“I’d ask you if you wanted to get a drink, but I pretty much know the answer. How are they by the way?” Diego asked. Zas smiled at him, Diego had been a good friend this whole time, and it was hard to lie to someone who was so concerned. 

“About the same. The doctor is looking into new experimental treatments, so hopefully.” Zas said, crossing his fingers in front of Diego. 

It had been almost two years, ago that Ezza had brought his beautiful eggplant army into being. Life was fast paced, at least when the trips had still been babies, they had had a routine. Cameron would come home from his night shift and change and feed the trips.

Then he’d crawl into bed and sleep as much as possible. When Nigel Su got up, Ezza or Zas would go in and dress and bathe him, and the other would check on the trips and take care of their needs. Then Zas would go to work, and Ezza and Cameron would stay with the kids and spend time with Pepper. When he got home, Zas would take over to give Ezza a break, and Cameron would go to work.

In two years they had all grown closer, and become more of a family unit.

Unfortunately, it also meant two years of solitude. Ezza’s suit had started working immediately after she had given birth, the strain on its system was now done with. The triplets however didn’t have suits, they were just purple. Unable to go outside or leave, it meant that Ezza still stayed home with them, and kept them indoors all this time, but how to explain that to people? They’re sick with severe environmental allergies, causes unknown. Which meant Zas got pity at work; it was annoying. Sighing at the thought of this charade continuing, he felt Diego pat him on the shoulder.

“I know it’s a small comfort but, it couldn’t have happened to a nicer couple. I mean most people would have given up and written the kids off by now with hired help. The fact that Ezza gave up her career and stayed home to take care of them, and the measures that you guys go to everyday just to give them some semblance of a life; it’s inspiring actually. You’re a good man and a great father.” Diego said trying to comfort his friend. Zas smiled at him. I’m a horrible man, he thought. I should’ve found a way off this planet sooner, so my kids wouldn’t have to be caged. 

Zas walked in the door to hear laughter, and the sound of running feet and barking. He smiled as he watched the scene unfold before his eyes. Ezza and Cameron were getting plates of food ready for the todds. They had discovered that if they made plates of food and left them all on the counter, if they were running behind, the todds fed themselves.

Nigel Su who had been drawn to Tixxis from the beginning was following after her as she tried to run from the table where their food was being placed, and Xias and Yara were making a mess on the floor. Zas smiled with pride at his family. Pepper let out a bark and came running over to him, her tail wagging behind her so hard that her back-end was being moved across the floor. Zas bent down and pet her as the Todd’s realized he was there.

“Unsa!” Nigel Su called out as he ran to Zas, Tixxis following behind. Not quite able to pronounce the words uncle and Zas yet, Unsa was what was coming out.

Da! Tixxis cried as she ran into his arms. Zas scooped her up and gave her a kiss on the cheek before putting her down again. 

Da! Xias called when Zas picked him up for a quick cuddle. As soon as Zas put him down Ezza picked him up and began carrying his squiggly little body over to the table.

Da! Yara said giving Zas an extra hard hug as he carried him over to the table. Zas put him down in his chair and watched as all the todds suddenly became very interested in their food. 

After dinner they bathed the Todd’s one last time and then put them to bed. Of course that meant a little story, or some play time. While the trips were inside getting dressed and attention, Zas and Nigel Su went outside to play with the doll house.

It was a great toy, but Nigel Su always had a sad look on his face when he played with it. He would look at the dolls and then search around him, for the rest of the todds. None of them had come up with an explanation for why the todds couldn’t come out to play with him. After awhile, he would put the dolls back and asked to be carried inside.

Each child now had their own bed, and all three of them took turns tucking them in at night.

Cameron of course won the cuddle and kisses goodnight award. Zas said it was because he was rusty, Mai’illi hadn’t been small for years before they crashed; Ezza thought it was because he was taking to being a father like a fish in water. After the children were asleep, Cameron and Ezza cleaned the house while Zas took Pepper for one last walk.

 

 

 

Da! Scared!

Da! Help!

Momma!

“Daddy! Daddy!” Nigel Su screamed out. 

Ezza and Zas bolted out bed and ran out into The sunlit hall in time to see Cameron rushing through the nursery door. Following quickly behind, they tried to see what was wrong with the Todd’s. Cameron was rocking Nigel Su in his arms as he hugged him where he stood. The triplets crawled over their beds, tears streaming down their faces as they reached for their parents. Ezza sat one of the beds and cuddled Tixxis and Xias while Zas scooped up Yara. All three triplets were looking at Nigel Su.

“What’s going on Cameron?” Ezza asked in alarm. Cameron rubbed Nigel Su’s back for a few moments as he thought of how to reply. Finally he stepped back so Zas and Ezza could see. Nigel Su stood looking miserable in his Pajamas. However instead of rubbing his little blue face, he stood looking fully Human; like his father did. 

“Nigel Su!?” Zas asked looking at him.

No, not Niso. Scary. Tixxis said.

“Some half-breed children can’t switch between the races. I could and that was considered a miracle of sorts. I didn’t think my son stood a chance. Look at him! He looks like his Grandfather!” Cameron said proudly. He smiled down at Nigel Su and the scooped him up and began to cuddle him as he took him out to the dining room for breakfast.

Niso sick? Tixxis asked

No, he’s not sick. He’s just different looking. Ezza said.

Why? Xias asked.

Because that’s the way he was created, Ezza answered.

We look scary like Niso too? Yara asked.

No, you look like you, and Nigel Su looks like Nigel Su Ezza said. She was still trying to get the hang of this “answering-questions-without-answering-them’ parenting skill down. 

Maybe someday… Zas said, thinking out loud. 

What do you mean?

Just thinking out loud Love. Zas said gazing out the window in the morning light. Ezza stared at him for a few more minutes then started getting the trips out to the dining room for breakfast.