************************************
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE:
"Okay, Isabel!" said Liz. "You're having another contraction! Now, PUSH!!! PUSH HARD!!"
Isabel screamed as she followed Liz's instructions. After a few moments, the contractions passed, and still, after five hours, no baby came out.
"Okay, um...you're doing good," said Liz. "I think."
"You THINK!" said Alex. "Liz, I..."
"GIVE ME A BREAK, HERE!" she said. "I'm not a Doctor!! I'm just doing the best I know how from biology and life management classes!!"
"I know, I'm sorry!" said Alex. "I'm just..."
"Its okay," said Liz. "I understand."
"God, how much longer?" asked Isabel, now almost out of breath. "I mean...if I have to hear the word PUSH one more time, I'm going to...."
Just then, a nearby bottle of water went flying across the room, and hit the wall behind Alex. Every so often, Isabel's powers had "gone off", as Maria called it, and had caused something to fly across the room. Small objects, mostly, except for the one time a suit case went barreling towards Alex. It seemed, subconsciously, Isabel was throwing her frustration at Alex.
"Alex, I'm sorry," said Isabel.
"Its...okay," said Alex, who wiped himself off after being splashed by the open bottle of water that went barreling past. "I wonder why you are subconsciously wanting to throw things at me, though. The love of your life."
"Because," said Isabel. "You had a hand in doing THIS to me! I swear, after this is over, you are never..."
"Okay, another contraction," said Liz. "Push hard this time!"
"ARGGH!" said Isabel. "There's that word again!"
**
"Well, well, well," said Michael, in a slightly angry tone. "Look who's here."
"Tess," said Max, in a low tone. "I wish I could say I'm glad to see you."
"I understand," said Tess. "I...heard you out here, talking. I couldn't believe it was really you."
"Tess is staying here with us for the night, while Kyle is working the graveyard shift," said Amy. She came over to Tess. "How you feeling? Can I get you something? Some water?"
"Water would be great, thanks," said Tess.
Amy went into the kitchen to get the water. In the meantime, Tess, Max, Michael, and Jim, all just stared at one another. "I...called Kyle," said Tess. "From the room. I called his cell phone. I figured...you would want to see him. Giving he's your friend."
"That makes one of you," said Michael. "At least, I think it does."
"Michael..." began Jim in rebuke.
"No, Dad, its okay," said Tess.
"DAD!" said Max. "You call him DAD now?"
"He is my husband's Father, Max," said Tess. "And I love him like my Father."
"You don't know what the word love means," said Max.
"I've learned, Max," said Tess. "I've learned...a lot, these past few years. Thanks to Kyle. I know now that what I thought was love for you was actually obsession, and it was an obsession that had terrible consequences."
"Yeah, I guess Alex found that out first hand," said Max.
"Yes, unfortunately," said Tess. "I can't tell you how sorry I am for all of it. I just...I just want to make peace. I want to...talk, with everyone, to find a way to live together. I mean, Roswell is my home, too."
"She's right," said Jim. "She has just as much right to be here as any of you. Now, I'm not defending what she did in the past. It took me some time to come to terms with it, too. But she's shown me in the year that she's been here how much she loves Kyle, and how she has changed."
"I still think you could be mind warping Kyle, the Sheriff," said Michael. "I don't trust you. I WON'T trust you!"
"I am NOT mind warping them!" said Tess defensively. "I love Kyle, with all of my heart. He loves me."
"How are we supposed to believe anything you say?" asked Max. "All you have ever done is LIE to us! You kept doing it when you came back, telling me the baby would die if you did!"
"It was self-preservation, Max," said Tess. "I was just trying to stay alive!"
"That's a convenient excuse!" said Michael.
Just then, they heard the front door open. They saw Kyle come in, dressed in a deputy sheriff's uniform. For a moment, Max and Michael didn't recognize him.
"My God," said Kyle. "You two really are here! This is...whoa..."
"No kidding," said Michael. "I still can't believe you are a cop, just like I can't believe you married that manipulative bitch over there!"
"Watch your mouth!" said Kyle.
"Kyle," said Tess. "Its okay, they have every right to be suspicious."
Kyle went over to his wife, and pulled her into his arms. She lay her head on his shoulder, and enjoyed the warmth of his embrace. Then, he pulled back to look at her, and caressed her cheek.
"You should be sleeping," said Kyle.
"I know," said Tess. "But....I just had to come out, and try to talk to them."
Kyle turned and looked at Max and Michael, his left arm still wrapped around Tess. "Guys, I know there is a lot of history here," said Kyle. "I was pissed at Tess, too, when she got back. But, even though I hated what she did to Alex, I still couldn't help but love her. I fought it for so long, but...I just knew that this girl was the one I wanted. That night, when we took off...Tess was going to blow up the base, her with it, to protect all of you, and the baby. The only reason she didn't was because I talked her out of it, told her I loved her, and offered to lead the Air Force away from Roswell with her."
"In those moments, I realized that I had been stupid," said Tess. "All the time I was so fixated on you, Max, I was ignoring my feelings for Kyle. It was then I realized how much I loved him."
"Oh, how sweet," said Michael, sarcastically. "What a load of bull shit!"
"LOOK, GUERIN!" said Kyle, who walked slightly towards Michael. "You are going to have to get used to Tess being here, because she is a part of my family now! She has changed, and if you would just give her a chance, I know that there could be peace!"
"The only chance I want to give her is a chance to get her ass kicked!" said Michael. "And I'd be MORE than willing to give her that chance."
"Oh YEAH!" said Kyle, as he lunged at Michael. The two men starting fighting, but were quickly broken up by Jim and Max.
"That's ENOUGH!" yelled Jim.
"Michael, this isn't helping!" said Max.
"Now LOOK," said Jim. "Kyle, you KNEW that there would be tension between Tess and them, and for good reason! And Michael-like it or not, Tess is my son's wife, and she is WELCOME here! I suggest you stop threatening her if you still want to be welcome here, too!"
"I don't believe this!" said Michael. "We're supposed to just forgive and forget, have everything be peaches and cream between us?!"
"Look, Sheriff," said Max, taking a deep breath to calm down. "Jim. I realize you are in a hard position here. But...I just can't bring myself to trust Tess. Kyle...I know you love her, and I know you want to think the best of her. Its just very difficult for me to see her that way."
"It will be even harder for Alex, I'm sure," said Kyle. "He must hate me."
"I think he understands why you ran off with her," said Max. "He knew you had strong feelings for her."
"Um, can we talk about this more tomorrow," said Tess. "I need to go lay down."
"I'll help you," said Amy, who had come back into the room unnoticed during all of the commotion.
Kyle came over to Tess and kissed her. "It will be alright," said Kyle. "Get some rest."
After the two ladies went into the other room, Kyle looked back at Max and Michael. "She's been really weak, because of the pregnancy," said Kyle. "She doesn't need this right now. Just...leave it alone for now. Until the baby is born. Can you do that?"
"Kyle," said Max. "If we are going to be able to come home, I don't know if we can just put this off. When the others get here...we're going to all have to have a long talk. About everything. I'm not sure if you and Tess are going to like it, either."
"Look, Kyle," said Jim. "I'll fill you in on everything in the morning. Meanwhile, you've got a shift to finish."
"Yes, sir," said Kyle. "Max, Michael. Let her be for tonight at least. Clear?"
Max and Michael nodded. Kyle then turned and went out the front door.
"You boys have a place to stay?" asked Jim.
"We haven't made contact with anyone else yet," said Max. "God, in all of the excitement...I haven't even had a chance to ask you about my parents, how they're doing..."
"They're okay," said Jim. "Though they missed you. We all have. Want to call them?"
"Let's...wait until the morning," said Max.
"Good idea," said Amy, who came back out into the living room. "Meanwhile, you can sleep here. Jim, don't we have some sleeping bags in the back closet?"
"Yeah," said Jim. "I'll get them."
***
After six hours of labor, Isabel was now laying on the bed in the cabin, holding a beautiful baby boy in her arms. She was crying and smiling all at the same time, as she gently cleaned the baby with a towel. Alex was laying beside her, his hand gently caressing the baby's cheek. Meanwhile, Liz and Maria were sitting on the other bed in the room, exhausted themselves after the ordeal, but smiling broadly at the scene which lay before him.
"Oh, Isabel," said Maria. "He's adorable!"
"Just like his Mother," said Alex, who kissed Isabel on the lips, then kissed the baby on his forehead.
"Liz, Maria," said Isabel. "Thank you. Both of you. Without you, I don't know if I could have gotten through this."
"No problem," said Liz. "I'm just a little worried, though."
"Why?" said Alex. "Is there something wrong with the baby?"
"OH NO!" said Liz. "Nothing...I mean, I'm sure there's nothing. Its just...I've got one of those in me now, and in nine months or so, I'm going to have to go through what Isabel did. I'm not exactly looking forward to it. The labor, I mean." Then, with a smile, she continued. "Though...looking at you two, right now...there are some things I can't wait for."
"You know, its funny," said Isabel. "I feel so exhausted, but...I don't want to let him go, to sleep, even. I just want to hold him."
"Well, so do I," said Alex. "So don't plan on holding him for too long. I'm patient, but not that patient!"
"Hey, you two," said Maria. "You know, he's got two aunts over here who want some holding privileges, too. So don't plan on hoggin him!"
"Have you guys discussed names?" asked Liz.
Isabel looked at Alex, who nodded in silent reply. "We have," said Isabel. "Sine he's a boy, we've decided on Kevin. Kevin Alexander Whitman."
"Why Kevin?" asked Maria.
"I've just always liked the name," said Isabel. "I used to pretend, when I was a little girl, that I would have a son someday, and his name would be Kevin. And Alex liked it, too. So, we tacked on Alex's name as the middle name, and then...Walla!"
"Well, I think it's a great name," said Maria.
"Kevin Whitman," said Alex, as Isabel finally handed him the baby. "Welcome to the family."
End of Chapter Twenty-Nine. Chapter Thirty coming soon.
Well, Alex and Isabel now have a baby boy. But, there is still much more to come, as the group finds out whether or not you really can go home again. So, don't miss the next installment to find out what happens from here. In the meantime, please do keep those reviews coming. Feedback is always appreciated.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE:
"Okay, Isabel!" said Liz. "You're having another contraction! Now, PUSH!!! PUSH HARD!!"
Isabel screamed as she followed Liz's instructions. After a few moments, the contractions passed, and still, after five hours, no baby came out.
"Okay, um...you're doing good," said Liz. "I think."
"You THINK!" said Alex. "Liz, I..."
"GIVE ME A BREAK, HERE!" she said. "I'm not a Doctor!! I'm just doing the best I know how from biology and life management classes!!"
"I know, I'm sorry!" said Alex. "I'm just..."
"Its okay," said Liz. "I understand."
"God, how much longer?" asked Isabel, now almost out of breath. "I mean...if I have to hear the word PUSH one more time, I'm going to...."
Just then, a nearby bottle of water went flying across the room, and hit the wall behind Alex. Every so often, Isabel's powers had "gone off", as Maria called it, and had caused something to fly across the room. Small objects, mostly, except for the one time a suit case went barreling towards Alex. It seemed, subconsciously, Isabel was throwing her frustration at Alex.
"Alex, I'm sorry," said Isabel.
"Its...okay," said Alex, who wiped himself off after being splashed by the open bottle of water that went barreling past. "I wonder why you are subconsciously wanting to throw things at me, though. The love of your life."
"Because," said Isabel. "You had a hand in doing THIS to me! I swear, after this is over, you are never..."
"Okay, another contraction," said Liz. "Push hard this time!"
"ARGGH!" said Isabel. "There's that word again!"
**
"Well, well, well," said Michael, in a slightly angry tone. "Look who's here."
"Tess," said Max, in a low tone. "I wish I could say I'm glad to see you."
"I understand," said Tess. "I...heard you out here, talking. I couldn't believe it was really you."
"Tess is staying here with us for the night, while Kyle is working the graveyard shift," said Amy. She came over to Tess. "How you feeling? Can I get you something? Some water?"
"Water would be great, thanks," said Tess.
Amy went into the kitchen to get the water. In the meantime, Tess, Max, Michael, and Jim, all just stared at one another. "I...called Kyle," said Tess. "From the room. I called his cell phone. I figured...you would want to see him. Giving he's your friend."
"That makes one of you," said Michael. "At least, I think it does."
"Michael..." began Jim in rebuke.
"No, Dad, its okay," said Tess.
"DAD!" said Max. "You call him DAD now?"
"He is my husband's Father, Max," said Tess. "And I love him like my Father."
"You don't know what the word love means," said Max.
"I've learned, Max," said Tess. "I've learned...a lot, these past few years. Thanks to Kyle. I know now that what I thought was love for you was actually obsession, and it was an obsession that had terrible consequences."
"Yeah, I guess Alex found that out first hand," said Max.
"Yes, unfortunately," said Tess. "I can't tell you how sorry I am for all of it. I just...I just want to make peace. I want to...talk, with everyone, to find a way to live together. I mean, Roswell is my home, too."
"She's right," said Jim. "She has just as much right to be here as any of you. Now, I'm not defending what she did in the past. It took me some time to come to terms with it, too. But she's shown me in the year that she's been here how much she loves Kyle, and how she has changed."
"I still think you could be mind warping Kyle, the Sheriff," said Michael. "I don't trust you. I WON'T trust you!"
"I am NOT mind warping them!" said Tess defensively. "I love Kyle, with all of my heart. He loves me."
"How are we supposed to believe anything you say?" asked Max. "All you have ever done is LIE to us! You kept doing it when you came back, telling me the baby would die if you did!"
"It was self-preservation, Max," said Tess. "I was just trying to stay alive!"
"That's a convenient excuse!" said Michael.
Just then, they heard the front door open. They saw Kyle come in, dressed in a deputy sheriff's uniform. For a moment, Max and Michael didn't recognize him.
"My God," said Kyle. "You two really are here! This is...whoa..."
"No kidding," said Michael. "I still can't believe you are a cop, just like I can't believe you married that manipulative bitch over there!"
"Watch your mouth!" said Kyle.
"Kyle," said Tess. "Its okay, they have every right to be suspicious."
Kyle went over to his wife, and pulled her into his arms. She lay her head on his shoulder, and enjoyed the warmth of his embrace. Then, he pulled back to look at her, and caressed her cheek.
"You should be sleeping," said Kyle.
"I know," said Tess. "But....I just had to come out, and try to talk to them."
Kyle turned and looked at Max and Michael, his left arm still wrapped around Tess. "Guys, I know there is a lot of history here," said Kyle. "I was pissed at Tess, too, when she got back. But, even though I hated what she did to Alex, I still couldn't help but love her. I fought it for so long, but...I just knew that this girl was the one I wanted. That night, when we took off...Tess was going to blow up the base, her with it, to protect all of you, and the baby. The only reason she didn't was because I talked her out of it, told her I loved her, and offered to lead the Air Force away from Roswell with her."
"In those moments, I realized that I had been stupid," said Tess. "All the time I was so fixated on you, Max, I was ignoring my feelings for Kyle. It was then I realized how much I loved him."
"Oh, how sweet," said Michael, sarcastically. "What a load of bull shit!"
"LOOK, GUERIN!" said Kyle, who walked slightly towards Michael. "You are going to have to get used to Tess being here, because she is a part of my family now! She has changed, and if you would just give her a chance, I know that there could be peace!"
"The only chance I want to give her is a chance to get her ass kicked!" said Michael. "And I'd be MORE than willing to give her that chance."
"Oh YEAH!" said Kyle, as he lunged at Michael. The two men starting fighting, but were quickly broken up by Jim and Max.
"That's ENOUGH!" yelled Jim.
"Michael, this isn't helping!" said Max.
"Now LOOK," said Jim. "Kyle, you KNEW that there would be tension between Tess and them, and for good reason! And Michael-like it or not, Tess is my son's wife, and she is WELCOME here! I suggest you stop threatening her if you still want to be welcome here, too!"
"I don't believe this!" said Michael. "We're supposed to just forgive and forget, have everything be peaches and cream between us?!"
"Look, Sheriff," said Max, taking a deep breath to calm down. "Jim. I realize you are in a hard position here. But...I just can't bring myself to trust Tess. Kyle...I know you love her, and I know you want to think the best of her. Its just very difficult for me to see her that way."
"It will be even harder for Alex, I'm sure," said Kyle. "He must hate me."
"I think he understands why you ran off with her," said Max. "He knew you had strong feelings for her."
"Um, can we talk about this more tomorrow," said Tess. "I need to go lay down."
"I'll help you," said Amy, who had come back into the room unnoticed during all of the commotion.
Kyle came over to Tess and kissed her. "It will be alright," said Kyle. "Get some rest."
After the two ladies went into the other room, Kyle looked back at Max and Michael. "She's been really weak, because of the pregnancy," said Kyle. "She doesn't need this right now. Just...leave it alone for now. Until the baby is born. Can you do that?"
"Kyle," said Max. "If we are going to be able to come home, I don't know if we can just put this off. When the others get here...we're going to all have to have a long talk. About everything. I'm not sure if you and Tess are going to like it, either."
"Look, Kyle," said Jim. "I'll fill you in on everything in the morning. Meanwhile, you've got a shift to finish."
"Yes, sir," said Kyle. "Max, Michael. Let her be for tonight at least. Clear?"
Max and Michael nodded. Kyle then turned and went out the front door.
"You boys have a place to stay?" asked Jim.
"We haven't made contact with anyone else yet," said Max. "God, in all of the excitement...I haven't even had a chance to ask you about my parents, how they're doing..."
"They're okay," said Jim. "Though they missed you. We all have. Want to call them?"
"Let's...wait until the morning," said Max.
"Good idea," said Amy, who came back out into the living room. "Meanwhile, you can sleep here. Jim, don't we have some sleeping bags in the back closet?"
"Yeah," said Jim. "I'll get them."
***
After six hours of labor, Isabel was now laying on the bed in the cabin, holding a beautiful baby boy in her arms. She was crying and smiling all at the same time, as she gently cleaned the baby with a towel. Alex was laying beside her, his hand gently caressing the baby's cheek. Meanwhile, Liz and Maria were sitting on the other bed in the room, exhausted themselves after the ordeal, but smiling broadly at the scene which lay before him.
"Oh, Isabel," said Maria. "He's adorable!"
"Just like his Mother," said Alex, who kissed Isabel on the lips, then kissed the baby on his forehead.
"Liz, Maria," said Isabel. "Thank you. Both of you. Without you, I don't know if I could have gotten through this."
"No problem," said Liz. "I'm just a little worried, though."
"Why?" said Alex. "Is there something wrong with the baby?"
"OH NO!" said Liz. "Nothing...I mean, I'm sure there's nothing. Its just...I've got one of those in me now, and in nine months or so, I'm going to have to go through what Isabel did. I'm not exactly looking forward to it. The labor, I mean." Then, with a smile, she continued. "Though...looking at you two, right now...there are some things I can't wait for."
"You know, its funny," said Isabel. "I feel so exhausted, but...I don't want to let him go, to sleep, even. I just want to hold him."
"Well, so do I," said Alex. "So don't plan on holding him for too long. I'm patient, but not that patient!"
"Hey, you two," said Maria. "You know, he's got two aunts over here who want some holding privileges, too. So don't plan on hoggin him!"
"Have you guys discussed names?" asked Liz.
Isabel looked at Alex, who nodded in silent reply. "We have," said Isabel. "Sine he's a boy, we've decided on Kevin. Kevin Alexander Whitman."
"Why Kevin?" asked Maria.
"I've just always liked the name," said Isabel. "I used to pretend, when I was a little girl, that I would have a son someday, and his name would be Kevin. And Alex liked it, too. So, we tacked on Alex's name as the middle name, and then...Walla!"
"Well, I think it's a great name," said Maria.
"Kevin Whitman," said Alex, as Isabel finally handed him the baby. "Welcome to the family."
End of Chapter Twenty-Nine. Chapter Thirty coming soon.
Well, Alex and Isabel now have a baby boy. But, there is still much more to come, as the group finds out whether or not you really can go home again. So, don't miss the next installment to find out what happens from here. In the meantime, please do keep those reviews coming. Feedback is always appreciated.