Once seated at the table, Henry held up his glass of wine. “I’d like to make an announcement. We all know that the women rescued from Torv have been successfully bearing children.” A soft murmur erupted through the table and quieted as he began speaking again. “Over these last few months, Rane and I have been trying to conceive a child.” I glanced at Rane curiously.
“Yes, I’m pregnant!” Rane exclaimed with a laugh. “Though not solely from Henry.”
“What does that mean?” I asked, trying my best not to laugh. Had she been sleeping around with other men? It didn’t sound like Rane, but I’d been gone awhile and I hadn’t known Rane all that well. I glanced at Joshua hoping Rane hadn’t come onto him.
Henry continued ignoring my interruption. “Although Isaura was horribly misguided in her ways, Elsa was able to replicate what was inside the vials. Rane was the first volunteer who offered to undergo the fertility treatment. One injection twice a week continuously for one month and we were able to replicate the process.”
I shot a look at Elsa. “I thought you didn’t know what was in the vial?”
Elsa chewed her bottom lip. “I wasn’t one hundred percent certain I could replicate what Isaura had in her lab. However, one of the women we brought into Spade is a scientist and was able to help us create our own fertility treatment. It’s almost identical to what Isaura used but of course we’re doing it with permission.”
“So it uses Mindonsiphan?” I asked. Was the entire world going to be like me?
“It’s the combination that makes it work. Our entire town already is showing some effects from the treatment,” Elsa responded.
“Like what?” I asked.
Adelaide grinned. “I’m not the only one who can make butterflies.” She put her hands together and then opened them, letting a blue and purple butterfly free. It fluttered around her head before rising higher and flying away.
Joshua rested a hand on my arm. “It’s okay. Ordinary is changing. Most kids in her class can’t do the things she can but soon all the children being born will be able to.”
“Are you sure?” I questioned. “It’s genetic?”
“It’s too soon with the new mothers to know for certain.” Elsa sighed. “But we think it will be and if not, at least we know what to do to make future generations capable of conceiving naturally. No more lotteries. No more babies born in labs.”
“That reminds me.” I glanced at Joshua, wishing I’d have saved the scrap of paper that had Adelaide’s birth record and her parents’ names on it. I’d shoved it into my pocket but in the past month it had vanished. “There are birth records for the past ten years in Torv.”
Elsa shrugged, not surprised by the news. “That makes sense, Olivia. They were running their own program trying to help women conceive.”
“No,” I frowned. “These were records from the different towns of Genesis. Ten years’ worth in Fabian’s office.”
Rane spoke up, “What do you think it means?”
Adelaide’s eyes widened. “I’m younger than ten years old! Did you find something about me?” She was smart.
My eyes met Joshua’s. “We did.” I wouldn’t lie to her.
“Before you worry her,” Joshua interrupted me, “I did some digging.”
“What?” I didn’t understand. What was he talking about?
“Research, Olive.” Joshua clarified. “I remembered Adelaide’s biological parents’ names. I’ve spent some time looking through records in Spade. There’s obviously not enough information but I think I may have found Adelaide’s grandmother.”
Henry’s eyes widened with excitement. “Who is it?”
“Ainsley.”
“How can that be?” I laughed. It seemed unlikely. “Are you sure?” It was good news, especially since Adelaide was going to be moving in with Ainsley soon.
“Well not one hundred percent certain,” Joshua admitted. “I had to trace back family names and ancestors. The problem is not all the information is in our records but Elsa can run a DNA test if we want to be certain. Honestly, I don’t think it matters. Blood related or not, we’ve found a wonderful home for Adelaide. It may offer some answers for their own personal benefit but we know Ainsley would make a fantastic mother. We’ve seen how she is with Adelaide.”
“I like Ainsley,” Adelaide smiled. “Could she really be my grandmother?”
Joshua reached over, giving Adelaide a hug. “She might be.”
I felt the biggest smile reach my lips. My eyes landed on Rane. “You’re pregnant?” It was huge news.
“Within a few days of the final treatment Henry and I conceived a child together.” Rane smiled warmly reaching for his hand.
Henry beamed, “Friday we will be announcing our engagement with a party. We’d like everyone to attend.”
“Are there are any more fertility treatments available?” I asked wasting no time in beating around the bush.
Rane gave me a peculiar look as did Henry. “We are seeking out volunteers, but why are you asking?”
I let out a heavy breath. “It’s a long story.” I glanced beside me at Joshua reaching out for his hand. “While in Torv, I came into contact with the Red Plague and had to be administered the vaccine.”
“The Red Plague?” Gavin’s eyes widened. “Are you sick?” Was he worried about me or concerned about a second wiping out of society?
“I’m fine,” I assured them, having a sip of wine. “I’m concerned with the effects of the vaccine.” I didn’t have to state the obvious: I was afraid I was like everyone else had been, unable to conceive. I chewed my lower lip anxiously. “All I can think is that my mother, well her family hadn’t been vaccinated.”
“That’s impossible.” Henry frowned. “Everyone during the Plague was vaccinated. It was the law.”
“Let’s just say things aren’t what you thought back then.” I glanced at Joshua, giving the faintest of smiles. “There were rebels who evaded the government. Most probably did get vaccinated and those who didn’t likely died. It’s possible a few survived and their genetic offspring didn’t suffer the same consequences those who had been given the vaccine had,” I explained. “It’s likely my mother’s parents or grandparents for that matter were part of the small band of rebels who evaded vaccination.”
“But why?” Henry asked shaking his head.
“They were suspicious of the government. They believed there were side effects of the drug but they couldn’t prove it.” I sighed. “It doesn’t matter. What matters now is that I’m no longer capable of conceiving a child.”
Rane frowned. “As far as you know you are, but maybe you’re wrong.” She was being the optimist. “Maybe you can conceive a child as you’ve always been able to. Whatever made you special could be bigger than some stupid rebels avoiding vaccination.” I smiled: she wanted to make me special, make me greater than I was. I appreciated the thought but I was just me.
Henry glanced from Joshua back to me. “You’re volunteering for the fertility treatments?”
I sighed. “I hoped a doctor could give me a definitive answer if I could conceive and if not, yes I’d like to sign up.” I was likely being selfish. Women in Spade and all across the world had wanted children their whole lives and known they couldn’t have them. Here I was, taking the first chance at putting myself before others. Maybe I was selfish or stupid. It was still experimental, it could potentially kill me. One test subject wasn’t enough to consider something a success. I didn’t care though, I needed hope.
Gavin interrupted, “Are you sure, Olivia? It’s risky.”
“I understand the risks.” I glanced at Joshua hoping he was in agreement with me. After all, he was the one who wanted a child more than I ever had. If it were up to me I’d have gone my entire life not wanting children, deciding not to have them but the moment I couldn’t have them, something changed. The choice having been taken away made me desire it more than I had. That and making Joshua happy.