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She felt him shift beside her, the emerald colored comforter rustling with his movements. He remained silent for a few moments before finally answering her proposal. "It doesn't have to come to that."
"But what if that's the problem?" Sue replied. What if it was her powers that prevented her from conceiving? The dose of radiation?
Doom went to say something but stopped. He had wanted to point out that her brother, Johnny, had been able to have a child, yet perhaps it was different with the sexes? And if it wasn't her powers...well, he didn't want to consider that option yet.
Finally, he said, "Then I'll think of something, Susan. Have patience."
"I have been patient." She groaned, rolling onto her back. "Something's wrong with me. I know it."
"Nothing is wrong with you," he reassured, "just give me some time to research the matter." The present situation meant he had to look at different avenues. Either her hypothesis was correct, which he leaned towards. Her powers damaged her ability to naturally conceive. The next possibility meant either she or even he were infertile just by chance. Doom made a mental note to run some tests on his sperm quality. His court physicians had assured him nothing was awry with Susan's courses.
"What are you thinking about?"
"What areas of research I need to consult."
"So, what if it is due to the powers? What if your research proves that?"
Doom gave a small sigh. "Then we will find a solution."
Sue didn't give up, though. She'd seen Doom be able to revoke others' powers and grant abilities to others in his laboratory. "But I know you could do it."
He inclined his head. "It is not a question of my abilities."
"I've seen you do it before. You could do it, then give my powers back whenever I've been cleared."
"It is not that simple. I do not know that I could give them back in the same sense that they currently exist. Those I have bestowed powers on are often overwhelmed by the magnitude of their fledgling powers. I do not want the same for you, especially if we were to have a child needing your attention."
Sue frowned as she considered his words. It was true that several of those who were given powers via his scientific know-how had been overpowered. Could it be that he couldn't return the control she had over her powers now? It had been hard enough to control her initial powers. She could only imagine how difficult it would be to re-learn them on a new scale while recovering from labor.
"Let me handle it, dear," Doom told her after a few silent moments.
She looked away from him, folding her arms across her chest. "You probably think I'd be worthless with powers."
Sue heard Doom scoff behind her. "Now you know that's not true," he scolded.
"Is it?" She thought.
Doom launched into a litany of reasons to turn down her recommendation. "As I have already said, I am not sure that this would be the correct move to make. What if it is not the issue and you have lost your powers for nothing? Have you considered how you would adjust to life without them? Or how our enemies would react to that knowledge? Furthermore, I have pledged to see to your protection, which would be greatly undermined by allowing this to pass. Knowing you have these innate abilities, something that even I do not possess, gives me some sense of relief that you would be able to fend off any attack should I not be able to complete my duty immediately."
Sue opened her mouth to say something, but Doom continued.
"And lastly, I do not feel it would be...appropriate to conduct such experimentation on my wife. Even if this were to be successful, you would not enjoy knowing your powers were a result of my creation, nor would I. You were granted them by being willing to take a chance to improve humanity's understanding of science, which is much more respectable."
"...You sure do think of everything." She said, finally. Doom had made a good case, including a rather empathetic approach towards the end.
"Of course."
"Stay humble, Victor."
"Now, what has gotten you so upset this night?"
"It is something that has been in the back of my mind for a long time. But it gets worse at times...especially when I overhear what some say."
Doom's eyes flared. "What have these fools been saying?
"They don't say anything directly, but I can just tell they think something is...off. That something is wrong."
"I will have my DoomBots look closer into any such treasonous comments." No one was allowed to disrespect him or his wife. Doom sighed. "Listen. I know this is...difficult for you. I will handle this without risking your powers. There are other avenues I will look at before we do anything so drastic."
Sue sat up. "What if nothing works?"
"So pessimistic tonight. And doubting Doom as well. Alright, I will tell you what would happen should I fail in this regard. We simply would not have a biological child. Otherwise, nothing else would change."
"But -"
"Susan, I would take much pleasure in having a child with you; however, if it was not meant to be, then, well, there is Kristoff as far as a potential heir goes."
Once again, she didn't reply, leading Doom to add, "We could look into adopting, perhaps. You are good with those children." He referred to her royal cause of caring for Latverian orphans and ensuring their wellbeing. Plus, he knew how much she fussed over her niece. "I suppose I was something of an orphan myself," he muttered. "You would be a good mother, Susan. But there are options, of course."
"Yes, I know."
Doom knew one way to ensure they would have a child, yet he knew she would balk at him using magical means.
But she didn't have to know, necessarily.
"I will try, Susan," he said earnestly.