The Spawn Chapter Five?

"Tell who what, Adam?" Fang backed out of the kitchen so Max wouldn't get worried.

"Fang, I think I'll tell you when it's over."

"Adam, what are you hiding? Does it have to do with Max?" Fang said quietly, walking into the bonus room and blasting TSO. "It has to do with both of yous. But I'd prefer not to tell you until it's over." Fear washing over him in waves, Fang punched the wall.

"Damn it, Adam! Tell me!" Fang yelled, nerves stretching thinly in about half a second. "Okay, Fang, just don't get too mad. We both know how you get and if you break something you could hurt Max." Adams voice was defeated and tired."I wouldn't-"

"If you break something, it might hit her! I wasn't saying you would hurt her!" Adam defended quickly and loudly. Fang put his thumb and index finger on the bridge of his nose, holding his breath. "Talk. Fast." "There's an assassin that plans on killing you, Max, and the baby. He-"

"Or she." Fang added.

"OR she, must have been sent by someone you've taken down before, someone you've burnt. We don't want yous near the office. Just stay in your house. Fang, just watch over Max. And God damn it, Fang, follow orders!" Adam ordered, hanging up. Breathing heavily, Fang slammed the phone shut, threw it, and leaned against the wall. He turned the radio off and grimaced, looking at the hole he'd made in the wall. After the four days it took for Max to paint it - he was definitely in big trouble.

MMMMMMMMMM MAX MMMMMMMMMMXXXXXXXXXXX

Max put Fangs plate on the table, then ate a bit of her sandwich. The music cut off, which made her uneasy. If he was going to listen to music, he usually opened the door so she could listen too, and he let the whole CD play out.

"Fang, come here!" She yelled suddenly, eyes on the swirling smoke rising from his breakfast. Lucifer sat by her side until she dropped some bacon down to him. Fang walked out, a fake smile plastered on his face.

"I've got the day off. What do you have planned?" Deciding that he was just being weird, Max relaxed and sighed.

"Well, I've got go to the clinic for an end of the month check up, then…Fang I think it's time to tell Mom and Jeb…possibly Hernando." She saw him tense up, then sigh.

"After breakfast? We'll call Iggy to come with us. Then we'll call your parents and buy them a plane ticket." Fang said, sitting beside Max and eating.

"Why call Iggy? Are you scared to check up by yourself?" She teased.

"No." She let it drop, realizing that one- he was scared and two- her parents would be coming to them.

"Why can't we tell my parents over the phone? They have to stay for the weekend if they come over." She started pouting, remembering that her mother liked to have the heat on during the day.

"You're pouting. Your father -Jeb- probably isn't going to like me much after this. Even though we're married…And I've got a few questions for him…"

"Like what?" Max almost scratched her head in confusion, but stopped herself. Why would he have questions for Jeb? Or- better yet- why would Jeb have questions for him?

"Just questions- nothing important. I'm going to call Adam and see if he can send a plane for your parents." Fang got up and grabbed his cell phone.

"Fang Ride sit down and eat your food." Max growled, snatching his phone quickly.

Iggy met them at the clinic with Tally, who had accepted he proposal. "Fang finally decided to come with you? He's finally manning up!" Iggy declared laughing in his face.

"Leave him alone, Iggy. He's had to work!" Max said, taking Fang's hand.

"So have I, but I still find time to come here with you every check up." Fang winced, knowing that it was terrible that he didn't come at all until two and a "half" months in.

"Let's just go inside." Tally suggested, slapping Iggy's shoulder. "Shut your mouth!"

"Max, we were just getting ready to call you! Wow, you've brought quite a crowd this time. Which is the father?" Jenny asked, looking around.

"The bewildered looking brunette." Max laughed, pointing at Fang as they let another four guys and two women around them that they didn't know.

"Ahh, hello, my name is Jenny. Max is going to get an ultrasound first. Just to check." Jenny looked at everyone, as if asking who would go in with her. A few seconds of silence had Max sighing and gripping Fangs wrist tightly.

"Let's go Jen." The room they walked into was dark and full of equipment. Jenny flipped a light on and handed Fang a vest like thing.

"Put it on. Sorry, Max, this is going to be a little cold." Max lay down on the bed, lifting her shirt and showing her stomach. She flinched when Jenny rubbed the clear gel across it. Then she clicked the lights off and clicked a machine with a monitor on. "M'Kay, Fang, watch the screen." Fang looked at the monitor curiously, watching intently. What should he be seeing?… And then the blank black screen changed. A bit of white and gray and what looked like…

Max yelped when Fang hit the floor with a thud. She leaned over, looking down. He looked to be out cold, bringing back memories of when they were fourteen. "Jack, we've got a fainter. He needs a wheel chair and maybe an ice back." Jenny said into speaker. "I thought you said he was a tough guy, Max." Jenny giggled.

"He is, he's just under a lot of stress. Plus, you don't know a man until you dump a job, a wife, and a kid on him."

After the check up, Max helped Iggy get Fang into a wheel chair, the pushed it outside. The sun was out, but there was a light chill. Tally kept asking questions.

"And lastly- how in the hell did Fang faint?"

"Well, right when Jen turned the ultrasound on, his head hit the floor. I don't think he made a sound- so un-Fang like." She waved her head around, pushing Fang down the sidewalk. He groaned, looking up at her.

"Why does my head hurt?"

"You fainted, tough guy." Iggy laughed, holding Tally's hand.

"Max stop the wheel chair." Fang sighed, trying to stand up. "

M'Kay, why though?" Fang sighed and walked around the wheel chair.

"Because, you're pregnant, not me." He said, picking her up and setting her in the chair.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 3 MONTHS XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Max shook her head vigorously, looking close to tears. Fang sighed again, coming up behind her. The assassin was still planning supposedly, so they were both home bound.

"What?" He asked, putting a hand on her stomach. You could so tell that she was pregnant- the thought must have caused this small tantrum…or the basket of maternity clothes. Max had managed to talk Fang out of calling Jeb and Valencia, but it seemed like they finally found out.

"They…they…" Max stuttered as Fang picked the basket up and set it on the kitchen table. She unwrapped the pink- translucent paper and held up a shirt. It was pink and had flowers all over it.

"It's cute Max." How many times had he said that in the past three months?

"It's evil. I won't wear it." She said, tears in her sparkling brown eyes. "You'll hurt Moms feelings." Fang said, trying to persuade her to put it on.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX One Hour Later XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"I don't see why we have to meet them at a hotel." Max grumbled, crossing her arms. Fang had managed to get her into the out fit and the car to meet Hernando and her parents. The black car they were riding in was quiet, but fast, too. Max had a bag of food with them and had to stop TWICE to go to the bathroom.

When they pulled up to the hotel, Jeb was waiting out side with Valencia, looking oblivious. Obviously, what ever she knew, he didn't. "I don't see why I had to come." Iggy growled from the back seat.

"Because you're awesome. And if you want Bartholomew to be your godson, you'll cooperate." Max growled with just as much force. They still didn't know for sure if the baby was a boy or a girl, but Max was convinced that it was a boy. So when ever referring to the baby, she used random boy names. Iggy mumbled something unintelligible from the back seat. Fang opened Max's door with a smile, taking her hand. She couldn't help but smile back as she climbed out, pecking him lightly on the lips.

"Max! I've missed you sweetie!" Valencia ran up, touching Max's stomach randomly a few times. "

Hi, Mom, I've missed you, too." She smiled, taking it graciously. Jeb came up, smiling and still being the biggest man ever. Would a man notice his twenty three year old daughter is pregnant? Nahhh…

"I see you're wearing the shirt!" Valencia grinned, not letting go of her.

"What's so special about it? Besides the fact that it's the only pink Max has worn in a few months." Jeb laughed, looking around. Nervous laughter erupted from everyone but Max.

"How about we go upstairs?"

In the hotel room, Hernando was watching TV with Ella. When everyone walked in, he jumped up, giving hugs and saying hello's.

"Everyone, you'd better take a seat…I've got- actually Fang and I've got some big news." Max said, holding Fang's hand. Iggy- in the back of the room and ready to hold Hernando or Jeb down- gave the lamp a thumbs up. "Your turn Fang." Max muttered, shouldering him forward. Mom was bouncing excitedly. He grunted, looking back at her.

"Well…Max is kind of…"

"MAX IS PREGNANT!" Mom yelled, jumping up and rushing towards her. Jeb and Hernando just stared, not quite able to grasp the concept.

"Now we have to have a baby shower!" Valencia said, squealing and taking Max's hand. Fang just smiled a little, watching Max clench her fists. Something glinted outside the window, it caught Fangs attention. Turning Jeb and Hernando's angry babbling out, he man swerved over to the window.

"I don't care that he won't listen to you, Jeb the genius who mutated his own kids! And Hernando, the Himalayan monkey!" The only voice Fang wouldn't block out yelled, making him spin around.

"Like I was saying- what?" Jeb asked, seeing Fangs semi-panicked expression.

"Everyone get down!" Fang yelled, gently pushing Max under him. KABOOM!! They were thrown into a wall, Fang curling himself protectively over Max. Something flew at his and knocked him out.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX FDSJFLKXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

When she opened her eyes, Max saw only white lights. Then slowly everything started coming into focus. Fang in a chair with his arms strapped down and muscles tensed. The cage around her, the chains around her wrists. She was laying on her back and on a metal slab table.

The cage was just metal bars set up on top of the slab. It was certainly larger than the cages at the School. Two people walked in, a man and a woman. They kneeled in front of Fang.

"Are you ready to talk? Or do we have to put your pretty wife in the chair?" The man asked.

"NO! Don't touch her!" Fang growled, pulling at his restraints.

"Then tell us- where are they keeping this Ramón?" Fang shook his head, jaw clenched. The girl pushed a yellow button on the wall, causing Fang to tense up again. '

That's an electric chair…' Max thought dazedly and gasping. Three sets of eyes turned and focused on her. Fang shook his head slightly, mouthing 'no.' She stiffened as they walked towards her.

"Well, hello pretty girl. Just be a good little girl and tell us where TSSC is hiding Ramón?"

"I honestly don't know- but I wouldn't tell you if I did." The woman pressed a green button, and sudden pain surged through her entire body. She cried out, grasping her stomach.

"Stop! Leave her out of this! She doesn't know!" Fang yelled, struggling harder. Max watched him blurrily, eyes filled with tears as she cried out in pain. The chains around her wrists melted away, her hands a shining blue. Tears streaming down her face, pain streaking through her body, and Fang yelled like a banshee, Max still had strength to be curious about that.

"I'll tell you! Just stop!" Fang yelled, voice shaking. The pain subsided, but her entire body throbbed. Max collapsed onto the table, breathing heavily.

"Good." The man said, sauntering over to Fang.

"Lucky your man gave up. We'll gladly kill you." The girlish voice shocked Max, but her entire body was too tired to move.

"Lucky…my…man … is …chained up…" Max mumbled, wincing when her tingling limps moved.

"Don't get mouthy, Maximum. And don't have that fish look either. Do you really think we didn't-"

"Bryn! Get over here!" The man said; Bryn jumped and walked over to him.

"He's in Hackettstown New Jersey. Two eight seven Shackle bolt Road." Fang said, head down and dark hair over his face. Max jerked very slightly. That was not where they hid Ramón Delarosa over five months ago. 'Thanks a lot, Fang.'

"Now, Fang, how many other officers do you think we asked and how many of them do you think gave us that answer? That's okay, though. As I recall, if you put a pregnant mother under a lot of pressure, the baby will be still born. Let's test this theory." Fang tensed up, gaze shifting to Max. Bryn, and Jackson- she recalled suddenly- walked over to her, pressing the green button of death again. Pain ripped through her again, eyes watering. Vaguely she heard Fang cursing them out. The pain increased. She couldn't even think of words to describe how it felt.

"Get. Away." Max said steadily, hand motioning to them. They flew back, heads slamming into the far wall. Then the cage flew off of her. She jumped down, collapsing when her feet hit the floor.

"MAX!" Fang yelled, pulling hard at the restraints.

"I'm…fine…just tired." She gasped, getting to her hands and knees. She tried steadying her breath, though the task was harder than it sounded. She crawled slowly over to Fang, trying to unhook the leather restraints. When she looked at his face, she gaped. His eyes were filled with tears, body shaking. He was so close to crying that it literally, almost physically, hurt Max to look at him. "What's wrong, Fang?" She asked as she un-strapped him.

"I thought- they were- going to kill you." He said, voice week, sad, and choked. He fell to his knees when he was free, pulling Max into his burnt arms. A though occurred to Max, now that the immediate danger was gone. "How did you get out?" Fang was whispering, face buried in her neck.

"That wasn't me- it was him." She said, trying to use a strong voice- one that would allow Fang to know she was okay. Her limbs were tired, in pain, and tingling, but being with Fang soothed her.

"What?" He murmured, "the baby? But…"

"He's tough already, just like his Daddy." She kissed his cheeks, urging him and herself to their feet. "Do you know how long we've been here?"

"Twelve hours maybe??" He looked at his watch. "No, only seven. Feels like twelve." Slowly Max could see Fang getting a hold of himself.

"Jeb, Mom?" She asked, fear seeping through her. Fangs arms tightened around her.

"I don't know. We have to get out of here, first, then find them. Those idiots didn't search us, and I've got some plastique on me. Can you fly?" Max threw open her wings, testing them. Like her legs, her wings seemed to have gotten ready for the extra weight.

"Yes. How do we know they are here- oh. They would've used them against us, right?"

"You are getting better." Fang kissed her forehead and set the plastique. "Go." He took her by the hand and kicked the door open. Outside was a straight drop off to what seemed like oblivion. Max gulped, but Fang leapt off first, a beautiful dark angel waiting for her. She jumped too, hoping her wings could withstand the weight.

"Got it. Where to?" Max asked, having a mild mood swing.

"Uh…go to the nearest hospital. Was it-"

"Let's go, we both know where it is." She said, flying faster. When they were about thirty feet away, an explosion followed them. A sigh flew from her lips as she was relieved. At the hospital, Fang flashed his badge and asked for Valencia Martinez or Jeb Batchelder. They were sent to room One twenty for Valencia, but were told that Jeb was in surgery. Hernando was waiting with Mom.

"Mom, are you okay?!" Max asked, rushing to her side.

"Max, I'm fine. Go find your father, okay? He's not gonna make it." The words slammed into Max's heart one at a time, with enough force to stop her heart one time per word. Fang could see this hurt her.

"C'mon, he should be out of surgery now." Fang led her down the hall, rubbing hands. "It's okay, Max. He's gonna make it." But from Jebs condition, it seemed like this was going to be a lie. Jeb was gasping, covered in blood, and conscious.

"Dad!" Max cried, rushing to his side.

"Since when…am…I…Dad?" He joked.

"Stop joking! You cannot die! I want you to see our baby!" She cried louder as Fang fended off the doctors. Jeb smiled.

"I've seen him already. He's beautiful. Freedom. Fang, he's just like you." Jeb coughed up blood. Max was crying, trying to calm down. Fang was shocked, to say the least.

"Dad, if you leave, I'll never forgive you!" Max yelled, watching the old mans face.

"You will, honey. I've seen it all. Kiss him for me, Maximum."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX NEXT DAY XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Jeb Andrew Batchelder died at age 51 on May 28th, 2:16 AM. He has a daughter, Max Ride, a son-in-law, and an unborn grandchild. He was preceded in death by his seven year old son, Ari Leon Batchelder. The causing of death was not revealed, but he lies peacefully in the New York National Scientists Honorable Grave site. He was a favorable scientist who did great things for everyone. His funeral will be held at Swan Funeral Homes. Flowers will be greatly appreciated.

Max threw the paper down, having read Jebs obituary. She wiped her face and turned to her mother.

"Sorry you can't stay longer. I'll see you in a few weeks. Love yous." She mumbled, kissing her cheek and hugging Ella, who hadn't said a word.

"Bye, sweetie. I love you too. Ella wants to visit again soon, so don't be so sad." Hernando just hugged Max and left. Fang walked in from walking Lucifer.

"Are you okay?" He asked, unleashing the dog. He seemed to know it was not the time for playing, for he lay down, watching with sad eyes.

"Fang, I was just getting used to him- trusting him. Then he dies?!" Max's body was shaking from her crying as she lay her head on his chest. "Will he ever forgive me? I was so bad to him for so many years and he died before he saw his grand kid!"

"He saw him, you heard what Jeb said. Of course he'll forgive you- you're his daughter. After all of this he still loves you. And he doesn't hate me as much." Someone knocked on the door quietly. "Come in." Fang said, tensing. Angel, Gazzy, Nudge, Iggy, and Tally rushed in, all hugging them at once.

"Oh, Max! It's okay! I'm so sorry!" Fifteen and a half year old Angel cried, pulling her away from Fang. Nudge was speaking so rapidly that no one even tried to listen. Tally didn't say a word, along with Iggy. Gazzy spoke quietly to Fang.

"I don't know, but he told me 'yes' was the answer to your question." Gazzy muttered, twisting his hands together. Fang was stunned as Gazzy's eyes turned back to their normal color.

"How did you…what were you doing?"

"I don't know. I just saw a soul-spirit-whatever and it sounded like Jeb. He told me to tell you yes." Gazzy shrugged, looking at Max. She was obviously trying not to cry, though Fang could see the need to be alone on her face.

"Guys, let's go into the living room, okay?" Fang suggested, steering Angel and Nudge away while Tally and Iggy followed separately. Gazzy stayed behind, hugging Max's bulging stomach and whispering something to it. "Here's the remote- watch what you want for now." Fang said, hurrying back to Max. He got her to their room just as she broke down. She sobbed, shaking and sniffling. Fang shushed her, rubbing her back, and held her, but the only thing he couldn't do was the one thing she wanted him to do. Bring Jeb back. "Do you want me to leave?" Fang asked, wiping her eyes.

"Yes…no…I don't know!" She clung to him again, crying harder. The, in her usual pregnant fashion, Max had a mood swing. "That asshole! How could he leave like this?! How could he leave me like this! Right before the babies born! JERK!" Max jumped to her feet, punching wide, four foot deep hole in the wall.

"Max?!" Fang asked, alarmed.

"It wasn't all me." She growled, still angry. Fang sighed, waiting for the storm pass. "How…why would he do this? Right when I was getting used to having him around. Twice…he's been dead to me twice…" Max fell to her knees, crying again. Figuring it was safe, Fang picked her up and lay her on the King sized bed.

"Get some sleep honey. Omega wants to come over tomorrow, for the…" he trailed off, scared of what the word funeral might do to Max…and the house.

"Funeral? Okay. Right. I'll get sleep. And…I'm sorry, Fang." she said in a small voice. That made him go back to her.

"For what?"

"I just know I haven't been acting like myself lately and that you're under a lot of stress- what with our jobs?!- and I've been very demanding. I'm sorry. I love you so much." She was crying quietly, face in his chest and wings slightly extended.

"No, baby, no. Don't be sorry. This is my job- making sure you are comfortable. You're giving me enough- I get to be a daddy! It's my personal and life long job to take care of you." He kissed each of her closed eyes and lay down with her. "Now go to sleep." Max nodded, yawning through her tears that were slowly subsiding.

Quietly, Fang closed the door. It took about an hour to get Max to sleep, so Omega might have called a few times…

"Quiet, he's coming! No, only Fang's gonna know!" Tally whispered loudly.

"Only I'm gonna know what?" Fang asked, head down. Iggy, Tally, Nudge, Gazzy, Angel…Omega?

"The gender of your kid." Tally said in an excited voice.

"Quiet! Max is sleeping! Her dad just died, so she's really depressed. Maybe she can come to work with me some day. That'll make her feel better! Yeah, and-"

"Okay, Nudge." Fang said tiredly. She didn't look insulted, only slightly worried and a lot excited. "Why are you standing like that?" They were blocking the door of Max and Fangs third guest room (they got the big pent house in case the flock ever needed a place to stay).

"Look." They all moved out of the way, revealing a sky blue door. Omega grinned, opening the door. Fang sighed, ran a hand through his almost too long black hair and went in. The carpet was new and soft, the walls a light but somehow boyish blue. There was a rocking chair in the corner and by it was a stack of blankets, blue, green, and red. Above all of that on the wall was a hand made wooden shelf holding a silver picture frame that said My First Year and had labeled picture holes: Birth, Month One, Month Two, etc, up until one year. By the window was a book shelf; the highest shelves were filled with nursery rhymes, bed time songs/ stories, and loads of Dr. Sues books. On the bottom two shelves were loads of stuffed animals. On the wall closest to the door was a crib with a small, wing shaped nightlight above it. The walls, now that he looked had clouds painted everywhere and a large set of wings painted on the ceiling. One white with brown speckles, one black.

Slowly, tears filled Fangs eyes. Damn it…

"Wow guys…When did yous do this? It's…amazing." Fang choked, for the second or third time in his life holding back tears with all his might.

"He likes it!" "We did the arranging. Omega is an excellent artist; quick, too." Tally said, kissing Iggy's cheek. "Iggy suggested the books, considering neither of yous were ever good at stories."

"Thanks bro. You know us well." Fang man-hugged Iggy, backed away, then paused. "Wait." Everyone saw-with a few giggles- that he was finally understanding this. "I'm gonna have a boy?!"

"Technically, Max is going to got through the labor, but yes, your sp-"

"You're wife is having a boy!" Tally interrupted Omega, glaring at him. The giddiness in Fangs stomach was remind him of the first time Max kissed him, the first time they both agreed on a kiss, the first time he realized that he was a love sick hybrid, the first time Max yelled that she loved him; when Max said 'I do' two years ago; and when she told him she was pregnant. He wanted to yell out loud, to laugh, to cry in joy, wanted to dance around like an idiot, like the dork that he really was, like he wanted to with everything else.

"Really?" He asked in a voice that wasn't anything like his normal voice. It was more of an excited, unmanly squeak. 'Who cares?' He thought, grinning madly. His power was halted because he couldn't stop moving, like someone had just shot him up with four cups of pure caffeine. Gazzy raised an eye brow.

"Wow, Fang…you sure aren't acting like Max's dad just died…" Angel punched him in the arm. (Like Max would have, instead of smacking him in the face like most other girls)

"I cannot believe you just said that!" She'd obviously just seen all of those things that flashed through his minds eye.

"Honestly, I know I should be sad…but I'm going to have a boy." The grin didn't fade.

"And me and Iggy decided to wait on our wedding until he's born."

"You know what that means Fang." Nudge grinned in an ominous way.

"No…what?"

"You have to give Max a baby shower now. Or in two months. Yeah, in two months." Fang just nodded, too enthralled with this news.

"By the way, you'd better get lots of pictures- I never come over." Angel sighed with a pout.

"You can come over when ever you want. Max is just really moody right now. I wouldn't suggest it." Fang smiled. Omega and Iggy pulled Fang away from the babbling girls.

"Omega wants to tell you something." Iggy sighed.

"Fang, do not let Maximum plan the funeral. You do it. And you should make it closed casket." He said nervously. Fang nodded. "Now I have to go to work. Tell Maximum that I said hello. And take pictures of her face when she sees the room." Iggy turned to grin at Fang.

"Now, wanna go flying?" He asked. Fang nodded. Iggy had always been Fangs second best friend. Not as easy to talk to as Max, but comforting to have around. They took off from the roof, wheeling around the building for a bit in silence. Something was wrong with Iggy.

"What's wrong?" Fang asked casually, doing a flip in the air that he and Max had perfected when they were seventeen.

"You're not gonna like, not let us see your son, right? I…I want to be part of his child hood, too. Max is basically my sister and I want to watch him grow up, too. Like I want to spoil him and goth knows Tally wants to see him too. And I'm already nervous about getting married." Iggy just has this gift about being subtle. "And how am I supposed to know what to do if Tally wants to have kids? And-"

"Ig, dude, calm down! You act like I'm gonna keep you from seeing your nephew! Calm down. The getting married is easy. Being married is a bit hard, but you'll love it. Plus you've still got five and a half months." Iggy blushed and landed.

"Right now, the only thing we really have to worry about is convincing Max not to kill us when we do that baby shower." Fang whispered as they went inside. Apparently the others had raided the kitchen and were all asleep in the living room.

"Right. Gotcha. Thanks, bro," Iggy smiled and went to Tally.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 6TH MONTH XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

You have been invited to Pierre Johnisson's 4th of July Bash. Formal dress. You may bring three guests.

Thank you.

-Pierre

Ps- hey Max, honey

Max looked up at Fang. He smiled slightly, hoping THIS didn't bring another round of hysteria. Now you could tell for sure that she's pregnant, from like a block away. "Can we go? We can bring Iggy and Tally- they love fire." Max smiled brightly. Fang exhaled in relief.

"Iggy will probably be working there, honey. He's a pyro-tech., with Gazzy. And Tally is still a model, remember?" Max's face fell a little. "But we can bring Nudge and Angel." He added with a hopeful smile. He didn't like the way she looked sad.

"Oh, yeah! Let's!"

"When is it?"

"…Fang…today, today is the fourth. The party is tonight. Aren't you keeping track of time? He's due in four months."

"Right. Lost track of time. Right." Fangs face was pale- though some how still a little olive- and he was unfocused. Max put her hands on his face.

"Calm down, Fang. We've got four whole months. Breathe, honey." She said. 'How's he gonna react when we've got four days?' She thought worriedly. Fang was breathing too heavily, hyperventilating. "Fang!" She snapped, patting his face gently. He shook his head and smiled, then leaned down and kissed her lips.

"Sorry, Max. We'd better go call Nudge and Angel. And get you a dress." Max nodded, then leaned up and wrapped her arms around Fangs neck. She kissed him slowly, almost feeling guilty about all of the stress she could feel in his shoulders. He wrapped his arms lightly around her back. The baby belly between them felt unbearably sweet. He rubbed between her wings and she massaged gently on his wings where all of the stress would be carried. Max sighed and pulled back.

"Tense, much?" She whispered, leaning her head on his shoulder.

"No…" Max snorted. "A little." Fang admitted.

"A lot. Alright, let's go…" She kissed his cheek and walked towards the door.

The dress Max got was light blue and showed her wings. It also made the pregnant stomach look actually good. Fang wore a black suit and shirt, opened a little at the top. Nudge wore a baby pink dress with no straps and Angel, at age fifteen, wore an innocent (yeah right) strapless red dress with a slit up the side. Her curls glistened dangerously and her heels clacked loudly.

"I feel like a whale." Max complained. Fang put an arm around her as he led her to the huge party mansion that was Pierre's.

"You look like the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." Pierre greeted them at the door.

"Max! Why didn't you tell me you were carrying Mr. Smexies baby?!" He exclaimed. "And why am I not hearing details about a baby shower!?" Fang yanked him to the side roughly.

"NO! Sh. Can you help us plan a surprise baby shower for her? You know Max, she doesn't like big things!"

"Oh, sure, sure." Pierre smiled, winked, and went back by the girls.

"Fang Ride, you'd better have been telling him that we aren't having a baby shower or so-help-me-God you will be sleeping outside with your head up your ass and your wings hung from the Empire State Building, do I make my self clear?" Max growled as they followed Pierre through the loud hall.

"Crystal." Fang replied with a smirk and a glance at Angel and Nudge. They smiled and escaped into a crowd of people.

"Hey, Max, wow you look great! When are you due?" A tall brunette asked sweetly.

"Four months." Max grinned. Fang shifted uncomfortably.

"It's a boy, I'm guessing?"

"How'd you know?" Max asked, eyes wide.

"My mom taught me a trick- if your stomach is up high when your pregnant, ninety nine percent of the time it's a girl. When the stomach is down low, it's mostly going to be a boy." The woman smiled brightly.

"That's amazing. How did your mom figure that out?"

"Well, she's a doctor and she's had five kids!" She laughed. "Oh, you must be her husband! I'm Tora." She stuck her hand out.

"I'm…Fang, nice to meet you." He shook her hand warily.

"So, do you guys know what you're going to name it yet?"

"No…actually not. We've been busy. Plus, we've got four WHOLE months. Fang, honey, why don't you go get us something to drink…and eat."

"You said you weren't hungry outside-"

"Well I'm hungry now!" Max snapped. 'Okay, moving along.' Fang thought. "Sorry about that. I just didn't want to give him more to think about. He's been so stressed lately and…" Her voice was drowned out by the music and steady babble of other people. They greeted Fang freely like they knew him.

"Hey, Fang, how's Max?"

"Fine, I guess…"

"S'up, Fang? Enjoying your time off?"

"Sure…"

Finally he just went outside, hoping Max would forgive him. Only four months until he would actually be a dad. Daddy. A father. What if he was a bad father? How would he know how to take care of a baby? To hold a baby or to feed it or to-

"Fang, it's going to be okay." Angels voice said. "Why panic now? You should panic when it's four hours until he's born. You'll be a great father. You took care of me and Gazzy just fine."

"Max did that…and yous weren't new borns."

"You'll know what to do. Max will help you. She's always there, isn't she?"

"Yeah, but--"

"Are you saying that Max won't help you?" Angel challenged.

"NO. What I am saying is that Max is going to need a break eventually, and I'll have to take care of him!" Fang said, standing up. Angel stood too.

"Fang." She snapped, teenage side showing. "Be. A. Man." She said.

"I am!" He said defensively. "I just don't think I can--" Angel cut him off by smacking him hard across the face, making an noisy clap! Fang just stood there for a second, before looking at her. "You're right. I needed that." She walked away stiffly while people stared.

Fang went back by Max, forgetting her food. Her wrath was merely a kiss on his left cheek, which was still stinging. They all - the whole party - gathered out side by the pyro-techs in uniform. Fang was right- they were there.

"Gazzy, you look so cute in uniform!" Angel giggled, hugging her seventeen year old brother.

"Um…thanks…" he said awkwardly. Then his eyes narrowed. "Isn't that dress a little revealing?" Nudge cut in.

"No way!" squealed the twenty year old, her straight brown hair shining. "It's gorgeous!" Tally was beside Iggy.

"You look great Max! You too, Fang." She smiled, though looking worried. She pulled Max off to the side. "What's wrong with him?"

"He's a little…shaken…Getting freaked out by the date.."

"How? You've got four months!"

"I know, but…" Max trailed off, looking back at Fang. His face was still pale- except the darker spot, courtesy of Angel- his eyes had dark circles under them, and he was tense…again….