppressing injection to address the issue. You were right to look at others with aggression issues. It worked in the test group." Janel explained to Nora. "Additionally, I discovered that Monil carries the same gene as I, and should not be a threat to you and the children." Janel finished.

"I thought so. I am so glad it worked. I wish I had known about the testing. No one was harmed, right?" Nora asked. Janel shook his head.

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'She would not sacrifice men to benefit herself, and she is friends with a Gimmel? Maybe I can trust her? Can I let my guard down? Hold on? Wait, what?' Talan thought. A massive amount of tension that was weighing on him seemed to lift off his shoulders. It was replaced with shock. 'What happened, and why could she not go out in public freely? Is there something wrong with Nora?'

"Yes, how long do you think it will take, Janel?" Nora asked. She was thrilled to be able to walk by herself on the grounds in more security. This would open up her world for her. Males could be screened before their employment and work in their home. If they agree to the procedure, they could hire genetically compatible individuals as well. Her daughters and children would be safer, they would not have to go through what she did. Her spouses could rest easily as well. Nora did not notice the change in the two newest members of her Bind.