Once again I just can't get it straight
Wondering if wandering is my fate
Don't lose hope in me quite yet
'Cause help must be on the way any day
From my head to my heart
Can't seem to find a way, they're so far apart
-From My Head to My Heart, Evan & Jaron
"Alright, Maxie, 20th year of life, and you got some decisions to make!" Georgie exclaimed to Maxie with a slight grin.
"Oh, no, don't do this to me, Georgie. It's my birthday, save me the trouble…."
"Oooh, no, no, Maxie, it's all up to you," Georgie interrupted her, grabbing her hands and pulling Maxie out of her bed. "You had your morning cupcake, you blew the candle, and now choices need to be made!"
"Okay, what are my options?" Maxie asked while slipping on her warm, comfortable tan Uggs.
"Pizza toppings – plain cheese, vegetable-lover or meat-lover, and Freddy or Jason?" Georgie questioned. definitely
"Wow, choices, choices, um, let's go with cheese, and definitely Jason, who can say no to the scream acting skills of Jaime Lee Curtis!" Maxie replied with a broad smile, "wait, no options on desserts, or the cupcake is my only sweet treat."
"Oh, no, that's a surprise. Get dress. I have the afternoon shift at Kelly's, but you will not be alone. Diego is off this afternoon, and he will keep you company with the Trick-o-Treaters. I'll be back later tonight with your surprise treat!"
Upon hearing the name Diego, Maxie felt joy mixed with guiltiness because only a moment ago, she replaced Jesse's image with Diego's in her mind. In the beginning, she has fought on her feelings and perhaps thought she was confused, blaming it on hormones and Carly's nagging. However, Maxie knows that the truth of the matter is somehow, in the short time of their renewal friendship, Maxie has fallen for Diego. She does not know how it is even possible. Diego was not a stranger that just appeared, and perhaps it is the familiarity that contributed to her feelings. Still, part of her cannot fully accept that she moved on from Jesse so quickly.
She is also not surprised that Georgie has made Diego part of the birthday festivities. Mac has and is still weary that Diego has become part of Maxie's life. When Maxie informed Mac that Diego would be a permanent fixture in her life, she was lectured on safety and how Diego will forever be tied to the mob world. Maxie did not quite understand, considering Diego was doing everything in his will to separate himself from Lorenzo Alcazar. Even Robin and Georgie have defended Diego. Georgie has always been an optimistic person and choosing to see the best in everyone. Robin's friendship with Jason Morgan and Sonny, despite Carly's displeasure, understood there's more to a person than their past criminal activities.
Anna as well, her Godmother, has taken a likely to Diego. She found it admirable that Diego was willing to break free from the mob life and earn an honest living while working his way through college. Having the approval of the women in the family has left Mac as the odd man out and had to tolerate Diego's existence in the Jones-Scorpio clan. Despite his disapproval of Maxie and Diego's closeness, Mac's tolerance grew to little respect when he noticed how dependable Diego has been for Maxie. It was not lost on the family that Diego has played more of an active role in Maxie's pregnancy than Lucky Spencer.
Maxie pointed out to everyone that Lucky is adjusting to life out of rehab. Rebuilding the father-son relationship with Cameron and Elizabeth, also being pregnant, he was determined to fix his marriage. It was surprising the Elizabeth took Lucky back. According to Carly, Elizabeth stayed for Cameron and the unborn baby, and Maxie supported that decision. As a child of divorced parents and abandoned, she hopes that their marriage will work out for Cameron's sake. Maxie has often wonder how different her childhood would have been if Frisco never left her and Georgie or if Felicia and Mac never divorced. As adults, the choices that are made impact life outcomes, but when children become involved, those choices no longer affect the adults but also the children.
Her family argued that Lucky needs to find a balance and remember that Maxie was also carrying his child. However, Maxie felt okay that Lucky was not actively involved. She would not want her baby to experience what she experienced as a little girl when Frisco abandon her. Maxie needed Lucky to be fully ready and willing to be involved in her baby's life. In the meantime, she would prepare herself for the possibility of being a single mother. Deep down, she knows that she and her baby would be simply fine as long she had the support of her family.
Ding-dong
Hearing the doorbell, Maxie grabbed the bowl of candy to pass out to the children. She hopes there will be enough for the rest of the night because she helped herself to most peanut butter cups already, and it is not even 8 pm yet. However, like always, as of late, Diego always seemed to know what she will need.
"Happy Birthday-slash-Halloween!" Diego exclaimed with a broad smile while holding up an extra-large bag of mixed candy.
"What are you, a psychic? I was wondering if I'll have enough candy for the night," Maxie informed him.
"Not psychic, just know you well," he replied while eyeing the half-full bowl of candy. He quickly opened the bag of candy he was carrying and poured it into the bowl. He then grabbed the bowl from Maxie and led her to the living room couch. He places the bowl on the table. They quietly and quickly got into the comfortable, normal position. He sat on the couch, Maxie sat on his left side, and then he grabbed legs and placed them on his. He noticed her wince.
"You, okay?" he asked with concern.
"I am fine, just slightly swollen and sore ankles," she answered. Diego gently removed her Uggs and began to massage her feet with his right hand while his left rubbed her ankles.
"oooh, that feels muy bien, gracias!" Maxie said with a grateful smile.
"De nada querida," he said back, "would you like me to besara mejor as well" he jokingly asked.
"Ewww, no kissing feet are disgusting!" Maxie exclaimed back.
"So, have you decided on a theme for your nursery yet?"
"That's what you want to discuss while waiting for Georgie, nursery décor?"
"Well, considering I may be part of helping to set up, I thought I should know when you have decided so I can be prepared when I'll be covered in cans of paint," he said with sarcasm.
"Well, I am thinking nature, so prepared for being covered in green paint," she said with a sigh, very much enjoying the message of her feet, "uh, what I'll do without you!"
Diego gave a small laugh, and he stared at Maxie as she retrieved a piece of chocolate from the bowl. As she bit into the chocolate, he thought how he would love to have moments like these every day for the rest of his life. When he first met Maxie, he fantasized about her despite seeing Brooklynn at the time. He was just drawn to her spirit and those bright blue eyes. Then Jesse came along, and he thought, of course, she'll choose a police officer over the son of a mobster.
When Jesse died, he felt survivor's guilt and made it his mission to help and support Maxie any way he could. As time went by, his feelings for her resurfaced, and when hearing the baby's heartbeat, his support and care for Maxie slowly turned into love. Every moment spent with her, Diego imagines a life with Maxie and wonders what if Jesse never came into town. And then he felt guilt and knew it would be unfair to Maxie, who's still dealing with grief and preparing for motherhood. And there's that brief moment where she kept her distance for a while and knew she's wasn't ready to let go of Jesse. So, he stood silent in words, but he showed his love through actions hoping she'd reciprocate when she was ready with time.
But then, one night, when he and Georgie were closing Kelly's dinner, he had had not only a surprise visit but a realization as well.
"I can't believe how much sugar we went through today," Georgie said while refilling the sugar containers, "are people not aware of the dangers of too much sugar."
"I say the same thing about coffee," Diego replied while stacking up the chairs to mop the floors in a bit.
"Oh my god, Maxie used to be obsessed with coffee. I am surprised she's hasn't gone through withdrawal from not be able to have so much with the pregnancy."
"That's easy. She replaced with blueberry muffins," Deigo jokingly stated.
"She has been obsessed with blueberries. I told her the baby might turn blue like that girl from Willy Wonka movie," Georgie said while laughing, "but of course Robin said it was medical impossible like I was serious or something."
Diego let out a loud laugh. As Georgie went to the kitchen, the door open. "We're closing in a few minutes – Lucky."
"Diego," Lucky stated.
"Were closed," Diego said.
"I thought you were closing in a few minutes. I just came for the cinnamon rolls," Lucky said.
"Cinnamon rolls?" Diego asked with curiosity.
"For Elizabeth," Lucky answered.
Diego pondered for a moment, and instead of dismissing Lucky, he thought it was for Elizabeth and that he too would go out late in the night to get whatever Maxie craved. He took the reminding rolls that Kelly's had and put them into a cardboard carrying box.
"Thanks – um, how's Maxie. I called a few times, but every time I mean to stop by, something comes up and – "
"She's fine," Diego cut him off, "and if you are not able to be fully involved, maybe stay away. Maxie and the baby deserve more than a part-time father."
"Well, I want to support my baby and Maxie in any way I can. It's just with Cameron and Elizabeth also being pregnant. I need to work out a schedule to balance everything," Lucky wearily admitted.
"You don't need to schedule anything. She has me," Diego stated back with fierceness. And with that, Lucky threw cash on the table and walked out of Kelly's.
When Diego went to put the money in the cash register, he noticed Georgie standing at the kitchen doorway – "You need to tell my sister that you love her."
Georgie, informed Diego, that she knew her sister inside and out, and she knew for fact that Maxie has feelings for him. She won't admit it because of guilt and Maxie also has issues with abandonment due to their parents. And that he, Diego, needs to openly admit his feelings and let Maxie know he's not going anywhere.
"Uhh, Maxie," he said hesitantly.
"Yes?" she looked back at him.
"There's something I wanted to say –" before he can finish, interrupted by the doorbell. They both wanted to ignore the doorbell, but the repetitive sound of most likely excited trick-or-treaters made it impossible.
"I'll get it; you rest your feet" he gently moves her legs from his onto the couch as he got up. He grabbed the bowl of candy and opened the doorbell. He was greeted by not any Trick-o-Treaters – "Trick-o-Treat!"
"Hey, Carly, and Pirates!" Diego said with a wide smile, "Wow, guys, you make some pretty cool pirates!" he exclaimed at the boys looking down to their eye level.
"Were not pretty were awesome!" Michael exclaimed back.
"I am sorry, awesome pirates you guys are!" Diego agreed while Carly let out a laugh.
"Hey, Diego, we have a birthday gift for Maxie," Carly stated while holding up a medium size gift bag. Diego steps aside to let Carly and the boys through, and before having a chance to shut the door, Georgie approaches the doorway. Her arms are full of pizza and a cake box.
"Happy Halloween, guys! Diego, can you grab this for me?" Georgie asked.
Diego politely grabbed the items from Georgie quickly, leaving Georgie to close the door for them. Everyone entered the living room, with Diego close behind. Maxie sat up with glee - "Oh my god, guys, how adorable you guys look! Best outfit ever," she stated.
"Thanks!" Michael and Morgan said in unison.
"Wait, adorable is okay but not pretty cool," Carly asked the boys. At the same time, Georgie and Diego started to open the pizza box and place them on paper plates.
"Well, it's Maxie," Michael stated. Everyone just laughed.
"What brings you by," Maxie asked.
"Well, we thought while doing our trick-or-treating, we should stop by to bring your birthday gift as well," Carly said with a smile, handing her a bag.
Maxie happily opens the bag. Inside was Baby's Firsts Book, "oh, thank you, it's lovely guys," Maxie said as she flipped through the pages of the book. A bright hardcover, with an image of ABC blocks on the corner bind, was also a plastic window to insert a 4x6 photo in the center. One of the pages contained "the first word," and Maxie wonders if the baby's first word would be "mama." Then her next thought was how nice it would be if her child is bilingual like Diego.
"Do you guys want to stay for pizza and cake? There's plenty," Georgie says, pulling Maxie from her thoughts.
"Oh, we don't want to oppose; the kids already got plenty of candy," Carly said.
"Oppose, really, since when," Maxie jokily stated, "we were going to watch some horror movies, but we can watch later so the boys can join us for cake."
"Please stay. You'll love the cake; it's triple berry chocolate cake, with extra blueberries!" Georgie said.
"Please, moooommm!" Michael and Morgan pleadingly.
"Alright, one small slice, you guys have enough sweets to last you till Thanksgiving!" Carly said with a smile.
"Well, guys, before we eat, we have to sing," Diego says happily, though secretly wishing it were just Maxie and him together. He lit candles with numbers 2 and 0 candles that Georgie bought and carried them over to Maxie as they sang.
"Happy Birthday Maxie, Happy Birthday…"
That is how they spent the rest of their night. Joyfully happy in the presence of loved ones while secretly wishing it were just the two of them, close and cozy up on the small couch. Everyone, including the boys, ended up with two slices of cake but made sure to save some for Mac. As they ate, they discuss the baby register, upcoming holidays, and school – from how Diego was doing in college and the boys counting down the days to winter break. By 9 pm, Georgie, Maxie, and Diego were able to watch their movies. By midnight Maxie fell asleep, her head on Diego's shoulder. Georgie cleaned up the mess while Diego offered to put Maxie to bed.
Even being months pregnant, Maxie weighs light as a feather. He was quickly able to carry her up the stairs. Once he entered her bedroom, he slowly laid in her bed and pulled the quilt that was on her bed over her body. He gently placed a small kiss on her forehead. Out loud, he said, "goodnight, Maxie," but in his head, he said, I love you, Maxie. He hoped soon there will be a time when he'll be able to say it out loud.