Title: Beyond Eden

Author: Lucy Mars

Rating: PG-13? Eh, does it really matter?

Disclaimer: Bleh, I don't own Dark Angel...and I don't have any money at the moment. To sue me would result in a long boring battle.

Chapter #7

"I think that I could go into labor now." Max whined as she padded around the kitchen picking out various containers that held cookies, crackers and candy.

Looking up from his papers, Logan smiled at his wife, "You've still got four months to go. Sorry, I don't think that our baby is ready just yet."

"You make her sound like a pot roast Logan." Max laughed sitting down across from him.

Watching Max munch on cookies, Logan put down his papers and grabbed one for himself, "I thought that we were going to go out for lunch after you're appointment with Zoë."

"We still are." Max stated grabbing another cookie, "I just need something to hold me down until then."

"You do realize that we'll be having lunch in an hour right?" Logan asked not hiding his amusement.

"I am eating for two now." Max said defensively, "You'd better be nice, or I'm gonna make you sleep on the couch."

"Empty threat." Logan shot back as he got up. Coming around to the back of her chair, he gave her cheek a quick kiss, "Come on now. We can't be late."

Frowning, Max reluctantly pulled herself up, "You are so buying me ice cream today."

"Anything your heart desires." Logan assured putting his arm around her and leading them out of their apartment.

Following Logan into their car, Max tried to make herself comfortable. Grunting softly, she shifted her weight. Ready to give in, Max was surprised when she felt a small pillow being lodged between the seat and the small of her back. Looking at Logan in surprise, Max smiled, "How did you know that, that was just what I needed?"

"I'm a very observant guy." Logan said starting the engine, "I went out and bought a few of them yesterday while you were napping yesterday."

"You're the best, you know that?"

"I know."

Laughing, Max sat back and relaxed as Logan drove.

-------

"Good morning you two." Zoë greeted entering the room Max and Logan were waiting in, "How you doing today Max?"

Already laying down, Max grinned up at Zoë, "I don't suppose I could...maybe, go into labor now?"

"Not an option right now," Zoë laughed pulling her rubber gloves on, "but today we'll take your baby's picture."

Sighing, Max rubbed her large stomach, "I guess that's good too. It's just that I am huge Zoë."

"You are doing great Max." Zoë encouraged as she squeezed a cool gel over Max's stomach, "At least you're not throwing up anymore."

"Thank god." both Max and Logan said at the same time.

Laughing, Zoë switched on the monitor, "All right. Let's see how you're doing in there baby."

Holding onto Logan's hand, Max watched the blurry image before her. It was so weird and amazing that she was looking at their baby. Squeezing Logan's hand gently, Max smiled up at him.

Feeling Max give his hand a gentle squeeze, Logan smiled down at her. Bringing her hand to his lips, he kissed it softly.

"Hmm?" Zoë said snapping the two out of their little reverie.

"Hmm?" Logan asked, "As in a 'good' hmm, or a 'bad' hmm?"

Concentrating on the monitor, Zoë squinted her eyes for a better look, "More like a, 'do either of you have twins in your family?' hmm."

"Twins?" Max squeaked looking at the monitor, "Are you sure?"

"I'm positive. See here?" Zoë asked pointing at the top left hand corner of the monitor, "That would be the head of baby #1. And this," she said indicating the small blur right beside the last blur, "would be baby #2. Congratulations guys. You are having twins."

"Wow..." Logan said still focused on the monitor, "I don't know what to say."

"We're having twins?" Max asked still skeptical with the whole situation.

"Yes you are." Zoë assured, "Well it explains why you're so much larger than other women. I'm going to have to monitor you more carefully and in-depth, than if you were only having one baby. There's a lot that we need to discuss and there's a lot that you both need to learn."

"What do you mean by discuss?" Logan asked finally taking his jaw off of the floor.

Printing the image, Zoë cleaned off Max's stomach and pulled her shirt back down, "Here, let's get you up into a sitting position first."

"Just tell us Zoë." Max said confidently, "We can handle it."

Sighing Zoë leaned against the edge of the exam table, "I'm not going to sugar coat this for you two. Having twins is always a risk. And with Manticore genetics involved, it's going to be even harder to carry till full term."

"You think that I could miscarry?" Max asked in horror, "I don't want to miscarry."

Putting an arm around Max, Logan held her firmly, "You won't. We'll take all the precautions necessary."

"Logan is right Max. As long as you follow my advice and take the proper steps, I'm sure that we can get you to full term." Zoë said calmly, "I am going to be watching over you like a hawk. Nothing is going to go unnoticed. You're going to get so sick of seeing me."

Laughing, Max smiled at Zoë, "I won't."

"That's good to know." Zoë said handing the couple the newly printed image, "Here's their first baby picture. It's actually quite clear. I'm going to go and grab some books and pamphlets for the two of you. I'll be right back."

Studying the picture in amazement, Max smiled at how Logan gently laid him hand over her stomach. Covering his hand with her own, she grinned at her husband, "Twins huh?"

"Twins," he echoed, "our babies."

"Oh man..." Max laughed, "I'm going to be the size of a house!"

Laughing, Logan kissed her hand, "A beautiful woman, carrying our beautiful children."

Smiling slyly, Max titled her head to the side, "Well it seems that I'm eating for three now Mr. Cale..."

"And you can have anything your little heart desires." Logan said cutting her off, "I mean it Max. You're really going to have to take it easy. Promise me that you'll let me take care of you."

"I will...I'll take it easy. I promise. Do you....do you think that I'll miscarry?" Max asked feeling the dread grow inside of her, "I mean...I don't think that I was designed for this Logan. I was built to be a solider...not a mother."

"Zoë and I...hell, everyone will be here for you Max. Tinga's been checking in periodically, and the moment she hears about this..." Logan chuckled knowing how protective his sister-in-law was about Max, "She promised to be back when the baby was born. But I have a feeling that she'll be here sooner when she finds out that she's going to have twin nieces or nephews."

Feeling ease slowly seep into her, Max loosened her hold on Logan's hand, "We're going to be all right. Daddy's going to take care of his girls...right?"

"Absolutely." Logan whispered kissing Max.

Clearing her throat, Zoë re-entered the room to find two blushing adults, "All right kids, can I get your attention for a few minutes?"

Blushing furiously, Max straightened her shirt and ran her hand through her tousled hair, "Sorry...so what do you have there?"

"These are for you and Logan." Zoë said handing them a handful of pamphlets and a few books, "Go home and study them. It's give you tips on how to handle some of the problems with having twins. Like for instance, have you been having back pains Max?"

"Killer." Max moaned.

"Well, I'm sorry to say that they'll probably just get worse. There are a few exercises in the blue book that you could do. You should probably go and see a physiotherapist to get some help though. Do you need some numbers? I know a great bunch."

"No, we're covered there." Logan said mentally making a note to see if Bling had sometime to see Max, "What else?"

"Nutrition is a big thing. You need to double up on your pre-natal care. Going to have to eat healthy and regularly. Don't forget, you're eating for three now."

"She's been eating enough for 5." Logan said playfully.

Slapping his shoulder, Max grinned, "That couch is pretty uncomfortable Logan."

"Sorry."

"Also Max, I want you to take it easy. I'm not saying that I want you to lie around all day, but don't over exert yourself. No fights. I don't care what a pain in the ass your brother Zach is. Get Cindy to kick his ass for you until you're no longer pregnant." Zoë laughed, "I would do it for you...but you know, being a doctor and everything. I've taken a vow to help and heal."

"Thanks for the tip." Max laughed knowing how much Zoë and Zach despised each other, "So...do you think that I'll carry till full term?"

"The goal with twins is 37 weeks. If more than great, but if less I'm going to be nervous. However, I don't want you to worry about that too much at this point. You're only 21 weeks along. You still got a ways to go Max. I'm going to want to see you every two weeks for now. When you get to your third trimester, I'm going to want to begin weekly visits." Zoë said sitting down next to Max and putting a comforting arm around her, "Not including regular house calls of course. I'm going to be such a pain in your ass."

"Really Zoë...thanks." Logan said getting up and helping Max off of the examining table.

"What are friends for?" she asked smiling at the two, "If you can though Logan, it would be great to get my hands on some Manticore genetics. What you've given me has been great...but better safe than sorry."

Nodding, Logan agreed, "As soon as I find anything, I'll call you."

"All right. Now get out of here you two. It's a beautiful day out there." Zoë said walking them to the door, "Call me if you need anything. Day or night...I don't care."

Giving Zoë a quick hug, Max held on tight, "Thanks for being so great Zoë. We really appreciate it."

"Again, what are friends for." Zoë laughed, "See you later."

"Bye." Logan said leading Max out into the warm summer day. His arm wrapped protectively around his wife and children, Logan grinned like the proud father her was, "So what now Mommy?"

Returning his grin three-fold, Max rubbed her stomach, "I think that you promised me lunch and ice cream Daddy."

"You could have the moon if you wanted...and well, if I could of course." Logan laughed walking them to their car.

"Thanks, but I think that I'll settle for a nice big hamburger!" Max said enthusiastically, "With fries, an apple pie, ice cream, brownies...and a milk shake."

"Lets go then." Logan laughed starting the car.

`~`~`~`~`~`~`

Did you see that coming? I hope that I threw you off a little!! ;) TWINS...ahhhhh! Sorry is the medical facts are a slightly skewey (that's not a word I know), but I got them off the net and kinda tampered with a few to fit my story line. Hope that you LIKED IT!!! ;) pLeAsE rEvIeW!!!!

-Lucy

P.S. Sorry for any grammatical errors...but I really haven't edited it yet. Being the impatient person I am, I want to post this NOW!!! ;)