A Baby Maybe Read online

Last night, he had been so dazed with exhaustion that he hadn't done much other than change into the new clothes provided to him and fall into bed.

  Now, he found himself in a hotel room that was so large it must have been some kind of suite. One side had the king size bed he was laying in, the other a couch and a fancy kitchenette. He wondered if the refrigerator was stocked with food.

  There was no vid-screen or even an old-style TV in his room. Did that mean he'd only receive news from the outside world filtered through authorized sources? That was a scary thought.

  Throwing the covers back, Wyatt went to the large sliding glass window which led to a balcony. The vista was somewhat as he'd always imagined a desert to look. No cactus in sight, but there were scrubby trees and orange and brown rocky hills in the distance. The sky was so blue and clear it nearly made his teeth ache. Very different from the almost permanent steel gray skies he'd left behind in Seattle.

  There was also an eight-foot high chain link fence a hundred yards out, topped with razor wire. Was that to keep people out? Or in?

  The bus driver who'd shuttled Wyatt and the other candidates here called this place "The Ranch". So had one of the suited officials on the plane. Perhaps that meant this had been a converted tourist resort. One of many abandoned after the population crashed.

  A chime sounded at his bedside. Oh right, the alarm. From the instructions given last night, Wyatt was supposed to dress and get ready for his preliminary medical exam.

  "One of many, I'm sure," Wyatt murmured to himself.

  His clothes from home had been taken away, replaced by soft gray pants and a shirt. This was the uniform he would wear as a candidate. The shirt was little big on him, hopefully giving him room to grow into with a pregnant belly.

  The attached bathroom was generous, with a soaking tub and a full-length mirror. Looking at a reflection of himself, a grin twisted his lips. Yes, this was a completely new situation, and scary in more ways than he wanted to think about, but he was really a candidate. And if all went well, he would be adding maternity clothes to this uniform.

  He couldn't wait.

  The alarm chimed again by his bedside. This time it was accompanied by a knock at the door.

  "Mr. Smith? Are you ready to go downstairs?"

  Wyatt opened the door to find a fresh-faced man in a counselor's uniform of a blue dress shirt and dark slacks. That's what they called the non-medical staff around here. Counselors.

  "Yes, I'm ready. And call me Wyatt," he said.

  The counselor smiled in greeting. He didn't look a day over eighteen-years-old, which put him as one of the youngest people left in the world. His name tag said: Thomas.

  "This way, please, Wyatt." Maybe it was his youth, but Thomas was a lot more chatty than the bland suited men yesterday. Or maybe it was the fact it wasn't the middle of the night. They'd barely made it to the elevator at the end of the hall before Thomas blurted, "Were you excited when you got the phone call? For the Secret Lottery, I mean."

  Was that what they were calling it? The Secret Lottery? "Mostly surprised... I think the excitement will come, once the shock wears off," Wyatt admitted.

  "You're so lucky." Thomas reached over and pressed the elevator button before Wyatt could ask which floor they were headed. Apparently, they got all the services here.

  "Did you enter the Lottery?"

  Thomas shook his head. "Can't. That's one of the stipulations for working here. Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of good benefits, and the pay is great, but we are barred from entry as a mother in the Lottery's first round. I have a twin brother, and we had both hoped... Well, he wasn't picked." He sighed. "There's always next time, though."

  Wyatt could hear the disappointment and sadness Thomas was trying to hide. He could empathize. He'd been telling himself the same thing yesterday. There's always next time. But what if there wasn't a 'next time'? That was one thing everyone learned the hard way after the XX Flu. Opportunity didn't always knock twice, and sometimes chances—and people—could slip away forever.

  "I'm sorry," Wyatt said. "If there's anything I can do..."

  "No, no." Thomas shook his head. "Listen to me, gushing all over you like this. It's inappropriate. Seriously, the only thing you can do for me is get pregnant. The more successes we have, the more chance we'll have another round of the Lottery. And next time, I can apply."

  Wyatt grinned. "Well, I'll definitely do my part."

  The elevators opened, and Thomas led him through a second hallway. There were windows on one side, and Wyatt glanced out to the desert vista beyond. He couldn't wait to get outside and feel the heat of the sun. By the position of the sun, it was mid-morning. If he were back home, he would be cleaning up from the morning rush—

  Wyatt stopped in place. "Oh my God," he said. "I am such an ass."

  "What?"

  "Clint!" But of course, Thomas wouldn't know who Clint was. "They—the person on the phone told me to leave and not to tell anyone what was going on. So I couldn't call into work. My coworker probably had to do the whole shift all by himself. He is absolutely going to kill me... Well." He glanced ruefully out to the desert, so different from his Pacific Northwest home. "If he can ever find me."

  Thomas put a hand on Wyatt's arm. "Don't worry, the rookie counselors like me spent all night calling friends and places of employment on behalf of all the candidates here. We had to make up alibis, of course. Nothing that would worry anyone like a serious illness. But, you know, sudden promotions and government mandated transfers to different city-states. I don't know if your coworker could get another person to cover your shift on the fly, but at least he was warned ahead of time."

  That made Wyatt feel slightly better. He glanced at Thomas with the side of his eye. "You guys are scary organized."

  Beaming, it was clear Thomas took that as a compliment. "We have to be. This project has been running in secret for a very long time. We are saving the world, after all."

  "Huh. I guess I haven't thought of it that way."

  Another candidate and his counselor escort had exited off the elevator and were walking towards him. Thomas cleared his throat and gestured that they should go on, again all business. "This way, please."

  The medical room was small, with a single exam table and a black stool sat next to it. Someone had tacked an old educational poster of the representation of a pregnant woman, the fetus inside curled as if giving itself a hug, the head facing down.

  Thomas gestured Wyatt in and told him to have a seat on the paper-lined table. The doctor would be in to see him momentarily.

  At least he didn't ask Wyatt to change into a medical gown.

  A minute or so later a knock came at the door, and the doctor entered. Wyatt caught his breath.

  It was Grayson from the coffee shop. He looked a little different under the unforgiving fluorescent lights, and a crisp lab coat. But his dark hair was messy in the most perfect way, and went well with the day-old stubble shadowing his chin.

  "Is this a coincidence?" Wyatt blurted.

  Grayson quickly shut the door behind him, keeping their conversation private. "Hello, Wyatt," he said. "I'm glad to see you're here."

  "Are you?" he snapped. "You never told me you worked for the re-population program."

  Grayson visibly hesitated. Then he set the clipboard he was carrying on a side table and clasped his hands behind his back. "No, I couldn't, for obvious reasons. But rest assured, there was no game or conspiracy. Your file was already in consideration."

  His words cut through Wyatt's shock. "It was?"

  "Yes. You have a beautiful genome." Grayson coughed into his hand, probably realizing how strange that sounded.

  "...Okay?" But that had given him a moment to think. Had Grayson put a bug in someone's ear to push him through? Why would he? Wyatt was just the guy who had served him coffee and tried to hit on him one time.

  He shot me down, he remembered.

  "Should I thank you?" he asked.

  "Ah, no,
you really don't have to—"

  Which confirmed that Grayson probably did have something to do with Wyatt being here. Well, it was a little bit of a letdown to know he hadn't gotten here totally on his own merits or luck, but in the grand scheme of things, did it matter? "Well, I will anyway. Thank you." He took Grayson's hand and looked up under his eyelashes at him. "Having this chance means a lot to me."

  That was definitely a blush darkening Grayson's cheeks. "Don't mention it. Seriously. I'd rather keep this hush-hush."

  "What? The fact that the Lottery wasn't as random as the government claimed? Anyone with a brain could figure that out." Why else bother with the background check and the cheek swab submitted with the application? He already knew they'd be running his DNA.

  Grayson looked briefly uncomfortable, which totally confirmed Wyatt's suspicions. "The men in charge want to keep this as smooth as possible, for the public." Again, Grayson hesitated. "I'd understand if you'd be more comfortable with another doctor."

  "No," Wyatt said quickly. He was still holding Grayson's hand—he hadn't let go and the doctor hadn't pulled away. "I'd like you."

  "Ah. Well, then." Grayson finally tugged his hand free, but only to grab the clipboard he'd set down. "We already have your files from your previous physician. Everything looks to be in order. I'll just be conducting a quick checkup today to establish a baseline. We'll also need blood and urine samples, but for now, go ahead and take off your shirt."

  Down to business, then. Wyatt had a talent for reading people. He was pretty sure the blush and the awkwardness meant Grayson was interested in him, too. He was using his professionalism like a shield. Wyatt knew if he wanted to break through, he'd have to push.

  He had no problem with that. But not right this second. This was his first step to become a mother, and that was more important.

  Grayson's examination was, as he promised, quick and standard. Wyatt only wished he could control his own body's reactions better. Goosebumps rose wherever Grayson touched him. He was hyper aware when Grayson bent close, and the spicy scent of his aftershave.

  "Your heart rate is a little elevated," Grayson commented.

  "Yeah, uh, well I usually get a little nervous during doctor's visits."

  Grayson flashed a sympathetic smile. He had white, even teeth. "You'll get used to them before long, I'm afraid. For now, I'd also like you to take this." He opened a drawer and pulled out a grayish pill, then filled a dixie cup of water and handed both over.

  "What is it?" Wyatt asked.

  "A specialized vitamin we've developed to help prepare your body for pregnancy. It contains extra nutrients and minerals. No hormones," he promised, probably guessing the reason for Wyatt's concern.

  He watched Wyatt swallow it, then nodded. "I know you have other questions about the process—I can see it on your face. Much will be explained during the welcome and orientation this afternoon."

  That was the second time he'd heard about the upcoming orientation. "This thing is starting to sound like a high school pep-rally," Wyatt commented.

  That got a bark of a laugh out of Grayson. "You have no idea, actually. You've just arrived on the Ranch. We medical staff and counselors have been here the better part of a year, already. Living with your coworkers turns everything into drama."

  Wyatt grinned and pulled his shirt back on. "I believe it."

  "If you have any other questions after the orientation, feel free to ask me later. These exams will be pretty routine."

  Good news. They'll be seeing a lot of each other. Sensing the dismissal, Wyatt stood. "See you around then, Doc." Then he paused. "I just realized, I don't know your last name."

  Another light blush. "You can call me Grayson. In fact, I'd like it if you did."

  "Grayson." He nodded and stepped out of the room, trying to school his face so the waiting Thomas didn't see his smile.

  This was probably not the time or the place to flirt, but hell, if he was going to get knocked up... Romance wasn't completely out of the question, right?

  Chapter Seven

  The orientation room was one of those dull, gray featureless spaces Wyatt could tell was originally made for company banquets, back when people had a reason to celebrate.

  Still buzzing from his encounter with Grayson, he stood at the entrance for a few moments, taking the room in without seeing.

  Finally, Tyler caught his eye from his seat in the middle of the half-full room. He waved Wyatt over.

  "Do you like your new digs?" Tyler asked as Wyatt sat.

  Yes, but I like my new doctor more, he thought. His cheeks still felt a little heated. He made himself nod. "I didn't know where I was at first when I woke up. I... can't believe this is really real."

  "You and me both." Tyler made a meaningful glance at the other candidates. "Looks like we got a good spread around here."

  Twisting in his seat, Wyatt glanced around. It took him a few moments to figure out what Tyler meant.

  Wyatt was about as white as they came: Scottish-Irish ancestors mixed in with other European immigrates stretching all the way back to the potato famine. But in what was left of Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, that wasn't uncommon. Here, the faces of the other candidates were a riot of skin tones.

  "I'm glad," Wyatt said frankly. "It's good to know they're taking rebuilding the population—the whole population—seriously."

  Tyler snorted softly. "Call me a cynic, but I won't relax until I see the babies." He elaborated when Wyatt shot him a look, "You know the Lottery winners weren't really pulled randomly, right?"

  Slowly, Wyatt nodded. He had been confronted head-on with that fact just a few minutes ago.

  Tyler continued, "But it's good to know the people in charge are at least trying for some genetic diversity."

  The room continued to fill as they spoke. The general vibe in the air was much different from the airplane. Where there was once stress and uncertainty, now the faces reflected pleasant excitement.

  Finally, the large double doors from the hallway closed. The crowd hushed as a man strode to the front podium. He was in his mid-fifties with silvery hair and a pudgy stomach of someone who hadn't missed meals, even during infrequent rations. Definitely a high ranking official.

  The man tapped the microphone at the podium before he spoke into it. "Hello all. My name is Theodore Mechums, but you can call me Teddy. I'm the administrator of this facility. Let me be the first to officially welcome you to the Ranch." He added slyly, "I know the late night call was a pleasant surprise."

  Soft laughter swept the crowd.

  "Quite a welcome surprise, I hope," Teddy smiled knowingly, as if he knew how much angst everyone had gone through. Then he raised his voice, all business again. "You young men are the first of what we hope will be many waves of volunteers. Make no mistake, we are here to save humanity as we know it. I know many of the methods may be a little unorthodox, but every procedure has been tested and retested in computer simulations and animal subjects."

  Wyatt winced. He'd expected no less, but that was an uncomfortable thought.

  Teddy continued, "Even then, we are traveling together into the unknown, and there will be risks. But our team of crack medical specialists will be with you every step of the way. Please let us know if you experience any discomfort—we do hope to keep that to a minimum, but even natural pregnancies had their moments." His smile was sad and a little wistful in the way the older generation had when remembering the women close to them. At that moment, Wyatt was certain Teddy had a wife at one time.

  "And at the end of this," Teddy said, his tone rising in enthusiasm, "we all hope to be rewarded with the first human beings born in over fifteen years."

  The crowd erupted in cheers and applause. Wyatt joined in.

  Teddy waited until the noise died down. "I'm sure you have many questions. Let me address the first: Yes, this facility was planned along with the public birthing station that has been covered so heavily by our media. And yes, we are not the only suc
h secret station. The exact number is classified by the president himself. This has been done for security reasons."

  He looked out among the assembled crowd, his expression now serious. "It is also because of your security that no communication can be allowed between you and your friends and family back home. I am truly sorry about that, and I hope it's a restriction that can be lifted eventually."

  "Now, here is what I'm sure you've all been waiting for." A blank screen behind Teddy suddenly lit, showing a representation of a human male body. "The first phase of the procedure will be to prepare you for pregnancy. Those of you who have seen your doctor have already received supplement tablets. You are to take these morning and night. These are harmless and contain extra iron and calcium as well as other minerals—things your body will need to nourish the growing baby. Starting next week, the real exciting stuff happens." He clicked a button on the podium and the image changed to show a graphic of a uterus over the cartoon belly.

  It seemed very... amateur, Wyatt thought with vague disappointment.

  "Each candidate will be implanted with specialized stem cells grown from the DNA sample you have given when you originally signed up for the Lottery. These cells have been individually programmed to grow and replicate a working uterus. Because these are your cells, and your genetic material, the risk of rejection is very low. You will not have to take immune suppressants—Yes?"

  He nodded to a young candidate in the second row who raised his hand. The man stood when he was recognized.

  "Will these cells also, ah, grow a birth canal?" he asked, sounding nervous.

  Wyatt crossed his legs. Beside him, Tyler shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

  "No," Teddy said with a slight smile. "Only the uterine tissue. The births will, of course, happen via cesarean section. Even if we could, the hips and pelvis bones of a male could not separate enough to allow a child to pass through. We can only mimic mother nature. We cannot replace her."

  Teddy rested his hands on either side of the podium. "Now, we estimate it may take a month to grow the functioning organ. This will depend on the individual, but once tests indicate you are ready, we will start implantation. Women of old were only fertile a few days out of the month. We... improved where we could. You will be ready immediately. And I can see the questions on your faces, now. Who's babies will these be? The answer is, for now, yours."