Chapter 6
By the time they reached Original Cindy's apartment, it was obvious that the baby crying that I heard since they first came into the building was coming from her apartment. The door swung open before they knocked. She was holding a crying baby that was practically red.
Cindy: what took you so long?! She's on the couch.
Both Alec and Logan just starred at Cindy.
Cindy: I can't take this anymore. Here.
She handed the baby off to Alec. Almost instantly the baby laid its head against Alec's chest and stopped crying. Cindy and Logan stared in shock while Alec stared back.
Cindy: I guess Ryan knows who his parents are.
Logan and Alec changed the course of their gazes to her.
Logan: Ryan? As in Max's son Ryan?
Cindy: Max came up here and said some people who worked for Renfro were after her. She passed out on the couch three hours ago. He's been crying ever since...till now.
Logan: god Alec! He really does look just like you...but with darker hair and a darker skin tone.
Cindy: is anybody gonna go help my, boo?
Logan rushed into the living room to aid Max.
Logan: she'll be fine. She just has a cut on her arm. I patched it up.
Alec, Logan, and Cindy all sat down at the table. Alec held the baby in his lap. Everyone smiled and watched as the baby murmured words in baby talk and slapped the table giggling at times. Cindy got up and went into the kitchen, coming back with a bowl of applesauce.
OC: I couldn't get him to eat. You're his dad. Maybe you can get him to eat.
Alec picked up the spoon and went for the baby's mouth. Both put up a fight for 5 minutes before Alec gave up.
Alec: I guess I'm not father material. He won't eat.
Max: he likes bananas.
They heard Max struggle to get off the couch before she entered the living room. As soon as the baby caught sight of her he began to squeal with joy and squirm in Alec's lap. Alec doing his best to hold the baby still and not drop him looked up at Max. Max smiled at him and reached down to pick up the baby.
Max: I told you he looked just like you.
She walked into the kitchen and came back with a banana. She sat down at the table next to Cindy and across from Alec. She took a little of the banana on the tip of her finger and placed it in the baby's mouth. Leaving her finger in his mouth for him to suckle.
Max: he's 10 months. I call him monkey.
She looked around the room to see everyone staring at her. She focused her attention on the baby.
Max: I told you I would get out.
Logan: Max, they made you kill innocent people.
Max: not innocent. They worked for Manticore. They were trying to take my baby. Monkey's mine to keep.
She looked over at Alec.
Max: you can come with us if you want.
Alec: to kill people for White and his cult buddies? I think not.
Max walked over to the window, rocking her baby to sleep.
Max: I'm not going back. My brothers and sisters are going to take care of us.
Alec: who Max? Zach? I mean...he won't even remember you!
Max quickly turned to face him with a glare.
Max: I'll have you know Alec, that he came back to Seattle to finish what he started before I was taken by White and his cult buddies! He remembers just fine! Krit and Zane are coming tonight. Jace is meeting us, too. It's your choice to go...but I'm doing this for Ryan. My baby has to be protected.
She turned her gaze back around to the window. She placed her pinkie in the baby's mouth to suck on as he drifted to sleep.
Logan: max...why didn't you tell us about Zach remembering?
Max didn't turn to face him.
Max: I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but there's nothing to worry about.
Logan: what the hell do you mean?!
Logan yelled. The baby stirred in Max's arms and started to cry. Almost instantly Alec stood and started over towards Max. Max shushed the baby, rocking him. He quieted still whimpering Alec stopped just behind Max. She turned to face him. She stared him in the eye with no thought or expression on her face. Alec cleared his throat.
Alec: can I...umm...you know?
He held out his arms and brought them quickly back to his side. Max smiled at him and walked closer. She held the baby out to him. Alec pulled back. Max frowned.
Alec: I...don't really know how to hold him. He'll cry.
Max: no he won't.
Alec frowned at her, as she smiled.
Max: He didn't earlier. If he does...just talk to him. He's smart for a baby. Hold your arms like I'm holding him. Ok?
Alec nodded. She placed the baby in his arms. Almost immediately the baby started to squirm and started to cry. Panic crossed Alec's face as he looked at Max to take the baby back.
Max: talk to him.
Alec still panicked looked at the now red baby.
Alec: shush...calm down. I'm not going to hurt you.
The baby just got louder. Logan and OC both started laughing.
Alec: it's not funny! This is really hard.
He almost whined.
Max: don't yell! You're just going to make it worst.
She walked closer to Alec. She was close enough that she seemed to be laying her head on his shoulder.
Max: monkey...give him a break. Go back to sleep. You can tease him later.
She said softly. She placed one of Alec's fingers in the little boy's small hand. She gently kissed the baby's forehead. Alec was amazed to see that the baby was no longer screaming but giving off a soft whimper as he began to chew on Alec's finger.
Alec: maybe he's hungry.
Max: good call dad.
She walked into the kitchen and came back with a bottle of milk.
Max: thanks for putting this in the fridge Cindy.
Original Cindy nodded with a smile. She and Logan watched Alec learn some fathering tips. Max held out the bottle to Alec.
Alec: can't you do it?
Max: I've been doing it. It's time you do it.
He frowned at her, but took the bottle and placed it in the baby's mouth. The baby instantly let go of Alec's finger and held the bottle. Loud sucking noises were heard, as the baby and his father stared at each other.
Logan: congratulations. You finally have graduated into the babysitter stage of taking care of a baby.
Everyone laughed. Alec threw them all a death glare and then focused his attention back on the green-eyed baby in his arms.
Logan: why do you call him monkey?
Max sat down at the table. Alec sat down as well.
Max: he loves to eat bananas. When I was pregnant with him, I ate bananas like mad. I guess I should call him banana.
She smiled as she watched Alec feed their child and whisper words to the baby.
OC: I thought his name was Ryan?
OC questioned her.
Max: yeah. That's what Frank and Mistra named him. I never named him. Didn't feel right. I thought Alec should have named him. It's not like I really had a choice in naming him anyway.
Logan: Frank and Mistra?
Max: I guess I'm one of your sources now, huh?
They shared a smile ad then she continued.
Max: Frank is one of the cult elders. Mistra is like this woman who leads most of the cult rituals and crap.
OC: so baby boo needs a name.
Max looked at her about to say something, but was interrupted by OC.
OC: Besides Monkey.
Max: I like monkey.
She answered Cindy with a smile. She turned her gaze to Alec, who was still having a starring contest with the baby.
Max: what are you going to name him, Alec?
Alec looked at her surprised. He hadn't been paying attention to their conversation, but to the bundle in his arms.
Alec: Me? Name him? You're the one that names people, remember?
Max: Shut up and name him.
She smiled at him. He looked back down at his little boy and thought. After a little while he looked up at everyone.
Alec: I don't know. I have thousands of girl names and no boy names at all. Ideas. I need Ideas.
Logan: I was always fond of the name Dawson. And Cody. And Evan. And Davis.
Everyone stared at Logan with blank stares.
Logan: what? I always wanted to change my name.
Alec: I like Ryan. But I also like Cody.
Max: well, he could have a middle name.
Alec: Cody Ryan McDowell.
Max: I like it.
Alec looked back down at the half sleep baby in his arms.
Alec: hey Cody. I'm your dad.
By the time they reached Original Cindy's apartment, it was obvious that the baby crying that I heard since they first came into the building was coming from her apartment. The door swung open before they knocked. She was holding a crying baby that was practically red.
Cindy: what took you so long?! She's on the couch.
Both Alec and Logan just starred at Cindy.
Cindy: I can't take this anymore. Here.
She handed the baby off to Alec. Almost instantly the baby laid its head against Alec's chest and stopped crying. Cindy and Logan stared in shock while Alec stared back.
Cindy: I guess Ryan knows who his parents are.
Logan and Alec changed the course of their gazes to her.
Logan: Ryan? As in Max's son Ryan?
Cindy: Max came up here and said some people who worked for Renfro were after her. She passed out on the couch three hours ago. He's been crying ever since...till now.
Logan: god Alec! He really does look just like you...but with darker hair and a darker skin tone.
Cindy: is anybody gonna go help my, boo?
Logan rushed into the living room to aid Max.
Logan: she'll be fine. She just has a cut on her arm. I patched it up.
Alec, Logan, and Cindy all sat down at the table. Alec held the baby in his lap. Everyone smiled and watched as the baby murmured words in baby talk and slapped the table giggling at times. Cindy got up and went into the kitchen, coming back with a bowl of applesauce.
OC: I couldn't get him to eat. You're his dad. Maybe you can get him to eat.
Alec picked up the spoon and went for the baby's mouth. Both put up a fight for 5 minutes before Alec gave up.
Alec: I guess I'm not father material. He won't eat.
Max: he likes bananas.
They heard Max struggle to get off the couch before she entered the living room. As soon as the baby caught sight of her he began to squeal with joy and squirm in Alec's lap. Alec doing his best to hold the baby still and not drop him looked up at Max. Max smiled at him and reached down to pick up the baby.
Max: I told you he looked just like you.
She walked into the kitchen and came back with a banana. She sat down at the table next to Cindy and across from Alec. She took a little of the banana on the tip of her finger and placed it in the baby's mouth. Leaving her finger in his mouth for him to suckle.
Max: he's 10 months. I call him monkey.
She looked around the room to see everyone staring at her. She focused her attention on the baby.
Max: I told you I would get out.
Logan: Max, they made you kill innocent people.
Max: not innocent. They worked for Manticore. They were trying to take my baby. Monkey's mine to keep.
She looked over at Alec.
Max: you can come with us if you want.
Alec: to kill people for White and his cult buddies? I think not.
Max walked over to the window, rocking her baby to sleep.
Max: I'm not going back. My brothers and sisters are going to take care of us.
Alec: who Max? Zach? I mean...he won't even remember you!
Max quickly turned to face him with a glare.
Max: I'll have you know Alec, that he came back to Seattle to finish what he started before I was taken by White and his cult buddies! He remembers just fine! Krit and Zane are coming tonight. Jace is meeting us, too. It's your choice to go...but I'm doing this for Ryan. My baby has to be protected.
She turned her gaze back around to the window. She placed her pinkie in the baby's mouth to suck on as he drifted to sleep.
Logan: max...why didn't you tell us about Zach remembering?
Max didn't turn to face him.
Max: I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but there's nothing to worry about.
Logan: what the hell do you mean?!
Logan yelled. The baby stirred in Max's arms and started to cry. Almost instantly Alec stood and started over towards Max. Max shushed the baby, rocking him. He quieted still whimpering Alec stopped just behind Max. She turned to face him. She stared him in the eye with no thought or expression on her face. Alec cleared his throat.
Alec: can I...umm...you know?
He held out his arms and brought them quickly back to his side. Max smiled at him and walked closer. She held the baby out to him. Alec pulled back. Max frowned.
Alec: I...don't really know how to hold him. He'll cry.
Max: no he won't.
Alec frowned at her, as she smiled.
Max: He didn't earlier. If he does...just talk to him. He's smart for a baby. Hold your arms like I'm holding him. Ok?
Alec nodded. She placed the baby in his arms. Almost immediately the baby started to squirm and started to cry. Panic crossed Alec's face as he looked at Max to take the baby back.
Max: talk to him.
Alec still panicked looked at the now red baby.
Alec: shush...calm down. I'm not going to hurt you.
The baby just got louder. Logan and OC both started laughing.
Alec: it's not funny! This is really hard.
He almost whined.
Max: don't yell! You're just going to make it worst.
She walked closer to Alec. She was close enough that she seemed to be laying her head on his shoulder.
Max: monkey...give him a break. Go back to sleep. You can tease him later.
She said softly. She placed one of Alec's fingers in the little boy's small hand. She gently kissed the baby's forehead. Alec was amazed to see that the baby was no longer screaming but giving off a soft whimper as he began to chew on Alec's finger.
Alec: maybe he's hungry.
Max: good call dad.
She walked into the kitchen and came back with a bottle of milk.
Max: thanks for putting this in the fridge Cindy.
Original Cindy nodded with a smile. She and Logan watched Alec learn some fathering tips. Max held out the bottle to Alec.
Alec: can't you do it?
Max: I've been doing it. It's time you do it.
He frowned at her, but took the bottle and placed it in the baby's mouth. The baby instantly let go of Alec's finger and held the bottle. Loud sucking noises were heard, as the baby and his father stared at each other.
Logan: congratulations. You finally have graduated into the babysitter stage of taking care of a baby.
Everyone laughed. Alec threw them all a death glare and then focused his attention back on the green-eyed baby in his arms.
Logan: why do you call him monkey?
Max sat down at the table. Alec sat down as well.
Max: he loves to eat bananas. When I was pregnant with him, I ate bananas like mad. I guess I should call him banana.
She smiled as she watched Alec feed their child and whisper words to the baby.
OC: I thought his name was Ryan?
OC questioned her.
Max: yeah. That's what Frank and Mistra named him. I never named him. Didn't feel right. I thought Alec should have named him. It's not like I really had a choice in naming him anyway.
Logan: Frank and Mistra?
Max: I guess I'm one of your sources now, huh?
They shared a smile ad then she continued.
Max: Frank is one of the cult elders. Mistra is like this woman who leads most of the cult rituals and crap.
OC: so baby boo needs a name.
Max looked at her about to say something, but was interrupted by OC.
OC: Besides Monkey.
Max: I like monkey.
She answered Cindy with a smile. She turned her gaze to Alec, who was still having a starring contest with the baby.
Max: what are you going to name him, Alec?
Alec looked at her surprised. He hadn't been paying attention to their conversation, but to the bundle in his arms.
Alec: Me? Name him? You're the one that names people, remember?
Max: Shut up and name him.
She smiled at him. He looked back down at his little boy and thought. After a little while he looked up at everyone.
Alec: I don't know. I have thousands of girl names and no boy names at all. Ideas. I need Ideas.
Logan: I was always fond of the name Dawson. And Cody. And Evan. And Davis.
Everyone stared at Logan with blank stares.
Logan: what? I always wanted to change my name.
Alec: I like Ryan. But I also like Cody.
Max: well, he could have a middle name.
Alec: Cody Ryan McDowell.
Max: I like it.
Alec looked back down at the half sleep baby in his arms.
Alec: hey Cody. I'm your dad.