Okay so this chapter started as part of the huge chapter mania I had before, but then it took a life of its own and I hope it got better and became its own thing after all. I'll give more comments on how this came about at the end. Thanks for the reviews and additions to favs, etc. and special thanks to KBeth82 for the continued support. Now here is the new chapter, enjoy and plz review.

Parenthood

Jim Valenti. Three nights after the meeting at Michael's house.

Kyle got the hint and is out with Liz and Alex. His son is growing up to be a better man than him, caring, forgiving, open hearted, and a lot more perceptive than anyone gives him credit for. He's proud of him and glad he's not here. He wants Kyle to have the chance to be a kid. Jim wishes the same for all of them but knows that's not possible. He sees Max and his two alien kids at the table, curious about what this is about, concerned. They try to be confident, to really portray that they can handle whatever is coming at them. But he knows better. They may have fought in a war and died, but Jim has more experience in life; he has simply lived longer. Years asleep in those pods or ones they don't remember do not count as experience. These kids need adults advising and helping them, even his newest addition and even if they disagree.

He has helped Anquio get star charts to see how their planets align from Earth's point of view and figure out more exact time conversions. The boy says everything moves differently in their galaxy compared to Earth's and based on his numbers and descriptions Jim now knows that Tess, Max, Isabel and Michael died in what would have been their late twenties on Earth, with Isabel being the youngest, barely twenty-five. They all were so young, children just over half his age that took on immense responsibilities when they were the equivalent of teens. Anquio explained that they were mature enough to do so. Their species takes on adult responsibilities and full-time work at what we would consider sixteen and most, especially nobles and Royals, are required to marry and try to start families at twenty-five because it can take decades after bonding to conceive. He had choices because his sister was slated to be Queen from when she was the equivalent of an eight-year old so his clan allowed him to do what he wanted. They thought they had a secure future through his father and brother's work and the Royal heirs that would come from his sister. So Anquio lived as a wild bachelor soldier, until the war broke and he was chosen to pick up where Rath left off. He died older than Jim is now, though he says he was still young for his species since most live over two hundred years. That may be so, but the more he talks with him, the more Jim realizes that this boy doesn't know how to live. He spent most of his life at war or overindulging, not enjoy any kind of simple living. Jim is not sure how he knows, but there's more to this young man, Tess' brother, than meets the eye.

No matter, today is not a day to discover whatever haunts the new addition to his household. Today they will get to the bottom of what their plans are and whether they like it or not, the adults in their lives will ensure their safety.

"What's going on?" Tess asks.

"Just give me a few more minutes," he answers.

"For what?" Max asks.

Then the knock comes. Jim opens the door and lets the Evanses inside.

"Mom? Dad? What are you doing here?" Max asks.

"We need to talk," his dad answers. Max looks confused then another knock comes. While Jim leaves to get the door, he introduces Anquio to his parents.

"What's going on?" Michael asks.

"Come inside," the Sheriff answers.

"What is this?" Isabel asks, seeing the group gathered around the table.

"An intervention," Mr. Evans answers.

"Please, sit. We have a lot to talk about," Jim adds.

"What do you mean?" Tess asks, as they follow his orders and sit. "Is something wrong? Where's Kyle? Did something happen to him? The others?"

"No, Tess, nothing happened," Jim assures.

"Then why are we here?" Michael asks.

"Because we know something is happening," Mrs. Evans answers.

Then Mr. Evans speaks. "We're not stupid and now that we know who you are and the risks, we can't just pretend that when you hang out with your friends for hours you're simply being average teens."

"And I told them everything I know. They needed to know that when you are around Brody and Courtney it may mean you're planning for the war," the Sheriff says. He looks at Tess. "You've been trying to keep me in the dark, not as much as them, but you've tried. You asked for my help to get your brother, give him a home and make sure no one suspected a newcomer in town. You told me your brother was sent to train you, help you attack the skins and protect the baby. But I know you're hiding something."

"I… Jim..."

"It's not your job to protect us," Mr. Evans says. "It's the opposite. We're your parents."

"No, you're not," Anquio interrupts. The Evanses look hurt and Max, Isabel and Tess seem startled. "Queen Daharia is alive, fighting a war, surviving and waiting our return. And my parents and Rath's are dead, pass the fire that made them dust for the stars. You cannot take their place."

"I understand," Jim says. "And I would never try to replace your real father. But, in a few months, your sister made my family whole again. I've come to see her as my own and to care deeply for all these kids. And I'd like to be a friend to you as well, someone you can count on. I hope in the past few days I have shown you that." Anquio nods.

"Maybe we're not your biological parents, but we raised you, we love you," Mrs. Evans states.

"I know, mom," Max says.

"You told us about Adam coming to help Liz change the future because you died. That we ended up raising him while aliens invaded Earth. How do you expect us not to worry?" Mr. Evans adds, now looking at Michael.

"Please, tell us. What are you planning to do? How are you going to protect yourselves and the baby?" Mrs. Evans pleads.

"We're going to attack the skins in three weeks."

"Izzy!" Max scolds.

"Max, they should know."

"We didn't agree to do that."

"I know," Isabel says. "But they are asking, and I want to tell them! What if things go wrong and something happens to us? They should know in case they need to take care of Adam and go on the run."

Mrs. Evans pales and looks like she might cry, "Three weeks. No. Oh God, you can't."

"Mom…" Isabel says, softly.

"She's right. You're children. I know you said you would attack the skins, but not this soon. You said you don't know all your powers or how to control them, not like your brother does. Why would you go looking for your enemies when you're not ready?" Jim questions.

"Because they have a weakness right now and if we don't take advantage of it they'll regain their strength and keep coming after us," Tess answers.

Anquio is reluctant to share anymore of their plans and asks them not to, but he is overruled. They explain about the Harvest and their plan to capture Nicholas and destroy the husks.

"And how are you going to get that alien Nicholas away from these husks?" Mr. Evans asks.

They explain and argue with the parents for what feels like an eternity. In the end, the meeting leads them to make slight changes, but the timeline and main ideas for the attack remain.

Diane Evans, two days later.

She stands in the living watching her daughter smile so bright that it warms her heart. It doesn't matter that she didn't give birth to her, she loves her, wholeheartedly. And now she's going to have a grandson. The precious baby that Izzy and Michael's friends, family and other acquaintances are celebrating. Even if danger is coming, Diane is happy seeing the joy in this room, the shared happiness for Iz and Michael as they wait for a son that they've fought so hard for. Even Tess' brother, constantly murmuring questions about why someone did something, and Brody, with his awkward demeanor as he tries to elude Amy, somehow all fit in. That poor man, telling the truth about getting abducted with no one believing him. No wonder he's obsessed with aliens. But that is not her focus. Today is about her girl and her fiancé and their happiness.

Diane was thrilled when Tess asked if she would help her and Maria put the baby shower together and completely agreed with Izzy's request to include all the boys. This day should include Michael and Max and everyone who helped them and Adam. She is happy she hired Karla to plan the day and she didn't disappoint. Everything is perfect, the decorations, the games, the food, the baby bottle shaped cookies and stork cake, all the loving gifts and kind words and good wishes… it is what her daughter needs, a day of joy and normalcy, and she wishes she could give her more days like this.

"Attention everyone!" Karla calls from the center of the living. "Look over here! That's it! Before we wrap up this wonderful occasion with cake and some last congratulations to the soon to be parents, Isabel wants to say a few words."

Her girl moves to the center of the place and thanks Karla. "Hi… well you know who I am," she says, and everyone laughs slightly. She pauses and looks a bit unsure. Diane realized a little while ago that whenever her daughter puts on that fake belly she gets uncomfortable, so speaking in front of everyone must be difficult. But her girl pushes on and she smiles seeing her determination.

"I hadn't planned on talking today, but seeing you and everything you've done… I had to say something. I guess I'll start from the beginning… when I found out about Adam… I just loved him, I really did, right away. And my focus became to protect him, no matter what. Still, a part of me was terrified. But I've been so lucky because I've had the most wonderful friends to keep me together, starting with Adam's father. See unlike me, Michael decided he wanted his son and jumped into this head first and didn't hesitate or worry about everything else," Izzy says and then looks at him. And she can see so much love in her daughter's eyes, something pure and real and beautiful. "You pushed and pushed and flipped your entire life to prepare for Adam and to be there for me and now… you're my world, my best friend, my past, my present, my future, and I can't wait for us to share the happiness of getting our son." Michael stares at her, looking overwhelmed and at awe. Her daughter smiles at him, a smile that Diane has never seen. And in that moment, she decides that Michael Guerin is one of hers now and she will take care of him like she does Max and Izzy.

"But it wasn't just Michael. Finding Adam got me Tess and Maria, two of the most incredible women in the universe and a wonderful friendship with Alex, who is always there for everyone who needs him because like Maria and Tess, he's just that good of a person. And despite the first shock and arguments about how Michael and I were just crazily going with this, we also got the support and help we needed from my brother. I… Max, we couldn't have done it without you… thank you, so much," she says. My handsome son smiles at his sister. And I'm so proud of them for everything they've been through together, for their strength and how they support each other. "You'd think our luck would have run out with them but then Sheriff Valenti and Kyle were there, taking Tess in and becoming the family she deserved and giving all of us a second home."

"Go Valentis! Now there's four of us!" Kyle yells, lightening the mood. Diane can't help but join most of the room in laughter. Sweet Kyle. If people only knew just how giving those Valenti men really are.

"And we got my wonderful parents back in our lives and I was so thankful, so happy." And how she wishes she could turn back time and stop Phillip from leaving their girl in Michael's old apartment when she needed them the most. She wishes she had offered help and gotten those two to live with them and kept them close and safe. She's made so many mistakes, missed so much. She focuses on her daughter's words again. "Then we got our biggest surprise. Because I never at all expected the wonderful person that is Liz Parker."

Liz looks at her surprised. "Michael and I have talked a lot about how we could possibly make you realize how much we value you and… do you want to?" she asks, looking at Michael.

"Fine," he answers. He moves to the center of the living room, looking uncomfortable, and takes Isabel's hand. They both face Liz. "I'm really bad at this kind of thing so yeah… if you're okay with it, when Adam is born, we'd like his legal name to be Adameus Eli Guerin."

"After his Aunt Elizabeth," Isabel adds.

Liz's face shows surprise and her eyes are shining with unshed tears. She nods and smiles, then walks and hugs them. "It'd be honored."

Diane looks at her daughter and her fiancé, who did this beautiful thing for a girl that sacrificed her love for her son for them. She makes a silent promise that from now on, she'll cherish every moment with them, and the baby that's coming and with Max. She will treat every single day together as a gift and love them and protect them. Oh God with what's coming, her and Phillip need to find a way to be strong and help protect them.

Hugs and congratulations are shared and Diane is happy to join and embrace Izzy and Michael. Now him and Tess and all these wonderful kids that have help her son and daughter are her family as well. She lets them go and moves to help serve the cake and start organizing the gifts and set up cleanup. Later, once almost everyone is gone, she sees her son beaming while he talks to Tess. She wishes he could be like this all the time. Then he's right next to her.

"Hey mom."

"Hi, dear."

"I was thinking… you've done so much today, so Tess and I wanted to offer to clean up. You and dad could help Michael and Isabel bring all the presents to their place today. They won't all fit in their truck."

She can tell that her son wants some time alone with his new girlfriend. A part of her feels like she should be concerned, but then she thinks about how these kids will soon be risking their lives and she just nods. "You're right. Between the boxes with the stroller, that bassinet, the car seat and everything else I don't think they have enough room." Her son smiles big and she thinks she made the right choice. But he better behave.

Later, in Max's room.

"You did great today," he says.

"Thanks. It was a good day."

"Isabel really loved it. Even Michael looked happy."

"Yeah. Seeing him smile that much was almost disturbing. And Mrs. Maloney is definitely a professional. Makes your sister seem tame."

Max laughs. "Yeah. But you and Maria started this and kept everything fun. I think Iz and Michael even liked your knitting." It's Tess's turn to laugh. "What? Your baby clothes were great."

"Stick to the truth. We both know I got a second present for a reason," she says smiling.

"But I truthfully think they are great," Max says with a smile. She raises an eyebrow at him. "Greatly entertaining."

"That's more like it."

Max stares at her and smiles shyly. "You look happy."

"I am."

"Good. I like you happy." She looks at him with eyes that reveal nothing. "And I… I want to make you happy."

She smiles slightly. "I know that between meeting with Larek so much and preparing and getting Anquio and everything else we haven't been able to talk much and be alone. And we should be focusing on what could go wrong while hatching Adam and fighting the skins, and maybe freaking out a bit, but I just…"

"Yeah?"

"For the first time in a long time I feel like everything is going to be okay. I have one of my real brothers, from my planet, and the option to go home if and when we're ready. And I have Kyle and Jim and all our friends and… you. I have you." Max nods. "So… I'm happy." He smiles softly and slowly gets near and kisses her, with no hurry, just ever so gently caressing her lips with his.

"Are you still scared? Of me… us?" he whispers, placing their foreheads against each other.

"A little. But I think we have a chance to have something really special. Just... please, don't hurt me."

"Never again. I promise."

And then they kiss again and it's not as gentle, but just as meaningful. A long time passes without them noticing. They get wrapped up in each other and fall onto Max's bed and nothing else matters.

"I love you," she murmurs.

"And I love you, more than I ever imagined I could," he says, caressing her soft skin under her shirt.

His mom is both weirded out and unhappy when she goes to check on Max and sees them pretending to look normal after they open the door. But his shirt is inside out, Tess' clothes look askew, and they can't really hide themselves. She tells them to try to straighten up while she gets his dad.

"I understand you are not little children and you're in love and were something like married in your past life. I get that," Mr. Evans says. "And I know that a lot of things have happened to you that we're just beginning to understand. But we have enough with one half-alien grandchild on the way, so when you are here this door stays open, understood?"

"Understood," Max says, embarrassed.

"And we will be having a talk with Jim, so the same rules apply when you are there," Mrs. Evans adds.

"Yes madam," Tess says.

"You don't have to call me madam. Just Diane. Tess, we are happy about you and Max and I so appreciate all you've done for Izzy and Adam. It's just… there's just been a lot lately."

"Mom, I know, and I appreciate how accepting you've been of all of us."

"You are our son, Max. Half-alien or not, we love you," Mrs. Evans says. "Now, can you explain that?" she asks, pointing at him and Tess.

He seems embarrassed as he speaks. "These are our marks, from our race."

"My brother and Larek explained that we're called Zaubretais and that in our planets our bodies show these things called expressions. They can be all sorts of skin marks and glows and things."

"Your eyes are silver," Diane says, looking at Max. She takes a breath to calm down because for the first time she is seeing one of her kids show her that they are clearly not human. He has this glowing purple symbol on his forehead along with eyes that look like lighting. He looks a bit scary, powerful, just… different.

"Really?" he asks. Tess nods. He looks at her. "You're blue all over, like the blue fairy but with cat stripes." She laughs as his parents look perplexed. "Sorry," Max adds.

"It's alright," his dad says. "It's just… you can't be seen like that. If anyone else saw..."

"We know," Tess says. "We're trying to learn to control it. Anquio is helping."

"So, you can just randomly start to look like this," Diane asks concerned.

"No," Max answers. "Anquio suspects it comes from heightening an emotional connection. He can control it by using his memories and feelings about home. He thinks for us, reaching out to each other allows us to tap into our inner powers. Michael and Iz get the expressions when they are together too."

"Like when they got engaged?" Diane asks.

"Yeah, but stronger," Tess says. "The other night, Michael looked like he was half made of fire and Is had like a million spots that emitted rays of golden light."

"So far my expressions are the mildest of us four," Max says.

"Okay," Phillip says, taking a calming breath. "How do you stop it?"

"I don't know," Max answers. "Isabel said it sometimes ends once they makes gazes or just calm down or sleep."

"Well then, I'll make some tea. That might help you two relax and stop this expression thing," Diane says, doing her best to remain calm and supportive. "You need to learn to control this and stay safe, got it?"

"Got it. Thanks, mom."

Amy DeLuca. Late at night after the baby shower.

She waits impatiently in the apartment and feels like she should be pacing, but forces herself to sit, sipping her Valerian root tea to calm down. There is still an hour to go before her curfew is up, but somehow, she feels like Maria is in so much trouble. Amy knows she is out at a still decent time and has probably done nothing wrong because her girl has a good head on her shoulders. She raised her to not be naive. But still, she has a heart of gold and the company and possible places she can be in is what makes this all seem wrong. Because Amy knows that Maria is with that man at the UFO center or possibly at his house or anyplace. And that is the problem. She's not with some boy. The worst that could happen with a boy would be him taking her to his room in his parents' house or somewhere in the desert or… who is she kidding? The same thing she's fearing could happen with any boy. Her previous boyfriend had his own apartment when they were together. But still… somehow Michael Guerin now seems much safer. Which makes no sense since he cheated on her sweet girl, with a mutual friend no less, and topped it off by getting the girl pregnant.

She stands and looks at the window with a sigh. Despite how angry she was at Michael for how much he hurt her little girl, she is so thankful it was not Maria that got pregnant. At least Amy could chalk the things that boy did up to youth and immaturity and in all honestly lack of parenting, he had no role models. If anything, Isabel carries more of the responsibility for what happened. The Evanses are the kind of people that would teach their daughter better and them kicking her out showed just how bad they thought she screwed up. Amy would not be able to do that to her baby, no matter what. That doesn't mean right now she's not panicked that Maria might be making mistakes just as big as her friend. She may not get pregnant, but that man is old enough to... well not to be her father, but still he's twenty-six, twenty-six! There's only one thing that a twenty-six-year-old man could want from a sweet girl like hers. And somehow him being old enough to have a child of his own and a house and business makes the idea of what they could be doing much more wrong than if she was doing the same thing with some boy her age.

God, if she was having sex with some boy, Amy would know how to handle it. She would know how to whip both of them into shape and make sure they stayed safe and that he knew to treat her baby right. But this! Brody is an adult. A divorced adult! He has his own little girl, who survived cancer no less. What is she supposed to say to him? Don't have sex and hurt my child or I'll tell your parents? I know the Sheriff so one wrong move and you'll have to deal with him? I've been your age and nothing you do is new to me? That's not going to be true with that man. She's never had a sick child to care for and share with an ex. And she's never claimed to have been abducted by aliens.

That is a whole other issue. Her baby is dating a man that might be crazy. On one side, he's so responsible looking with his heart on his sleeve and set on taking care of his little girl, but then he's speaking about alien nonsense and dedicating his time and money to that nonsense. What could Maria possibly have in common with that man? What do they even talk about?

She sees the car park by their apartment door and she can't stop another sigh. Of course, the millionaire has a car that would probably pay their rent for months. She doesn't mean to look, but she's already there and what she sees leaves her baffled. She's expecting this man to be making moves on her little girl like she's his pray, but he's just quietly talking until she moves to kiss him. Then Maria, her Maria, climbs on his lap between him and the steering wheel. And honestly, she can't see that well and for that she is thankful. She steps away from the window, afraid of just what she will see Maria do. Oh, her daughter is going to get an earful!

This relationship has been going on for less than a month and she's acting like… like… oh God like I did when I was eighteen with her father… And that will be exactly my point. Look how that ended years later. And he was my age. I knew his family and friends and hopes and dreams. But Maria… she's a young girl! She can't possibly understand his problems, his child, his alien obsessions.

It takes a while longer until Maria walks in. "Hi Mom," she says with a smile on her face.

"Sit with me."

"Okay."

"Tell me about your night."

"Brody and I watched a movie."

"At the theatre?"

"No, his house. We rented Sleepy Hollow."

"What was the movie about?"

"Uh… the town of Sleepy Hollow and the headless horseman."

"And how did the movie start?"

"Mom, it was a mystery slash horror movie. It started with people getting murdered. Why are you questioning me?"

"Maria, are you having sex with him?"

"Mom! You said as long as I meet your rules and stay safe I have a right to privacy and to live my own life. I'm here on time. I have done nothing wrong. And I'm safe and sound."

"Are you?"

"Yes!"

"I saw you. I was looking out the window and saw you jump all over that man."

"You're spying on me!"

"No. I'm looking out my window and then happen to see my daughter acting like…"

"Like what?"

"Look that's not the point."

"And what is?"

"What is going on? Maria, I need to know because I don't understand. I just… what is it about this man? He's so much older. He's divorced and has a kid and if the rumors are true he thinks he gets abducted by aliens. He might be crazy! I just don't get what you're doing with him."

Then her daughter starts arguing about how he's so sweet and loves Sydney so much. How he listens to her and understands her and values her opinions and supports her goals about her music and her future. How he gives the best advice and takes her seriously and shares his issues with her, even the issues with Sydney and his ex. And Amy feels triumphant because she can argue about how none of that is something an eighteen-year-old should be worrying about and it's not good for her.

"And the aliens?"

"What about them?"

"What do you mean what about them? Does he talk to you about aliens?"

"He's a scientist, knows a lot about math and computers. He investigates."

"Oh my God! You believe him!"

"Mom."

"Maria! I never thought the girl I raised would buy into our town's alien nonsense! You need to end this."

"I'm not ending anything. I know what I'm doing."

"I don't think you do! What are you going to tell me next? That he actually gets abducted and you've seen these alien things?" Maria looks truly exasperated. "That you're with him because he's gonna take you to another planet?"

"How about I tell you that I'm falling in love with him? How's that for a fact?"

"What did you just say?"

"You heard me!" Maria answers as she walks in her room and then slams her door shut.

Michael Guerin and Isabel Evans. March 12, 2001.

She is sprawled on top of him, bare, beautiful, glowing like the sun and still panting as they start to come down from giving into each other. He feels like he remains in heaven but knows there was more to this morning than pleasure. "Still worried?" he asks in between recovering breaths. Isabel looks up from where she was nuzzled on his neck and smiles. "Didn't think so." She kisses him as if he's all she needs in this world and he flips them around and then just looks at her. She stares back with intensity. "Keep looking at me like that and we're never getting out of this room," he adds.

She pulls him down for another deep kiss then turns them again. It's perfect until she moves away and stands. "We have to get ready."

"It's barely five in the morning. We have two hours."

"We have to be on time and presentable," she states as she starts to walk away.

"It takes only forty minutes to get there and you can wave your hand and be ready."

"We know I need a cold shower."

"Isabel."

"But I could use some company," she says from the door with a flirty smirk. "It's hard to soap my back and you need to stop glowing too." He rushes off the bed and over an hour later they are finally ready to head to the pod chamber.

They drive the Montero in silence. Isabel looks at the back. The car seat is installed and ready next to the bag with diapers, formula, nursery water and they have left enough things in Adam's chamber to know they have everything they have read about and been told they would need. Yet, despite that knowledge and how good Michael was at taking her mind away from their worries earlier, her nerves come back with a vengeance. He takes his right hand off the steering wheel and gives her leg a gentle squeeze. "He was born in the future Liz saw. It'll be fine."

"Yeah. I just wish we remembered more about what to do for this part and… if anything goes wrong."

"I know. But we're just gonna have to go with what we know, together."

She takes a deep breath then takes his hand and kisses it. "You're right. We'll figure it out, together." They get to the pod chamber see that the Jeep and the Jetta are already there. Michael grabs the baby bag and Isabel brings the car seat. They walk into the cave.

"Hey," Max, Liz, Maria say.

"Hey."

"Tess and Anquio are on the way," Max says.

"What's that?" Michael asks, looking at the basket and cooler that Max has next to him.

"Mom sent food and said to call her as soon as possible."

"I left snacks in Adam's chamber yesterday. But mom probably did better."

"From what I saw there are all kinds of sandwiches, at least two types of salads, some fruits, sodas and water. And yesterday she made your favorite cheesecake with the extra sugar and baked those alien cookies you told her about for Michael. And I brought plenty of tabasco," Max says.

Isabel smiles. "That's great."

"I honestly thought she would sneak in the trunk," Max adds.

They smile and soon Tess walks in with her brother. "Hey."

"Hi."

"Jim says good luck. And Kyle sends these," Tess says, showing them a pair of necklaces. "Buddha beads. He says if I don't put them on both of you for good luck he won't talk to me forever. So, heads down." Isabel smiles and lets Tess put the necklace on her. Michael rolls his eyes, but still goes with it.

"Speaking of luck," Maria says as she takes a small bottle from her bag. "Come closer."

"What is that?" Michael asks in a huff.

"Lemongrass. Purifies the body, and brings good luck and power," she answers as she puts a drop on her index finger and rubs it on Isabel's neck. "Don't wine Space Boy. It's only a tiny bit of essential oil," she adds as she does the same to him, which earns her an even bigger eye roll from Michael.

"What about you?" Michael asks, looking at Anquio and Liz. "No crazy thing for us to do." Liz shakes her head in the negative with a small grin.

"No, Gen- Michael. Births of Zaus children were simple matters until the war. It was conception that was difficult. So, I hope this is as simple as his mage- Max described from the book."

"Don't we all," Michael says.

They walk into the pod chamber and then wait. "Tell me again how we would know when things start," Isabel says, her voice laced with anxiety. Her and Michael are sitting right in front of the pod with their linked hands on the membrane.

"Iz, we are as ready as possible. Try to relax. Max already told you what to do like a hundred times," Tess says, trying to soothe her.

"Then make it a hundred and one," a tense Michael counters. If she wants to hear it again then tell her again, dammit!

"Can't hurt to hear it again," Maria says.

"The pod will move until the baby is horizontal. Then the membrane will open slowly until Adam is completely exposed to the outside world. Then I have remove the tubes he has attached to him and someone else has to get him out," Max answers. "We already agreed Iz would do that. The entire process should take no more than fifty minutes once it starts. The book says to make sure he cries as a check that his airway is clear and then clean and feed him right away."

"Michael will get a bottle ready as soon as the membrane is open and we can see him," Liz says. "And if anything goes wrong, Max will heal him while you two do the life support thing Anquio showed you. Maria knows CPR in case we need that. And Tess and I will be available to check the book and call for help if needed."

Michael nods. Then he looks at Max and asks, "Are you sure it's today?"

"No. Even with Anquio's help and references this last week, we could only narrow it down to the next three days. But it will happen."

"It doesn't matter if it's today or in a couple of days. It's not like school and work won't just let it go once the two of you go back with the baby," Maria says, looking at Isabel and Michael. "And the Evanses and the Sheriff will cover things up if anyone asks."

"What are you gonna tell your parents if it takes that long?" Isabel asks.

"My parents think I'm in Santa Fe for that Junior Geneticist Symposium," Liz answers. "I'm staying with Alex for the next few days even if Adam hatches today. His parents are still in Boston for another week."

Maria shrugs. "We've been fighting so much lately, I'll just planned to tell her I needed a break and drove to Santa Fe with Liz or something. Sheriff V should be able to keep her from going insane as long she sees Brody is at the UFO center and not wherever she thinks I am. I might stay with Liz and Alex too just to be away from her."

Michael looks at them and says, "Thank you." Maria smiles.

Over fifteen hours later they have eaten a lot of the food Mrs. Evans sent. Anquio took a nap and Tess beat Max, Maria and Liz at poker more times than they care to say. Michael has paced the cave at least ten times while Isabel has barely moved away from the pod. Suddenly, they see the gazes that are in the cave glow really bright and visibly grow.

"Are you doing that?" Maria asks.

"It's Adam," Isabel says. "He's moving."

Michael practically sprints to her side and his hand joins hers. Everyone gets closer as the pod starts to move very slowly until, thru the membrane, they see Adam laying on his side. The pod glows, alternating between red, gold, purple, and white.

Everyone moves in a frenzy. They follow the plan and use soap and water Max brought to clean and try to keep things as sterile as possible. They put on scrubs over their clothes, which Maria got after hearing some of Brody's stories about his many times in hospitals. They lay receiving blankets out in the basinet they had set-up there. And they are ready.

It feels like it takes forever and no time for diagonal lines to appear across the membrane, making an upside-down Y. Isabel and Michael move their clasped hands away and the pod begins to open up. They stare in awe. It's like three flower petals are separating to reveal something magical. Isabel can feel Michael's pulse racing and sees fear on his face, but also immense love and devotion that nothing could ever take away. He looks at her and there are tears streaming down her face, but he knows they carry happiness and love and a promise of care and protection that will never be broken. Then it is done, and they can see and hear. A loud cry from tiny open lips, a tuft of blond hair darker than Isabel's, ten fingers, ten toes, completely human looking except for a multicolored glow, a bright upside-down Y on his right hand, and a V shining on his chest. Adam is finally here.

"The tubes and the bottle," Max says. Michael moves and starts making the bottle just like they had practiced. Max is the first to touch the baby, getting his hands to glow with healing energy. He can't believe it. This is his nephew and he's the first person in the world this miracle is in contact with. Max does his best to take the tubes off using his powers the way the book said, but it's not working and suddenly Adam stops crying.

"What's wrong?" Isabel asks, sounding desperate.

"I don't know," Max answers.

"Figure it out!" Michael orders.

"Life support, now!" Anquio orders. Michael gives the bottle to Maria and him, Isabel and Anquio place their hands on Adam's back and chest, close to Max's. They start passing their energy to him the way Anquio showed them, which is really similar to what Isabel and Max instinctively did during the transfer back in September. Soon they are all glowing intensely, and they hear the baby making small sounds.

"We have to disconnect him," Max says. "We just need to figure out how. Review the book and look around, see if you notice anything."

Tess reviews the book while Liz and Maria frantically inspect the pod. "Look at this," Liz says, pointing to a mark on the open membrane.

"Here's another one," Maria says. There's three of those symbols on each open petal like thing, with edged diagonal lines leading to the middle of the pod, right where Adam is lying.

"The seal of survival… Max, put your hand on these," Tess orders.

"But -" Isabel starts to argue.

"I think she's right," Liz says. "It makes sense if Zan was the one that-"

"Just do it!" Tess orders.

Max follows her directions and as he touches each symbol the corners of the yellowish petals turn purple. Once he touches the third the diagonal lines that lead to Adam glow white and the tubes fall away. The baby appears to recover and cries loudly again. Isabel picks him up, not caring about getting covered in the orangish yellow goo that clings to him. Maria gives Michael washcloths and he wipes the goo off while Isabel holds him.

"Hold out the blanket," she orders. Michael opens the thing and holds it open between his chest and arms. He's shaking like a leaf. Isabel places Adam in his arms and helps him wrap their son in the white receiving blanket. Maria hands her the bottle. They try to get Adam to eat, but he won't do it.

"Try one of the other ones," Michael says. They bought six different kinds, so Isabel mixes more formula in another bottle and they try again. They go through all six. None works, and Adam is wailing.

"Michael," Isabel pleads, knowing he doesn't have the answers, but not knowing what else to do.

"Maybe it's too cold," Liz says. Isabel gets her hand to glow and warms up the formula and tests that it's not too hot. Still it doesn't work.

"Babies feed from their mother," Anquio says.

"You already said that," Isabel answers through gritted teeth. "It's not like I was actually pregnant and have milk." Now she feels worse, completely awful and looks it. She gets fresh tears on her cheeks.

Michael glares at Tess' brother, as he holds Adam against his chest. Then he focuses on Isabel. "Here." She takes the baby and then Michael cleans the tears off her face with his fingers.

"He's okay. We need a little time to figure this out and he's gonna be fine," Maria says.

"I'll call mom," Max says. "Maybe she has some ideas."

"And she can search the internet or talk to friends about issues with babies not eating," Liz adds.

"Anquio and I can recheck the book," Tess says. "Maybe there's something we missed."

They each do what they said. The baby's cries are putting everyone on edge. Isabel is losing it, crying in earnest from not knowing what to do. Michael looks like he's ready to crumble but holds onto her and kisses her forehead, with the baby cocooned between them. Every so often Maria gets them to try the bottles again to no avail.

"Mom says to try setting him down and giving it to him while he's laying down." They put Adam in the bassinet and do what Max suggested. It doesn't work. Adam refuses to drink then frees himself from the loose blanket. He's shivering, and his arms and legs jerk as if uncontrolled.

"Oh baby," Isabel whispers standing over the bassinet, touching his stomach gently and starting to wrap him again. Then his hand shoots a beam of white light right at her.

"Oh my God!" Maria yells.

"Izzy!" Max screams terrified. Anquio and Tess stare, mouth open in shock. Liz covers her mouth, holding back her own shout. Michael pulls Isabel away and checks on her.

"I'm fine," Isabel mutters, looking surprised, confused. "I just… oh God."

"What?" Michael asks.

"My breasts…" He looks at her confused. "I think I can feed him."

"What are you talking about?" Max says.

"I think I can feed Adam," Isabel says. "Just… I'm trying this." She starts to pull the scrubs off and Max realizes her plan and turns around immediately.

"If it's acceptable, Princess, I'll head to the main chamber," Anquio says, obviously ready to escape.

"Do that," Michael says. "You too," he adds, looking at Max.

"I think we should all go," Liz says.

"Tess, can you stay?" Isabel asks. "We need someone around if this doesn't work."

"Okay, I'll stay."

Luckily it works, and Adam feeds and then falls asleep. Isabel has to wake him to put clothes on him since they still only had him wrapped up in the blanket. By midnight, he's clean, dressed and ready to go home. His glowing has completely stopped, and he looks perfectly normal, just human, with the V and upside-down Y seeming like they are faded birthmarks. Isabel and Michael thank everyone and share hugs and their happiness.

The drive home takes double the normal time because Michael is going at half the speed limit and constantly looking at the back seat where Isabel rides next to the baby in the car seat. Once they get home, they put Adam in the crib they set-up next to their bed.

"He's perfect," Isabel whispers.

Michael moves so that he's hugging her from behind as they keep looking at the baby. "I don't want to go to sleep. This could be a dream and I don't want to wake up without the two of you."

She turns her head, looks at him with adoration and kisses him softly. "It's real. The three of us, now it's real. But if it's a dream then… I don't want to wake up either."

Michael kisses her and whispers between pecks, "Thank you… thank you."

"I love you."

They hug and then stay standing, looking over the crib for another good half hour. They agree to lay down and Isabel doesn't realize that she fell asleep until she gets woken up by sweet whispered words.

"...Christmas Nazi but she means well and makes things so much better in the end. As for me, I'll find a way to be the man I have to be, for both of you. And you don't have to worry about anything. You're already glowing and helping us do things we didn't even know we could do. And you traveled to our time and saved Tess. You're way ahead of the game and I'll try to keep up. Me and your mom… we'll love you and... show you everything. Just… try not to be like me, okay. You don't have to fight over everything or be angry that it isn't fair because I love you and your mom and I'm gonna marry her and we're going to be family… and I won't let anyone like Hank or Kivar near you. We're gonna be happy. I… I'm already so happy."

Isabel feels tears in her eyes. Maybe she's just overemotional because it's been a really long day and she's barely slept or eaten. But hearing Michael… it's the most wonderful gift he could ever give her. "I'm happy, too," she says. "So happy." She turns and sees that he's sitting on the edge of the bed, holding Adam and now facing her with a surprised look on his face. She comes closer, kisses Michael and then looks over his shoulder to were he's holding Adam who is just calm with big brown eyes that look up at them. This is the start in their journey through parenthood and they are truly happy.

Okay so the goal of this chapter was to get the hatching over with and have Isabel, Michael and Adam finally together. But I also wanted a little more background on Anquio, the aliens' past lives and the issues facing Maria and Brody. Once I got the idea of writing it all from a parental point of view it seemed to click and made having Iz and Michael become parents even more fitting for this chapter. At least that's what I thought. Let me know if you agree and if you liked this rendition of what I think the Sheriff, the Evanses and Amy DeLuca must be thinking about their kids' behavior.