A/N: Sorry for taking so long to update. Hope you like this chapter. Plz review and give me some feedback. 6 reviews to get me to update!
The silence in the room was almost unbearable, and it would have been intolerable save for the wailing of Zack's two newborns babies, one being held by Krit, the other by Alec. Zack hadn't moved an inch from where he held Max's limp hand. He squeezed it hard.
"Come back to me Maxie, please come back," Zack whispered.
He squeezed her hand again tightly, but she didn't respond. Zack was becoming frantic and he wouldn't stop trying to wake her up.
"Please wake up Maxie. Open your eyes. Please," he said, alternating between squeezing her hand and gently rubbing her forehead.
The babies' cries never stopped. Krit and Alec tried to quiet them by rocking them back and forth, but it was as if they sensed the distraught coming from their father and that they knew that something was wrong with their mother. Syl hurried over to the two men who were quickly becoming uncomfortable. They gratefully gave the infants up to her, Syl taking one in each arm.
Holly heard a noise and turned to the door. Wayne rushed in looking disheveled, stopping as soon as he saw the lack of movement in the room except for Syl rocking the babies who were calming down slightly. He looked from Zack to his sister on the bed, looking as white as a ghost.
"She's in a coma," Holly said softly.
Hearing those words again made something inside Zack break down, and to his horror, he started to cry openly. He hated showing emotions to a bunch of people and cursed himself inwardly, but at Max's still form on the bed he no longer cared who saw him.
Out of respect for him, almost everyone left except for Holly, Wayne and Syl. Holly continued to check Max's vitals while Wayne checked over each of the babies, now squirming but no longer crying.
They were beautiful, his niece and nephew were. They both had tanned skin, lighter than Max's but darker than Zack's. His nephew had a few strands of the same blonde hair that Zack did, except a little darker, very close to brown. His eyes were a deep blue with specks of brown in them, a perfect mixture of Max's and Zack's eyes. The baby's features were closer to Zack's although he had Max's high cheekbones. His niece on the other hand looked more like Max, with a bit of brown hair that was already showing. She had Max's exotic features and almost looked like an exact replica of her except for her eyes. She had grey eyes, a mix of the blue and brown Max and Zack had.
Nodding his head at Syl, he gestured that they were fine. She turned and looked at Zack, finally walking up to him.
"Your children need you Zack," she said.
He didn't respond. He was too transfixed by Max's still form.
"Zack, Max wouldn't have gone through all that pain to deliver these babies to have you ignore them. She'd want you to be strong for them and to not worry about her," Syl said again.
This time it was his daughter's cry that finally got through to him. He stood up and took her from Syl's arms, then took his son as well. He looked down at both of them, a perfect mix of Max and himself.
"Take them outside for a walk," Syl suggested. "The air is fresher out back."
Zack seemed reluctant about leaving Max but she gave him a little push toward the door.
"The moment I know something I'll come find you," Syl promised. "Just take care of your children and Wayne'll take care of Maxie."
Zack looked at Max one last time then went out the door.
White cursed as he nursed several cuts, broken collarbones, and a busted lip. He threw the wet towel to the ground furiously, angry that transgenics had made a fool out of him yet again. He had failed to bring 452, and he knew that the Conclave was starting to doubt his competence. Her mate, 599, had gotten the best of him one too many times. He would make him pay.
Otto entered White's office and observed him without making any comment.
"Yes, I know I look like shit Otto," White snapped. "But I'm not a fucking museum exhibit so you can stop looking."
Otto quickly averted his eyes.
"Sorry Sir," he said. "I just wanted to tell you that your wife is on line one."
"Oh," White said. "Thank you Otto. Now get out."
Otto left and White calmed himself down, making his voice softer and not as harsh. He picked up the phone in front of him and pushed a button, automatically connecting him to his wife.
"Wendy?" he asked. "How are you doing honey?"
He was referring to the fact that she was 7 months pregnant. About 5 years ago, the Conclave had assigned her to him, the woman who would bear him his son. They had married after about a year of dating and a month after that Wendy was pregnant. She had lost the first baby as well as the second, and he knew she was worried that she would lose this one as well but White wasn't because he knew she wouldn't miscarry this time. This time the baby would be born and hopefully it would be able to grow up in the new world.
"Pretty good," Wendy answered. "I got this weird craving for fish and chips, so do you mind if…?"
"Say no more," White answered. "I'll be home a little late though."
"Again?" Wendy asked. "But you were working late yesterday and the day before."
"I know honey, I'm sorry, but I really have to get some work done," White said.
He heard Wendy sigh a little and inside he felt a little guilty. Since it was important that the baby be strong and healthy, White made sure to heed her every request. He knew he had to come home late because there was no way Wendy could see him like this, all bloody and bruised though it wouldn't take long for him to heal. He got angrier at 599 for putting him in this position. Although he knew that guilt was a feeling he normally didn't possess, he felt a fraction of it now because even though Wendy was specifically assigned to him for breeding purposes only, he had come to fall in love with her. His biggest mistake, but he couldn't reverse it now. When the time would come to get rid of her, he would do so, and without hesitation. He was a Familiar after all; he felt no pain.
"Okay," she said. "I just wanted to tell you that my sister is coming to visit next week." She heard his groan and added hastily, "It won't be so bad. She's only staying for 3 days. It will pass by quickly."
Like hell it will, White thought. Thank god I won't have to put up with that bitch for long. The Coming will wipe out all annoying types like her.
White massaged his temple. "Anything for you."
He could practically see her beaming smile. "Remember, I'm coming home late so don't wait up. You need to get as much sleep as possible."
"Bye. I love you," Wendy said.
"You too," White answered before hanging up the phone.
He didn't move a moment then picked up the phone again. Someone answered immediately on the other line.
"Would you send a package of fish and chips to my wife?" White asked. "And while you're at it, check all the hospitals in Seattle for a woman matching 452's description."
"Is she in any particular condition?" the man asked. "It would help narrow down whether she's in the emergency part of the hospital or whatnot."
"She's in labour," White said. "Check Harbor Lights first, it's the most popular hospital there. Then Metro Medical and if she's not there, check all the others. I don't care what you do, but find her."
He hung up abruptly then swung around to face a picture of both 452 and 599 pinned up to his wall. He took out two knives and threw them, stabbing the pictures right between both of their eyes.
"I'll get you," White said to himself. "One way or another, I'll get you."
Zack walked with his babies wriggling in his arms, his mind swirling with thoughts.
What if I lose her? I'd have to take care of these two by myself. I can't lose her, I just can't. I need her to survive, she's my life.
He shook his head.
I'm not going to lose her. Max's strong. She'll come back. And until then, I'm going to do everything for our children.
He looked down at the two wonderful babies he had created with Max. They stared right back at him with curious eyes. Then his son reached up with his pudgy little baby hand and slapped him lightly on the face, as if telling him to snap out of it, everything would be alright. His daughter just kept smiling brilliantly at him like the rising sun. And that was when he knew that everything would turn out okay.
Max watched everything that was happening even though her eyes were closed. It was weird. She felt like she was watching her life through someone else's eyes, and everything was magnified, details and movements that is. She watched everything as if it were a slideshow without sound, moving slowly before her. It seemed to her like she was trapped inside her own body; she was conscious of everything happening in her mind but she couldn't call out to them, couldn't move. She felt like smiling when she saw her son and daughter, two of the most beautiful babies she had ever seen on earth.
Then she saw Zack, crying openly in front of everyone. She wanted to reach out, to stroke his face and to push back his hair that had fallen into his wet eyes. She wanted to comfort him, to tell him that she was fine, or at least would be fine. She wanted to move but was frustrated by the fact that she couldn't. She saw Syl move to give Zack their children, and when she saw him holding them, she wanted to break out into a big smile. They looked perfect together, the three of them. Now all she wanted to do was join them.
She saw him get up and leave and felt like nodding in approval.
Good. He needs to take care of our children and get his mind off me. God, I'm so lucky to have found a man who's not only so devoted to me but who loves me for who I am.
She cut off her thoughts and concentrated with all her might on waking up. She tried to force her eyes open. It was no use, she felt like her body was a prison she could never escape from. But she would try, and keep on trying until she succeeded. Nothing was going to keep her from her family.
Zack heard his cell phone ring and fumbled to get it. It was rather hard to while holding two fidgeting babies, but after a few rings he finally managed to flip it open and hold it against his ear with his shoulder without coming close to dropping them.
Good thing we're great at multitasking, he thought.
"Zack," he said into his phone.
"What's going on?" he heard Jondy shriek frantically into his ear. He winced at the high pitched sound. "Syl had called me a few hours ago saying that she was in trouble. Zane said he got a call too. We figured out almost everyone got one from her. Is she alright?"
Zack's little girl started to cry a little to protest the uncomfortable she was in, and he shifted her in his arms, making her quiet down immediately.
"Zack, what was that?" Jondy asked. "Was that a baby I heard in the background? Oh my god, did Syl's baby come premature?"
"No," he answered. "Max had the babies. Her water broke in the middle of a fight with White."
"Is she alright?" Jondy asked, her voice rising even more. "Tell me!"
His daughter started to wrinkle up her nose and her eyes became glassy, threatening that tears would fall.
I guess they have a hypersensitivity to noise like transgenics.
"Keep your voice down or you'll make the babies cry," Zack said.
"The babies?" Jondy asked, her voice quieter now. "Haven't you named them yet?"
"Couldn't," Zack said. He took a deep breath. "Jondy, Maxie's in a coma."
"WHAT!" Jondy screamed into the phone. Zack cringed as both his son and daughter started crying at the top of their lungs. He rocked them, trying to get them to quiet down. He was starting to get uncomfortable under the gazes that a few transgenics outside sent his way. Thankfully, an X4 named Terry came up to him and offered to take them while he finished his phone call. He thanked her with a small smile and spoke into the phone as he watched her soothe his children.
"Sorry," Jondy said softly, referring to the wailing that could be heard in the background. "Is she gonna be okay?" she asked.
"I don't know Dee," Zack said. "I really don't know. Wayne and Krit are working on her though so that gives me a little hope. Those two are miracle workers and if anyone can do anything, it's them."
He heard a beep. "I gotta go. There's call waiting."
"Call me as soon as you hear something," Jondy said, and then Zack pressed another button and heard Lee's voice. He proceeded to tell her the same thing that he told Jondy and heard a series of beeps. For the next 15 minutes, he repeated the same story over and over until he came to someone whose voice he recognized, but couldn't place until she called him "soldier boy".
"Hi Cindy," Zack said.
"Where the hell is my boo?" she demanded. "Me and Lucy-girl have been waiting for foreva ta hear from you guys."
"She had the babies," Zack said.
"Oh, that's great!" Cindy exclaimed. "The baby boos are here."
"But she's in a co – " he was abruptly cut off when Syl came running to him.
"We think she's starting to wake up. We saw her hand move," she said.
"Sorry Cindy, I have to go," he said quickly, and then with a grateful look he took his children from Terry and ran towards Med Bay.
"Fine, be rude then," Cindy said as she hung up the phone at Jam Pony. She tugged Lucy's arm.
"Come on girl," she said. "We're gonna go to Terminal City."
They walked to the entrance when Normal stepped in front of them, packages in his arms.
"And where do you think you're going?" he asked. "I don't see any packages in your hands."
"Back off Normal," Cindy said. "My boo had her little babies, so we're gonna go over there whether you like it or not. Now, out of our way before I put the smack down on your ass."
"Missy Miss had her kids?" Normal asked, but Cindy and Lucy were already gone.
Max had been struggling to open her eyes for a while now but she felt that she was starting to be able to control her body. She focused on moving her hand and was delighted when she saw that she could.
Need to wake up, she thought. She tried and tried and finally Max's eyes snapped open.
Zack rushed in with their babies, his hair windblown and his eyes moving quickly to zoom in on Max. She couldn't help but laugh at the sight. He just looked so funny there, standing with two kids in his arms that looked delighted at having been moved at such a fast pace. Their gurgles sounded like laughs to her, and she had never heard anything that made her heart fill with so much happiness like then.
He grinned stupidly when he saw that she was awake and walked up to her, their kids reaching out to her. He let them go and Max took them into her arms, hugging and kissing each one. They were both silently crying with happiness, but for different reasons. Zack was glad she was okay while Max was glad their babies were okay.
"You through scaring me to death or do you have another round in you?" Zack asked.
She grinned. "That's all for today, promise." She looked down at them. "We seriously need to get baby stuff. With everything that's gone on lately, we haven't really had time to go shopping." She looked at Zack. "So, what do you want to name them? We better do it quick; I don't want them to have an identity crisis."
He laughed. "I don't know. How about I name one and you name the other."
Max nodded and looked at their baby girl. "Tiana. For Tinga."
Zack studied their son. "Benjamin. For Ben."
Tiana and Ben gurgled again as if agreeing to their names. Zack's phone rang and he flipped it open, and then handed it to Max. She took it and put it against her ear.
"Hello?" she said.
"You know baby sister, if you wanted more attention you could've just asked," she heard Zane say.
"But it wouldn't be as dramatic," she pouted and heard him laugh.
"Yeah, I guess not. So, what are my niece and nephew's names? Or are they still nameless?"
"Tiana and Ben," Max said.
"Yeah," Zane said in understanding. There was a beep and Max, after promising him not to have any more brushes with death, pushed another button, allowing her to talk with Jace. Zack rolled his eyes as every single one of their siblings phoned in, and finally Max flipped the phone shut, breathing a sigh of relief.
"Thank god that's over," she said.
She looked at Ben and Tiana and they looked right back, as if in a staring contest. She smiled and said, "I think we're gonna be alright."
Zack leaned over and kissed her, looking at their children too. "Yeah. Everything's gonna turn out alright eventually."
White put on his jacket and headed to his car. Thankfully all his injuries were basically healed. He started the car and pulled out of the parking lot, heading home to his wife and his unborn child. Thinking of his child made him think of 452's and 599's.
Watch out, he thought. 'Cause White's gonna getcha.
A/N: Okay. Maybe not my best chapter but certainly not my worst. Please review and give me some feedback people, I'd love to know your thoughts. 6 reviews to get me to update!
Thanks so much to HoneyX5-452, elle6778, shygirl1, sun-shy, boombox200 (LOL Livie), MoonAngel23, AthleticCharmedOne and Kelzaa!
Thanks to all who reviewed and plz continue to review and give me feedback. 6 reviews to get me to update! BTW, I have a new MA fic out called "Love Can Be Found Anywhere, Even In Hell". Check it out. - aod78