Three Days Later
~Crashdown~
Maria could see that things were winding down at the café. The flow of hungry customers had substantially decreased so that thare was only a couple sitting in a far corner booth. Since Maria didn't cover that table she assumed the role of closing down for the night. This was her favorite time at the Crashdown. When things were quiet and peaceful. She began wiping down the counter and stacking chairs as she heard the light tinkling of the door charm, indicating the entry of a new customer.
"I'm sorry but the café is closing..." she said as she wiped her hands on the dishrag she was cleaning with. And when she didn't hear the bell chiming telling her the person had left a surge of agitation rushed through her. "God, some people..." she thought to herself but said aloud, "Come on, buddy, the Crashd-" But she was cut off by what she was about to say when she looked up and was caught in a pair of intense chocolate-brown eyes. Micheal eyes. Startled and disoriented just by the mere sight of the piercing orbs Maria dropped the chair she was about to stack. She stooped over to pick up the fallen item, shaking her head in denial. "Micheal couldn't be here..." she thought, "My mind is just playing tricks on me."
And sure enough when she lifted her gaze upon the figure in front of her, she definitely did not see Micheal. In a second Jason's golden concerned eyes filled her vision. "How could she have mistaken him for Micheal? The boy in front of her was much kinder, more sensitive, and dependable than her late lover. And right now he could tell something was wrong... and he wanted desperately too help..."
"You O.K., Maria?" Jason asked bringing her temporarily out of her stupor. She vaguely noticed that he was trying to help her stack the chair she held rigidly in her grasp. She also noticed the true concern in his deep voice with the simple question.
She nodded profusely in response and when he looked unconvinced she smiled at him ruefully. "I-I'm fine. Absolutely fine, except you nearly gave me a heart-attack," she teased as she whacked him playfully on the shoulder.
He laughed tenderly at the girls antics and began helping her clean- up. As they worked Maria was brought back to her thoughts of Micheal and what it meant seeing signs of him in such an unexpected time. In the beginning of Micheal's departure Maria thought about him all the time. But lately her thoughts were consumed by the new baby and of course... her new boyfriend, Jason. What brought on her unexpected vision of Micheal was beyond her, and to tell the truth, she didn't want to delve into it any deeper. She was started to move on with her life and her heart. She didn't want memories of Micheal to disrupt with her current relationship... She wouldn't let it. Micheal was gone now, and it was in her right to be happy without him. And with that thought Maria was filled with determination and resolve. She would live her life, be happy and let her ew daughter be happy too.
A few minutes into the silence that followed after the couple in the corner boothe had left Liz came from the kitchen of the restaurant. She was decked out in full "alien waitress" uniform, antennas and all. Her friend was carrying a large load of dirty dishes to be washed. Maris rushed over to help her with the load. "Oh, thanks, Maria. Hi, Jason," Liz said her voice strained due to trying to handle the pile of dishes.
"Jason, wanna help us out eith the dishes," she asked raising her eyebrows questionly.
"Well..." he replied mock thoughtfully," It might ruin my hands to do such hard labor..."
Maria smirked at him grabbing him by the sleeve and dragging him to the sink against his comical protests. Liz was laughing and her friends. "Jason you wash, I'll rinse and Liz, you can dry," Maria said directing her friends about.
"Well, we're bossy! Now aren't we Deluca?" Liz replied huffily.
"More work, less talk, Ms. Parker," Maria retorted mocking the voice of one of their less liked teachers.
"I'm gonna have to agree with Liz on this one, Mars.." Jason said playfully passing off a plate to her to rinse.
Maria raised her eyebrow and was about to reply snidely when a shot of pain raised through her round abdomen. She let out an anguished cry as pain started to encompass her belly entirely, causing her to drop the plate on the ground. Now on the ground Liz stooped over her, worried. "Maria, what is it?"
Maria had not time to reply when another feroucious bout of pain lanced through her and she bit her lip to keep out a scream. "Oh my god!" Liz gasped as she noticed as a puddle of water began to collect around Maria's. "Jason, her water broke!" Liz yelled to the boy who had already rushed to the phone.
When he returned to Maria's side he said, "We've got to get her to a hospital!" He hastily picked Maria up, off the ground and instructed Liz to get the keys to her car.
Liz vaulted for the key's to Maria's car as Jason managed to carry the girl in his arms out to where her car was parked. When Liz returned and unlocked the backseat Jason carefully laid Maria down on the seat as she softly protested against the pain. Liz slipped into the back with her and cooed comforts to her friend as she stroked her blonde hair. Jason whipped around to the front of the ca, jumping into the drivers seat and hurriedly turning the keys to start the engine.
Liz had to hang on to the door handle, needing to brace her self and franticly hanging on for her life, as Jason drove like a mad man through the streets of Roswell.
When Jason began driving lthe car in the direction of the local hospital , Maria thought of her mom. Breathing hard and fast she managed to form a coherent sentence in which she asked Liz of her mother's whereabouts.
"Don't worry," Liz reassured," Jason'll call her on the cell. Just breath..."
Hours Later
~At the Hospital~
Maria was screaming numerous obscenities at the top of her lungs as she was pulled on a stretcher to the delivery room. Some of these were ones Jason had actually never heard before. She was damning the doctor to hell as her bed turned the final corner into the room. But it was not only cussing that came out of her mouth it was screams of anguish and pain that made his head reel. It was disheartening to see her in such pain when there was absolutely nothing in his power to do except hold her hand . Even that was nearly bareable because she had a vice like grip on his fingers and could vaguely feel the pain that came along with little blood circulation. He felt springs of guilt and pain go therough him as he saw the face of the girl he loved contort in pain, and inwardly he thanked God he was a male. He knew he wasn't going to ba able to stand it much longer so he was relieved when the nurse informed him her contractions were getting more violent and little Marcella, the name that Maria had decided for her baby- girl, would see the world very soon.
The next few minutes wet by in a blur with lots of noise and confusion. He remembered chanting 'push, push' to Maria and the doctor telling them he saw the baby's head. And then... a cry sounded throughout the hospital room. He could hear Marcella's first cry of life, he was able to be there for it.
In a few seconds the blur and confusion seemed to fade around him. The sounds of beeping machines and nurses voices all faded away into a haze. But his senses became accurately acute on one thing. One living, breathing thing that was squirming in the doctors hands. She was feebly waving at the air, crying mightily with her tiny little lungs. He marveled at her delicacy and the instantaneous love he felt for the little girl. Almost like he was her real father.
Within a few seconds the baby was handed to her mother. Maria wrapped her in her own arms crying freely at the sight of her little girl. He saw the devotion and the love in her eyes, the unconditional love that embodied the relationship between the mother and daughter. And then Maria looked at him. Her face was sweaty and her eyes shing with joy. And he could hear her whisper to Marcella, "Meet your father, Mars.."
Marcella looked at them her brown eyes meeting his and in that moment he knew. Despite the fact that he was not her biological father, he was her father in the sense of love and security. He wanted to see this girl grow past a little baby and wanted to help her do so. He wanted to know that he helped her be a strong and proud young woman. Jason reached out his arms taking the bundle of life and warmth that was Marcella and lending her his own warmth and love by holding her. Tears flowed down his cheeks with no sign of stopping. He didn't when he had started crying but really didn't care. He was here with the two woman he loved most in life and was happy.
~Crashdown~
Maria could see that things were winding down at the café. The flow of hungry customers had substantially decreased so that thare was only a couple sitting in a far corner booth. Since Maria didn't cover that table she assumed the role of closing down for the night. This was her favorite time at the Crashdown. When things were quiet and peaceful. She began wiping down the counter and stacking chairs as she heard the light tinkling of the door charm, indicating the entry of a new customer.
"I'm sorry but the café is closing..." she said as she wiped her hands on the dishrag she was cleaning with. And when she didn't hear the bell chiming telling her the person had left a surge of agitation rushed through her. "God, some people..." she thought to herself but said aloud, "Come on, buddy, the Crashd-" But she was cut off by what she was about to say when she looked up and was caught in a pair of intense chocolate-brown eyes. Micheal eyes. Startled and disoriented just by the mere sight of the piercing orbs Maria dropped the chair she was about to stack. She stooped over to pick up the fallen item, shaking her head in denial. "Micheal couldn't be here..." she thought, "My mind is just playing tricks on me."
And sure enough when she lifted her gaze upon the figure in front of her, she definitely did not see Micheal. In a second Jason's golden concerned eyes filled her vision. "How could she have mistaken him for Micheal? The boy in front of her was much kinder, more sensitive, and dependable than her late lover. And right now he could tell something was wrong... and he wanted desperately too help..."
"You O.K., Maria?" Jason asked bringing her temporarily out of her stupor. She vaguely noticed that he was trying to help her stack the chair she held rigidly in her grasp. She also noticed the true concern in his deep voice with the simple question.
She nodded profusely in response and when he looked unconvinced she smiled at him ruefully. "I-I'm fine. Absolutely fine, except you nearly gave me a heart-attack," she teased as she whacked him playfully on the shoulder.
He laughed tenderly at the girls antics and began helping her clean- up. As they worked Maria was brought back to her thoughts of Micheal and what it meant seeing signs of him in such an unexpected time. In the beginning of Micheal's departure Maria thought about him all the time. But lately her thoughts were consumed by the new baby and of course... her new boyfriend, Jason. What brought on her unexpected vision of Micheal was beyond her, and to tell the truth, she didn't want to delve into it any deeper. She was started to move on with her life and her heart. She didn't want memories of Micheal to disrupt with her current relationship... She wouldn't let it. Micheal was gone now, and it was in her right to be happy without him. And with that thought Maria was filled with determination and resolve. She would live her life, be happy and let her ew daughter be happy too.
A few minutes into the silence that followed after the couple in the corner boothe had left Liz came from the kitchen of the restaurant. She was decked out in full "alien waitress" uniform, antennas and all. Her friend was carrying a large load of dirty dishes to be washed. Maris rushed over to help her with the load. "Oh, thanks, Maria. Hi, Jason," Liz said her voice strained due to trying to handle the pile of dishes.
"Jason, wanna help us out eith the dishes," she asked raising her eyebrows questionly.
"Well..." he replied mock thoughtfully," It might ruin my hands to do such hard labor..."
Maria smirked at him grabbing him by the sleeve and dragging him to the sink against his comical protests. Liz was laughing and her friends. "Jason you wash, I'll rinse and Liz, you can dry," Maria said directing her friends about.
"Well, we're bossy! Now aren't we Deluca?" Liz replied huffily.
"More work, less talk, Ms. Parker," Maria retorted mocking the voice of one of their less liked teachers.
"I'm gonna have to agree with Liz on this one, Mars.." Jason said playfully passing off a plate to her to rinse.
Maria raised her eyebrow and was about to reply snidely when a shot of pain raised through her round abdomen. She let out an anguished cry as pain started to encompass her belly entirely, causing her to drop the plate on the ground. Now on the ground Liz stooped over her, worried. "Maria, what is it?"
Maria had not time to reply when another feroucious bout of pain lanced through her and she bit her lip to keep out a scream. "Oh my god!" Liz gasped as she noticed as a puddle of water began to collect around Maria's. "Jason, her water broke!" Liz yelled to the boy who had already rushed to the phone.
When he returned to Maria's side he said, "We've got to get her to a hospital!" He hastily picked Maria up, off the ground and instructed Liz to get the keys to her car.
Liz vaulted for the key's to Maria's car as Jason managed to carry the girl in his arms out to where her car was parked. When Liz returned and unlocked the backseat Jason carefully laid Maria down on the seat as she softly protested against the pain. Liz slipped into the back with her and cooed comforts to her friend as she stroked her blonde hair. Jason whipped around to the front of the ca, jumping into the drivers seat and hurriedly turning the keys to start the engine.
Liz had to hang on to the door handle, needing to brace her self and franticly hanging on for her life, as Jason drove like a mad man through the streets of Roswell.
When Jason began driving lthe car in the direction of the local hospital , Maria thought of her mom. Breathing hard and fast she managed to form a coherent sentence in which she asked Liz of her mother's whereabouts.
"Don't worry," Liz reassured," Jason'll call her on the cell. Just breath..."
Hours Later
~At the Hospital~
Maria was screaming numerous obscenities at the top of her lungs as she was pulled on a stretcher to the delivery room. Some of these were ones Jason had actually never heard before. She was damning the doctor to hell as her bed turned the final corner into the room. But it was not only cussing that came out of her mouth it was screams of anguish and pain that made his head reel. It was disheartening to see her in such pain when there was absolutely nothing in his power to do except hold her hand . Even that was nearly bareable because she had a vice like grip on his fingers and could vaguely feel the pain that came along with little blood circulation. He felt springs of guilt and pain go therough him as he saw the face of the girl he loved contort in pain, and inwardly he thanked God he was a male. He knew he wasn't going to ba able to stand it much longer so he was relieved when the nurse informed him her contractions were getting more violent and little Marcella, the name that Maria had decided for her baby- girl, would see the world very soon.
The next few minutes wet by in a blur with lots of noise and confusion. He remembered chanting 'push, push' to Maria and the doctor telling them he saw the baby's head. And then... a cry sounded throughout the hospital room. He could hear Marcella's first cry of life, he was able to be there for it.
In a few seconds the blur and confusion seemed to fade around him. The sounds of beeping machines and nurses voices all faded away into a haze. But his senses became accurately acute on one thing. One living, breathing thing that was squirming in the doctors hands. She was feebly waving at the air, crying mightily with her tiny little lungs. He marveled at her delicacy and the instantaneous love he felt for the little girl. Almost like he was her real father.
Within a few seconds the baby was handed to her mother. Maria wrapped her in her own arms crying freely at the sight of her little girl. He saw the devotion and the love in her eyes, the unconditional love that embodied the relationship between the mother and daughter. And then Maria looked at him. Her face was sweaty and her eyes shing with joy. And he could hear her whisper to Marcella, "Meet your father, Mars.."
Marcella looked at them her brown eyes meeting his and in that moment he knew. Despite the fact that he was not her biological father, he was her father in the sense of love and security. He wanted to see this girl grow past a little baby and wanted to help her do so. He wanted to know that he helped her be a strong and proud young woman. Jason reached out his arms taking the bundle of life and warmth that was Marcella and lending her his own warmth and love by holding her. Tears flowed down his cheeks with no sign of stopping. He didn't when he had started crying but really didn't care. He was here with the two woman he loved most in life and was happy.
