"Your father … " She stopped and then started again. "Your father contacted me yesterday, and then came to see me at my office. He asked me for an official divorce, but said he intended to get an unofficial one if I refused. I had no choice but to grant him his request. The dissolution will be registered this week. I'm sorry to have to tell our child this news over a com line. I'm being as cold about it as he was."
Nate shrugged. He should have felt more guilty about not telling her the whole truth, but he didn't. "I'm sorry that you're sorry, Mother. He came to see me too, but didn't stay long. How did he seem to you? I thought Father was acting rather strangely, but then he and I have never been close."
His mother sighed over that too. Was that grief manifesting over losing the man she loved? Or just a resistance to change like the kind he had? He felt like sighing himself because he knew now which parent he'd emulated most. It was yet another thing Sheena had been right about.
"Your father has become a stranger to me. The man I bonded with to create you has never in two centuries been that cold and distant with me. Even in our estrangement, when he sought out my company, it was always like the beginning of our relationship again. This time he left as quickly as he came. It was all very odd, Nathaniel. Did he talk about his work while he was there? My instincts were saying that was the source of his strange behavior."
Nate nodded. "Yes. Father said he came to check on the matchmaker clones, but in the end, he didn't even talk to them. Once he found out Sheena was staying to study Angus and Erin for the long term, he just left. He did have a concussion and some mental confusion from some accident he had. I hope he takes care of himself. He needed more healing attention than he let me give him."
His mother shook her head. "When I met your father, I was so proud to be a part of the Tiberius family that I had my name officially changed to it. Almost no New Earth woman does that."
Nate smiled. "I love Sheena like the sun, but that would be too much for me. I promise you I'll never become a MacNamara."
His mother chuckled. "Good. It's bad enough you want to sleep with one. Have you two discussed having my grandchild yet?"
Nate sighed and leaned on an elbow. "We haven't even discussed getting married again, but I'm going to wear her down. She's my wife-my real wife-in every other sense of the commitment. I want it official everywhere."
"I believe you, son. And I agree. I'm glad your father and I haven't ruined your optimism about relationships. You get that from your Grandfather Tiberius."
His mother let her smile drop slowly away. "So back to business for a minute. How are the clones doing?"
Nate raised his eyebrow. Instinct warned not to trust her innocent shift. His mother was and always would be married to her work. His father was right about that. He would feel no regret for protecting Angus and Erin from her, even if it meant telling a hundred lies.
"Angus and Erin are making trouble as usual. Bri and Sheena do seem to have a calming effect on them. I hope their ownership gets approved. The latest thing is that the matchmakers have applied to talk to the Guardians. I have my hands full here."
"Yes, John told me about Sheena's ownership request just before it passed over my desk. I sent it on for Guardian approval."
"Thank you for that," Nate said sincerely, watching his mother nod.
"Nathaniel?"
"Yes, Mother?"
"Don't turn into your father or me. I never wanted that for you. I still don't. And I'm glad Sheena is staying. You two-well, you two have something special that most never find in their lives. None of our advancements on New Earth have helped us have stronger relationships. Do what you have to. Don't lose her."
There had a been a time when such a statement would have meant the world to him, but he simply wasn't that trusting anymore. Maybe his mother wasn't lying, but how could he ever be sure?
"Sheena is staying for the clones. I may just be someone to pass her time with while she's here," Nate said, smiling softly as he waited for her answer.
His mother snorted. "Don't turn into a stupid male about this. This is the time to be smart. If Dr. MacNamara's request is granted, and I'm assuming it will be, Sheena will be able to take the new matchmakers with her if she ever leaves the airship. That is not an acceptable situation for the AAS program. She's still in love with you. I'm fairly sure of it. Use that leverage to keep her there."
And that revelation of thought, Nate decided, was the real truth he'd been so unwilling to see before Sheena showed up. This wasn't about him or Sheena being together and happy again. It was about the Provost maintaining control of all the changes that were happening.