Makarovia! Yes, I Know Where That is! Sophomore Year - 90. Chapter 90 Morality

Morality

When dinner finally concluded we all pretty much parted for the evening. I felt bad that Olek and Helga weren’t on any honeymoon. Future Step-Aunt Marian shouldn’t mind if they took the Duchess, but it just returned from Peter’s and my honeymoon. There was also the island Mario owned just north of Sicily...and again, just used. When you think about it, Mario said being here with us was exciting. Being part of the Basso family sure wasn’t boring. In many ways, they were living a royal life. Responsibilities and restrictions were a part of their life. We were promised that everyone would listen to the evening broadcast that was happening in thirty-eight minutes. Dining with Henri I learned to be precise.

“What do you think about this Gottfried Keller?” Peter asked as we walked slowly through the palace toward our rooms. Our hands were lightly touching. The nearly constant contact wasn’t even done on a conscious level anymore. He smiled at some thought or thoughts and his face held compassion. “I know what you said about wanting to get away from death. You have had a lot of it in little more than twenty-five years...I support whatever you say. You seem to have a gift. You might be running away from a calling.”

I had to smile hearing that. “This isn’t Ninevah.”

He stopped and therefore we both stopped, “Where?”

I chuckled, “Ninevah. Jonah? Old Testament?” I shook my head and smiled at him as I narrowed an eye at him. “Are you sure you went to Sunday School?”

“Almost every Sunday!” Peter replied and his hand waved over his own face, “Until those things came.” He referred to the acne which he finally was cured of.

“Then the priest and I need to discuss some things,” I shook my head. “You’ve got some information missing.”

“Ninevah. Do you mean Jonah and the whale?” Peter asked with a grin.

“It could have been a huge goldfish. Jonah was called by God to go to Ninevah who was going to destroy the Assyrian Capitol but he ignored the calling and went in the opposite direction! There was a storm that was causing the ship to sink. Jonah was cast overboard and swallowed by the giant Guppy! The storm stopped. There’s a big difference between a fish and a whale. The Bible says a fish. It never said a whale.”

Peter was standing the gaping at me again. He caught himself and shook his head. “Where do you keep all this!?”

I shrugged, “I told you. I remember…”

Peter joined with me saying, “...because it’s interesting.” He nodded. “I got that, but you find a lot of different things interesting.”

“Sure,” I stated the obvious, “it is! When it comes to where we came from...and especially where we’re going in the future; that’s very interesting!! Why do you think people make such a big deal about psychics? We really want to know!”

“But, you said you didn’t believe the Bible!” Peter protested.

I shook my head, “No I don’t. At least not all of it, I don’t, BUT,” I raised the finger that I used to make points and watched him smile when I did, “much of it has been proven true! The history and facts have been proven in many cases.” I shrugged, “It’s even helped to solve mysteries of lost cities. The same with the Qur’an. Testimonies were written by people who were there or heard from someone that was a witness!” I shook him lightly. “People were telling me my eternity is based on what is written there...Hell, yeah, that’s extremely interesting to me!” I took his hand and we started walking again. “I appreciate how this family listens and respects what I say. I can’t give you anything about Dr. Keller if I can’t talk with him. There are many possibilities with the man.” I sighed. “I might if I see some of his writing and get a sense of how his mind works,” I shrugged again, “and even then I can’t be certain.” I stopped us again. “I didn’t run from the possible calling you mentioned. I still use it.” I pulled him into a kiss, “but be glad. If I had gone with medicine, we probably wouldn’t have met and I wouldn’t know what a wonderful Human Being you are or about this great country. I am exactly where I need to be.” I kissed him again gently, “with you.”

“This what I find the most interesting about you,” Peter said softly. “You can be the most annoying, wisecracking son-of-a-bitch with some outrageous comments and then you say the nicest, most loving things afterward.” His arms came around me tighter.

I tightened the embrace, “I love you, Peter.” Shaking my head, “I will never want to hurt you emotionally or physically.”

Peter’s chuckle this time was very quiet and light, “I know...all of what you said, I know.”

“Who wants to be predictable?” I asked, “Spontaneity keeps things exciting. Are you bored with me?” I wasn’t really worried about that, but everyone hopes things are good with that special person.

Peter’s smile was so bright and said with certainty. “Not even once.” His smile faded a little, “Are you ever bored with me?”

“Never!” I said instantly. “I hope I never go too far with my humor.”

Peter shook his head, “You don’t. I adore you.”

“I know,” I touched his face, my thumb under his left light gray-green eyes. “I can see it.” Reading body language was learned, and I understood his body language very well. However, his eyes said far more and spoke clearly to me. This was what I always wanted. Our marriage changed because we changed. There was this comfortable familiarity with each other. The open and free expression just made it better. We could be ourselves with each other.

Maybe we both understood each other so well, we could read each others’ minds.

The broadcast Peter recorded was sent over the connections right on time to all Makarovia. I hoped everyone received it well, but Peter and I were...indisposed. It was a good thing someone had opened a window or it would have gotten extremely hot in our rooms from the heat we made.

It was during the morning hours I felt the cool breeze travel across me. It was a good thing it did, not just because of last night. People normally move at night. They roll over or shift for a more comfortable position. The movements were sort of restricted the nights before because of Peter’s spooning of me. Normally. That morning I woke up, facing the other direction! Peter was on my right side, so I usually faced left. When I opened my eyes, I was facing right. Big deal, right? I wasn’t bothered, but I felt lighter. Nothing was holding me down. Then I heard the quiet...buzzing, sort of? Someone was sound asleep. As I’m the one saying this, you know this position wasn’t me. Peter or I had moved and he tried to get back in his usual position and we both missed doing that, but he was comfortable so I ignored it. I didn’t want to stir around much and wake other parts of me. A messy, mass of curly black hair was all I could see. The smile was just there on my face because I was happy. I could bore you if I expounded on the feelings I had for him, but you know about them. He was part of me.

I hadn’t moved! I swear, but the rhythm of his breathing changed and he stirred.

Is it important? Not really and this will be a little mushy, so if you’ve had enough then skip this. I understood how little hearts are shown to indicate love. This moment, I could see those little red-heart shaped bubbles flying all around us. My imagination is very, very good. A friend once told me about the over-usage of “goo-goo baby eyes” statements. My reply to that was, “I happen to like goo-goo baby eyes very much! I can’t get enough goo-goo baby eyes! Could it be you’re not getting enough goo-goo baby eyes?”

Being mushy isn’t a bad thing. To me, the lack of any mush is the “bad thing.” Consider this a warning; there will be a lot more goo-goo baby eyes coming.

Romance is nothing to be embarrassed about. It’s what Humans were made to do. I often compare us to the animal kingdom. Why? Because we are animals! Do the laws and rules of morality apply to them? I’ve given many examples showing you they don’t apply. It isn’t girly or masculine. There are animals that mate for life. Unfortunately, Humans aren’t always one of those animals. They can be, but half the time aren’t. Do animals love? I don’t know.

Okay, okay, you’ve seen this rabbit before so I’ll move on.

Everyone has a routine when waking up. Some are true of everyone, like the waking stretch and orienting yourself to where you are versus where you were when dreaming. I used to have pretty lucid dreams and my favorite was the flying dreams. No plane necessary. Almost everybody has them and as with people none are the same. I didn’t have the superman kind of dream. I could be standing in the backyard and simply float up in the air. I could see the top of trees, houses and...yes, this another rabbit. I really like this one. The last thing, they are a reflection of your life. I was happy most of the time and those lighter than air dreams were a reflection of that. There were some dreams where I couldn’t get more than a foot off the ground. Dreams are gages about a person. The flying dreams were a reflection of life and a sign I was having trouble. These days, I wake up and the dreams fade quickly.

Back to Peter’s waking routine. I saw and felt him do the stretching we all do. I hadn’t done mine yet. He knew something was different. I wasn’t exactly where I was supposed to be. While not on my back, I faced him. He looked at me and I saw his eyes adjust and focus. Seeing me now, he smiled, “Good morning.”

This is one of those moments. From now on, I’ll warn you of a goo-goo baby eyes moment. GBE? Running fingers in his sleep tossed hair, I smiled and said softly, “Good morning.”

Yes, the tone I used and expression on my face caused his head to back up an inch as he looked happy but curious. “What?”

I chuckled lightly, “What needs an explanation?”

He pointed at my face, “That look.” He scooted to get us more even. “I’ve seen and can recognize most of your expressions. This seems to be a combination of several.”

I shrugged, “I love you.” I stated simply. “Sometimes when I look at you I get the surge, like a big wave on the beach. This one just keeps coming.”

Peter shook his head, “There you go again with the nice things.” He marveled softly, “And this early in the morning.”

My sense of humor kept this GBE short. “How else could I explain all the little red hearts drifting around in the air?” I pointed up. “Can’t you see them?” I chuckled. “There dozens of them. Some pop, but are replaced by new ones.”

Peter chuckled, “I believe you.” Then he smiled bigger. “Some of those hearts are from me!” Then he looked a little irritated. “Damn it.” He gruffed out softly and threw the covers back. “I’ve got to go.”

I burst out laughing as I watched Peter’s lily-white ass rush to take care of his need, “And this time, it wasn’t my fault!” I would never get tired of seeing all of Peter. Was that objectifying? I don’t think so. Was I attracted to his body? Absolutely. His body’s attributes caught my attention and I got to know him and fell for him hard. That’s what species do. Find the best example of the other person and join our lives. That isn’t pornographic anymore than that bird that does the dance and shows his colored feathers to attract a female. If liking to look at Peter’s ass is porn, then next time you watch that bird flash his feathers, know you’re watching bird porn. Many men and women will pose for you to look at their bodies. I defend those that do even for money. They had bills to pay. If showing you their bodies helps them do that and they don’t mind, why not? Yes, there are many, many who are tricked and exploited. That’s a crime. Children are used and to me that’s just unfathomable to me. That’s a HUGE crime. My tastes about what I considered to be attractive aged as I did. No child, male or female attracted me. There are many psychological reasons for that including trauma. Others pose for free for the thrill! Showing bodies to induce emotions in others, such as desire! That is certainly like bird porn!

All things silly aside, I was concerned about Olek and Helga. The idea of being absolutely honest about what happened is a good one...to a point. As much as we, his friends and family, accepted the situation, it was known by all of us that many out there in the world will see Olek was correcting a mistake. Peter and I weren’t the only controversial couple. We knew we’d face a lot of disapproval. Olek and Helga knew why they were married was an admission of the wrongdoing. When Peter’s and my wedding was coming up all of Makarovia supported us. That Olek and Helga were married would also be accepted by Makarovia and the family. Helga even voiced her concern right when she found out she was pregnant. The fear that she would be seen as a money-grabbing whore she was well aware of that. It was such a concern that international press conference was going to happen. Olek had one before when he revealed Makarovia’s uranium. We had our friend Anderson Cooper do a live broadcast of the upcoming wedding. Denying a perception of error would not be realistic or possible. Neither Olek or Mom let anyone’s ignorant comments go with no reply; that including heads of state like the Vice-President of the United States.

The unique thing was the third soul that was growing in Helga that was innocent. A child we welcomed...not just to solve the succession problem, but as a member of the family was on the way. It was unique that we were not scurrying around trying to cover up anything. The controversy would follow the child and admitting it hopefully would minimize the controversy.

And all this would be moot if there were complications. (How often do you get to use the word: moot?) Helga needed to carry this child to term and deliver a healthy child. In the past being pregnant was a major health concern. I don’t want to scare anyone, but it still is. Having a child and raising it to adulthood was tricky a hundred years ago or so. Miscarriages happened often, stillbirths where the baby doesn’t survive the birth, there were many concerns. That’s why you don’t go, find out you’re pregnant and not come in for seven or eight months until it’s time to give birth. Medicine has greatly improved, but pregnancy is monitored frequently to assess the progression to be sure both infant and mother were doing well.

Just because you make it to the birth there are still so many things to worry about. Birth defects and disease are just some. If you’re alive to read this, congratulations! You made it!

The one big question; was it moral? I can’t answer that. Using any written guide, be it the Torah, Bible, the Quran (there are many spellings) or Vades for Hindus, Tripitaka for Buddhists...many guides are out there with one theme. Love. Love yourself and other people and don’t take what isn’t yours. Taking, as in taking someone’s health or life away. It’s not yours! Some say what we did was a sin and immoral. People would say what Olek and Helga did was a sin and immoral. When a woman was brought before Jesus, He was asked about His view of the sin she was caught doing. Adultery. As it was written: Let he without sin throw the first stone. I found it interesting that the sin was done by her alone. They only brought her. Where was the man she was having adultery with? Huh?

Was anyone harmed by Olek and Helga? She didn’t just get pregnant. They both did!

Yes, this rabbit needs to leave. I’ve chased him for decades!

We cleaned up, dressed, and went down to where Auggie had recorded the one Peter had done the night before. Auggie would be coming in before the international news broadcast at two in the afternoon. A young man was there at the moment. As with Mercea and Vesil, he looked young. Maybe Peter’s and my age? He had finished his schooling and mandatory service and now worked the department doing the radio and the Internet. The Information Technology department in Makarovia? Peter had told me there wasn’t any unemployment, but how many were employable? The IT Department required skills I wouldn’t have thought many here would have. I didn’t know what training was given, so what do I know? He was dark-headed like most in Makarovia. Alec, Vesil, and Mom were the blond-haired people. He was thin and had a nice face. He saw us and bowed instantly.

“Your Highness!” He blurted.

We did the same as we did with Auggie. When it’s just us, use our names.

“I’m Tomas,” he said taking our hands and shook them.

“Tomas is Romanian, isn’t it?” I asked.

He nodded, “My grandfather,” he explained with a smile, “My mother’s father. She is from Romania.”

“You spent many winter months with them,” I said. “You went to school there.”

Tomas looked surprised, “Yes, I did! How did you know?”

I shrugged, “A logical conclusion.”

Just like Rolph’s wife Andreea who was educated in Ukraine, he was educated in Romania. I didn’t doubt a child could get an education in Makarovia, but children who were educated elsewhere had access to things that children in Makarovia didn’t.

Now, I was helping with that, it would change here. Not because of any abilities I had, but with the improvements underground, new classrooms were opening down there. With the money now steadily coming in, we could become a nuevo riche country; newly rich and no real plan on how to use it. Mom was cutting back, but she was still controlling what we had done. What she did with a lot less was a miracle. The same with medicine.

Shoo rabbit!

At eight-thirty in the morning, I sat with Peter. He had a rough script we’d written out to cover the essentials of how, when, and what to do. The why would be addressed by Olek at two that afternoon?

“This will be a good thing,” I said. “Just keep that in mind as you speak.”

Peter scowled, “Do you want to do this?” He was holding the script toward me.

Neither offended or bothered in any way, I shook my head, “And take the spotlight from you? No way. You’re the star.” Then I got serious. “Keep in mind that there was no real wrongdoing in your head. It will be reflected in your tone.”

Peter nodded, “Got it.”