A/N: First of all, i want to thank all of you beautiful people who helped me through my writer's block (you know who you are, luv you!!). And i know that this chapter is quite short but i think it summed up what was wanted. And i also know, a little late than promised but hopefully you'll like it, fingers crossed.

Chapter 13

"WHAT??" Max yelled at them.
"Woah, pregnant?"
"Maria...." Liz whispered, "Why didn't you..."
Maria sat on the edge of the couch, Michael was sitting on the floor next to her. She was staring at him, willing him to move, to say something, but now, all he was interested in, was the floor. She looked up at the others. Alex looked kinda shocked but not angry, Isabelle looked hopeful, Liz...well, she couldn't read Liz, maybe she was waiting for what Max had to say before she passed judgement and Max, well let's just say pissed isn't even the word.
"How could you be so irresponsible? Michael?"
Michael said nothing, he didn't even flinch, like Max hadn't said anything at all. But Maria stood up slowly, defensively.
"How could you do this? Well you know what you have to do, right?"
"What would that be Max?" Maria asked.
Michael was now upright too, pacing a little, what would he do?
"Well, you're gonna have to get rid of it, you can't have a baby Maria!!!"
"Excuse me? Who the hell do you think you are? That is my decision, not yours!!"
"Don't be ridiculous!!! A baby would ruin everything. What if the skins found out? Or maybe the F.B.I? You do realise how much danger we're in right now, don't you??"
She stared at him. Anger was written all over her. She would not let him take this from her.
"I don't have to listen to this. You cannot tell me what I will and will not do Max. This is my child, she is a part of me and I will not let you destroy that!! You can't control me Max, I am not your property!! I will do what I think is best for my daughter's safety."
She began to walk away. He grabbed her right arm, his grip so tight that she felt the bone could break.
"Listen to me..."
Michael stepped in front of him. He spoke through gritted teeth.
"BACK off Max."
Max released her from his grip.
"This is not your decision Max, it's ours. And it has been decided, Maria and I will keep this baby, whether you like it or not."
Max looked at him with disgust. Maria tried to hide the grin that was forming on her lips. She wanted to punch the air and shout GO MICHAEL!! WHOO HOO!! She could feel the anger from him, he was shaking slightly. He turned around to her and held her hand, she smiled at him and he winked back...

She smiled at the memory. She watched him from the doorway, he didn't know she was there. In just over three weeks her little baby, her little Sara would be in her arms. He worked furiously, his heart and soul transformed into paint on the wall. She couldn't quite see it yet, he wouldn't let her, but his shadow moving rapidly on the ground told her it would be magnificent.
"Michael?"
The shadow stopped. It turned towards the doorway and the light went off. She backed into the hallway to let him out. He closed the door behind him.
"Yeah?"
"Will you just go to bed? It's almost 2 am."
He looked over his shoulder, hesitantly.
"Another hour, it'll be done in another hour, okay?"
She nodded, and smiled softly. He kissed her forehead.
"Go back to bed, baby."
She stepped towards her room, but turned back when she knew he was gone. The light was on again and the shadows had returned...

"Promise you won't look?"
She felt so excited, giddy almost, she was going to be the first to see Michael's baby room.
"I promise."
"Absolutely promise?"
"Yes, Michael just let me see."
He walked her into the room. He had to admit, he was kinda proud, it was the best he'd ever painted. Her approval meant the world to him and he wanted it to be perfect, but deep down, he knew she'd love it.
"Okay, you can look now."
She opened her eyes and gasped. So real, it was like looking at a photograph that she had taken in her brain but had forgotten. It was beautiful, stretched in front of her was the desert, the distant lights of the city almost twinkling at her...home. It looked so real, like a photograph printed onto the wall. On the opposite, was another picture of the desert with the large rock protruding from the land, in the navy sky behind it was the v constellation, smiling down at her.
"Wait, this is the best part."
He turned off the lights and reached up to the ceiling. She looked up. Shooting stars and constellations, the moon, all set against a navy blue background. A hint of cloud made it feel like she was actually there, standing in the desert, staring at the stars. She didn't notice the tears that begun to form in her eyes. She sat down on the floor.
"Maria?"
He sat down next to her and put his hand on her shoulder.
"Michael... it's beautiful."
He smirked.
"Thanks."
"I mean, you worked so hard and it's like...it's like..."
"Home?"
"Yeah, home."
He lay down on the floor, gently pulling her towards him. She lay her head on his chest. And they stayed there, like that, all night. Wishing on the stars.