#blueberry milk's hair so big cuz it holds secrets

[imaginariumwanderer]

Hol' up I'm cooking (I think)

[firekracker77]

A Match Made In Heaven (cont.)

Chapter 4

Sloane and I stare at Hayden in silence for a few moments, neither of us knowing what to say until..

"I know of a way you two could bear children that MAY work but it's risky and not 100% guaranteed to be successful," Sloane warned. "It's a new procesure EROS was working on...well, rather ROWAN was working on..."

"Sloane, please tell us," Hayden begged.

Sloane looks at both of us nervously, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her blouse.

"Well..when Khaan and I took over EROS, I found a secret file that shows Rowan wanted to develop robot/human hybrids. It consists of using genetic engineering to create the hybrid from skin cells. These cells can be manipulated to create a baby with human and robot DNA.."

She pauses at the sight of our shocked but hopeful faces.

Hayden urges her to continue. "We'd like to hear more about this."

Sloane sighs then continues, "Rowan developed a blueprint for a nanotechnology based chip that can inject genetic code into skin cells. This process was dubbed TNT or Tissue Nano Transfection. It allows the genetic code of a robot to be passed onto its offspring along with human genetic code."

I sit up straighter, curious. "So Sloane..you're saying Hayden and I could literally have a biological child that way?"

She nods her head, "Yep pretty much. The genetic code makes it possible for a human female to nurture and carry like a normal pregnancy. You and Hayden COULD become parents this way but ethically, I'm not comfortable with it."

Hayden looks at me with an expression of shock but also of hope.

"Riley, this is unbelievable! We could have a child of our own. I hate Rowan more than words can say but this could be our chance!"

I turn to Sloane. "This is alot to think about and I mean ALOT. I appreciate you telling us though. Hayden and I will have to seriously think about it."

Sloane stands up then says, "Remember it's a 50/50 chance, guys. And Riley.. the procedure could cause some serious, even life threatening effects for you. You both are my best friends and I'd never forgive myself if I helped cause harm to either of you. If I were you, I'd just push this out of your minds and just enjoy being together." She beams, "AND getting married soon!"

We talk for a few minutes longer then Sloane says good night and leaves.

"Hayden, how do you feel about all that? I feel that it's something you and I need to seriously ponder and discuss," I said.

Hayden runs his hands through his thick blonde hair then clasps them together behind his head, leaning back on the couch. "It's a huge thing to consider but I don't want to jeopardize your health or life. If I lost you or even the baby..."

I wrap my arms around him. "Let's get ready for bed. We can resume this another time."

Hand in hand, we retreat to the bedroom and lay down snuggled against one another.

"Hayden?"

"Yes my love?"

"I love you and I'm sorry I upset you earlier."

"I love you too and I'm the one who should apologize. I blew everything out of proportion."

Hayden pulls me to him in a good night kiss and we sleep peacefully through the night.

The next morning, I wake up to find Hayden has left the bed. I smell something mouthwatering wafting in from the kitchen. Just as I was about to get up, Hayden comes walking in with a smile and holding a tray of food.

"Nuh uh.. You get back in bed missy. I brought you some breakfast in bed, operative words- IN BED," he grins.

"Mmmm it smells amazing! What is it?"

"Scrambled eggs with cheese, bacon, and a homemade blueberry muffin," he grins. "I also brought you a cup of coffee. You do take 2 sugars and a splash of milk, right?"

"That I do future hubby," I grin.

Hayden hands me the tray. "Future hubby..that has a nice ring to it," he gushes.

He sits down beside me as I eat and then says, "Hey I was thinking you and I could set a wedding date. If you want to that is."

I wipe muffin crumbs from my lips with a napkin. "I thought about that after you proposed."

He raises one eyebrow, "Oh really?..well what date did you choose?"

"September 29th."

Surprised, he replies, "Riley that's my birthday! Well, the day I first came online that is." Hayden nudges me teasingly. "I could always wear my birthday suit," he waggles his eyebrows at me devilishly.

"No sir you won't. That's for my eyes only," I retort.

"Fine, fine. Have it your way." Hayden laughs.

After breakfast we meet up with our friends at Archer and Hopps, Damien's favorite bar. Nadia, Steve, Damien are there and even Alana, after a much needed break in between missions. I'm still dressed in yesterday's outfit so when Damien sees me, his jaw drops and his eyes go wide.

"Wow..um, hi Riley." he stutters. Alana glances at him then rolls her eyes.

"For God's sakes Nazario, pull your tongue back in your mouth."

Nadia embraces me in an excited hug as does Steve.

"Riley, you texted all of us about a special announcement you wanted to make?," Nadia urges with a smile.

I reply, "Let's sit down and get our drinks first."

After we all settle in at the bar with mojitos in our hands, I hold Hayden's hand and glance at him with a knowing look. He responds with a nod and a smile.

"Guys, Hayden proposed to me yesterday and I said yes!" I exclaim happily. Then I show them the ring.

Alana's eyes got huge. "Damn Riley..better not go swimming with that. You'll go straight to the bottom," she teases.

Everyone gives their congratulations except Damien, who just simply stares at me then realizes he ought to do the same.

"Uh, congrats Hayden and Riley. This is really...a big decision for you both."

I look at Damien's dejected expression.

"Damien, can I speak to you privately?"

"Yeah sure." He points to a table in the far corner. "I'll be over there."

"Okay I'll be right there," I sadly reply.

I lean in to whisper in Hayden's ear, "I'll be back in a few..I have to break things off with Damien."

He looks at me surprised, "Riley I've already told you I'm fine with you being with him too."

"No Hayden. I'm going to be your wife soon. You are my soulmate and you're soon to be my husband. I refuse to keep having a side piece."

He looks at me with adoration and care. "Hopefully he won't hold a grudge or end up hating me."

"We'll talk in a bit," I reply.

I walk over to where Damien is sitting and I notice he's already knocked back 2 shots of rum. I sit down across from him and hold his hand but he snatches it away.

"Hey you," I smile weakly.

"Hey Riley," he frowns.

"Damien we need to talk.."

"I'd say we do. Didn't know you were so anxious to get hitched."

I pull his apartment key out of my purse and gently place it in his hand, closing his fingers over it.

He looks at they key then glances back up at me, the hurt raging in his eyes.

I take a deep breath then reply, "I feel that it's best to give the key back. You will always be my best friend and a huge part of my life bu--," I stop when Damien throws a hand up stopping my speech in its tracks.

"Save it Riley. The short version is you're breaking up with me because of marrying Hayden, I get it." He growls. He sighs then, "Look I'm sorry I snapped at you. I'm not going to lie..Riley it's gonna take me a long time to get over you."

I nod. "You don't hate me or Hayden do you?"

"Of course not. Hayden's a great guy but he's also now the luckiest guy in the world."

His eyes linger on my face a few seconds longer, that stare making me struggle inside, wanting to just make love to him with my whole body and soul. But I know I can't, not anymore.

He resumes, "If you both want me there, I'd love to attend your wedding."

"You know we do! I thought that was a given," I say.

Damien squeezes my hand. "We better get back to our friends. But yes Riley we are still friends. Hayden too."

I give him a hug, Damien holding onto me like he doesn't want to let me go.

We rejoin our friends at the bar and Nadia begs me to participate in a game of 'Truth or Drink'.

"Sure why not," I shrug.

Okay cuz..here's one for you. What's one thing about Hayden that you dislike?"

"Nadia! I love everything about Hayden!"

"Aw c'mon Riley, no one's perfect."

"Okay, okay. Um..he kicks me in his sleep."

Hayden whips his head around to look at me surprised. "I do?"

"Yeah I don't know if you have restless legs or you're kickboxing in your dreams but that's how I got that bruise on my foot last week. "But all is forgiven," I smile at him.

Hayden smooches my cheek.

Nadia looks at Hayden, "Okay Hayden, if there's one thing you could change about yourself, what would it be?"

"Easy. I'd be a real human," he simply states.

I look at him concerned. "I love you just the way you are, Hayden Young. And I always will."