Part 30A *************** “But mommy, I don’t wanna go! I wanna stay here wit you!” Jamie hugged her body to Joey’s leg, clinging to her mother like a lifeline. “Please?” Joey stopped her movements momentarily, extricating Jamie from her leg. “Jamie, we talked about this. It’s only going to be a couple of hours. Besides, you’ll to get to play with someone your own age.” Jamie’s lip trembled, her voice soft. “Please mommy? Please don’t leave me. Not like daddy.” “Oh Jamie.” Joey sat down on the floor, beckoning her daughter to crawl into her arms. She lay a soft kiss on Jamie’s head, holding her tight as she whispered in what she hoped was a reassuring voice. “I would never leave you, Jamie. Never.” Jamie let her tears soak into her mother’s blouse. “That’s what daddy said, but he never came back.” Her eyes shut tightly, willing the pain away. “Honey, I’m not your father. Leaving you behind is not an option. We’re in this together, remember?” She pulled back, giving a tentative smile. She brushed away a tear from Jamie’s chubby cheek, her fingers curling in her hair. “Remember?” Jamie hiccupped, wiping at her nose. “I ‘member. We’re togeder till we find him.” “That’s right. And when we find him, we’ll be one big family. You, me, and your brother.” *********** Michael tied his apron around his waist, reaching to tie a bandana over his head. “You okay?” “Huh?” Maria wrinkled a napkin in her hand, her voice slightly startled to hear Michael’s voice penetrating her thoughts. He sat down in front of her, taking the wadded napkin out of her hand, tossing it into the trash. “You’ve been somewhere else all night. What’s going on in that pretty little head of yours?” She leaned her elbows on the stainless steel preparation table, her chin resting in her palm. “Nothing,” she sighed. “Just thinking.” Michael frowned, crossing his arms in front of his chest. “What, no banter?” He placed his hand over her forehead, pretending to feel for a temperature. “You’re not sick are you?” “Michael!” She swatted at his hand. “I’m fine. I’ve just got a lot on my mind. I have the new hostess starting tonight, and I’m babysitting. My mind kinda seems like mush right now.” “Speaking of, she isn’t the one with the nails, is she?” He held out his hands, wiggling his fingers. “Cos I didn’t like her. She kept looking at me funny.” Maria gave him a soft pat on the shoulder. “That’s because you kept staring at her nails.” She stood up, grabbing her keys. “Look, I told mom and dad that I’d watch Jade for a few hours tonight.” She slipped her purse strap over her shoulder, waving as she went out the door. “Joey doesn’t have a key yet, so you’ll have to let her in. She’s bringing her daughter Jamie, so keep them company until I get back!” Michael hurried out the door, tugging at his apron. “MARIA! You can’t just leave!” He blew out a breath, holding onto the bandana that he had just ripped from his head. He walked back into the back, muttering under his breath. “I shoulda known…….I don’t know why I always let her do this to me.” A soft shuffle, alerted Michael to someone’s presence. He turned his head quickly, his voice louder than he intended. “Who’s there?” “Mr. Guerin?” Joey stepped out from behind the shadows, smiling sheepishly. He held a hand to his chest, feeling relieved. “You scared the heck out of me. What are you doing out here in alley, anyway?” His eyes narrowed when he realized she was holding something behind her back. “DON’T COME ANY CLOSER!” He pointed a finger at her. “HOLD YOUR HANDS WHERE I CAN SEE THEM!” Joey was startled with Michael yelling at her, that she held her hands up in the air, pushing Jamie further behind her. “I’m sorry. I’m just looking for Maria. I’m supposed to start as the new hostess. I tried knocking on the front door, but no one answered.” She backed away a little. “I didn’t mean to bother you. I just….please, don’t hurt us.” Jamie stepped out from behind Joey, her eyes pleading with Michael. “Please don’t hurt us, mister. My mommy really needs this job.” Joey yanked Jamie to stand behind her again, hissing at her to stay out of sight. Michael felt the color drain from his face as he realized who they were. “Oh yeah. I‘m definitely sleeping on the couch tonight,” he said under his breath as he ran his hand down his face. *************** “Whatcha doin’, Dexter? Huh? Where’s your brother?” Kyle pulled off his Deputy’s hat, making himself comfortable on the floor next to Dexter. Dexter smiled up at him, handing him a chewed up toy block. “My brodder’s in da room.” He smiled as he pointed in the direction. “Court Court’s der too.” Kyle smiled. “Court Court’s there too huh?” He stood up, sitting Dexter on his shoulders as he tiptoed towards the bedroom. He held a finger to his lips, encouraging the little boy to be quiet. “We have to be quiet. We’re huntin’ wabbits,” he played. Dexter let out a giggle, unsuccessfully hiding it behind a chubby fist. “We huntin’ wabbits!” As neared the door, Kyle let Dexter down, whispering to him conspiratorially. “You get Court Court, and I’ll get your brother, okay?” Dexter nodded excitedly, turning towards the door as Kyle gave his bottom a push. “We comin’ to get yous.” Kyle shook his head laughing, running inside to help wreak havoc. **************** “You’re too good to me Alex.” Isabel felt her head rolling backwards as Alex massaged her swollen feet. She definitely had it made. Alex looked down at her, smiling a little. “I take it that you’re feeling a little better?” “Oh, I’m in heaven,” she sighed dreamily. “Remind me to buy my brother a big fat cake the next time I see him. He’s an absolute angel for teaching you how to do this.” He grinned triumphantly. He’d have to remember to ask for extra frosting on that cake. Nothing was too good for Max, considering he was kind enough to give him pointers on how to keep his very pregnant wife from screaming into the fiery pits of hell complaining about the disadvantages of being pregnant. Oh yeah! Max was definitely gonna get his just desserts. Literally. **************** “How’s my beautiful little lady?” Max rocked Leah in the rocking chair, softly cooing in her ear. “I thought I was your beautiful little lady?” Liz stood up from where she was leaning against the door frame. She held her shoes in one hand, dropping a kiss on Max’s head, then onto Leah’s nose. “You know, a girl could start getting jealous with the way you shower people with your affection.” Max blushed, shaking his head with a laugh. “No need to get jealous. All of my affection is saved for my two lovely ladies.” Liz nipped his earlobe playfully. “You’re a real smooth talker there, buddy.” “MOMMA! You’re home!” Noah ran into the room, propelling himself into Liz’s arms. “What took you so long?” Liz fell back a little with the force of Noah’s hug. Her little man certainly wasn’t so little anymore. “I wasn’t that long honey.” She brushed away his curly hair, kissing the smooth skin of his forehead. “I was waitin’ for you, momma. I wanted to show you something.” He pulled away from her, grinning. “Ooohh. What do you have to show me?” He shook his head at her, pulling her up. “I can’t tell you. It’s supposed to be a surprise, silly.” Liz let Noah lead her out of the room, her other hand reaching for Max’s. “A surprise? Now you’ve got me all excited.” Max wrapped his arm around Liz, holding Leah to his chest as he whispered. “You’re gonna love this.” “You already know?” Liz pouted, batting her eyelashes. He pulled her to him, just so that their noses were touching. “Oh, don’t be such a sourpuss, babe.” Liz lay her arms across his shoulders, nuzzling his nose. “Sourpuss?” she giggled. Noah let out a heavy breath, shaking his head at his parent’s antics. “Are you done yet? I wanna show you already, momma!” “Ooops. Sorry there, boss. Your momma and I didn’t mean to get carried away.” Max gave Noah an apologetic look, then turned his head to give Liz a playful glare for getting him in trouble from the boss. Liz’s laughter filled the air, as she followed her son. “Lead the way, my precious.” Part 30B ************** Noah tugged on Liz’s hand, asking her to keep her eyes closed. “I mean it, momma. No peekin’!” Liz threw a hand over her eyes, giving Max a pinch on his side when she heard him snicker. She walked slowly, trying to get a clue of what her surprise was. “So, about my surprise….” “Nah uh! No fair. You can’t guess.” Liz felt herself shiver when she Max’s breath was on her ear, tickling the sensitive skin. “Cheating isn’t allowed,” he teased. “Yeah? Well I hardly think this is fair. The two of you are conspiring against me.” Liz felt Max place his hand on the small of her back, guiding her down the stairs, one at a time. “Conspiring? I think not,” he scoffed. “Your son was the one who came up with the whole thing. I’m only complying to his wishes.” Liz’s smile grew wider as she heard Max’s words. “Can I open my eyes yet?” “One more second.” Noah gave her hand a squeeze, giving it a quick kiss before running off. He finished setting up his surprise, giving his dad a nod to allow his mother in on the surprise. “Go ahead, babe.” He gave her a little push in the right direction, his hand curling to give Noah a thumbs up. Liz pulled her hands away from her eyes, her breath wooshing out of her body in a loud gasp. “What’s this?” “It’s a pitchure of Leah and me,” he said proudly. He traced the matte finish of the paper, handing it to Liz. Liz smiled softly, cupping Noah’s cheek. “When did you guys get this done?” She stared in awe at the picture, loving how both of her children were smiling right at the camera, almost as if they were staring right at her. Noah was sitting a bluesky background, with Leah perched on his lap, his arms wrapped delicately around her. “Today. Daddy took us to the mall, and we had our pitchures taken for you.” Liz kneeled down, pulling Noah into her arms. “I love it.” She kissed his cheek, squeezing him tight. “First thing tomorrow, I’m going to frame this, and put it on my desk at my office so it’s the first thing I see every time I get to work.” Noah let out an awed smile, surprised that Liz was so charmed by his picture. “Really?” “Uh huh. This is going up first thing tomorrow.” Liz stood back up, placing a kiss on Max’s cheek. “What was that for?” he grinned. “That’s for giving me the most precious son in the whole world………thank you.” ****************** Michael ran a weary hand over his face, trying to think of a way to salvage the situation. He really needed to work on that paranoia aspect of his personality. He held out a hand, giving his most sincere expression. “Look, I’m sorry I scared you guys. I’m really not crazy, maybe a tad paranoid, but that’s a whole ‘nother conversation.” He paused, taking a deep breath. “I’m Michael. Michael Guerin. I’m Maria’s husband.” Joey held onto Jamie’s hand tightly, stepping into the dim light of the alley. “I guess I owe you an apology too.” She smiled weakly. “I’m new in town, so I’m right there with you on the paranoia.” She reached for Michael’s hand, giving him a firm handshake, her smile faltering when he smiled. Michael gave her a genuine smile, scratching the side of his eyebrow. “Well, I know it may be a little late, but let me welcome you to Roswell; home of little green men.” Jamie peeked out from Joey’s side. “Is that really true?” Michael crouched down so that he was at eye level with Jamie. “You must be Jamie.” She gave him a shy nod, ducking her head when Michael smiled at her. “Well Jamie, what do you say I tell you a few stories about the little green men?” He looked up at Joey, offering his hand to Jamie. “That is, if your mom doesn’t mind?” Jamie placed her small hand in Michael’s large hand, looking up at her mother with pleading eyes. “Can he, mommy?” Joey nodded tightly, watching as Michael walked Jamie into the back of the restaurant, letting her sit on a stool as he began a tale of how the aliens crashed on earth. She took a moment to collect herself, before following them inside. She didn’t know what it was about Michael, but when he smiled at her, something about the way his eyes lit up, the way his smile was slightly crooked, it struck a cord in her. There was something so familiar about him, like she knew him before. **************** “Sorry I’m late, but little miss was being difficult.” Maria breezed into the restaurant, throwing her hand in the air as she pulled Jade inside with her. Jade crossed her arms, sticking her tongue out behind Maria’s back. Michael stifled a laugh when Maria’s voice rose a few notches higher. “And you better stop making faces behind my back, or else mom is sooooo gonna hear about it, and then no more play dates with Noah for a week,” she taunted. Michael picked up Jade, sitting her onto a stool next to Jamie. “She’s got eyes behind her head,” he answered the unasked question. Jade giggled behind her hand, before turning to Jamie, her head tilting to the side as she studied the other girl curiously. “Who are you?” “I’m Jamie. Who are you?” Jamie tugged on her baseball cap, shielding her eyes as she continued a staring contest between Jade. “I’m Jade. How come I never seen you here bufore?” “That’s because Jamie and her mom just moved into town. So you be nice to her, kiddo.” Michael ruffled Jade’s curls, leaving the two girls to continue staring each other down. “You like barbies?” Jade crossed her arms in front of her, waiting for a reply. Jamie shook her head, sticking her tongue out. “Ick! Barbies are no fun! They don‘t do anything cool.” Jade let out a patented Maria smirk. “Me too. Wanna come play with my toys? I gots x-men and trucks.” “Mommy, can I?” Jamie jumped off the stool, tugging on her mother’s pant’s leg, her big brown eyes pleading. Jade followed suit, standing next to Jamie, her head leaning against the other girl’s. “Can she? Please?” Joey was beside herself with smiles, watching the two girls plead with her. “You sure seem to know how to bargain,” she joked. Michael breezed past her, whispering conspiratorially. “Runs in the family.” “I heard that!” Maria ushered the kids into the office, smiling as she watched Michael duck into the kitchen quickly. She walked up to Joey, placing a hand on her shoulder. “So? Everything okay?” Joey smiled warmly, her gratitude for Maria’s big heart unfathomable. “Everything’s great. I can’t thank you enough.” “No thanks needed. Just do a good job.” She watched the comfortable way she moved around Michael, the way the two of them joked, and just with the general way Michael was with her and Jamie. It was the way he treated their extended family. “So, Michael’s been nice, right?” “More than....Maria, you and Michael are like a godsend. You’ve been so kind to my daughter and me, and you guys don’t even know us.” Maria smiled, leading Joey to her station. “I believe in fate, and karma, and all that junk. I think that we were meant to meet. There’s something about you Joey....” She shook her head smiling. “I haven’t figured it out yet......but, in time. What’s that saying? Good things....” “Come to those who wait,” Joey finished for Maria. “There you go. We’re totally brain meshing here,” Maria laughed. She tapped Joey’s shoulder as she walked away. “Nice to have you on board.”