Twins: Separated by Solar Systems

By Audrie Futrell

Twin girls are born in the backwoods of Kentucky in 1941. Their mother had been left alone while their father went for the doctor. On another planet a princess is born alive but dying. The two people in charge of the princess work hard to keep her alive when they realize they are not going to be able to do so. They retire to a room where they can search for a replacement and the room is set up to retrieve the infant almost immediately. Realizing they would need to protect the child from the Kings enemy Barron Zomoff they placed guards on her. They knew how desperate the man would become but figured they could handle that. But they didn't realize, that when they could only find a set of twins born about that time on Earth, that they would have the difficulties they did when they kidnapped one of them. For the twins refused to be separated either by the distance, language or education. They didn't understand that the twins would need each other for their own protection or the protection of each of their worlds or people. They didn't realize that their families would fight to get them both together. They also didn't realize, the adffect that the powerful pull on both planets would have on the children in powerful ways.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 6, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465386663

Audrie Futrell

I grew up in Idaho, graduating from Buhl high. I served my country in the U. S. Navy for four years. I married a service man and had five children. I enjoy writing, sewing, art, and crocheting. Mostly I enjoy being a grandmother of nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

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Copyright © 2011 by Audrie Futrell.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any

form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

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Contents

Dedication

Chapter I

Chapter II

Chapter III

Chapter IV

Chapter V

Chapter VI

Chapter VII

Chapter VIII

Chapter IX

Chapter X

Chapter XI

Chapter XII

Chapter XIII

Chapter XIV

Chapter XV

Chapter XVI

Chapter XVII

Chapter XVIII

Dedication

I would like to dedicate this book to Bette Duran who encouraged me to keep on writing. And to my children who gave me the time to write. Also to all those who listened and encouraged me.

Chapter I

The two-bed room, wood frame house stood in the forest in the backwoods of Kentucky. The land was near the Tennessee border on the Land between the lakes. Standing on the porch just outside the door of the house Noel watched her small wiry husband Gary trudge down the winding road. Riding the old mule Gary disappeared into the forest towards Paducah, the closest town that had a doctor. Stepping back into the warm living room Noel closed the door behind her shutting out the cold breeze and snow. Glancing around the sparsely furnished room Noel’s eyes lighted on her young son, Clay. Toddling across the floor Clay busily picked up his toy truck, car, and blocks. Walking to the calendar, hanging over the kitchen table, Noel ran her finger across the month and day February eighth, nineteen forty-one.

Mom. Clay said reaching halfway up her thigh to pull at her rose print, blue, flour-sack dress. Daddy going? Looking down at the two-year-old boy Noel said. Daddy went to get the doctor to bring our new little baby to us.

Ohhhh.

Reaching down Noel tousled the little boy’s blonde hair. It’s time for you to go to bed, Young Man. Going to the linen drawer Noel took a washcloth from it. Stepping into the kitchen she took the kettle off the wood stove pouring hot water into a pan. Adding a dipper of cold water from the well bucket by the back door. Dipping the wash cloth into the water she wrung it out adding soap to the cloth.

Clay let’s get those sticky little fingers and face of yours washed before you go to bed.

The little boy toddled to his mothers side. Gently she cleaned his face and hands. How like your father you are. Noel said hugging him to her taking Clay by the hand she led him to the bedroom helping him pull on his knight shirt and climb into the old brass double bed. Crawling across the feather mattress Clay felt it sink beneath his tiny weight.

Leaning over kissing his cheek Noel covered him with two soft, downy, patchwork quilts. Blowing out the coal oil lamp, sitting on the dresser beside the bed, Noel turned walking from the room.

Walking into the living room Noel sat in the rocking chair, by the window, and rocked. Watching the snow fall in large flakes past the window. Noel clutched her bulging stomach as a contraction drew her up tight. She stood going to the front window as the pain subsided. Looking out at the snowy forest she noticed it was coming down faster. The wind picking up rattled the rake across the front wall of the house, on the porch. The ground was now completely covered with snow.

Glancing at the clock, above the rocker, Noel turned going into the kitchen. Checking the woodbin and finding it nearly empty she returned to the living room putting on her coat. Stepping out the front door she went to the woodpile stacked between two of the columns holding the roof up. Picking up an armful of wood Noel returned to the kitchen starting to fill the bin. She made several more trips to the front porch and the woodpile filling the woodbin in the living room also. Returning to the kitchen Noel checked the water supply. Filling a kettle she set it on the wood stove in the living room and refilling the one in the kitchen. Returning to sit down in the rocker again feeling another contraction she straightened, rubbing her stomach. Glancing at the clock again Noel felt surprise that time seemed to pass so slowly. Nine-thirty. Getting up she went to the front window glancing out at the snow, which fell heavier than ever, now covered the lower half of a pine tree trunk. The wind had grown stronger rattling tree branches against the roof knocking the rake and hoe off the hooks on the front porch.

Wiping tears from her cheek Noel took a deep breath looking at the clock, midnight. Pain held her leaning against the windowsill until it was over. Checking the stove she added more wood stoking it. Going to her bedroom Noel brushed her mid-length, straight, dark brown, hair and laid down to rest. The door was open so she could see the clock, above the rocker, and began counting the time between contractions, fifteen minutes.

*       *       *

Standing next to the crib chubby Fruen wept. The infant in the crib gasped for breath. Stepping into the nursery Rolf said. Queen Jala had the baby. The entire castle is a whisper that this one is alive.

Yes, Princess Luena is alive. But she is dying. I’ve tried everything, all the training I’ve gained from here and other places has gone to nothing. It’s as if her very blood were poisoning her. I tried changing her blood with that which I took from her mother over the last few months. Yet, she is still dying.

Tall, dark Rolf put his arm around the short, plump Fruen. We were afraid this would happen. That’s why we took the precaution of checking on other babies, due at this time, come, we’ll see if any of them have been born or are being born.

Reaching down into the crib Fruen lifted the infant into her arms. I’ll take her with us, just in case.

Rolf opened the door to the hallway speaking to the guard standing there. I want extra guards on this door. Arrange it at once. I’ll stay here for the rest of the night. Change and add to the guard at eight in the morning.

Yes Sir. Did you wish the guard to report to you when they get here? asked the guard.

No. We’re not to be disturbed. Answered Rolf.

Closing the door Rolf reached to hooks, beside the door, lifting down two fur-lined coats. Placing a finger to his lips for silence Rolf stepped to the cabinets that surround a corner of the room. Opening it he took out a fur-lined blanket. Just in case we have to go to a cold place. He whispered.

Going back to the door he reopened it just in time to see the guard disappearing around the corner of the hallway. It’s alright now. Come on.

Leading the way Rolf went down the corridor and up a couple of flights of stairs. The corridors and stairs were well lit with a special fluid that ran along the transparent ceilings. Halfway down another corridor Rolf unlocked opening the door to a large room. He passed his hand over the light indicator setting the fluid moving in the ceiling lighting the room. Closing the door behind them Rolf stepped down a flight of four steps into the room. The walls, beside the door, had shelves filled with books written by men who had studied the stars and universes.

It’s a good thing the guards are off duty up here after midnight. Fruen said. Walking to the couch on the left side of the room she placed the infant to the back of it placing pillows to the front to protect the baby. A bank of maps hung behind the couch and the one showing their universe hung down. The wall next to the couch had several more maps and charts of various planets. Across from the couch was a large machine with several dials and a large viewing screen. Next to it was a plate-form and near the stairs was a large conference table.

Rolf stood at the controls on the machine turning knobs, dials and pulling switches. I’ve checked four of the women and none of them have had their babies or even look like their ready to go into labor.

There is only one more left to check. Fruen said glancing back at the infant on the couch.

Yes the one in Kentucky on Earth. She is alone and seems to be in labor. I’m just not sure. If she is we’re very lucky she is alone, it will make it much easier to take the baby

Then we’ll wait. Maybe, she’ll have the baby before morning. Fruen said.

*       *       *

The clock ticked slowly towards five thirty. Noel stood walking into the living room, stoked the fire adding more wood. Refilling the teakettle she set it back on the stove and found a large dishpan, in the kitchen. Carrying the dishpan into the bedroom she set it next to the bed then laid down again to time her contractions, six minutes apart. Listening to the quiet of the house Noel turned her head to look out the bedroom window at the slowly drifting snow. The fire had heated the bedroom enough that Noel pushed the downy, quilts away from her. Wiping the perspiration from her face Noel gritted her teeth.

*       *       *

Well it’s positive she’s having that baby alone. Rolf said. Take the baby and stand on the platform. I’ll join you in a moment

Fruen stepped onto the platform with the soft bundle in her arms. Rolf turned several dials and pulled several switches next to the plate form. A soft golden beam appeared, Fruen and the baby began to move along it’s path. Stepping onto the platform and beam Rolf ran along it to catch up to Fruen.

Is our Princess still alive? he asked as he caught up with them.

No, she died before we reached the control room. Fruen said.

Rolf turned his eyes toward Earth and the vision just ahead of the woman, who had already given birth to a child.

*       *       *

Seven O’clock and Noel laid the tiny little girl into the cradle beside her. Exhausted she laid back only to feel the release of the afterbirth. Looking down she was surprised to see another smaller child amongst the afterbirth.

Twins. Noel whispered lifting the tiny child into her arms and lying her across her stomach, covering her with a blanket. Shaking her head Noel tried to sit up again only to fall back dizzy and ill. The room seemed to spin around her and she felt as if the bed was moving. She felt a sudden chill and heard the front door close.

I’ll stoke the fire. said Rolf You tie the babies cords and cut them. I’ll have to heat the water for the babies baths.

Fruen nodded hurrying to the bedroom.

Noel saw a shadow near the cradle and tried to focus her eyes on it. Realizing her eyes were too tired slowly closed them.

Which one do you want bathed first? asked Rolf entering the bedroom with a bucket of warm water.

This one. I’ve just finished cutting its cord. It’s a fine healthy girl.

The smaller one, its twin, is it alright?

Fruen handed the twin in her arms to Rolf. Reaching down she picked up the twin lying on Noel’s stomach. She removed the blankets and tied the cord and cut it. Rolf busily cleaned the baby in his arms.

Its cries broke forth into the room.

This one is kind of small. Fruen said, I’m not sure it will live.

Rolf took a towel and patted the baby, in his arms, gently drying her.

I’ll clean this one. said Fruen dipping the twin into the water. While you dress that one. Then I’ll change the sheets while you dress this one. Then you can get rid of the afterbirth. Fruen wrapped the twin, in her arms, in a warm blanket before handing it to Rolf. Turning to the bed she cleaned Noel with a damp washcloth and rolled her to one side of the bed cleaning and drying it. Spreading the clean sheet on that side she then moved to the other side of the bed and rolled Noel onto the clean sheet. She then finished removing the sheet with the afterbirth on it. Fruen glanced at Rolf as he finished dressing the baby.

Shaking her head she said. Those clothes are way to big for her. She’s far tinier than her sister.

Rolf nodded his agreement as he placed the baby back on Noel’s stomach. Picking up the sheet with the afterbirth on it he started for the door.

Fruen looked up saying. Don’t forget the animals will eat the afterbirth. Rolf nodded smiling at the suggestion that he might forget and be lazy at his work. He knew Fruen was nervous and didn’t mean what she said just thinking out loud. Rolf stopped in the kitchen long enough to put the afterbirth on some paper and drop the sheets into a pan of boiling water. Carrying the afterbirth out the kitchen door and into woods at the back of the house. Pulling a gun from his belt Rolf aimed it at the ground A bolt shot from the gun melting the snow making a deep hole in the ground. Dropping the afterbirth into the hole Rolf aimed at it and another bolt disintegrated the afterbirth. The hole slowly filled with fresh dirt. Rolf returned to the small house just as Fruen wrapped the tiny twin in a soft blanket laying it back on its mother’s stomach. Covering them both with the soft downy patchwork quilt. Noel drifted off to a sound sleep.

Which one do we take? asked Fruen looking down at the infant under the quilt on her mother’s stomach.

The one in the cradle. It’s healthier. Answered Rolf washing his hands in the metal dishpan. Turning he picked up his military waist jacket putting it on. I’ll get the princess to leave in the twins place. Going to the living room he picked up the dead infant wrapping her in the soft blanket and returned to the bedroom.

Do you think they’ll suspect? Fruen asked walking towards the door with the dirty water.

No the most they will question is the fact that someone was here taking care of the mother and her babies. The babies are similar in appearance and color. They’ll be grateful to have one child alive.

Fruen nodded. We chose well. It’s good that she will have one live child to take care of. Taking the water to the kitchen Fruen threw it out the back door. Returning to the bedroom looked down at Noel sleeping soundly with one arm over the infant next to her. Shaking her head Fruen said. If it lives and that’s a mighty big if.

Fruen lifted the twin, from the cradle, into Rolf’s arms and replaced it with the dead princess. Turning Fruen headed for the kitchen. I must make some formula before we leave and add some medicine to it. It may help keep the other infant alive.

We should leave now. Rolf said. It’s not our problem. We can only pray it will live.

No, it is our problem. Fruen said We made it our problem by coming here.

We’re not suppose to interfere with life here.

Fruen soon had the formula ready adding a few drops of medicine to it from a bottle she took from her dress pocket. We’ve already interfered with life here. They both probably would have died had we not. A little more can’t hurt and might make me feel better about taking one of the twins.

Balancing the baby in one hand Rolf brushed his other hand through his silver streaked hair then placed his military hat on his head. Glancing at the clock he frowned. Hurry, it’s nearly seven thirty and the boy will wake soon. We don’t want him to see us leave with his sister.

Fruen returned to the bedroom with the bottle of milk, placing it in a pan of warm water, on the dresser, next to the bed. Going to the living room Fruen picked up Rolf’s fur lined jacket, from the couch, holding it for him to get into. Picking up her own jacket Fruen slipped it on fastening it. Rolf picked up the fur lined blanket wrapping the baby in it. Handing the baby to Fruen he fastened his own jacket and opened the door for her and the baby. Once they were outside he gently closed the door behind them.

It had stopped snowing and the sun shone brightly upon the glistening snow. Leading the way Rolf struggled through the drifts, of snow, into the forest at the back of the house. A mile from the house they reached a meadow going to a patch of green grass surrounded by light snow. The moment they stepped onto the grass they were lifted upward and away from the Earth.

The baby is alright? It’s warm enough?

Yes. Answered Fruen.

Chapter II

Stepping up on the four column wood porch Gary opened the door for the tall doctor that followed him. Looking at the clock, on the shelf, above the rocking chair he noticed it was nine o’clock. Closing the door behind him, he motioned towards the door on the right he saying. Doctor Crather my wife is in the bedroom.

Daddy! shouted Clay toddling out of the bedroom. We ave two babies.

Reaching down Gary lifted Clay into his arms. Now what is this about two babies.

Wiggling Clay tried to get down out of Gary’s arms. Walking into the bedroom Gary set Clay on the floor beside the bed. Kneeling beside the bed Gary looked into Noel’s sleeping face. Doctor Crather is she alright?

Yes and so is the baby beside her. But this one in the cradle I’m afraid is dead." Shaking his head Doctor Crather’s, blonde hair, fell across his forehead. Gary looked at the infant beside Noel removed the blanket from around it. Stirring the infant cried, the sound little more than that of the mew of a kitten.

Shaking his head Doctor Crather blue eyes glanced at the infant his blonde moustache twitching. I wouldn’t count on that one living either.

Gary reached for the bottle, beside the bed, checking the temperature of the milk on his wrist. Lifting the infant into his arms Gary stuck the bottle in its mouth. It took the infant several moments for its instinct to suck took over.

There is nothing I can do here. Doctor Crather said putting his medical equipment together. Filling out two birth certificates and one death certificate. I’ll need the names of the infants for the Certificates.

Carrying the infant Gary went into the living room and sat in the rocking chair to feed the little girl. Looking down at Clay, leaning against his knee, Gary looked up at the Doctor and said. Andrea I’m holding and Anna is in the cradle. Smiling Clay nodded.

Clay leaned against his father’s knee reaching out taking Andrea’s hand. She wrapped her hand around one of his fingers hanging on. Looking up at his father Clay said. Look Dad she wants to hang onto me. He pulled her small hand to him kissing her tiny knuckles. She’s my sister.

Be grateful you had neighbors who came to help. Doctor Crather said. You could have lost all of them including the mother.

Shaking his head Gary said. In this weather! No! I’m sure none of my neighbors even knew Noel was in labor. But you are right there could have been no one else.

I’m sorry, but, I really don’t believe that infant will live. Doctor Crather said putting his coat on. Don’t get up I’ll let myself out.

Opening the door a gust of wind blew his hat off. Dr. Crather pulled his brown topcoat closer around his large frame. Reaching down picking up his hat Doctor Crather brushed his hand through his blond hair and replaced the hat on his head. Stepping out the door he closed it behind him, going to his horse, mounted, kicked the horse in the ribs and trotted down the winding road towards Paducah.

Watching the door close Gary sighed, going back into the bedroom and lying Andrea next to Noel.

Searching through the armoire Gary found an old shoebox. Going to the cradle he reached in taking out the dead baby unwrapped the blankets and looking at the beautiful little girl. Sighing Gary carefully wrapped her up again. Closing his eyes he held her close to his chest. Laying her gently into the shoebox Gary placed the lid on it then carried it into the kitchen placing it on the stool next to the door. Clay followed close behind him. Hey little fellow. I don’t believe you’ve had breakfast. Picking up the frying pan Gary placed it on the wood stove then stoked the fire adding more wood. Adding bacon to the pan on the stove Gary broke eggs into a bowl quickly scrambled them with a fork and poured them on top. In moments they were both ready to be eaten. Gary and Clay ate their breakfast quietly. Putting the last bite of his egg in his mouth Gary stood looking down at his son as he put the last bite in his mouth. Putting his coat on Gary ruffled Clay’s blonde hair.

I’ll be in the shed working. If your mother or the baby wake up come get me. Picking up the shoebox from the stool, near the door, Gary went out to the shed.

Listening to his father saw and hammer wood from the kitchen Clay would jump from his chair every so often and check on his mother and sister. On Clay’s third trip Noel opened one eye looked over at him smiling. Running back to the kitchen Clay picked up his coat, off the chair, put it on and reached for the handle of the door just as it opened.

"Your mother is awake?’

Clay nodded leading the way to the bedroom. Looking up at Gary Noel glanced down at the infant next to her then glanced at the cradle. We have twins.

No. Gary said catching her chin in his hand. Honey, she died. I don’t know why but she died.

A tear glistened in Gary’s eye and Noel laid her head back onto the pillow feeling the dampness of her own tears.

The doctor said Andrea will die also."

Noel shook her head pulling Andrea closer to her. No, I heard the nurse say she’d put medicine in her milk.

There was no nurse here. But she does appear stronger since she drank her bottle. Gary pulled the blankets back from Andrea watching her stretch. Maybe doctors don’t know everything. Gary frowned then smiled as Andrea yawned.

Noel shook her head There was someone here. Not someone I would recognize or know.

Watching the snowmelt two days later Gary saw his mother and father’s buggy pull up. After greeting them he saw his mother settled with Noel, Clay and the baby. Gary and his father climbed to the top of the hill across the road from them. If there had been a telephone in this country I could have called you or the doctor and Noel wouldn’t have been alone. Maybe, then both our babies would have lived.

"Now son we-uns never expect babies to have much of chance until