-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disclaimer: I do not, I repeat, do not own The 4400.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My Life in Snippets and Phrases: You Can't Turn Back the Clocks
Chapter One
by: phoniexchild
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diana stirred, hearing sounds from the baby monitor. The noises persisted for another minute, before she turned over and sighed. Glancing to her side, Diana knew her husband wasn't going to be getting up this time, even though it was his night. Granted this was the sixth time the baby decided she needed some attention. And it was five-thirty in the morning.
Diana quietly got out of bed and put on a robe. She looked at her husband for a moment - he was still sound asleep, but Diana didn't blame him. He was working longer now. Looking exhausted even in his sleep.
After making sure she looked appropriate, in case Maia woke up, Diana headed towards the nursery. As she neared the crib, the infant lessen her cries.
"As I thought," Diana spoke softly as she lifted her daughter up out of the crib, "you just wanted some attention."
The baby simply blinked at her mother, and yawned.
Diana just smiled. She went over to the cushioned rocking chair her sister, April, had bought her. After making sure that her daughter wasn't in need of a diaper change or was hungry, Diana simply rocked.
Some time had passed when Diana heard her name being said. Looking up she saw her husband, half-awake, shirtless, and hair sticking up in awkward ways.
"Morning, Marco."
"Mornin'," he yawned. He cautiously walked over. Diana noticed he wasn't wearing his glasses, but also knew that Marco was still very careful around his firstborn.
He sat on the floor next to the rocking chair, watching his daughter sleep. "She lives up to her name," he whispered.
"Yes." Diana agreed, thinking that the name Bella fit perfectly.
The next thing Diana knew, Maia was in the nursery whispering, "Mom."
"Maia?" Diana shifted, trying to become more comfortable, but realized that she was still holding Bella and that Marco was resting his head on her lap. "What time is?"
"Quarter after seven." Maia answered, "Do you need help?"
Diana smiled appreciatively at her eldest daughter, "Can you take Bella? Just put her in the crib."
Maia nodded, then concentrated on properly handling her baby sister.
"Is Becca's mother taking you to school today?" Diana asked, while pondering how to leave the chair without waking Marco.
"Yes, Mrs. Reese said she would be here at seven-forty." Maia answered softly, placing a blanket over Bella.
Twenty-five minutes.
"Have you had breakfast yet?" Diana questioned, momentarily giving up in her task to leave the rocking chair.
"Yup, and I brushed my teeth." Maia said happily.
"Good," Diana smiled, "I'll be out in a minute. Just let me get your father up."
"Okay," Maia said brightly, then left quietly.
Diana sighed, realizing the way she would be leaving the chair in this lifetime was to wake her husband up.
"Marco," A pause - no response, "Marco, wake up." After another pause and still no response, Diana decided to resort to a tactic that she found worked quite well.
"Marco," Diana said slightly more stern than before and gently grabbed his ear.
"Huh?" Marco said, confusedly, blinking rapidly, "Diana?"
"Good morning." Diana said, trying not to laugh.
Marco blinked a few more times, then squinted at her, "Where are my glasses?"
"How should I know?" Diana answered with a smile, "You must have left them on the table."
"Okay," Marco muttered, then laid his head back on Diana's lap.
"Marco! Now is not the time to sleep. You have work."
"Go in for me." His voice muffled.
"I'm still on maternity leave."
"Mmm."
"What is that suppose to mean?"
"Just 'mmm'." Marco sighed, "I'm tired," he added unnecessarily.
Diana just smiled, running her hand through his hair.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Word Count: 615
Date Posted: 9.16.05
Date Written: 9.16.05
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This story is beta'd by the wonderful Mary - only person I know that loves The 4400 as much as I do.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Extra Bits: Bella: (Italian) beautiful
Author's Notes: I'll be posting this in, well, snippets. Little bits very so often. Whenever I get a chance to write. Hope you enjoyed it.
Author's Other Notes That You Don't Have To Read: I told myself I wouldn't write any new fics until I finished writing my Lost story (which is only two and half chapters written), but combination of the season finale of The 4400 and the lack of Marco-centric fics (there are only four of them, by Fanwoman and bailunrui) prompted me to write this. In complete honesty, I had only planned a one-shot - Maia's POV, her wanting Marco and Diana to finally get together (because she had a vision they would), and accidentally referring to Marco as 'Dad' in front of Diana. That was suppose to be it. But, nooo, my brain kept adding to it, then completely changed it. So this is what I got.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------