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THE PRICE OF FAME
CHAPTER ONEI’ll let you in on a secret.Before I became a nurse, I wanted to be someone famous.Oh, I had no definite plan as to how this was going to happen. Most of my longing for fame was spent in daydreams.Leta Macaulay, Academy Award-winning actress. Leta Macaulay, best-selling author. Leta Macaulay, high fashion model.But I had no definite plan as to how to accomplish these things. So I came down to earth, and decided to become a nurse. (Over my parents’ objections. They wanted me to be a teacher. But, as my adopted uncle Judd would say, “That’s a whole ‘nother smoke.”)I rationalized that if I became a nurse, I would have a solid career and be helping people in a direct way. And there would probably even be a little excitement in it, as well. (The nurse romance novels I read by the score convinced me of this.)Well, long story short, I’m glad I became a nurse. I found I loved meeting new people, and helping them on their journey to health. And after awhile, I didn’t mind that they weren’t rich and famous. They were all just people who needed to get well. And I was happy to help them on their way. And training and working in New York city itself furnished its own brand of excitement.Though there was still a tiny part of me that wanted to meet the rich and famous, even in a peripheral way. Or at least, to meet interesting patients, anyway.Then, the fates took a strange turn that I don’t think even Nostradamus could have predicted.My Uncle Mac Hudson invited me up to Canada for a vacation, during which I learned that he was the head of a special team there, called Alpha Flight. His organization was looking for a nurse for their infirmary. So I ended up working in the Medical Wing of Department H in Ottawa for two wonderful years. And the patients I had there surpassed the rich and famous that I had dreamed of nursing.They were super-heroes.A sasquatch. Twin speedsters. An alien woman. A demi-goddess. An acrobatic dwarf. And various super-powered recruits, some of whom stayed and some of whom didn’t. But they were all fascinating people. And I met the love of my life, Philip Maltby, the biological cousin of one of my best friends in Alpha Flight, Narya AKA Snowbird. It was love at first sight for us. He was head chemist in the Medicinal Chemistry Department of Department H. It was wonderful working for the same organization together, meeting for lunch, and an occasional odd moment during the day.But then, the unimaginable happened.Department H got the axe. They lost their government funding, and were forced to close down.Alpha Flight personally rallied, and decided to continue on their own. They were allowed to keep various aircrafts to use in emergencies. And, in the meantime, they made personal appearances in order to bolster their value to the Canadian public. Maybe, with grassroots support, Alpha Flight’s government funding would one day be reinstated.Meanwhile, Philip and I had our own lives to live. We married, and moved to New York State, where I had family, and Philip got a new job in a chemistry plant. But we never gave up on our close friendship with the members of Alpha Flight, and stayed in constant contact. Canada wasn’t so far from upstate New York, so it was not surprising to have Uncle Mac, Aunt Heather, and Cousin Claire come to visit on a Sunday afternoon. Or to have Northstar and his husband, Kyle, drop in with their adopted daughter, Joanne.We attended various Alpha Flight-related events, (Aunt Heather’s baby shower, Cousin Claire’s christening).And we even spent an occasional weekend in Canada. Including one in late October, when we had been married two and a half years, in an Alpha Flight safe house in the Ontario woods. It was during this visit that our baby, Jarrett (“Jay”), had been born. We had been visiting with Narya and her husband, Sergeant Douglas Thompson, and Snowbird had ended up assisting in the emergency delivery. Everything went perfectly, and I have to admit to the novelty of the situation. After all, how many other babies have been delivered by a demi-goddess?But I also knew how poignant this situation had been for Snowbird and her husband. Narya had suffered a miscarriage several months before, and then, had been rendered infertile from injuries sustained during a battle with a Great Beast, one of the creatures she had been born to fight. Narya and Douglas had badly wanted to start a family, and Phil and I were with them all the way. It seemed hopeless at times.But then, suddenly, a miracle happened. (Though, with Snowbird’s healing factor, I shouldn’t have been surprised.)Narya had become pregnant!Her reproductive system had miraculously regenerated itself. And she discovered that she was at last able to have the baby she and Douglas wanted so desperately.But with the miracle came complications.Narya’s pregnancy was high-risk. Due to her age acceleration, she came to term within two weeks. During this time, she went into seclusion in Alpha Flight’s newest safe house on Tamarind Island, an island in British Columbia not far from Vancouver. Michael Twoyoungmen, the team’s Shaman and Narya’s lifelong physician, stayed with her. I was also invited to be her private duty nurse, along with a kind elderly nurse, Beatrice Foley, who had nursed Narya after the demi-goddess’s surgery. All of Alpha Flight rallied around Narya during her pregnancy.And then, when she gave birth on a remote Arctic Island with the place of power needed to make her shape-shifting baby’s body solid –and her newborn baby defeated a horrible zombie named Pestilence who was unable to take over her baby’s body due to the godling’s strong purity—all of Alpha Flight rejoiced with her and Douglas.But Pestilence was not the end of our problems.No, the real complications were to come later.When Snowbird insisted on being taken to a hospital in Ottawa to recover. And the news of her baby’s birth became a worldwide event.Baby Thompson mania was about to take over.And I was about to be a witness to the downside of fame.
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CHAPTER TWOIt was Michael Twoyoungmen’s idea that Narya should recover in a hospital following the supernatural birth of her son. Narya had suffered a seizure just before she gave birth, and Michael knew that eclampsia could recur within a few days after childbirth. He felt it best that she should go into a hospital where he could monitor her health more closely, and where possible emergency help would be more readily available. Narya was agreeable to the idea, but she had her own opinions about where she wanted to go.“I wish to go into hospital in Ottawa,” she stated. “The capital of our fine country. That way, I will be close to the people who love me. And whom I now also love.”Well, this was fair enough. Snowbird had been previously aloof and cold to humans. It wasn’t until she had learned to understand them that she began to thaw out towards them. Soon, she gradually began to show kindness upon meeting them. But it wasn’t until she was being flown to the Arctic to deliver, and Marrina had innocently leaked the news that Snowbird was in labor, that Canada responded with overwhelming love and prayers for her and the baby’s safety. Snowbird was aware whenever people invoked the Great Spirit, and sensing the tide of love sweeping across the country for her was almost too much for her. It was the first time I had ever seen her cry –and as her nurse, I had seen her through some pretty rough times!Well, we all rejoiced when Baby Thompson was born. And I mean everyone. Narya, Doug, all of Alpha Flight, and all of Canada. What I didn’t realize was in this age of instant information, soon all of the world would be rejoicing as well.And what would come of this. We arrived at the Ottawa hospital in the ambulance that my Uncle Mac had ordered to be waiting at the old Alpha Base. Our party consisted of Narya, Doug, Baby Thompson, Michael Twoyoungmen, me, and Nurse Foley. We were greeted in the lobby by the biggest of big shots, the hospital administrator. Narya graciously introduced Douglas as her “consort”, Michael Twoyoungmen as her “personal physician”, and Nurse Foley and me as her “private nurses.” Even while strapped to a stretcher, Snowbird could make it seem like a throne.“Welcome, Snowbird!” this jovial man said, beaming. “All of Canada is happy at your safe delivery! And I want you to know that we’re all proud here that you’ve chosen OUR HOSPITAL in which to recover! There’s nothing we won’t do for Canada’s heroine and her baby!”Snowbird accepted his words graciously. “I thank you, sir. I was a patient in your fine hospital once before, under sadder circumstances. It makes me glad to return here under happier ones.”The administrator swelled with pride. “And we are glad to receive you on this most momentous occasion. Now, about your room….”Snowbird went into diva mode. “Ah, yes. I wish to speak with you about that. Although I have grown closer to the Canadian people recently, I would still like a certain amount of privacy. Therefore, I do not wish a semi-private room or a ward….” She actually shuddered at this. “I must have a private room. And I do not wish to be separated from my son. He must not go into a nursery with other babies.”The hospital administrator smiled. “And he won’t have to, ma’am. We’ve already reserved the VIP suite on the top floor for you. This is a set of rooms usually reserved for royalty or celebrities. Nothing but the best for our country’s beloved Snowbird!”We entered the elevator, but I was aware of a small crowd eyeing us as we did so. A small but growing crowd. Even before the elevator doors closed, I could hear a buzz of speculation, and saw several cell phones being whipped out to take pictures.I had no idea how quickly this interest could grow.I should have known. I should have KNOWN. The VIP suite was actually a regular hospital room containing a hospital bed, blood pressure cuff in a basket mounted on the wall, a chest of drawers, and a bedside table with a lamp. There was an attached bathroom, complete with tub. Nothing out of the ordinary. But within a couple of minutes, a few changes were made.The TV set was swapped for a big-screen TV. (Almost like a movie screen, I thought.) A plastic newborn hospital crib was wheeled into the room, and placed next to Snowbird’s bed. Then, a cot was rolled into the room. (For Douglas, I thought. Mustn’t forget dear old Dad.)Next door was a living room with table, chairs, a small refrigerator, and a couch. Michael Twoyoungmen took this room as his own, wanting to be near Narya. Although her condition was now good, we knew how quickly Snowbird’s condition could change. Michael Twoyoungmen understood Narya as no one else in the world could, having delivered her and raised her. It was only right that he should be the one to care for her in an emergency.I prayed there wouldn’t be any. With Snowbird, an emergency meant that she could turn into a polar bear or a wolverine while in pain. We had to be on hand to handle that.The administrator bade us goodbye. “Well, that’s that for now! And if there’s anything you want –ANYTHING—don’t hesitate to let me know. Good afternoon!” Michael thanked him for us, and the hospital official strode happily out of the room.Afterwards, Narya changed from her elegant costume and tiara into a blue hospital gown, and got into her hospital bed. Her baby was supplied with hospital wrappings, including long sleeves which folded over his little hands, so he couldn’t scratch himself. Baby Thompson didn’t like this, and cried.Snowbird bristled. “He should not have to wear such restrictive garments!”I tried to explain it to her. “He has long nails. We don’t want him to scratch himself.”Narya gave in, although I could tell she didn’t like it. “Very well. Bring him to me, Leta. It is time to feed him again.”I placed him into her arms. Narya pulled up her hospital gown, and put him to her breast. He latched on with no trouble, and began to suckle hungrily.Narya relaxed then, and looked with pride upon her much-desired child. “Douglas,” she whispered. “See how he feeds. He is most strong.”Douglas came over to her bedside, and looked down on his son. “He sure is. And I love both of you.”“And I, you. My consort”, Narya replied.Douglas bent down, and gave his wife a kiss. Nurse Foley and I turned away, as did Michael. But we were all smiling. Narya’s previous miscarriage and subsequent infertility had caused a marital estrangement that both Narya and Douglas had to work hard to repair. To see them like this was like a gift from heaven.“I’m glad I’m a nurse,” I whispered to Nurse Foley.Nurse Foley got it. “So am I, dearie,” she whispered back. “It’s things like this that make it rewarding.”And we smiled at Michael, who smiled back with silent understanding.For the rest of the day, we were kept busy. Narya’s blood pressure had to be taken every two hours to make sure that it did not get too high again. I was tasked with this job, while Nurse Foley took care of her other vitals: temperature, pulse, and respiration. Michael looked at Narya’s feet and ankles to make sure that there were no signs of swelling; and checked the reflexes of her knees to make sure they were not exaggerated.Everything looked good. Michael looked happy.“You are recovering nicely, Narya. Possibly, you will not have to stay here more than two more days.”“Then, it is home to Yellowknife?” Narya queried, Douglas coming up to her to take her hand. Baby Thompson was sleeping peacefully in his hospital crib.Michael continued to smile. “Indeed, it will be. And my daughter, Elizabeth, who will be visiting you tomorrow, will afterwards go back to your home to prepare a special surprise there for you.”Narya’s face lit up. “Oh, Michael, whatever can it be?”Michael continued to smile benevolently. “Now, Narya, if I told you, it would not be a surprise, would it? But I think you will like it.” And with that, Narya had to be content.Nurse Foley and I were sent off-duty at seven that evening. Michael spoke to us privately before we left.“From all indications, she should have a quiet night. Of course, she will have to be monitored for any more seizures during the night. However, I shall be on hand here to attend her. Now, I suggest you go home to the Hudson’s, get a good night’s sleep, and return here tomorrow morning at seven o’clock. I have just spoken to James Hudson, and he is coming over here to pick you up. The rest of Alpha Flight and your loved ones have returned from Tamarind Island, and will be waiting for you there. Now, till tomorrow morning, fare you well.”“Good night, Doctor,” we chorused. Then, Nurse Foley and I stuck our heads into Narya’s room. “Goodnight, Narya and Doug,” I called for myself and Nurse Foley.Narya and Doug were sitting on Narya’s bed. Narya was holding her now-sleeping baby, and, in the dim room, there was only a circle of light provided for them by the nearby bedside lamp.“Good night, my kinswoman and my nurses,” Narya spoke softly. “We shall see you in the morning.” Douglas added his goodbyes. Then, Nurse Foley and I walked down the corridor, and, after waiting for the elevator, got onto it. The door closed, and we rode downwards. The elevator was empty except for us.“What a day!” I cried. “I’ve never seen a birth like this before. But aren’t you glad you were a part of the miracle, Mrs. Foley?”“Indeed, I am,” the elderly nurse spoke happily. “I think I’ll retire after this. Nothing I’ve seen today can top this wild birth!”We laughed.“And speaking of babies, I can’t wait to see mine again,” I continued joyously. “Aunt Heather texted me that Philip and little Jay are at the house waiting for me. Oh, I can’t wait to see them again! You know, Mrs. Foley, it’s funny, but seeing Baby Thompson makes me homesick for my own baby. Does that sound funny to you?”Nurse Foley smiled understandingly. “Not a bit, dear. I haven’t always been an old crock. Once, I was a young mother raising babies myself. I left nursing to raise my two, and didn’t go back until they were in school. I think I would have missed them terribly if I had to leave them while they were still little.So I think I can understand how you feel.”I took her hand and squeezed it in gratitude.We were almost at the ground floor. “My Uncle Mac texted me that he’ll pick us up at the front door. He did say something about a little crowd forming. And possibly being delayed due to traffic. I wonder what he meant….”The elevator doors opened. And in the next minute, I understood what Uncle Mac meant about a crowd.Only it wasn’t a little crowd. It was a BIG one.People were massed to the four walls. Cell phone cameras were at the ready. Lights were flashing. In the few hours we had been upstairs with Narya and her family, word had somehow gotten out that Snowbird was in this hospital. Now everyone was eager to see her, or even anyone connected with her.And they recognized me and Nurse Foley!“Excuse me,” someone –a reporter?—called out. “Didn’t you nurses come in with Snowbird and her baby?’There was no way that we could deny we were nurses. Nurse Foley was wearing her white uniform and cap, while I was wearing sky-blue scrubs. We were both wearing white shoes and carrying our nurse’s bags. A few people in the lobby had seen us come in with her….But I never expected the word to spread so quickly!The crowd was between us and the door. How were we going to reach it?Well, I always wanted to be famous. But in this case, even riding the coattails of Snowbird’s fame, I was already beginning to find the experience overwhelming. And what of Nurse Foley? She was, by her own admission, “a tough old bird.” But would this crowd be too much for her?I needed to get away from this crowd to think things through.Oh, help us, God, I prayed. Bring Uncle Mac ASAP!
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CHAPTER THREESuddenly, from just outside the door, I heard a gruff voice. A wonderfully welcome and familiar one.“One side! One side, eh! Let the ladies through!”The massive crowd parted. And I blessed Eugene Milton Judd’s expertise as a barroom bouncer in that he was able to create a path through the mob so that Nurse Foley and I were able to get through the lobby and reach the front door.“All right, chickies!” he ordered. “Let’s get into the car now! Quick!”Aunt Heather’s Volkswagen Schnitzel was drawn up to the curb. Uncle Mac, in civvies, was waiting impatiently behind the wheel. Nurse Foley and I got into the backseat; Puck in the front passenger seat. He slammed the door. We pulled out into traffic, which wasn’t easy due to the crowd that was staring to swell around the car.Finally, we were on the way to Uncle Mac and Aunt Heather’s house on the outskirts of Ottawa. All of us seemed too stunned to speak at first.As we went towards my relatives’ house, I became conscious of something else. There was almost no traffic coming out of Ottawa. But was it my imagination, or was there a solid line if vehicles coming into the city?Uncle Mac answered my unspoken question. “It’s been that way since early this afternoon. Ever since word leaked out that Snowbird and her baby are in hospital here, everybody and his second cousin wants to see them.”“Uncle Mac, how can that be?” I was astonished.Uncle Judd answered. “Well, it’s like this, cutie. The world is usually full o’ bad news. Wars, violence, starvation. All kinds o’ bad stuff, you name it. Then, along comes the birth o’ a real special baby to a strong goddess. Everyone loves a baby. An’ throw in the fact that someday, he’s likely to grow up to be a strong champ for our country an’ probably the rest of the world, an’ you got hope that the world’s goin’ to get better.”Everyone loves a baby. Which reminded me of my own baby.“Uncle Mac, how are Jay and Phil?” I asked. “Are they waiting for me at the house?”Uncle Mac smiled then. “Yes, indeed they are. One of the few things that has gone right today. As a matter of fact, we have a full house tonight. In addition to your Aunt Heather and baby Claire, we have Phil and baby Jay, Elizabeth, Judd; Nurse Foley, Kyle, and Joanne; not to mention the rest of the core Alpha Flight team: Aurora, Northstar, Walter Langkowski, and Marrina. They’ll all stay for dinner. Then, the core team will depart to their hotel for the night, while you, Phil, Jay, Nurse Foley, Judd, and Elizabeth will stay at our house for the night.” He sighed. “It’s a good thing the rest of the team booked hotel rooms immediately after our arrival in Ottawa. Every hotel is filling up quickly. Soon, there won’t be a room left in the city.”“Why, young man?” Nurse Foley queried.Uncle Mac sighed again. “This has turned into a Canada-wide phenomenon. Ever since Snowbird has become more popular with the people, everyone has been excited for her and wants to get a glimpse of her and her baby. We’ll have to figure out in a hurry how to handle her publicity; not to mention security and crowd control….” He broke off. “Here we are. Home at last!” Uncle Mac stopped the car outside the Hudsons’ house. The door was flung open, and Aunt Heather holding Cousin Claire and Phil holding baby Jay came rushing outside. I was out of the car almost it before it stopped, and flung myself at Phil and our baby, kissing and hugging them fervently.“Phil!” I cried. “I’m so glad to see you again! Oh, what an adventure we’ve had today!”“I know,” Phil said solemnly. “Your Aunt Heather told me all about it.”“Well, let’s go inside, and I’ll tell you more.” We all walked into the house where the rest of Alpha Flight was waiting.“Yes, I’ve got a marvelous dinner waiting for you,” I heard Aunt Heather saying to Nurse Foley, Uncle Judd, and Uncle Mac. “Of course, I grew up in a big family, and I love to cook. So this isn’t as arduous as you might think it is….”I smiled. What a warm welcome back! Aunt Heather had made not one but two beef casseroles. Add to that a huge salad, and two lemon meringue pies for dessert, and you had the makings of a wonderful dinner!We were all seated along the Hudsons’ long dinner table. The babies had a high chair each, and in between eating our own meal, Aunt Heather and I fed our babies.Of course, the main topic of conversation was Snowbird and Baby Thompson.“How were they when you left the hospital?” Aunt Heather asked, while dishing up another serving of beef casserole for Walter Langkowski.“Well, they’re doing very well.” I replied. “Narya and her baby were settled in for the night when we left; Doug is sleeping in the room with them; and Michael has the room next door in case Narya or the baby need him during the night. But so far, everything looks good.”“No more convulsions?” Walter Langkowski asked, before digging into his serving of casserole.“Oh, no, young man,” Nurse Foley reported happily, over her own serving. “Dr. Twoyoungmen thinks that if her blood pressure stays down and she had no more fits, she can go home to Yellowknife in two days.”“Two days,” Uncle Mac mused. “Two more days of this.”“Mac, what’s ‘this’?” Aunt Heather inquired.Uncle Mac became very solemn. “Heather, you won’t believe this. Big crowds are gathering outside the hospital. Traffic is crazy. And we already know about hotel rooms filling up. As a matter of fact, people,” he addressed the Alpha Flight members seated at the table, “after dinner, we’re going to have a meeting to determine the security for the hospital. We’re going to have to have a system of tiers for visitors.”Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. “Security system? Tiers of visitors? What does that mean?” Marrina asked for all.Uncle Mac looked grim. “We’ll discuss this after dinner.” He added, “Somehow, I get the feeling that, for the next few days, these are the last relatively peaceful moments we’re going to have.”After dinner, after the dishes had been cleared away, there was an Alpha Flight meeting in the dining room. Uncle Mac had set up a white board, and while he presided over the meeting, Phil, Kyle, and I washed, dried, and stacked the dishes. Nurse Foley was watching over Joanne, as well as the babies in their playpen; though I got the feeling that she was nodding off in her chair. Well, who could blame her? It had been such an exhausting day.We could hear the meeting in progress, though, over the running water. Uncle Mac’s voice predominated.“All right, people. Here’s the set-up. Visiting hours star at one PM and end at five. I have the strong feeling that a lot of people are going to want to see Snowbird and Baby Thompson. Therefore, we need to get some organization going here. I have arranged a set of tiers for all incoming visitors. It will go like this:“1 to 2 PM: Alpha Flight and family members. This means Snowbird’s teammates in the Flights, as well as any human relatives of hers and Douglas’s who wish to visit.“2 to 3 PM: Super-heroes. This will include various gods as well. Snowbird is a demi-goddess, so it is not unlikely that several gods who walk the earth, such as Thor, Hercules, and Venus, will want to visit her. Also, Sedna, the goddess of the deep sea and death, may want to see her. Sedna is Snowbird’s maternal aunt, and the only one of the Inua pantheon to remain on earth. Note: Do not let Thor and Sedna into the same room together, as they have a bad history.“3 to 4 PM: Ambassadors and Royalty: I have received word from the Prime Minister, as well as the hospital administrator, that several ambassadors have contacted them about visiting our Snowbird and Baby Thompson. The Australian ambassador is flying in tonight, as well as ambassadors from ten other countries. There are members of royalty who have also expressed wishes to attend. It would be excellent public relations for our country to allow them to visit Snowbird and Baby Thompson.“4 to 5 PM: Everybody else. Miscellaneous members of the public. Fans, schoolchildren, etc.“All visitors will give their names beforehand, and will have to go through our security. A list of visitors will be submitted to Snowbird in the morning, and she will have final approval as to whether they can come in. I have also spoken with the hospital administrator, and he is agreeable to having us set up security measures in the lobby. This will include a metal detector, an X-ray machine for any incoming packages, extra guards….” The discussion went on.Kyle, Phil, and I finished the dishes; and went into the living room. The babies were in their playpen; and Joanne was industriously coloring in an coloring book. Nurse Foley was dozing. “Let’s turn on the TV,” Kyle suggested.I glanced at Nurse Foley sleeping in her chair. “Well, don’t turn it up too loud,” I whispered. “She needs her rest, especially for tomorrow.”“That’s right,” Kyle said. “You’re both going back to the hospital, aren’t you?”Phil spoke up. “They sure are. Being Snowbird’s private duty nurses is a high honor.”“Maybe we’ll even get famous.” I mused. “I mean, even today people were clamoring to speak to us. Maybe, we’ll get our own podcast or be interviewed on TV.”Phil turned on the TV then. It was the CBC. And we stared at it in amazement.There was an announcer at the Ottawa airport. “People are flying in from all over the world,” he stated. “There have already been ‘Baby Thompson tour’ chartered planes. Hotels are filling up. Everyone in the world, it seems, wants to get a glimpse of our heroine Snowbird and her baby….”I was the first to recover. “Turn the channel.”Phil stared at me. “To what?”“Anything!” I cried. “This is Canada! There must be a hockey game going on someplace!”Kyle grabbed the remote. On the next station, “Baby Thompson! The number one baby in the world and a baby the whole world is waiting to see!”I turned the channel yet again. “And in New York, the Empire State Building has been lit up in blue and white, Snowbird’s colors. And a huge picture of Baby Thompson has just been flashed onto the giant screen in Times Square.”And on the next channel, a montage of Snowbird clips, plus furtive cell-phone footage taken when Narya and her baby were being brought through the hospital lobby upon their admittance to the hospital. I appeared briefly in one of them, walking alongside Snowbird’s stretcher, but it was over in a flash. That was my two seconds of fame, I realized.I picked up Jay, who had been gnawing on a soft block, and turned to Kyle. “I think Philip and I had better get ready for bed. By the way, I never thanked you for all your help in taking care of the children. Thank you so much, Kyle.”Kyle looked kind and gracious. “You’re welcome. And I was glad to be a part of this miracle.”“Yes, it has been a miracle,” I spoke thoughtfully. “I think that’s part of what’s behind this Baby Thompson mania. People realize that the birth of a special baby is a miracle. He was born to defend Canada one day. This gives people hope. And everyone wants to witness this kind of hope.”I was yet to see just how far this adulation would go. And that there were different ways in which people wanted to be part of this miracle.And not all of them were good.
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CHAPTER FOUR“My, my!” Nurse Foley exclaimed. “I didn’t know they were having a street fair here today.”“Neither did I,” I conceded. “Only I don’t think this is an ordinary street fair. It must have sprung up overnight.”“How can you tell?” Nurse Foley inquired.“Because it’s all Baby Thompson merchandise!”We were making our way along a crowded sidewalk on our way to the hospital. Due to the increased traffic, Uncle Mac was forced to drop us three blocks away, while he parked the car. Then, he and Uncle Judd were going into the hospital lobby to supervise the security.But what nobody expected was that souvenir vendors would throw up stalls overnight. All devoted to cheap-looking Baby Thompson merchandise.“Over here! Over here!” one vendor shouted. “Get your Baby Thompson souvenir plates!”“Right here!” another bellowed. “Baby Thompson balloons! T-shirts!”“Get your Baby Thompson tea towels!” still another vendor roared.Nurse Foley stopped right there. “I could use a new tea-towel,” she mused. She stepped up to this vendor. “I’ll take one, young man.”The man grinned. “Here you go, lady. That’ll be ten bucks.”Nurse Foley looked slightly taken aback, but shelled out the money. She received the tea-towel; then, we walked on.“Please let me see it,” I asked. Nurse Foley showed it to me. It featured an ugly rendition of Baby Thompson, hastily painted on and obviously copied from one of the hasty cell-phone pictures of the baby floating around the internet. I shrugged, and handed it back. “Very nice,” I said noncommittally.We were nearly to the hospital when I spied a vendor selling “Baby Thompson” sky-blue and white metallic pinwheels. “Oh, look, Nurse Foley!” I exclaimed. “Pinwheels! I’m going to get one for Jay.”“And I’ll get one for my newest little great-grandchild, Ethan,” Nurse Foley beamed. “He just turned two.”“How delightful!” I cried. “Two pinwheels, please,” I told the vendor.“The vendor handed them over. “Here you go. That’ll be eighteen dollars.”I was aghast. “Eighteen dollars for two pinwheels?”“No. Eighteen dollars each.”Nurse Foley and I exchanged a horrified look. And then, I handed them back. “I’m sorry,” I said contritely, “But thanks, anyway.” And we hurried up to the hospital door.That is, as fast as we could go through the heavy crowd. It had not abated since last night. People were actually camping out in tents on the hospital lawns. Cell phone cameras were at the ready. I heard some talk as I went past.“Do you think she’ll appear at the window today?” one man asked worriedly.“I sure hope so,” another man replied. “I came here all the way from Kitchener last night….”Even as he spoke, a tour bus drew up in front of the hospital. It stopped, and then, unloaded a heavy number of passengers, who immediately started snapping cell phone pictures of the hospital.“Come on,” I whispered to Nurse Foley. “It’s almost time for us to go on duty.”Inside the lobby, elaborate security procedures had been installed. There was a walk-through metal detector; and an X-ray conveyor belt, where Nurse Foley and I placed our purses and nurses’ bags. Then, we had to show photo IDs to the guards.“Leta Maltby, BSN. Snowbird’s private duty nurse.”“Beatrice Foley. RN. Snowbird’s other private duty nurse.”The guard consulted a written sheet. “Okay, you’re on the list. Pass.”Nurse Foley and I rode the elevator to the top floor, where Snowbird’s VIP suite room was located. Once the doors opened, we hurried down the hallway to where Snowbird’s room was located. Just as we got there, the door opened, and Michael Twoyoungmen in his white coat, came out.“Good morning, nurses. Shall we go into the room next door, so I can give you the report of Narya and the baby’s night?”“Yes, doctor,” we chorused. And we did so.Michael got right to the point. “For the most part, Narya has had a good night. Her blood pressure has been consistently low and stable; and she has had no more convulsions. If she continues to do as well, she can be released in two days. The baby has been doing as well. In the past day, he has continued to gain weight….”Michael stopped and sighed. “There was a small incident last night. A man dressed as a false doctor tried to get into Narya’s room, pretending to be an old boyfriend of hers. Fortunately, Douglas and I were able to stop him before he could reach Narya. I have asked your uncle James Hudson to increase security.”“Which he has,” I replied. “You should see what Nurse Foley and I went through downstairs.”Michael smiled. “It is well. Now, you should go in and attend to Narya. She is waiting to see you.” Narya was sitting up in her hospital bed, looking serene. The baby was sleeping peacefully in his hospital crib. Douglas was standing around, looking as if he had just awakened and dressed. He wished us good morning.“Good morning, nurse,” Narya greeted us then. “And how was your night?”I didn’t want to admit it, but my night was actually terrible. Uncle Mac and Aunt Heather had a three-bedroom house. They had the master bedroom, while Cousin Claire had the second bedroom as a nursery. The third bedroom was a guest room, and we all decided that Nurse Foley should sleep there. Due to her age, she should be made as comfortable as possible.That left the daybed in Uncle Mac’s den. Elizabeth took that one. Uncle Judd slept in a tent in the backyard.“Uncle Judd, are you sure you’re going to be all right out there?” I queried anxiously.Uncle Judd snorted. “To a guy who set up camp at the base of Mount Everest. Naw, this ain’t nothin’. I’ve slept out in all kinds o’ weather. Now, promise you won’t worry about me, eh, chickie?”I was a little reassured after that. Puck had a long lifetime of experience, so I guess he knew what he was doing.That left the lumpy pull-out couch in the living room. And guess who got to sleep there?Now, I’m a very sound sleeper. I like to say that I can sleep draped over a rock. And after sleeping in the pull-out couch in my relatives’ home, I think I’d prefer the rock.The pull-out bed was uncomfortable. I could feel every spring. And what was worse, Philip, who was usually a sound sleeper, kept tossing and turning. Meanwhile, Jay, who was seven months old and teething, was fretful, crying shrilly in the Port-A-Crib that Aunt Heather had set up next to his bed. I had to get up with him several times during the night, giving him an ice-cold teething ring I had stored in the freezer just for this occasion. It provided only a little comfort. I remember seeing a baby t-shirt that said, “Teething is the Pits”. Well, now, I understand what it meant. Finally, I put him down in the portable crib, and covered him with a blanket. Philip would have his hands full with Jay tomorrow, I thought. Meanwhile, I had to try to get some sleep, so I could be fresh in the morning to take care of Narya.Wait till she had to cope with her baby’s teething. And with her son’s age acceleration, it would happen sooner rather than later. Just before I went to sleep, I said a swift prayer for her. And I threw in one for myself. And Nurse Foley, as well. There were all kinds of complications possible in taking care of a demi-goddess. And not the least of them was publicity. Now, I faced Narya. “Oh, I had a passable night. But I’ve got to tell you….” I went on to tell her about all the street vendors and the mob waiting outside the hospital and all the extra security measures that had sprung up during the night.Doug went to the window, and was shocked at the size of the crowd. “I hope none of them tries to get in here.” His voice dropped. “Doc and I didn’t tell Narya, but some nutjob tried to get in here last night to see her….”“I know all about it, Douglas,” Narya called from the bed. “Fortunately, the security has been increased. I do not believe there will be any more incidents—”Just then, there was a sudden swelling excited roar from the crowd. Doug looked back out the window. “What the--?”A grappling hook hit the windowsill, and stayed there. Then, a goofy-looking man’s face appeared in the window. He was wearing a ratty home-made super-hero costume. He was grinning.“Duh, hello! I’m an old boyfriend of Snowboid’s. Where is she? Oh, duh, there she is! HIYA SNOWBOID, HONEY!”Snowbird looked horrified. “I know this man not! Away with you, imposter!”Just then, Northstar whipped into sight, and snatched the would-be intruder away. Peace was restored. For about two seconds.Then, suddenly, a drone with a camera appeared outside the window. I was startled.“Nurse Foley!” I called. “There’s a drone outside the window!”“Eh? A drone?” Nurse Foley queried. “You mean, like a bee?”“No, no, I mean a flying robot with a camera.” I hastily pulled down the shade.Narya screamed. Baby Thompson woke up and began to cry. Doug went into a rage, grabbing up his cell phone. “Hello, Hudson? What kind of a Mickey Mouse security system are you running here? We just had another imposter try to break into Narya’s room. Yes, I know he’s in custody now. Listen, we’re starting to have some trouble here. First that dumb intruder….”“And there’s a big bee outside the window,” Nurse Foley added.“You’ll increase the outside security? Good. And you’ll screen all the visitors? Great. We don’t need any more attempted invasions of our privacy. Okay, bye.” He hung up his cell phone, and turned to Narya, who was now holding her baby in her arms, trying to comfort him. Finally, he curled up on top of her left breast and fell asleep. Snowbird continued to stroke and soothe him. Then, she gently placed him back into his crib.I took her blood pressure, which was only slightly raised. Good, considering the circumstances.And all this happened before breakfast! Can you believe it?
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CHAPTER FIVEVisiting hours!We were all mobilized. Downstairs, Uncle Mac and Uncle Judd had the visitors all sorted and in order. The members of Alpha Flight came first, led by Elizabeth Twoyoungmen.She was delighted to see Narya. And I could tell that Narya was also pleased to see her, as far as I could tell from Narya’s standoffish manner.It was all right for Elizabeth to come in as a member of Alpha Flight, as well as being a family member. But she brought in Amka Aliyak with her, under the wire, so to speak. Amka, AKA Snowguard of the Champions, really belonged to the second tier of visitors, the super-heroes and gods who would be allowed in at two o’clock. Before she left, I heard Elizabeth and Michael having words in the hallway.“But, Dad, you’ve got to bend the rules sometime!” I heard Elizabeth protest.“Daughter,” Michael spoke in a weary voice, “we have to keep strict order here. There are many who have come to see Narya. While it may be good public relations and international goodwill for them to see her, we must make sure Narya does not become overtired. Her visitors all must be carefully screened.”“Look, Dad, I understand,” Liz said. “But you can’t keep overprotecting Narya. I mean, she may be only eleven in earth years, but she’s already an adult. A woman. A wife. A mother. And she’s capable of fighting monsters and lifting tons of weight. She’s got a huge country to protect, and she does it well. All right, so she went through a rough pregnancy and birth. But she has a healing factor, and can recover. Stop worrying so much about her, okay?”“I will try, my daughter,” was all Michael could say.“All right, Dad. I’m going to Yellowknife now, and I’ll see you and the Thompson family there in a couple of days. Love you.” They embraced. Amka had already left. I came out into the hall to see Elizabeth off.“Well, Lee, I’m off,” Elizabeth spoke brightly. “I guess I won’t see you again for awhile. After I come back from Yellowknife, in a few days, I’m going on a dig in Greece.”“And I’m going back to New York state,” I said sadly. “Who knows when we’ll meet again?”“Hey, we’ll stay in touch,” Liz promised. “And who knows? The government may want to start up Alpha Flight again. And if they do, maybe you and Phil can come back as support staff.”“You never know.” I shrugged. Then, we embraced. “Love you.”“Love you, also,” Elizabeth responded. “Take good care of Nay-Nay, you hear?” Her pet name for Narya. Very few people knew it. And if Narya had her way, none would. (“Such a silly name,” Narya had sniffed. But she allowed Elizabeth to use it anyway.)“I will,” I promised.Then, in a flash, Elizabeth was gone. Teleporting herself to the Thompsons’ house in Yellowknife, where she was preparing a wonderful surprise for them. Something to do with the nursery….“Nurse!” Snowbird’s voice resounded peremptorily into the hallway. “Come in here at once!”Michael and I exchanged a wry look. Then, I entered Snowbird’s room.Narya was in a fretful mood. “Nurse, attend to my tresses, please. I must be presentable to the next visitors who arrive.”Nurse, I fumed. Nurse. Before, I had been Narya’s best friend, the one who had exchanged confidences with her; who had laughed with her; who had held her hand during hard times; who had attended her childbirth even as she had attended mine. Now, suddenly, I was Nurse. The servant who was at her beck and call.There was no doubt about it. While Narya had mellowed somewhat in her relations with humans, she could still turn into a diva when the occasion presented itself. Was this a response to the pressure she was under as the mother of the world’s most famous baby or as a representative of Alpha Flight? Perhaps both.I wondered if we had done the right thing in allowing Snowbird to come to a hospital in the capital of Canada. Well, we were all here to support her. No matter how she was starting to act.I sighed and picked up a comb. Snowbird smiled coolly as the comb slid through her pale-blonde hair.“A goddess must look her best,” she spoke regally.“No doubt about it,” I said. Your majesty, I wanted to add, but didn’t. A nurse has to know when to be silent, especially when dealing with a proud demi-goddess. There was a steady stream of visitors throughout the afternoon. At the start of each hour, I heard Michael, in white coat, braids, and stethoscope, addressing each group that presented itself.“Welcome, my friends. I am Michael Twoyoungmen, the physician in charge of the case. Here are the rules you must follow as Snowbird’s visitors. You may visit with her for only ten minutes. Only one picture or selfie may be taken. You may look at Baby Thompson, but cannot hold him unless the parents give you permission. If I or Snowbird’s nurses see that she is tiring, I will terminate the visit. Now, you may go in and see her. Only one or two visitors at a time, please. All right, that is all for now.”Then, the visitors came. All the members of Alpha Flight, each bringing a gift for the baby or flowers or both. Jean-Paul Beaubier came by himself, leaving Kyle to babysit Joanne, Claire, and Jay back at the house. “He shall be here later,” he promised Narya. “In the meantime, ‘ere is the layette from New York I promised you. And some flowers, also.” He presented her with a bouquet of white flowers, which I added to the increasing number of floral tributes that were crowding her room.“How nice,” Narya replied graciously. “Nurse!” she snapped in my direction. “Find a vase for them please!”“Oh, yes,” (your majesty). “Right away,” I responded. I glanced over at Nuse Foley, who was asleep in a chair. When I got off work, I would have to go to a dollar store to get some vases. Unless I happened to come across some street vendor selling Baby Thompson vases. Anything was possible at this point.Aurora was next, with a layette of fancy baby clothes straight from Paris. “Cherie, I flew dere myself this morning,” she explained, sitting on Snowbird’s bed. “’Ow you say, nothing but the best for our Snowbird!” She kissed Narya on the cheek, which Narya coolly accepted as her due.And this went on all afternoon. At two o’clock, the heroes started coming in. First was – Wolverine!“Hi, Princess!” he greeted Snowbird. “I brought a friend along to see you.” And in walked Deadpool!“Hey, congrats, Snowbird!” Deadpool greeted her effusively. “Here are a couple of presents from me and Wolvie!”Inside the two boxes were a couple of different generic miniature baseball outfits. I smiled to myself wryly. Little girls got frilly dresses. Little boys got baseball outfits. Even super-hero babies.Now Wolverine was peering into Baby Thompson’s crib. “Kid’s asleep,” he remarked matter-of-factly. “Cute kid. Looks like you, darlin’.”Snowbird preened. “Oh, do you think so?”“I know so,” Wolverine responded. Then, he seemed to notice Douglas Thompson for the first time. “You Narya’s husband?” he asked, walking towards him. “Well, congratulations, pal. That’s some kid you got there.” He and Doug shook hands, with Deadpool following suit.Narya coldly introduced me and the now-wide awake Nurse Foley. Wolverine peered at me. “Ain’t you Hudson’s niece?”“Yes, I am.” I was pleased that he recognized me as such.“Nice to meet you. Mac mentioned that you live in New York state. Close to Westchester?” Wolvie continued.“About six hours away,” I responded. Wolverine talking to me!Wolverine smiled. “Well, if you’re ever in Westchester, stop by Xavier’s school and say hello. And bring your husband and kid. Mac told me about them, too. They can come, even if none of you are mutants.” He winked at me.“Oh, we will,” I was delighted.“Well, gotta go. Nice to meet you all. Take care.” Deadpool was speaking now, and with that, he and Wolverine exited the room.I was in a daze for five minutes after they left. Wolverine and Deadpool! Talking to me! Wait till I told Philip!“Nurse!” Snowbird called. “Arrange my pillows, please.”Down to earth. And I wondered how much longer I was going to be able to take Snowbird’s attitude. I wasn’t the only one to whom Snowbird was being condescending. Douglas was being pushed into the background as well.Never had I seen a man who loved to hold a baby as much as Douglas Thompson did. He held his son at every opportunity; burped him; and changed his diapers, not even minding when the diaper was a dirty one. Doug was the most hands-on dad I had ever seen.“Hey, honey, I’ll take him,” Douglas offered when Baby Thompson woke crying. He would pick up the baby and bring him to Narya, who would then put him to her breast and begin nursing him. When the baby was finished, Douglas offered to burp him. Narya seemed glad to hand him over.“There you go, son,” Doug crooned, putting the baby over his shoulder and patting the infant’s back until the baby gave a moist burp. Doug laughed, and even Narya gave a slightly-cold smile.Baby Thompson was usually restless after this. Douglas seemed to know the right thing to do.“Here, honey,” he handed him to Narya. “You know how to calm him.”Narya accepted her son. The baby curled up on top of her left breast, and promptly fell asleep.Narya seemed to marvel at this. “He does this quite frequently. I wonder why.”Doug seemed happy. “Doc Twoyoungmen explained it to us. The baby hears your heartbeat there.”“Ah, yes,” Snowbird sighed. “It seems to soothe him.” She stroked her small son as he slept. Then, Douglas came forward without a word, picked up the baby, and gently tucked him into his hospital crib.Doug is such a good father, I thought.But I also felt a pinprick of envy. Phil loved our baby, and was only too pleased to talk to him, feed him in the high chair, prepare his bottle, and bring him little toys. But Phil was also nervous when holding our baby. In the seven months since Jay had been born, Philip had
been been scared when picking him up. I ascribed this to Phil’s growing up in a family with all boys, sexist though that sounds. Also, Phil was shy and awkward in social situations, which may or may not have had something to do with this. But I banished such critical thoughts form my mind. Philip was who he was. And I loved him for his kindness and gentleness. Still….Just then, my cell phone rang. I glanced at it. Philip.“Excuse me, folks,” I called out. “It’s Phil. I have to take it.”I went out into the hallway. “Hello, Phil?”Philip sounded frantic. “Leta, Jay bit through his teething ring! The water from it leaked out and completely soaked his crib!” I could hear Jay screaming in the background.I groaned inwardly. Philip was a loving father, but he was unused to dealing with Jay for long periods of time; going out to work each day while I stayed home with the baby. I might have feared that Philip would be no good in a baby crisis. And part of this was my fault. I had forgotten to pack another teething ring for Jay!I got a hold of myself. “Look, Phil. Go down to the supermarket. Go to the baby section, and buy another teething ring, preferably two. Try to get one tougher water-filled ring. Then, when you get home, put it in the freezer. Do you think you can do that?”“S-sure, honey,” Phil managed. “But what’ll I do about Jay? Take him with me or have Kyle watch him?”“Oh, honestly, Phil!” I snapped. Just then, I heard Snowbird’s plaintive shriek.“Nurse! Nurse! Come in here immediately!”I spoke quickly into the phone. “Gotta go. Look, I trust you to make the right decision. I’ll see you tonight, okay?”Phil sighed. “Okay. I’ll have Kyle watch him while I go to the store. Love you.”“Love you and Jay, too. See you.” I hung up and then, walked back into the room where a demanding demi-goddess awaited.“Ah, there you are, my nurse,” Snowbird greeted me coolly. “Arrange my pillows behind my head. And brush my tresses. I must look good for my next visitors.”I picked up a hairbrush, and began to brush Narya’s silken hair. At this point, I was beginning to wonder who was more demanding, Narya or a baby. Right now, it was a toss-up. The visitors continued. After Wolverine came Storm and Black Panther, along with their own small son, Azari. The two super-hero babies stared at each other. They gave Baby Thompson a colorful baby outfit. Then, the Scarlet Witch, who had just had twin sons not long before Snowbird’s son’s birth. More X-Men, Avengers, Champions. The Fantastic Four, bringing baby boy clothes in a slightly larger size, which Snowbird appreciated. Reed and Sue Richards had a son, Franklin, and so knew just what to buy in baby boy clothes. Thor and Venus visited. Venus leaving behind a feeling of love, which seemed to permeate the room after she left.I was glad in a way that Sedna had not shown up at the hospital. She was the only member of the Inua gods pantheon left on earth. I had met her once, when she came to visit Snowbird in in the Department H Medical Wing, while Narya was recovering from surgery. That had been scary. Sedna was the Inua goddess of the deep sea and death, and had come form the depths of the sea, Who knew what havoc she would have wreaked in a hospital?But in the meantime, we had our hands full with other visitors. At three o’clock, royalty and ambassadors came to Snowbird’s room.I watched king and queens from far countries genuflect in front of her bed. Ambassadors praised her infant. All brought gifts, which Nurse Foley and I carefully catalogued in a notebook, and which we placed carefully in a growing pile in her room.As the day wore on, Snowbird did not introduce Nurse Foley and me. Well, all right. I expected this. We were no more than servants in this situation. Nurse Foley seemed to take it with a good grace. Seventy years’ worth of nursing had taught her to stay in the background. But I was still new to nursing, and I wasn’t used to being treated like a maid. And Snowbird was my friend! After this was over, she and I would have to have a talk.But what was worse that after a while, Snowbird seemed to be forgetting that Douglas was there, also.“I bring greetings, my lady,” a duke said, kneeling in front of Snowbird’s bed.“Arise, Your Grace,”Snowbird acknowledged him. “I am most pleased to accept your visit to me and my son.”Her and her son. No mention of her husband or the baby’s father.Douglas looked startled, but Narya seemed oblivious to his presence.“I must say,” the duke continued, looking around. “You are certainly well-taken care of. The best physician in Canada; two private nurses; and a Mountie to guard you! You’re certainly fortunate!”“Thank you, sir,” Snowbird acknowledged graciously. But I could see Douglas starting to fume. Was Snowbird going to introduce him as her husband?It would seem not. The duke held up a camera to take a selfie with Narya and her baby. Douglas started forward.“Oh, excuse me, sir.” The duke turned towards Douglas. “Could you kindly move? It would seem that you’re getting into the picture.”Douglas looked like he was ready to explode, but stifled it. He moved back to a corner of the room.“Got it!” the duke crowed. “Well, I’m off. It was quite nice to meet you and your son. Best wishes! Farewell!” He kissed Narya’s hand and departed.Narya looked pleased and proud. But Doug’s expression was a mixture of bewilderment and resentment.What was happening to their relationship?The next visitor, a princess from a country in Africa, was greeted with Snowbird’s cool imperiousness. The princess also posed with a picture with Snowbird and her baby, which I was glad to take for her. Then, on the way out, the princess graciously acknowledged Nurse Foley and me. Then, she said goodbye to Douglas as well. “Oh, you must be the baby’s father,” she spoke kindly. “You must be so proud. I am pleased to meet you.”Douglas smiled. He started to speak. “Thank you. I---”Narya cut him off. “I am quite pleased that you have come all this way to see me and my son.”Douglas startled. “YOUR son? Wait a minute—"But Snowbird continued, “I accept your good wishes and the gift that you have brought me. Have a safe journey back. Fare you well.”The princess left the room. Nurse Foley and I smiled politely. But Douglas, I could see, was seething. Couldn’t Narya see what this kind of attitude was doing to her marriage? At five o’clock, the last visitor departed. As Michael ordered, I took Narya’s blood pressure. It was holding steady at 80 over 60. Narya’s normal blood pressure.Michael was satisfied. “Narya is recovering nicely. There are no further signs of eclampsia. No edema, no convulsions. And her blood pressure is normal. Good. Now, I would like you to go to dinner, and come back in an hour. I will watch over Narya until you get back. Narya’s and Douglas’s own dinner will be brought up here, and I have brought my own food, which I have stored in the refrigerator in the suite. Go now.”Nurse Foley and I took the elevator down to the cafeteria. We mingled with the hospital personnel who were at dinner. We each had a turkey dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy, along with a carton of milk each, (chocolate in my case).“What a day!” I sighed to Nurse Foley. “Let’s hope tomorrow is better.”Nurse Foley smiled. “Tomorrow will be full, also, if the Thompsons get a guest list like they did today.”“It’s only one more day,” I said. “If Narya’s blood pressure stays down…”“Let’s hope it does,” Nurse Foley laughed. “With all these important visitors, I’m surprised it hasn’t gone through the roof.”We both laughed. Then, it was time to go back upstairs to Snowbird’s room. But when we found our way back through the flower-bedecked hallway, we stopped short outside the room. There was a frightening argument going on inside.Doug’s furious voice. “You didn’t even introduce me! You forgot I existed! Hello, remember me? Your baby’s father?”Snowbird’s voice. Bewildered. “But Douglas, my love, I had no idea….”Michael’s lower, but still angry voice. “That is enough. You are upsetting Narya. She is here for a rest—“Douglas, again. “A rest? A rest? You call this a rest? All afternoon long, hundreds of strangers have been traipsing in and out of this room! You call that a rest?”Michael continued. “They are gone now. And Narya can sleep.”Douglas’s sarcastic tone. “Oh, sure. And tomorrow, the whole circus is going to start up again. How do you know this isn’t going to tire her out? And what about the baby? Do you think it isn’t upsetting to him, as well?”Narya’s distressed voice. “Douglas, if I only knew how you felt--”Michael’s stern tones. “That is enough. Douglas, I suggest you leave the room. Narya must not be disturbed anymore.”Douglas. “Oh, butt out, Twoyoungmen. If anyone should leave the room, it should be you. Why can’t I have a moment alone with my wife?”“Because you are upsetting her—”“No, Michael.” Narya’s calm voice. “It is all right. Let me speak to my love alone. He is most troubled. We must sort this out together.”“Very well. “Michael’s voice was resigned. “I shall be in the next room, if you need me. I will be back in later, though, just to continue to monitor your health.” He left the room and walked into the living room next door. Fortunately, he didn’t notice Nurse Foley and I lingering in the hall. It was just as well. I didn’t want Michael to think we were eavesdropping. Even if we were.Ther was a brief silence in Narya’s room. Then, the demi-goddess spoke. “Douglas, my love. What is troubling you?”Douglas sighed. “This afternoon, I felt like I was being pushed more and more into the background. The last few visitors we had, you didn’t even acknowledge me! You seemed to forget I was in the room. I don’t like being the forgotten man in all this.”“Douglas,” Narya was a little taken aback. “I had no idea. All these important people coming to see me and the baby. After a while, I began to feel overwhelmed.”“Well, just remember, I want to be a father to our child. A hands-on dad. I’ve wanted to be a father for a long time.”“I know, my love.” Narya’s beautiful voice was low and serious. “Perhaps, I do not know what a father’s role in a family really is. Michael Twoyougmen was a good foster father, but I did not grow up in a conventional family unit. Perhaps I did not have an idea of what a two-parent family is really like.”Douglas sounded kinder. “I know about your background. Your goddess mother used your mortal father to conceive you, and then, dropped him. But our relationship is going to be different. I want to be a hands-on father; to take an active role in raising our child. And to be there for you and our son.”“Douglas. Oh, my love. That is what I wish, also.” Narya sighed.“Then, please, don’t push me into the background again. Let’s face the world together with our baby.”“Oh, yes, yes, my love.”Baby Thompson woke up just then, and began to cry. I heard a rustling as Douglas picked up the baby out of the crib. Then, silence as the baby was put to Narya's breast. Nurse Foley and I nodded to each other. Then, we walked into the room.Baby Thompson was nursing at Narya’s breast. Snowbird and Douglas were looking with love down upon their son. As soon as the baby was finished, Narya nodded at Douglas, who raised the baby to his shoulder, and proceeded to burp him. In a few minutes, we all heard a loud, watery burp. Everyone laughed.Michael put his head around the door. “Is everything all right?’“Come in, Doc,” Douglas invited in a friendly tone. “I’m sorry that I yelled at you before. You’re an excellent doctor, and you’ve given Narya and the baby good care.”Michael smiled. “Apology accepted. I am glad to see you as the happy family you should be.”“And when tomorrow’s visitors come, my love and I will present to them a united family,” Narya spoke happily. “And I wish our fine nurses to be acknowledged as well.”She looked toward Nurse Foley and me. “You are my friends, not my servants. Tomorrow, I will see that you get the recognition you deserve.”“Thank you, Narya.” I looked over at Nurse Foley, who nodded in agreement. Then, I went over and kissed Narya on the cheek. She seized my hand then.“My good friend. My kinswoman.” There was a real kindness and gratitude in her strange black/white eyes then. “I will see you tomorrow. It should be a better day Especially with your love and support.”“Good night, Narya.” I kissed her again, and released her hand. Nurse Foley came over then, and briefly touched her hand.Then, we looked at Douglas, who was still holding the baby over his shoulder. “Good night, Doug. See you tomorrow morning.”Douglas nodded. “Good night, Leta and Mrs. Foley. See you tomorrow.” Then, he gave the baby to Narya, who settled him on top of her breast. Baby Thompson yawned, and promptly went to sleep.Michael said goodbye to us in the hallway. “Good night, nurses. I will see you at seven tomorrow.” He smiled. “Thankfully, tomorrow should be the last full day before Narya and the baby can go home. I think the stress of this fame is overwhelming to all of us.”“I agree. Well, one more day.” I smiled. “Good night, Michael.”“Good night, Doctor,” Nurse Foley said respectfully. Then, we took the down elevator to the lobby. Uncle Mac and Uncle Judd were just going off security duty, and were going to drive us home.“What a day!” Uncle Mac exploded. “We had quite a time keeping all these visitors in line. Thank God tomorrow is going to be the last day of this circus. How did you do upstairs?”Nurse Foley and I looked at each other. I decided to speak for both of us. “Oh, we did all right. Of course, the constant flow of visitors is a lot for Narya to take in. But as long as she has Douglas by her side, I think they can face the crowds together. They really are a united family.”Uncle Mac smiled. “Well, let’s get home to our own families. Ready to go?”As if he had to ask. I was homesick for a certain husband and baby of my own. “Let’s go, Uncle Mac!”And when we got home, I was greeted by a happy Philip holding our baby, Jay, who was gnawing a new ice-cold teething ring.“See, honey!” Phil announced. “I knew I could take care of him.”I hugged them both. “I knew you could. You’re such a good father.” As devoted to his baby in his way as Douglas was to his. And I was glad to be back with them both.One more day. Just one more day.
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CHAPTER SIXThe Hudson house. 6 AM.Phil, Jay, Mrs. Foley, and I were sitting at the kitchen table, having a breakfast of orange juice, toast, bacon, eggs, and Tim Horton’s best coffee. Uncle Mac stalked into the kitchen, opened the refrigerator door, and grabbed a can of beer from the inside. Aunt Heather followed him in, carrying Cousin Claire, and was all consternation.“Mac! That’s the second Molson’s you’ve had since we got up this morning.”“Leave me alone, Heather.”“Since when do you drink beer in the morning, anyway?”“Since this whole Snowbird business started. Do you have any idea what a nightmare it is to keep order at that hospital?”“Oh, Mac….”“She could have gone to a hospital in Fort Albany. She could have gone to one in Yellowknife. But, no, she had to go to a hospital in the middle of Ottawa. ‘Oh, no’,’” he mimicked Snowbird’s voice, “’I must be among my people in the capital of Canada.’”“Now, Mac.” Aunt Heather spoke sternly. “That’s not very nice. You wanted her to be more popular. You said it would be a help to her, as well as a boost to Alpha Flight. Now that she is, you’re mocking her for it. Shame on you!”Uncle Mac sighed. “I’m sorry, Heather. But what I didn’t expect is how this whole thing was going to snowball out of control. How much longer is this supposed to go on?”“Just one more full day.” Aunt Heather’s voice was firm. “I talked to Michael just now. He said Narya and the baby have had a good night. If they keep up the good work, they can go home tomorrow morning. Then, this whole thing will be over.”Uncle Mac waited a moment. Then, sighed again. “Heather, if you knew what it was like down there, you’d drink fifteen Molson’s in a row. But I think I can stand one more day. This shouldn’t be hard for someone who’s faced the Wendigo.” He paused again. “I think I’d prefer the Wendigo.”“All right, Mac.” Aunt Heather continued to speak firmly. “Now that’s enough. I’m going to make a cup of black coffee for you---”“Hey, Boss.” Uncle Judd, already fully dressed in his black costume, stuck his head in the door. “We gotta get a move on. We’re all on duty at seven. Gotta relieve Sasquatch and the twins. And you know the traffic’s gonna be murder.” Uncle Judd had already eaten breakfast.Uncle Mac look resigned. “All right. Leta and Mrs. Foley, finish your breakfast, and get out to the car. Phil, you coming over, later?”Phil stammered. “G-got to, sir. I wasn’t able to get to the hospital yesterday, and I’m flying home this afternoon. Got to go back to work tomorrow morning.”“That’s right.” I turned to him. “It’s a shame you and Jay weren’t able to come over yesterday. After all, we’ve been through together with Birdie’s pregnancy, you have yet to meet your new little cousin. And this may be your only chance. They’re going back to Yellowknife tomorrow morning.”Phil shrugged. “I’ll d-do my best to g-get there. Meantime, I’ll stay here with your Aunt Heather until Kyle and Marrina arrive. They have baby-sitting duty today.”Cousin Claire started crying. Jay started screaming, I guessed for his teething ring. Just then, the doorbell rang. Aunt Heather answered it. Kyle and Joanne came in. Joanne rushed up to Uncle Mac. “Mr. Hudson! Play horsie with me!”“Not now, honey,” Uncle Mac sighed. “I have to go over and take care of the security at the hospital where Snowbird is.” He looked around at rambunctious Joanne, crying Claire, and screaming Jay. And shook his head. “Frigging all-day nursery around here. No offense to you kids, but I think I prefer security detail at the hospital. Well, coming, ladies?”I kissed Phil and Jay, and Nurse Foley and I said goodbye to everyone else. “See you, later.”Uncle Mac ushered us to the car. “Get in. It’s going to be madness when we get there.”The understatement of the twenty-first century. This time, we had to park Schnitzel four blocks from the hospital. Fortunately, Puck, Nurse Foley, and I were up to the walk. Uncle Mac was going to zip over in his Guardian costume as soon as he put on his helmet.The street vendors were still out in force. We negotiated between stalls, trying get up to the hospital door. They were still hawking Baby Thompson T-shirts, bottle-warmers, pennants, china plates, dish towels, infant pajamas, plastic dolls, and pinwheels. I almost bought a Baby Thompson souvenir fan, but Uncle Judd shook his head no.“Don’t do it, Cutie,” he warned me. “They’ll really rook you on the prices, eh.”I remembered the over-priced Baby Thompson pinwheel from yesterday, and put it back. “You’re right, Uncle Judd. Sorry,” I said to the vendor. Then, Puck, Nurse Foley, and I hurried up the hospital steps.Sasquatch and the twins were waiting in the lobby. Along with the security guards, who were about to change over. Nurse Foley and I greeted them; then, after going through security, took the elevator up to the VIP suite.Another day was about to begin. “She has had a good night,” Michael Twoyoungmen reported to Nurse Foley and me as soon as we reported in. “Her blood pressure has remained low and stable. And her other vitals are good. Of course, I would like you to take them as soon as you come on duty. Nurse Foley will do her TPR. Nurse Maltby will take her blood pressure.”“How is the dear baby?” Nurse Foley asked.Michael smiled. “He is also doing well. Feeding every two hours, and continuing to gain in weight. His condition is excellent.”I remembered yesterday’s mob of visitors. “Michael, will Narya be having a lot of visitors today?”Michael sighed. “She can continue to receive visitors, but I will have to restrict them further. There are a few I cannot turn away. A member of British Royalty and the ambassador from New Zealand. James Hudson says that we must not risk an international incident. And then, at the end of the day, there are more personal visitors. Douglas’s Boy Scout troop has been flown down here. And Jeanne-Marie’s class of little girls who are going to sing to the Thompson family.”I had to smile at that. The remark about an international incident sounded just like something Uncle Mac would say!There was something else I had to know. “Michael, Phil will be flying back to the States this afternoon. He wasn’t able to get over here to see Baby Thompson yesterday. I know it’s outside of visiting hours, but can he come up this morning to see Narya and the baby? This could be his last chance for many months. And he was helpful in helping Baby Thompson to get born, bringing me over to Tamarind Island and then, taking care of Jay so I could work.”Michael sighed. “Very well. I will alert Security to make this special exception. But we cannot have too many extraneous visitors. Narya is going to need her rest this morning in order to be fortified for the afternoon’s visitors. Even if they aren’t as many.” Narya and Douglas Thompson were pleased to see Nurse Foley and me. I excitedly told Snowbird about the special visitors she would receive this afternoon. Narya seemed more interested in the Boy Scout troop and Jeanne-Marie’s schoolgirls than she was in the royalty and ambassador.“Of course, I must see them all,” she stated in a cool, if somewhat resigned tone. “But by now, I am longing to go back to Yellowknife again.”Douglas moved to cover her hand. “You and me both, honey.”Narya smiled at him. It was if they had reached an understanding. It was good to see them at ease with each other again. Maybe, this hadn’t been an entirely disastrous experience after all. This day was quieter on the whole than the previous one had been. At eleven, Philip and Jay were permitted upstairs to see their new little cousin. Philip looked at Baby Thompson in wonder.“He looks just like you, Narya,” he marveled. “Just like a small, male version of you.”“And what about me?” Douglas pretended to be offended. “What has he got of mine?”Phil studied Doug. “I don’t know. Maybe your hairline….?”Doug drew back in horror. “Good lord, I hope not! He’s a little young for male-pattern baldness.” Well, at least, Douglas could joke about his appearance.We brought Jay and Baby Thompson face-to-face. “This is your Cousin Jarrett, otherwise know as Jay,” I introduced my small son. “And this is….” I trailed off. What was Baby Thompson’s first name?Narya answered my question. “We have not revealed his name yet. But we will in a little over a week’s time at the formal presentation we will make with him in front of the Parliament Building.”I looked at the others, who just shook their heads. If Narya and Doug wanted to keep their baby’s name a secret, then so be it. I had no choice but to respect their wishes.Meanwhile, Jay stared at his baby cousin, who innocently stared back. It wasn’t much of an introduction. But then, they would be too young to remember it anyway. This was really more for the adults involved. And we knew what a special event this was, even if the babies didn’t.Philip left shortly thereafter. I kissed him and Jay goodbye in the hallway. Phil was going back to the house to drop off Jay with Kyle and Marrina, before going to the airport. “I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon,” he whispered. Jay and I would be flying home right after we saw the Thompson family off at Alpha Base. After all this excitement, I was starting to long for home again. Who would have thought?I kissed baby Jay. “Be good for Uncle Kyle and Aunt Marrina, okay? I’ll see you tonight.”We all kissed again, and then, I watched Philip and Jay go down the hall, and wait for the elevator. Then, it opened, and they got into it, and with the doors closing, disappeared from sight.“Well, that’s that,” I sighed as I came into the room. “I’m sorry to see them go, but I’ll be glad to be home tomorrow afternoon. It’ll be good to be a family again.”“That’s great,” Douglas enthused. But Narya was looking at me with a troubled question in her eyes.What could it be? The afternoon went smoothly. Narya greeted her visitors coolly, and introduced her “consort”, Douglas, as well as Nurse Foley and me. I gloried in meeting royalty and an ambassador –I had never met anyone from New Zealand before!The last hour of visitation went nicely . Although we had originally allowed only one or two visitors in the room at a time, during the last hour, Michael bent the rules, and allowed Douglas’s entire Boy Scout troop into the room. The boys oohed and ahhed over the baby as a smiling Narya held him in her arms. Douglas was touched by their kind reaction, and looked as if he was considering something.“Maybe we could add a class in baby and child care to our meetings,” he mused. “What do you think, honey?”Narya seemed pleased. “What a lovely idea. Perhaps, such a course would teach them to become good fathers. As you are, my love.” She smiled at Douglas.There was such deep love between them now. I was pleased to see the blessings that flowed from Baby Thompson’s birth.The Boy Scouts seemed open to the idea, giving the Thompsons something to think about. Then, they left, and Jeanne-Marie led her class of twelve little schoolgirls in.The little girls sang “Alouette” and “Frere Jacques” to Narya, Doug, and the baby. Baby Thompson seemed to like their singing, and even cooed after they finished their song. Everyone laughed.“Say au revoir, mes cheries,” Jeanne-Marie instructed after they had finished.The little girls did so. Then, they left, and the last hour of visitation ended on a sweet note.Michael Twoyougmen came into the room. “All right. This afternoon has gone quite well. How are you feeling, Narya?”“Quite well, Michael,” Narya replied calmly, resting against her pillows. “But now, I long for home.”“And you shall have it,” Michael promised. “However, before you leave, there is something James Hudson would like you to do.”“What is it?” Narya queried.Michael looked resigned. “You have seen the crowd outside this hospital. Before you leave, it would be the correct thing to do to let them know that you are leaving tomorrow morning. Otherwise, if you disappear without telling them goodbye, we might end up with a riot on our hand. You do understand, Narya, don’t you?”“Indeed, I do,” Narya sighed. “Very well. I have noticed that there is an outdoor balcony on the third floor of this hospital; Perhaps, it would be best if I made my appearance there tomorrow morning. Then, I can thank my people for their good wishes and tell them that my family and I will return in a week’s time to Ottawa to present our baby to the country.”Michael seemd pleased. “Very well. I shall tell James Hudson as soon as possible. He should be satisfied with this idea.”I thought it was pretty good myself. But I saw Narya looking at me with a speculative stare.What could she possibly want to say to me? After dinner, before I left the hospital, I was taking Narya’s blood pressure for the last time that day. Douglas had stepped out of the room to talk to Michael. Nurse Foley was dozing in the next room on the couch. Narya and I were alone.I finished the reading, and stripped the cuff from her arm. “Eighty over sixty. Very good. If it stays down like this, you won’t have any trouble leaving the hospital tomorrow.”Suddenly, Narya turned to me. Her face looked stricken, and there were tears in her strange eyes.“Narya!” I cried. “What is it?”Narya’s lips trembled. “Help me, my kinswoman. I know not what to do.”I was stunned. “But what is it?”Narya sighed. “I have long wanted this child.” She glanced lovingly at Baby Thompson, asleep in his crib. “But now that I am going home with him –I do not know what to do!”I was puzzled. “In what way?”“I do not know how to be a mother. I have had no role models in that capacity. My own mother disappeared into the heavens after I was born. Michael Twoyougmen raised me as if he was my father, but he could not give me a mother’s care. And I have the added responsibility of raising a child who will not be a normal child but a godling who must be taught the ways of the Northern gods in addition to living the life of a normal human being. And I am the only one who can teach him these things, having lived on the earth in the manner I have just described. I fear I will be inadequate in this way. Oh, Leta, please help me!”What could I say to her? How could I answer this? I was only an ordinary mother, who did not have the added responsibility of a demi-goddess raising a godling child. How could I help her?Oh, God, I prayed, not minding that I was praying to a Christian God to help a pagan demi-goddess. Please help me find the right words to say to her.
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CHAPTER SEVENNarya was looking at me in hope with mixed with fear. She obviously thought I had the answer.How I wish I did.I had prayed for guidance, however; and I began to share the thoughts that came into my head.“Narya,” I began. “I wish I could be more of a help to you. But I’m not a goddess. Only a human mother. A very ordinary human mother. Raising an ordinary human baby.”“But you have experience in motherhood,” Snowbird continued on a trembling note. “I have none.”“Well,” I said as I sat down in a chair next to her bed, “let’s look at all the facts. You are a member of Alpha Flight, which has continued as a super-team in Canada, even without government funding. And you are a strong protector of the North in your own right. You were born for that purpose.”“But how can I continue to do so?” Snowbird quavered.“You could try to talking to other super-hero mothers. Starting with Aunt Heather. She’s raising Cousin Claire, as well as continuing on the Alpha Flight team. Or you could talk to Susan Richards of the Fantastic Four. Or the Scarlet Witch. Or Storm of the X-men. They’re all woman balancing a super-hero career with motherhood. You should find out how they do it. Maybe that will ease your mind.”“Perhaps.” Narya sighed. “I could discuss this with Heather Hudson. But then, there is the matter of my raising a child descended from the Inua pantheon. A strong child who is already starting to manifest powers of his own. Even before he was born, he was already a shape-shifter. You saw the image on the sonogram….”“Yes, I remember.” I took her hand. “Are you worried about how to care for him?”Narya smiled wryly. “I believe that I can, in part due to your kinswoman Heather’s child care lessons. And, if eventually, he learns to fly, I can chase him. But there is more at stake than just child care.”I looked at her quizzically. “What is it?”Narya hesitated. Tears trembled on her lashes. When she spoke again, it was in a low, quavering voice.“My Inua kin did not want him to be born.”I was shocked. “Narya, when did this happen?”“When I was about to give birth. Suddenly, they appeared before me in a private vision. They said that I was a fool for mating with a mortal. I finally had to convince them that I was giving them another champion for Canada to fight the Great Beasts and other evils. Once they understood that, they accepted it and disappeared. But the last thing my Grandfather Hodiak said before he vanished was that they would be all watching me. Watching me!” She shuddered.“What a lot of pressure to put on you!” I cried out. “In addition to being a new mother and a super-heroine protecting a large country, you have the added responsibility of raising a godling child. No wonder you’re feeling so overwhelmed.”Narya lifted her head. “I must make a decision now. How best to raise our son. Except for my Aunt Sedna, I am the lone representative of the Inua on earth. Now, I must teach my son the ways of the North. And there is no one else who has lived this particular life but me. In addition to that, I have the added responsibility of being a hero dedicated to protecting Canada. How can I decide what’s most important right now?”I squeezed her hand. “Like I said, I wish I could have been more help to you. But please, talk to Aunt Heather and Michael about your concerns. They may help you to make a step in the right direction on this.”“Maybe.” Snowbird sighed. “We shall see.”I peered into her face. “Has it helped at all to talk to me?”Narya smiled faintly. “It has, somewhat. And next to Michael, Elizabeth, and Heather, you are my favorite confidante.”“Don’t forget Douglas,” I said on a laugh.“Oh, yes, my consort.” Narya smiled more widely, then. “This is his child, also. And he loves him so. Whatever I decide about taking care of our baby affects Douglas, also.”Just then, Baby Thompson woke up and began to cry. I picked him up, and brought him to Narya, who immediately put him to her breast. “My sweet son.” She gently stroked his hair as he fed. Just then, Douglas came into the room.“Doc Twoyoungmen says you’re both doing well. And if you keep it up, you can go home tomorrow.”Narya brightened. “Ah, yes. I long to be home with you and our baby.” Then, she turned serious. “But, my love, I have much I wish to discuss with you first….”I slipped out of the room, and gently closed the door.Whatever Narya and Douglas had to decide, it was strictly between them at the moment.I did hope that I had been at least a little bit of help to her. The next morning brought good news. Snowbird and her baby were fit for discharge!Michael examined Narya before he could okay her discharge. He was pleased to note that her blood pressure had stayed down; that there was no more edema, especially of her feet and ankles; that her reflexes were normal; and that she had no headaches or blurred vision. In addition, he briefly listened to her heart and lungs, and shone a penlight into her eyes. All her results were normal.“Narya, you are in excellent health now,” he proclaimed. “As a matter of fact, I could mark you fit for duty with Alpha Flight immediately, if you so wish.”Narya, I noted, had seemed to be calmer this morning. It was as if she had made a decision about an important matter, and was at peace with it. But now a shadow came into her eyes.“Perhaps,” she said simply. “We shall see.”Baby Thompson also had his own discharge to deal with. The hospital pediatrician who had seen the baby on his first day there, now came back. Under Michael Twoyoungmen’s supervision, the pediatrician examined Baby Thompson again, and pronounced him healthy and fit for discharge.Narya was delighted to be going to be going home with her new family. But there was still the question of getting out of the hospital.The crowds outside the building had not abated. They continued to surge and swell around the building. When Snowbird and her baby came briefly to the window of their room, the crowd’s cheers and screams rose to high decibel level.Uncle Mac came upstairs. “It’s no use trying to leave the hospital this minute. You’ll only get mobbed. The only fair thing to do is to make a farewell speech, telling everyone you’re leaving the hospital and thanking them for their good wishes. I could set you up on the outdoor balcony of the third floor of this building, facing the crowd. The twins and I will be keeping watch regarding your security. We have already done a sweep to make sure there are no snipers about.”“Snipers!” Narya went absolutely white. She seized her baby, and held him to her bosom.Doug came up, and placed a protective arm about both of them. “Look, you’re not putting my family in danger, Hudson….”Uncle Mac sighed. “You will only be outside for a few minutes. The crowds will see Snowbird; she can make her farewell address; and then, the crowds will disperse and leave. We’ll see to it that nobody gets hurt.”Douglas looked only less stern. “Well, if you’re sure….”Uncle Mac was firm. “I am. Now, let’s get to it.” And so, at nine that morning, Snowbird, dressed in full costume and tiara, along with Douglas in his Mountie uniform, and Baby Thompson in his christening robe sans cap, appeared on the third floor balcony facing the crowd. Roger Bochs had gone on ahead, and had set up a system of microphones for Snowbird’s speech. It was to be short and to the point.“And then, we can get out of town,” I muttered under my breath.Nurse Foley turned to me. “Did you say something, dearie?”“Well, only that I’ll be glad when we can all get out of here,” I sighed.Nurse Foley patted my hand. “I understand, dearie. And it’ll be good for me to get back home to Yellowknife and my volunteer work. Oh, look, she’s about to make her speech!”We were in the shadows behind the open door of the third-floor balcony. Snowbird holding her baby, and Douglas now walked out onto the balcony. The crowd roared for several minutes. A hundred cell phones were raised, taking pictures. Thousands of flashes from cameras sparked in the air. Everyone realized that this would be a moment to remember.Nurse Foley looked at the new family fondly. “This reminds me of the Royal Family, making appearances on the balcony outside Buckingham Palace.”“I know,” I whispered back. “We love seeing them in America, also. But now, Snowbird’s going to make her speech.”Snowbird did. As soon as the crowd quieted down a little. She raised a hand for more silence, and then, spoke into the microphones.“Good morning, my dear people. First, I want to thank you for your devotion and the love and care that you have shown my family and me during this most special time. I appreciate your good wishes with all my heart. Thank you, also, for all the gifts that you have sent to my baby. Your great love for him has made my husband and me very happy indeed. I will be leaving the hospital very shortly to go home with my husband and baby. However, I will return to Ottawa in a week’s time, when my consort and I will greet you again, and publicly announce our baby’s name. Now, I suggest you disperse, and return to your homes, as I shall return to mine. Again, many thanks and may the gods look favorably upon you.” She waved, and then, turned and exited, with Douglas following close behind her.Inside, I hugged Narya, while Nurse Foley looked on fondly. “That was a lovely speech, Narya,” I cried. “I’m sure the crowd liked it, and will start leaving now. You should have no trouble getting out now.”But I should have known better.At noon, the crowd was still there. Very few people had left. It was as if they wanted to catch a glimpse of Snowbird and her family leaving.Nurse Foley and I were just finishing packing for Narya and her family, when Aunt Heather holding Cousin Claire, my baby Jay, and Jay’s and my small bags, came bustling in. Aunt Heather looked a little worse for the wear.“It’s still a mob scene down there,” she reported. “Judd’s already gone to Alpha Base to get the Skycraft ready to transport you to Yellowknife, so it’s just Mac and the twins handling security down there now.”“Mac, the twins, and ME!” came a loud voice form the doorway.We turned to see Lillian Crawly there. “I just came to see Birdie and her family off, and to take a few pictures. If that’s all right with you.”It was. Aunt Heather, Snowbird, and I happily posed for Lil’s photos, along with our babies. Before that, Lil had taken a picture of the babies grouped together on Snowbird’s hospital bed. It was an almost bittersweet moment, as I remembered the last time we had posed together for Lil like this. It was the day of Aunt Heather’s baby shower, when Snowbird had tragically miscarried shortly thereafter. But seeing three beautiful and happy babies together made me realize how far we had all come.Yes, things could get better.Lil gifted Baby Thompson with a car seat, (“from me and Madison”). Narya graciously thanked her, after which Lillian left.“I don’t think this crowd’s gonna let up,” she remarked on her way out the door. “You better figure out some other way to get out of Dodge.”After she had left, Michael sighed. “She is correct. The crowds show no sign of abating. However, I do have a way out for us. A transportation spell. Stand close together, with your bags beside you.”We all huddled into a tight circle. Narya, Doug, Baby Thompson, Aunt heather, Cousin Claire, Nurse Foley, Jay, Michael, and me. Shaman reached into his ever-present medicine pouch, withdrew a large handful of sparkling dust, and threw it high into the air. The dust circled around us, and the hospital room gradually vanished before our eyes. Instantly, it was replaced by the buildings at the former Alpha Base. We were all standing on the tarmac. A grinning Uncle Judd was standing beside the Skycraft, ready to transport the Thompson family, Michael, and Nurse Foley home.“How’s it goin’, eh?” he asked. “Well, let’s take the newest member of Alpha Flight home. Oh, wait a minute….”He went into the small craft, and seemed to be scrabbling around for something inside. Then, he triumphantly held it up. “Here it is, eh.”We watched as he fixed it onto a side window in the Skycraft. And everyone took one look at it, and laughed.It was a yellow “Baby On Board” sign.“Well, that’s a unique place to put it,” Aunt Heather said on a laugh.But then, the time for laughter was over. Aunt Heather and I began to weep before we said goodbye to Narya and her family. We all felt the impact of this moment. All of us present had lived with Narya and Doug through their personal tragedies of miscarriage, injury, infertility, marital estrangement, reconciliation, high risk pregnancy, and difficult birth. And now that it had successfully concluded, we were happy for them, yet realized that we would miss them also.I embraced Narya, and told her how much I hoped we would never lose contact.“And we never shall,” Narya promised. “Go home now, my kinswoman. Go back to your husband, my young kinsman, and to ordinary living. May the gods go with you.”“Thank you, Narya,” I responded. “And you go back to ordinary living, also.”Narya smiled coldly. “In my house, nothing will ever be ordinary. But Douglas and I have discussed many things. And we are at peace with what we’ve decided.” She paused.”I only hope that your kinsman, James Hudson, and the rest of Alpha Flight will be, also.”I was puzzled. What could she mean?But there was no more time for conjectures. Narya embraced each of us in farewell; then, climbed aboard the Skycraft with her new family, Michael, and Nurse Foley. Aunt Heather and I, holding our babies, stood back, and watched the Skycraft rise vertically in the air, before shooting forward into space towards the north and Yellowknife. We watched until it was out of sight. It was a minute before we spoke.“Well,” I sighed. “Truly the end of an era. Oh, Aunt Heather, I’m going to miss them all so!”Aunt Heather patted my hand. “I know, honey. But you keep in touch with Narya and her family every week. And maybe, you, Phil, and Jay will be able to come up this summer for Canada Day.”“Yes!” I brightened. “It’s a thought. Something to look forward to.”Aunt Heather laughed. “Come on, I’ll drive you to the airport. Your Uncle Mac was here earlier. He left Schnitzel just outside the gate for us; then, put on his Guardian helmet, and flew back to the hospital. You’ll have enough time to make your Air Canada flight back to New York this afternoon. I’ll bet Phil can’t wait to see you again.”“Yes.” I smiled then. “At least, that’s one good thing about this adventure being over. At least, when Phil comes home tonight, Jay and I’ll be waiting for him there. Oh, Aunt Heather, let’s get going!”We laughed happily as we walked out to the car.
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CHAPTER EIGHTA week passed.I had heard from various loved ones in Alpha Flight. Elizabeth sent me a picture of her “surprise” for Narya and Doug: a beautifully-painted sky-blue-and-white nursery, with a mural featuring baby Arctic animals. “Foster sis loved it!” Elizabeth enthused in a surprise cell-phone call to me.“Well, of course!” I exclaimed. “Liz, it’s just so clever!” I turned wistful. “Maybe someday, when Phil and I move out of this apartment into a house, you can come and do something like that for us, also. We’re thinking of giving Jay a baby sister in a couple of years.”“And you will,” Liz stated, as if it was an accomplished fact. “Meanwhile, Narya and Doug are going to Ottawa in a couple of days to formally present Baby Thompson to Canada, and publicly announce his name. I won’t be able to come, because I’ll be on a dig in Greece by then. But Heather said she’s going to text me. Probably, she’ll text you, also.”“I can’t wait,” I replied.Meanwhile, I was getting back to ordinary living. Shopping, caring for Jay, housecleaning, laundry, giving Phil his dinner when he came home from work…all this took up my time. And as I did these mundane chores, I tried not to think about where I had been a few weeks before. (Helping a demi-goddess through her pregnancy, seeing a baby godling come into the world…..)Taking the baby out for a walk helped my sense of isolation. By now, Phil and I had settled into our small town. I often took baby Jay downtown, stopping at a used bookstore, or a church thrift shop, or a even having a slice of pizza in the local pizza place. The shop owner was charmed by Jay. Today, when I paid for my pizza slice and soda, the kindly owner surprised me by cutting off a tiny sliver of pizza for Jay to gnaw on. I was delighted.“Oh, thank you!” I exclaimed. “What a nice treat!”The man beamed. “Any time.”It was a lovely, warm day in early June. Because it was so beautiful, Jay and I sat at an outside table to eat. A week had passed since Narya had gone home with her family, and I had flown back to New York with Jay. I had already arranged for an Uber from the airport, and that night, Phil had come home to my pleased embrace. Yes, it was good to be home again.But I couldn’t stop thinking about Alpha Flight. What were they doing now? And wasn’t it just about time for Narya and Doug’s announcement?As if on cue, my cell phone buzzed. A message.I snatched it up. Aunt Heather.The message was short and sweet.RICHARD LAWRENCE THOMPSONI smiled to myself. How delightful! Narya had named her son after her mortal father, and Doug had accepted it. Nice guy. I guess this was a way for her to tie her son to the earth even more firmly.My phone buzzed again. Aunt Heather again. More news?ALPHA FLIGHT HAS RECEIVED GOV FUNDING!!!!! YOU AND PHIL CALL YOUR UNCLE MAC AND ME TONIGHT AT 8 PM. WILL TELL YOU MORE NEWS THEN.I dropped my phone then, and had to scramble to pick it up. Alpha Flight had received government funding again? But how wonderful! How marvelous! Uncle Mac must be delighted. Alpha Flight had always been his baby, (not counting Cousin Claire, of course). But oh, how happy everyone in Alpha Flight must be!I wondered how Snowbird must feel. She was a founding member of Alpha Flight. Under normal circumstances, she would be happy about Alpha Flight’s being revived under the Canadian Government’s auspices. But then, I remembered how conflicted she had felt about being a new mother and a heroine for Canada. How was she going to handle this?As if on cue, my phone rang. The special ringtone I had for Elizabeth Twoyoungmen.I snatched it up. “Hello, Liz?”“Yeah,” came Liz’s happy voice. “I guess Heather texted you with the big news.”“Yes, she did. Isn’t it wonderful about Alpha Flight? I never thought I’d see the day. I bet Uncle Mac’s over the moon.”“Well,” Liz sounded like she was hedging a little. “He is and he’s not. Are you sitting down?”“Yes, I am. And in a nice wrought-iron chair outside a pizza place at that. But why do I need to be sitting down?”“Just this. Are you ready?”“I am. Go ahead, tell me.”“Nay-Nay quit the Flight!”I sat bolt upright, momentarily startling Jay, who had been placidly sucking on his tiny sliver of pizza.“What? Oh, you’re kidding! Why?”“She said she wanted to take a few years off to raise her son. Said she was the only one who could teach him how to live like an Inua godling walking the earth, even if he is a hybrid. I guess she and Doug have been doing a lot of talking about it, and have come to that conclusion.”“What does everyone else think about it?”“Well, Dad accepts it. He sees the sense of Narya’s teaching Richard about the old ways. And nobody else would have the unique perspective she does. Who better to train that child than her?”“What about the rest of the Flight?”“Heather says they were kind of sad, but accepted it. All except for Mac. Oh, he was all happy smiles and calm acceptance in public. But Heather says as soon as the Thompson family took off for Yellowknife, he blew up behind the closed door of a conference room in the Parliament Building.”I was on the edge of my seat by now. “What did he say?”“Oh, you can imagine.” Liz went into a bellowing imitation of Uncle Mac’s voice that had me almost cracking up. “‘She can’t do this to us! She was a founding member of the Flight. She’s one of our most powerful agents! If she doesn’t keep up with her training, she’s going to lose her combat edge! The team is going to fall apart without her! She couldn’t have picked a worse time to quit!’”“Oh, my God! What did Aunt Heather have to say to that?”“Heather tried to reason with him, to calm him down. ‘Mac, you heard her. It’s just for a few years. That child needs her now. And then, when she eventually comes back –and she will, Mac, I’m sure of it—we’ll have TWO heroes for our team.’”I sighed. “I hope he comes around soon. What Aunt Heather said makes sense.”“Actually, it’s what Nay-Nay said to the crowd. The Canadian public was disappointed that she’s taking a leave of absence, but they’ll come around.”“Well, I hope Uncle Mac will, also. Phil and I are going to talk to him and Aunt Heather tonight. Maybe, he’ll have calmed down by then. I’ve known Uncle Mac all my life, and his rages don’t last forever.”“Well, let’s sure hope this one doesn’t,” Liz said matter-of-factly. “Well, I’ve gotta get back. Love you.”“Love you, also.” We said goodbye, and hung up.I pondered. There was so much to think about now. Alpha Flight being started up again. Snowbird leaving to raise her baby. And with Alpha Flight reinstated, would Department H be started up again? Would they need a support staff?Suddenly, I desperately hoped so. While I loved being home with Jay, I sometimes felt like I needed some outside interests. Maybe, Phil and I could be hired part-time for Department H? It would mean moving to Canada, but since we loved it there, it personally wouldn’t be an issue. But we would have to wait till we talked to Uncle Mac and Aunt Heather before we knew if we would have a place in the new Department H. That night when Philip and I called Uncle Mac and Aunt Heather, we got a better idea about the new Department H.And where we wouldn’t fit in.“It’s just a bare-bones effort right now,” Aunt Heather explained, somewhat apologetically but firmly. “The government is only shelling out money for the basic team members, and a few pieces of equipment, such as the Omnijet and Skycraft. There’s no room in the budget for support staff right now. Which means we have to provide our own meals on missions or go out to eat. And if any of us gets hurt, we’ll have to go to an outside hospital.”“I could always do private duty for you,” I cried.“I know.” Aunt Heather spoke comfortingly. “And you’ll be the first one we’ll call in that case. But in the meantime, you have Jay. And maybe another baby in a couple of years. I’ve heard you mention something about wanting a baby sister for Jay.”“Yes, we do.” Philip spoke matter-of-factly. “But we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Meanwhile, how’s little Claire?”“She’s asleep right now,” Aunt Heather reported. “Though how she could fall asleep while your Uncle Mac’s ranting and raving over Snowbird, I’ll never know.”“Yeah, Liz told me about that,” I added. “I understand he’s taken it pretty hard.”Aunt Heather laughed. “That’s the understatement of the twenty-first century! I haven’t seen him so mad since Wolverine quit. ‘Just when we get our funding back and can get the team really going again, she has to quit. A founding member! One of our strongest agents!’ I’ve tried to get him to comprehend that it’s only for a few years, and that as a new parent himself, he ought to understand.. In the meantime, the team will have to get along without her.”“Well, if anyone can make Uncle Mac see sense, you can,” I answered. “Can we talk to him?”“Just a minute.” Aunt Heather put down the phone. We heard her calling, “Mac! Mac!” There was a rustling, and then, Uncle Mac came on the phone. “Hello?”“Hi, Uncle Mac!” I chirped. “Congratulations on Alpha Flight’s getting back its government funding! You must be so happy.”“Yeah, thanks.” My Uncle Mac. Man of few words.I plunged in. “Look, Uncle Mac. I heard about Snowbird, and I know you’re disappointed. But it won’t be forever. Think of what you’ll be getting in a few years….”“We need her now, more than ever. I’m ready to fly up to Yellowknife and kidnap her. And if there’s anything Alpha Flight is good at, it’s kidnapping.”“Now, Mac.” Aunt Heather tried to placate him. “Maybe we can get her to come down to Ottawa once a month for some combat training, just to keep her hand in….”Uncle Mac sighed. “It’s a thought. Meantime, I’m sorry to tell you that we don’t have any openings for support staff right now. Maybe, in a few years…..”Yeah, in a few years. Now it was my turn to be discouraged. Everything was going to be better “in a few years”. Why couldn’t it be good NOW?Phil and I said a few more kind words; congratulated my relatives on the revival of Alpha Flight, and then, said goodbye.A few more years…. Our lives went on. Philip went to work. He was a low-key guy, content with his work on the local chemistry plant. Even if it didn’t have the drama that had once gone on in the Department H chemistry lab, the work he was doing now still satisfied him.Meanwhile, I took care of Jay, marveling in his growth and curiosity about the world around him. My mother called once a day, and I delighted to put Jay on the phone with her. “How’s my big boy?” my mother would croon on the phone to Jay. And Jay would look confused, wondering where his grandmother’s voice was coming from. Once, he wrenched the phone away from his ear, and peered into it, as if looking for her. When I told my mother, we laughed over it. Yes, being with Jay, seeing his delight and curiosity did much to assuage my loneliness and ennui.I did housework, which I didn’t like as much; but which needed to be done. But, even then, every little thing somehow reminded me of my time in Department H.Scrubbing the kitchen floor. (“That’s a nice, shiny suit you’re wearing, Box. I’ll bet you’ll do great out in the field today.”)Kissing Jay’s boo-boo. (“That’s a nasty cut you got in the training room, Jean-Paul. I’m going to clean it and make it better.”)Selecting meat for dinner at the market downtown. (“No, Uncle Judd! You are not going to put a steak on that black eye you got in that bar fight! Now, come over here and let me put some ice on it. That’s the proper thing to do.”)Making lunch for Jay. (“Narya, this is the second time this month that you’ve fainted in the training room because you haven’t been eating enough in your human form, and it’s only the fourth of the month. Now, I’m going to order a meal for you from the cafeteria, and you’re going to eat every bite of it. Michael’s orders.”)And eating lunch myself at my lonely kitchen table. (“Liz! It’s great to see you! How’d you do in the training room this morning? You’ll tell me at lunch? Good! I’ll meet you in the cafeteria, and you can tell me all about it then.”)Yes, I missed them. And I would do anything I could to keep Alpha Flight in our lives. On Sundays, we continued FaceTiming with Narya and Doug. They were at peace with Narya’s decision to take a leave of absence for Alpha Flight. “I must be here for Richard,” Narya explained. “I am not quite sure yet which powers he is going to manifest. But I must be present to guide him.”Fair enough. But I missed our good times together. Would we ever work together again?And I have to admit, I did enjoy my tiny two seconds of fame. I liked being a demi-goddess’s nurse; and being an “expert” in super-hero nursing. Would I ever get a chance to show my stuff again?Then, the fates took a hand I could never have foreseen.Michael Twoyoungmen called me on my cell phone unexpectedly one boring day in early September. He got right to the point. “I am attending a symposium on super-hero medicine in New Orleans next month. Christine Palmer and Claire Temple are chairing a panel on the special issues of nursing super-heroes. I have told them of your wonderful work with Department H, and especially your excellent care of Snowbird during and after her pregnancy. They were impressed, and asked me if you would consider being on this panel. Would you be interested?”I leaped from my chair. “Oh, yes! Yes! Oh, Michael, how wonderful! I’m so flattered they were impressed by my work. What an honor!” But then, I came down to earth. “But Michael, Phil can’t get any more vacation time this year. He used it all up when we were helping Narya have her baby. And what about Jay? Oh, Michael, I want this so much, though.”“Perhaps your mother would take care of him. It would be only for three days” He named the date. I looked at the calendar.“I’ll call Phil, and then, call you back.”“Do so, Leta. If the Great Spirit wills this, then, He will find a way for you to go.” We said goodbye. Then, I called Phil.But Phil was not too enthusiastic at first. “You’ll be gone for three days in the middle of the week.”“But, Phil, it won’t be for long. And my mother could help with the baby. And I’ve always wanted to go to New Orleans.”“I know, hon, but we were going to see it together one day.”“Oh, Phil,” I moaned. “Please. We’ll go another time. I can even go down there, and then, come back and tell you about the fine places I’ve seen, places we can return to. But, Phil, please try to understand what this means to me. I’ve been so disappointed about Department H not having any support staff, and wondering how I can keep my hand into super-hero nursing, when this opportunity came along. Now I’m being recognized as an expert in super-hero nursing, with important stories to tell. Oh, Phil. I’ll miss you, but, please try to see what this means to me! And to us!”Silence. Would Phil understand?Then, a sigh. “All right. If it means that much to you.”I shrieked with delight. Very unprofessional, I know. “Oh, thank you, Phil! Thank you! You won’t be sorry. You’ll see how my becoming an expert will help us. Maybe not in Alpha Flight, but in other cases. Maybe, I’ll get an occasional private duty case with a super-hero; or I’ll be asked to write a paper on super-hero nursing. You’ll see what a blessing this will turn out to be.”Phil laughed. “I feel better about it already. Love you.”“Love you, also. And when I get back, we’ll take a birdwalk in the woods. Just you, me, and Jay.” Phil laughed. “I feel better already.”“Well, that’s my job. To make people feel better.” We laughed and said goodbye. I hugged myself with glee.Then, I called my mother. She ws delighted for me. “Oh, Lee-Lee, what an honor! Of course, I’ll take care of little Jay for you for a few days. Go right ahead, honey.”Then, I called Michael Twoyoungmen back. “Michael, it’s Leta. I can make it! Phil and my mother will take care of Jay for me. Oh, I can hardly wait!”Michael laughed. “Splendid. I’ll fill you in the details. And I am indeed happy that you will be able to join us. You have much to give to this profession, even if you are not working fulltime.”We hung up. And I mused about what he had said. Much to give…. A month later, as I was waiting in the airport for my flight to New Orleans to be called, it suddenly came to me.I had achieved fame, after all.Maybe, I wasn’t an Academy-Award-winning actress or a famous writer. But I had achieved expertise in another field. I had become an expert in a special field of nursing; a part which was still under development. And I had some unique experiences to add to the field. Enough so that professionals such as Christine Palmer and Claire Temple had requested my presence on their panel at a symposium. And Michael Twoyoungmen, one of the greatest doctors on earth, had recommended me for this symposium.And I suddenly realized that fame can come in unexpected and satisfying ways. In that case, it was a particularly good one: helping powerful beings get well. Someday, when my children were older, I would return to the profession full-time. But the present was filled with wonderful moments, also. And I couldn’t wait to contribute my particular knowledge to this cause.They were calling my flight now. I got up from my seat, and hurried to board the plane. In a short time, I would be seeing Michael Twoyoungmen again, and would be catching up on all the details of my friends in Alpha Flight, as well as preparing to share my experiences as a special nurse. Shortly afterward, as we took off, I settled into my seat, thinking.Leta Maltby, BSN. Private nurse to super-heroes.I liked that.