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. Three months ago we fought at
Thermopylae to make sure the Greeks won this time and our reserve colonel led us
because our regular colonel was about to hatch one. That's the way we old pros
do things-no itch. We have our own creche on Barrelhouse, Richard, and we take
care of our own; truly we do."
Hazel said stiffly, "Gretchen, my great great great granddaughter will not
be raised in a creche. Damn it, daughter, I was raised in a creche; I won't let
you do that to this child. If you won't marry us, you must at least let us adopt
your baby."
"No!"
Hazel set her mouth. "Then I must discuss it with Ingrid."
"No! Ingrid is not my boss ... and neither are you. Grandma Hazel, when I
left home I was a child and a virgin and timid and knew nothing of the world.
But now I am no longer a child and I have not been virgin for years and I am a
combat veteran who cannot be frightened by anything." She looked squarely into
my eyes. "I will not use a baby to trap Richard into marriage."
"But, Gretchen, you are not trapping me; I like babies. I want to marry
you."
"You do? Why?" She sounded sad.
Things were too solemn; we needed some skid. "Why do I want to marry you,
dear? To paddle your bottom and watch it turn pink."
Gretchen's mouth dropped open, then she grinned and dimpled. "That's
ridiculous!"
"It is, eh? Possibly having a baby doesn't call for marriage in these
parts, but spanking is another matter
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