Guardian Agnels
Episode 35: "Pride and Joy"
Layta, full of baby, sat down next to her fiance as they prepared to watch a movie. However, the opening credits had just started when she could feel baby starting to be born. "Um, Eric, love, I think you should call for an ambulance!"
"Why, Gjai's right here," Eric remarked.
"I'm a brain surgeon," Gjai replied.
"So? You can still deliver a baby, can't you?" asked the leopard.
"Yes, but we still should get her to a hospital," Gjai said as she dialed the hospital.
Seeing the phone, reminded Eric of someone else that wanted to be called.
* * *
Saipia was sitting in on important counsel meeting that saw several city officials discussing issues around the city. Among the people there were the acting mayor, all three mayoral canidates including James, and the chief of police himself. And, since Saipia was now second in command at the station, she had been asked to attend, as well.
The chief was going over some important information when a small light on her mind's eye caught her attention. Focusing on the light, a message appeared on across her eyes that caught her attention. Instantly, she grabbed he things and stood to leave. "Saipia, what in the world do you think you're doing?"
"I'm about to be a grandma. I wouldn't miss that for the world. You can catch me up when I get back, James," explained the wolf who quickly left.
"You're not just going to let her leave are you?" asked one of James' opponents.
"Seriously? The's close to eighty years old, and has is stronger and more skilled at her job than all of us in this room combined and you want me to go up to her and try to make her to stay away from her grandkid being born? If you're so eager to piss her off, why don't you do it," James said.
The human quickly leaned back in his chair, defeated.
* * *
Saipia arrived with at the hospital with a camcorder just as the baby was starting to emerge. "Come on, Layta, you can do it, just push," chanted Eric.
"That's right, Layta. You're almost done, just keep pushing," Sai encouraged.
"I thought you were at the city counsel meeting," Gjai commented.
"This is far more important than that. You know family comes first for me, Gjai," said Saipia.
"HEY! Pregnant lady having a baby here! Let's focus on that for now," grumbled Layta.
"You know, Lay, there's some pretty strong pain killers you could take that would ease your pain and be perfectly safe for the baby," Saipia remarked.
"I AM on painkillers. But my body is far more complete than yours was when you gave birth to me, Mother," Layta replied.
Saipia smiled. "Even so, I do recall it still hurt like hell. But it was worth it."
Layta ignored the others in the room and proceeded to push and concentrated on giving birth. There was a lot of screaming and growling and even some howling from the white wolf, but eventually, with her fiance and mother watching, the baby was born. As soon as the umbilical cord was cut, Layta collapsed back on her hospital bed and panted. Layta was a rarity in that she, like her feral counterpart, did not possess sweat glands. Something which everyone else in that room did possess.
"You look so cute when you pant like that," Eric commented with a smile and gave his fiancee a kiss on the forehead.
Layta scoffed at the comment and turned her attention towards her newborn. "So, is it a boy or a girl?"
Gjai held the baby in her arms with Saipia looking over her shoulder. Before Gjai could announce anything, Saipia burst into laughter, causing Gjai to give her a nasty look and Layta and Eric tossed her confused glances as she took a seat. "What the hell is your problem?" Gjai scolded.
That erased Saipia's smile. "I don't have any problem with it," she commented while her thoughts went to her daughter.
"Well?" Layta asked.
"It's both. You have just given birth to a healthy hermaphrodite," Gjai said bluntly. "More thorough genetic tests will need to be done, but it appears to be a a wolf with leopard spots."
"What the hell, Eric!" Layta snapped in an awfully serious tone and a smack to his shoulder.
"Why are you blaming me? I wasn't born a hermaphrodite," was Eric's initial response. "The real question is: what the hell is wrong with hermaphrodites?"
"Nothing," Layta said sheepishly.
"Don't you dare lie to me, Layta. I loved you enough to essentially sacrifice my entire life for you. I over twenty years as a hermaphrodite and I threw it away because you wanted me to. I had no desire be be male. But I love you. But, if I discover that you only asked me to be a guy because you don't like hermaphrodites..." Eric growled.
"It's nothing like that, Eric. I really have nothing against herms. I really don't. I mean you and I spent a lot of time together as children and you got my pregnant as a hermaphrodite," Layta said.
"Alright, nurse, why don't you take the baby to the nursery so that it's parents can have their little argument. I've got other work to do, but Saipia, you should stick around and help them discuss this. Just let me know when you've got a name," Gjai delegated.
"There's nothing to discuss, as far as I'm concerned," Eric said. "And HER name is Emily."
"Eric! I just spent the past 6 hours in labor to give birth..." Layta started.
"To something you obviously have issues with. Maybe I should just change back to a hermaphrodite to spite you," Eric interrupted.
"Eric Martin, will you calm the hell down. I am exhausted and stressed from giving birth and you're digging into me isn't helping. Now, you can ask my mother, I have no problems with hermaphrodites. You're overreacting," Layta scolded.
"Layta, I haven't spoken to you in a while and you were away from Eric for a long time. I don't know how many hermaphrodites you met in that time, but I know you didn't loose your virginity to Eric," said Saipia.
"And? You didn't loose yours to a hermaphrodite, either," Layta said.
"Yes, but I've been around one a lot more. Having a hermaphrodite for a grandchild doesn't bother me in the slightest. I just find it a bit ironic and amusing. And from the way you two are bickering, I'd say this will either destroy your relationship or make it stronger than ever. After all, Eric's still a little on edge about you demanding that he become a guy. But he understands your reasons. However, Lay, you even hinting at not being happy with the sex of your baby is definitely going to drive him nuts. Hell, it bugs me. If either of you need to talk to me privately, let me know. However, I think this is one of those things that would be better if you two worked it on your own. But, I have complete faith in both of you that you'll come out of this stronger. Just remember, you two love each other a lot, and you two have a baby," the old blue wolf said and got to her feet. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go look at my grand-baby."
* * *
The nurses were just getting little Emily situated when Eric wondered up next to Saipia. "I got kicked out so Layta could sleep," grumbled the leopard, his tail wagging in irritation.
"She could use the rest. Are you going to be okay?" questioned the wolf.
Eric nodded. "I guess. I love her to death, but I don't think I'd be able to marry her if she's going to be so negative towards our baby."
Saipia nodded. "You know, I'm going to Japan next month to do some meditation and brush up on my training. If you two are still bickering about this, it might help for you to come with me. Give Layta some time with her baby and give you some time away from Layta, as it seems like you could use it."
"That doesn't sound like a bad idea, actually. You can book me a seat on the plane. I just can't believe that she'd react like that. I mean, I thought she wanted me to change my sex because it interfered with her OCD and she likes the traditional. But...now, I'm not so sure it wasn't because she just didn't like hermaphrodites," Eric replied.
"Layta's never really been found of herms. I don't know why. Even when she played with you, she thought of you more as a girl until she found out you used to be a guy. But, I think having one for a baby will do her some good. Maybe it'll cure her discrimination," Sai explained.
Eric sighed and took a seat in a nearby chair. "I really love her, Sai. I REALLY don't want to marry her. Maybe you can talk to her later."
"I do have some words for her. But, Eric, if you love her that much, you need to show it to her. Yelling at her the moment after she gives birth isn't going to make her see your side of the story. She's just going to get irritated with you," Saipia replied.
He nodded in understanding. "Yeah. I'm just frustrated. Maybe, if she holds Emily in her arms, she'll change her mind."
Saipia smiled as she sat next to the feline. "You do know that Layta will love Emily no matter what, right? In the end, Layta really doesn't care about the sex of her child. I know I raised her better than that."
"That's right, she did have you for a mother. That oddly puts me at ease about this whole thing," Eric commented.
Saipia smiled and gave him a motherly hug. "Don't you worry about a thing, Eric. I know everything will be fine."
* * *
Eric was fast asleep in the nursery when Layta finally awoke. Saipia, was there with a sleeping Emily in her arms. Although her eyes were artificial, Layta could have sworn they were sparkling with joy. "You look good with a baby in your arms, Mom."
Saipia giggled. "Keep your voice down. I could get my ass handed to me if anyone but Gjai knew I took Emily from the nursery."
Layta laughed. "You're a dork," she commented as Saipia handed Layta the baby. "She is beautiful. Even if she is...She's my little baby."
Tears were forming in Layta's eyes as she held her child. "That she is. It's something you should always remember and one reason why Eric is pissed."
"Yeah, I reacted a little stupidly, huh?" Layta said wiping up the streams of water from her fur.
The older wolf nodded and took a seat in a nearby chair. "If Jack and I had gotten married and you had been a hermaphrodite and he reacted the way you did, I would have divorced his ass on the spot. Or at least punched him in the face. I was actually hoping you would have reacted differently since you used to hang around with Erica all the time."
"I know. And for a moment, I had forgotten he had been a hermaphrodite for so long. I can't believe I reacted like that. I might as well have called him a monster for the past 20 years," Layta replied.
Saipia shrugged. "Pride is a funny thing. It can kick you in the ass when you least expect it or stab someone you love in the face. You're so proud to finally be getting married to a normal husband that a hermaphrodite for a baby caught you off guard."
"Sure did. But, I stll don't like the name, 'Emily'." Layta replied.
"It's a little too late for that, as Gjai's already has her listed as Emily Martin. You should be able to pick out a middle name, though,"Saipia commented.
"Damn it!" Layta snapped and heaved a heavy sigh. "I guess that's what I get, though."
Saipia nodded. "By the way, I'm heading to Japan next month to do some training and to try to get rid of some frustrations. I'll be taking Eric with me. That will give you some time alone with the new baby. I'll leave my little black book in case you need to call someone to help out. But I think you'll be fine. And Gjai will always be home in the evenings."
"Wait. How long will you be gone?" Layta asked.
"A couple weeks. Due to various job related circumstances, I can't take too much time off. And I'm already trying to plan my next trip. But, this time, anyway, it won't be for long," Saipia replied.
"Well, I wish you wouldn't take him. I mean, now we can discuss wedding details," Layta remarked.
That caught Saipia off guard and the blue wolf stood and moved towards her daughter to retrieve Emily. "If I were you, Layta, I wouldn't mention marriage to Eric," Saipia warned. "Now, I should get Emily back to the nursery before I get in trouble."
* * *
Eric stormed out of the hospital room and slammed a fist into the wall before heading towards the cafeteria. "What the hell pissed her off enough to destroy my hospital?" Gjai grumbled as the dent in her metal wall.
"I told Layta not to mention marriage," Saipia commented as she placed her hand over her face.
"Since you're her superior officer..." Gjai started.
"Don't you even start on me, Gjai. I never understand why you always assume I can solve any situation in a snap and then hold it over me like year-old garage. Or is seeing those two together making you remember when you and I dated?" Saipia growled.
"At least they're following through with their marriage," said Gjai.
"You and I were never engaged, Gjai. And when I was on my death bed with breast cancer, you didn't even bother to stop by once even though I was in your hospital. Hell, I saw my enemies more then," Saipia spat.
"And you assume that I could just waltz in there and see you dying and not be in tears?" the doctor questioned.
Saipia heaved a sigh. "I know you would have, Gjai. Everyone else was. Hell, even Mom was emotional to see me there. She was faking it, but at least she made the effort. Of all the people that I wanted to see then, I wanted to see you the most since you were my girlfriend. You always have to act like emotions are for the weak. You saw me cry when Heather was killed and when Jack was killed. And you know I'm not weak."
"I know, Sai. It's just that..." the older wolf said.
"And what really pisses me off about that whole thing is that you were the one to dump me and you always act like it was I who ended it. That doesn't even make any sense. It's like you blame me for dying from breast cancer, or something," Saipia continued.
"This isn't the time for this, Sai. Eric could use someone to talk to," Gjai said calmly.
"But you never want to talk about it. Every time I try to bring it up you change the subject or leave or something," Saipia retorted and headed after Eric.
"Why the hell do you always act like our break up was entirely my fault?" Gjai shouted. "It didn't take you long to find someone else to date."
"I didn't start seriously dating Jack until five years after our break up, Gjai. And maybe I always blame you for it because your broke my heart. Regardless of what anyone says, I did love you, Gjai. Just like I loved Isan and Jack. Every relationship I've been has ended pretty badly. And each ending keeps getting worse. That is the real reason why I don't date anyone anymore," Saipia explained as she continued down the hall.
"So, what you're nothing more than a coward?" Gjai called.
"Screw up, Gjai. It's not because I'm merely afraid to date. I broke Isan's heart when I dumped her and the look in her eyes when I did has haunted me ever since. You might as well have cut out my heart and ate it in front of me with what you did. Especially since that was the first thing you said to me after I died from breast cancer. Then I had to watch as Jack was killed before my eyes by my own mother. Hell, even Evan had a broken look in his eyes when I refused to date him. I'm not scared. I'm just sick of the pain that no medicine can take away. Speaking of, I really should go do my best to prevent my daughter and future son-in-law from experiencing it," Saipia remarked and headed towards the elevator, leaving Gjai in tears over the painful memories.
* * *
Saipia blopped down in the booth across from Eric in the hospital cafeteria and angrily ate her food. This made Eric snap out of his rage and give the wolf a funny look. "What the hell's gotten into you?"
The deputy chief sighed heavily. "Eric, I do not want to see you and Layta ever break up. You two have been in love for a very long time and I never want you to know what it's like to have your heart broken."
"I have no intention of breaking it off with Layta. She's the only woman I've ever felt this way about. But I still don't know what you're talking about," the leopard said.
Saipia looked at her Guardian a moment. "Perhaps this is something both of you should hear."
* * *
As Eric sat in a chair next o Layta's bed, Saipia sat in a chair on the other side of the room. "As you two may know, Gjai and I used to date. We started dating about a year after she became a Genoid. We were pretty deeply in love, actually. When I got back from my training in Japan, we decided to sleep together and were even contemplating marriage. However, while rolling around on the bed, Gjai discovered a lump in one of my breasts and I was quickly diagnosed with breast cancer. From that day on, I was bed ridden because my cancer was so advanced. When everyone found out that I was dying, they all came out to see me. Isan, her siblings, Lyst...everyone. Even my mother swung by. But, Gjai was surprisingly absent. It was made worse by the fact that she worked at the hospital I was staying at. I remember hearing her voice just down the hall on several occassions and thought maybe she'd stop by. But, she didn't. And I died without every getting to say goodbye to the woman I had fallen in love with.
"When I was brought back to life, the first person I went to see was Gjai. Unfortunately, she broke up with me immediately. I never cried that much in all my life. To this day, I still have no idea why she wouldn't see me on my death bed and why she dumped me. All I know is that it hurt like hell and I still have some deep feelings for Gjai even now. But that pain has never gone away. And it's something I don't wish on anyone. Especially, you two.
"Every time I see you two fighting, it reminds me of my own relationship with Gjai. And I am scared that you two are going to end up like us."
Saipia was taken aback by a sudden kiss from Gjai. "I'm sorry, I hurt you so deep, Sai. I was just so scared. You died so many times throughout our relationship and every time it torn me apart. And I did visit your room while you were sick with cancer. While you slept, I would come in and just cry my eyes out. But I couldn't deal with you dying again. That's why I dumped you."
"It's not like I was trying to get killed," Saipia commented.
"I know. It wasn't your fault. And I still love you, too. But I still can't deal with you dying on me again. Trust me. I have considered dating you again, but I just can't do it," Gjai said.
"I can't do it either, Gjai. But, if there was anyone who I'd even considering dating again, it would be you. But, I would be afraid of you dumping be again if I die. But, this isn't about us, it's about them," Saipia remarked.
The doctor turned her head and attention towards the couple. "Saipia's right, you two. You can't let this issue about your child's sex get in the way of your love. Saipia and I have torn each other apart emotionally on several occasions over our breakup. And if you let it, it'll happen to you two, only it'll be worse because there will be a child involved."
"I don't know. I seem to remember a couple of pretty heated fights between you two when I was growing up. Not even Isan would get that angry," Layta replied.
"Yeah. Isan was too afraid that she'd push me away, so she'd end the argument before it got too heated," Saipia remarked.
"Wait, don't you have kids, Gjai?" Eric questioned.
"I HAD a daughter. I dated a jackass before Saipia and I dated who slpet with me and got me pregnant. But when he found out, he dumped my ass and Saipia picked it up. I never intended to get pregnant, and my daughter died relatively young," explained the doctor.
"Well, I don't want to end our relationship," Layta said.
"I know. But neither of us wanted to end ours either. If Gjai and I had sat down and talked about our feelings, we might still be together," Saipia replied.
"But then I never would have been born," Layta countered.
"That right there is what drives me nuts, Lay. You argue about anything that goes against what you want," growled Eric. "And you just assumed that our little argument over OUR baby was over just because you mother talked to you for three minutes. It doesn't work like that."
"Eric's right. You two really need to sit down and talk. Don't make the mistakes we made. And, Layta, I helped raise you. While Isan was busy with her show and Sai was busy with her police work, who was the one that changed your diapers and who dealt with you when you lost your virginity?" Gjai growled.
"You, but that hasn't nothing to do with you and Mom dating," Lay said.
"It actually has more than to do with it than you think," commented Saipia. "But I still think being away from each other for a couple weeks will help. And Eric will be doing the same training I will be. And having you spend some time alone with your baby will do you wonders. And when you get back together, you'll be ready to talk about the wedding. But until then, I suggest you two talk about your baby and your relationship. To help with that, Eric, I've given you some extended time off. You won't be reporting back to work until after we come back from Japan."
Eric smiled at that information and sighed a sigh of relief. Giving his fiancee a loving kiss, she then thanked Saipia. The blue wolf then left the room with Gjai close behind. "Sai, I really am sorry for hurting you."
"It's fine, Gjai. It was ages ago, anyway. Thank you for telling me the real reason why you broke up with me.
"Do you have an idea of when Layta will be ready to come home?" Saipia questioned.
"Well, everything is looking good. She's still a little low on some fluids and could use some more rest, but she should be home in a day or two. You should get back to work. I'll be a little late getting home tonight as I've got some paperwork to go through and I've got about six different offers on the hospital this week and none of them are very Genoid friendly. Hell, one of them offered to spare my life if I gave him the deed to the building," said Gjai.
"Ah. You should send that offer over to me at the precinct. I'll make sure that bastard doesn't bother you again," Saipia offered.
"I'm sure you would, but I can take care of it. Anyway, it was good talking to you. And I can't wait to see what you cook for dinner. That bone soup you made for Thanksgiving was awesome," Gjai replied.
"Then I think I'll make that," Saipia said and gave Gjai a peck on the cheek before leaving.
Next Time:
Saipia and Eric journey to Japan for some much needed relaxation and training
And, while they're there, they'll come across an old friend.
And Eric and Saipia will discover that their problems back home
Might just been in their genes.
Episode 36: "Genes"
