Disclaimer: I do NOT own Dark Angel.

Chapter Four - Epilogue

Four years had passed since they claimed each other and life had gone through many changes in that time.

They now permanently lived in Terminal City. Once the truth about Manticore had come out, living in main Seattle was no longer a safe option. The eight hundred Manticore creations that called TC home had long since learned to work and live together.

Trade was permitted with main Seattle now. Mainly thanks to the campaigning of the Ordinaries who refused to believe the Familiars lies and a certain cyber journalist who let the truth get out as often as possible.

The war with the Familiars was short lived. To the great surprise of both sides, the Ordinaries had stepped up and joined the battle on the Transgenics side, once they had learned the truth about the Familiars and their plans for wiping them all out.

***

Alec stood on the roof of the command centre with Joshua and several others. They were silently staring at their fledging nations flag and silently wishing Annie a happy birthday. Joshua's mate Carri, another canine Transhuman, held his hand supportively. Their three year old son Issac was playing happily with another child.

"Daddy!" called a small girl coming out of the access door.

Alec spun around, recognising his daughters voice instantly. "Yes, Rachel?"

"Mommy says she needs you." she smiled as she spoke, her deep brown-green eyes glinting in the sunlight.

"I'll be right there." he told his three year old daughter as he walked toward her. "Time to go, Ben!" he called to her twin brother.

"See you later, Issac!" called Ben to his friend as he raced after his father and twin sister.

***

"Hey you guys!" called five year old Hope from her mothers side when Alec and the twins entered the control room. "You wanna go colour?"

"Daddy?" the twins asked hopefully. "Can we? PLEASE?!"

Alec smiled. "Sure. If that's okay with you, Gem."

"Of course!" smiled Gem as the twins cheered and rushed over to her. "OC's already bringing Knox over."

As if on cue, OC emerged from the briefing room, Alec's two year old son in her arms. "Hey little man." whispered Alec as they came closer, only to be glared at by OC. "Don't you go wakin' him up now. Max only just got him to take his nap!" she hissed at him quietly.

***

"Hey beautiful!" whispered Alec as he slipped his arms around Max's waist from behind and planted a loving kiss on her shoulder.

"Beautiful? Yeah, right!" mumbled Max, turning around in his arms to face him, her heavily pregnant stomach being deliberately pressed against him. "I'm a whale! Next time, you can carry the kid!"

Alec smirked at her and gently rubbed his hand across the bump containing their unborn child. "You always look beautiful to me!"

The clearing of a throat had both their heads snapping up to glare at the source of the sound.

Mole smirked at them both while the others around the briefing table were trying to avoid eye contact. "So," stated Mole. "You were saying something about…"

"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Mole's comment was cut off at its knees by Max's sudden scream of pain. Alec's eyes widened in shock before realisation flashed into them. "Everybody OUT!" he ordered. He grabbed Mole just as the lizard man was trying to flee what he knew was coming. "Get Mitch!"

Mole nodded quickly before racing off as if the devil himself was chasing him.

"You know…" laughed Max, grimacing slightly in pain. "For a big bad Transhuman, he sure is terrified of labour!"

"No, my love." Alec said, helping Max through to the side room where the overnight bed was. "He's afraid of your temper. You're scary when your in pain." Alec smirked.

"I don't frighten you do… AAAAAHHHHHH!"

Alec held Max until the contraction passed and then helped her onto the small bed.

"No, my love. There's nothing you could ever do that would frighten me away!"

"Max? Alec?" came Mitch's voice from the other side of the door.

"You can come in Mitch." called Alec. "We're about ready for you."

***

Sweat poured down Max's face as she panted and tried to remember how to breathe. "That's it, Max!" encouraged Mitch. "One more should do it!"

"I'm not fucking stupid!" snapped Max. "I have done this before you know!"

"It won't be much longer now." Mitch told Alec, ignoring Max's bitchy remarks. Alec simply nodded to Mitch as he continued to try and ignore the extreme pain in his hand, currently being crushed in Max's grip.

"Alec!" wailed Max. "I don't want him in h…"

"It's time Mitch!" stated Alec.

Without a word, Mitch stepped back, grabbed a rag to clean his hands and left the room. This had become routine with Max ever since she went into labour with the twins. She didn't want anyone but Alec to do the actual delivery. Alec had panicked the first time but a pep talk and ear piece later, he had definitely been up to the challenge.

"It's time to let go, my love." whispered Alec as he moved around her body for the delivery. Max whined at him but did as he asked. This was all for her and their new baby after all.

***

"What did they have?" asked Gem, trying to hold back three very eager children, desperately trying to reach their parents.

"It's not over yet." answered Mitch, quickly hiding the filthy rag behind his back so the children wouldn't see.

"Mommy!" shouted Rachel. "Daddy!" shouted Ben. "Momma, Dadda!" called Knox.

Mitch bent down to meet their worried faces. "Don't worry kids. It won't be long no…"

"It's a girl!" came Alec's voice as he emerged from the office holding a very small bundle wrapped in white cloth.

He was quickly surrounded by his older children and knelt down to show them their new little sister. "What do you think kids?"

"She's beautiful, Daddy!" echoed the twins. "Pwetty!" announced Knox.

A swarm of bodies appeared behind the children, all just as eager to meet the new arrival. "What's her name?" asked OC, picking up Knox, who didn't like the sudden crowd.

"Cindy!" stated Alec proudly. OC started to weep slightly, until Knox rubbed his little hand against her cheek. "Pwetty name." he whispered, causing OC to cry even more.

"Come on kids, you're Mom wants to see you." stated Alec, taking baby Cindy back into the office, Ben and Rachel almost attached to his every step. "You too, OC." he added before disappearing from view.

OC, hugging Knox tightly, quickly followed after Alec and the twins. Her heart swelled with love and contentment as she put Knox down and watched the growing family hug, weep and greet their newest arrival.

"And to think," announced OC, smiling, drawing Max and Alec's attention. "It all started with a hug!"

The End