'I
close my eyes,
And I can see,
the day we met
just one
moment and I knew
you're my best friend
Do anything for
you.'
Logan went down the ally, looking for any sign of Max.
Of course he knew she wouldn't let him see her.
It was nine o
clock in the morning. Original Cindy had not said what time Max
wanted to meet him, so after having McKenzie fed and dropping her off
at Bling's for the day, Logan went to the safe house. He brought his
laptop along for company because he knew she would probably let him
sweat it out until lunchtime.
Inside he sat and waited. Trying to
work, but accomplishing nothing. His thoughts kept turning to Max.
What would she be like after six years? Would she have any of her
'siblings' with her? Logan even almost felt scared that she would try
to take McKenzie away from him. He heard something outside the door,
and watched as the doorknob turned.
"Max." he
whispered.
"Good morning, Logan." She said, as if they
had last seen each other yesterday.
"Max. Sit." Logan
offered the chair that was opposite from where he was sitting. She
took the offer, looking him up and down. That was the only sign of
concern for his welfare.
"It's been to long, Max." She
looked a little more mature, but she hadn't seemed to age.
"Yes,
it has. How have you been?"
"Good."
"That's
good."
"Let's forget the civilities, Max, and go strait
to why we're here. Why, Max?"
"Why? Why? Why what? Why I
left? Why I dropped McKenzie on your doorstep? Or why I'm back?"
"All
of it. Tell me. It's been six years, no word from you but a small
slip of paper saying 'I'm sorry'. You had nothing to be sorry
about."
"Yes I did." Max got up and started pacing.
"I'll tell you everything. Just don't
interrupt."
"Alright."
"When I found out I
was pregnant, I was scared. I had never been so scared in my life,
and never since. You don't know this, but Zack had come back about a
week before I found out. Trying to convince me to leave Seattle
again. Of course, I told him to shove it, and he left. When I found
out I was pregnant, I thought about what he said. I never even
thought about what you would think, I just packed up and left. I went
to LA, and then traveled further south once I contacted Jace. I was
with her and baby Max when McKenzie was born. I gave her the name
Jace took as a last name. And Alexandria was a name I picked up in
LA. As good as life was back there, I knew I couldn't stay. The
neighbors didn't like me. So I left again. I traveled back up here,
planning on telling you about McKenzie and staying put. I had the
note delivered, and I was going to come to your door, but I guess I
chickened out. I thought 'What am I doing with a baby?' and just left
her there. I've been living in Portland ever since, visiting every
year, but never letting you see me. Finally I came to my senses, quit
my job and moved back here about a week ago. I hooked up with
Original Cindy. She told me she hadn't seen or talked to you since I
left McKenzie, but Cindy knew she was mine. From her eyes, she
said."
"It's true. McKenzie does have your eyes."
"I
became scared when McKenzie saw me two days ago, in the ally, and
almost left again. But I knew I had to see you and McKenzie. Try to
make up for what I did."
"I just told her about you
about a week ago. When we were up at the cabin. I found her on the
roof, of all places. She really wishes she could meet you, but I
never told her I was coming to meet you today."
"Where
is she now?" Max asked, sitting down again.
"With Bling.
Today was her park day; we go a couple days a week, to play with a
bunch of other children. He sometimes takes her when I'm busy."
"I
saw you there one day, about a year ago. Zane's children are a part
of the group."
"I knew they were Manticore children, but
I didn't know whose. McKenzie has become close to Michael."
"Can
we go see her?"
"You want her to know you're
here?"
"Yes. It's time McKenzie met her
mommy."
"Alright, let's go."
Logan led Max to
where he had parked his car, and they drove to the playground in
silence. They immediately saw McKenzie playing in the sandbox with
Michael. Bling was sitting on a bench with the mothers, talking. As
they approached, he excused himself and got up to join them.
"Max.
It's been a long time. It's nice to see you again."
"You
too, Bling." She gave him a hug as Logan left them to talk. He
approached McKenzie in the sandbox.
"McKenzie, baby, can you
come here for a minute?"
"Daddy!" She got up and
ran to Logan, giving him a huge hug. "I missed you!"
"I
was only gone for a few hours!"
"I still missed
you!"
"You always say that. I want you to meet someone,
come with me."
"OK." She followed Logan towards
where Max and Bling sat on a bench, suddenly stopping when they were
about halfway there. "Daddy?"
"What is it,
McKenzie?"
"Is that my mommy with Bling?"
"Yes,
baby, it is." McKenzie took off running. The opposite
way.
"McKenzie!" Logan shouted, turning to go after her,
but she had already disappeared into the surrounding trees.
To Be Continued...
