DA: Season 3

Hello everyone! Another chapter, what?

Looking back on the first four chapters of this story that I wrote years ago, I had some serious cringe moments. In the future I will be editing and re-uploading the first four chapters, but for now I am interested in moving the story forward. And for all of you hoping to see Joshua, Cindy, and all our other beloved characters meet baby Carter...this one's for you!

Disclaimer: I do not own Dark Angel or any of the characters, however, all original characters and this current plot are all mine!

Chapter 6: Look at those cheeks!

Recap:

If he wanted to seriously pursue Max, he needed to make sure he was the kind of man she needed first, and to make sure he was pursuing her for the right reasons. With his feelings and thoughts resolved, he allowed himself to enjoy what he was feeling and experiencing. He knew that it was only a matter of time before their peaceful bubble was interrupted by questions, concerns, and some minor emergency or other but that was a worry for later. Right now he was going to watch over his family and read a parenting book.

Thanks to his enhanced genetics, Alec was able to speed read through the baby book no problem. While some sections made him a little uncomfortable and others had him outright terrified, he felt a bit more confident in his role as a father now that he had an inkling of what to expect. Last night he and Max had been overwhelmed by the barrage of people hoping to meet little Carter and he felt they had been cheated out of getting to experience their friends' reactions to their son. He assumes that this must be what other parents feel as well after spending hours in a delivery room only to be constantly interrupted by nurses and well-meaning visitors. In this way, he deduced that his experience and feelings about the situation were normal, but he also hoped that today would be different and that Carter could begin to know his massive extended family. Glancing over at the clock above the crappy stove, he saw that it was a quarter past seven. Knowing that Cindy and Sketchy had opted to stay in a semi livable apartment down the hall from him and Max, he was surprised the over-excitable but lovable pair hadn't already burst into their home to claim first dibs on 'Carter time' as he'd overheard Cindy dub it last night.

Detecting movement out of the corner of his eye, he saw that Carter looked to be waking up. His hands had balled up into fists and his mouth and head were making disjointed movements near Max's breast. He knew from his reading that Carter was rooting and likely hungry.

"Max, wake up," he called to her as he nudged her shoulder. She was instantly awake, her grip on Carter tightening a bit as though worried he would no longer be there. "It's okay Max, he's fine. Our little guy is getting hungry though and I want to make him a bottle. I also thought you might want to get decent since I believe our friends have exhausted their patience and are likely waiting outside our door to steal our kid." He said sardonically.

Max chuckled as she sat herself up and made soft shushing noises in an attempt to stave off Carter's cries.

"You're right. As soon as they hear the slightest bit of movement coming from our apartment, we'll be bombarded."

"Why did our genes have to create such an irresistible kid?" Alec sighed out dramatically, arms reaching out to steal the baby from Max. "Gimme. You had your bonding time with him and now it's my turn." Max rolled her eyes but transferred Carter into his fathers arms and rapidly began to put her top back on. Alec respectfully averted his gaze...after a five second delay, and proceeded to the kitchen to employ his bottle making skills. His chest was warmed by the feather light weight of his son whose cries were beginning to intensify.

"Hey Carter, it's okay. Your breakfast is almost ready, I promise." While his voice seemed to catch Carter's attention, it in no way satisfied his need, and Alec saw no other recourse but to pull his son impossibly closer into a hug. His head dipped down to rest against the miniature one cradled in his arms. He inhaled the scent of his baby, his cub, and exhaled deeply, marking his own scent on his son as a soothing mechanism. He did this until the bottle was ready and found that Carter had relaxed and his small hands gripped his fathers chest as though returning the embrace. Alec marvelled at all the little mannerisms and moments that he had experienced with his son so far and grew excited at the prospect of all the things he and Max had yet to discover with and about their son. Repositioning Carter, he started to feed him and couldn't resist a soft chuckle at the piglet like noises his kid made as he ate. You'd think they never fed the little guy!

Max shuffled about getting a light breakfast together for the both of them and as predicted, her movements drew about the first round of morning visitors. A knock at the door caused them both to exchange knowing looks across the kitchen and Max headed to the door, Alec right behind her to see who all had shown up. The door opened to reveal an ecstatic Cindy who appeared to be bouncing around on her toes, Biggs who was attempting to look casual, a beaming Sketchy, and a nervously shuffling Joshua.

"Oh good, you're up!" Said Cindy as she steamrolled past Max into the apartment before coming to a stop in front of Alec. The fact that he was feeding the baby was the only reason that his son was not snatched away from him. "Oh my god. Look at those cheeks!" she squealed, causing all the men present to flinch. "You are such a cutie Car Car, I could just steal you away, yes I could." Much to Alec's chagrin, she continued to coo at Carter, all the while caressing the sleep mussed hair atop his head and his squishy milk filled cheeks. The growing look of consternation on Alec's face as Cindy continued her coo's and squeals was providing plenty of entertainment for the rest of the room's occupants.

"Alright!" He exclaimed, frowning all the while. "Tone it down would you, let the poor kid eat. And you will not be calling my son Car Car, someone could hear you then it would catch on. His name is Carter. It's a good name!" He knew it was a mistake the moment the words left his mouth as Cindy placed her hand on her chest, an affronted expression covering her face.

"Excuse me, pretty boy! Just because he's half yours does not mean you can limit the love that his auntie original Cindy bestows upon his angelic little self. If I want to call him Car Car and squeeze his cheeks and spoil him rotten, you best believe I will. Max girl," she called over her shoulder gesturing to the snickering woman in question. "Come explain to the pretty boy just how this is gonna work."

"Cindy go easy on him, I need him around and sane to help change all the dirty diapers." Max commented with an air of carelessness.

"You right girl. And he does look good holding a baby all shirtless and whatnot," OC responds while perusing Alec appreciatively. "I can see why you want to keep these two all to yourself." She says, making Max splutter and Alec grin, cocky as usual. "I guess Original Cindy can learn to play nice with the diaper changer."

Alec looked heavenward and sighed, "I feel so objectified and used," he pouted, his pleading eyes seeking Max's sympathy. She simply snorted inelegantly.

"Now you know how women go through on the daily," she said, receiving a high five and a 'you got that right' from OC.

Alec glared over at the three individuals who had broken the bro code by stepping aside and letting him get thrown into the deep end while they stood back and waved goodbye. Biggs and Sketchy were in tears and clutching their sides as they succumbed to laughter. Even Joshua was chuckling whilst attempting to sneak a peek at Carter whose face was mostly hidden by the bottle. Seeing the gentle giant, not to mention loyal friend to him and Max so excitedly curious about their child, he softened his tone and extended an olive branch.

"Hey Sasquatch why don't you come and meet the newest addition to our crazy group?" Joshua perked up immediately and took a seat on the edge of the couch cushion, his face eager.

"This is your cub? This is little fella's cub?" He questioned in wonder.

"Yeah, it is. His name is Carter and I think he'd like to meet his uncle Joshua." Max answered for them as she joined Alec. "Here let me place him in your arms, just make sure you support his head." After arranging Carter in Joshua's arms she stood back and for once silence reigned as everyone looked on as these two met. Wide awake and fed, Carter was a bit more alert and his little hands stretched out, feeling the new textures of Joshua's clothes and face. Joshua brought the little squirming bundle up closer to his face and leaned in to inhale the baby's scent.

"Smells like Alec and little fella, like pack. Don't worry, I'll help you protect our new tiny fella."

Everyone in the room understood the devotion and promise that Joshua's words held, and for a moment no one spoke, they were all content to bask in the sense of rightness and family that they knew would forever bind them.

The ladies:

Though they waged a fierce battle, (well, all except Joshua who couldn't bear to upset Max) and although they clearly had the advantage in numbers, the men still lost the battle for custody of an unbothered Carter Guevara-McDowell. Instead, he had been burped, changed, and marked by his aunt Cindy's lipstick as she couldn't resist kissing his puffy little cheeks. He was currently being rocked to sleep in his aunts arms while Max looked on in pride as only a parent could.

"I still can't believe you're a mama girl! How are you doing with all the changes? I feel like you probably haven't gotten a chance to adjust to anything yet," Cindy inquired, care and concern for Max written all over her face. Max reached out a hand and took hold of Carter's tiny fist, taking a moment to collect her thoughts.

"Honestly, I'm shocked at how quickly I fell in love with Carter. He is everything I never thought I'd have. It's been less than a full day that he's been with us and I can't picture a world without him." Cindy nodded in agreement before scooting closer and lowering her voice a bit.

"What about things with your pretty boy? I always thought there was something going on with you two, or at least the potential for something in the future, but I want to make sure that you are protected, and that if you start a relationship with him it won't be just because of a baby. There are plenty of people who share kids without having a romantic relationship and everyone involved is better off for it."

"Cindy, thank you for worrying about me. Please believe me when I tell you that right now there is nothing romantic going on with me and Alec. Who knows how our relationship will progress in the future, what I do know is that we respect each other, we support one another, and we both love and want what's best for Carter." Cindy nodded her head, hearing the sincerity in Max's words and supporting her convictions.

"Alright girl, I trust you and I'm happy for you. You're gonna be such a good mama," she said. Both of the women took a moment to clear their misty eyes and exchange meaningful smiles born from a deep friendship, shared experiences, and late night conversations full of whispered hopes and dreams too fragile to be spoken in the harsh light of day. "It's my turn to be honest," Cindy spoke. "Life outside of TC isn't the same without you. The world has always been ugly, but the truths that have been coming to light recently about the transgenics, Manticore, and the government's involvement in all of this, not to mention all the hate for transgenics is like nothing I've ever seen. All I know is that I'm seeing innocent people being hunted down and villainized for existing. You know Original Cindy doesn't get this deep very often girl, but this is something I feel strongly about. You are my family and they are going after you. All I know is you don't abandon family...which is why Sketchy and I were talking things over last night, and we told Alec we want to stay here in TC with you. Think of all the help we could provide, and you also best believe auntie Cindy will not be missing out on seeing her little Car Car on the daily!" Cindy's words silenced any heartfelt reply Max could have conjured up. She knew her friends loved her and hadn't hesitated to help herself or the other transgenics when the truth about them came out, but amid all the vitriol and persecution of transgenics, she didn't stop to think that perhaps they could have more support than they would ever know. Nothing had chilled her to the core like the death of their transgenic brother who had been beaten to death and hung in the streets as a warning but also as a prize. She remembers the overwhelming fear and rage that had consumed the escapees of TC that day, and it was still there, simmering under the surface. Max knew that aside from merely surviving, the people of TC needed confidence. Confidence in a leader, confidence in their security, and in their continued survival. Max knew what she had to do now, and looking upon her friends, her family, she knew she had all the support she could ever ask for surrounding her if she faltered. Rather than speak, she simply pulled Cindy close, mindful of the now sleeping Carter, and held her friend, allowing her thanks to be expressed in their embrace.

The guys:

"Wow, I still can't believe you and Max have a son," Sketchy muses aloud. "How are you guys doing?"

"So far we're doing alright. We've decided to take it one day at a time, and even though the timing and everything that we're dealing with right now aren't exactly ideal conditions to be raising a kid in, we love Carter and we're going to do our best by him." The men nod their agreement knowing only too well the dangers and horrors that existed outside TC's gates.

"You guys have got us man, whatever you need," Biggs promised.

"Yeah and I could babysit!" Sketchy suggests, much to everyone's horror. "Or, well Cindy could babysit and I'd just supervise." he quickly amends, not entirely confident in his ability to look after a newborn baby.

"I appreciate it guys," Alec says, once again grateful for the friends that surround him. "I have a feeling Max and I will be keeping Carter pretty close for the first few months. It's important for newborn babies to bond with their parents, you know? Get used to their scent, voice, stuff like that. It'll help with their developmental growth."

"Well, look who cracked a book!" Biggs teased.

"Shut up man, of course I'm going to do my research. Manticore always taught us to be prepared right? Besides I want to be able to help Max with Carter, I want to make sure we do things right for him."

"Hey man I get it, I think it's awesome what you're doing for the kid. So come on, tell us what we can expect from our nephew in the next few weeks."

"Really?" Alec asked skeptically, not wanting to be mocked.

"Really. I've never been around a newborn before, it'll be cool to learn about them firsthand."

"Yeah," Sketchy spoke up. "I hear babies are kind of blind when they're first born, is that true?"

"Tiny fella can't see?" Joshua asks, alarmed.

"No, no, Carter's fine. Newborns aren't blind per say, it's more like they're nearsighted. Their vision can pick out shapes or faces at least 8 inches out, that's why you have to get pretty close to their faces when you hold or talk to them."

"Woah, that's cool. What else?" Sketchy pleaded to know, scooting closer.

"Well," Alec begins, warming to the topic. "Don't even get me started on their diapers. You guys haven't experienced disgust until you've seen the stuff that can come out of a miniature human…"

The close group of gathered friends spent the better part of half an hour checking in on one another and bonding over the newest addition to their rag tag family. By eight o'clock though, they knew that they could delay their presence in HQ. After all, there was plenty of work to be done. Having thoroughly impressed and grossed out his friends with his knowledge of newborns Alec made his way over to Max and Cindy who were speaking in hushed tones as to not disturb a slumbering Carter. He ambled over and hunkering down beside Max's seat to get a better look at their son:

"Are you ready to go Maxie? We should really have a morning check-in at HQ to check on the progress we've made so far on our assignments, and what we still have left to do."

"I know you're right, I just don't know how we're going to take Carter with us. And I want to take him with us, I don't want to be separated from him right now."

"I got you girl," OC interjects. "Let me go get one of my thick scarves. I've seen a lot of new momma's make them into a sling so they can carry their babies around and still have their hands free. I'll be right back!" darting off before either parent can form a response.

"Well that takes care of that," Max said. "Why don't you go get dressed? I'll pack Carter's baby bag with anything we might need for the next few hours."

"Sounds like a plan."

Joshua took his leave intending to update Mole on Alec and Max's impending arrival. Sketchy opted to accompany him and scope out the place as he put it. Seeing an opening, Biggs made his way to Max who upon reading the question in his eyes, carefully deposited her baby into his uncle's eager hold.

"So, how hard was it for you not to elbow in on Cindy's time and come steal your nephew from her?" Max teased, amused.

"Max please. I have nothing to be insecure about. It's already been established that I am Carter's favorite."

"Oh, hell naw. I don't know how many hits you took to the head during your Manticore training, but it must have been a lot if you believe that you're this kid's favorite." Cindy pipes up, having returned unnoticed.

"Why are you getting so worked up about this Cathy, is it because you know I'm right?" Biggs taunted, purposefully mis-saying her name.

"Boy you'd best believe if you weren't holding my sleeping little angel nephew, I would have already put you on your ass."

"Language!" Max interjects. "No cussing in front of my kid."

"Our kid," Alec corrects, making his way back into the room. "Besides, don't you think it's a little soon to start watching our language around him? He's too young to understand."

"It's the principle of the matter," argues Max.

"Yeah, sure."

"Oh, whatever. Cindy can you help me make the sling you were talking about so we can go?"

"Sure thing babe." After a bit of maneuvering and unnecessary commentary from Alec and Biggs, Max was now the proud owner of a baby sling. Alec took Carter from Biggs and together with Max, made sure he was safely tucked into the carrier and close to Max's chest.

"Oh, you look so cute carrying Carter like that," Cindy gasped. "Let me take a quick picture."

"Is that really necessary?" Max protests.

"Yes girl! Carter is going to need a family picture when he is older. Besides he won't be this age forever, we need to document it."

"And the picture isn't just for the two of you," Biggs inserted. "With all the crap going on, seeing a bit of happiness will be good for morale around here."

Sharing a look, Alec and Max can't argue with that logic, and deep down they both want a photo with Carter.

"Alright, where do you want us?" Max asks.

After a bit of maneuvering and posing, Cindy uses Sketchy's camera to take two photos of the young family in front of the large living room window. In the first photo Alec is standing behind Max, his arms encompassing Max, while her arms cradle Carter. In the second photo, Alec is standing opposite Max and they are both cradling Carter between them. Biggs who had been hovering behind OC took in the family portrait and felt a small smile tug at his mouth.

"It's perfect," he whispered to himself.

"It really is," Cindy agrees.

I just finished watching Dark Angel Season 2 ep 19 "She Ain't Heavy" and I have to say that I love the ease in which Max and Alec naturally gravitate towards each other, the friendship they share with Joshua, and their level of comfort where it's not unusual for them to hug or touch. Their on screen evolution was perfect. I will definitely play more with this concept within the next chapters.

Let me know what you thought of this chapter! What are you looking forward to seeing in the future?