Honor Thy Father

By Donna and Toni

Derek Rayne had found himself a frequent visitor to the museum in Esperanza; not just as a consultant, but as a visitor as well. During a party, he'd met the young research scientist, Marien Janssen, when she'd asked him to help her translate some Cuneiform writing. It had come as easily to him as his native Dutch, of course, and in subsequent discussions, he'd found himself more and more intrigued by the young Dutchwoman. They never tired of talking about any and all matters involving several different fields, and her theories were enough to give the most gifted scientists Derek knew something to think about. Although it was her mind and personality that had initially drawn him, he was only human, and couldn't help noticing how beautiful she was. And, he thought to himself with a grimace when he was alone, how young she also was. She was 25, she'd told him - she could never become interested in an old man 20 years her senior, so he'd kept his attraction to her a secret.

What he didn't know was that he wasn't the only one keeping secrets! She had been attracted by his mind and personality also, of course; but he was also a handsome man, as well. Though what he'd want with a child like her, she sighed to herself when she was alone, was far beyond her ability to comprehend. So each continued drawing closer to the other, without ever acknowledging the feelings that were slowly growing between them.

On this latest visit to the museum, the two scientists had their heads together over an artifact that Derek had brought from his home to donate to the museum, one that was, in his words, "just gathering dust". He smiled at the way her eyes shone at the sight of a new discovery, watching her go over it with magnifying glass and her usual high level of concentration. While this examination was going on, Kim stopped by the museum, on her way back home from a trip to the Mercantile in Edan for things for her family, to give Derek a note from Philip. The Dutchman frowned as he read the words of the man he'd considered an adopted son for years, and Marien asked softly, concerned, "It's not bad news, is it?" She hoped not; she only wanted good things for Derek.

His frown lessened as he looked at her, and he said, "I'm not sure...but I don't think so. Philip would have come himself if that were the case. But I must go and see him; it's been awhile since I saw the twins anyway." The frown disappeared completely, to be replaced by a smile, as he thought of his godchildren.

Looking relieved, Marien smiled, "Oh! Would you mind terribly if I were to accompany you? I wanted to visit my friends in Edan; I've been promising to in my letters for quite a long time now, and never managed to get the chance."

Derek told her that if she could get the time off, of course he wouldn't mind escorting her to Edan, and plans were made for the two to set out tomorrow, after a hasty conference with Marcus, Marien's boss.

Marcus said he would be delighted to have Marien go to Edan with Derek. Of course, he asked them to bring back something to add to their growing collection at the museum!

They promised that if there were something to be found, they would certainly do so. With this last detail settled and cleared, the two packed their bags, and the next day found them on the train to Edan.

When they got there, Derek went straight to Philip's house while Marien went off to visit with her friends; when the Dutchman knocked on the door of the Callahan home, he smiled as he heard the noise being made by two very rambunctious little children behind the door, as their mother tried as best she could to gain control of them.

"Paddy, me darlin'," came a familiar voice with a sweet Irish lilt to it. "Put the puss down! She does not want to be carried around by the likes of you!" A moment later, the door opened, and as he greeted Philip's wife, the cat escaped out the door, his godson in hot pursuit!

"I see things are just as, er, active around here as ever! Hello, Fiona, it's good to see you. Where is the man of the house, finishing up the 2 PM mass?" He glanced at his watch.

"Aye, Derek, he is," she said, expertly catching the toddler before he too could run out the door. "Come on inside, won't ye? I'll wet the tea."

"Thank you, I'd appreciate that." He came inside, and little Patrick’s disappointment over the cat's escape was immediately forgotten as the twins both climbed into Uncle Derek's lap at once, and were hugged and kissed accordingly.

He couldn't get over how much they had grown since the last time he had seen them! They were almost 13 months old now and keeping Fiona on the run. He played with Patrick and Bridget while visiting with their mother until Philip showed up a short time later.

Whatever the problem was, obviously they weren't going to discuss it in front of the children. So it was after they'd gotten kisses and hugs from their father and godfather and their mother put them down for a nap that Derek finally asked, "Philip, your note said you had something important to discuss with me...I hope everything is well with you." He looked from husband to wife and back again; after a long moment, and an exchanged look with his wife, Philip started by mentioning the plan that had each woman having children by different men in Edan...not just different men, but different types....in order to widen the gene pool, and Derek said he was familiar with the "law".

Another moment, and Philip cleared his throat and said, in an amazingly steady voice, "We'd like you to father a child by Fiona....by artificial insemination, if it's all right with you." The young priest could tell by the way Fiona was blushing that she'd never have been able to ask, so he had to.

Derek's eyes widened, as he was, to put it mildly, stunned at this decision. Then, collecting his thoughts, he said softly, "If this is agreeable to you, Fiona, I'd be honored to do what Philip asked." He wanted her to be comfortable with it, above all else, even though there'd be no sexual contact.

She looked up at him and smiled. "Wasn't the text just this last Sunday about honoring yer Father? Yer man Philip thinks of you just as if ye were his Da. That is why we are askin'."

The ex-precept's heart warmed at her words, and he smiled, "And I have considered him my son for as far back as I can remember." Then his gaze turned to Fiona again, and he asked, "When did you want to set up the appointment at the clinic to undergo the procedure?"

She looked at Philip who nodded. "Would tomorrow be too soon?" she asked.

"Not at all; I'm not due back at the House for a couple of days. When the others heard where I was going, they insisted I make it more than an 'overnighter'. Nick, Odette, Leda, Frederick, and Jackie all send their love, by the way. We know Leda sends her love even though she is so young, because whenever she sees a picture of you two and the twins, she gets very excited, with a big smile."

They sat and chatted some more while Fiona made a new pot of tea. "I hope ye don't mind me usin' some of Endora's fountain water for ours," Fiona said with a sparkle in her eyes as she winked at Philip. "Haven't we had good luck with it in the past?"

Her husband grinned, and Derek's eyebrows raised; he knew why she was drinking it, to "boost her reception", and guarantee the insemination took. But when she put a cup of the special tea in front of Derek, he asked, "Do you think it will work even though I will be doing my part by remote control, so to speak?"

She shrugged. "We don't know. But it's worth a try. I want to do me civic obligation, but I will not be wantin' to break me weddin' vows to do so!"

"And I would not dream of asking you to do so. Aan uw gezondheid!" he smiled, and drank some of the tea. When he set the cup down, he smiled, "Well, I'm in it now, no turning back!" The smile was meant to make Fiona relax, about what he was sure was a rather nervous procedure for her even though she was pretending it wasn't. She had come from a time when such things hadn't even existed yet, so she truly was facing the unknown, for her.

He was invited to stay for dinner of course, but Derek had promised Marien that he would treat her to some of Coriander’s good food at the hotel they were staying at. When he told his host that he already had a dinner date, of course they were very interested, and pelted him with questions. He thought it amusing that both of them had correctly assumed that his dinner companion was of the female gender.

He told the very interested young couple who she was, how they'd met, and that they shared many of the same interests, most notably a love for science and research. But when it came to questions of romance, he told them, "I'm afraid that can never happen. Marien is in her mid 20's, and I certainly passed that age a long time ago. She would have no interest in someone that much older than she, I can assure you. We are friends, nothing more." Derek was very good at not letting his feelings show on his face, but Philip and Fiona both knew how to read his eyes by now, and those gave his feelings toward her away very well.

"Will ye both be havin' dinner with us tomorrow night then?" Fiona asked.

He sighed, knowing they'd seen what he hadn't said, and told her, "Well, I will have to ask her, but she'll probably say all right. I've told her so much about all of you that she says she would love to meet you! Would letting you know tomorrow morning be all right?"

Of course they said it was, and after he hugged them both, he left to go spend what he knew would be a very pleasant evening with his young friend.