Recicup: Yup thank her for your lovely updates! As for Zack, he has his own purpose there. It'll be soon…at some point.
BTW, as a writer I love reviews, they tend to really help us out and let us know how you feel about the tone of the story line. So please review!
Season 4 ep.8
Time seemed to fly by the next few weeks. We ended up getting new pipes for TC courtesy of Gamble and his funds, plus we were working on getting electricity that wasn't stolen, as it was we were tapped into the grid and without pissing off a shitload of people – not to mention short circuiting that part of Seattle wasn't in the cards nor their budget – in the process.
I had even been giving Zack some duties around TC. His muscle bulk had been useful in helping Alec out with constructing the rest of TC into the projects we were working on. I was happy as hell since they were near the end of constructing three of the buildings they were working on. Gem had some of the girls helping her paint the now finished nursery for the next generation of X5 babies.
They already had two rooms each painted blue and pink, some Cindy mentioned as being blue for boys and pink for girls 'another bent heterosexual thing' she'd muttered. Hell the look Zack had had on his face when he was asked to help her paint the ceiling was enough to have Alec grin from ear to ear. Turns out Gem was able to match Zack's verbal battles just like Alec was to my own. Alec was seriously hoping that he'd fall for her and end his little crush on me.
I wasn't sure on that front but as long as he was finally letting go and not thinking Manticore this and that, or anything involving me and a bed in the same sentence, then we were good to go. Sides he was starting to drive Alec a little nuts with mentioning Gamble and the little events we had gone to together. Since Gamble and I had made our agreement for going to events I had been making an effort to go to one at least two to three times a month. These last three weeks I had gone to two already and I was really getting some major support, though I was getting heavily irritated by the wives.
It seemed that seeing me on Gambles arm a few times was a few times too many, we'd been mistaken as a couple on several occasions already. But I made sure to always correct people whom asked. Gamble merely smiled as if it was a compliment as I politely told them Gamble and I were business partners and not romantically involved…not sure if the message got through to them all…pulling my brown sweater over my head I pulled it over my growing stomach.
I could no longer even say I was gaining weight it clearly looked like I was pregnant. I sat on the bed we had as I pulled my jegging's on. I hated the elastic all the way around the band but I needed something that could be pulled up fast so I could divert the other portion of time into what was more important. The 'jeggings' as Cindy called them were a mix of jeans and leggings. Material was denim and the style was – you get the point – either way I hated them but they were needed for work today.
I was going out to another event Gamble had told about, or rather that there was an event today. I had no idea where it was, just that it had an open bar so I could try even harder for the transgenic cause. I had a funny feeling about it, so I texted Alec about it and got a short 'sorry, busy love' in response. Whatever…I left out of the apartment then out of our tunnel area. This time I used the car to get to the place, I was getting a bit to big to just keep walking all over Seattle the way I used to.
Don't get me wrong I very capable when put to the test, but why take a risk unless it was absolutely necessary? It became my motto the moment I started to get bigger. Or at the very least when I started to get a stomach. Now people would think I was pregnant with Gamble's baby. I needed Alec to start coming out ASAP! I didn't need some media bit being printed out about me and Gamble. It would put us under a false impression and piss the hell out of Alec.
But for now Alec was still busy with the projects. Three were pretty much done the nursery, the martial arts studio, and the small café we were making. The gamble – no pun intended – was that we were getting second hand coffee grinds. I would love to try to get a hold of the lady that gave her daughter real coffee grinds for cash as payment for Kendra's Japanese classes, but I had to get a hold of Kendra first and with how busy she was and I was, that idea wasn't panning out so well.
But you know…grabbing my cell from pocket on my sleeve I flip it open and dial, "Kendra!" she answered, "Hey you still do those classes for Japanese?" she paused for a second, "Sometimes, why?" "Remember that little girl who paid in real coffee grinds?" I inquired turning down the street. This event better be worth it with these stupid 'jeggings' I got on, I really hated them, "Oh right, ah let me check my roll-a-dex and I'll get back to you." I told her okay before hanging up.
Arriving at the place was easier said than done. There was a line around the block - literally speaking – full of money movers that weren't afraid to tell people where to stick it. And I've got to convince them to donate to a worthy cause…I shook my head back and forth wondering briefly if I should try to do the old fashioned speak and creep Manticore way, looking around I try to find a possible entrance to do that with my pregnant belly, my promise to Alec not to get into trouble still residing in the back of my head.
No trouble needed to be here tonight. I looked down at my pregnant belly once more today. Sighing I pulled up the car further as the guests are being let in little by to damned little. You'd think they were passing through airport security with how slow it was going. My phone rang, "Max." I answered, "Oh first ring, are you here yet?" Gamble asked. First off when did I give him my private cell number?
He should only have the office one and my regular cell used for wireless office use. One of Alec's ideas should I be out and about and can't be at the desk all the time. However this was my private 'only close friends and family' line. "Gamble." I replied, "Yes, I don't see you?" not what I was going for here…I'll have to ask him later on my cell number, right now this line was getting on my nerves and now I finally saw why. Some shmuck was talking his head off to the 'attendee'.
Though if he was just talking or if he was having a spat I wasn't sure. The motors of so many cars were preventing a lot of the human noise traffic to resonate to my ears. What I could get out was mostly the big guy showing off about something. Engines were just to damn loud, "I'll be there soon. Some guys just having a meeting with the attendee and I don't know who to feel more sorry for, the attendee or the people waiting on them." I resisted the urge to snip out the last part.
Myself included on that list…Gamble seemed to be laughing a little, "Oh okay. No worries, I'll see you when you get in." see you and talk to you bout my private cell number, I mutter to myself once the phone is back in place and once my chance to leave the line comes up. I'm done. Leaving the line I park three and a half blocks away and walk my way there.
No way I'm dealing with that big ass line again…my assed rather walk to the car than to sit in a line for nearly 20 minutes. It's bad enough the gas line is long but at least it doesn't take up that much time. The time it takes to pour a truck sized tank full of gas into dozens of people's cars, motorcycles, and gas cans doesn't take that long. Though I wouldn't recommend doing it on a workday. It may not take as long as this line does but it does take some time out of your day.
Walking back in I use the busy aspect of the area to sleek my way inside from the front. It was easier than I thought it would be. I guess that was the reason for all the security up front, so the doors would be less scrutinizing. Getting inside I saw that a lot of people were dressed surprisingly more casual than most occasions. Granted I was the only one in 'jeggings' or any type of denim material but no one was in evening gowns or in high-octane dress pants but no denim.
Looking around Gamble I found him talking with someone I hadn't seen in nearly a year now. Walking up I say my hello's, "Hi Mr. Gamble, Mr. Berrisford. Haven't seen you around since, well since we thought we were going to be gaining some support from you." I smiled out. He gruffed before replying, "That's why I'm here, to show you the support. This event is a way to make everyone more comfortable." I looked around trying to find the theme to the event.
I was shocked by the name, "Wow, 'The Rachel Berrisford Foundation'." I turned back to both men, "I take it this is why you've been so busy." I inquire. He pursed his lips together before replying, "Rachel always wanted to do good things. She was an aspiring pianist but her passion was in making people happy. This foundation gives back to those in need by rallying support and funds to them."
I nodded my thanks…I need to tell Alec about this. I see Berrisford looking around behind me "Am I in your way?" I barely keep my voice from coming out snippy. "No I was just surprised you're ahh…" he clears his throat a little, "Second didn't come with you." Alec…he still hates him. "You know her second, Alec?" Gamble asked in shock and surprise…oh shit Gamble doesn't know of Alec's history with Berrisford, this
could end badly.
I spoke up before Berrisford could, "It's a small history." I didn't want to say it was nothing considering his daughters sub-sequential reason for being comatose was in it. But Berrisford's hatred proved to be too much, "That's putting it lightly." He turned to Gamble, "Her second is the reason why my daughter is no longer with us." It wasn't- "Mr. Berrisford it wasn't Alec's fault." He shifted his gaze to me.
Had I not been a trained X5 soldier by Deck himself the look would have had me pausing where I stood, "Alec did what he could to try and save her. He told me what happened. Yes he made a bad decision with the car but he tried to stop her from going down there. He warned her." the events he told me about came to me, he really had loved her, "She didn't want to listen, she was scared for you. That's why she was screaming and running." He seemed to be contemplating it.
I turned to Gamble, "Rest assured Alec is a good man. He was just misled back then." I defend. He looks to me, "Like the rest of you?" he asks. I nod, "Yeah. Mr. Berrisford, I highly appreciate whatever help comes from this tonight, but please I do feel the need to ask you to NOT let the past cloud over your judgment of the man Alec has become today." I so need to get Alec here…I could already tell Berrisford wasn't seeing me eye to eye on this one.
"Alec as you call him will never be more to me than the cause of my daughter's death." I watched him walk away without so much as a word of goodbye. "I guess Alec's past miss deeds really did a number on him." Gamble stated, "They did a number on them both." I said. Gamble looked to me, "Alec loved Rachel. He just didn't understand what he felt, none would have." I remember still the image of Alec bent over her bed as he cried out how sorry he was.
"Alec did what he could but in the end his own blind trust in Manticore proved futile, as it always does. He learned the hard way NOT to tell them everything. And he lost her and a piece of himself for it." Gamble put his hand on my arm in a show of comfort, "But he has it back again with you I presume." I smiled…yeah… "I'm gonna get Alec down here, he should be here for this." I look around as I state the last part.
Grabbing my cell out I call him up, "Unless you're naked in our bed now is not a good time." He grunted out. Raising my brows at the idea I respond back, "While the idea is tempting I'm at that function I texted you about. Guess what the theme is and guess whose here?" another grunt followed by what sounded like a heave came over the phone before his voice came back on, "I don't know Deck's G.I. Joe posse for the bring 'em back to Manticore soldiers' fund."
Though the sarcasm was there the idea combined with Deck's real life need to have us back at Manticore again had me cringing just slightly, "Funny. No the funding raiser was named after someone you've have personal contact with." Another grunt followed by, "I haven't been out long enough to make those high society connections Max. Who is it?" came forth.
"The 'Rachel Berrisford' fund run by dear ole dad." Any sounds over there completely stop. "Alec?" I ask. "He's there and he named his fund raiser after her?" his dumb questioned followed an equally dumb statement, "And I just bet he's oh so willing to have me over there." Shuffling was heard, "What in the hell are you doing?" I raised my voice in to the phone, snippily since I was getting irritated with all the different foreign noises in the back.
"On my way to you." I rushed out before he could continue, "Just wear some nice slacks and that black shirt you wear with the suit. This isn't a ball gown type of event." "Got it, anything else before I come in?" he asks hurriedly, "Yeah keep your temper down and your eyes open. The front gates are jammed with people trying to get in, Berrisford's temper is here as well and I'm still leery of this event." I just had a feeling when it came to Berrisford today.
His startling presence since his 'I'll help you out' bit around a year ago is a bit sudden, and doesn't present itself on the 'oh great to see you' list. More like on the 'you bailed out over a year ago now you show up out of the fucking blue? What's your angle?' I had suspicions but for right now, I had to make myself look rich. I look at my bottoms…not very easy in fucking jeggings!
I mingle around till two hours later Alec shows up with his own professional, casual attire on. "Alec!" I get my voice just loud enough for him to hear me by. He shifts through the crowd towards me. "He-" I manage to get out before he kisses me soundly on the lips, "I haven't been able to taste you in two days. I'm starved." I smile as his analogy. "After this we can feast, till then, remember my words." He nods his head up in down in a 'yeah, yeah, yeah' manner.
Walking him towards Berrisford – since he was avidly avoiding me – I manage to trap him without causing a scene, "Berrisford how lovely for you to bring this event here." I praise earning smiles from those closest around, "That's very nice of you but-" Alec cut him off, "She would have loved this." Berrisford shot a look to Alec, but he didn't flinch a bit. "You don't know-" temper getting the better of him Alec continues, "She wanted to help people out. She wanted to…" he cleared his throat.
"Her plan was to bring everyone together. In a place like this, casual yet nice looking attire." He indicated the people in the room around us, "And during a key moment she would play her favorite pieces from Mozart, Bach, and Platti as people would round around her and give donations." Berrisford seemed obviously stunned by Alec's words. "She told you?" he was shocked. Clearly he didn't expect for Alec to know Rachel as well as he knew her.
"I loved her very much. Her love for music was very inspiring. Believe me no one blames me for what happened that morning more than myself. No matter how many times you curse me out or tell me it's my fault I already know. Rachel was the best part of me then, just like Max and our unborn baby are the best part of me now. I can't change or alter what I've done in the past…" his head lowered briefly.
"But with each new step I take maybe I can make one more right decision to atone for the mistakes made." I wasn't sure how to react to that and neither did Berrisford, "I…I still hate you but…clearly you are making an effort to try." Then his focus went to me, then to my stomach. Seeing the bump clearly there now he adds, "When you become a father maybe you'll have a better understanding as to how I feel."
Again he walked off, at least this time his mood seemed better. "See temper in check." Alec muttered. Rachel was still an off subject for him. Manticore stole something from him then, something he didn't understand, something he didn't get to say goodbye to or admit how he felt to till the literal day before her death. "Yeah. Want fresh air or to mingle?" I ask looking up at him.
He meets my eyes with sad but relieved ones, "Let's mingle with these soon to be drunk rich ass snobs." I laughed as we walked to the nearest group. Alec worked his magic better than I could have hoped for. Soon he was trading war stories, though slightly altered for gore and placements sake, with vets and those whom had returned a few years back. They LOVED him and I felt proud to latch onto his arm. We even had a few people notice the baby bump.
Those that did congratulated us, asked us when the baby would be born and where we were registered at with baby gifts. I was so clueless on it just as Alec was. Our best and most preferred answer of the day had been 'We've been so busy we haven't had the time for that yet'. Though it did prompt several women and a few guys to give us places to register at…the things people will do for others…if they think you have money or a cause that is.
"Don't tell me you're leaving us yet Ms. Guevara? We were having such a good time earlier." one of the guests came up to me. "Hi, Brenda McCullen right?" I confirmed shaking her hand. We had been introduced earlier in the day. She was wearing a bright white suit that spoke of authority. She helped her husband in which charities to fund. He himself was a powerful figure in Seattle, he was also one of the most corrupt. But if you wanted funding, you had to go through her to get to him.
I was on the fence with receiving their funds. It was why I had been sub sequentially dodging her since we met earlier on in the day. Getting funds from our underground contacts was the furthest we were willing to go. To go to corrupt funders, it could back fire on us as trying to make ourselves more legitimate as a community. Alec was dodging her for completely different reasons altogether. She hadn't stopped looking at him like a meal since they met.
It was getting on both of our nerves, "Mrs. Guevara – McDowell, and yes we were actually thinking of heading out." I had to put the 'Mrs' in there to put more emphasis on the fact that Alec was mine and not her next dish. She seemed to not mind flirting with Alec while he clearly was trying to dissuade her pursuit of him. "Right, right…" again her gaze shifted to him. I shifted into her view, not that it did much good due to his height over me.
"As much as we'd like to stay we do have work to do at home. We would like to thank you though for your
extremely courteous offer. Excuse us." I moved with Alec to leave when Gamble then caught us – with Alec's oldest fan member right beside him, "Surely you two aren't going to leave us just yet." This was getting old, really fast. I was tired of pretending to be something I wasn't and my feet hurt from the heels I'd stupidly worn today.
"Afraid we are. It's been a pleasure to be here but we have a mountain of work to get to back at home. A lot of people do depend on us daily." Alec interfered already knowing my next response was not going to be a nice comment. Gamble tried to keep his face on me and barely shifted his gaze to Alec while McCullen responded, "Oh but with the right funds you two could do so much good." As it was we already were.
The last few charity events had been hugely helpful in supplying us with the cash flow we needed to make the improvements to TC. It was one the main reason – besides Alec and his groups working their asses off – we had gotten three buildings done already. All that was mainly needed was a paint job and furniture. "Thankfully the 'Rachel Berrisford' fund has already made such an impact already, so we thank you hugely for the offer." Alec's way of saying 'no' sounded like a 'yes' in disguise.
But I knew better, he didn't want to cut our chances off completely and I was only on the fence, I could change my mind. Hell Bruno even ALMOST changed my mind…till the fucking son of a bitch stabbed me in the back and left me in the company of super charged up RED soldiers… "So thank you again for you generous support." We dismissed ourselves and walked out.
It didn't hit me till we were in the parking lot, "We didn't just screw ourselves over with Gamble doing that did we?" I ask, slightly scared of what we may have just done. Alec shook his head, "Whether we did or didn't which I don't believe we did wouldn't matter." I look to him stunned, "We have the charity funds needed and have already made mass amounts of improvements to TC. We even have orders in to receive new pipes for cripes sake." I'm still skeptical.
"I just hope we didn't screw ourselves over in there." Guess I'll find out if Gamble calls me in for another event. My answer was confirmed two days later when I got a call from him on my office line. I had completely forgotten to berate him for getting a hold of my private cell number. "Max." I answered, "Lovely time at the charity event." I winced at his tone. "Sorry to have had to left the way we did but we did have a mountain of work that needed to get done." It was true.
When we got back the piping had come in way earlier than we thought it would. Turns out the company sent it in as soon as possible seeing how big the order was. The drop off point had been at a huge warehouse near the water front so the company wouldn't mind dropping it off. As far as they saw it, they were getting a huge payload for the day, and it increased their sales. They didn't mutter a word of complaint and neither did we. But it did make the last few days hectic.
"Well if you're looking for a way to 'redeem' yourself with McCullen then I have a solution for you." Great now I needed to redeem myself with Alec's newest fan club member…why can't Alec do it? She's his fan, not mine! "Really and what would that be?" I questioned, "There's a gala this Saturday night. Its top dollar for you and your kind." Wait… "How big?" I questioned further.
"You're going need a dazzling outfit for the night. Its black tie event and it's the second to last one for a while." That means the funding for us will stop after the one after this. We still do need funds to help finish off the other two buildings and to get furniture into the buildings to. "Okay, wh-" he cut me off, "I already have a place set up where you can get your dress. Consider it a future investment on my part." Not to sure how I feel about that, "Nothing to expensive."
I have to at least prevent unnecessary over spending on my account. "Sure. Just be at 'Selma's Boutique' five on the dot. She'll be waiting for you there and I'll be in at seven to pick you up." he hung up before I could respond. "Cheeky dick." I muttered into the air. "Gamble getting on your nerves," Mole responded from the door. I looked up, "He was already there. It's Alec's newest fan girl that's on my nerves. She's the reason I have to make amends of sorts at this gala thing." My head fell into my hands.
"What the hell for? And who is she?" grazing my hand through my hair I responded, "She's McCullen's wife." His eyes widened slightly, "Yeah you're kinda screwed unless you give her Alec to use as a boy toy for the day." NOT HAPPENING! "Isn't that a bit far?" I asked him. He only smiled, "McCullen's wife is known around Alec's contacts and being that I have had phone conversations with them I know about her." great I only knew of the hubby issue.
"So what's the 411 on her?" I asked, "Bitch has two boyfriends outside of her husband and he has three girlfriends outside of his wife." What the hell?! "What the hell is the point of having a marriage if your gonna have a boy toy or a girl toy on the side?" I snapped out at him. Mole merely shrugged his shoulders, "Beats me. Personally I'm a one reptilian dude but not everyone is like me or your 'princess'." True not everyone guy out there preferred to work with just one female.
"Fine, but now I've got to re-arrange my Saturday. I was suppose to go to a doctors appointment with Alec to see Carr." It was technically the beginning of a new month but still part of the old week. "My pregnancy needs to be checked up on." I was slightly worried about missing an appointment. Carr had said try NOT to miss any. None of us truly knew how things would come out. Gem had been on regulated vitamins during her Manticore pregnancy stay, I was on regular pre-natal vitamins.
"Just arrange it for the morning that way you have plenty of time to be at the gala thing." Mole simplified. I smiled. I couldn't believe I was so stressed out about so many things that a simple re-arrangement didn't filter through my head, "Thanks Mole. If I didn't know any better I'd say you actually care." I teased out. His eyes widened, "Not like that sweetheart." His hands did a crossing motion in front of him. Like cease fire type of thing, it was comical.
"I just don't need Alec on my ass on the off chance he knows you spoke to me bout it and I didn't say nothing." I raised my brow, "He on you a lot lately?" I asked, "Like white on rice. In fact…" he walks further in and shuts my office door. "Not like it's my main business but what's up with the crossed legs lately?" Huh?! "What the hell are you talking about?" I asked. "To be blunt since beatin' around the proverbial bush ain't doin' nothin', why the hell aren't you two still boinkin' bodies?"
I blushed in embarrassment then in anger over his statement, "Our private life is just that, PRIVATE!" I had to resist the urge to screech at him. But he was one of the very few who stood up to me, "Well it ain't as private as you think." My eyes narrowed, "What the hell is that suppose to mean?" I snapped, "What I mean oh fearless leader is that everyone has seen how much extra physical work Alec's been doing with the construction." The hell is he getting at?
I felt a bit dumbfounded. "Point?" I asked dryly. "Seems he's getting rid of excess energy which he should be getting rid of with you." He points at me. I refuse to give in to the urge to break his finger off. He might need it. "Alec and I have both been busy these last few months. I hate my position in all of this more than anyone of us does. I hate pretending to be something I'm not. But like this coming Saturday I'm gonna do it. Cause we need the last bit of funds." My lips are turning up into a snarl as I try to reign in my temper.
"Don't pull that BS with me Max. We're all busy keeping TC running. We still manage to keep our personal lives on track as well. I think you've gotten so focused on making yourself available for 'crappy party' time with Gamble to which your only excess time is spent on shipping orders and paper work, that you've forgotten you've got a partner in the mix." I blanched back.
Had I gotten so focused with our agreement with Gamble that I've been pushing Alec away from me? "Why don't you think about that? Cause you need to straighten yourself out on what is needed for TC. We just need the basics and we're nearly there. Alec's to good a guy for you to screw over for an agreement." He slammed the door on his way out. Damn…had I really gotten so single minded that I didn't bother to consider Alec's feelings on everything?
I mull over Mole's words as I finish off the paper work and go down to where they're replacing the rest of the pipes. Last thing we need is another burst and a stucco job that holds for what a week or two? We needed the permanent or in this case the replacement solution. Going down stairs I ran into Cece. Perfect I could ask her if Mole's words rang true to form.
"Hey gotta question for you." I ran Mole's wording by her, but her face showed not the expression I was hoping for. "To be honest…" she held her hands up in defense, "You have been more center focused on Gamble's game and not so much on your game with Alec. You do realize he's the one your with right?" it was a motion to poke fun of in the end but I still felt the dig.
I nod and walk off towards the piping solution. I've been getting so caught up in the agreement that I've been pushing my mate away. I feel like a fucking heel right now. I better apologize and make it up to him. I mean Mole had a point when was the last time we even had sex? Not that I'll ever tell Mole he's right when it comes to my sex life with Alec cause he'll never shut up! Finding where they were replacing the last of it, I see the new piping.
Alec was down there to…with Gem? I was a bit stunned. I thought she was with Zack in painting the nursery building? I walk up to them, "Hey." They both look to me, no apologetic look, and no walk forward and kiss from Alec once he saw me, "Hey Max." they both said, "We just got down here to see the progress. Turns out ordering big paid off at the end of the day." Alec remarked, grin on his features. I smiled a bit at the work done, which was good, but the lingering doubt was in my head.
Did I push him into…Gem? Gem whom already has a daughter…whom he has been spending time with these past few months…before my thoughts could run any more rampant my OC side smacked me in the head with 'Fool! She's been helping him put notes into the baby book for YOU! She's the only X5 y'all is close enough to, to help out!' I tried to ignore the other side that was telling me maybe…just maybe I was wrong in defending him.
"Right, so how's the paint job in the nursery going?" I asked Gem. She seemed to see the change in tone but responded anyways, "Job's nearly done. But the place needs to be aired out. Even us X5's can't take THAT much extended paint fumes. I couldn't risk Eve's lungs in there any longer." I felt foolish now for thinking negatively of her being down here. I should know better than that.
"Sides at least Zack's been getting the job done right?" he asked her, "Oh you kidding me? He's been doing so much work I was beginning to wonder if he had shark DNA in him or something." she laughed out. I corrected her with a forced smile, "No that was Tinga and Me, Zack…not so sure on his counter-parting DNA." Gem smiled, "You know what? I don't think we've had a whole lot of time to catch up on." she took my arm without giving me the chance to protest.
It left a dumb founded Alec behind to watch the rest of the piping. As soon as we were a couple of hallways away she stopped us, "Max, you can relax with Alec, he's a good man. Here…" she handed me her cell. I looked at her with 'what the hell' etched across my face. "Transfer the large file on there to your phone and listen to it." Doing as told she took her phone and remarked before leaving, "Max, don't forget your appointment with Carr this Saturday." Like I needed a reminder.
I waved her off waiting for the transferred file to be completed. It was a fairly large recording file. What in the hell did she record that I needed to hear? Getting to our apartment I kicked my boots off before slipping into my fuzzy house shoes. File transfer completed I grabbed some paper just incase it was something useful for TC as I put the speaker on before opening the sound file up.
First nothing but static. It told me she had her phone in her pocket while she was walking to wherever she was going. "Hey Alec." She greeted, "What are you doing down here? I thought you'd be with Max?" she asked. His muffled grunt was his answer followed by the sounds of swallowing and a cleared throat, "Max, is off playing 'Gamble's bitch' once again." a small burp was heard from him. I rolled my eyes. "Sounds like you don't like him." he laughed.
"Tell me." he paused, "I won't SAY a word. I promise." Ahh…hence the phone, that way she didn't actually say anything…"To be honest I really don't like the guy. I think he's got something up his sleeve. Something that involves my mate to be precise." I blanched at the phone…What makes him think I trust the guy? I'm on the fence as well here, not just him.
"I don't think Max sees the little things. Like the way he looks at her when she's not looking, or how he speaks sometimes. I'm an 'add-on' to the case. I don't trust him as far as…Eve could throw him." his voice was barely slurred but he did have indication of having drunk…a lot for his voice to be at the point. We X5's have HIGH tolerance levels, but we aren't invincible when it comes to the ethanol factor. "Shouldn't you be telling Max this?" she asked, seemingly closer this time.
"When? The last time we even were in the same room longer than sleeping, and I do mean just actual sleeping…" he seemed angered by that. Not my fault bud you were the one that said let's just sleep! My inner conscious however disagreed with me…But you could have pushed the issue…it's not like he would have protested… "Was months ago. I just want to feel her next to Me." he sounded so far off, like he was in his own little world.
"I just wanna touch her…you know? Hold her…kiss her…taste her…pou-" Gem cut him off before he could go any further into what I knew was going to be a dip into our sex life, "I don't need to know about the extends of your sex life and neither do the rest of the people in here." She scolded. He paused for a minute, "I miss her and we live together. How bad is that."
Sarcasm was heavy on his tongue. "Then tell her. Cause soaking your problems into a bottle when you have a baby due in four months isn't the answer." He snorted at that, "That's rich cause the one event I did make it too, everyone there had thought the baby was Gamble's. HIS! You know how many people I had to tell it was mine?" he snapped at her.
"No I don't know, but I do know the answer isn't at the bottom of the bottle. Talk. To. Her." Gem stated while making a motion action. I couldn't tell what it was exactly only that she made a movement. "Hey!" he snapped back, "What the hell?" now it sounded like someone was shoving someone else, "Until you and Max are back on track you can't come in here anymore. If I have to I'll keep it posted with a few friends." He gruffed out, "Bitch." She paused, "I'll let that go since it's the liquor talking."
Another shove was heard before the phone clicked off. I was pushing him away and he couldn't even talk to me about it. Like you've been giving him the time…We'll talk after the appointment on Saturday. I finalized. I went back down to the pipes to talk to him but surprise, surprise he was gone. Instead of looking all over TC for him I called, "Hey where are you?" he sighed, "I'm in the nursery, watching Eve. Gem needed a sitter for an hour so she and Zack could go and take care of a furniture delivery."
"Oh…okay well I'll come over and sit with you for a bit." I start walking when he says, "Sure you aren't to…busy?" a touch of condescending attitude was in his voice, "Nope not at all. Be there soon." I needed to fix this. Ten minutes later I walked in seeing Alec holding Gem. She was cooing at him as he rocked her in his arms. I paused at the door as I watched him.
My eyes started to water as I saw him fawning over her. "I knew I was right." He looked up to me with startled eyes. "You're going to be a great father." I praise. He looked at me with a smile before he covered up, "Thought you were supposed to be going out again." I sighed, "That's not till Saturday night – however we have an appointment with Carr that morning." I reminded as I saw an upside down bucket to sit down on.
"Yeah, we only have four months to go and I don't think we have anything for the baby yet. How bad is that?" he said something like that before… "We can use a few hours after the appointment to go shopping for baby stuff." I offer. "I think that would be nice, but I'm helping to refurnish the nursery here." Great, now he's pushing me away."I'm sorry for how I've been lately. I just…"
He looked up to me from Eve, "I've completely one minded this whole agreement." 'I shouldn't have' my face told. "While we're out we could look for some baby proof furniture." I offered. He made a face of possibility. "We could leave at nine, be at the appointment then an hour or two later go look around 'babies' r' us' or something." I smiled out. We actually should probably go there anyways… "Sounds like a plan." He went back down to Gem in his arms.
Made me want him to hold our baby like that. "May I?" I asked reaching for Eve. He stood up and handed her to me with ease. Feeling the little tike in my arms – though held bizarrely to accommodate my growing stomach was odd – it felt great none the less. All I have to do was look into her eyes to see what made Zack stay here for so long painting, what made Alec agree to babysit while she and Zack were out. She was beautiful, sweet and had a grin to her face.
Not noticing the look Alec had on his face I felt his presence as he cuddled me closer to him, "I'm sorry I've been so distant. I shouldn't have pushed you away." I barely held my weep inside. Oh hell I didn't hold it inside. My eyes started to blur as he cradled us both in his lap, sitting down, with his arms wrapped around us both. His chin was on top of my head, making me feel even more lived. I didn't know what it was about that gesture that just made me want to swoon like a little girl.
It was warm, loving…just so him and yet… "You were doing it for TC." He cooed me. Wait! He cooed…ME?! "No I should have involved you more than just a few text messages." I was stupid to let it slid for so long. I should tried harder to get him more involved instead of putting things on the back burner the way I had been. But part of me knew why…if I didn't have to deal with the extra emotions I could keep track of them better and NOT blow up. But by doing that I was losing him. I didn't want that. I'd rather blow up and make up than just out right lose him.
I snuggled deeper into his chest and arms as I internally purred. The sound comforting both of us as well as Eve. He in turn – though I wasn't sure if he knew it - purred right back. I decided on NOT telling him he was since it might be an un manly thing to do. And Alec was a manly man after all. Eve merely cooed back at the warm feelings surrounding her. I smiled. This felt very nice. Though I did want to give a little laugh to the fact that we were having a moment with our friends daughter sitting with us, and in the middle of a paint jobbed area to.
"Did Gem…?" I shook my head, "Mole gave me a small warning. Made me think about a few things. Put stuff into perspective." I decided to play with him for a minute, "Why would Gem know?" I asked. He shook his head like it was nothing, "No reason." I smiled already knowing, "So after the next two events, no more. Not unless YOUR with me for all of them. I'm getting frustrated with people getting the wrong impression with him by me." I was getting angered by it. It seemed that unless Alec was there with me no one seemed to believe that the child wasn't his.
"I'll second that. Of course it probably didn't help that I was working so much down with the building refurbishments that I didn't even think about the effects it would have on not being home with you other than an exhausting night. I'm just as much to blame as you are." I smiled, "Thanks but I think we both know I'm more to blame." He chuckled. "We should go out to that baby place and check it out." I decide.
He nods his head, the movement clarifies it, "Good idea. After Carr and before the event on Saturday night. Where is it by the way?" he asked. I opened my mouth but remember, "You know what Gamble didn't give me a location he only told me to go to this boutique place so I could get ready. Apparently it's a high ranked place to be at and I have to look dressed to the nines. I should probably ask him where it is." Noticing I couldn't get my cell out Alec grabbed it from my bra for me.
Dialing the secured 'out of office' line we heard Gamble pick up, "Max, pleasure to hear from you." I sighed as Alec quirked a brow before replying, "Its Alec actually, listen Max mentioned the event thing Saturday night, I was wondering on where it was since I actually have that night free as well." we both felt the pause, "Its at the Hotel Monaco Seattle." Not to shabby of a place.
"Excellent, Max and I will-" for the first time ever Gamble cut Alec off, "I'm sorry but I was only able to get passes for Max and myself. The gala was sold out pretty fast." Well that was pretty much your fucked. "No worries." He hung up the phone. "At least it's not the last one we were at." I remarked, "True. I'm just tired of all the need for the top look." He remarks. "You and me both." I agreed.
The next few days slipped by pretty fast and soon we were getting up and going to Carr's office. Alec drove seeing as how I was constantly adjusting myself in the car. No wonder I wouldn't be able to ride my bike. My stomach would have DEFINITELY gotten in the way of driving. Not to mentioned that Alec would hand cuff me to the bed – and not in any fun way either – for trying something so reckless and stupid. Walking in I see another patient walking out.
She beams towards Alec he acknowledges her but otherwise keeps his focus going. Made me feel that much better with my thoughts. "Oh good to see you two back here. On time to." Carr added looking at his watch. "Hey if its one thing were adamant about it's making it to our appointments. Not quite sure completely on what to do still. I have noticed that I've been having a lot more frequent trips to the bathrooms. Kind of irritating." Not that I had let anyone notice that effect.
I had been seriously thinking about having Daniel or Mole, whomever was closer, to install a bathroom in my office. But constant mental reminders that this would only be temporary and that I wouldn't be pregnant forever was also constantly there. "Been taking the prenatal vitamins?" he asked sitting down taking out my file in a hidden portion of his desk. "Yup and the once a week tryptophan pill to." I point out. I had been keeping up despite my busy schedule.
"Good. Exercising as part of your-" I nodded before he even finished. Smiling he put my file down, "Now you've been doing good so far and from the collaboration I've been doing with Gem your doing fine. Now I will have to do a small exam…" Carr turned to Alec for confirmation to which Alec nodded, "Just to make sure you're far enough along, plus we do have to weight you." My eyes widened at that last part.
"Is my weight really necessary?" I asked. What woman wanted to be weighed? Pregnant or not? Unless she wanted to make sure she was either loosing or gaining weight for what ever reason. "Yes we need to make sure your at the proper weight minimum for the stage of pregnancy your at." Oh…I stand up, slip out of my gym shoes, before slipping onto the scale.
Suddenly feeling the scale looking to far to one end I blurt out, "The weight of my clothes doesn't count." Carr gave me a raised brow, "Max the point is to make sure you've gained the right amount of weight. So if you've gain…" he flipped through a few papers, "At least an extra five to seven pounds then its alright, and best for the baby." Suddenly I felt slightly idiotic. Of course I need to gain weight…for the baby. Call it my inner 'diva' coming out NOT wanting to be anything other than perfect for my man.
"Sorry. I guess even I'm not immune to the normal way of looking at weight gain." I lightly joke. "I can't wait to see you all full and round with my baby." Alec whispers the words so only I can hear. I shot him a stunned look and see the glee and lust in his eyes. I start to realize he actually wants to see me like that. It hit like one of my own smacks to the back of the head.
Duh! Of course he does. You're carrying his child. It's the male genes coming out seeing what their junk did inside of you. Its male pride beaming out that he created something very beautiful and precious with you. The bigger you get – full and round as he put it – the hotter it is to see the woman he loves pregnant with his child. I smile at the thought, "It'll be here before you know it." I whisper back, equally low. His eyes turn dark with something in mind. Though what I'm not to clear on.
What is clear is that their all X rated. "118 pounds. Decent weight gain. We'll have to keep monitoring it though. In the beginning I didn't start to do this since it was mostly about regulating your prenatal vitamins and tryptophan intake. I was worried about the negative possibilities." Right, right if I don't take them it could equal to not so good stuff happening to me and worse yet the baby. "Hey Carr." His face shifts up from his notes, "Do we have a due date yet?" I ask him.
"It'd be nice to know even within a week would be good. That way we wouldn't plan anything during that time." Whether it'd be a heist, a luncheon or whatever else I didn't want to break water at the worst possible time. "From what I can see everything is going at a normal human rate so I'd could narrow it now down to…" looking at his notes once again he looked to his flip page calendar to count forward. "I'd have to say close to October, middle of the month." Okay that was still pretty far away.
At least it seemed to be. "So we decided to start shopping for baby things after we get done here…" I started off. Carr looked to me strangely, "You mean you haven't already?" Alec and I looked to each other, "Haven't really had time to yet." I mutter, "The sooner the better then. Here's a small list of things you'll need right away." He started to write down a list of things for us.
"Wow – that's a lot of things…" I start to get a little squeamish. I really didn't know how to accommodate half of that into the cabinets we had. "I can make some new ones in the bedroom. Maybe even a storage bin under the bed." Alec suggested looking at the list, "It could work out. But instead of the bed why not the crib?" Carr asked us. I for one had a dumb struck look on my face before I covered it up, "Right. Crib." Fuck! Crib! I looked to Alec, he was in the same boat I was in.
"So we'll take this list there and get as much as we can. Thanks Carr." Alec said standing up, taking the list with him. Getting up myself we walked to the door calling out our goodbyes, next appointment already having been made. "No matter what we need to get at LEAST half that list today." No argument broke out, "No problem." We walked to the car. Knowing that the heat was probably still hot for me we donned wigs and different clothing on to throw off who we were.
Blondie wig from Logan's mob mission in place we drove off. Now just to throw some make up over our barcodes…and to brave the inner sanctum of 'Babies' R' Us' which apparently does exist...