Alien Proliferation

again be a likely happening. Strangely enough, this comforted me much more than her crying had. I decided to table the mental and psychological ramifications of this for another time.
    “I love you, Mom.”
    I got the bear hug again, then Mom got off the bed. “We’ll be back later, once you’ve had some more family alone time.”
    Jeff came back in as she said this. I wasn’t sure if he’d been lurking outside the door or the timing had just worked out. He gave Mom another big hug and she left.
    “Is my mom still freaked out?”
    He shook his head. “No, she’s normalizing.” He ran his hand through his hair. “I’ve never felt her that upset. Not that I can blame her.”
    “Enough talk of me going to the other side and coming back and all the emotions stirred up therefore. What did you find out from your parents?”
    “Not much. I can’t be certain, but I don’t think either one of them found the cube.”
    “Why can’t you be sure?”
    He shrugged as he got back into bed. “They’re as upset about what happened, and as relieved, as your parents. There’s not an emotion in the Science Center that’s not off the charts in some way.” He looked tired all of a sudden.
    “You need to keep your blocks up. I’m sorry, I didn’t think.” The last thing I wanted was Jeff having to go into isolation right now.
    He kissed my head. “Relax, baby. I’m fine. I kept my blocks up. But it’s why I can’t be sure with my parents. I’ll ask again when things are calmer. But I want you staying calm.”
    “I know, I broadcast my emotions.”
    “You just gave birth to our daughter. I want you to relax and enjoy this time.”
    On cue, Jamie woke up and made some baby noises. She wasn’t crying, but my breasts were right there, and I gave feeding her again another shot. She went for it.
    “So, how are all these emotions affecting Jamie, implanted blocks or not? You said she was stronger than your sisters’ children—do we need to worry?”
    “Probably. But not right now. Now’s for just being together.” Jeff was watching me breastfeed as though this was the most fascinating thing he’d ever seen. He was wrapped around me, kissing my head. I could feel his hearts, and they were pounding. Jamie finished up, and Jeff helped me move her to the other side. “I never thought it’d be possible, but those are even more spectacular right now than they’ve ever been before.” He sounded awed.
    “It’s just a pair of breasts, when you get down to it, Jeff.”
    “Your breasts have always been more than just a pair to me. Perfect breasts are a rarity, something to be treasured, held, enjoyed, and pleasured.”
    “Hold that thought. For, I guess a couple of weeks. You get to burp her, they told me not to sit up.” He took the baby and did the against the shoulder thing. “She looks so tiny in your hands. I can’t believe how much she pumped my stomach up.”
    Jeff gave a strangled laugh. “She’s eight and a half pounds. Thank God she came early. Any later and—” His eyes closed and he looked like he was going to break down again. Jamie burped, rather discreetly, and Jeff put her back into my arms.
    “Are we supposed to sleep with her?”
    “No, but we’re going to anyway.” He pulled the railing up on the side Jamie was on and then got back into bed on my other side. He wrapped around me again, and I shifted to have my head lean on his body so he could wrap both arms around me and the baby. Emily had brought in a blanket, and he pulled it over us. “You comfy, baby?”
    “Yes. This feels nice. Labor was less horrible than I’d thought it would be.”
    “That’s a matter of perspective.” His voice was shaky. “If you only want one, that’s okay.”
    This was against everything he’d ever said. Jeff wanted lots of kids and had never made any comments to the contrary. With this and my mother’s reactions, whether or not I remembered it, clearly I’d had some real trouble during labor.
    “You really don’t remember?” He sounded shocked.
    “No, I don’t. Maybe the equipment was faulty.”
    “Hardly. The only one who still had any belief you were really still hanging by a thread was James. Thank God. He wouldn’t let Tito take you off the machines.”
    Thread. Hmmm. Why did that sound familiar? Couldn’t come up with it. Decided not to care. “Well, whatever. I’m fine, the baby seems fine, and once you calm down, you’ll be fine, too.”
    “You’re still alive, you