There's No Such Thing as a Quiet Evening by Maria656

Chapter 3

Disclaimer: see previous chaps

A/N: misspellings related to Brian are my attempt to convey childish speech, not that my lovely beta or I missed something. Also, thank you to all reviewers!

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Previously on There's No Such Thing...

..."Come to any conclusions?' Logan asks Max.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

"I'm trying to think of a practical way to do this and keep us all safe." Max runs a hand through her hair and continues pacing.

"We could move," Logan suggests. "I could sell the apartment and get enough money for us to start over."

Max stops pacing and snaps around to look at Logan. "You'd do that? For me?"

"I would do it for us." At his words, tears begin to fall down Max's face. Logan goes to her and pulls her into his lap.

"What about the down-trodden?"

"Sad to say there's no shortage of downtrodden wherever we would choose to go. Computers are portable and I can write anywhere."

Max caresses Logan's face. "Are you sure?"

"I watched you with Brian last night and I saw it." Max looks at him, waiting for him to continue. "He couldn't be more yours if he had come from your body." Logan wheels them over to the nightstand and pulls his journal out of the drawer. "Besides my poems and thoughts, I collect quotes I like." He turns several pages. "This one was made for you and Brian: 'Not bone of my bones, not flesh of my flesh, You grew not under my heart but in it.'"

"That's beautiful," Max replies softly. "What do we do now?"

"I talk to Matt and make sure there are not other obstacles, I talk to the family lawyer and my other contacts to get started on paperwork, finding a place and all that fun stuff."

"I'd like for us to be close enough to visit Original Cindy and Deborah at least twice a month. And near a nice school." She starts to leave the bedroom, then turns back. "Oh, and a pediatrician."

"Sure thing, Mom."

Max gasps. Me, a mom, she thinks. Feature that.

Max gets Brian up and dressed, while Logan makes breakfast. Bling comes to do Logan's workout and Brian copies Logan, using the smallest dumbbells in the set. Max grabs the camera and takes pictures of them. When the workout is over, Max and Brian both sit in Logan's lap and he takes them for a ride, all of them laughing. Bling sneaks a few pictures of the 'family'. While Max and Brian go check her bike, Logan discusses the situation with Bling.

"So are you going to make an honest woman of her?" Bling asks. "Be a 'real' family?"

"If Lydecker finds a marriage certificate it will be over before it starts."

Bling rolls his eyes at him. "If anyone can handle documents for anything, it's you. Max Guevara becomes Madeline Goudot. Then you can all be the Coles or the Colóns or the Dorights for that matter." Logan laughs at the suggestions. "You did say you were going to do it - just do it sooner. Let me and Original Cindy have something to remember."

"I gotta make some calls," Logan says with a smile. "Can you run an errand for me?"

-o-o-o-o-o-o-

cut to Max and Brian

Max holds her arms out to Brian. "Come give me my hug squeeze." Brian hugs Max as tight as he can. "Million kisses time." Brian laughs while he gets his kisses. "Now do you remember what time I get off work today?"

"6:30, because you have to make up for going in late."

"And who loves you to the moon and back?"

"You do."

"Yes I do. Now I need your help." Brian looks at her eagerly. "Can you help Bling take care of Logan? Make sure he doesn't stay in front of the computer all day?"

"We could go to the park again."

"That's perfect."

Max and Brian go in with Logan and Bling. Max gives Logan a long kiss and heads out to work.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Later, after work, Max enters the apartment and is a bit surprised not to see any signs of anyone.

"Is there anyone here that loves me?" Max hears muffled giggling. She looks in the office, but its empty. In the distance she hears shushing noises. She tunes in her hearing more and she can faintly hear Logan.

"She'll hear us-hush."

Max checks the guest room, finds it empty, hears more muffled giggling from their room and goes in.

"SURPRISE!" Brian and Logan shout. The room is filled with balloons of different colors and shapes. Max goes to her men and kisses them both.

"What's the surprise for?" She notices Brian wiggling with excitement, looking at Logan, and Logan nods his head.

"We made you a cake!"

"You did? That's great. Now I have another man in my life that's good in the kitchen. Let's see it." They lead her over to the dresser where the cake is.

"TADA!" Brian shouts with a flourish.

Max looks at the cake and the guys look at her. It is a simple sheet cake frosted with chocolate frosting and trimmed with sugar flowers. Written in white icing are the words:

Will You Marry Me?

Will You Be My Mommy?

Max gasps in surprise and her hand flies to her chest. "Oh my goodness!" Tears are shimmering in her eyes. "Oh my goodness! Do you mean it?" They both nod their heads. "We can-" Max nods at Brian and Logan smile even wider and nods his head again.

"Everything is fine Babe." He mouths 'We'll talk later' behind Brian's head.

Max takes both of their hands in hers. "Yes," kisses Logan, "Yes," kisses Brian, "Yes, Yes, Yes!" She kisses them both again. "I love you," she tells Logan.

"I love you."

"I love you," she says to Brian, rubbing noses with him.

"Love you Max." Brian is so happy and excited he's bouncing. "Can we eat now? Logan made Pulley Shay Cale."

"My fave! Let's go eat my men."

"Yeah!" Brian runs to the dining room.

Max give Logan a brief but thorough kiss. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am. I'll tell you everything after Brian's in bed."

"I love you."

"I love you."

They have dinner and Max takes a picture of the cake.

"Did you give her the ring?" Brian asks with a mouth full of chicken.

"Thanks for reminding me Little Man." Logan leaves the room and comes back. "Now it's official," he says as he puts the ring on Max's finger and kisses her hand. "I hope it's okay."

Max looks at it appreciatively. The ring is a simple, but elegant, antique ring with 3 small but flawless Kanchanaburi sapphires set in a row. "It's perfect. One for each of us." There is knocking at the door. "Who's that?"

In come Bling and Original Cindy. Bling still has his key, but after learning the hard way he now gives a warning knock before opening their door.

"I figured the first thing you would want to do is tell your girl, " Logan explains with a smile. "So I arranged for a ride."

Original Cindy comes over and hugs Max and Brian. "So what's all the drama? He-Man wouldn't give me a clue, just kept saying 'patience in all things'."

Logan gestures toward the cake. "I thought you might want to join us for dessert." OC and Bling look at the cake. Cindy gasps then yells. Bling has a big grin on his face. Max holds up her left hand. Cindy grabs it then hugs her.

"Thank God! They're getting married!"

Bling fakes a sneeze "Bout time."

"Wait there's more," Max adds. "We're adopting Brian."

"They're going to be my Mommy and Daddy!"

Original Cindy hugs Max again. "I'm so happy for you Boo."

"You'll stand up for me?"

"Wouldn't miss it."

Logan turns to Bling. "And you'll stand up for me?"

"Of course. If for no other reason than to see it with my own eyes," Bling replies with a smile.

"For real!" OC agrees. They all have cake and drinks and later Bling and Original Cindy leave.

-o-o-o-o-o-

After putting Brian to bed, Max and Logan are in the living room, some soft jazz playing in the background.

"You had a busy day," Max says, accepting the glass of wine Logan offers.

"You wouldn't believe. Get comfy, it's going to take a while." Logan transfers to the couch and Max puts her feet up on the coffee table.

"First, Matt said if the grandmother signed off on the adoption, there was no problem on his end. Then I called Deborah and she agreed and she's coming to the wedding."

"That's great." Max has a big grin on her face. "I'm taking it that you assured her that she could see Brian as often as possible."

"Yes, Babe. I called the family lawyer and he's drawing up the papers and I'll take them to Deborah the day after tomorrow. The lawyer is also going to handle selling the apartment."

"Where are we going to go?"

"Post Falls."

"Idaho?"

"It's just over the state line and not that far for visiting. As far as I can find out there's been no sign that Lydecker has been in that area. It's pretty there. We can look at places online and drive out later."

Max stares into her wine glass. "I feel a little guilty upsetting your whole life."

Logan smiles. "You upset my life a long time ago Max, ever since you came through my skylight."

"Won't you miss this place?"

"A little-I'll miss Bling and Bennett, and even the apartment since it's where we met and fell in love, but it'll be okay. Sam is getting me the name of a neurosurgeon and pediatrician and the Informant Net is getting me info on neighborhoods and schools. We'll be fine."

Max crawls across the couch to where Logan is sitting. "Have I told you" she leans him back on the couch and lies on top of him "what an awesome" kisses him "amazing" kiss "man you are?" Lots more kissing.

Logan smiles when she stops. "Not today." He threads his fingers through her hair and kisses her long and hard ...

"Mama, Mama!"

Max sits up and sighs. "Another nightmare." She gets up and goes to Brian, wakes him up and holds him, rocking him and singing to him till he goes back to sleep. She gets up and sees Logan is now in the bedroom so she goes and sits on the bed. "Do you think Sam knows someone that we could talk to about Brian's nightmares?"

"I can ask." They get into bed.

"I'm sorry Logan. I guess we're going to have to get used to periodic interruptions to our evenings. But he'll get better."

"You don't have to apologize. I remember myself at that age; I didn't have nightmares, but I was the master at stalling and manipulating around bedtime. Besides, quiet evenings are overrated." They both chuckle. "He will get better, and, if you'll notice, he's quiet now." Logan pulls Max into his arms.

"That he is." Max starts kissing Logan, very heated and involved ... Fade out.

-o-o-o-o-o-

Cut to the morning, Max, Logan and Brian eating breakfast.

"So what kind of wedding do you want?" Logan asks as he hands Max a stack of French toast.

"Fast." She smiles as she starts eating.

"What's a weddin'?" Brian asks.

"That's when we go in front of a judge or preacher and promise to love and take care of each other forever," Logan explains.

"And me!"

"Yes 'and you'. That part is called the adoption remember?"

"We can do everything here, right?" Max interjects.

"Of course, it just has to be a small group."

"Us, Bling and O.C., Herbal and Sketchy, Kendra and Jacinda and Omar if they can come, Marianne, Bennett and Sebastian for you, what about Matt and Sam and their families?"

"Sure, if they can make it. Anyone else? Not asking Margot that's for sure, not like we're going to see her much after we move."

Max laughs. "Looks like moving is win/win all around." Logan joins her in laughing at the situation.

They finish breakfast and Max gets up and kisses Logan. "Gotta go to work." She rolls her eyes.

"At least you can give your notice."

"This just gets better and better." She kisses him again. Turning to Brian, "Hey you, where's my squeeze?" Brian comes running and jumps in Max's arms and squeezes her tight while she kisses him all over her face. "Love you."

"Love you Max." The boy has great taste, Logan thinks watching them. And I see how she can't resist him. He's sweet.

"I love hearing that," she replies. "I'll be home for lunch. Have fun my men!" and she leaves.

Brian helps Logan clear the table. "Can I ask you a question?"

"What's that buddy?" Logan stops loading the dishwasher and pays attention.

"Do you think it would be okay if I call Max 'Mommy'?"

"She'd love it. Why?"

Brian's voice gets soft. "You don't think my mama would be upset?"

This kid is something, Logan thinks. "You and your mama loved each other a whole lot, right?" Brian nods his head. "I bet she took real good care of you and wanted good things for you?" Brian nods again. "Well, I think she would want you to have someone to love you and take care of you since she can't. I don't think she would be upset. I think she would be very happy for you ... You know Max loves you a whole lot."

"I love her a whole lot too."

Logan smiles at him. "Good. Now that everyone loves everyone, can you work on your puzzle while I make a phone call?" Brian nods and gives Logan a hug.

"What about you?"

"What about me, buddy?"

"You said 'everybody loves everybody' – You love me?"

Logan looks Brian in the eyes, caresses his cheek and smiles. "Yes. I love you Brian."

Brian gets into Logan's lap and hugs him. "I love you too." Logan gets tears in his eyes and clears his throat to cover up, then gives Brian an extra hug. "I can call you Daddy, right?"

Logan goes into emotional overload. He clears his throat again. "Well, it's not official until we adopt you," he leans close to Brian like he's telling him a secret and lowers his voice, "but I won't tell if you won't." He smiles at him and Brian laughs.

"I won't tell." He goes off to play and Logan makes his calls.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Max comes in for lunch and Brian grabs her by the hand and pulls her toward the kitchen. "Come see what Daddy made us for lunch."

Max looks over at Logan and smiles at the big grin on his face. I wonder if Brian can visit Mrs. Moreno for 15 minutes or so, so I can get some quality time? I'm awful. Pay attention to the baby Max. "What's for lunch?"

"Daddy took the leftovers from the Pulley Shay Cale and made chicken and dumplins. I helped!"

"You did?" Max ruffles his hair. "What did you do?"

"I helped stir the stuff for the dumplin's and plopped them in the pot."

"Well let's eat."

After lunch Brian goes to watch TV and Max and Logan talk.

"How do you feel...Daddy?"

Logan puts his hand over his heart. "I'm beside myself. Brian and I had a little man to man and among other things 'I love you' and could he call me Daddy came up." He takes a deep breath and sighs. "After ... my injury ... I figured my prospects in that area were pretty much nil. To hear it the first time ... " He trails off, speechless.

Max runs a hand down his face. "Pretty amazing, huh?"

As Logan likes to do when he is overwhelmed by life, he changes the subject. "You need to head back to work."

Max pouts. "Don't wanna, but I'm going." She goes to the living room. "Brian, come give me my squeeze so I can get through my afternoon." They go through their hug/kiss/raspberry routine. "I love you babe."

"I love you Mommy," Brian replies and kisses her cheek again.

Max hugs him tight as the tears fall. "Love you, love you," she whispers and kisses him again.

Brian rubs her tears away. "What's wrong? Did I make you sad?"

"Oh no Sweetie! You made me happy, very happy." She wipes her eyes. "It's just something silly grownups do sometimes." She caresses Brian's cheek. "Alright. Give me one more squeeze and I'm outta here." After more hugs and kisses, she puts Brian down and goes to Logan and leans her forehead against his.

"Pretty amazing, huh?" Logan asks softly. Max closes her eyes and savors the memory. Logan gives her a gentle kiss. "I'm happy for you, Love." They kiss again.

"See you after work."

Back at work, Max is still in a daze. Original Cindy immediately picks up on this.

"Everything okay, Boo?"

"Huh? Fine," Max replies still distracted.

"What's up with you girl? You are so out of it. Did something happen when you went on break?"

Max gets a sweet, wistful smile on her face. "Yeah, but not how you think." O.C. waits for her to continue. "Brian called me 'Mommy'," she starts blinking back tears, "and he's calling Logan 'Daddy'."

Original Cindy hugs Max. "That's really great. I'm so happy for you ... Now, not to put salt in your game, but how are you guys going to handle this?"

"Since we are now responsible for another person's safety, Logan and I agreed that we should leave Seattle."

"Where to?"

"Post Falls, Idaho. It's about a 5-6 hour drive from here. Close enough to visit, but hopefully far enough away to be off the radar."

"As long as I get to see my Boo and my new nephew and get to eat Cale cuisine, I'll manage."

"You know it. We want him to stay in contact with his grandmother too."

Normal comes over and starts to speak, but Max interrupts. "Wasn't the deal for me and Original bailing your sorry butt out with the gangsters that were going to kill you was that we would 'never hear another "Bip" out of your cake hole again'?"

Normal silently regroups. "If you could handle these when you get a chance that would be highly appreciated," he says calmly and politely.

"It would be our pleasure, when we get a free moment," Original Cindy replies, taking the packages as Normal returns to the dispatch area. The girls laugh and get back to work.

-o-o-o-o-o-

After work, Max comes back to the penthouse.

"How are my favorite men?" she asks as she kisses them both.

"Good now," Logan replies with a grin.

"I missed you Mommy. Daddy taught me how to make oatmeal cookies – want one?" Brian asks and offers her one.

"Brian, Mommy never turns down food, especially if it's made by us." Max laughs with her mouth full and cuffs Logan lightly on the shoulder. "Go wash you hands and get ready for dinner. I need to talk to Mommy for a minute." Brian leaves. "I have a judge in the Informant net that can marry us and do the adoption and use discretion."

"So when do we do this?"

"This weekend. I just have to get the paperwork for us and make sure Bling and OC are available."

"How much should we tell Brian about me?"

"Keep it simple – we sometimes have to be careful because of bad guys. Hopefully that problem will be greatly reduced by getting out of Seattle to a smaller town. As for you, Mommy's special and sometimes you don't feel good and get the shakes. By the way, I'm getting your Tryptophan ahead of time, so just in case Lydecker is watching the med supplies, he won't see a bunch of deliveries in Idaho for a while."

"Thank you Logan." Max kisses him and Brian returns.

"You guys sure kiss a lot," he says laughing.

"Yep. Better get used to it," Logan replies and kisses Max again. "Sit down for dinner."

After dinner, Max and Logan give Brian a bubble bath and get him ready for bed. Logan reads him a story while Max and Brian snuggle in bed. After the story Brian gets lots of hugs and kisses.

"G'night Mommy, g'night Daddy."

"Good night baby, Sweet dreams."

Max and Logan are wrapped in each others arm, enjoying the closeness and talking.

"I'm going to take Brian with me to see Deborah and get the papers signed."

"Be sure and thank her for me, too," Max adds.

"The papers should be done tomorrow night so we can get married on the weekend, Original Cindy's available then?"

"Yes – what about Bling?"

"Bling will move heaven and earth to be anywhere we say, trust me." They both laugh. "Do you want to do anything special?"

"I don't know. The only wedding I've ever been to was Bennett and Marianne's and that isn't my style even if we could afford it."

"Let's start with something easy – music?"

"Pick something nice and appropriate out of your classical collection."

"Okay – dress?"

"I'll wear one if it's simple and not too expensive. And see if you can find something cute for Brian."

"I'm sure OC will hook you up – vows – traditional or do you want us to write our own?"

"I'm sure you'll do something beautiful. I suppose I can come up with something that won't embarrass you, or myself. Are my men handling the food?"

"Of course. Did you get a hold of Kendra and Jacinda?"

"I left messages and am waiting for return calls. What about your folks?"

"Bennett will be here and Marianne will be here if she's feeling okay."

"What's wrong?"

"Morning sickness that doesn't always stop in the morning."

"Oh." Max has a flash of her with a large belly and Logan with his arms around her. Maybe someday. "Good for them," she says with a smile.

"Aunt Margot said a very uptight 'congratulations' when she called. Apparently Marianne mentioned it."

"I can feel the love," Max says with a voice drenched in sarcasm.

"Decorations?"

"Candles, I guess. A few flowers, I don't know. I trust your judgment or you can ask OC."

"Well hopefully this will be your one and only wedding so it should be special, at least as far as public humiliations go."

Max winces when she hears him use her words. "I said that didn't I?" Logan nods. "Sorry." She kisses him in apology.

"Forget it. I certainly plan on this being my last wedding. I know I won't be getting this lucky again in my lifetime." He pulls her close and kisses her passionately, running his hands up and down her body. Max runs her fingers through his hair and moves even closer to him.

The phone rings.

"AAARRGGHHH!" Max groans in frustration. "Do we have some kind of anti-fun sensor that goes off every time we try to get some 'quality time'?"

"Let the machine get it."

"Hello? I'm calling for Max – it's Jacinda-"

"I have to get that Logan."

"Go, but as soon as your done Turn Off That Ringer!" Logan gives her a quick kiss before she moves.

"Hey Jacinda, I'm here ..."

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

TBC

A/N: The final part is written and as soon as my tendonitis in my wrist eases up it will get typed. I'm sure you noticed by now that the majority of the votes were for C ;-)

In lieu of written reviews, feel free to use the asterisk key and vote 1 to 5 asterisks -- 5 being awesome and 1 being not worth your time we think of interesting things in the Blah Blah Woof Woof forum)