Title: Beyond Eden
Author: Lucy Mars
Rating: PG-13? Eh, does it really matter?
Disclaimer: Don't own Dark Angel...wished that I owned Michael Weatherly, or a clone of Michael Weatherly though. ;) I'm not picky that way.
Chapter #9
"What about little pink bunnies?" Logan suggested handing Max the small piece of wallpaper, "I think that it's cute."
Scrunching up her face in dislike, Max shook her head no, "I don't think so. It's a little too cutesy."
"Well it is a nursery." Logan laughed leaning back in his chair and playing with the samples the littered the kitchen table, "We can't exactly paint it black."
Rolling her eyes, Max rubbed her stomach, "I know that. It's just that I don't think that pink bunnies are the way to go. What if we have a boy and a girl? I don't think that it would be a good idea traumatizing our son so soon in his life. We'll save that for when they are teenagers."
"Well by then, wouldn't they be traumatizing us?"
Playfully throwing a fabric sample at Logan, Max laughed at how silly he was being. "Still, we will not risk possibly traumatizing our son...or sons. What if they're both boys? God, can you just picture two little versions of us running around?" she asked with a soft sparkle in her eyes.
"But that isn't a problem," Logan stated getting up and making his way around the table and squatting down so that he was level with his wife's stomach, "because I know that we're having girls Max."
"Really?" Max laughed placing a hand on her husbands scruffy cheek, "How do you know this? Conspiring with Zoë? I thought that we agreed that we would be surprised."
Kissing the palm of her hand, Logan held in between both of his, "I've told you this already. Father's intuition has given me a little insight."
Bringing his hands and resting them on her stomach, Max smiled at how his eyes seemed to sparkle every time he felt their children move. "Can you feel them kicking?"
"Yes." Logan whispered, still in awe of how much his heart swelled with love for his wife and children. Neither of them said anything for a few blessed moments. They were both savoring the intimate moment and saving it for prosperity. So that one day they could recall this beautiful moment and fully appreciate it again.
"Do you know what this is?" Logan asked gently breaking the tranquil moment.
Smiling at her husband, Max speechlessly shook her head no.
Placing a loving kiss on her swollen stomach, Logan looked up at his glowing wife and gave her a breathtaking smile, "This very moment is a seed from which the flowers of tomorrow's happiness grow."
Resting both of her hands on either side of his face, Max delicately traced the contours of his face. Memorizing every line and the feel of his skin against hers. Blinking back her tears, Max leaned forward so that she could rest her forehead against his. Closing her eyes and inhaling his sweet scent, a mixture of cologne and after shave, Max smiled softly. "I love you." she whispered.
"I know." Logan replied seeking out her hand with his own and capturing it lovingly, "I love you too."
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Sporting her trademark pout, Max aimlessly wandered around the kitchen. Opening and closing cupboards randomly. Picking at things, but not really finding what she wanted...mainly because even she didn't know what she wanted. Mumbling to herself, Max opened the refrigerator the hundredth time that night and rummaged around.
Reaching over, Logan woke with a start. His wife wasn't in bed. Rubbing his eyes he reached over and grabbed his watch. It was 3:30 in the morning. Throwing on his boxers and grabbing his glasses, Logan went out in search of his wife. Immediately heading for the kitchen, Logan watched her silently for a few minutes. With obvious amusement of course. Grinning to himself, he slowly approached Max and slid his arms around her.
Jumping in surprise, Max relaxed when she realized that it was only Logan. Slapping his chest, Max sighed, "You scared me."
"You scared me too. I woke and you weren't there." Logan said grinning at her.
Rolling her eyes, Max patted her stomach, "It's not my fault that these two demanded to be fed."
"Poor mommy." Logan laughed kissing Max lightly, "Anything I can do to help?"
"Induce labor?" Max suggested with her usual sarcasm.
"Sorry, not in my jurisdiction." Logan grinned leading Max to the kitchen table. Sitting her down, he kissed her hand quickly, "But I can make you something to eat. What do you want mommy?"
"I don't know." Max sighed rubbing her swollen stomach, "I honestly do not know what I want to eat."
"I don't think that I've ever heard those words come out of your mouth before." Logan joked massaging her shoulders.
Swatting his hand, Max growled, "Watch it buddy. I'm 30 weeks pregnant and awake at 3 in the morning. You could very well end up sleeping on the couch."
"Empty threat." Logan laughed kissing the top of Max's head, "How about a nice big scoop of mint chocolate ice cream?"
"That does sound good." Max sighed happily, "With some strawberries?"
"Coming right up."
Watching Logan as he got together everything that he needed, Max couldn't help but smile at how adorable her husband looked. His hair all mused up, his glasses shinning under the soft overhead lights and his grin never faltering. Her eyes catching his for a moment, Max felt her face light up. Giving him a full on grin Max smiled, "I love you daddy."
"I love you too mommy." he laughed at he scooped the ice cream.
Rubbing her stomach, Max felt her heart swell. Looking down at her swollen stomach, Max laughed in spite of her exhaustion.
"Daddy's really sweet, isn't he baby?" Max asked in a hushed tone. Like she only intended for her babies to hear that she had to say, "He's going to take care of us. His three girls. We are a family. He loves us..." Stopping mid-sentence, Max doubled over in pain. Biting her bottom lip to keep from yelling, Max slowed waited for the pain to decrease and go away. Looking over at Logan, she was grateful that he had yet to notice her current state. But of course with her luck, the pain didn't go away. It intensified threefold. Yelling despite herself, Max felt the pain rip through her unmercifully. Fear creeping through her, Max prayed that her babies were all right.
Slicing the strawberries, Logan stole a quick glance over at his wife. Her hands were calmly massaging her swollen belly, and her head was bent over. He could faintly make out the sound of her hushed voice. Grinning, Logan realized that she was talking to their babies. Going back to cutting up the strawberries, Logan nearly sliced off his own finger when he heard Max yell out in obvious pain.
"Max!" Logan yelled running over to his wife and crouching before her, "What's wrong?"
Moaning in response, Max felt tears sling her eyes. "Oh god Logan," she gasped, "it hurts so much."
Cradling her face in his hands, Logan forced Max to look at him, "I need you to tell me where it hurts Max."
Her lips trembling, Max blinked back her tears, "It hurts Logan. I don't know why..."
"It's gonna be okay," Logan said picking Max up and carrying her to their bedroom. "I promise." he added hastily as he set her down on their bed, "I'm going to call Zoë. It's going to be okay."
Squeezing her eyes shut, Max tried to fight against the sudden pain. Clutching her stomach, Max tried to calm down. If not for herself and Logan, then for their unborn children.
Fumbling with the phone, Logan quickly punched in Zoë's phone number. Waiting impatiently as the phone continued to ring, Logan stole a quick glance at his wife. He immediately felt fear wash over him. Her face was alarmingly pale and tears were seeping past her shut eyes. Clutching the phone with a growing intensity, Logan jumped when Zoë's groggy voice registered on the other side of the line.
"Hello?"
"Zoë, it's Logan."
"Logan?" she asked, suddenly alert at the tone of his voice, "What's wrong?"
"It's Max...something's wrong Zoë..."
"I'm coming Logan," Zoë said cutting him off, "hold on."
Clutching the dead phone for a second, Logan's gaze fell onto his pale wife. Dropping the phone deafly, he felt a growing sense of dread spread through his veins. Never had he been able to taste fear this thickly. It was threatening to choke him alive. Shuddering involuntarily, Logan took a deep breath and pulled himself together. Now was not the time to have a breakdown. Max needed him. His girls needed him. Swallowing the lump in his throat, Logan stilled his shaking hands and caught Max's own shaking hands. Trying to give her his strength. His support.
Her eyes flew to his, and Logan could taste her fear. Hastily kissing her forehead reassuringly, Logan squeezed her hands, "It's going to be okay Max. I promise."
Nodding, Max tired her best to believe Logan. She wanted to believe him, but there was this nagging feeling. Something was off, but she wasn't sure what. The pain was so new and familiar at the same time. It was unwavering and fierce. Ripping through her and threatening to eat her alive. Forcing a deep breath into her fiery lungs, Max trembled at how viciously it hurt.
Then it hit her. The realization of what was happening finally dawned on Max. Her eyes flying to Logan's in alarm, Max gripped his hand with newfound terror.
"What is it Max?" Logan asked feeling her terror.
Her breaths coming in short and rapid gasps, Max felt it begin. The pain that she had once endured so often was now back and with a vengeance. "Logan..." she managed to whisper. The sadness and fear evident in her voice.
His own resolve breaking, Logan blinked back his salty tears, "It's gonna be okay Max. Zoë's going to be here soon and then you'll be okay...I promise."
Fighting against the looming darkness, Max squeezed Logan's hand with all the strength that she could muster. Licking her dry lips, she fought to keep her eyes open but it was an uphill battle. A battle that she knew she was quickly losing. "Logan..." she gasped, "I...I want to...I need to tell you..."
"Shh," Logan urged clutching onto Max's hand and holding it against his heart, "save your strength."
"I love you." Max managed to whisper just as the darkness over took her. As the pain overtook her body and the real world slipped from her grasp, Max could faintly hear Logan calling out to her. No matter what she did, no matter what she tried, Max couldn't respond. She could do nothing to soothe his frantic voice. 'I'm sorry.' Max thought just before the darkness engulfed her, leaving a deep void in her place.
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Wow, you would not believe how hard it was to write that. Now, first off I want to apolgize for the long delay in getting this chapter out. It's just that I was really sick for a long time, and really, it's hard to formulate any types of coherent thoughts while on morphine. Secondly, I want to thank everyone who wrote to me and kindly asked for the next chapter. I want to say that it was extremely encouraging to know that people were so anxious to read more of my stuff. I'm touched, really. ;)
So, I hope that this chapter will suffice for a little while. I hope to have the next chapter out in about a week...if not sooner. Please review and let me know that you think. :)
-Lucy
