Reconciliation

Chapter 15

Problems

As the weeks passed, Albedo’s stomach swelled quite a bit. Ben’s had also grown but was still smaller.

They had frequent visits from Max, Kevin, Gwen and Rook. Ben’s parents were also regular visitors.

These visits didn’t happen at the safe-house, but at a designated meeting site. It was to ensure that no uninvited guests could find their way to Ben and Albedo’s temporary home.

Azmuth also appeared from time to time; most likely to ensure that Albedo was ‘behaving’ himself.

The sensation of nausea had passed for the most part, but they each occasionally felt like throwing up, usually when one of the babies decided to practice an ‘acrobatic routine.’

Today they were headed for the secret plumber’s hospital for their routine checkups, they didn’t take Ben’s car though. It was increasingly uncomfortable for Ben and especially Albedo to sit in the tight confines of the small sports car.

Besides Max felt that for security’s sake, they should travel anonymously and sent an unmarked, windowless and armored van to pick them up at a hidden underground entrance to the safe-house.

When they were about halfway there Albedo suddenly doubled over in pain and looked up at Ben with an anguished expression.

His emerald eyes met Albedo’s ruby ones and Albedo could see the deep concern and empathy there.

“What’s wrong,” Ben asked, to which Albedo replied, “I do not know, I am feeling intense pain in my abdomen.” 

Ben asked their driver, “How far are we from the base?”

“It’ll be at least thirty to forty-five minutes in current traffic conditions.”

“I can get us there faster,” Ben said to the driver and Albedo.

“No, Ben,” Albedo winced, “Using the Omnitrix to transform now could be dangerous for you and the baby.”

“I would tend to agree, sir,” the driver said.

“Omnitrix, contact Rook Blonko,” Ben spoke into the watch.

“Com-link Established.”

“Yes Ben, what can I do to help,” asked his partner.

Albedo is ill and in a lot of pain, we’re en route to the Plumber’s hospital but stuck in traffic. I need you to lock on to my coordinates and pick us up. We’ll get there a lot faster if we can fly.”

“I am sorry Ben, but I am off-world on assignment at the moment, and will not be back on Earth for several days.”

“Can you not transform in a being with the power of flight, Ben; for instance, Big Chill?”

“The risk may be too high since I’m pregnant.”

Ben still couldn’t quite believe it, even as he said it.

“Ah yes of course, then there are two options have the plumbers send an aerial transport or have them teleport you and Albedo to the hospital.”

Good ideas Rook, thanks. I’ll see you when you get back to Earth.”

“Alright, Ben, good luck to you, and to Albedo.”

“Omnitrix establish a new com-link to Plumber’s HQ.”

“Link Established.”

Much to Ben’s dismay Bluckic and Driba were the ones to answer his signal.

“I need you to let me talk to my grandfather,” Ben told them without preamble.

“I am sorry Benjamin, but Magister Tennyson is in a meeting and doesn’t want any disturbances.”

“Then let me talk to Pateliday,” Ben said with an exasperated tone while rolling his eyes.

“Magister Pateliday is in the same meeting with Magister Tennyson.”

“Well I need immediate transport from my current coordinates to the Plumber’s hospital.”

“Only one the magisters can authorize a non-emergency transport on such short notice.”

“Look, you pint-sized peons this is an emergency, and I’m using my personal authority as the wearer of the Omnitrix, to okay it. So, make it happen, right now or you two are going to find yourselves out of a job by this time tomorrow!”

“Well if you’re going to get nasty about it, teleportation commencing.”

“Good luck, sirs,” said their driver as they vanished in a flash of shimmering light.

Plumber technicians met them in the control room as they arrived.

“Call the infirmary tell them we have an emergency patient incoming,” Ben ordered.

He wasn’t normally this assertive and the ‘take-charge’ type; he generally preferred to be a team player and play things by ear and improvise when he could.

But this was an exceptional and highly unusual situation.

The techs retrieved an anti-grav gurney and they helped Ben get Albedo onto it.

At this point he was in too much pain to walk any farther.

As the physicians at the Plumber’s base examined Albedo, Ben paced nervously. Grandpa Max, Gwen, Kevin and Rook waited with him.

The doctors conferred amongst themselves and then one of them went to the isolation door that separated the examination room from the rest of the facility.

I’m afraid the news isn’t good Ben, one of the doctors spoke into the intercom.

“What’s the problem?” Ben asked desperately.

“Albedo is dying, the changes in his body necessary to allow a pregnancy have interfered with his metabolism; he is in effect overheating.”

“Then what’s the solution?” Max asked, since his grandson couldn’t speak at the moment, Gwen put her arms around him as he silently wept.

“He must have the baby now.”

“But he’s not at full term yet, he’s supposed to have another two months,” Ben protested.

Albedo will die if doesn’t have his child now,” the doctor again stated.

“What are the baby’s chances,” Carl asked.

“Approximately 50/50, Human and extra-terrestrial hybrids are always uncertain. We will need to keep the child in isolation for several weeks after the procedure, at least.”

“Will the same thing happen to Ben?” Sandra demanded to know.

“It is very possible ma’am,” the Kinceleran doctor said.

“Omigod, Carl we could lose our boy!”

Ben spoke up, “Do it doctor, save my child and save Albedo, please.”

“We’ll do our best Ben.” The physician replied. Ben left Albedo’s room and asked Azmuth, “Tell my mom what she wants to know.”

“It is probable that the physician was correct Sandra Tennyson, however now that we know what to watch for, we may be able to take precautions in Ben Tennyson’s case that we could not for Albedo.”

Sandra nodded tearfully and Carl thanked Azmuth before going to be with their son.