Chapter 26
The next week went by in a blur with the Voyager theater busy performing and in their free time exploring Dublin. Kate gazed out of the window, taking in the hustle and bustle of Dublin, people walking by the pub she currently sat in along with her fellow theater mates.
The young woman snapped out of her thoughts upon hearing a distantly familiar voice calling out her name. “Kate! Over here!”
She turned away from the window in the direction the voice had been coming from, a wide grin forming on her face at the sight of Jenny sitting at another table along with a man from whom she only got to see the back of his head as he was facing away from her. The redhead excused herself from the Voyager family to greet her cousin.
Her eyes bulged once she finally saw the face of the man sitting at the table with Jenny. He was the spitting image of her father, there was no doubt about it. That man must be Richard Janeway, her father's twin brother.
Jenny and Kate exchanged a warm hug, the former afterward introducing the man who indeed was Jenny's father, Richard Janeway. Now Kate had no doubt regarding Jenny's claim that her father was Edward's twin brother.
'The question is, how come pa has never once mentioned his own twin? It doesn't make any sense.'
Richard's attire was a stark contrast to that of his brother and now that Kate took a more thorough look at him, he wore his hair very differently as well. While Edward Janeway preferred more casual, practical clothing, Richard was dressed in a quite fancy-looking outfit. The suit appeared rather expensive and his hair was combed very neatly as well whereas the hair of Edward Janeway typically looked rather unruly much as if he had just gotten up from bed. Where Edward wore a beard, his twin brother was cleanly shaven.
Kate blinked as the voice of her father save for a certain undertone she had never heard from Edward before asked her. “Jenny has told me you are going to get married soon, Kate?”
The redhead nodded, answering truthfully. “Yes, I am. Once we'll be back in Carbury, my fiancée and I are going to get married. Why are you asking, uncle Richard?”
The title felt strange as it rolled off her tongue, much like a foreign object that didn't belong there.
'Maybe because I've never had an uncle before. It might take some getting used to suddenly having one at the ripe age of 16.' Kate mused to herself.
The man who was almost a perfect copy of her father stated nonchalantly. “Oh, you know. I'm simply curious about my family. It's not all day my niece is getting married, after all. In fact, this is the first time this has ever happened to me since you are the only niece I am aware of having.”
Kate pondered for a moment whether she should tell the older man about Phoebe, but something held her back from doing so. It needn't concern what was practically a stranger, family or not that she had a little sister who was also currently in Dublin. Kate was glad Phoebe and Natascha had already retired for bed in their trailer and therefore were not around.
The redhead felt dreadful for reasons that eluded her, sitting at this table with Jenny and her father.
She had a hard time not breathing out an audible sigh of relief when a familiar stoic voice announced. “Kate, it is time for us to head back 'home' and retire to bed. We have a long, tiresome journey ahead of us.”
The couple made a hasty retreat, Kate bidding farewell to her family members, at last breathing out that sigh she'd been holding in while inside the pub once they were outside again.
Nastya cocked her left brow questioningly. “Kate, are you well?”
The petite girl admitted sincerely. “Now I am. You saved me in there, Nastya. Sitting with Jenny and Richard was beyond awkward, to be honest with you. There's just something about my father's twin brother that gives me the creeps, deeply unsettles me. I'm probably just too sensitive...”
Nastya shook her head, stating pensively. “You are not alone, Kate. I did not feel well in that man's presence either. Something seems 'off' about him and I do not wish for you to spend more time with him. He poses a potential risk...”
Kate frowned, asking incredulously. “You think Richard poses a potential risk to me?”
Nastya nodded firmly, stating matter-of-factly. “Indeed.”
Kate felt bewildered by her lover's statement but had to admit to herself that in a sense the older girl did have a point. Something was certainly fishy with Richard Janeway, that much was obvious. Despite Jenny having been nice enough during their first meeting, tonight the young woman had been awfully quiet and acting rather suspicious herself, leaving the talking to her father, almost as if she was afraid to say something wrong and get scolded by the older man.
Kate suddenly didn't feel so sure regarding her invitation to Nastya and her wedding she'd previously extended to Jenny anymore, the turn of events causing her to feel quite apprehensive.
Once they had arrived back at their trailer, the younger girl's mood changed 180 degrees, a wide grin gracing her elegant features.
Nastya asked curiously. “Kate? Would you care to share the reason for that beautiful smile you are wearing?”
The petite girl blushed softly, encircling her arms around her beloved's slender waist, looking up at her, cerulean meeting ice-blue eyes, both twinkling.
Kate breathed. “I just realized that our wedding's right around the corner and the thought made me quite giddy.”
Nastya's smile matched that of her lover at that remark, the thought of getting married to the epitome of perfection that was Kate Janeway setting her heart aflutter.
Their lips met in a searing kiss that made both their heads spin.
The smaller girl parted from the kiss first, albeit reluctantly, stating grudgingly. “We should try to get some rest now, my love. As much as I would love to do other things, we have a long journey ahead of us as you correctly stated yourself earlier.”
Nastya sighed softly and nodded. “You are correct, Kate. We must regenerate now to prepare for our journey.”
Kate nodded, about to lay down on the bed when a strong wave of nausea hit her, forcing her to stumble out of the trailer. She clutched her stomach, the vile contents of her stomach burning in her throat causing her eyes to water. Her face had turned ashen, little beads of sweat lacing her forehead from the exhaustion. She coughed, plopping down on the trailer's stairs, burying her head in her hands, sobs shaking her petite form.
Nastya's heart ached at the pathetic sight of her lover who looked smaller than ever, sitting bend forward on the stairs, her sobs only audible to her thanks to her possessing enhanced hearing. The blonde sat down next to her lover, carefully wrapping one arm around the shaken redhead, pulling her close to her.
Her voice was impossibly soft, effectively calming her lover. “Kate, you stated earlier that you are well. However, seeing as how you have just emptied the contents of your stomach and are currently sitting here, crying, I believe that statement was incorrect.
What is even more concerning is the fact that this is the third time within one week that you are experiencing what Dee would now refer to as a 'nervous breakdown'. I am deeply concerned for your state of health, your well-being, my love.
Is there any reason you can think of that could have triggered this? Was the food you ate earlier at the pub inedible?”
Kate swallowed against the rawness in her throat, muttering. “Water...”
Nastya dutifully thrust out a glass with water she had prepared in advance, knowing her lover might need it after what just transpired.
Kate greedily downed the water, almost coughing in the process, heaving a heavy sigh before speaking up. “The food definitely isn't to blame for this, Nastya. I'm afraid that whatever is going on has to do with me personally. Gods, I'm so afraid that I'm seriously sick...
I can't lose you, my love, not before we even got married.”
The atmosphere had turned gloomy, despite Nastya having tried to reassure the younger girl that she was most likely not severely sick and there must a logical explanation for her sudden changed state.
As they lay in bed, the older woman suddenly whispered. “Kate, are you still awake?”
The redhead replied softly. “I am. I can't seem to fall asleep.”
Kate blinked in confusion as her lover stated. “Would you be agreeable to pay Dee and your aunt a visit? I believe Dee might be able to help us out. She possesses great healing abilities.”
Kate frowned. “That might be so, but what if Dee and aunt Bev are already asleep? I don't wanna wake them up.”
The younger girl squealed as her lover carefully lifted her up, carrying her towards the door, stating. “There is only one way to find out about that. We should at least attempt to receive her help.”
Kate nodded slowly, agreeing eventually. “Alright. I guess you are right with that, Nastya.”
They had arrived at the trailer of the older women, Nastya knocked on the door two times. Both girls were waiting with bated breath for a reaction from inside. They were beyond relieved as footsteps could be heard from inside.
The door opened, a slightly disheveled-looking Dee greeting them. “Kate, Nastya. What may I do for you? No, wait. Let me guess? This is about you, Kate. Am I right?
My, you look absolutely dreadful. Please forgive my saying so. Come on in.”
The young couple walked in, Nastya still carrying her lover on her arms, brows furrowed in concern, ice-blue eyes had turned a pale gray, alerting her older friend who knew what that change meant. Dee instructed Nastya to lay the young girl on the bed so she could examine her.
Nastya complied, Kate croaked out alarmed. “Examine?”
Dee reassured her gently. “Don't worry, sweetie. This won't take long and it will by no means be painful.”
Kate bit her bottom lip, nodding slowly. “Alright. I trust you, Dee.”
The brunette smiled gently, sitting down on the bed next to the young girl, starting the examination. It soon became apparent that this examination was nothing like your average exam at a doctor's office.
Dee asked the redhead several questions regarding her symptoms, when they had first occurred, how often, in what kinds of intervals, and of what nature they were in general. She also inquired about Kate's overall state, her mood, appetite, whether she had trouble sleeping, or often felt fatigued, more exhausted and tired than usual, more emotional.
At last, she carefully examined Kate's stomach before sitting back, expression unreadable. Kate swallowed, the brunette's reaction heightening her concern.
Nastya seemed to feel similar, asking her older friend. “Dee, what is your expert opinion? Were you able to determine the cause for the change in Kate's state? Is she sick?”
The brunette bit her bottom lip, stating carefully. “I'm by no means an expert in terms of medical matters, Nastya. You're giving me a little too much credit there. I am first and foremost a counselor.
However, in my own personal opinion, there is no reason for concern. Kate appears to be overall healthy.”
Kate prodded, sensing there was more to it. “But...?”
Dee started to fiddle nervously with her fingers, a gesture so atypical to the usually calm and collected woman, it highly alarmed the already shaken young couple.
Her tone was hesitant, her voice barely audible, cheeks flushed. “I know this sounds absurd, but...
If I didn't know it any better I'd say that everything points towards Kate... expecting...”
Both Kate and Nastya blinked rapidly in confusion, unable to follow the older woman's train of thought.
Kate at last asked. “Expecting what, Dee? I don't think I understand.”
The brunette wanted to dig herself a hole and hide in it, feeling mortified having to explain that kind of thing to the still fairly innocent young girl.
She spoke up finally, eyes cast down, unable to look into that piercing steel-blue gaze of the young girl. “Pregnant, Kate. Your symptoms are those typical for a woman carrying a child. I know it is absurd, impossible with you and Nastya both being females.
Forget what I just said. This is ridiculous! You can't possibly be expecting. There must be another explanation for this, but at the moment I am unfortunately stumped.
If your symptoms will prevail, you should pay an actual doctor a visit, Kate. I know you are afraid of going to the doctor's, but sometimes doing so is the only way.”
The younger women's eyes had turned the size of dinner plates, mouths gaping open, exclaiming in unison. “Pregnant?”
Dee rubbed her face, muttering. “As I said just now, there's most likely another explanation for this. Unless Kate has slept with a man, there is no way she indeed is carrying a child, and knowing her that mere idea is absurd.
I know the two of you love each other dearly and would never cheat on each other, be with someone else. Also, you are both solely interested in females. Aren't you?”
They both nodded immediately agreeing to Dee's statements to which the brunette sighed. “Well... I guess you should try to sleep for now. If you want to I can give you something to help you sleep, knowing you have both been struggling with it lately.”
Kate and Nastya had agreed to Dee's suggestion, accepting the sleep potion gratefully, both in dire need of rest and a good night's sleep, not having been able to get any ever since that fateful day Kate's symptoms had started a week ago.
Once they lay back in their bed, Nastya muttered, cheeks pink. “I would not have minded having children with you, Kate. Unfortunately, that is not possible...”
The younger girl blinked rapidly, cheeks turning crimson. “N-Nastya... We had that discussion before and... It's sweet of you to say that, but I'm not pregnant. There's no way. Are you upset that we can't have children together? Does it mean so much to you?”
The blonde bit her lip, feeling guilty for upsetting her lover. “I apologize, Kate. I did not mean to upset you. I am aware that you are not pregnant and I am not upset. Us being together is everything that matters to me.
I do not require offspring with you to be content. We can not become parents, so such discussion is irrelevant anyway.”
Kate nodded slowly, still not fully convinced her lover wasn't upset, regretting that they couldn't have children together. The younger girl had never truly wanted to have children of her own and being rather inexperienced still merely added to that.
Despite that, she didn't want this matter standing in the way of their happiness and future together as lovers and something, call it gut feeling, told Kate that might turn out to be the case at some point during their marriage.
'Nastya is older than me. Maybe that's why she's more open to the idea of having children, being a parent than me. Just how old is she anyway?'
At that moment, Kate realized that she had no idea about her lover's age, a fact that felt like a slap. Nastya knew her exact day and year of birth. Kate, on the other hand, had no clue regarding Nastya's birthday and year, mildly unsettling the redhead.
'It's hard to guess just how old or young she is. The only thing I know for sure is that she is older than me, but how much older? She could be from 17 up for all I know and that's quite the age range. Just why has she never told me her birthday or age before anyway? What is she hiding from me?'
Nastya frowned, asking her lover who looked to be deep in thought. “Kate, is everything alright?”
The redhead blurted out. “How old are you actually, Nastya?”
The blonde's eyes widened, face turning white, alarming her lover even more.
'What are you hiding from me, Nastya? Gods, please don't let her be that old. Ma and pa will never allow me to get married to her, should she turn out to be this much older than me and it would surely turn things awkward if she was considerably older than me as well...'