Disclaimer: Not mine. Nuff said.

A/N: One-shot sequel of sorts to Help Me! Just because I can and I wanted to write something fluffy.

New Beginnings

Slowly, ever so slowly the door creaked open, whoever was behind obviously trying not to disturb the occupants of the room. Finally it was wide enough to let a head topped by chocolate coloured curls pop in. A big grin graced Cindy's face as she looked at her best friend in the whole world.

"Can I come in?"

Max looked up from her place by the window, careful not to disturb the person in her lap.

"Course you can. Mi casa e su casa and all that. Just, you have to be very quiet."

"Giving you trouble again?"

"Only a little. Ben kept me up all night. Just wouldn't sleep."

"So, where is he now?" Cindy asked, cautiously moving closer, taking stock once again of the changes Max had wrought on her apartment. Gone were the once bare grey boards making up the floor. They had been polished up and painted a warm brown tone. New furniture littered the main room, among them the loveseat by the window Max was occupying and the couch Cindy was just manoeuvring around.

"He's with me." A quiet voice said, causing Cindy to jump a mile. The scream lodged in her throat decided to come out as an "Awww, how cute!" instead.

There on the couch lay Alec wearing only a pair of combat trousers, feet resting at one end, ankles casually crossed, head resting on the other, eyes half closed with fatigue. And on his chest, sucking his thumb as if he were the most innocent baby in the whole world, slept his son, Ben. One of Alec's hands rested casually on Ben's diaper-clad bottom, the other behind his head.

"He's so cute. Like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth." Cindy was entranced by her little godson. So small, yet the world turned around him.

"Looks can be deceiving, I can tell you." Alec groused, although there was no real sting in his words.

"This little tyke refused to sleep all night, but now when sane people are awake, he decides it's nap time." Slanting a glance over at Max, he added: "Definitely gets that from you."

Max only chuckled and looked down at her lap. "Well in that case, Rachel is all you. Look at her, playing with the remote for the TV, flirting with anything that will stay still long enough." Again there was a distinct lack of heat, only affection.

"Till I met you, anyway."

Max smiled at him. "Yup. Till you met me."

Cindy only smiled, glad to see her boo so settled and happy. After a couple more minutes admiring the kids, she quietly took her leave.

Gently cradling Rachel against her breast, Max stood up and made her way over to her husband, who simply lifted up his upper body and scootched down a little, making room for her beside him. Once she was settled, he let his head drop back and into her lap. Max smiled at the sight. Gently she traced her son's hand, then locked her gaze with Alec's linking their fingers.

"Happy?" Alec knew the answer, but liked hearing it nonetheless.

"Of course I'm happy. I have everything I ever wanted." She smiled down at the two precious bundles, cradled in their arms. "I have a family, two beautiful children and a husband who worships the ground I walk on."

Alec smirked up at her. "I could do a lot more worshipping, if these rugrats decided to sleep a night through."

"Alec! I'm shocked. Not in front of the kids."

A deep laugh rumbled from his throat, echoed by Max's higher giggle a moment later. As Max and Alec stared down at the most precious people in their lives, silence fell once more on their flat.