1.4 The Broken Promise

Sydney sat down in the nearby over stuffed chair as she listened to the triplets chattering happily to each other as they played nearby. She could hardly believe how time had flown. It had already been a year and half since the triplets were born. She closed her eyes as she thought back to when she brought them home and had been greeted by her mother-in-law. She had appreciated the thought that had motivated her to fly half way around the world to come and help but she was less excited when she found Tain’s mother expected to stay indefinitely.

It’s not that she disliked her mother-in-law because that couldn’t be further from the truth. In a lot of ways they were remarkably similar and under other circumstances Sydney could imagine herself being the overbearing, helpful mother taking control of things in her children’s lives. Understanding what motivated her mother-in-law didn’t stop contentions from arising. She was adamantly opposed to Sydney giving art lessons. As the memory of that conversation came unbidden to her mind a soft chuckle escaped from her as she lounged in the chair.

“Art lessons?” she asked looking around the newly remodeled room “whatever for?”

“I volunteered to help under privileged kids learn the joy of painting ….”

Waving a dismissive hand “they can learn that in school. They don’t need to come here.”

Shaking her head Sydney sighed “schools are cutting their art classes from the curriculum because of budget cuts. I want to share something I love with someone….”

“That’s a worthy cause but you need to focus on your health …”

She took in a short intake of breath as she eyed the older woman. She tried to curb her natural instinct to lash out and give the her a piece of her mind. She tried to tell herself that Tain’s mom meant well but what came out was “my health is none of your concern.”

Eyes narrowed to slits as the older woman digested her words “my son’s happiness is though. The health of his children are my concern. Who knows what germs those poor kids will bring with them?”

Sydney opened her mouth to respond when Tain’s voice said from the doorway “mother we appreciate your concern but this is our decision. I fully support my wife in this enterprise. I would appreciate you not forcing your opinion on her.” He walked over to Sydney putting an arm around her squeezing her tight.

“She’ll wear herself out” his mother said unwilling to let the matter drop. “I’m only thinking of what’s best for her.”

“I know mother. You have to trust that we know what we’re doing. We’ve been in contact with the doctors in Sunset Valley and with Doctor Chu. They’re all in agreement that it’s important that Sydney live as normal of a life as possible. It will in the long run improve the quality of life she’ll have.”

Crossing her arms over her chest a stern look of disapproval upon her face she stared back at them. Nodding once she turned and walked away.

Giggling despite the glare Tain gave her Sydney reached up and kissed his cheek “thank you.”

“For what?” he asked peering into her eyes.

“For standing up for me. I know you don’t like this anymore than she does…”

“It’s not that I don’t like it,” he pulled her tight against his chest “I want you all to myself for whatever time we have left together.”

Lifting an eyebrow in surprise she let him pick her up and carry her to the nearby couch. As he laid her on the couch he leaned down to caress her soft skin. She playfully nipped at his fingers as he traced her lips. “That’s why I agreed to limit the time to only two hours a week.”

“Ouch” he said as she snagged his finger in her teeth “you little cannibal.” He pulled his finger loose before pressing his lips to hers.

***

Sydney opened her eyes to find Tain smiling down at her. “How was your day?” she asked reaching for his hand.

Lifting her easily he took her place in the chair as she moved to sit in his lap. “The usual” he laughed at the look of consternation she gave him “would it be better if I said some old geezer threw his bed ban at me?”

“Yes” she sulked leaning into his shoulder “at least that explains the change of clothes.” Sniffing she added and the faint aroma of ammonia.”

“I don’t stink I took a shower before I came home” sighing “I can’t wait to start my residency.”

“Will that mean you won’t have bed pans thrown at you anymore?” she asked looking up at him. She liked to hear him talk about his work. The passion he had for helping people, saving their lives.

“Afraid not” he kissed her lightly on the forehead “patients tend to do that when you tell them something they don’t want to hear.”

Sitting up she looked at him confused “you aren’t planning on doing your residency in the geriatrics ward are you?”

“Well no…” his voice drifted off. This was the last thing he wanted to discuss with her. He wasn’t ready to tell her he wanted to change to research. He was afraid it would be to upsetting for her to handle. He was concerned that one or even all three of the triplets might share her genetic flaw. Blinking he found her staring at him with an expectant expression. “I was thinking of emergency medicine.” He told her hoping she wouldn’t be able to tell he was lying.

Frowning she looked into his eyes wondering why she had the feeling he wasn’t telling her everything. She was sure he was covering up something he knew she wouldn’t like. Before she could pursue that line of thought Stephanie came bouncing into the room with a screaming toddler.

Jumping to her feet Sydney swayed as the abrupt move left her light headed. “Is she hurt?” she asked reaching for Kayla.

Shaking her head Stephanie laughed as she explained “she got her fingers caught in J…”

Kayla held up two reddened fingers for Sydney to kiss “hurt mama hurts.”

Kissing the little fingers Sydney soothed the little girl “what happened?” she asked again looking to Stephanie for answers.

“Jackson bit her,” Stephanie told her “he bit down and wouldn’t let go.”

Sydney scowled at the loud guffaw that issued from Tain as he came up beside her “I know who he got that from ….”

Sydney fixed him with a glare that he ignored “he’s a little cannibal like his mama.”

She opened her mouth to object when the little culprit came into the room announcing “I sorry. I sorry.”

Giving Kayla to Tain Sydney knelt down in front of him “it’s not nice to bite.”

He looked around at all the adults in the room. “I sorry,” he repeated. He looked down as giant tears rolled down his chubby little cheeks.

Sydney drew the little boy closer to her “Jackson why did you bite your sister?” She tilted his quivering chin up as he tried to look away.

Shrugging he whispered “don’t know.”

“Yes you do,” she said “tell me.”

He looked up eyes darting around the room “they were there” he mumbled.

She looked up at Tain who asked Kayla “did you put your fingers where Jackson could bite them?”

Nodding she buried her face in his shoulder “yes.”

“Playin house,” Jackson told them.

Snorting Tain tried to keep the laughter he felt from bursting out as it dawned on him that they were acting out what they had seen their parents do every day. “What I don’t understand” he said “is why Jackson isn’t the one with the bit fingers.”

“He was the mommy,” Kayla told them sitting up “mommy always bites daddy.”

Jackson added “I bit to hard.”

“Yeah too hard” his sister nodded “down daddy,” she said trying squirm from his arms.

***

Later that night cuddling together in bed Tain began to laugh. “What’s so funny?”

“The kids pretending to be us,” he kissed her forehead squeezing her tight “you have to admit that was pretty funny.”

“Not really” her voice sound sulky.

“What’s the matter?” he asked “don’t you like them pretending to be you?”

“It’s not that” she bit her lip then immediately thought better of it “I don’t like them biting and they got it from me.” She fell silent pouting.

“Aw honey who knew they were watching us that closely?” he nuzzled her neck.

“Kids are always watching” she laughed as he hit a spot that was exceptionally sensitive. Her one ticklish spot “stop that.”

“What makes me even more curious than the biting is the fact our son was playing the mommy.”

“What’s so strange about that?” she asked sitting up to look at him better.

“It’s not strange but shouldn’t he be the daddy when they play house?” Tain said knowing by the deepening furrow between her brows that he said something she didn’t like.

“It’s not any more strange than Kayla being the daddy. So what they switched the normal gender roles. Eyes growing large and round “this doesn’t have anything to do with my brother Bryan does it?”

“No of course not,” he sat up running his hands through his hair “it has nothing to do with him being gay. I just think it might be confusing to the kids….” He winced at the silent reproachful look she was giving him.

“I’m sorry that didn’t come out right. I’m looking forward to Bryan and Scott’s visit. When are they coming?” he asked in the hopes of redirecting the conversation to something a little less charged.

She glared at him a moment unwilling to let the subject go. “Next week” she grudgingly supplied “they have something to tell us. I think I know what it is.”

Tain watched the anger wash away as her eyes twinkled with delight. His curiosity roused he asked “what is it?”

“I think they’re pregnant,” she told him leaning into him.

“They went to Dragon Valley for the procedure?” Tain stated more than asked “aren’t they concerned with side effects or or ….” he groped for the right words. Sometimes he wondered if science was going to far.

“They’re aware of the risks but they want a baby of their own.” Sydney shrugged “I guess the risk was worth it to them. I’m not sure if I would do it but I hope it works for them.”

Tain absently nodded his head in agreement. He had a million questions he wanted to ask them. He smiled as he felt Sydney’s had travel down his, chest, to his stomach until he reached her ultimate destination. “I see someone’s ready for a change of of subject.” He grinned as he rolled her over kissing her passionately.

***

While Sydney was showing Scott her newest paintings Tain asked Bryan to accompany him to the outside pool. “This is nice,” Bryan said looking around “don’t you worry about the kids getting out here unattended?”

“Not yet. They’re still too little to figure out the locks. When they get older we’ll have to figure something else out though.” Sitting in one of the chairs Tain motioned for Bryan to join him.

Following his brother-in-law Bryan sat opposite him “is there something on your mind?” he asked.

“That obvious huh?” Tain laughed a little self-consciously “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to. I’m curious though how you can trust the scientist’s in Dragon Valley?”

Rubbing his chin “I can see why you might be concerned. I know the scientist that are working on the project. My sister Evelyn worked on it with Henry Van Winkle the scientist who started the project. Then later handed his research to his son Peter.  Who is one of dad’s trusted and valued friends. My sister Beverly is married to Peter’s son. Since Evelyn moved to Dragon Valley she’s been working on the project again alongside Peter’s wife Jean. So you can see why I trust them, they’re family. If they weren’t sure of the process they wouldn’t have let us go through with it.”

“Would you consider working with them if they were connected with anyone on the resurrection project?”

“Hell no” came Bryan’s immediate response “those people can’t be trusted.” He gave Tain an appraising look “you’re not thinking of working with them, are you?”

“No no of course not,” he assured him quickly. All the while knowing at some point his research residency would lead him into close contact with them. In fact he would be working with them at the hospital since most of the hospitals research grants came from the science facility.

Bryan gave him a skeptical look “you don’t have to worry about me and Scott. We’ve done our research. The procedure is largely based upon the alien technology they based it from. The same technology that allowed my dad to have me. It may even become hereditary, part of our genetic code so we can pass it on to our children. The future is full of possibilities as long as greedy people don’t louse it up. It could really be a good thing.”

Nodding Tain looked relieved “thanks for talking to me about it. I was concerned. I don’t think the family could handle anymore experiments gone wrong.”

“No we certainly can’t,” Bryan agreed although he still felt the conversation had some hidden meaning that he was missing. Glancing at his watch he said “we should really be going. We have a long drive ahead of us before we get home.”

“It was good to see you,” Tain said slapping him on the back.

“I’m going up to say goodbye to Syd,” Bryan said going into the house leaving Tain staring into the pool.

***

“Hey babe we should be going,” Bryan said coming up behind Scott.

“It seems like we just got here,” Scott protested “Syd thanks for having us and showing me your work. You really should consider doing a show. Some of these pieces are fantastic.”

“I’ll think about it,” she hugged him “thanks for coming and don’t forget to name your first born after me.”

“Boy or girl their name will be Sidney. I promise,” Scott said laughing as he backed from the room. “I’ll go and say my goodbyes to Tain.”

Before he left Bryan squeezed his hand in silent thanks. After giving his sister a hug Bryan asked “is everything alright between you and Tain?”

“Of course,” she smiled up at him”why do you ask?”

Shrugging “I don’t know it’s just that I got the feeling that he’s hiding something.” Shaking his head “must be my imagination. He’s not the first one to question our decision to have this procedure done…it’s just the questions he asked made me think he was working with the scientists who brought you back to us.”

“He wouldn’t do that,” she protested forcing the smile to stay fixed on her face “he promised.”

“People promise a lot of things Syd,” he brushed hair from her troubled eyes “sometimes they think they’re doing the right thing when they break their promise.” Kissing her cheek “you and the kids mean everything to him. He may not be able to keep that promise he made. Not if he thinks he can save you or them.”

She wanted to tell him he was wrong but she knew he was right. She knew when she asked Tain that it may be impossible for him to keep but she had hoped… Blinking back tears she nodded “I know” was all she managed to say past the lump in her throat.

“I’m sorry Syd,” he hugged her one more time before turning to leave. He went downstairs where Tain and Scott were waiting for him. “Syd’s upset” he told Tain before they left.

***

Taking the stairs two at a time Tain found Syd crumpled up on the floor crying. Gathering her in his arms he asked “what’s wrong baby?”

“Are you working with the scientists on the Resurrection Project?” she sniffed looking up at him with reddened eyes. He looked everywhere before answering. A long enough hesitation to prompt her to add “please don’t lie to me. Anything is better than that.”

Hanging his head he nodded “my residency isn’t in emergency medicine but in research.” He reached out and grabbed her hands as she pulled away from him “please ” just listen to me. I’m not working with them at least not at the moment. It might become necessary down the line.”

Wiping at her eyes she managed to gain some control “alright I can handle that. Just tell me is your interest in research because of me and my genetic flaw?”

“Yes,” he snarled “I can’t just sit back and do nothing. What if they find the solution to their mistake?”

“Tain please you promised” her breaths came out in deep agonizing hiccups.

“I won’t do anything without your consent. Please let me do this. If not for you then for the kids,” he begged her.

“Has something happened? Have the doctors detected the genetic flaw in the triplets?” she stood up desperate to get to them.

“No no nothing like that but what if it comes down to that later?” Tain put his hands on her shoulders “what if my research can prevent them from having a shortened life span? They could live long and productive lives.”

“What if the scientists experiment on them like they did me? What if because you gave them access they develop the flaw, that they might not otherwise have done until the Scientists started to manipulate their DNA?” She stopped seeing the stubborn set of his jaw line. She jerked from from his grasp “do your damn research if it means more to you than me.”