Part 2
Possibilities

If you had asked her that morning about her plans for the day ahead, Maria would have groaned and painfully related the torture that would doubtlessly be dinner at a stranger's apartment on Christmas Day.  Now however, an hour into the supposedly awkward social gathering, she found herself smiling shyly as she took a sip from the glass of water she cradled in her hand, her eyes once more seeking out the shades of spiced rum across the room.

She hadn't had the chance to speak with him yet, not that she'd have the slightest clue what to say when it didn't involve ordering a cup of tea, but she wanted to approach him, needed to say something, anything, to make up for her earlier comment about his eyes.  'Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum—really Maria,' she thought ashamedly.

Glancing up once more, she caught the twinkle in his eye as he laughed at some stupid joke Kyle was relaying and smiled as she let her mind explore the possibilities of knowing him outside of their hallowed coffee shop.  He was cute, that fact was inarguable.  'Hell he's downright gorgeous,' she thought, licking her lips lightly as she diverted her gaze towards her lap.  Plus she already knew his personality, protected but in there, sure to be fascinating if she could get closer.  There was just the small matter of her…

Isabel's flopping onto the couch rudely shook her from her reverie, the one-sided fantasy vanishing into thin air as she turned to look at the other girl.

"So, you and Michael, hey?  How long have you known each other?"

"Oh, um…" Maria stammered, shooting the brunette a nervous smile as she played with the rim of her glass.  "I, uh… I guess we've really only known each other for about an hour.  But I've been going to his shop for a couple of months."

"I see," Isabel replied, keeping her eyes trained on the smaller girl for an extended moment before casting them back across the room.  "And you what… like you watch him?  Write about him?"

"Oh no," Maria said quickly, blushing as she thought about the psycho that Isabel probably thought she was.  "I just people watch, you know?  I write about ordinary everyday people and the best research is to just sit back and observe them.  The coffee shop is like my library—it's… mesmerizing."

"Well I've only been a few times, but I wouldn't exactly call the cast of characters… what word did you use?  Mesmerizing?"

"Yeah," Maria said shyly.  "I guess I tend towards the over descriptive sometimes, but they really are.  There's this homeless woman who sleeps in the alley behind the store and every morning she comes out to greet people as they go inside.  I'm serious, she's like a professional door man; she doesn't beg, just makes small talk and invariably walks away with like 10 cups of coffee.  Then there's this guy that comes in every morning with his wife, or at least they're both wearing rings and she's all touchy-feely, and then he comes in again every night with a different woman and this time he's all over her—it's like a human drama played out interminably… truly amazing."

Isabel stared at the girl beside her quietly for a moment.  "How do you see all this?"

Maria's cheeks flushed as she pondered an answer that would save her the most embarrassment.  "I just… I just see it, you know?  It's like writing… writing is this vent for every idea that pops into my head, and the source of those ideas is people.  It's an amazing therapy… and I get paid to do it!"  Pausing she gauged Isabel's reaction closely, seeing that the other woman didn't quite buy the explanation she offered.  "It's like reading," she continued.  "Have you ever read a good book, I mean a really good one that you just lost yourself in?"

"Sure."

"Well watching people is like that.  There's this real life story being presented before you and all you have to do is sit back and take it in.  It's everywhere, all around you.  I watch it and then I write about it.  Michael's shop is my favorite place lately, it's… captivating."

"Why?" Isabel asked simply, a smile playing on her lips as she anticipated Maria's response.

"Well it's… it's just… well, you see…"

Isabel burst out laughing as her new friend blushed brightly and lowered her eyes in slight shame.  Reaching out to place a hand on the girl's arm, she suggested lightly, "It's okay, I think he's got it bad for you too."

Maria opened her mouth in surprise at the words of Michael's sister but couldn't deny that Isabel had hit upon the truth of the situation; she did have it bad for Michael, she had known that for weeks now, but if Isabel knew then did that mean he did?

"Is it that obvious?" she asked, squinting her eyes in fear of the answer.

"Well… yeah, sort of," Isabel confirmed, smiling brightly at the embarrassed girl before her.  "Don't worry about it.  Michael's a great guy and I happen to have the inside scoop that he's single so…"

"Do you always set your brothers up on dates?"

"Um… no!  I never have before actually.  There must just be something about you."

Maria's cheeks had only just started to cool when they blushed again at Isabel's statement.  If she had the approval of his sister…

"Daddy!"

Maria looked up at the sudden addition of energy to the room and watched a streak of blurry red velvet and flying brown curls burst into the living room.

"Hey sleepy head," Michael said to the little girl as she ran directly into his arms.

"You bwing me pwesents?" her tiny voiced asked innocently.

"Yes," Michael said smiling at her.  Standing with the child in his arms, he walked to the large bag he had dropped on the floor when he entered and bent down beside it.  "You want to see?"

"No dummy, I want to wait!"

On the sofa, Maria's face was frozen in a mix of surprise and glee.  Her own emotions running on overdrive, she could sense the contended feeling spreading through the room at the addition of the little girl, but watching her with Michael… she was his daughter?

"So that must be Laney?" she said quietly, having to force strength into her voice to ask the question.

"Yeah, she just adores him."

"But she ah… she was here before him?"

"What?" Isabel asked, turning her head to Maria for a moment.  "Oh, no…" she said laughing lightly.  "Laney's not his, she's our daughter.  Michael doesn't…"

Her voice trailed off as she turned back to gaze upon the pair ripping into the first of numerous presents.  "Michael doesn't have any children," she finished softly.

"Oh," Maria replied, sensing that there was more behind the sentiment but not wanting to press the matter further.  "Well she's gorgeous," she offered.

"Thanks," Isabel replied, settling back into her comfort zone as she smiled at Maria.  "And you?"

"And me what?" Maria asked innocently.

"What's your story?  I know you're single but… kids, former marriage, scary skeleton half-hanging out of your closet that you care to reveal?"

"Uh… you aren't exactly shy, are you?" she asked, laughing.

"I'm just teasing," Isabel tossed back.  "It's just if you're going to date my brother then…"

"Whoa, who said I was going to date your brother?"

"Well… why else would you have spent the past hour staring across the room at a stranger you just met?"

Caught again, Maria laughed and wondered how she could move past this topic without either promising herself to a relationship or preventing one forever.  She wanted to date Michael, of course she did, but it just wasn't fair to start anything with him right now.  And if she told Isabel why she couldn't, she'd probably just ensure that they'd never have a chance.  She was stuck.

"Dinner is served!"

Maria sighed audibly as Alex entered the living room and announced the awaited serving of their Christmas meal.  She stood expectantly and followed Isabel towards the dining room as her stomach growled loudly and she laughed.  "I think my body is calling out for that turkey."

"What turkey?" Isabel tossed over her shoulder.  "We're having chili."

Maria stopped mid-step and stared at the retreating back of her hostess.  They were having chili… for Christmas!?!

"Liz," she whispered furtively, grabbing the brunette as she attempted to slip past her towards the table.  "I thought you said this was going to be a 'traditional' meal?"

"I know," Liz shrugged helplessly.  "I thought it was, but I guess she's not a big cook."

"Not a big cook!" Maria screeched beneath her breath.  "Christmas without turkey is like… it's like…"

"Christmas without presents?" a new voice interjected.

"Exactly!" Maria said, turning to glance back at the source of the voice before realizing that it was Michael.  'S-hit,' she thought, mentally kicking herself for insulting his sister's cooking before even trying it.

"Not a big chili-fan?" he teased.

"No it's just that I expected… I mean, traditionally…" she stammered.

"I get it.  But you know how some people can cook only one thing really well?"

"Yeah."

"Well, half of that statement applies to Isabel."

Maria's mouth opened slightly at his comment, unsure of whether to laugh or defend herself when she saw the telltale twinkle in his eye and new that he was only teasing.  Smiling, she let her eyes follow him as he moved past her to take a seat at the table.  Stepping inside the room, her stomach suddenly flipped for two reasons… the scent of the spicy dish attacked her senses, sending a wave of nausea coursing through her body and, looking at the seating arrangement, she realized that the last empty chair was right next to him… the day just got more and more perfect with every hour.

~*~*~*~*~

Somehow Maria managed to make it through the meal by taking small bites of her roll and breaking the rest into tiny pieces over the offensive chili.  There had been a time only weeks before that she would have delved into the dish with fervor but now even the smell of the spicy dish turned her stomach.

As they were clearing the dishes from the table, she snuck up behind Liz and whispered in her ear, "You do realize that we are doing this all again next week at your place?"

"Oh yes."

"And there will be the ritualistic sacrifice of a bird of some sort?"

"Most definitely."

"And you will never take me to a stranger's house on Christmas again?"

"Maria," Liz whined softly, turning around to stare into her friend's eyes.  "This is fun, admit it.  You even met someone you already knew…"

"Chill chica," Maria said lightly.  "The company is fine, more than actually, I just like my meat and potatoes, you know?"

"This from the girl who was all tofu and wheat grass a few months ago?" Tess chimed in, stepping into the tiny circle to glance at the other two girls.  "What are we gossiping about?"

"Nothing, because we are in someone else's home and it is rude," Liz replied primly.

"The fact that Lizzie here has to make this meal up to me big time," Maria corrected, sending her friend a daring glare.

"I know!" Tess agreed. "The chili was great but poor Kyle is about to eat a table leg if I don't put some meat in front of him.  Speaking of which, have you decided to jump Mr. Coffee Shop yet?"

"Tess!" Maria shrieked softly.

"What?  You obviously want him, why don't you just take him in one of the bedrooms and get it over with?"

"You are seriously disturbed, you know that?" Liz objected quickly.

"I, for once, have to agree with our little Elizabeth here," Maria whispered.  "I am not about to 'jump him' or 'nail him' at any point, let alone in his sister's house!"

"Fine, fine," Tess relented, holding up her hands in surrender as she backed off.  "All I'm saying is that you've got limited time before you blow up and…"

"Shh, you are an evil, evil girl, you know that?"

"I know, why do you think your brother married me?" the blonde said wickedly.

Maria couldn't help but laugh at her sister-in-law but she still shook her head and fought for the best 'you should be ashamed of yourself' look she could muster.  It failed miserably, and the three women struggled to suppress their giggles until a loud gurgling from Maria's stomach punctured the laughter.

"Hungry Ria?" Tess asked innocently.

"God, what do you think?"

"Relax," Liz added.  "Max said there was desert too, you can eat that."

"Ladies," Alex suddenly called from the dining room.  "Desert's ready—Isabel made Sara Lee Double Chocolate cake."

"She made it!" Maria whispered in shock to Liz.  Whirling around, she headed towards the living area of the apartment, calling over her shoulder.  "I am going to the washroom, and you better make plans for a huge cheesecake!"

Walking down the short hallway towards the bathroom Maria laughed quietly at the fiasco of a meal that she was putting up with, already making plans for candied yams at their next dinner.  Passing a half-open bedroom door, she paused as she heard Laney's voice floating into the hallway.

"Unca Mica, you pay Barbie dis time, I be Ken."

Unable to resist, Maria pushed the door open further, peeking around the corner to see Michael sprawled on the floor of the little girl's bedroom.  He noticed her immediately, smiling through the flush that spread across his cheeks as he sat up.

"Laney, maybe Maria wants to play Barbie this time," Michael said, holding out the doll to the child.

"M'Ria?" Laney asked wide-eyed.

"Sure, sweetie, I'd love to play Barbie, but only if Unca Mica plays too."

"See, Unca?" the little girl said, turning to press the doll back into his hand.  "You not get away wit it dat easy."

Maria laughed as she knelt down to select one of the Barbie dolls from the large pile Laney had spread on the floor.  If the little girl knew how to play Michael so effortlessly she was obviously gifted.

"So Laney," Maria said as she picked up a brush to style Dream Fantasy Barbie's flowing golden locks.  "Do you like playing Barbies with Unca Mica?"

Michael glanced at her as Laney dug into her pile of clothes for the fifth Ken clothing change of the day.

"He okay," the little girl said thoughtfully, mussing her hair as she pushed stray locks off her forehead.  "But he a'ways want to be Ken and make me be Barbie.  We live in e-qwal s'iety M'Ria, Daddy say so.  I can be boy doll if I want to."

"Yes you can," Maria said as her smile grew across her face.  Having a lesson on the rules of modern society from a three-year-old was definitely a new experience and she felt the familiar hormone surge gearing up to release another wave upon her body as she stared at the child.

Michael watched closely as she looked at Laney adoringly.  His niece was captivating, there was no question about that, but Maria looked like… she looked like she was longing.  Looking back at his Barbie for a second, he grimaced at having his first real encounter with 'herbal tea chick' while holding a blonde boob job in his hand.  Placing it aside, he dared another glance at Maria, surprised when he saw her wiping a stray tear from her cheek.

Raising her face, she caught his eye across the bowed head of the child between them and smiled as she swiped at the wetness again.  It seemed like she couldn't go an hour without shedding a tear over something these days, it was just beyond fitting that now she was crying in his presence.

"Laney?" Michael said suddenly.  "I think your Mommy said she was baking Sara Lee for desert.  You want some?"

"You can't bake Sawa Lee, Unca.  Mommy just like to tell people she bake so day tink she good cook."

Michael had to actually bite his lip to stop from laughing at that comment as he rose to his feet, bending down to hold out his arms to the little girl.  "Well, you want some anyway?"

"O'tay," she shrugged, reaching up for her uncle.

Michael easily lifted the little girl into his arms, turning her to face Maria as he waited to see if she would join them.

"You t-uming M'Ria?"

Giving her cheek one last wipe, Maria smiled up at the little girl and stood, pressing her hand to her forehead as she did.

"Headache?" Michael asked.

"Yeah, nothing a good cup of tea won't cure," she replied as she smiled up at him.

"Well let's go get something to drink then," he suggested suddenly.

"What?  But what about the dinner, your family?"

"Mommy won't care M'Ria.  She just need Daddy do dishes to be happy."

"Okay then, if Laney thinks it's a good idea then so do I.  But… I happen to know that the best place to get a cup of tea is closed today."

"Well, if it's the same place I'm thinking of I just happen to know the owner," Michael said, smirking at her as he moved to carry Laney into the living room.

Maria lagged behind for a moment, watching the little girl's head bounce as she rode on her uncle's shoulder.  Children were so precious, so perfect, so… hard.  She had to press her hand to her mouth to suppress the sob that rose within her throat as she thought about having a child of her own.  Laney was so lucky to have Alex and Michael in her life.  Not to mention Max.  All Maria had was Kyle and even he didn't completely understand how she could have made the decision that brought her to this place.

At that very moment, Maria Deluca was 10 weeks pregnant and she had absolutely no idea who the father was.