77: Monday, Mina 16, 231 1800 hours OST: Trifecta
Khushi's baby was properly positioned. All there was for Zach to do was be in attendance in case things took a bad turn. Ayana was interested in doing everything. He made it clear to her she should be there primarily to comfort and encourage. If dilation or fetal heartbeat or anything needed to be checked, he could do that stuff.
Khushi had a very quick birth. She started having regular contractions after she was fairly well along in dilation. Everything was done in about an hour. Khushi gave birth to a healthy baby boy. He came out wide awake, not very upset, and seemingly curious about the world. His skin was much paler than Khushi's. More like Zach, but he knew that would probably change. The boy's eyes and lashes were as dark and beautiful as his mom's. He had a surprised looking shock of dark brown hair. He did his Apgars, drained Khushi's teats, and fell promptly asleep, as did Khushi. Zach was hugely thankful Ayana was an excellent nursing coach. Often that was the hardest part.
After Khushi and baby were thoroughly tucked in, Ayana spoke to Zach out in the corridor. "We're not shutting you out, Zach. Visit anytime you like, but don't feel obligated. We're a normal couple with a normal baby. Day-to-day, we don't need or want anybody else's help to care for him."
It was clear that Ayana's plan for Khushi's child was to limit Zach's fathering purely to the biological. It was fine, for the time being, until he had a chance to talk to Khushi. He said, "If you need anything-"
"I know how to reach you, Zach," Ayana assured. "This is your evening recreation, right? And a Monday, too. As I understand, you have a wife to get reacquainted with. Who is it this week?"
"Colby," answered Zach.
"Mmm, Colby. She's the only crewmate I haven't had the pleasure of. I've had so many wet dreams about her," Ayana confessed.
"Understandable. Who wouldn't?" Zach offered amiably.
"If she ever feels the desire to convert me to hetero sex like Anming did, sign me up," said Ayana.
"Ha ha, I'll keep that in mind," said Zach. "Wow, ten for eleven. All in all, I would say you've been extremely lucky at finding crewmates willing to play with you."
"I can't complain," said Ayana. "Anming was sooo sweet," she growled. "Having you rut at my tender holes all night was a small price to pay for that sweet nectar. If you two ever want a rematch..."
"It's all about what Anming wants, as well as I can decipher. So I'll let you know," said Zach. "You are definitely not blaming me for your ass hurt, though. That's all you."
"Ha ha, fair enough," said Ayana.
-----
Zach found Colby in Recreation B. She was all dressed up, sitting wearing a fetching short navy blue skirt. A lemon yellow top covered her giant belly. She looked ripe and citrusy. She was engaged in deep discussion with Jason over cannabis smoothies. "Oh... Zach..." she said. "Don't you have to go back? We were just talking."
"I can see that," said Zach. "You are pretty stoned."
Colby panicked, "Is Khushi okay?!"
"Khushi is all done," Zach said, sitting down with them. "She made it look easy."
"Will you have one?" asked Colby.
"A baby? No thank you," said Zach. It was kind of a lame joke, but Colby and Jason collapsed in hysterics. They were stoned.
"No a smoothie!" Colby squeezed out between hysterics.
"Thanks," said Zach. They composed themselves, such as it was. Colby shook the thermos, then poured him a smoothie.
"So, deets," said Colby.
"It's a boy. Six pounds ten ounces. Very healthy," said Zach. "Did I interrupt a discussion?"
"Not really," said Colby. "Cannabis makes me babble on about seemingly profound things."
"It wasn't babble," insisted Jason. "I thought it was very poetic."
"Watch out for him," said Zach. "He's a charmer."
Colby giggled, "You don't know the half of it." She stroked Jason's face. She leaned forward as if to kiss him and then sat back, remembering Zach was right there. She was stoned and feeling very affectionate. It wouldn't have bothered him much if she had kissed him. After all, they all knew that she and Jason were doing a lot more than that in private.
They'd probably both justifiably assumed Zach would be gone all night. Jason was trying to maintain decorum around Zach, but he was stoned and now disgruntled. "What if I am a charmer?" said Jason. "Isn't it time for you to bend your wife over that Foosball table and stake your claim? You wouldn't want to treat her unfairly compared to your other wives."
"Well, if you insist," Zach joked, which got a worried glare from Colby. "But no. That was a particular thing for Colleen's benefit that got out of hand. I didn't realize the noise would attract literally everybody."
"I was stunned to be walking along and then see something so sexual and primal," Colby purred. "It made me wet. Don't get any ideas though, Zach. Not being on show for the whole rest of the crew like that." She said it like she wanted to work her way up to exactly that.