“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” I said.
Later, when it was just Marion and I, she showed me how to write up a report of the birth and an aftercare plan for mother and child.
“You could ask Brother Larry for an incubator,” I said. “Or the Council. I’m sure they would approve of it.”
“That’s a great idea, Joshua. I think I’ll do that.”
Cipher picked me up for breakfast a little while later, and by that time, I could barely keep my eyes open. I conked out right after we got home and didn’t wake up until much later in the afternoon.
“You’re finally awake,” he said, stroking my temple as I roused in his arms.
“Did you sleep at all?” I asked.
“No, but I’m okay. I brought you some food.”
He handed me a ham and cheese sandwich and I sat up in bed to eat it. He was right, I was starving. As I ate, I studied the dark circles around his eyes and the slight tremor in his hands. He was trying to ration his pills so that he wouldn’t run out completely, and I worried what the insomnia was doing to his health.
“That was unreal,” Cipher said.
“You mean the birth?” I asked.
“Yeah. It’s crazy to think that sort of thing happens every day, all over the world.”
“Salome was so brave,” I said.
“It made me feel hopeful. Not just for myself but for our future. Humankind. I guess I can see why Brother Larry is so fixated on us breeding.”
“Too bad I don’t have the parts.”
He shook his head. “Thank God you don’t. There’s no way I’d want that responsibility. I’m a wreck when I think something bad might happen to you. That is some next-level stress, to have to worry about a baby. Or a child.”
“But there are some rewards too. The feel of a baby in your arms, the smell of her tiny, perfect head, the bond between parent and child.”
“All beautiful things,” Cipher said, staring at me with tenderness. He was my person, my love song, and I wanted him more than anything in the world.
“Can we have sex now?” I asked, gripped by the sudden desire to be close to him, inseparable, indivisible.
He made a noise of alarm, eyes wide. “Now? Like, right now?”
“Yes?”
“Do you want to finish your sandwich first?”
I popped the last bit into my mouth and chased it with a few gulps of lemonade. “Ready,” I said.
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. I want you to touch me in all the places you already know and the new ones too. I want to share this with you. Our first time.”
“First time up the butt and around the corner?” he said with a playful grin, so I hit him over the head with a pillow.
“I was trying to be romantic, you jerk. You ruined it.”
“I’m sorry.” He captured my mouth with his and kissed me slowly, sweetly, surely a promise for more. Then he sat up in the bed, glanced around, and looked slightly panicked about what to do next. I figured he might need a few minutes and I did too.
“I’m going to wash up,” I said. Judging from the silence of the house, the other Assholes must be elsewhere. I was glad we had the place to ourselves.
“Okay, yeah. I’ll just… wait for you here.”
