Birth and Rebirth

Ghostbusters Headquarters – Late Afternoon

At 4:00 p.m., Eddie Spenser and Jake and Jessie Kong arrived at the remodeled old firehouse that served as the New York Ghostbusters’ headquarters. Ecto-1 was not in the garage, and Janine Melnitz was not at her desk.

“Looks deserted,” Eddie observed.

“It certainly does,” Jake affirmed.

“Egon said same time as yesterday,” Jessica replied. “I’m sure they’ll be back soon, and Janine may just be upstairs or something.”

“She is upstairs,” came a distinct Brooklyn accent from the second floor landing. “She was just feeding Slimer. Hello again.”

“Hi Janine. It’s nice to see you again. I’d like you to meet my husband Jake and his partner Eddie.”

“Nice to meet you,” Jake greeted with a smile. Eddie smiled broadly and waved in greeting.

“Likewise, I’m sure.” Janine had to admit Jake was a looker, and he and Jessica made a very handsome couple. ‘What is it about tall blond Ghostbusters that seems to attract fiery redheads?’ She smiled as she called to mind her own tall blond hero. “Please come upstairs. It should be more comfortable, Jessica.”

“Thanks Janine.” She looked at the stairs that loomed above her with trepidation. Jake and Eddie exchanged a knowing glance then made a ‘chair’ with their arms, lifting Jessica between them and carrying her carefully up the stairs. When they finally made it to the rec room, Jessica was grateful to be able to sink down into the sofa. Jake and Eddie sat on either side of her, like protective bookends. Janine brought over an ottoman for Jessica to put up her feet. “Oh Janine. How did you know?” she sighed in relief. She could almost feel the fluid draining from her swollen ankles.

“I have four sisters, and they each had at least two kids.”

“Oh. Well, I don’t plan to go through this again any time soon.”

“I’d have to agree.” Jake added. “I may not be in any physical discomfort, but I’ll admit that I’ve driven myself and everyone around me almost insane over every aspect of this pregnancy.”

“Almost?” Jessica laughed.

Jake smiled in chagrin. Jessica kissed him gently to reassure him that she was only kidding. He relaxed visibly. “Maybe one more in a few years, Babe?” he asked hesitantly.

“Sounds good in theory,” she laughed. “But we’ll see how I feel after I’ve pushed out these twins or they’re cut out of my body.” Jake winced at her colorful description of the possible C-section she might have to endure.

Suddenly, Slimer floated down through the ceiling above their heads. He’d just finished his afternoon snack on Peter’s bed, giving it a good, thick coating of ectoplasm. Always curious about newcomers, he immediately went to inspect the new arrivals. He took a definite interest in Jessica, gawking at her pregnant form as if she were an alien. Finally he turned to Janine with conviction. “Slimer wants food.”

“Go get it from the fridge, Slimer. I’m busy right now. Don’t you see we have guests?”

“No fridge! Slimer wants what she ate!” He pointed an accusing protoplasmic finger at Jessica. “You eats more than Slimer, so Slimer wants more food!”

“Slimer! She didn’t get that way because she ate too much! She’s pregnant!” She gave the Kongs polopologetic look. They both looked like they would crack up any second.

“It’s all right Janine, he just doesn’t understand. Slimer, my tummy is big because I’m going to have babies.”

He looked at her stomach with a lot of skepticism. “Tummy has baby in it?”

“Two bab”
”

He gasped. “You ate babies?” he asked in horror.

“No! It . . . it’s complicated. This is just where babies come from.” She turned to Janine. “Should I even bother?” she muttered.

“Probably not,” Janine responded in a whisper. “He doesn’t really understand sex. Listen, I’ll be right back. He’s gonna be a real pest if I don’t give him a lot to eat right now. He thinks I’ve been holding out on him.” She then announced loudly to the spud, “Come on, Slimer. Let’s go get you some more food, you floatin’ eating disorder.”

“Take your time,” Jessica replied. When Janine left Jessica turned to Jake and Eddie. “You ate babies?” she mocked. “Well, Jonathan Swift would be proud of him.” The three exchanged a hearty laugh.

At that moment, Ecto-1 could be heard pulling in downstairs. The sounds of the men’s voices carried up the stairs to them. After a few minutes, Janine and her four employers converged in the rec room where Eddie and the Kongs were waiting. Handshakes and introductions were exchanged all around.

“Whoa! Janine didn’t tell us you were expecting!” Ray exclaimed, while shaking Jessica’s hand. “No wonder you came along too!” he said to Jake and Eddie.

Jessica winced then glanced at her husband, who beamed back at her. That’s all he needed to hear. Now he wouldn’t just be unbearable, he’d be ‘justified’ in being unbearable. ‘Great. Just what I needed.’

“Shouldn’t you be on maternity leave right now?” Winston asked sensibly, to Jessica’s dismay.

“Yes, she should, but some people are hard-headed,” Jake interjecteJessJessica stuck her tongue out at him. He raised an eyebrow at her and gave her a look that said her cheekiness was not an insult, but an invitation. Janine glanced at Egon, who picked up on the turn of her thoughts. They exchanged a knowing smile. It was nice to see a couple as much in love with each other as they were.

“So, what kind of story are you trying to do?” Peter wasted no time getting to the point.

“A human interest piece mostly, but it would also serve the function of letting you set the record straight about what happened on New Year’s Eve. I must admit that I didn’t know that you were having so much trouble with the press until Janine mentioned it yesterday. I’d like to help.”

“Well, Dana and Oscar have been having their fair share of trouble, too.”

“Yes, Janine mentioned those names yesterday. Who are they?”

“Dana’s my fiancée, and Oscar’s her son.”

“Oh. I didn’t know you were engaged. Oh wait! Dana . . . Dana . . . Barrett?” Peter nodded. “Yes, I remember now. The cellist from the movie, right?”

“That’s right,” Peter red. d. He was grateful that she hadn’t asked him if Oscar was his son. Even if it weren’t massively complicated, it was a difficult topic for him, although he was dealing with it better and better as time went by.

Jessica looked puzzled for a moment. “I don’t understand. What do Dana and Oscar have to do with what happened?”

“Everything I’m afraid,” Egon explained. “Peter, perhaps we should just tell her what happened on an off-the-record basis so that she can comprehend the full gravity of what transpired. Would that be acceptable to you, Jessica?”

“Sure. There’s no camera here now anyway. My cameraman Tom won’t even come to New York unless you actually agree to do the interview.”

The hometown boys exchanged questioning looks. Finding approval in all his partners’ faces, Egon began to relay what had occurred.

“Alright then. It all started when Dana came to see me about a runaway baby carriage.”