SOL: Generation Two - Chapter Nine
Hey, look, a chapter!
Last time... Law visited the library for research and ended up defending the new guy from another boy, and then they chatted for a good long time. Turns out his name is Chase. Echo grew up shortly after and then Pandora dared her to go into a club and buy a drink. Afterwards Pandora revealed that a lot of girls had a crush on Law, so Echo decided to talk to her brother and see if he wanted her to hook him up with someone. Law finally admitted to her that he didn't want to see any girls, because they weren't his type. Then Law found out that Chase was like him too, and he ended up explaining why he wasn't comfortable with himself; Law badly wants a family of his own, not adopt or have a surrogate. If only there was another option...
Faye busied herself in the morning before work, as usual. The kids had already gone to school and she was left wondering what was going on with them lately. They didn't talk to her about much anymore.. Sure, they were teenagers and it was to be expected, but Faye still felt a little left out.
Her father in law could always lift her spirits and did so by playing an upbeat tune on the guitar while she cooked. She smiled over at Alex, but her heart was still heavy. Neither Alex or JJ were getting any younger, and the loss of her mother was still affecting her.
"Cheer up, Faye," Alex interuptted her thoughts. She looked at the bowl broodingly and mumbled something that might have been a reply.
Meanwhile, upstairs, Kane was still working on his sculptures and paintings. He'd improved hugely and was making a lot of money for his items now. JJ, too, often joined him and painted. They didn't always chat, but it was nice to have some company.
Echo and Pandora often went out after school, and today they just so happened to pass one of the dance clubs that was known to turn a blind eye to underage teenagers coming in.
Even though it was quiet and too early for most of the usual customers, Pandora and Echo still had a great time playing with the bubble machine and giggling away to each other, eyeing up any guy that came into the club.
Echo looked over her shoulder and squeaked. "Rhoan's here!" She was close to her cousins, but she suspected that Rhoan, seeing them here, would rat them out to someone.
"Yeah, I know. I invited him," Pandora answered, nonchalant as ever.
"Hey guys!" he exclaimed, already a little drunk. "Where's the party at?"
"Pandora invited you?" Echo blinked while Rhoan grinned and nodded. He leaned around Echo to wave at Panda and ended up stumbling sideways. Echo reached out to steady him.
"Hell yeah she did! I would've thought you would invite me and Reubs out so we could all party, but nooo -"
"Aren't you angry that we're sneaking in here...?"
"Naaah!" he slurred. "'Sides, better than I can keep an eye on you, right?"
"...Sure.."
Everybody ended up at least a little drunk, but they all had a blast. Echo couldn't wait to do something like this again. Living life to the full was a motto she liked to stick by.
Sunday evening Pandora came around. The adults of the house were out for a big get together with their family, and the teenagers were all left at home. Law had been planning for a quiet evening, but as soon as Pandora pulled a list out of her pocket entitled 'party check list' he knew that plan was going to pot.
"You're planning to have a party?" he frowned disapprovingly. Pandora just grinned.
"If we get in trouble for this, it's your fault. You got it? I'm taking no part in this." Law was grumpier than usual, Pandora noted.
Echo moved towards the table. "We got everything we need, Panda?"
Pandora looked up and nodded. "Uh-huh. Rhoan's bringing a big stereo, Reuben's bringing a fire pit and some fold out chairs. We just need to put out the snacks."
"If you're doing this without our parents permission, I assume you're at least going to tidy up afterwards right?"
"It's an outdoor party, Law! We've already thought this all through."
Law sighed, defeated, and wondered if he could get away with hiding around the back of the house practising martial arts.
Reuben was the first to turn up. "Law, cuz, how you been?"
Law rolled his eyes. "Jeez, Reubs, I can smell the alcohol from here." Instead of answering, he quickly left.
Rhoan had started up his big stereos, using several extension cables. It was a good thing that the house was at the end of the road because that thing was loud.
Pandora was having a blast. She'd always had a crush on Echo's cousins, and now she was dancing with Reuben! It was almost too good to be true.
Echo had started up the firepit early. Her daredevil side liked the idea of having a fire to mess about with. Besides, it was getting darker and a little colder, so the firepit would be a welcome thing.
"Hey, Conrad, isn't it?" she yelled over the music to some boy who grinned. "Wanna roast some marshmellows?"
"Sure, but I think there's a guy over there calling you. But if you don't come back soon there might be no marshmellows left for you," he teased.
Curiously Echo moved towards a guy she hadn't seen before. "Hey?"
"Hey! You must be Echo. I'm Chase. Law's friend. Although you probably haven't heard of me, because let's be honest, our Law is as quiet about his life as..." Chase narrowed his eyes and tried to think of a comparison. Eventually he waved the thought away. "Anyway, I heard there was a party here. Thought I'd drop in."
Echo laughed a little. "Well, nice to meet you Chase." She wondered if Chase had been drinking a lot before he came here, or was just a light weight. "Law's probably around the back of the house."
"Cool, thanks!"
Echo moved back to the firepit as others gathered around. Pandora was leaning forward and already telling some crazy stories, slurring her words slightly, while Conrad was grabbing some more marshmellows and chucking them over. Echo gave him a smile.
Law, meanwhile, was focusing on his martial arts. The music was loud even here, and it was beginning to annoy him.
"Law!" Chase cried jubilantly, stumbling over. Surprised, Law turned around to see his friend. His spirits instantly lifted... Until he realised Chase was drunk. He sighed.
"Why aren't you joining the party, Law? It'll be fun. Fun like pissing off a teacher or graffiti-ing a wall. You know. The rebelling kind of fun."
Law tried to keep a straight face as Chase rambled on. "That kind of fun doesn't really appeal to me."
"And I don't particularly want to go hang out with those at the party, either. I prefer quiet places, you know that."
Chase just shrugged. "But quiet places aren't as fun."
Law rolled his eyes. Trying to talk logically to a drunk person was impossible.
"You know, Law, you have a really nice face."
"What?"
"A nice face. You know, like pretty. Or handsome. That would be better. But I've thought that for a while. Pretty face. Pretty eyes."
Law blinked. He wasn't really sure how to respond to that. He suddenly felt very awkward.
"That's... nice, Chase," Law said patiently, "but you know how I feel about -"
"Me?" Chase butted in excitedly. Then he narrowed his eyes and leaned forward. "How do you feel about me?"
"Because I really like you, Law. Since when we first met." Chase stepped froward and smiled sweetly while Law panicked.
"We should go out sometime. I've been thinking about asking you for a while, but you kept being silly and serious about the future -"
Law stepped back. Chase immediately pouted. "Chase, thinking about the future isn't silly. Maybe you should think about yours, too."
He winced slightly. "You sound like my fricken father," he complained.
Law went very still. He'd never heard much about Chase's family, only that he lived with his grandma. The thought of finding out something more made him interested, but Chase was already onto another topic.
"But I don't care. If you don't want me, then fine."
"Chase!" Law called, startled when his friend turned and ran off. He really didn't understand drunk people.
Law realised he was blushing furiously, mainly because his immediate reaction to what Chase had said was 'but i do want you'
Law retreated to his bedroom and found himself just as confused as when he had come back from China.
This time, instead of moping around, Law decided to go online and check the university's website to see if his course page had updated. They often put up links to related websites for students to read through; it was good homework.
He skipped through most of the links, merely scanning them over. There was one that interested him, though.
Anne Arbour's local newspaper recently featured an article based on the genetic engineering and biological research happening at the hospital.
He clicked on it curiously.
Law paused as the name 'Doctor Lukas Smith' jumped out at him. Why did that sound familiar? Shaking his head he moved on.
Law was speechless as he read further. "A ... trial for creating a human child with two same sex parents." He gasped. Was this even possible?!
"In theory this is possible; if you take a sex cell from a man and swap his Y chromosome for an X you can still keep almost all his characteristics. The main problem is then putting the twenty three chromosomes into a donated egg stripped of its own chromosomes. I believe it can be done, it just needs a lot of work."
Law quickly opened another tab and searched the doctor's name. He was convinced that, as smart as he was, he would be able to help with the research. He would be able to control his future...
He'd be able to have the future he wanted. The thought made him so excited.
The next day, after his classes had finished, Law wandered into Lukas' office. Then he realised that this wasn't the doctor's office but some reception room.
Law walked up to the desk and waited patiently until she had finished typing something into her computer. He noted that there were several newspaper clippings framed. They all mentioned Lukas and his research. It must be the right place.
"How can I help you?" she chirped.
"I was wondering if Doctor Smith was in. I'm afraid I don't have an appointment, but I was just looking to talk to him for a few minutes.."
"What's your name?"
"Law Williams," he supplied.
"Okay, if you take a seat he should be free in a couple of minutes."
Law waited as patiently as he could, but he was partly nervous and partly excited. He was too restless to sit still.
"Okay, Lukas will see you now."
Law thought it was strange that she referred to him by his first name but shrugged it off.
"Law, nice to meet you. I'm doctor Lukas Smith, Head Researcher at the hospital. Please, just call me Lukas."
Law watched Lukas for a moment. A faint memory tugged at his mind but he couldn't recall it. There was something off about this man; he acted happy and friendly but Lukas was watching Law just as carefully as Law was watching him.
"Okay, Lukas. Have I seen you before?"
Lukas' smile became tighter. "Newspapers, probably. They like to report on any controversial project I start up. Which is all of them." He rolled his eyes, but Law wasn't convinced.
Lukas pointed forward. "Please, take a seat. What can I help you with, Law?" he asked, whilst wondering how the Williams family always found ways to make his cover stories difficult.
As soon as he took the chair Law started speaking. "I read online about some of your projects. One in particular interested me."
"The project about creating a child using two same sex parents. I realise it's just a theory, but I'd really like to help. I'm already in univeristy, and have almost finished my genetic engineering course -" Law paused, realising he was starting to talk too fast as his excitment got the better of him.
"Law, I know you've got great grades and have advanced well beyond everyone's expectations, but you're still in university. Projects like these are a full time occupation. I appreciate you coming to let me know you're interested, but you have to first finish the course and show me your grades then."
"If they're good enough I'd be happy to give you a trial at the labs and maybe a full time job later on."
"Really?" Law said eagerly.
"Definitely. We always need people like you, Law, and there will be a space for you after university, okay?"
"Yeah," Law beamed. Then he paused. "Do you really believe it's possible to create children from two same sex parents?"
"Law, there is a world of possibilities out there. People like you and I have the key to unlock a much larger range of possibilities than others. Yes, I do think we can do it." He grinned briefly. "There are many things out there that you wouldn't think are possible, but they are... Trust me."
It wasn't long until Law finished his course. Soon enough the trees were greener and leafier than ever and the temperatures rose. Anne Arbour was nestled in summer's embrace when Law received his results. A's. Of course.
Law strode back through that room, more confident than ever. The receptionist waved him through without even asking his name.
He took that same seat. "Lukas, I'm ready to help," he said.
"I've got A's in my course and I'm free from school. When can I start?"
Lukas laughed. "You're even more excited than when I first met you." He paused for a second, realising that he was lying, but carried on regardless. "Law, you can start next week. We'll get everything sorted before then and you can choose your project and help out."
"You have no idea how great that is, Lukas. I'll finish your same sex parents project. I'll make it possible."
He was in control of his future, and Law was determined to make this happen.
Later that evening, still on cloud nine, Law answered the door. "Chase," he said in surprise. He hadn't seen Chase since the party before summer. "I thought you were avoiding me."
"I was so sure you didn't want to talk to me, you see. Something about being drunk and saying what you think... it doesn't tend to go the way you wanted it to."
Law laughed, and Chase was surprised to see how much of a good mood he was in.
Chase took a deep breath. "Can I come in, or....?"
"Of course you can," Law opened the door for him.
"So, um... I guess I just want to apologise..." Chase paused and then rolled his eyes. "Hell, I'm bullshitting you. To tell the complete truth Law, I meant everything I said at the party." He frowned and corrected himself. "Or I mean everything I remember saying at the party."
"And I wanted to see if we could at least still hang out, even though I clearly have a crush on you the size of a mountain."
Law laughed again. He hadn't realised how much he had missed Chase's quirks. "Telling the truth didn't work before, why try it again?"
"I'm not one for false relationships," Chase shrugged. He smiled at Law. "You're not kicking me out of your house disgusted, though, so maybe the truth was the right choice, huh?"
"Yeah. I think it was, this time." Law stepped forward and took a deep breath. "In all honesty, Chase, I really like you too. I know you said before it wouldn't work because I didn't accept who I am, but I do now. I'm gay, I don't have any issues with that anymore. I'm not saying I can come out to my parents right this second, but I'm saying that I can in the near future."
Chase could hardly believe his luck. He took Law's hands hesitantly, as if afraid he would pull away - but true to his word, he didn't. "What changed?"
"There's a possibility that same sex parents can have a child together. It's a test tube baby, but it's properly theirs. I can make that happen. And that was what changed."
"Wait," Chase said suddenly. "You mean... Okay, I know nothing is serious between us yet, but say if we stayed together for a while and decided to, you know, live together... We could have a child?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying."
"Wow," Chase said quietly. "That's... Amazing. And if anyone can make it happen, you can.... Wow," he said again. He'd long ago accepted that adoption or having a surrogate would be the only options for him, and now there was this. He didn't really know how to describe what he felt, but it was mindblowing.
"It's still a theory, Chase," Law said softly. "But it's more than I had before."
"What I'm trying to say is... Now that there is this option, and now that I'm more comfortable with myself... Will you go out with me?"
Chase actually blushed. "I'd love to go out with you."
Chase leaned forward and finally kissed him.
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"Wow, Echo, you're getting really good!" Law grinned, applauding his sister's efforts at the guitar. She looked up and smiled back.
"Thanks. I better stop before your boss comes over, though."
Law snorted. "He'd die of embarrassment if he heard you call him boss. And he's cool with it, honestly."
Law had learnt that about Lukas pretty quickly. It had only been a month, and they were already pretty close. Law thought he had the best job in the world; even more so because they were already making progress on the project.
"So what do I call him? Doctor? Doc? Sir? Smithy?"
"Lu... Ryan, I mean." Why Lukas had asked him to refer to him as Ryan around his family Law didn't know. But he had promised to explain it later, and Law was expecting answers to all of Lukas' strange quirks.
"Hey, Law," Lukas interupted his thoughts.
"Ryan," Law greeted casually.
Echo almost squealed when Ryan looked over to her and nodded a greeting. He was so cute! Cuter than Conrad. She'd have to tell Pandora about this.
"Nice guitar playing," he told Echo, who blushed and grinned madly. Teenage girls, Lukas thought, clearly amused. Law beckoned him upstairs so that they could talk in private.
"Okay, Ryan/Lukas. What's this all about, anyway?"
With one look he could tell Lukas was being deadly serious, even with his ever present grin and friendly tones.
"Law, what I'm about to tell you.. It's dangerous, okay? You can't let anyone else know. Just telling you will get me into a whole load of crap." Lukas thought about that. "Scrap that. It'll get me into a whole load of more crap."
"No interuptions, either. Okay?" He waited for Law to nod cautiously. "Good. So before your family moved here, before you were born, you uncle Loxley got councilling. You know that, right? Okay. Well, his doctor was coincidently called Lukas. Turns out it's not a coincidence at all. Do you understand me? I was the one who councilled your uncle. I was the councillor who offered you and your sister help when your grandmother died. You thought you had seen me before, and now you know where."
"I know what you're thinking. 'He hasn't aged at all'. 'If he councilled my uncle, he should be in his late thirties at least'. But I'm not, am I? Clearly I'm twenty one years old, or thereabouts." Lukas sighed. "Law, I'm a vampire. I know, I know. It's silly. They are story book creatures. But c'mon, you're smart. Why do I have so few windows in my area of the hospital? Why do you never see me eat? Why do I always carry little packs of juice around? Why are my eyes so vivid, my skin so bright? Why do I get you to call me Ryan to your family? I'm giving you the answer. I'm a vampire."
"And I'm telling you this because I need a favour. I've seen how smart you are, and you're just the person I've been waiting for." He leaned forward. "I left without a goodbye to Loxley so many years ago and came to live here. I've had no contact with him since. No contact with much of your family, if I could help it." Although they liked to mess up that plan, Lukas thought dryly. "Law, I left so quickly because I was almost discovered by the vampire council. They're like the government for vamps. And I did something bad, way back when I was a researcher for them. I broke one of their laws and they've been after me for years because of it. Before I met Loxley, even."
"You broke a vampire law and now they want to, what, kill you for it?" Law couldn't really believe how calm he was speaking.
"Pretty much," he shrugged.
Then he grinned slyly. "But there's a loophole in their laws. If I become human again they can't put me on trial. I'll be free to live out my life, even if it will no longer be forever. That's what I want. And that's what you can help me with."
"I've been researching a cure for quite a few years now. That's why I became Head Researcher. Trouble is it's a tricky thing to do. Possible.. In theory. See where I'm coming from? You're smart enough to make theory reality. You can do it with our project, I know you can... And I think you can do it with this too."
"So you want me to help make a potion to turn you human... and help you escape the vampire council."
"That's exactly it!" Lukas enthused. Then his eyes went darker. "You don't believe me, do you?"
"You're telling me a fairytale." Law put on a chirpy voice. "Lukas the vampire sought out the brave Law's aid in his quest, with great hope and determination. If he could succeed, he could live happily ever after!"
Law ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "You know what, I'm a logical person. And what you said... It fits in. I hate to admit it, but it sounds right. The world is a weird place." There was a long, heavy pause. "Yes, I guess I do believe you. And yeah, I'll help you. You're helping me with a lot, so I should return the favour."
Lukas grinned. "It's nice when everything goes the way you want it to... But I'm serious when I say you can't tell anyone. Just you accepting this means you're in danger. Not of the vampire council and their laws, sure, but you know the vampire secret. If you let on that you know to anyone things could get tricky..." Then Law brightened up and clapped his hands together. "But I'm sure you have nothing to worry about."
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Yup, nothing to worry about. At all....
I'm so proud of this chapter....