“God forbid I stand in the way of a Zabrian man’s education!” Idiotically, I did a weird sort of military salute. “I am at your service, Warden!”
His gaze hovered, then dipped. Was he looking at my breasts?
Or just trying to figure out where he would hug me next time?
“Noted,” he said, more to the engine than to me now. Which was probably good. I shouldn’t be distracting him with stupidscenarios about hug practice of all things. The man had work to do.
Giving myself something to focus on besides the near-hypnotic bunching and releasing of Warden Hallum’s glorious forearms, I activated my comms tablet.
Outgoing Tablet Communication Lualhati Ortiz:Good morning, everybody! I’m excited to let you know that the ambulance upgrade is here! Darcy, we’ll be able to test it out and come visit you in a few days. I’ll be giving you a checkup, and we’ll even be able to do an ultrasound!
Incoming Tablet Communication Darcy Dubois:No shit! Sounds great, Doc. Also, I am telling you now that my husband is a goofball, and that him seeing his progeny in real time will likely send him into absolute bonkerdom. You have been warned.
Incoming Tablet Communication Shiloh Jean-Baptiste:She can handle goofballs. She’s been giving sex-ed lessons toXennet and Dorn.
Incoming Tablet Communication Darcy Dubois:I don’t even know Xennet or Dorn, but I would pay good fucking money to see that.
Outgoing Tablet Communication Lualhati Ortiz:Honestly, they’re doing a wonderful job. I’m very impressed with their attitudes!
Incoming Tablet Communication Tasha Wallace:Xennet and Dorn are both lovely. And I agree with Dr. Ortiz – they’ve been working hard to learn.
Incoming Tablet Communication G. Jaya:Doesn’t surprise me. Once they’re married, they’ll only have two weeks to impress their wives enough to stay. Gotta get those cunni-linguine skills on point.
Incoming Tablet Communication Darcy Dubois:Pasta emoji loading
Incoming Tablet Communication Darcy Dubois:Tongue out emoji loading
Incoming Tablet Communication Darcy Dubois:Chef’s kiss emoji loading
Incoming Tablet Communication Cherry Dawson:I love how, despite being tired and pregnant, our emoji queen never lets us down.
Incoming Tablet Communication Darcy Dubois:Thank you for noticing, Cherry. I’m glad you realize just how much I do for you all in ye olde Cock Tail Hour chat.
Incoming Tablet Communication Magnolia Jones:Thank you for your sacrifice.
Incoming Tablet Communication Magnolia Jones:Crying laughing emoji loading
Incoming Tablet Communication Darcy Dubois:So this new ambulance set-up means someone will be able to come get me and bring me to the hospital when it’s time?Tout de suite?
Outgoing Tablet Communication Lualhati Ortiz:Yes, exactly. Once the hospital is completed, anyway.
Incoming Tablet Communication Magnolia Jones:Oh! I hadn’t realized that the hospital wasn’t ready yet.
Incoming Tablet Communication Tasha Wallace:It has been an incredibly snowy winter in this province. It’s delayed construction quite a bit.
Outgoing Tablet Communication Lualhati Ortiz:But don’t you worry, Darcy. There should be no issues getting it done before you go into labour. Or, worst case scenario, I simply come to you in the ambulance. It will have enough equipment to deal with most issues that would arise during labour. Warden Hallum ordered the fanciest model. It can even function as a tiny surgical suite.
Incoming Tablet Communication Tasha Wallace:How are things going with Warden Hallum, Lualhati? Are you still comfortable staying at his station?
Outgoing Tablet Communication Lualhati Ortiz:Yes, it’s been totally fine. I couldn’t think of a more generous but also grumpy host.
Incoming Tablet Communication Tasha Wallace:Ha! Yes, that sounds about right. Context for those who haven’t met him: Warden Hallum is a bit like if Garrek had become a warden…But somehow even more uptight. Great posture…
Outgoing Tablet Communication Lualhati Ortiz:Hey, he’s getting better! He even cracked a joke today!
Incoming Tablet Communication Tasha Wallace:You’re kidding.
Outgoing Tablet Communication Lualhati Ortiz:Nope! But he sure was! Just about took me out. I was not expecting it!
