Alien Proliferation

safer, but some of her single cousins are here, and I think I need to stick around in case any of them are afraid or bored or just want to talk about etchings or submarine races.”
    Even with that broad a hint, my husband and his cousin were still not catching on. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but why would I want you to come guard my wife while I’m right there?”
    “What, you’re going to suggest Matt, Chip, and Jerry next?” Christopher snarked.
    “I cannot go to guard my leader because there are hot girls here who demand my attention, sir.” Jerry managed to get this out without barking a laugh. I was so proud.
    “Same for me, sir!” Hughes said, staring ahead as if he were under military review.
    “Ditto!” Walker apparently didn’t trust himself to more than two syllables.
    Tito sighed. “Actually, wherever Kitty and the baby go, so go I. But, I have my own room there. On the third floor. Where staff lives. Far away from the seventh floor.”
    They still didn’t get it. Jeff sighed. “Okay, Tito, no argument. Wherever we end up, I’ll make sure you have a room.”
    “I have a room at the Embassy already, Jeff. However, it’s so far from yours and Kitty’s. Maybe someone should go along so they’re closer. To make the new mother feel safer.” Tito was amazing. He got this out with a total poker face.
    Naomi got into the act. “Abby and I could go.” She nudged Chuckie, pointedly.
    “No. I don’t want the two of you out of the Science Center without a full guard.” Chuckie was giving me the same look that Amy was—why did you marry an idiot and fix your friend up with his idiot cousin?
    Christopher rolled his eyes. “As if being at the Embassy wouldn’t be the same security level as right here?”
    “Sorry, can’t allow it. ETD rules.” Chuckie was good—he had a poker face and sounded like he was going to start quoting the rulebook any second.
    Tim sighed. “Alicia’s parents are still getting used to things. I don’t think she and I can, in good conscience, leave them alone here.” He grinned. “Much as I, personally, would like to go to one of those huge penthouse suites at the Embassy. To guard Kitty, of course. No selfish reasons meant to be implied or intended.”
    Reader got control of himself. “Paul and I can’t go, Kitty, because he and Richard need to sort out Pontifex things. Richard probably needs to stay, too. Sorry. Understand why you would want someone else along who makes you feel safer.”
    Jeff gave him a dirty look. “Since when don’t I make her feel safe?”
    White cleared his throat. “Perhaps Miss Gaultier could go along, to help with the baby?”
    Christopher gave his father a betrayed look. “I guess.”
    “Wow, what a good idea. But, gosh, Amy can’t defend herself against a stiff breeze. Maybe someone else could come, too, who might be able to help Jeff protect me, Jamie, and Amy.”
    Jeff and Christopher both stared at me. “Baby, why are you talking so slowly?”
    “Maybe my husband’s cousin and best friend, who is also my baby’s A-C godfather, could come along to help me feel safer and more secure in the creepy Embassy of many empty rooms.”
    “Kitty, I have a name.”
    I gave up. “Yeah, and it’s Tweedle-Dum. Don’t get too hurt, I apparently married Tweedle-Dee.” Got hurt looks from both Jeff and Christopher.
    “I don’t think that was called for,” Jeff said quietly.
    “Geez, you two. Jeff, I truly don’t want to spend one moment in that building without someone else there in addition to you and Jamie—I’ve seen too many horror movies. However, I’ve never met two guys who are slower on the uptake than you and Christopher. I mean, good lord, Christopher, your own dad is trying to tell you to grab your girl and go off and have a good time alone, and you’re standing here arguing about how I should be setting the bravery example. I’ve got an overactive imagination, but I’m, at least, not a total idiot when it comes to getting a free pass to do the nasty all night long.” I looked at White. “You’re sure he’s your son? I mean, really sure?”
    White laughed. “Yes, Missus Martini. Some men just seem more worldly than they are.”
    “Huh.” I looked back at Jeff and Christopher, both of whom looked really embarrassed. “I think Jamie had it figured out faster than you two.”
    “This reminds me of when the rest of us figured out how to kill Mephistopheles, even though the two of you had,