Help! My Male Employees Are Having Babies!-Chapter 146: The Interview Request
Zack walked up to his son-in-law. "We’ve taken care of all the arrangements and Alec will be placed in the family plot. It will be someplace that Arlen and the boy can visit later on so that he can know his father." He paused, his expression growing serious. "Our number one priority is Arlen—his health and safety and the baby. Here at the Z1 he doesn’t have to be worried about being mobbed by news crews or anything else. I will double security staff on the gates and he can mourn his loss in peace and quiet."
Martin’s communicator beeped. It was Ed—they were coming in and would soon touch down. Robbie needed to meet them at the landing port. A whole invading Armada couldn’t keep Robbie away from the port; one of his babies was coming home.
It did not take long for the incident to reach every member of the family that comprised the entire Z1, because at the Z1 you are all family. All work stopped. A double line appeared all the way to the landing port. They weren’t alone—there were plenty of news jumpers in the air recording it all as Ed’s jumper landed.
Robbie stood there waiting for the door to open. When Arlen saw his dad, he collapsed into his arms. Robbie scooped him up and held his son who was very pregnant, taking a step backward.
Out from the jumper came Alec’s casket, and in full Genmen tradition the two rows of Genmen stepped forward and passed Alec’s casket hand-to-hand as he made his trip to its final destination in the family plot. This was something that the outside world had never witnessed before—the tragic passing of a family member. A full Genman traditional funeral and burial was performed.
It was a live feed so there was no interrupting by anyone, no preempting, no editing. This was live, so that the whole world knew how civilized Genmen really were and how they felt about one of theirs. Even though he was human, he was married and partnered with a Genmen, and was struck down in such a horrible evil manner when he was murdered. Robbie followed the casket as it went up the line, carrying his son.
Zack thought to himself: this is a senseless tragedy, but maybe from tragedy something good will become, because no politician—self-centered or otherwise—could deny how civilized Genmen really were as they mourned the death of Alec, Arlen’s husband and father to his child.
The gates to the Z1, which were always open, were slammed shut and protected by armed guards on both sides. Reporters lined up outside the gate trying to get a glimpse of anything that was happening. Only the jumpers which stayed at a respectable height could see into the compound and what was really happening.
The burial was completed and Robbie took Arlen home to be with his little brothers. He decided that he needed to speak for the family and ask for calm, understanding, and peace. From tragedy great strides could be made, but that’s only if all sides came together. They asked for their solace at this time until Alec was ready to do an interview, and it would only be done by a person of their choosing.
Zack went to the front gate with Robbie and asked for quiet from all reporters so that Robbie, the dad of Arlen, could make a statement.
"We ask for this moment in time so that we can have closure and mourn the death of a family member," Robbie began, his voice steady despite the pain. "My son Arlen has lost the love of his life and the father of his child that he carries within him. It will be hard for him to explain to the boy when he’s older why his father had to die because he loved someone who was different."
He took a breath before continuing. "Arlen, when it’s deemed that he can, will do an interview and will only give one. He’s a publicist as a career choice and well versed in the media. He is surrounded by loved ones who will help take care of him and protect him. Please respect our privacy here on the Z1. We are a family here—every Genmen that lives here is a family member because that’s what the Z1 is. We are one big family and family watches out for everyone."
"With a sister ranch next door, great things will come, but at this time we are asking you please leave us to our mourning." His voice carried the weight of grief and determination. "Thank you and goodbye."
Zack was very surprised at the civility of the news media. Normally there was a pack of rabid rackknars, but maybe since Alec was human and given the viciousness of the crime, they could actually see the humanity and how it shattered lives.
Robbie was back at the house and sat beside Arlen, who leaned over his father’s chest and cried. Robbie reached over and rubbed his belly to calm the child down.
"My son, he will know everything—how brave his father was, murdered to ensure that he had the right to life so that he would live." Robbie’s voice was gentle but firm. "Arlen, you need to lay down and rest a little bit. I’ll come and check in on you. Luther and the boys will be checking on you, but you need to rest. We will have the family plot fixed—Mr. Zach said it will be made into a meditation style garden for you and the baby, so that you can spend all the time that you wish."
Luther helped Arlen to the bedroom, helped him into bed, placing a light cover over him.
It had been a week since the death of Alec and Arlen was finally ready to talk, but it would be on his terms and only to one reporter.
"Dad, it’s time," Arlen said quietly. "I want to get with you and uncle Z and have an interview at the mansion with a young reporter who I know will do the story justice. She won’t ad lib, she won’t add on to or glorify anything—she’ll tell the truth. Please contact Lori Alston and see her through the main gate. I’m ready to tell my side. Everyone needs to know what Alec meant to me and our son."
Robbie did not have a problem with his son’s request, so he told him to stay there and he would go talk to Zach about an interview here at the ranch.
Unbeknownst to Robbie, Arlen had been talking to Emma and a few of the others at the ranch and decided it was time to take off the mask—let everyone know the truth.
Lori had recently done an interview with a neighbor of Alec and Arlen’s, Ruth Mankiewicz. The lady had befriended the pair after Arlen helped her with some groceries one day that she dropped. Ruth was 78 years of age and remembered well the crash of the Genman vessel. Ruth spoke about how friendly the young couple were to her and to others—they never went out of their way to cause anyone any problems and never requested anything or special treatment. She felt a gentle reminder of her younger days when her hand touched Arlen’s.
