Willow: Max didn't tell Logan about the embryos. Lydecker got that information out of 453, which is why they hit up the lab again Krit or Zane told Max that 453 had told them. So Max always knew that everyone knew, but everyone had assumed they'd been in time since Max hadn't told them otherwise. It was like a really brief line, so it's not too surprising you missed it.

Chapter 13

Spring 2021

" Logan?" She called out walking into the apartment; she frowned realizing he wasn't there yet. She walked into the kitchen and looked at the clock on the oven and frowned again, hoping he'd show up soon and she got to actually spend some time with him before having to head back out.

Both of them working sucked even though Logan mostly worked from the apartment. Trips like this one that had taken him away for the past five days were entirely unfair, even worse 2 of those days had been the weekend. By Sunday afternoon she'd gone insane, completely stir crazy being alone in the apartment even though she'd barely spent any time in it.

She'd slept alone on Thursday, if the tossing and turning she did for an hour and a half counted as sleep. How exactly the girl who used to despise cuddling could no longer sleep alone, she didn't know.

She was used to always being in contact with him while in bed. Luckily for Logan after the first month or so, she no longer slept almost completely on top of him. Now she slept either resting her head on his chest or curled up with him. She also no longer stayed in bed for the full seven hours that he did just listening to him breathe, feeling his heartbeat. She'd wander around the apartment, watch some reruns, raid the fridge, she still tried to outrun the world on her bike, but that didn't work like it once had. She'd slip back into bed for awhile, normally with a hand resting on his arm, since he'd generally manage to end up on his side or stomach once she'd left the room…Occasionally he would wake just enough to pull her back into his arms and they'd stay like that unconsciously preparing for the day ahead. She not only like the cuddling and constant contact, she'd become dependent on it.

So Friday she'd crashed at Kendra and OC's place after a night out with the girls. Saturday after spending the day with Syl she'd tried proving to herself she didn't need to be around anyone that had lasted just a few hours until she turned up at Crash, but once more spent another sleepless night alone in the big bed. Original Cindy and Kendra had taken pity on her yesterday and shown up for dinner and spent the night.

If Max weren't so adamant about not appearing to be dependent on anyone and still the loner she'd once been she'd call Prescott up right now and make him swear he'd talk to the editor over at the paper. She wasn't going to be that girl though…Though the thought of casually slipping a few comments to him at the next family event wasn't sounding so bad now that she'd spent just over 4 full days without Logan. She let out a grumbling sigh seeing the minutes pass by without Logan walking through the door and decided she might as well make them lunch.

-o-o-o-o-o-

He sighed as he reached out his hand the turn the knob knowing she'd leave it unlocked waiting for him. His hand froze just before he reached it and he looked down to the gray plaid baby carrier/car seat that he'd purchased just a few days before. The hood was up so from its current position all he could see was the blue terry cloth covered legs of the 6lbs 3oz person that resided within it. He raised his hand up and instead readjusted the three straps covering his shoulder, returning with one more than he'd left with, the black bag filled with all essential baby items. He shook his head again and opened the door.

"You missed lunch" her voice greeted him.

He turned to walk into the kitchen, "Yea I'm sorry

She smiled coming around the counter, seeing him for the first time in days she took in his appearance more so than she usually would. The fabric of the two toned black/gray long sleeve shirt slightly tighter across his arms than it was meant to be. His workouts still going strong for the day the exo stopped working, the long length of the only leg she could see covered by the light denim.

Gone were the deep lines on his face that had been present when she first came home. She was puzzled by his expression though, his smile unsure. She paused and started to make a face as he walked clear into view. On the opposite side of all of his bags was a baby carrier and she was pretty sure judging from his expression that when it turned around there was going to be a baby in it.

He lifted it to the counter with ease and she remained frozen in her spot.

"Guess I shouldn't bitch to Prescott about your editor." She tried to joke.

He looked puzzled trying to find the words to explain.

"How'd"

"Lydecker." He said simply.

"You two working together, you could probably take down the world." A small smile passed her lips.

He returned it, both of them knowing they were false. He tried to figure out what to do, what to say. He'd been preparing for this moment for months. Every time he'd tried to discuss the baby with Max, she'd shut down and effectively cut off any communication.

Like a rape. Had been Bling's words for it. She'd been violated, something had been stolen from her, and the choice had been taken away from her. There was no getting through to Max when she didn't want you to, so the topic had remained un-discussed.

He didn't know what to do, "Well you know what I did this weekend, what about you?" He smiled uneasily.

"Hung with OC and Kendra mostly. Chilled with Syl, worked on her bike...Burnt one of your pans, tried to make real Mac and Cheese and Kendra left me and OC in charge of it while she showered." she shook her head, "Boxed is definitely the way to go." Her eyes kept swaying over to the white and grey carrier as she tried to focus on Logan. "You know Normally gonna tear me a new one, I made you a sandwich, it's on the counter. Let's try to get ham or something this week, I'm sick of turkey."

"Max" he stepped in front of her as she tried to walk past him.

She froze looking up at him with scared eyes before she turned to look inside the carrier.

Eyes shut. Tuft of dark hair on his head. Tiny. Tinier than anyone she'd every seen. Smaller than Noelle, she hadn't thought that possible. "He's really small."

"6 pounds 3 ounces. He's three weeks early. We didn't want to risk Manticore."

She nodded before he could finish. "A place with horses."

"What?" his brows furrowed as he tried to figure out what she meant.

"Teachers, farms, reverends, you should find him a ranch. I was on one once, not really my thing. Kids and ponies though. Seems like a nice way to grow up."

His mouth remained slightly opened in shock.

"I'm gonna be late. I gotta blaze. I'll see you later." She rose up and placed a kiss on the side of his mouth. "Do you need me to pick up anything on my way home?"

He shook his head as he turned to see her jetting towards the door, "Max" he didn't call out after her, he simply said her name.

"Really late Logan." She said turning at the door grabbing her bag. "I'll see you in a few hours."

He was just left staring at the door.