Chapter 9: The Naming

{Foggle Towers} 2 weeks after birth

"Have you picked a name yet?" Bling asked as he held Logan's yet un-named daughter in his arms. It had been three weeks, and Logan couldn't bring himself to name her without Max's consent.

"No...I just...can't...There are some I like, but I haven't decided...without Max..."

"What are they?" Bling interrupted, trying to fend off another pity party.

"Yeah, I hope it's not something like Candy, or anything like that." Kendra put in.

"I like Lara Alexandra Cale...how's it sound?" Logan asked tentatively, hoping for acceptance.

"Lara Alexandra Cale...I like it." Bling replied, nodding his head.

"Sounds good." Kendra agreed, then added, "I have to get going...take care." When she opened the door to leave, to her surprise, there was another woman on the other side, preparing to knock. Logan handed Lara to Bling when he heard multiple voices in the hallway, and he went to check it out.

"Lucy?" Logan exclaimed seeing the woman who was now standing in the hallway.

"Logan! Oh, it's really you!" Lucy advanced and fell into his arms, crying and talking incoherently.

"Lucy? What's wrong?" he asked, somewhat uncomfortable at having her cling to him.

"My ex-husband...he kidnapped the kids a month ago. I didn't know what to do, so I came here. Oh Logan!" at this she looked up at him through tear clumped lashes, fluttering them a few times. "Can you help me?" she pleaded.

"I...I don't know what to say..." Logan stumbled over the words, getting Very uncomfortable now that her arms were around his waist and her face was so close to his.

"Yes would be my suggestion." Lucy replied, any trace of hysterics gone from her voice.

Meanwhile, Kendra had watched the display for a moment, then hurried out after taking a look at the time. Bling was still in the kitchen, entertaining Lara.

"Um...Lucy, why don't we get something to eat and talk, ok?" Logan backed up a step, loosing her arms from around him.

"Sure." she answered, letting her arms fall dejectedly to her side. "Show me the way oh wise one." she added, her eyes laughing at him.

Logan smiled at the nickname they had called him in high school.

"As always teacher leecher."

Lucy smiled at his own using of her nickname. "Very funny brain child." she retorted, slapping him lightly.

((she reminds me so much of Max...they could have been twins practically! The attitude...although when upset, Lucy usually turned in on herself, and never lashed out, as Max was want to do sometimes...but they aren't the same...Max...she's different...she's mine...and I'm hers...Lucy's just a friend..))

When they entered the kitchen, Bling did a double take, ((whoa, who's he got here? Make the lips a little fuller, the cheek bones higher, color her hair, and grow an inch, and she might have passed for a Max clone....))

"Hi." Lucy said, going right over to him and extending her hand to be shaken. "I'm Lucy Falcot. Nice to meet you."

Bling returned the hearty handshake and replied, "I'm Bling. Same here." he then sat Lara on the table in her chair.

"Awww!" Lucy cooed. "And who's this?" she looked up at Bling. "Your...daughter?"

He chuckled managing to get out, "No, not mine." and here he looked pointedly at Logan.

"Who's is she then?" Then her eyes widened in surprise. "Logan? She's...yours?"

"Yeah." he answered, lifting Lara and cradling her.

"Single father?" Lucy guessed, as there was no sign of a woman resident.

"No...married."

"Oh." she said, trying to hide her disappointment.

"We have a lot of catching up to do." Logan sighed, then continued, "So how about we get some super..." he looked worriedly in the direction of the bedroom, and then checked his watch.

"I'll go check on Max, so you two can talk." Bling offered, beginning to stand.

"No, I'll do it." Logan interjected, apologizing to Lucy and leaving the room.

"How long?" Lucy asked Bling after Logan had left.

At Bling's questioning glance, she said,

"How long has he been married?"

"Let's see....it's coming on six years now. Almost that. About 4 months shy."

"Wow." she said softly.

"How about you? Are you married?" Bling asked her.

"Was. Divorced. The ex just made off with the kids..."

"I'm sorry. How many?"

"Kids? Two. A boy, Eric, and a girl, Sonya. They're twins. 4 years old."

"I'm so sorry."

"Don't be. Their father is an asshole. The only thing I'm sorry about is that they have to live with him! The only thing he cares about is the stupid group he started...that was right before he took them..." her voice started to break, and Bling offered her a drink.

"Yes!" she sighed, surrendering to the temptation.

Meanwhile, Logan and Lara were with Max. Cleaning her, changing the iv drips, and talking. Talking to her was what Logan spent a good part of his day doing. He'd bring Lara in with him, and feed her, while they sat on the bed, where, after he was doing feeding Lara, he would gently pull Max up into his lap, and hold her. Sometimes for hours at a time. And he couldn't pass her room without looking in on her, making sure she was alright. Of course, she wasn't alright...but as well as she could be in he coma...

"Max, Lara is 3 weeks old today. That's what I named her today. Lara Alexandra Cale. Do you like it? Oh Max...I just wish you were awake to see her. She is so beautiful. Just like you." he touched her cheek softly, his finger lingering there as he continued his one sided conversation. "I wish you were here with me. I need you...Lara needs you. All of us do." He withdrew his hand from Max's face to wipe at a stray tear, as he picked up Max's hairbrush, and sitting beside her on the bed, Lara laying on the bed in between them, he began brushing out her curls. It calmed him, and he liked to think it calmed Max too.

"Lara and I have to go now Max. An old high school friend of mine, Lucy, showed up tonight. I'm going to make supper and we can catch up on old times. I wish you could meet her. I know she'd love you. Everyone loves you. I love you. Good night my angel. My Love. Good night." so saying, Logan leaned down and gently placed a kiss on her still full lips, and picking up Lara, he left the room, closing the door behind him with a click.

end chapter 9