Max sat quietly holding 99's hand, caressing and squeezing it, waiting for
her to wake up. He was so nervous of what to say and how to react in front
of her. If it had to happen he was grateful that it happened when she was
only one month along. If she was in her 4th or 5th month it would not only
have been more devastating, but possibly a risk to 99's life.
99's eyes started to open.
"Max," she muttered, and his heart jumped.
Max straightened up and grasped her hand firmly. "I'm here, 99."
She looked over to Max. She could see the sorrow in his eyes. "Max ...," 99 said, as she placed her hand over her stomach. "... our baby." Sadness swept over her face. Then suddenly 99 stared straight ahead with no expression on her face," I started to pick out names the other day, wondering if was going to be a boy or a girl."
"99, don't do this." Max begged 99
She paid no attention to Max as she continued, "I was hoping for a little girl. Now I don't have to think about it anymore, do I, no feeding, no diapers, no nothing." She looked over to Max, "But you don't have to worry about that do you, you have a baby of your own coming. So you should be very happy. "
"99, stop it!" Max said as he shook her.
99 started to cry and turned away from Max. He couldn't bare to see her put herself through this. He wanted to comfort her but she wanted nothing to do with him at that moment. Max could do nothing but sit and let her cry it out.
Max arrived home later in the evening and went to the kitchen. The next door neighbor, Mrs. Grant, was cleaning the dishes from the dinner she cooked for the kids.
"Oh, Mr. Smart, how is your wife?"
"She'll be fine. She's staying overnight, though."
"And the baby?" she asked hesitantly.
"She lost the baby," Max said sadly. He had to fight back the tears. He wasn't quite ready to open up and get all emotional in front of his neighbor.
"Oh, Mr. Smart, I'm so sorry. What a terrible thing."
Max paused for a moment, and tried to regain his composure. "I need to tell the kids what's going on."
"Would you like me to stay, ... you know, for support?" she offered.
"No, it'll be ok. I'll tell them about what happened, and get them ready for bed."
Mrs. Grant folded the dishtowel, "If you need me, just call."
Max nodded as he saw her to the door. Then, he looked upstairs and saw the light on in the boys' room. He headed up to talk to them about what happened to the baby.
Max walked in as all three kids jumped up, ran towards him, and bombarded him with questions.
"How's mom? When is she coming home? What happened?"
Max put his hand up to quiet them down. "Sit down, and let's have a talk."
Zach and Maxine sat down at his feet, while Jimmy climbed up on his lap.
"Mom is going to be in the hospital overnight. We're not sure what happened or why, but your mom lost the baby."
Zach and Maxine looked at each other, shocked, while little Jimmy, being so young, didn't really understand.
"Can we help you look for the baby?" Jimmy offered.
Max smiled at his innocence. "No, not lost that way. Uh ... the baby ... died, inside mommy."
Jimmy frowned, "Oh. Can you get another one?"
"Maybe another time," Max responded.
"Gee, I'm sorry dad. Can we do anything to help out?" Zach asked.
"When your mom comes home, just keep it quiet, and if she tells you to do something, no arguments. OK?"
All chimed in, "Ok." "Now everyone get to bed, and I'll come in later and tuck you in."
Each one of the kids gave him a hug and a kiss and got ready for bed.
Max walked back downstairs and sat by himself, thinking of the entire day. He looked over to the phone, then picked it up. Dialing a number, he waited for the other end to answer.
"Harrington Arms Hotel, how may I direct your call?" he heard.
"Front desk, please," Max replied.
"Front desk, may I help you?"
"Christy Mayfield's room, please."
There was a pause, then the clerk came back, "Miss Mayfield has checked out, sir."
"Thank you." Max hung up, and knew he might never hear from her again.
A month passed, and 99 had recovered from her loss, but the affection level suffered between her and Max. He figured she would mend, and was willing to wait it out no matter how long it took. But, he was a man with needs and a month without sexual relations with 99 was starting to take its toll on him. At night before bed, Max would retreat into the bathroom to get himself off before climbing into bed. It was a way for him to relieve the build-up. Whether she knew what he was doing, he wasn't sure, and she never asked. But it was getting old, and Max wanted to do something about it. Tonight would be the night. He would try to get close to 99. Max came home a bit late from work and walked into the bedroom. 99 was in bed, reading, like she usually did everynight.
"Max, do you want dinner?" 99 asked, looking up.
What Max really wanted to say was "No, I want to make love to you tonight," but instead he shook his head.
"No, I'm fine 99. I ate at work tonight. Sorry I didn't call to let you know."
"That's ok," 99 smiled, as she went back to her book.
Max slowly removed his tie, all the while staring at her. He had been thinking about how to approach her all day and now he was going to attempt to get on with it.
Max got his Pajamas on, except he left his top off this time.
While in the bathroom, he brushed his teeth and looked into the mirror. He wondered if she would accept him tonight, if enough time had gone by for healing. Physically she was fine, but psychologically she had issues -- deep ones. He needed to test the waters. Max came to bed and slipped in. 99 yawned, set her book down, then turned off the light. She turned over to her side, then Max slipped up to her and caressed her shoulder. 99 didn't pull away, but she didn't reciprocate, either. He went a bit further by placing light kisses on her arm. 99 slowly turned to him, and Max kissed her lips. She responded, but with reserved desire. Max took it as a good sign and continued. He positioned himself over her, and maneuvered himself between her legs. His hands carefully pushed her nightgown up to just above her hips. She never wore panties to bed, and just the site of her exposed was enough to get him instantly hard. 99 laid there like a bride on her wedding night -- timid and anticipating. Max undid his pajama string and slid his bottoms down around his thighs. Leaning into 99, he slowly and gently began to push into her. He nearly came going in, and he stopped to catch his breath before going on. Lowering himself on top of her, he pushed further into her. With each thrust, 99's body stiffened. It had been such a long time, and the feeling was intense. Lifting up, Max came face to face with 99. He could see she had tears streaming down her cheek. He stopped and held himself inside her. 99 said nothing and laid there just waiting for him to finish. He pulled out, and tried to locate his pajama bottoms. After he pulled them up, he rolled off to the other side of the bed.
"I'm sorry, Max," 99 sobbed.
"It's ok, I understand. You're not ready yet," Max mumbled.
Then, he sat on the edge of the bed, got up and retreated once again to the bathroom. Five minutes later, Max came back to bed and slid up against 99's back. As he placed his arm over her, she reached up and held his hand. He kissed the back of her neck, and went to sleep.
Next morning, Max arrived at work, hoping the day would keep him busy enough to forget about last night. He walked into the Chief's office. A look of concern came over the Chief's face as he talked on the phone.
"Yes, thank you for the information," the Chief said solemnly. He hung up, and motioned for Max to come in.
"What's up, Chief? By the look on your face, you seemed concerned about something."
"Yes, well, one of our European couriers, who was bringing important papers over, was captured by KAOS the other day."
"That's terrible, Chief. Is there anything we can do?"
"We're not sure where they're holding her ..."
Max had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.
"What do you mean, 'her'?"
"Oh, of course you wouldn't know. The courier is your partner from that mission I sent you on about five months ago. Christy Mayfield."
Max was shocked by this news, and temporarily frozen with fear and panic, but he quickly snapped himself out of it. "Chief, we have to rescue her!" he screamed out, desperately.
"We'll do all we can, but first ..."
"Chief, you don't understand! She's ..." Max stopped himself from giving away the truth.
"She's what, Max?" the Chief wondered.
"She's ... pregnant." The Chief couldn't believe it. He didn't know what to say, at first.
"What?! If I would have known she was carrying a child, I would have never agreed to have her take the mission."
Max stiffened, "I want to be the one that goes in to rescue her."
"Max, I know you're concerned, but we need the specialists for this kind of rescue."
"But Chief, I have to be included in this," Max insisted.
"You worked one mission with this woman. Why are you so adamant about this?"
Max hesitated, but couldn't tell him the real reason.
The chief went back to the papers on his desk, "Forget it, Max, 99 would kill me if I got you involved in this"
"But Chief, you don't understand."
"Then make me understand, Max."
Max struggled for the right words to say.
The Chief waited, then resumed, "I'll keep you informed as to what happens, Max."
It was Max's last chance. He leaned over his desk, and stopped the chief from writing.
"I have to go. She's pregnant ... with my child."
To be continued ...
"Max," she muttered, and his heart jumped.
Max straightened up and grasped her hand firmly. "I'm here, 99."
She looked over to Max. She could see the sorrow in his eyes. "Max ...," 99 said, as she placed her hand over her stomach. "... our baby." Sadness swept over her face. Then suddenly 99 stared straight ahead with no expression on her face," I started to pick out names the other day, wondering if was going to be a boy or a girl."
"99, don't do this." Max begged 99
She paid no attention to Max as she continued, "I was hoping for a little girl. Now I don't have to think about it anymore, do I, no feeding, no diapers, no nothing." She looked over to Max, "But you don't have to worry about that do you, you have a baby of your own coming. So you should be very happy. "
"99, stop it!" Max said as he shook her.
99 started to cry and turned away from Max. He couldn't bare to see her put herself through this. He wanted to comfort her but she wanted nothing to do with him at that moment. Max could do nothing but sit and let her cry it out.
Max arrived home later in the evening and went to the kitchen. The next door neighbor, Mrs. Grant, was cleaning the dishes from the dinner she cooked for the kids.
"Oh, Mr. Smart, how is your wife?"
"She'll be fine. She's staying overnight, though."
"And the baby?" she asked hesitantly.
"She lost the baby," Max said sadly. He had to fight back the tears. He wasn't quite ready to open up and get all emotional in front of his neighbor.
"Oh, Mr. Smart, I'm so sorry. What a terrible thing."
Max paused for a moment, and tried to regain his composure. "I need to tell the kids what's going on."
"Would you like me to stay, ... you know, for support?" she offered.
"No, it'll be ok. I'll tell them about what happened, and get them ready for bed."
Mrs. Grant folded the dishtowel, "If you need me, just call."
Max nodded as he saw her to the door. Then, he looked upstairs and saw the light on in the boys' room. He headed up to talk to them about what happened to the baby.
Max walked in as all three kids jumped up, ran towards him, and bombarded him with questions.
"How's mom? When is she coming home? What happened?"
Max put his hand up to quiet them down. "Sit down, and let's have a talk."
Zach and Maxine sat down at his feet, while Jimmy climbed up on his lap.
"Mom is going to be in the hospital overnight. We're not sure what happened or why, but your mom lost the baby."
Zach and Maxine looked at each other, shocked, while little Jimmy, being so young, didn't really understand.
"Can we help you look for the baby?" Jimmy offered.
Max smiled at his innocence. "No, not lost that way. Uh ... the baby ... died, inside mommy."
Jimmy frowned, "Oh. Can you get another one?"
"Maybe another time," Max responded.
"Gee, I'm sorry dad. Can we do anything to help out?" Zach asked.
"When your mom comes home, just keep it quiet, and if she tells you to do something, no arguments. OK?"
All chimed in, "Ok." "Now everyone get to bed, and I'll come in later and tuck you in."
Each one of the kids gave him a hug and a kiss and got ready for bed.
Max walked back downstairs and sat by himself, thinking of the entire day. He looked over to the phone, then picked it up. Dialing a number, he waited for the other end to answer.
"Harrington Arms Hotel, how may I direct your call?" he heard.
"Front desk, please," Max replied.
"Front desk, may I help you?"
"Christy Mayfield's room, please."
There was a pause, then the clerk came back, "Miss Mayfield has checked out, sir."
"Thank you." Max hung up, and knew he might never hear from her again.
A month passed, and 99 had recovered from her loss, but the affection level suffered between her and Max. He figured she would mend, and was willing to wait it out no matter how long it took. But, he was a man with needs and a month without sexual relations with 99 was starting to take its toll on him. At night before bed, Max would retreat into the bathroom to get himself off before climbing into bed. It was a way for him to relieve the build-up. Whether she knew what he was doing, he wasn't sure, and she never asked. But it was getting old, and Max wanted to do something about it. Tonight would be the night. He would try to get close to 99. Max came home a bit late from work and walked into the bedroom. 99 was in bed, reading, like she usually did everynight.
"Max, do you want dinner?" 99 asked, looking up.
What Max really wanted to say was "No, I want to make love to you tonight," but instead he shook his head.
"No, I'm fine 99. I ate at work tonight. Sorry I didn't call to let you know."
"That's ok," 99 smiled, as she went back to her book.
Max slowly removed his tie, all the while staring at her. He had been thinking about how to approach her all day and now he was going to attempt to get on with it.
Max got his Pajamas on, except he left his top off this time.
While in the bathroom, he brushed his teeth and looked into the mirror. He wondered if she would accept him tonight, if enough time had gone by for healing. Physically she was fine, but psychologically she had issues -- deep ones. He needed to test the waters. Max came to bed and slipped in. 99 yawned, set her book down, then turned off the light. She turned over to her side, then Max slipped up to her and caressed her shoulder. 99 didn't pull away, but she didn't reciprocate, either. He went a bit further by placing light kisses on her arm. 99 slowly turned to him, and Max kissed her lips. She responded, but with reserved desire. Max took it as a good sign and continued. He positioned himself over her, and maneuvered himself between her legs. His hands carefully pushed her nightgown up to just above her hips. She never wore panties to bed, and just the site of her exposed was enough to get him instantly hard. 99 laid there like a bride on her wedding night -- timid and anticipating. Max undid his pajama string and slid his bottoms down around his thighs. Leaning into 99, he slowly and gently began to push into her. He nearly came going in, and he stopped to catch his breath before going on. Lowering himself on top of her, he pushed further into her. With each thrust, 99's body stiffened. It had been such a long time, and the feeling was intense. Lifting up, Max came face to face with 99. He could see she had tears streaming down her cheek. He stopped and held himself inside her. 99 said nothing and laid there just waiting for him to finish. He pulled out, and tried to locate his pajama bottoms. After he pulled them up, he rolled off to the other side of the bed.
"I'm sorry, Max," 99 sobbed.
"It's ok, I understand. You're not ready yet," Max mumbled.
Then, he sat on the edge of the bed, got up and retreated once again to the bathroom. Five minutes later, Max came back to bed and slid up against 99's back. As he placed his arm over her, she reached up and held his hand. He kissed the back of her neck, and went to sleep.
Next morning, Max arrived at work, hoping the day would keep him busy enough to forget about last night. He walked into the Chief's office. A look of concern came over the Chief's face as he talked on the phone.
"Yes, thank you for the information," the Chief said solemnly. He hung up, and motioned for Max to come in.
"What's up, Chief? By the look on your face, you seemed concerned about something."
"Yes, well, one of our European couriers, who was bringing important papers over, was captured by KAOS the other day."
"That's terrible, Chief. Is there anything we can do?"
"We're not sure where they're holding her ..."
Max had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.
"What do you mean, 'her'?"
"Oh, of course you wouldn't know. The courier is your partner from that mission I sent you on about five months ago. Christy Mayfield."
Max was shocked by this news, and temporarily frozen with fear and panic, but he quickly snapped himself out of it. "Chief, we have to rescue her!" he screamed out, desperately.
"We'll do all we can, but first ..."
"Chief, you don't understand! She's ..." Max stopped himself from giving away the truth.
"She's what, Max?" the Chief wondered.
"She's ... pregnant." The Chief couldn't believe it. He didn't know what to say, at first.
"What?! If I would have known she was carrying a child, I would have never agreed to have her take the mission."
Max stiffened, "I want to be the one that goes in to rescue her."
"Max, I know you're concerned, but we need the specialists for this kind of rescue."
"But Chief, I have to be included in this," Max insisted.
"You worked one mission with this woman. Why are you so adamant about this?"
Max hesitated, but couldn't tell him the real reason.
The chief went back to the papers on his desk, "Forget it, Max, 99 would kill me if I got you involved in this"
"But Chief, you don't understand."
"Then make me understand, Max."
Max struggled for the right words to say.
The Chief waited, then resumed, "I'll keep you informed as to what happens, Max."
It was Max's last chance. He leaned over his desk, and stopped the chief from writing.
"I have to go. She's pregnant ... with my child."
To be continued ...