Alien Proliferation

gasped.
    Reader reacted instantly and massaged my stomach. “I’m not going anywhere until Jeff’s back, girlfriend.” Calmed right down.
    “Okay, I don’t actually want you to leave anyway.” I looked down at my stomach. “There are better ways.”
    “Better ways to do what?”
    I leaned my head back against Reader. “I’ll tell you when Jeff’s back. But, I think I’ve seen the future. And, boy, do I hope we’re ready for it.”

 
    CHAPTER 11
     
    R EADER WAS QUIET, though he was still rocking me. “I have a funny feeling I know where you’re going with this.”
    “Figure you’re right.”
    “Why me?”
    “Because, realistically, you’re the one I always turn to if Jeff’s not here. Not Christopher, not Chuckie, not Paul or any of the others. You. And if Jeff and I are fighting, who is the person I call or run or, for the last few months, waddle to?”
    “Me.”
    “Bingo.”
    “Commanders Martini and White are back on premises, Commander.”
    “Thanks, Gladys.” I patted the Poofs. “Back to bed, you two.” They purred at us, went back to small, and then trotted to the Poof Condo.
    In about five seconds, I heard the sound of running feet. Jeff burst into the room and stopped dead. “What the hell is going on?” His expression and tone of voice said that he suspected Reader was only pretending to be gay whenever Jeff was around.
    The baby went nuts, and I shouted in pain. Jeff was next to me before I could finish my first shriek. He started to rub my stomach, sat on the bed, and moved me into his lap.
    I was too busy whimpering and shuddering to talk, so Reader brought Jeff up to speed on what had gone on. Jeff held me and rocked me. The baby didn’t stop. “Jeff, stop being jealous, please.” I sobbed this out. “Jamie doesn’t understand it.”
    “Why are you calling him Jamie?” Jeff didn’t sound any less jealous.
    “The baby, you idiot. I’m talking about the baby.” She kicked and hit, and it was so painful I started to black out.
    “Jeff, for God’s sake, calm down.” Reader sounded furious. “You’re killing her.” He took my hand and held it. “It’s okay, girlfriend. Just try to relax.”
    Something got through to Jeff. He kissed my head. “Baby, it’s okay. I’m sorry. Relax, I’m not upset. I was just worried about you and didn’t realize James was in here.” I sobbed from pain, but at least I was seeing more than a pinpoint of light. “Shhh, baby, shhh. It’s okay, I’m here, it’s all right.” His voice was soothing now, and I could tell he wasn’t angry any more. The baby calmed down.
    Managed to take in a deep breath without it hurting. “I wanted to name the baby James Jeffrey if it was a boy and Jamie pick-a-middle-name if it was a girl. It’s a girl, clearly. And I’ve known it since you started showing you were worried, so I call her Jamie when you’re not here.”
    He was quiet for a few moments, and I wondered if we were going to have a fight, which, from how the baby was reacting, could kill me. But he nuzzled my head. “Jamie Katherine.”
    Reader and I both relaxed. I could tell because the baby went very calm and I could feel her being happy. Jeff reached out and pulled James into a group hug, which was a common A-C thing. “Sorry, James. Just been a stressful night after a stressful day.”
    “No problem. About to get more stressful. Just try to keep your cool.” Reader kissed my cheek. “Go for it, girlfriend.”
    Group hug over, I took another breath. “She’s your daughter, let’s just say that. When you left I was worried, and then I got the usual hormonal overload.”
    “You mean you started panicking that I didn’t love you any more, no longer found you sexually attractive, might consider having sex with Amy just because she was there, and might decide being chased by goons in the middle of Paris was more fun than being up with you at three a.m. looking at baby strollers?”
    “Wow, I didn’t think your sarcasm knob went past eleven, but I think you were at twelve there.”
    He sighed. “Not only could I pick all that up, I could also pick up when you started to get terrified. I’ll do the reassurance drill later. What do you two think caused the knocking and unnatural fear? And why was James not as affected by it?”
    “I think the baby picked up that I was frightened and that her daddy wasn’t here. So she did her best to get the most acceptable surrogate over.” I cringed, waiting for his