Part 32A ****************** “So how is big brother life treating you?” Alex grinned down at Noah as he struggled to keep Nanook from tangling up his leash. The two of them had woken up early to take Nanook on his morning walk. “Not too bad. Leah isn’t big enough to play real games yet, but she’s still the bestest little sister ever.” He stepped over the leash, twisting his arm above his head as he tried to keep pace with Nanook. Alex pushed his hands in his pockets, enjoying Noah’s company, and at the same time, feeling even more anxious for the birth of his own child. He could barely believe it. It seemed just like yesterday that he, Kyle, and Michael had babysat for a two year old Noah, none of them having the slightest clue as to what to do. But now, each of them have one of their own. A special little bundle, just as Noah had been and continued to be. Granted, Michael and Maria had to have one of their own, they were bound to jump onto the bandwagon pretty soon. Alex chuckled to himself as he pictured Maria thinking it would be fashionably late to get started on kids. He tipped his head, his hand reaching out to help Noah with Nanook as they entered the building. “And how are so sure she’s the bestest little sister ever?” He couldn’t help but ask leading questions. He was just waiting to see Noah’s response, and he was never disappointed. “Cos she just is. She’s so much like momma, only a lot littler.” A smile plastered itself to his lips. “And she’s just as pretty too. They have the same smile, but we have the same ears, just like daddy.” He pulled his hands up behind his ears, pushing them out as he made a face. Alex almost doubled over in laughter, clutching at his stomach as his eyes blurred with tears. “I don’t know how much your dad would appreciate that.” Noah shook his head, a mischievous grin on his lips. “It’s okay cos momma likes our ears anyhow.” As they rounded the corner to their apartments, Nanook took off running, causing Noah to let go of the leash. The two of them chased him, both of them calling out to the playful dog. They screeched to a halt when they saw Nanook licking Jamie’s face as she sat in front of her apartment. “G’mornin’ ta you too, puppy.” Jamie nuzzled Nanook’s soft fur, giggling when he continued to lick her. “Morning, Jamie.” Alex smiled, waving as he approached with Noah. Isabel had brought it upon herself to become the apartment complex’s welcoming committee, so the day after Jamie and her mother Joey moved in, she and Alex had brought over a pie, basically welcoming them to the building and to Roswell. Jamie looked up, waving hello to Alex. “Mornin‘, mista’ Whitman.” Alex laughed, shaking his head wildly. “Not Mr. Whitman. It’s just Alex, remember?” She held her hand up to her mouth as if to say “oops” then promptly blushed. “Sorry. I ‘member now.” She stood up, wiping the dust off of her pajama bottoms. She looked up at Noah, her brown hair hanging over her face as she studied him closely. Noah gave her the biggest smile he could muster, holding out his hand. “I’m Noah.” Jamie just stared at him, then at his hand, alternating every few seconds. Alex cleared his throat, placing a hand on Noah’s shoulder. “Noah’s my nephew. He’s here with his sister to visit.” Noah tried again, thrusting his hand forward as he continued to smile that smile that was so reminiscent of Max’s. The one where he looked like a little boy, only Noah was still a little boy. Taking a tentative step forward, she placed her hand in Noah’s giving him a firm handshake. “I’m Jamie.” The three of them stood in silence for a moment. “You wanna come play?” Noah suggested, hoping to break the ice so that he could make a new friend. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea, pal. I’m sure Jamie’s mom is wondering where she is, and we have to get back to make breakfast for your auntie Iz.” Alex said sadly. Noah shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe next time. Then you can come meet my friend Jade.” Jamie’s eyes lit up, her lips curling into a smile. “Oooh, I have a friend named Jade too.” Before either of them could ponder on what Jamie had just said, Michael strode down the hall looking very much like a man with a purpose. He stopped just outside of Joey’s apartment, tipping his head in greeting to Alex. “Alex.” Alex’s eyebrows knotted together, his hand absently scratching his chin as he wondered what Michael was doing there so early in the morning. He didn’t even know that Michael knew that morning even existed, let alone be up and about when the sun was shining. “What’re you doing here? It is still morning, you do realize that, right?” Michael shrugged his shoulders, laughing. “Business. I’m actually here to see Joey.” He got on his knees, ruffling Noah’s hair. “Hey Noah. Whatcha doin’ here?” “Leah and I are visiting, cos daddy was surprising momma yesterday,” he offered. Michael raised an eyebrow at Alex. “So that’s what they’re calling it nowadays?” Alex choked on his laughter, wagging his finger at Michael. Jamie stepped up, throwing herself in Michael’s arms. “Hey Michael!” She gave him a bear hug, pulling back to smile into his eyes. “Didya come ta visit?” He smiled at her, brushing away her messy hair, reminding him of how much her hair was like his when he was a child. No matter what he did, it just never seemed to go where he wanted it to. Then, we he had turned eleven, he Alex, and Kyle had discovered hair gel and practically wore the whole tub on their heads, giving them that wet hair look. He shook his head, wondering why in the heck he was remembering that now. He tapped her nose, slowly standing. “Sort of. I was hoping I could talk to your mom.” Jamie linked their hands, leading them to the door. She looked over her shoulder, waving. “Buh-bye, Alex.” She leaned down, tickling Nanook behind his ears. “See ya later puppy.” Finally she looked towards Noah, smiling. “We’ll play later. I’ll ‘troduce ya ta my friend Jade and then you can ‘troduce me ta yours.” Part 32B *************** “Morning.” Liz let the word roll off of her tongue with a cheerful tone, that even the birds outside couldn’t compare. Nadine shook her head, the smile on her face, undeniable. “Why are you so darn cheerful this early in the morning?” She tapped a finger to her chin, pretending to be deep in thought, when she suddenly let her jaw fall to the floor, her green eyes twinkling. “Oh wait, I know what it is. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that your very handsome, very charming husband was said to have come up here last night carrying a picnic basket and wearing that sexy smile of his?” When Liz didn’t offer any information, other than the grin on her lips, Nadine playfully smacked her on the shoulder. “You know, if you weren’t my friend, I’d really hate you.” “Hate me? What did I do?” Liz leaned against the edge of the table, completely clueless. “It’s not so much what you did. It’s what you’ve got.” Nadine let out a heavy sigh. “Liz, you’re living the American dream. You probably have a house with a white picket fence, 2.4 kids, and maybe even a puppy…..Am I right?” Liz crossed her arms defensively. “Hey, I don’t have a picket fence, and I don’t have a dog either.” The two women looked at each other before bursting into laughter. “Yeah, well you’ve got it made, girl. Me? At this rate, I’ll probably die an old maid.” Liz shoved Nadine playfully as they walked down the corridor. “Old maid?” She let out a snort. “You’re 27, that is not leading to old maid status.” Josh walked down the hall, throwing his white lab coat over his shoulders. As he passed Liz and Nadine, he quickly tipped his head. “Nadine….Liz.” He continued on his way without so much as a look back at the two women. “That was weird.” “You’re telling me. He didn’t even have the gall to look down your shirt today.” Nadine’s eyes narrowed as she followed Josh’s disappearing figure. “Nadine!” Liz self-consciously pulled the flaps of her coat together. “He doesn’t look down my shirt…..or at least I hope he doesn’t.” She stood there, a little dumbfounded that she hadn’t had to ward of any of his weak attempts, at “getting to know her”. “Let’s just hope that Joshie boy has figured out that hitting on every woman in his vicinity is unacceptable.” A mischievous smile played over Nadine’s lips as she continued walking. “Or maybe he just got an earful last night.” Liz felt her face flush, chasing after Nadine. “What did you hear?!?” **************** Joey poured herself a cup of coffee, yawning as she brushed away the sleep from her eyes. The sound of footsteps and the loud bang of the door closing rang in her ears. “Jamie, get in here and eat your breakfast, sweetie.” “Comin’ mommy.” Her words were followed by an excited giggle. “We gots a visitor, mommy.” Joey’s eyes widened, her jaw dropping as she saw Michael appear in her tiny kitchen. “Michael!” Her hands reached up to touch her messy hair, feeling awkward at having been caught unexpectedly. Michael shoved his hands in his pockets, offering Joey a crooked smile. “Sorry to pop by unexpectedly.” He cleared his throat, pointing towards the door. “I was just…is this a bad time? Cos I could come back.” “No…please stay.” Joey offered him a seat at the small table, busying herself at the kitchen counter. “Can I get you anything? Coffe? Juice?” “A cup of coffee would be great….if it isn’t too much trouble?” Michael sat himself at the table, placing his clasped hands on the smooth tabletop. “Cup of coffee coming right up.” She reached over her head, pulling out another mug. “Sugar? Cream?” “Just black, thanks.” He smiled tightly, trying not to cringe at the sound of cream. Ever since the incident with Leah’s milk, he had been staying clear of cream all together. Maria had teased, joking that he was a wuss for letting something so insignificant as breast milk ruin his coffee for the rest of his life. He had tried to act nonchalant, shrugging his shoulders, saying that he was developing a taste for coffee with no condiments. Joey sat down across from him, handing him the mug. “So what brings you by?” Michael placed the coffee back down after taking a sip, letting his hands wrap around it’s warmth. “I’ll just be frank, and come out and say what it is I have to say because that’s all I know how to be.” He took a pause, gauging Joey’s reaction. When she gave him an encouraging nod, he continued. “Maria told me something about you…..that you were looking for family here in Roswell. Normally, I’d say it’s none of my business, and tell Maria to keep her nose where it isn’t wanted, but she mentioned wanting to help you.” A scowl came over his face as he tried to figure out how to say what he was going to say. “I…I want to help too, I guess.” He offered her a weak smile. “That is, if you want it.” Joey felt her heart thumping wildly against her chest, her palms sweating. “I appreciate your offer…..but I have just one question.” Michael tipped his head, a subtle indication that he wanted Joey to continue. She squeezed her hands together, taking a deep breath. “Why are you doing this? You don’t even know me.” “You’re right. I don’t.” His gaze skittered before meeting up with Joey’s. “I just…..we have a few things in common. I…..I don’t have family. And if I did, I would want someone to help me find them.” He smiled softly, standing up. “Just think about what I’ve said. You can feel free to say no, but just know that Maria and I are willing to help with anything.” He walked backwards, waving as he let himself out. Joey let the tension ease from her body, causing tremors to shake her. “Maybe I’ve already found you,” she whispered softly to herself. ***************** Liz looked over the test results she had in her hand, her eyes flying up when she felt someone brush by her. “Oh….hey, Josh.” Josh’s head snapped up, looking surprised to see Liz standing there. “Oh. Hey.” His head dropped back down as he studied the chart he held in front of him. Liz’s eyebrows knotted in confusion, not knowing how to react to Josh’s none reaction. Usually, she had to jump just so there would be breathing space between them, and now, he was acting as if he wouldn’t touch her with a ten foot pole. She was glad for the reprieve, but she wanted to know what the deal was. She didn’t want him playing any games with her, or with anyone else. “What? No offer to go to lunch together, or have a coffee break?” Liz placed a playful tone in her voice, hoping to mask her intentions with a little joke. He looked up again, giving her a wry grin. “No thanks. We don’t get paid to socialize. Isn’t that what you said?” He walked around the table, fiddling with a pen, ignoring Liz again. Liz let out a frustrated sigh. “What’s your problem? I was just joking.” “Joking? Yeah, well you can keep me out of the water cooler topic of conversation, thanks.” A wounded look crossed his eyes before he looked away again. “I know what you guys say about me. I have ears, you know.” “Wha- “You know, that Josh Harper’s a real jerk. He’s way too friendly with the female staff,” he spoke in a mock woman’s voice. When the shock registered on Liz’s face he slammed his chart closed, moving towards the door purposefully. “Where I come from, it’s just called being social. But obviously, we’re on two separate spectrums of life.” He shrugged his shoulders, looking emotionally drained. “I’ll see you later Liz.” He walked out the door, leaving Liz by herself. She sank down heavily on a chair, letting out a breath. She felt awful that Josh heard the things that had been said about him, and even more so that it appeared that he really was just trying to be friendly. That paranoia thing sure sucked.