I've tried? Thousands of years. The Almighty only knows how many partners. I have never used birth control. And in all those years I have never missed my period by even one day.”

“But you do ovulate? Don't you?"

“For all the good it does me," she said disgustedly.

“Well, Althea, as your physician, perhaps I should share something with you."

Althea's head snapped up. Yasna's tone was...teasing? Mischievous? It was as if she knew a wonderful secret she couldn't wait to spill.

“When you were in that coma, I ran tests on you." She smiled, slow and deep. "Of course, it might have been just an excuse to touch you. Some of those tests," she continued, “were on your...your reproductive organs."

She rested a hand on Althea's stomach. Despite her whipsawing emotions,

Althea felt herself heat under her touch, her nether lips growing slick. She closed her eyes, forcing herself to listen through the pounding of her heart.

“From what I can tell, your nectar, as you call it, is an amazingly effective natural spermicide. It's mo wonder you've never become pregnant. Any sperm that enters your vaginal canal would die almost instantly. It would never have a chance to fertilize your egg."

This was hope. This trampled, wilted weed, that turned itself towards the sun and put forth a single, glorious blossom. Althea's breath caught in her throat, her eyes brimming with tears of joy.

“That means..." she gasped.

"Yes, my love." Yasna's eyes shone. Her arms tightened around her, hugging her close.

“All we have to do is an in vitro fertilization.

Harvest a few of your eggs, have one fertilized, and then implant it in your uterus. Nine months later, you'll have a baby."

“But the Messenger of God said-"

“Fuck what the Messenger of God said," Yasna whispered fiercely. Her eyes blazed.

“You told me yourself that God is only a servant of the

Almighty. Maybe he was wrong. Maybe he overstepped his authority, and

She is using us to correct an injustice.

“You can bear a child if you want. Josh's. Or Alex's. Or Jeremy's. Or by a sperm donor."

"Screw that. I'm not having some anonymous man's kid."

Yasna nodded, then blushed, dropping her eyes to her Lap.

“Or, if you want..." She raised her eyes bravely.

“I know a woman. She is a damn genius when it comes to genetics. Her name is Jane Richardson. I think she could give you a child that had eight parents. ALL of us.

“Or...just mine. Our child. Our baby.”