Ophelia massaged the tiny and pulsing pinpricks as she avoided the attending nurse’s furtive glances toward her heavily distended belly. As a first-time mother expecting a pair of twins felt overwhelming enough without being the first generation of hermaphrodites born on the Luna colony. She relaxed and let her shoulders slouch when her spouse clasped her shoulder with a reassuring strength and reminded herself a full light-second separated them from the media attention back on Earth.
“Mmm, our kids won’t be able to recognize old photos of you, Lex.” Staying as Alex would’ve suited her husband fine. His new name, Lexus, let her keep her nicknames so she didn’t mount much opposition.
The blue medical gown suited her husband. Mid-twenties, like herself, and after sticking with the training regime the colony board recommended looked better than when they began dating during university. Leaving Ophelia a little in the dust as her pregnancy progressed. Frequent bouts of morning sickness had made gaining a weight a headache, but she lacked his athleticism. She’d be sad to see her husband’s ramrod straight, except when it came to the swell of his broad shoulders, disappear. A bittersweet farewell as Ophelia knew those kind summer green eyes she fell in love with would be just striking surrounded by an elegant and feminine physique and features.
Lexus’ lips curved into a smile as he put himself on display while Ophelia’s eyes roamed and laid everything to memory. “Think so? Maybe if kept the bea–”
“–No beard!” Ophelia interrupted before they both fell into laughter. One more bristled kiss and she’d be spitting out hairballs. “Another disaster like that and we’re getting a divorce. Anyway, are those our medication?” Quickly changing the subject and her attention to two uneven sets of pill bottles. “Which are mine?”
“These here. Avoid the one marked Lacperidone. Doctor said your breasts would become milk faucets if you took it. Its so I can help breastfeed.” Keeping track of all the pamphlets and guides was a mess, but Ophelia remembered reading about that. Shared parental responsibility. In fact, they also recommended she should stop thinking and referring to Lexus as her husband. Ophelia and Lexus was still trying different things out. Same as most couples.
The nurse had waited for them the couple to find a lull in the conversation before approaching.
“Unless there is any questions, we will send you on our way.” All prim and proper with her clipboard and scrubs. Contrasting with the white-haired, freckled, and brightly eager face perked up with bunny ears. Although the only mandatory, the hermaphroditic treatments was just one of multiple gene therapies available on Luna. “Your PDAs will contain the dates and times when we expect you back. Ophelia, yours will be a little sooner and more frequent as we monitor your pregnancy. Can’t wait to meet them, our entire doctor’s team are excited. Before you go – want a lollipop? I brought them out for the sweet girl and her family that came before you. Tammy, I think her name was.”
Lexus waved at the nurse to keep her from hovering around his pregnant wife. “Save them. One of the kids waiting with their families behind us will appreciate them far more.”
Ophelia sighed lightly as they left the examination room and rejoined their guide. Intensely grateful that she kept her topic of conversation on trivial and miscellaneous information while they embarked on the tram to taking them to their new home. But while she preferred not constantly talking about her children, in her mind couldn’t stop imagining their future growing up within the Lunar colony.
Tidally locked with Earth, the stunning view of the spherical blue and green orb visible through the geodesic dome would always be there. Ophelia pointed it out to Lexus while they were lead through a public garden. Here, their guide also informed them that the atmosphere was maintained by a system of hydroponic farms that additionally grew fresh produce year round.
The garden was within walking distance of their home.
“This is too much...” Ophelia said, almost frightened as she tiptoed through the entrance hall and looked at the luxurious kitchen and living room through the open and arched doorways. Not merely an apartment, but an actual house with a walled and private backyard. Their guide had nothing as fancy as a key to offer them, simply suggesting they use their PDAs to gain access before she left. “Gaia and Diana will have more space than I did as a child.”
“Write those two down on the list.” Tasting the potential names for the twins on his tongue, Lexus ascended the stairs and began exploring the second floor. “A master bedroom and a space-themed nursery for Estelle and Celeste are already furbished. Anything interesting down there? Otherwise I think we need to share an office if we want them to have separate rooms once they’re old enough.”
“How does Stella sound?” Ophelia joined her husband in shouting up and down the stairway. “One office and a playroom we can convert later. Start with a second office or a guest bedroom?” The guilt at being pampered by the administration faded with her growing excitement. “One sec, checking out the cellar.”
“Estella with Stella as her nickname? Oh..., fine. May as well check the attic.”