Theodore Robbins...Ted to those who knew him, was a brilliant man.

Beyond brilliant, actually.

Yes, he was the stereotypical nerdy geek...you know, the type that dressed in slacks with worn tennis shoes, sweaters, or a shirt complete with a bow tie and pocket protector, as well as thick glasses.

He'd never got anything but A's on his report cards, was in the chess and robotics clubs, as well as an honors student and valedictorian who was accepted to prestigious universities such as M.I.T.

But Ted had decided to attend college in Indiana, not wanting to be so far from home.

He had his pick there too, but chose Notre Dame, for its superb engineering and robotics programs.

After settling into his dorm room, he made a trip down to the campus bookstore, and that's when he saw her...the woman of his dreams.

She was short and petite with the most beautiful auburn hair that fell in gentle waves down her back.

And her face...it was the kind of face that would make angels sing...or at least he thought so.

He didn't want to look away.

She was standing with a group of friends and he could instantly tell that they were popular – the happy, shiny people that everything seemed to come so easily for.

He knew the type well, but not because he was ever one of them.

He frowned, knowing that a girl like that would never talk to him, let alone ever be interested in him...or so he'd thought.

All throughout his time at school, Ted was far too busy studying and working on his many inventions to ever really make friends or fit in.

Sure, there were a few fellow nerds that he occasionally gamed or discussed computer codes with, but that's as far as it ever went.

He sighed in a deflated manner before walking over to the counter to pay for his massive stack of books.

He tried to be invisible – he was good at that, despite carrying the Leaning book Tower of Pisa...

However, the book on the top of his stack slid and fell, hitting the floor with an embarrassing thud.

People in the immediate area turned to look at the source of the startling noise...including his beauty and her friends.

They giggled and Ted's face felt on fire as he nervously sat his books down in order to retrieve the fallen one.

He quickly bent down and picked it up, and as he was rising back up, he locked eyes with her.

They were soft and understanding, something he wasn't used to, and the most mesmerizing color of green he'd ever seen.

His breath hitched as she gave him a kind, genuine smile, despite the fact that her friends were all eyeing him like some pathetic leper...or in their eyes, a social pariah.

He was used to that look, but not hers...

His throat felt dry, though his palms began to sweat.

He didn't want to do anything to embarrass himself further, so he reluctantly looked away before paying for his books quickly and scampering off.

The next year was much the same – a few stolen glances here and there, though they did not travel in the same social or educational circles.

The worst was when he'd see her with what he assumed was her boyfriend.

How he'd wished to be him, despite the fact that the guy seemed to be as dumb as a box of rocks.

Then again, most people seemed that way to Ted.

"What did she see in him?" he always asked himself as petty jealousy ate away at him...something he had never really felt before.

Of course, he knew...he wasn't stupid.

Girls like her were always drawn to guys like that – the popular, good looking jock.

It was a total cliché, he knew, but that didn't make it any less true. 

But as luck would have it, that all changed the day of the bake sale – a fundraiser that his beauty and her friends had held in order to donate to a no-kill animal shelter in the area.

There she was, sitting at a long table with her friends, filled with various baked goods, with a sign taped to the front and balloons tied on both ends.

They were quite busy.

He'd thought about going over and buying something – it was for a good cause after all, but he wasn't interested in any treats...just her. 

Being the shy, nerdy guy that he was, the thought of even talking to her was overwhelming.

What could he possibly say?

It's not like they would discuss the periodic table of elements...

As he stood under a nearby shade tree and pondered for a bit, he decided to throw caution to the wind and talk to her.

He was sick of being a wimp.

The worst that could happen is that she could tell him to get lost.

Determined, he walked up to the table and waited his turn before he stood directly in front of her.

It was a sunny day, which set her beautiful auburn hair alight, making it glow as if she wore a bronze halo.

Being the closest he'd ever been to her, he couldn't help but notice the small smattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose and rosy cheeks.

He was entranced, wanting to count every single one...

She looked up at him with her sunglass clad eyes and smiled. "Would you like a cookie for a cat or a donut for a dog?" she asked with a small giggle.

The silliness of what she'd said caught him a bit off guard and he couldn't help but crack a rare, but small smile.

"Who came up with that ridiculous sales pitch?" he thought. 

But being who Ted was, he couldn't help but respond in his dry, no-nonsense, analytical manner.

"I realize that dogs will eat almost anything, even if it isn't good for them, but I wasn't aware that cats ate cookies," he said with his brow furrowed.

She stared at him for a moment, looking for any sign that he was joking, but couldn't find anything other than a serious expression.

She wondered if he was on the spectrum...

She couldn't help herself and burst out laughing, finding what he'd said along with his expression to be utterly adorable.

He was mortified at her laughter and began to slowly back up.

Noticing this, she stopped. "No...don't go," she said repentantly while reaching out with her hand before pulling it back. "I wasn't laughing at you," she assured him sincerely.

Ted stared at her in wonderment.

She wasn't laughing at him...though it did make him wonder what was so funny.

Noticing his puzzled look, she quickly came up with an excuse.

There was no way in hell that she could tell him that she found him cute...especially in front of her so-called friends.

He was tall and kind of gangly. His dark brown hair was a mess and his clothes did leave much to be desired, but...she could somehow see through all of that.

He had the face of a Greek god, she thought – perfectly chiseled with a slight dimple in his chin. And his lips...God help her. They were so pouty and cute.

And he had nice teeth too, thanks to years of wearing braces. 

"I was laughing at our slogan," she told him before leaning forward conspiratorially. "I mean, it is pretty stupid...and now that you've brought it to my attention, I realize how misleading it is too."

"Then it is a good thing that I stopped by," he responded in that serious way of his, causing her lips to form an adorable grin as they stared at each other until it became too intense for her to bear.

"So..." she cleared her throat quietly. "What shall it be...cookies or donuts?"

He really didn't want either one, but he pulled out his wallet and grabbed several twenties.

"Here...just take this...for the animals," he said as he placed it in her soft, pale hand.

"No sweets?" she asked, her turn to be confused. Who gives money like this and expects nothing in return? Especially a guy in college...

"No," he shook his head. "Too much disaccharide."

At her confused look, he added, "Sugar".

"Oh...alright, well...thank you," she said sincerely with a smile as she placed the money in a small metal box.

"You're welcome," he replied before starting to leave again, just happy that things went as well as they did.

"Hey...I'm Lainey, by the way," she stopped him, not wanting him to leave.

"Theodore," he replied. "But...most just call me Ted."

"Nice to meet you, Ted," she said as she held out her hand, wondering if she could call him Teddy someday.

Little did she know then that she would...

However, her idiot boyfriend walked up and announced himself with a loud, boisterous belch.

Unfortunately, Lainey continued to date her boyfriend for five months after meeting Ted while he sat back and played the role of the occasional friend...much to his chagrin.

Despite their secret, intense attraction, neither really knew how to fit into each other's lives and social circles...thus the tap dance began.

But it was undeniable and inevitable, once they let go and finally admitted their feelings for one another.

Lainey dumped her boyfriend without a second thought and she and Ted became inseparable, despite the initial scrutiny from her friends...that didn't stay her friends afterwards.

But Lainey didn't care – she had Ted and that's all that mattered to her.

They dated throughout college and married shortly after where they lived happily ever after...until HEW...

***🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖***

Lainey, who'd received a degree in interior design and art, worked doing just that; while Ted earned his doctorate in robotics and engineering...in less time than it took her to earn her degree...

Nevertheless, they always made time for each other, and even moved in together after their first year of dating.

If anyone ever doubted that old saying about opposites attracting never doubted it again after they'd met Ted and Lainey.

They were beyond perfect for each other, and much to their surprise, their parents thought so too. 

Where Ted was extremely shy, literal, serious, and uptight, Lainey was outgoing, calm, cool, and funny.

They were the Yin to each other's Yang.  

After Lainey graduated, they married, and it wasn't long until she was pregnant with their first child.

Both were ecstatic and couldn't wait for their new arrival.

Ted, who'd came from a wealthy family that owned a chain of grocery stores, had used his entire trust fund to buy Lainey's dream home and start his robotics company.

It was slow going at first and Ted knew he had to do something to set himself apart from China, Japan, and Silicon Valley...and that's just what he did.

Despite having a family to support now, Ted did the unexpected and created something out of love...something unheard of where robotics were involved. 

Lainey was nearing her fourth month of pregnancy and was having an awful time with morning sickness and exhaustion, so much so that she had to dramatically scale back on her work, unable to take on any new clients.

Ted felt extremely guilty because he couldn't be there as much as he'd wanted to.

With a fairly new company to run and build, and his employees and own family's futures on the line, Ted had no choice but to immerse himself in his work.

But that didn't mean that Lainey or his unborn child were ever far from his mind...which is how HEW came into existence.

He'd created HEW as something, or someone to be there with Lainey when he sadly couldn't.

HEW was a revolutionary design, marrying A.I. with practicality and reality.

That said...HEW was no ordinary robot. Not only could he perform any function that a human could do and then some, he could also learn and "grow", for lack of a better term.

In other words, he'd have a personality instead of just being some pre-programmed hunk of repetitively moving metal. 

Not only would he be able to clean, cook, carry in groceries or anything else required of him, he'd be able to keep someone company...have an actual conversation and learn from it.

He'd also have the knowledge to help Lainey medically, if she needed it, since they lived quite a ways outside of town.

Ted was proud of what he had invented and built, for his angel. 

Not to mention that there was already interest in HEW from the military as well as the industrial sector.

If his prototype...the one he'd specially built for Lainey, passed its Beta testing, then everything else could proceed and Ted would be able to provide a life for his family beyond his wildest dreams.

Ted believed in what he'd created so much, that he'd brought HEW home with him one night as a surprise for Lainey.

He was excited at the prospect of his wife being the one to actually Beta test one of his creations...one that he'd made specifically for her. 

As he turned onto the long lane that lead up to his house, HEW sat beside him in the passenger seat with his head turned towards the scenery, naming every tree, plant, and even weed they'd passed.

"That is an oak tree, of the genus Quercus of the beech family, Fagaceae. There are approximately 600 extant species of oaks. The common name oak also appears in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus, as well as in those of unrelated species such as Grevillea robusta and the Casuarinaceae," HEW chirped in that matter-of-fact voice of his.

Ted didn't want HEW to sound like the typical robot because he wasn't, so he'd given him as human of a voice as possible, mostly for Lainey's sake though.  

A few minutes later, they'd come to a stop in front of a large home in the woods.

"You live exactly 22.84 miles from Robbins' Robotics," HEW quipped before scanning the house top to bottom with his lensed eyes. "This structure consists of 4,753 square feet. There is one human inside...would you like the layout of the structure as well as their location within it?"

"No, HEW...that is not necessary," he chuckled as he opened his door before walking around to HEW's.

Once HEW was out of the car, they walked up onto the expansive porch before entering.

"Honey, I'm home!" Ted called out happily like a husband from the 1950's, making Lainey's heart flutter.

She came rushing as fast as possible to the foyer, wearing only one of his shirts, only to come to a sudden halt when she spotted Ted standing there with...a robot.

She knew Ted had been working on something important, but she certainly wasn't expecting that, despite the fact that he owned a robotics company.

It sort of looked like the robot on The Terminator, only softer...not as menacing.

Noticing Lainey's apprehension, Ted walked forward and embraced her warmly.

"How are you, my love?" he asked quietly in her ear as he placed his hand lovingly upon her belly.

"Better, now that you're here," she hummed in contentment while snuggling into his chest.

They reluctantly parted and they faced HEW.

"HEW, this is my beautiful wife, Lainey," he gestured with a smile. "Lainey, this is HEW," he introduced.

Her brow arched in the way that it always did when Ted did something cute or unexpected, like bringing her a light saber instead of flowers. "Hugh?"

Ted, knowing Lainey like he did, knew right away that she had gotten the name wrong, despite saying it correctly. "No, HEW...which stands for Humanoid Electronic Worker – H.E.W.", he'd explained. 

"Ohhh..." she hummed cutely. "I figured you'd named the poor thing Hubert or something," she giggled. He did, after all, want to name their child Macintosh...

"Very funny," he retorted dryly.

"Well...it's nice to meet you, HEW," she offered, despite feeling odd talking to a robot.

"It is nice to make your acquaintance as well, Mrs. Robbins," HEW responded in a very human-like manner while scanning her with his inquisitive, mechanical eyes. "I see that you are nearing your 14th week of pregnancy," he added while settling his gaze on her slightly rounded belly. "The second trimester extends through month seven." 

She just stared blankly at it...him...not knowing how to respond.

Ted, sensing Lainey's unease, cut in. "Yes, she is nearly four months along."

"Your baby is 5.7 inches long and weighs 3.9 ounces now," HEW informed them, making Lainey shiver, wondering how the hell he could possibly know that.

"During months four, five, and six, their fingers and toes are well-defined, their eyelids, eyebrows, eyelashes, nails, and hair are formed, and teeth and bones are becoming denser. Your baby can suck their thumb, yawn, stretch, and make faces," he continued clinically. "Soon, the nervous system will start to function and their reproductive organs and genitalia will fully develop, although I can sense from the elevated hormone levels that..."

Once again, Ted cut in sternly. "Lainey and I would like to be surprised."

Speechless, Lainey just nodded her head, wanting a few words alone with Ted more than anything. 

"I noticed that your decorative plants outside are in need of water. Would you like for me to assist you with this task?" HEW asked, as if he somehow sensed that they needed a moment to themselves.

"That would be great," Ted dismissed and HEW turned and fluidly walked outside.

"What the hell, Ted?!" Lainey hissed in barely restrained anger.

She rarely ever got angry with him, but this was all a bit confusing, and if she were being honest, creepy too.

"I made him...for you," Ted looked at her sadly, instantly dissolving whatever anger she'd felt.

"For me?" she asked confusedly. "Why?"

"Because you've been so sick and tired and I haven't been able to be home much lately, so I thought I'd make something to help you," he said without a single breath in between. "I didn't make him to take my place, just help out whenever I'm not around," he continued. "You know how much I worry about you and–" he started rattling off again, but Lainey placed her finger gently upon his lips.

"He could never replace you, my Teddy bear," she said before removing her finger and giving Ted that smile...the one that always seemed to turn him into putty in her hands. "So...tell me a bit about him, since he's mine," she chuckled, guiding him over to the couch. 

Ted's face lit up like an excited child on Christmas morning before going into one of his long, technical spiels that Lainey barely understood, but enjoyed anyway.

"So basically what you're saying is that you invented and built a robot in order to help me while I'm pregnant and you're off at work becoming the next Bill Gates," she laughed as she took his hand in hers.

He looked at her for a few moments with that analytical look of his that she so loved before responding. "Something like that...although Bill Gates deals more with computers and software."

"I know that, silly," she smiled, causing Ted to smile in return.

"So...is it okay...for HEW to stay here with you?" he asked with uncertainty in his voice.

She thought for a moment, and even though she found HEW a bit unsettling, she was sure that she could get used to him, if for no other reason than the fact that Ted had made him for her out of love and concern for her and their unborn baby.

And, if she was being honest with herself, she really could use a hand around the house right now.

"You're lucky he's house trained," she joked which took Ted a moment to catch before he pulled her into a thankful hug.

She couldn't stay mad at him. After all, not many husbands could build their wives a robot to help them when they were pregnant.

Sure, help could've been hired, which Ted had offered to do in the past, but Lainey didn't like the idea of strangers in their home.

When they parted, she looked up into his glasses clad eyes that she loved so much. "You know...I just might have to dress up like Princess Leia for you tonight," she said saucily. "Or Deanna Troi..." she added, knowing how much of a Trekkie he was as well.

His face went blank and he swallowed nervously like he always did, while she watched his Adam's apple bob up and down, enjoying how she could make him feel.

"So which one will it be, mister?" she asked huskily before crawling onto his lap and straddling him before taking his glasses off and running her fingers through his messy hair. "I can't wait to feel the tractor beam from your Star Destroyer pull my ship into your hyperspace," she whispered hotly in his ear, relishing in the goosebumps that formed on his skin.

She'd never watched Star Wars or Star Trek until she'd met Ted, and though it wasn't really her thing, she loved it because he did. 

"Y-you," he stuttered. "I only w-want you...only ever wanted you," he said intensely, meaning every word as he caressed her back, making her quiver inside like no one ever had before...although he couldn't help but notice that she had the whole pulling a ship into hyperspace thing wrong.

He dare not say a word though and ruin this perfect moment with his anal retentive ways.  

"Smart man...although I wouldn't mind wearing Leia's braided buns for you," she giggled before crashing her lips to his.

God...that would be hot, he thought. Talk about a nerd's wet dream...

Forgetting all about HEW, he quickly stood and carried her off to their bedroom with their lips locked in passionate kisses, leaving a trail of strewn clothes in their wake.

When HEW was finished with his outdoor tasks, he came inside to let Mrs. Robbins know that the pH levels in several of her plant's soil were sorely insufficient.

He knew right where they were and what they were doing, though at the time, he didn't compute why his creator had such needs, especially since he had already produced offspring. 

Not to mention that he'd created him too...

He'd heard their moans of what sounded like pleasure mixed with labored breaths and whispers of I love you exchanged.

After silently climbing the stairs, he stood outside their door for a few minutes, taking it all in, trying to comprehend why he could not relate.

Maybe if he had a visual, he could understand better...

Ted was just about to round home when the door to their bedroom opened, startling both he and Lainey.

Their room was dark, but the light from the hallway poured in around HEW's lurking form, causing Lainey to recoil with a squeal of embarrassment and Ted to stumble to the floor and begin fumbling for clothes.

"Out, HEW!" he commanded angrily before apologizing to Lainey, who had now retreated under the covers.

HEW backed up in confusion before turning and making his way back down the hall.

Why was his creator mad at him? He'd only done what they had asked.

"It's okay, honey...he's gone," Ted said before hastily yanking his shirt on.

"My God, Ted..." Lainey scolded. "How long had he been standing there?" she asked in alarmed mortification.

"Don't worry, my love," he tried to soothe her. "I will go and talk to him."

"Okay..." she responded absently while clasping the sheets around her chest tightly, still shaken by the incident.

Ted made his way downstairs where he found HEW standing motionless in the living room.

Ted grabbed his glasses off of the couch that Lainey had removed from him earlier and put them on before approaching HEW awkwardly, not sure of what to say.

"Your hydrangeas and azaleas require a more acidic soil than–" HEW began, but was cut off by Ted.

"HEW..." he began. "From now on, when we are in our bedroom, it is off limits," he said as he pushed the black frames up the bridge of his nose. "Unless it is an absolute emergency," he added, knowing that HEW was just as literal as he could be at times.

"Affirmative – emergencies only," he chirped. "Do you wish to talk about your soil's pH levels now?" 

Ted expelled a long sigh, feeling exhausted.

"No," he replied curtly before turning and heading into the kitchen.

He'd hoped that his gift would make Lainey happy, but all it had done so far is creep her out and interrupt their epic love making session.

Then again, sex with Lainey was always epic...

Ted always believed he'd die a virgin...until he'd met Lainey anyway.

Sure, he could've probably got laid, but he'd never wanted some cheap, meaningless lay.

Lainey had been his first and only, and he intended to keep it that way until the day he died.

Lainey, however, had lost her virginity during her senior year of high school, but regretted it.

While Ted would've loved to have been her first and only as well, he didn't begrudge her that and understood.

She was beautiful and popular, and still is, while he was and always will be a geek.

A/N : I hope you've enjoyed the first chapter of Artificial Love! This is a plot that's been in my head for quite some time and has been begging to be written...which I have finally started. Anyone who's a writer knows how it is when you get struck by plot bunnies - they just won't go away and will continue to plague you until you write them. Lol

That said, my plate is rather full with Along Came A Spider, Doll, and real life right now, so this story will not be updated until I have the spare time, so please be understanding.

This is also my first foray into creepy pasta, so I tried to write it in a way that it could be read/told as such.

PLEASE let me know what you think, so far! Is this something you're interested in? What do you think of the characters, especially HEW? LET ME HEAR FROM YOU!!! ❤️

🤖And PLEASE, DON'T forget to vote!🤖

Until next time, whenever that may be, I will leave you with one of my favorite songs from the 80's - Mr. Roboto, by Styx. Please give it a listen - it will really help set the tone for this story!

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

Lyrics :

Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto [どうもありがとうミスターロボット],
Mata au hi made [また会う日まで]
Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto [どうもありがとうミスターロボット],
Himitsu wo shiri tai [秘密を知りたい]

You're wondering who I am (secret secret I've got a secret)
Machine or mannequin (secret secret I've got a secret)
With parts made in Japan (secret secret I've got a secret)
I am the modern man

I've got a secret I've been hiding under my skin
My heart is human, my blood is boiling, my brain I.B.M.
So if you see me acting strangely, don't be surprised
I'm just a man who needed someone, and somewhere to hide

To keep me alive, just keep me alive
Somewhere to hide, to keep me alive

I'm not a robot without emotions. I'm not what you see
I've come to help you with your problems, so we can be free
I'm not a hero, I'm not the savior, forget what you know
I'm just a man whose circumstances went beyond his control

Beyond my control. We all need control
I need control. We all need control

I am the modern man (secret secret I've got a secret)
Who hides behind a mask (secret secret I've got a secret)
So no one else can see (secret secret I've got a secret)
My true identity

Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto, domo...domo
Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto, domo...domo
Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto
Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto
Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto
Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto

Thank you very much, Mr. Roboto
For doing the jobs that nobody wants to
And thank you very much, Mr. Roboto
For helping me escape just when I needed to
Thank you, thank you, thank you
I want to thank you, please, thank you

The problem's plain to see:
Too much technology
Machines to save our lives
Machines dehumanize

The time has come at last (secret secret I've got a secret)
To throw away this mask (secret secret I've got a secret)
Now everyone can see (secret secret I've got a secret)
My true identity...

I'm Kilroy! Kilroy! Kilroy! Kilroy!