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[oom: Shufti has a difficult conversation with Jack.]

It's been a tough day, and with Jack shutting himself in his room all evening, Shufti isn't quite sure what to do. Mumsnet didn't have a section on what to do if your child's biological father lives in another universe.

Still, there are things that need doing, so the first thing she does when she gets back, after her usual 'In/out' notice with Bar, is to leave a note on the board in the office. Then she gets a decaf tea and sits at the bar, pinning on her Security badge, and keeping an eye on the place.

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"Inevitable," Teja says. "But one day, it must be faced, unless you would estrange your son from you."

"You think he would leave me permanently?" Shufti asks, somewhat startled. "More than simply leaving home?"

"He might leave you out of his heart, while still returning home for holidays," Teja says. "Such things happen."

This was not perhaps the best line to use on someone massively full of hormones, but Shufti manages to not actually burst into tears. Admittedly, it's a bit close.

"Why would anyone do that?" she almost whispers. "They do not know how lucky they are. All my ancestors and siblings are dead."

"One that does not treasure what he has," Teja says. "My parents doed when I was but a child, also: - I know."

"I thought they would be happy to have a new brother or sister." Shufti says. "Leah was indifferent, providing she didn't have to share a room, and Jack seems to think of the unborn child as a rival. I hope they will be more convinced nearer the time."

"Or once they see his or her face," Teja says. "They will learn to love their sibling, one hopes."

"Leah is too young to understand, I suppose." Shufti says. "Jack is the opposite, the age gap is wide and he would have a different relationship with a child nearly ten years younger."

"He need not have too much of one with a little one if he truly does not like it," Teja says.

"I won't be making him change nappies, but we're a family and we should stick together, even if he's technically a half brother."

"Taking him to the Disc, so he may see you are willing to not withhold his roots from him, might be a helpful start," Teja says.

"I will think about it." Shufti says. "It would be better when he is older, even if we were to come out in Lancre."

"It will depends on how tenacious he is," Teja says. "If you make him wait too long, the quest for his roots would take on, maybe, even too much, too deep a meaning for him."

"What does tenacious mean?" Shufti asks.

"Stubborn, hanging on to one's goal and getting it," Teja says.

"Oh, well he may lose interest in a few weeks." Shufti says. "Like the time he wanted to be a baseball star. I don't want to keep his world from him, I just don't know if he's ready."

"See how long he persists, and when he does so for a month more, take him," Teja suggests.

"Fair enough." Shufti nods.

"So you need not worry again before a month is past," Teja says, conclusively.

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