Chapter Text
The picture perfect image of Zoe Anagnos at home would be a serene woman in a soft lavender chair holding a gently steaming cup of chamomile. The wintry background of the surrounding city outside the secluded building where she and her family live gave for a gentle atmosphere. Soft snow with chilly but slow winds. All other creatures outside about their business. The blue-gray tones of the furniture were slowly lulling Zoe to sleep and after 4 consecutive 10 hour workdays, she felt that she deserved a bit of peace before the storm. A storm that came in the form of a human hurricane called Evangeline MacAllister.
“What do you mean another ?!” Startled, Zoe spilled her tea over her sweater.
“You act as if I haven’t thought this through or something. I would expect after nearly twenty years of friendship, you’d know better,” said Zoe, hissing from the hot liquid. Evangeline looked conflicted: she wanted to strangle her but she also wanted a painkiller for her migraines. Eventually, she opted for deep breaths to ten. God, ten. That’s how many there will be. Ten children. Her best friend, Zoe Anagnos, will (and she will once her mind is set on it) have ten children. “Besides, I have gotten rather good at parenting after the Nine. They’ll be delighted to have another sibling! And I’m not getting any younger either.” Evangeline huffed. That was far from the issue and they both knew it. The difference was that Zoe, the stupidest, smartest person she ever knew, decided to ignore the consequences and go ahead anyways. And as godmother, all Evangeline could do was damage control and drink a lot of coffee.
“Okay, let’s put all the deep, philosophical problems aside for a moment.” She pressed her palms together while looking pointedly at Zoe. “Pretend other people and their big mouths and small minds don’t matter. In fact, I’m going to go as far and assume a world where this ” she gestured widely at Zoe, “is completely ordinary. Have you thought about-”
“I’m going for a walk. Want to come?” Evangeline looked exasperated. Ten minutes later, they were walking on one of the private trails on the property. Evangeline still simmered, much to Zoe’s displeasure. At the same time, no one else put up with Zoe like her oldest friend did.
“I know the real reason you’re mad though.”
“Oh yeah, Zoe? Do tell.”
“Yes, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier-”
“Pssh, come on. You do whatever you think is right without a second’s regret. I’m not so much concerned about that.” Evageline looked so frank that Zoe was slightly taken back.
“Then?” The ginger sighed before answering.
“Zoe, you’re the pioneer, the freaking mother of the world’s A.I. revolution. No one has nor ever will accomplish the leaps you made. And that’s only talking about your publicly known accomplishments. Honestly, the world is still not ready for them. And as your top advisor and chief director of security, I’d go even as far to say you should never have tried, but you did and here we are. There’s no going back.”
“That’s the thing with progress. It’s a double edged sword in appearance that scares people at a primal level. It’s all happening so fast and in our lifetimes too. And it-” Zoe rambled on. Perhaps it was selfish of her to do as much as she could before she left it all behind. Evangeline knew this too and interjected gently to conclude the conversation.
“I know, Z. I won’t question it. Still think it’s a risky move and you put the child in a dangerous position, especially if you finally do achieve the ultimate goal.” Secretly, Evangeline prayed that Zoe could not-no, would not-succeed. No one would be ready for such a creation. Not yet. Zoe knew this too but elected to focus on the happier, simpler aspects of the project of her child.
“Thanks Evie. I really mean it.” Zoe’s bright eyes did their best to shine gratitude from someone who always was off with people. “And you’re right, like you almost always are. Will you be godmother?” Evangeline rolled her eyes and groaned.
“For the tenth time, do you need to ask? Heck yeah.”
“And you’ll help me manage with the extra work?”
“Yeah, yeah. Overtime with no pay, story of my life.”
“Really?”
“Oh, for the love of-yes, I will do anything and everything to help my idiot genius friend out with this.” For good measure, Evangeline (though she’ll regret it) crossed her heart.
“Awesome.”
“Glad I convinced you.”
“Now, you have to help me plan out how to keep it all a secret from the Nine.” Evangeline paled.
“Oh hell no.”
Zoe went on her knees and looked up like a forlorn worshipper gazing at an angel. That was swearing. And packing snow together.
Several hours later, Zoe had a bad cold and a headache from being hit with so many snowballs.