Author's Note: Ok, I don't know much about how things were done in the 60s and my research hasn't helped much, so for the purposes of cranking these out in a timely manner and to make things easier on me, we're just gonna suspend belief a little and pretend that my technology and medicine references are correct for the era. Cause otherwise it's too much work and between the hell that my personal life is becoming and school, I don't wanna work. I just wanna sit back and enjoy the wondrous praise I get in the reviews.

Chapter 52: Serenity

Micky sat on the edge of the bed Sarah was sleeping in the next day. She looked peaceful. She'd started regaining some of the color in her face and was beginning to look healthy again. Rose had barely left the room and continued to take care of Sarah and the baby with Micky's help. Micky had slept on the chair to give Sarah the bed to herself and had insisted Rose go sleep in her own bed; he took care of the baby all night. Sarah hadn't woken up. When she finally did, Micky smiled at her.

"Hi," she said softly. She tried to sit up but Micky carefully pushed her back down.

"Just rest," Micky said. "Don't overdo it. You've been through a lot."

"What happened?" Sarah asked.

"You went into labor," Micky said glancing over at Rose who was holding the baby.

"I don't remember it," Sarah said.

"There were some minor complications and we had to give you some medicine," Micky answered. "I'm sorry, but I don't think you will remember it."

"Is the baby ok?" Sarah asked getting worried.

"She's fine," Micky said. "She's very strong willed, just like her mom."

"She's ok?" Sarah repeated sighing a little with relief.

"She's great," Micky answered. "She's beautiful."

"Can I see her?" Sarah asked noticing Rose for the first time.

"Of course you can," Rose said walking over to them. She carefully handed the baby to her once Micky helped her sit up with a lot of pillows and support. "Just be careful not to overdo it. You still need a lot of rest. Your body underwent the worst of it."

"She is beautiful," Sarah said smiling down at their daughter in her arms. "She's already got really curly hair."

"Yeah, she'll be blaming me for that for the rest of her life," Micky smiled.

"Did you pick a name for her?" Sarah asked.

"I was gonna wait for you," Micky smiled.

"Serenity," Sarah said smiling at her. "Hope's sister should be Serenity."

"It's beautiful," Rose said.

"It is," Micky agreed placing a hand softly on his daughter's head. "I love it. Hello, Serenity. Welcome to the world. You're a strong little fighter already and I promise that daddy's gonna make sure you stay safe. I love you. And I love you, Sarah."

"I love you, too," Sarah smiled at him. Her eyes were watering a little; Micky knew she was happy she finally had a baby girl to hold. One she wanted and one that survived. "I love you both."

Over the next several days, Mike watched Micky and Rose take care of Sarah and Serenity. He and the others worked at taking care of the cabin and Emmett while getting the things they needed for the group. Mike caught himself watching Rose from the shadows, which in hindsight he realized was probably creepy. He just couldn't really help himself. She was already so beautiful and she'd been so great with Emmett, but this was different. She was so much more motherly and beautiful with Serenity because she needed a lot more attention. Serenity was ok for the most part, but she was small and had some issues.

A few times in the night she'd stopped breathing for a little bit, but Micky and Rose were always able to help her. After that, one of the two of them stayed awake with her to make sure she was ok. Rose and Micky wouldn't tell Sarah until later; they didn't need to add to her stress levels and both were quite certain that she was just displaying signs of being underdeveloped. They were never completely sure of when Serenity was supposed to have been due, but they both agreed she was premature. Which meant she needed more attention and medication to help her lungs develop better. Rose said she'd probably always be a small child, but Micky didn't care as long as she was healthy. His only worry now was that she'd have asthma, which wasn't a terrible prognosis. Asthma was very treatable.

But Mike stood in the shadows to stay out of the way. He didn't know how to help Sarah and Serenity no matter how much he wanted to, so he just stood back with his friends and let Micky and Rose do what they needed. They'd asked Agent Booth and Doctor Brendan for more medication and a machine that helped purify the air for Serenity. Dr. Brendan even brought a breathing machine to help circulate oxygen through Serenity's blood. It was a newer machine that neither Micky nor Rose had seen, but it seemed to be helping.

Mike stood and watched. And as he watched, he fell even harder for her. He saw himself being with her forever. More so than he ever had with Heather. He knew that he couldn't live without her. She was perfect. Motherly, funny, smart, spunky and beautiful. Everything he needed and more. If he ever lost her, he wouldn't be able to survive. His heart nearly broke just thinking about losing her.

One night about a week after Serenity was born, Mike had finished some work outside and climbed up to bed, completely exhausted. He lay down and nearly passed out. He didn't even hear the door open or see Rose walk in. It wasn't until he decided to get changed for bed that he sat up and saw her. She must not have seen him lying there, or else she didn't care, because she had very obviously just gotten out of the shower. Her hair was dripping and she'd dropped the towel onto the floor. Mike could see every inch of her.

"Uh…." Mike stammered a little when he realized he was staring at her naked body. "I'm sorry, I'll go."

"Why?" Rose asked looking at him as though she were about to laugh.

"I didn't realize you...uh…" Mike started. He knew he should stop looking, but he just couldn't bring himself to tear his eyes away.

"Mike, why do you think I wanted to share a room with you?" Rose said stifling a little giggle. "I don't care if you see me like this or not. To be honest, I had no idea you were in here, but it doesn't matter. In fact, I've been wanting it, but I wasn't sure you were ready."

"Me?" Mike asked stumbling over his words a little. "I thought you...um…"

"I'm fine," Rose said. "I learned to deal a long time ago. But I didn't want to push you."

"I'm ok," Mike said though he was starting to lose circulation in his pants.

"Really?" Rose asked walking over to where he was still sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Really," Mike answered. Were they really about to do this? He felt his stomach flip from nerves a little as she leaned down and kissed him. What if he wasn't really any good? What if she hated it and decided she hated him? He'd only been with one person and she'd only used him.

"Maybe we shouldn't," Mike said pushing her away a little.

"Why?" Rose asked. "I thought you said you were ok. We don't have to…"

"It's not that," Mike said noticing the look of disappointment on her face. "I am ok. I just...I've only been with one person. What if you don't…"

"Shush," Rose smiled. "Don't even think about that. Don't think about her. This is us now. Just you and me and that's all that matters. Besides, even if you're horrible, I won't leave."

"Gee thanks," Mike said laughing a little. It had worked. Her little joke that seemed misplaced at first worked. He laughed and felt his fears and nerves release. But then they came flooding back. "Wait, we already have Emmett and Serenity...should we really risk this?"

"Don't worry," Rose said with a slightly sly smile. "I thought of that." She reached over and pulled something out of the nightstand next to their bed.

"When the hell did you get that?" Mike asked as he realized she was holding a box of condoms.

"About a month ago," she answered shrugging her shoulders. "I knew this would happen eventually and I know neither of us wants another kid just yet. You've got your hands full as it is. So I asked Peter to pick some up when he went to the store last time."

"You really asked him?" Mike laughed imagining how that conversation went.

"He turned red as a beet," she laughed. "But he agreed. Said something about doing you some good. So are we gonna do this or not?"

"Yes," Mike smiled and pulled her close. She ripped open the box with her teeth and dumped the condoms on the bed smiling at him. "I gotta say, that's kinda sexy." She smiled at Mike's laughter and leaned over to kiss him. This time when she kissed him, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her so close they were almost flush with each other. He felt the water from her damp skin soak through his own clothes making them cling to him even more. Mike moaned suddenly needing to take them all off. His hands pushed her away from him long enough to rip his shirt over his head as she worked on his shoes and pants.

When he'd rid himself of his cumbersome clothes, he leaned her back on the bed and pressed himself against her, gently but firmly. She groaned a little and pulled him closer to her to kiss him again. His muscles were sore from the work he'd already done today, but he ignored it and moved to trace kisses all over her body. Now that they were finally doing this, he almost couldn't contain himself. He felt himself pushing into her thighs and was torn between just taking her and prolonging it.

"Mike," she moaned in desperation. "Just do it. Please."

"Are you sure?" Mike asked breathlessly.

"Fuck, Mike, we've both waited long enough," Rose said. "We can play around later. Right now I need you to take me. Love me." Mike smiled and captured a small spot of skin on her neck and sucked it in his mouth while moving her legs apart with his knees. She moaned deeper and arched into him, begging him even more. He finally accepted her desires and sat up just enough to put the condom on before he positioned himself over her. She writhed beneath him trying to get him to move faster making him smile again.

When he finally slipped inside her, they both cried out in relief. Mike felt whole; like every moment in his life was leading up to this. He rocked his hips on top of her eliciting moans and groans from Rose. She arched her own hips into him and pressed her hands into his back, pushing him closer to her and driving him deeper. He pulled away to look at her face and smiled again. The look on her face was pure ecstasy. Her eyes rolled up into the back of her head and she softly whispered his name. It made every muscle in his body react. His heart skipped a beat.

Her nails dug into his back as he continued rocking against her. He could feel her tighten around him urging him closer to the edge. Part of him wanted to prolong it, but he couldn't really stop himself. He had never felt like this with anyone else. Not even Heather. He looked down at the beautiful woman underneath him and his entire body trembled with anticipation and excitement as he watched her face contort in her own excitement. They were both close. Mike moved one hand in between them finding the soft spot between her legs and pushed slightly. His fingers rubbed against her with each thrust of his hips and she bit her lip to keep from screaming.

They crashed over the edge together, crying out each others names. Mike tried to stay quiet, not really wanting to explain things to his friends, but he couldn't help it. His entire body felt like it had been shocked in a good way. His muscles ached even more, but he knew it was worth it. He collapsed on the bed and pulled Rose close to him trying to catch his breath. She rested her head against his sweat laden chest and he could feel her own heart rate beating quickly.

"I love you, Mike," she said.

"I love you too," Mike answered before they fell asleep in each others arms.