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Chapter 29

It was almost six when Fang walked in. The second he did, Bone got up from his seat next to me.

"Alright?" The silk let his mouth.

"I'll be fine."

"Eat?"

"I'll eat."

Bone shook his head. "With me. Tonight?"

Fang walked over to us, having heard this. "Yeah Max. With him?"

I looked down at the counter. "I'm fine, Bone. See you tomorrow…"

Bone stared at me for a moment before walking out of the store. Luther walked into the room from there back.

"Fang! Where's my girl?"

"She and Tyler are with Dr. Martinez."

Luther nodded, coming to sit next to me. Fang looked at me before going in the back. When he walked back out, he had boxes with him. He sat them down in front of some bookshelves, starting to restock. It was completely silent for about an hour, save the ten people we had during that time span. Around seven, Luther stood up.

"I'm going to get us some dinner. Any requests?"

"I'll go," I suggested, not wanting to be left alone with my husband. God, that sentence sounds like he abuses me.

Luther shook his head. "No, I am. I have to stop by this girl's house because she has something to give me so it might take awhile. Don't kill each other while I'm gone!"

With that, he left. Fang kept restocking for fifteen minutes, until he ran out of books. He sighed, going to sit next to me. Another fifteen minutes of silence.

"Are you sleeping with him?"

It took me a second to comprehend that he was talking to me and another to understand what he had asked. "Who? Luther?"

"What? No!" Fang turned to glare at me. "Bone."

"Ew. God no."

"Really? You seem really close to him."

"He's taking care of me where as you haven't."

Fang frowned, turning away from me. After a moment, he said, "Come home."

"I can't Fang." I hated my voice at that moment.

"It wasn't a question. You're my wife and you're coming home with me in the morning."

"No."

Fang glared at me. "You think that I'm just going to let you stay here? I don't know if you noticed but that is my baby inside of you."

"Your baby? Please, you hate me and the baby."

"How could you say that?"

"Because it's true." I looked him right in the eyes. "Aren't you the one who said that love and hate aren't opposites?"

"Max, I know that I shouldn't have said that thing about you killing babies but you need to come home." Fang took a deep breath. "You're having my baby, whether we like it or not. I want you home while you're pregnant."

"Why?"

"Because Max, sleeping on that couch isn't good for you or the baby. And I know as a fact that you're not eating enough for you and the baby."

"I am too!"

"I doubt it." He shook his head. "What you do once the baby is born is up to you. If you want to divorce me-"

"Fang you don't even recognize me as your wife!"

"You want me to recognize you?" Fang stood up.

"Fang-"

He opened the store door and yelled out, "I'm married to Maximum Ride Shadows!"

"Fang stop it," I hissed.

"Stop what? This is what you wanted, right Max?" Huh?"

"Fang, what I meant is to the people who know us."

"Oh they know us now!"

I laid my head against the counter. "Don't mock me. Please."

His breathing evened a little, his voice getting softer, more Fang-like. "Max, I want you to come home with me."

"No."

Such a simple word. Only two letters and yet so much meaning. Fang stood still for a moment, forgetting that he had to breath.

"Fang, it's not-"

He just walked out of the store. When Luther go back sometime later, he didn't ask where Fang was. I don't know if he called him or what but the name of my husband never left his lips.


"She's out cold." Luther laughed a little. "I have to get going. Got three girls waiting for me back home."

Fang shook his head in disgust. "Whatever."

Luther watched as Fang sat down in the seat he had been in before. "Where did you go?"

"To Dr. Martinez's."

Luther sighed. "Look Fang, don't hurt her."

"I-"

"No, I know you're going to in the long run. Everyone does. But tonight, just leave her alone, alright? Let her sleep."

"I know how to take care of my wife."

Luther held his tongue. It wasn't worth it. "Just let her sleep."

Fang said nothing, instead opening a comic he had brought with him. Luther walked out of the store, closing the door softly behind him. It was around one when a man came in.

"Got an order that was supposed to be shipped here," the man said. "Names David. David Wallace."

Fang got up. "It's in the back. Be right back."

The man looked at the woman sleeping on the counter. She shivered a little in her sleep. When Fang came back, the man spoke.

"She work here?"

Fang nodded. "Here's your books, Mr. Wallace."

"Thanks." The man paid and left. Fang sighed, looking down at Max. He took off his jacket, putting it over her shoulders. Two hours later, when she started snoring, Fang decided to take care of it. He stood up, gently lifting her into his arms. Max instinctively curled into him. Fang carried her to the back a laid her on the couch.

"Love you."

He ignored this. She always said that in her sleep. Fang put the blanket over her, giving her a gently kiss on the head.

"Cut it out." She rolled onto her stomach. For a second Fang feared that she would fall off the couch. To fix this issue, he took the pillows on the opposite end of the couch off and laid them on the floor, to soften her fall. After doing this, he realized that that was stupid. Shaking his head, he decided to leave it, just in case. Fang kissed the back of her head before going back out.


I opened my eyes slowly, groaning. I had a headache.

"Finally up, Sleeping Beauty?"

I looked towards the desk. "What?"

"You know that it's already like eleven."

"Really?" I sat up.

"Yep. You sleep a lot. And snore." Luther kept doing whatever he was doing. "Your boyfri- husband, went and got you breakfast."

"What?"

"Nothing good. Just some fast food. He didn't even get me anything! It's probably cold now but it's the thought that counts, right?"

"Yeah…"

Luther sighed. "He's leaving soon. Go with him."

"Huh?"

"You stink! Go home and shower. Take the day off." Luther went back to writing. "Besides, all you do here is sleep and eat. I could get my own girlfriend if I wanted someone to do all that."

I got up, going out there. Bone was sitting on a stool, ringing someone up. We were busy. We were actually busy. There was a line! Fang was ringing people up too. Fang held up a bag of food to me, giving it to me as I passed by. I sat down on the floor behind the counter, opening it. It was, as Luther said, cold but the warmth I got from knowing that he cared enough to get me food was more than enough heat for me.

About thirty minutes later, the busy phase was over. Fang stood up. To no one in particular, he said, "I'm leaving."

I got up. "I'm going too."

Bone turned his attention to me. "Pick up?"

I frowned, not understanding. "Wh-"

"You don't need to pick her up. She's not leaving." Fang didn't even look at me. He put on his jacket. "She's coming home and staying home."

I didn't say anything, just followed Fang out to the car. When we got to the house, Mom was there, watching the twins. Tyler was on the couch, Tabitha putting on a show for her sick brother with his stuffed toys. When we walked in, they both screamed.

"Max!" Tabitha ran to me, hugging my leg. "Daddy b'ing you home!"

Tyler tried to get up but Mom wouldn't let him. "Stay."

"Max!" Tyler reached out for me. I ran a hand through Tabitha's hair before going over to him. Picking him up, I sat down in his place, putting him in my lap. "Max back."

"Yeah."

He leaned against me. "No leave me again."

"I won't."


It was around eight when Fang and I finally were alone. I was in bed, talking to Carlos on the phone. He said that he had to go because Kyle was about to get home. After I hung up, Fang walked in. He took off his shirt, laying face down on the bed. I turned towards him, running my hand down his back. He moved away.

"Don't touch me."

"Fang-"

"You're here because I need you here. I don't need you to touch me." He never even looked at me. "Don't think that I'm just going to forget how easily you walked out on me."

"It wasn't easy Fang!"

"Shut up. I'm sleeping."

"Fang-"

"Go in the living room if you're going to be loud."

"What? You don't want me to sleep on the couch at the store but sleeping on one here's okay?"

"I didn't say sleep on the couch. You're sleeping here, in our bed where you're supposed to be. But if you're not going to sleep, go away."

I laid my head on his pillow. "I'm sorry Fang, that me being pregnant makes you mad but you can't hate me for it."

He ignored this. "Go to sleep."

"It's only eight."

"Yeah? You didn't have to stay up all night last night, did you? And then didn't have to come here and play like you're not pissed at the whole fucking world!"

I turned away from him. "I hate you."

It was silent for about an hour. Fang didn't fall asleep. Neither did I but I was pretty close…until he reached out for me, pulling my body to his. He kissed the back of my head. A minute later, he was asleep.


August

Tyler put his face against my stomach. "Baby no have light. Baby no see?"

"It doesn't have eyes yet," Luther said.

Tyler gasped. "Baby blind? Baby Un-Iggy?"

I sighed, running a hand down his head. "No."

He was sitting on the counter in front of me, suddenly interested in the small bulge that had taken over my stomach. Tabitha, however, wasn't interested in the baby steadily growing inside of me. Luther had made a joke about it being a girl and Tabitha having to fight for Fang's attention from it. Tabitha didn't like the thought of having a sister now. Tyler, however, was overly joyful at thought of having a little sister. He thought that she would replace Tabitha and she would go away. Go figure.

Fang, who was stocking the shelves, sighed. "Tyler, leave Max alone."

Tyler ignored him, running his hand down my stomach. "Baby sleep?"

"Yeah."

"How baby eat?"

"It eats what I eat."

Tyler considered this. "How baby poop?"

"Uh…it doesn't?" I looked at Luther for an answer but he had turned his attention to his phone. He felt me looking at him.

"It does…I think." He kept texting. "God, this girl will not leave me alone."

"What's wrong?"

"She thinks that because of some stuff we did last week that she's my girlfriend."

"Why she no you girlfriend?" Tabitha asked. She was next to Fang, making Mesh dance around him as he tried to work.

"Because, silly, you are. I can't have two, can I?"

Tabitha giggled. "No be you girlfriend, no more."

"What? Why not?"

"Me Tommy gets married."

Tyler frowned before brightening. "Tabby move in wid Tommy. Baby gets Tabby's room."

"No, Ty-er." She stuck her tongue out at her. "Ty move out and Tommy gets his room."

"If you guys are getting married, wouldn't you stay in the same room?" Luther asked.

Tabitha made a face. "Ew. Boys nasty. No want him in me room."

Fang smiled. "Good girl. Boys are nasty."

Tyler stuck his tongue out at his sister before turning back to my stomach. "When baby come?"

"My due dates not till December, Tyler."

Frowning, he reached out for Luther, who sat him down on the ground. Tyler went over to Fang.

"Daddy?"

"What?"

"Where baby sleep?"

Fang pulled Tyler into his lap. "In me and Max's room at first. Then, if it's a boy, in your room. If it's a girl, with Tabitha."

Tabitha's eyes got big. "No! Baby no sleep in me room!"

"Shhh." Fang leaned over to kiss her head. "Stop screaming."

She hugged Mesh to her. "No want baby."

"Why not?"

"Baby take me room. No want sis'er."

I sighed, rubbing my stomach a little. I want a girl. I just have always wanted a daughter. Not that Tabitha isn't great, because she is but I want her to have a sister. Whether she realizes it or not she'll love a sister. And Tyler already wants one so…

Fang got up and came over to me. "Get up."

I stood up. Fang sat in my spot before pulling me into his lap. This was how he was. Nice when other people are around and a jerk when we're alone. He laid his head on my shoulder, running a hand over my stomach. He rubbed circles over it with his thumb. For all the love he had for our baby, he hated me.


Tyler has started sucking his thumb. At first, when Fang said that he couldn't have his binky anymore, he cried. Then he got over it. Now, he just sucks his thumb.

"Tyler, you'll get germs. Stop it."

He kept doing it. Fang ran a hand down his chest, his fingers lingering on Kevin's name. "Tyler, stop."

He removed his thumb, curling against Fang. "No feel good."

I looked at the clock. It was five. I groaned. "Ty, why are you in here?"

"Tummy."

He had been out of the hospital two days. Radiation and chemo. How fun. Tyler yawned.

"Go to sleep, baby."

He turned over to face me. He kissed my stomach. "Hi baby."

"Go to sleep." I closed my eyes again.

"No sleepy."

Fang stood up, walking out of the room. Tyler moved over, into Fang's spot. He giggled. "Me Daddy, Max."

"You are?" I didn't open my eyes.

"Yes." Tyler giggled. "Max! Go do clothes! Now!"

I knew he meant no harm by doing that but it made my stomach hurt. That's when I felt it. It kicked. I smiled a little.

"Tyler, you want to feel something?"

He nodded, curious. "What?"

I grabbed his hand, laying it over my stomach.

"No feel-"

"Shhh, wait."

A second later, the baby kicked again. Tyler looked shocked. "What dat?"

"It's the baby."

Tyler laid his head against my stomach. "What it doin'?"

"Kicking."

Tyler smiled. "It talk?"

"No, silly." I ran a hand down his head. Fang walked back into the room.

"What are you doing? Tyler needs to be sleeping." He asked, going into the bathroom, leaving the door open. He started brushing his teeth.

"The baby's kicking."

Tyler giggled as it did again. "Hi baby."

Fang snorted, spitting in the sink. He went over to the closet, pulling out what he was going to wear. "You got work today?"

"No."

Fang started getting dressed. "You can deal with both of them?"

"Yeah."

Fang walked out of the room, not even coming to feel our baby kick.


"There." I finished putting bows in her hair. "Now you look beautiful."

Tabitha smiled. Tyler, who was playing ball with Tommy, looked over.

"Gets married now?"

"Yes." Tabitha got off the porch. Cameron's sister-in-law, Tommy's mom, laughed.

"Do you guys even know how to get married?" Mary asked. They got back from Europe yesterday. Tabby wanted to get married before they left. Tom's parents are rich. She wants to get married to him, go ahead. Maybe will luck out and they'll stay together forever and give us money when they grow up. Here's to dreaming.

Tommy nodded. "Gets rings. Ty have dem?"

He pulled the ring-pops I had gotten them out of his pocket. Tabby gets pink, Tom gets blue, and I gets red."

Cameron frowned. "Why do you have one, Tyler?"

"Me hungry." Tyler went over to me. "Max open dem?"

I opened all of them. "There, baby."

He went over to his sister and her friend. "Okay. Now marry?"

Tabitha looked at me. "What now, Max?"

"You have to say your vows, Tabs."

"Vows?"

"Yep. Like…you promise to stay with him until death."

"Promise," Tommy said automatically.

Tabitha had to think about it. "What if I no want to stay married till me die?"

That's my girl. "Then you get to divorce him."

Tabitha had to think about it. "Me keep ring if me no gets married?"

Tommy looked like he was going to cry. I sighed. "No, Tyler will get it."

"Okay, me promised."

"Now you're married!" Mary laughed as the two newly fake weds clapped. Tyler just started eating his candy.


Bone pulled out of the kiss. Fang shifted a little, as did Luther.

"Bone, can't you take that somewhere else?" Luther asked.

We were at Luther's, watching a movie. Fang and I got the bed while Luther laid out on the couch in his room. Bone and his girlfriend were sitting at the head of the bed, their backs pressed against it.

"So what did you say your name was again?" The girl asked him.

"Bone."

She giggled. "Sounds like you should solve murders or something."

Fang rolled his eyes. In my ear, he whispered, "She is ruining the movie."

I had basically fallen asleep. It was some TV movie that was anime. It was so boring! I cuddled against Fang.

"I'm sleepy."

He ran a hand up and down my back. "Then sleep."

"I'm not sleeping in his bed!" I hissed under my breath.

My stomach was pressed so closely to his that he felt it when the baby kicked. Fang looked down. "Was that-"

"Yeah."

Hs smirked a little, all thoughts of the movie removed from his mind. "It's so strong."

He moved down so that he could press his head against my stomach.

"Ugh! Not you guys too. And in my bed!"

"The baby kicked." Fang smiled against the bump. He laughed a little when he did it again.

Luther rolled his eyes at me, making me smile. Fang's so cute.


Fang rolled onto his back. I moved closer, waiting to see if he would wake up. When he didn't, I laid my head on his chest. His wings came out but didn't wrap around me. I opened mine a little, using one of them to tickle his chest. I rand it down the middle of his chest. Fang moaned.

"Cut it out or else you'll be back on your side of the bed."

I cuddled against him. One of the few times I was getting to be close and I was going to use it up.

"I love you Fang."

He kissed my head, gently, lingering a while. "Go to sleep."

I smiled. "I miss you…when you act like a jerk to me."

Fang glanced down at me. "I miss Tyler not being-"

I moved away from him. "Forget it Fang. Just forget it."


Next chapter is the last. Anyone catch The Office reference and the Bones one? New season's Thursday. Couldn't throw an SVU one but hey.