Thank you for all your wonderful comments. I'm so happy that you all are enjoying the story. It is definitely a motivator for writing more. With that being said here is the longest chapter yet. I decided to combine two chapters into one so enjoy:)
Alex opened the safe and took the manila folder out that held all the precious documents. She sat next to Maggie place the folder in front of them. She hesitated opening it, for the first time since then she was terrified. Maggie sensed Alex's emotions changing and placed her hand on top of Alex's then looked to Alex for permission. They opened the folder together. On the top was a picture of Alex and newborn Zack in the hospital.
Maggie wrapped her arm around Alex, "he was so handsome back then and still is."
Alex tilted her head begging for more physical contact, something to ground her through these whirling emotions.
"They allowed me to hold him for a bit before handing him over and he was so strong Maggie. He held my finger but I never got to see his eyes. He didn't open them before they took him. He kept crying when they took him. I could hear him as they walked down the hallway to meet his parents. I felt so alone, the only good thing that could have came out of my life and I gave him away." Alex sobbed turning into Maggie's embrace.
"Of course he's strong Alex, he came from you. You did what you thought was right for him. You are amazing Alex. You are so strong and brave and I love every part of you. What you did for Zack truly shows how much you care." Maggie looked at the documents while Alex's breathing slowed.
"Here their names, Amanda and Thomas Slader. I'm going to check the NCPD database for any files involving them." After a few minutes of searching she found something. "Alex I found a file, are you ready? Do you want to take a little break before we open it."
Alex shook her head, "no open it, I want to know."
Maggie clicked on the file and began to read the first document.
"Did you know that they were aliens too?" Maggie asked.
"Really? I remember doing a background check on them and they came out clear, although at the time I didn't think to see if they were aliens or not."
As Maggie read further she could tell it wasn't going to end well. Maggie's eyes began to tear up as she kept reading. She knows from experience that life's not fair but dammit does the Danvers family need a break from all the crap thrown at them.
"Are they alive? Does it say where they live?" Alex asked too scare for the first time to look at the computer screen.
Maggie took a deep breath, "They lived right outside the city in a small alien populated town." Alex froze at the past tense of "lived" as Maggie continued, "the alien gang that we've been following seems to be doing more than smuggling drugs and weapons. If these reports are right we can connect the gang to alien smuggling. Zack's adopted father, from the autopsy records, died from fighting, like roulette's cage."
Alex couldn't breathe, "what about Amanda?"
Maggie dug a little deeper, "she was found right next to Thomas killed execution style."
"They must have been holding her and Zack as leverage for Thomas to fight. Then why would they have kept Zack."
Maggie closed the laptop and turned to Alex, "that's what we are going to find out but that's not important right now. Alex his adoptive parents are dead, which means you have a choice. You can either put him back into the system, or you can choose to not let him go again."
Alex's heart was beating out of her chest because she knew the choice she wanted to make but was nervous at how Maggie would react.
"Maggie I'm not going to make this decision without you. You are just as important to me and your life is going to chance depending on the choice."
"No matter what I will stand by you, he is your son Alex."
"Your wrong, because if we decide to take him in he will be our son. Do you want to raise Zack with me?"
Maggie smiled, "I would love nothing more. I knew from the way you two connected that it was a possibility. As I got to talking to him and watching him open up, Alex he is so like you. I see him in you and I would love nothing more than to see him grow up into a mini version of you."
Alex smiles for the first time all day, "really?"
Maggie returns one just as big with dimples fully on display, "yea really, but I have one condition."
Alex tensed up trying to predict what the condition would be.
Maggie squeezed Alex's shoulders, "you have you carry our next child. I want Zack to be biologically related to his brother or sister."
Alex laughs, "Maggie I can biologically engineer it so that our next child will be biologically both of ours."
Maggie's heart explodes, "how is that possible?"
"Do you really want me to go all nerdy on you or do you want to go and meet our son, who is probably freaking out at the fact that neither of us are with him if he has woken up yet."
Maggie stood up and rushed to the door before Alex could get out of her seat. Maggie looked back, "well are you coming? We have our son to get to."
It felt different this time reaching the med bay, a good different. Kara was sitting beside Zack combing through his hair with her fingers and he slept. J'onn was standing behind her not too far away.
Kara looked up, "Alex your back," and ran to Alex to give her a hug.
"I'm sorry I left I just needed some space to process everything."
Kara looked at her with crinkle on display, "process what happened? Is everything okay?"
Alex looked to Maggie, "it will be." Alex's attention focused on J'onn as she wanted to tell him, "J'onn it's him." J'onn eyes widened for a split second while turning his attention to the boy before asking, "are you sure its him?"
Alex nodded, "look at him J'onn, I know it's a hard to see heck I didn't see it originally but its there. Once he is cleaned up and everything you will be able to tell I'm certain. Plus the blood analysis confirmed it."
J'onn walked over to Alex and hugged her, "what about the adoptive parents?"
"Dead. They were taking by the alien gang and forced into fights. The gang does more than drugs and weapons J'onn."
"I see. We'll need to get files from NCPD regarding any activity hopefully we can take them down and soon. Have you made a decision?"
Alex nodded and squeezed Maggie's hand, "we have." This time J'onn read her mind for the answer to not scare Kara from her lack of knowledge on the subject. He put his hands on both their shoulders, "I'm really proud of you, both of you." With that, he stepped out of the room.
"Alex, what's going on?" Kara asked
Alex let go of Maggie and crossed the room sitting in the chair next to Kara.
"Do you remember about four years ago when I took that study abroad program to finish out my degree?"
"Yea you said that you got an paid internship to work in Italy? Why? What does this have to do with Zack?
Alex grabbed Kara's hand, "Kara I wasn't actually in Italy. I was already working for the DEO at that time?"
Kara couldn't put it together yet, "but if you were in National City why did you stay away for so long? How come you wouldn't let me visit?"
Alex looked down and took a deep breath, "My first mission with the DEO went sideways and I was kidnapped Kara. I was… I was held by a Daxamite for a couple days until J'onn could rescue me. He was so strong I couldn't fight him and he… he took advantage of me."
Kara look horrified, "He raped you."
Alex nodded then Kara asked, "why would you be telling me this now?"
Alex looked Kara in the eyes, "because Zack was the result of it. Zack is biologically my son."
Kara gasped putting covering her mouth with her hands. Tears were flowing down her cheeks.
"You gave him up for adoption?"
Alex nodded again.
"Why did you do that Alex, I could have helped care for him."
"Because I couldn't Kara. I could barely take care of myself at the time. If mom found out that I was pregnant and not married she would have been even more disappointed in me. I couldn't bare the thought of hear how reckless and careless I was. I just wanted her to be proud of me but how could she when I let something like this happen."
Maggie had heard enough and marched over to Alex, "Alex Danvers you take that back. What happened was definitely not your fault and you are not to blame. He forced himself on you. If your mom says anything close to this I will kick her ass to the moon myself, no need for supergirl."
"Maggie's right Alex, none of what happened was your fault. You were put in a tough position and you did what you thought was best. You always do." Kara brought Alex in for a long hug, "I'm sorry you had to go through that without me. I wish I could have been therefore you."
"I know and I'm-"
Kara pulled away, "you better not be saying your sorry again. You had no control over anything."
"I know, I know."
Kara looked toward Zack who moved in his sleep towards where they were sitting.
"What's going to happen to Zack now? Did you name him Zack?"
Alex shook her head, "no, part of the adoption agreement was that I gave up that right to the adopted parents?"
"Do you know where they are."
"They were killed by the alien gang."
"Oh my Rao Alex."
"Maggie and I have decided that we are going to take Zack in and raise him." Alex looked at Zack adoringly.
Kara jumped up, "I'm going to be an aunt!" She zoomed out the room and was back in seconds, "sorry I got a little over excited there. Alex I'm so happy for you. You guys are going to make great moms."
Alex ducked her head insecurely, "I hope so."
Kara smiled, "I know so because you practically raised me all by yourself and look how great I turned out." Kara tensed up for a second before asking, "what are you going to tell Eliza Alex?"
Alex stared at Zack, she knew chances like this don't come around often so she wanted to do it right. She wanted to be the mother that Zack deserved. She wanted to give him a family with layers of love and support, even if it can be misplaced at times.
"Zack deserves to know his grandma. I don't want to hide him, he was and still is one of the best things that has every happened to me. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for him and I want to give him the world." Maggie rubbed Alex's arm and looked at her with nothing but love in her eyes, "and I will be with you every step of the way."
"Me too, I'm here for whatever you need Alex, always," Kara said bringing both Maggie and Alex in for a hug.
"Hug?" Zack whispered as he woke up. They looked to Zack who was already crawling to the end of the bed to join them.
"Come here sweetie," Alex said picking him up and joining the hug once more.
"Safe," Zack burrowing deeper into the three women. After a few minutes there was a knock on the door and J'onn entered.
"I'm sorry to interrupt but I have some news to share. I got in contact with the adoption agency and family services and explained the situation to them. Just as I suspected you are by law Zack's legal guardian, however you do need to sign some documents for permanent custody. I also informed them of Maggie's position and they have agreed to start the adoption process for her to legally adopt Zack if that is something you wish to do."
"Thank you J'onn. You have no idea how much that means to me."
"With that being said, you are place on paid leave for the next two months unless I call you and tell you otherwise I do not want you working. Maggie if you wish I can call your captain and have you temporarily transferred to the DEO on "mission" basis."
"J'onn I couldn't, that's too much."
J'onn laughed, "that's what you said last time I tried to give you your Christmas bonus. I want you to bond with your son. Trust me from past experience these are the times you want to spend with him. You have done so much for everyone without a second look at what it was doing to you. Live is about enjoying time with your loved ones and making memories not just doing your job and protecting everyone. You have people to lean on."
Alex handed Zack over to Maggie and hugged J'onn, "I love you J'onn. You really are my dad and I wouldn't change that for the world. Although I hope your happy with Papa J'onn because that kid needs a grandpa."
J'onn hugged Alex a little tighter, "I would be honor Alex. I love you too. You gave me a family I never thought I would have again. Now go and enjoy it."
Maggie spoke up, "J'onn thank you so much I really appreciate everything your doing."
"Only for family," he said before leaving.
"where my 'dopt mom and dad?" Zack asked scared.
"Sweetie do you know what adopted means?" Alex asked carefully
Zack nodded, "mom Mandie said I have another mom dat gave birth to me."
They were all shocked, how could a three year old understand.
"Did they ever tell you about her?"
Zack nodded, "mom said she was nice and kind and sad and needed help. Wanted me to be happy." The thought for a second before continuing, "do what is best for me I think?"
"Geeze Alex I think he is the smartest 3 year old I have ever seen," Maggie said amazed.
Alex laughed releasing some of the stress this conversation was creating. "your mom who gave you to Mandie… that was me. I gave birth to you."
Zack's eyes widened and looked to Maggie then Kara and back to Alex. "You're my mom?"
Tears fell down Alex's face as she nodded, "yea sweetie. I'm so sorry I couldn't take care of you. I thought your parents would do a better job then me. You deserve the best and nothing less."
"But you saved me. You came for me. That not the best?" Zack asked tilting his head.
"AAWWW he has the Maggie tilt!" Kara sequealed.
"Zack you mom and dad were killed by the bad people who took you." Zack started crying.
"I saw," Zack sobbed putting the women at a loss for words. "Mom said she loved me then a bang and she fell."
Alex held on to Zack and tightened his grip. How could they let a little boy see such a horrible thing. She looked up to see Maggie and Kara hugging, crying into each other's shoulders.
"I've got you. Breathe sweetie breathe. There you go in and out just like that," Alex continued to say as Zack's sobs slowed down.
"Zack do you want to stay with me and Maggie?"
"forever?"
Alex nodded, "yea forever baby."
Zack smiled, "my mommies?"
Alex grabbed Maggie's hand and pulled her over to sit next to her and Zack in between.
"Yes we would be your moms."
Zack looked a little confused, "do you love Maggie like mom loved dad?"
"Yes I love Maggie so much."
He turned to Maggie and climbed on her lap. He cupped her cheeks with his hands as best he could. He then smiled, "mama Maggie. I like that." He then kissed her forehand and hugged her.
"Oh my Rao Alex he is the cutest!" Kara couldn't contain her excitement. This precious boy was about to change all their lives for the better and she couldn't wait.