A/N: thanks and cookies to Reefgirl and Elflinn for reviewing. disclaimers in ch1.

"This is ridiculous."

"I think that it's romantic." Evan replied, raising his eyebrows at Max and smiling. "Besides, you didn't want a wheelchair."

"Yeah, but you didn't have to carry me." Max protested while silently glad he was, although she wouldn't admit it to his face.

"Then how did you expect to get back to our place? Pierce doesn't want you walking for at least a few more days. But if you want to walk, then I'll let you off here." Evan said, pretending to drop Max. She yelped and grabbed onto his neck while he laughed, getting a kick out her reaction.

Max playfully cuffed the back of Evan's head, "Funny."

"Glad you think so." Evan replied as he rounded a corner. It was early evening and he had just left the infirmary with Max to take her back to their room. She was finally well enough to leave and he was glad that things were slowly getting back to normal. "Besides, I have a surprise for you."

"Ooo, a surprise. Is it that you managed to keep everything clean?" Max teased, smiling. "Or does it look like a hurricane swept through there?"

"Hey, I'm not that messy."

"Yes you are. I just hope that I can actually see the floor under all your clothes."

"You can, but that's not the surprise." Evan said opening their door and stepping through. "Now close your eyes, and no peeking." Max sighed but did as Evan told her. Once he was sure she wasn't looking, Evan headed for the nursery. Stopping at the door he gently set Max down. "Surprise."

Max opened her eyes and gasped, "When-how-"

"When I was on Earth, after…" He trailed off, knowing that Max understood the rest of the sentence. Clearing his throat Lorne continued, "I saw Ma before leaving and she gave this to me, told me that I should have it now. I almost had to bribe Caldwell to let me take it on the Daedalus."

Slowly walking towards the hardwood rocker she caressed a glossy arm and sat down in it. Looking at him, Max smiled and said, "It's wonderful. But are you sure we should start decorating?" Ever since Evan's first visit she had refused to talk about the baby, or how they should decorate the room. She didn't want to get her hopes up only to have them dashed.

"Yes we should." Evan said, moving towards the rocker and kneeling so he was eye-level with Max. "Before we know it we'll be using it. Besides," he smiled and took Max's hand. "Kali was done using it and Ma said that it was my turn to get plenty of use out of it."

"God, Evan I'm scared." Max whispered, a tear slowly falling down her face.

"Me too, but we just have to wait and have a little faith." Evan replied as he wrapped his arms around her in a hug. "Why don't we get you settled in? Then I can start waiting on you hand and foot."

Max smiled through the tears and wiped the last of them away. "I thought you already did that." She said as he picked her up again.

"But now I have a better excuse to."

Later that evening…

Evan stared at the ceiling and sighed, waiting for sleep to come. Next to him, Max was fast asleep with a hand over her stomach. Sighing, he gently placed a hand on top of her own and wished that he could let go of the guilt he was feeling for all of this.

Max woke up as she felt Evan place a hand on hers. "'S wrong?" she asked, her eyes still closed.

"Nothing, just can't sleep." Evan replied, turning over to face her. They lay in silence until he spoke up again. "I'm sorry, Max." he apologized, gently stroking his thumb over her hand.

"'bout what?" she murmured, half-asleep.

"For wanting more time to finish my painting." Evan paused, taking a steadying breath. "If I hadn't…it's my fault that you got hurt." Moving closer to her he continued, "I was going crazy knowing that I caused this."

Max opened her eyes and looked at Evan. "It's not your fault that this happened-"

"Yes it is."

"Stop. It would've happened anyways even if you hadn't asked for extra time."

"No it wouldn't. We should've been on a Jumper headed towards the mainland but-"

"It would have happened earlier, there's no way we could've avoided it Evan." Max sighed and gave him a 'what am I going to do with you' look. "But would it make you feel better if I forgive you?"

Evan nodded and Max smiled, "Then I do." She squeezed his hand and said, "It's still going up in the nursery right?"

"If you want it to."

"Sure." Max replied absentmindedly, her mind on other things. They lay together in silence for a few minutes until she spoke up, "Can you do something for me?"

"If it's legal." Evan replied, smiling.

Max smiled and laughed softly. "Will you stop feeling guilty if I stop worrying that something'll happen to the baby?"

"I think I can do that." Evan said after a moments hesitation and knowing that given enough time he could.

"Good." Max said, closing her eyes again and curling up next to Evan. "Now go to sleep."

"But there's one more thing I want to ask you."

"What?"

"Why can't we have ten kids? I want a big family like my parents." Evan grinned; he didn't want to let that one go without saying something.

Max lifted her head up and looked at Evan before saying, "Go to sleep."

"I love you too."