The Lotus Eaters

Hospital Ancon, Cerro Gorgia, Ciudad Balboa, Terra Nova

Lourdes awakened without her baby and almost immediately began to panic. Then her husband walked into the room, smiling while holding a tiny child cradled in his arms, with Hamilcar and her eldest girl, Julia, on either side.

"Ah, you're up," Carrera said. "Good, because this little darling is in need of lunch. Which, as it happens, you're extremely well equipped to provide."

"Not that well equipped," Lourdes said, looking down at her chest. "Well . . . maybe a little better equipped than I am normally."

"Well enough equipped for my complete satisfaction," Carrera replied. "Though my preferences have to take second place for now, since she's the baby and she wants to be fed."

He leaned down, kissed his wife atop her head, and passed to her her newborn. Lourdes took the baby and began to undo her top to present her breast. "What are we going to call her?"

Carrera rocked his head from side to side. "Even though I did all the really important work, I think you get to choose. Mother's privilege, let's say."

"Hmmm." Hamilcar's position is secure. Julia has her father more or less wrapped around her finger. This one will need a little something extra to compete, I think.

"Then we'll call her 'Linda,' " Lourdes said.

For just a moment before affixing herself to her mother, the baby made a gurgling, happy sound.

Carrera sighed. "Linda, it is then, by popular acclaim. I suppose—"

He never quite finished the thought, as the skyline outside Lourdes' hospital room was suddenly lit with fireworks.

"What the—?"

"Mac passed on that you had dropped another one," he said. "The troops are celebrating. Noisily."