"I can't be. I have only missed one period. I figured that was just from stress of Section. It's not like that was the first time that had happened."
"It is rare to go through an entire pregnancy without knowing, but it has happened. They have several periods and mistake the movement of the baby for gas."
Nikita thought to the many times that she had 'gas' attacks. Next thing she knew she was hit with another pain.
"I think it is about time." He checked her again and said, "OK Nikita. This might be a little harder to bear than a gun shot wound, but I cannot give you anything because it is time to push."
She looked at Michael with tears in her eyes. She could see the same thing in his. He helped lift her up so she could push. The first push was so hard and painful. The second time it was a little easier, but on the third one it started to sting as the baby made its way out.
"Oh it hurts. I got to stop. It hurts too bad."
"No you can't stop the baby's head is coming out. I need you to give me one more push and that should just about do it."
"Hey, This is not as easy as you think."
Michael still supported her weight as she pushed. Then finally on the last push she felt as though a large weight had been lifted. Actually that was exactly what happened. It was a 5 lb. 5 oz. weight. Then they heard the baby cry and the doctor say, 'It's a girl."
Nikita collapsed into Michael's arms from pure exhaustion. They checked the baby over real quick and then wrapped her up and handed her to Nikita.
Michael leaned down and looked at his daughter. She was small and looked like Kermit the frog, but she was beautiful. Madeline was notified that Nikita was all right and the problem has been 'removed'. They did not tell her what the problem was. So when she walked into Medlab she was a little more that shocked.
"What in the world?"
"It's called a baby, Madeline." Nikita said with a laugh.
"I know that, but why were we not told of this pregnancy?"
"Because no one told us. I didn't know I was pregnant."
"Well I am going to have to talk to Operations about this. We need to decide what we are going to do."
As Madeline walked out of the room she turned to Michael horrified. "Michael, They can't take her. I won't let them."
"It's all right Nikita. I won't let them take her either."
Walter and Birkoff came to see the two of them. Birkoff laughed at Nikita. "I told you that you were getting fat."
"I was NOT fat."
"Are we in a wee bit of a bad mood?"
"You squeeze something the size of a watermelon out of something the size of a lemon and see how good you feel."
"What are they going to do about the baby? Are they going to try to make you give it up for adoption or are they going to let you keep it."
"It is not an it, it's a she and there is no way in hell that I will let them take her. I will kill them first."
"I'll be right behind you too. You take care of that baby. Bye Sugar." He gave her a kiss on the cheek and left. Birkoff also gave her a kiss and left.
Nikita was laying in Medlab and she told one of the nurses to bring Michelle to her. The nurse refused. Nikita raised her voice and told them to get her now. She was starting to get off of the bed to find her baby, but she could not get off fast enough. She began to scream for Michael. Michael was on his way to Medlab when he heard Nikita's frantic screams. So he took off towards the doors of Medlab. He saw Nikita trying to get off of the bed.
"They won't let me see her Michael. They have taken her. I am sure of it. Michael, get her back."
"Where is she?" Michael said as he walked toward one of the nurses with his gun drawn. "Tell me right now."
"I'll go and get her. She was sleeping."
Nikita broke into tears when she looked at Michael. "They are going to try to take her. I know that they will. I won't let her go Michael. I can't let her go. I would die without her."
"I told you that no one will take her anywhere. I won't allow it." Michael said.
Once Nikita and Michelle were released from Medlab. They were called into Madeline's office with Michael. Nikita knew it was not going to be good. She braced herself.
"We have decided that you are going to give her up for adoption."
"NO! I WON'T!" Nikita screamed.
"I am afraid you will." Madeline said as she pushed a button. Two large men walked into the room and tried to get the baby. Michael pulled his gun and said that they would not lay a hand on Nikita or Michelle.
"Michael, Don't make this harder on yourselves. Let them take the baby."
Nikita was looking for any excuse she could think of as an excuse to get out of Section with Michelle. "At least let me spend one more night with her."
"One night. You will be expected to turn her over first thing in the morning."
The three of them left and headed directly for the house. Nikita walked up stairs and sat on the bed with Michelle. Michael walked in and sat beside her. Nikita leaned on him for support as he pulls out a gun.
"What are you doing with that?"
"I told you that I will not let them take her. I will kill all of them if I have to."
"No. I know a better way. I know of this cabin in Australia. It is in the middle of nowhere. We will never be found, but we need to leave now. Before they come to get her. Because I can't let them take my Michelle."
Michael only had to think for a second. "Let's go. They will never find us."
####################################
"They're gone. They left everything behind and left with Michelle." Madeline said after getting off the phone with an operative that was sent to get the baby.
"You don't seem surprised by this. Did you know that they were going to run?" Operations asked with as even a tone as he could considering how angry he was.
"Yes I did."
"Then why in the hell did you not say anything?"
"They need to spend some time on the outside before they are brought in. We will allow them to stay out for about three months. Then we will send someone to get the baby. They will not know that it is us. Once the baby is gone. They will have no reason to run when we track them down."
You think that this little plan of yours will work?" Ops asked sarcastically.
"Yes. I do. Just give it the time I said."
###################
Two months later
"Michael. It is cold out. You need to come in before you get sick. I also need you to run and get some more formula for Michelle. She is just about out."
"Did you stop breast feeding?" Michael asked.
"No." she laughed. "But I only have so much to go around. She is a hungry little girl."
"I will go in just a few minutes. Let me get these logs chopped up. When I get back I will start a fire. Do you think you can wait until then or do you want me to do it before I go?"
"No. I think that it can wait. It is not that cold inside yet." She said and then walked back into the cabin.
Michael was just about to chop the last piece of wood when he heard a noise come from behind him. He pulled his gun and walked toward the brush. When he got close enough. Out ran a wombat. He laughed and walked back to the wood. He still carried his gun. Carried it pretty much all the time. Some habits are hard to break.
He rode up to the store to get the formula and while he was there he was spotted by the operative that was sent to keep an eye on them. He was new and Michael didn't know him. Why would he see just another face in the crowd?
Once he got back to the cabin he eased the door open and saw Nikita laying on the couch with Michelle asleep on her chest. He walked over and got some cover and made sure that they were nice and warm. He decided to let them sleep while he started the fire and made them lunch. An hour later he went and got on his knees beside the couch. He gently kissed Nikita on the cheek. She opened her eyes with a smile on her face. "How long have I been asleep?"
"Not long. Just a little over and hour. I have some lunch made. Are you hungry?"
"For your food? Always." As soon as she lifted up Michelle started looking around wondering why in the world she had been bothered and she let her annoyance be known.
"I think someone is mad." Michael said.
"She is probably hungry also." She said and then turned her attention to the baby. "Are you hungry darling'? I will feed my little angel."
Nikita began to undo her shirt. Michael sat there watching her as the baby feed. He looked at Nikita and smiled. She made such a good mother.
"What does it feel like?" Michael asked.
"What? Breast feeding?" Nikita asked.
"No. Giving birth. Giving life. What does it feel like?"
"Let me see. Giving birth was something I will never forget. It was so strange and painful. It was like pressure and the most overwhelming feeling making you want to push to get it out. Also this huge sense of relief when they baby finally comes out. I loved her before I ever saw her and you know when I breast feed her It feels so nice. I feel so much like a mother. I look at my baby and see her looking at me. It is a wonderful feeling."
"I wish that I could feel what you feel."
"I don't think that you could go through labor dear. If men were the ones that had to give birth. Then the human race would go extinct." Her and Michael began to laugh.
They ate and talked for much of the day. They talked about finally being out of Section. Michael had changed so much since they got away. He smiled. He laughed. He showed his emotion all the time. Whether it be happiness, sadness or just plain love.
"Give her to me. I will go put her down. I will be back in a few." Michael said.
Once he was out of the room she walked to the door and heard him singing to the baby. He had a beautiful voice. He held her in his arms and rocked her until she finally surrendered to let sleep claim her. She was stubborn. Just like her momma. And her daddy.
Once he laid her down he leaned over and kissed her and said, "Sleep tight. I love you Kermit."
He had called her Kermit since she was born. She would giggle every time Michael would hold her. She loved her daddy. As did her mommy.
As time passed Michael grew more and more protective of his family. He had a feeling something was wrong. He never did let Nikita know. He did not want to upset her.
One day while out doing some chores around the house. Nikita and Michael talked about how good their life had gotten and how much they enjoyed being together. She helped Michael and then headed back inside to check on the baby. She walked into to her room and could no longer get her breath.
"Michael!!! Oh God, Michael!!! Help me. Michael!!!"
Michael heard her frantic screams and ran as fast as he could. When he got inside he saw Nikita down on the floor screaming bent over with her hands to her face.
"Kita, Kita! What's wrong baby? Tell me!"
"She's gone! They found us! They got her!"
"No!!! No!! I am not going to let them get away with this. They are dead. I swear to God above that I will kill every last one of them if they harmed one hair on her head."
He bent down and pulled Nikita into his arms. She screamed and screamed her name. As if somehow saying it would bring her back. She cried until she could cry no more. She laid with her head in his lap. "If we can't get her back, I don't want to live anymore Michael. I can't live without her."
"We will get her back. I swear this on my life, baby. We will have her back in our arms soon."
As Michael got up getting ready Nikita started dressing too. "Where do you think that you are going?" Michael asked.
"You know damn good and well where I am going. I am going with you to get our daughter back. Don't argue with me on this. This is one that you will never win."
"I want you to be careful. Because I don't know if we will be able to get out once we get in. Whatever happens. Know this. I love you with all my heart."
"I love you too Michael."
They left the house ten minutes later. Nikita had her gun with the safety off and ready to fire. She would kill anyone that would stand in between her and her baby. Anyone.
About five hours later they pulled up in front of Section. They entered with guns drawn. There were a couple of men from security that tried to stop them. Tried, but died before they could do it. They headed toward Ops office and found him at his desk. Nikita went and found Madeline and made her come to the office with Michael and his prisoner.
"Where is she you bastard?" Nikita screamed at Ops. "Give her back to us now."
"We don't have her. We did not even know where you lived at." He lied. And he looked over and Madeline with anger in his eyes. Silently telling her that her plan had failed.
"You will give her back now or you will die." Michael said as he placed the gun to Ops forehead. "I promise you that it will be long and painful. WHERE IS SHE?"
"She is safe. For now." Madeline said.
"What the hell do you mean 'for now?'" Nikita screamed and then hit her in the head with the butt of the gun. "You will not hurt my baby."
############
Meanwhile Walter was downstairs and saw the dead operatives on the floor. He got his gun and headed to Ops office. He did not like the man but he was doing his job. When he got there he saw Michael and Nikita with guns and pure hatred in their eyes.
Ops saw him and started screaming for him to shoot. Walter lowered his gun. "You made this bed. You lie in it. You deserve whatever you get."
"Walter I need you to get a phone. A cell phone. " Michael said.
"What are you doing?" Madeline said still in a half daze.
"It is obvious that you are never going to let us be free. So this is what you are going to do. 1) You are going to bring Michelle back right now. 2) You will let us live a peaceful life. You will only use us on missions that we absolutely needed on. Otherwise you will leave us the hell alone and let us be a family. 3) If you try anything. I will kill you on the spot."
"Michael. You know that this cannot happen."
"It will happen or I will let the Directory out in the open. " Michael said.
"I will pay a little visit to Stephen." Nikita said with a smile on her face. Ops knew that they were both serious.
Madeline pushed a button and called someone from Medlab. She told them to bring Michelle up right away. Which they did. Nikita looked over every inch of her body. Making sure she was not hurt.
"You will understand one thing. If that Directory gets out in the open you will both be canceled." Operations said.
Nikita leaned over to Michael. "God, I feel like a bad check." Then she turned back to Ops. "If you cross us. Not only you will die. So will Steven, your wife at home and any other person you have ever cared about."
##############
Seven months later.....
Nikita sat in the house screaming for Michael. He came running. He knew that it was not a scared scream. He could hear her laughing.
"She's walking. Look at her."
Michael leaned down held his arms out to her and she walked towards him only to lose her balance and fall right down on her butt. She was up soon. He picked her up and she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Bobbie. Dada. Bobbie." Michael handed her to Nikita and went to get her a bottle out of the frig, but thinking she had been completely misunderstood when she was handed to mommy she had to explain again. "No Manda. Bobbie. Bobbie manda."
For some reason she used to always call Nikita Manda and not momma.
As the months passed she grew larger and larger. Ops and Madeline hardly ever called, but when they did they knew that both Nikita and Michael better make it back home or the unthinkable could happen. With all they knew.
The moment that they had been free was some of the best times in their lives. They knew that moment in time was over and that they had to live in the present. But they were granted more freedom in Section than they had ever had before. And it was enough.
For now......
The end
(A.N. So, How did you like the story? Let me know what you thought of it.. Thanks again for the reviews TLB, Josephine78, and Steph. )