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Chapter Eight: A New Life

She knew that she had just had a contraction. But as the pain passed, she closed her eyes hoping for a little more sleep. The second one woke her up thirty minutes later with increased intensity. She closed her eyes one more time, the third contraction finally made her wake up. She quietly scooted out of Logan�s arms and out of the bed. Her back had been killing her for a while, but now the pain was more intense. She rubbed at it, as she walked out to the kitchen to get some milk. She then sat on the edge of the couch and looked out the window at the rainy night. As she attempted to set her glass down another contraction come, causing her to drop the glass on the ground. The sound of glass breaking must have woken Logan up because he came running out of the bedroom to find out where the sound came from.

�Everything all right?� He asked walking over to her, slightly squinting due to his rushed awakening which had caused him to leave his glasses on the night stand.

�Fine. Just missed.� She smiled back at him. Let�s not worry him yet, she thought, calm exterior.

�That�s a new one.� He smiled and sat down on the couch behind her. Instinctively, he began rubbing her back.

�That feels good.� She murmured allowing his fingers to help smooth the knots away.

�You sure your okay?�

�Yeah, just couldn�t sleep. The baby is very active lately during the night.�

�Probably doesn�t need much sleep, like his mom.�

�Hopefully, that is not the case or else I am going to have way too many sleepless nights.� She laughed at the thought.

�Hey, I want to show you something.�

�What?�

�You�ll see. Wait here.� He jumped up and walked into his office with a big grin on his face. Just as he left another contraction hit Max, causing her to buckle a little, using the couch�s back for support. The contractions were starting to come quicker and she knew that it probably won�t be long until she is in full labor. Just in case she sat properly in the couch and folding her legs Indian style, while calmly breathing. Logan came back in with a couple of photo�s in his hand. �While I was out I stopped at this store and they had the cutest baby furniture. So I had them take some pictures of some of the ones I thought that you would like. Pick one.� He grinned handing the pictures over as he sat next door.

Max took the pictures and began flipping through the photos. Almost immediately, she started crying.

�I�m sorry...� Logan responding not quite knowing what he had done.

�No. It�s not you. It�s just you went looking for baby furniture.�

�Yeah and that makes you cry how?� He couldn�t quite figure it out.

�It�s just so sweet.� She answered the tears following freely now. Max took his face in her hands and stared at his eyes.

�Well, I just thought that it might be nice of you to have crib, while you�re here. And also a comfy rocking chair, which should be coming tomorrow.�

�You got me a rocking chair?� Max managed to chock out.

�Well, its more like an actual chair, that rocks. So it is incredibly comfortable. So pick a crib and it will be here tomorrow.�

Max again attempted to flip through the photos. She stopped at a simple yet classy craftsman style crib. She showed him the picture and he smiled. �That was my favorite too.� Logan said.

�You know you don�t have too.� Max again choked out in between her tears.

�I know.�

�I love you.� Max simply responded.

�I love you too.� Logan and Max both stared into each other�s eyes, then started leaning together in anticipation of a kiss. But the baby had other things in mind, as another contraction caused Max to jerk away. This one was much more intense. �That was a contraction, right?� Logan asked.

�Yeah.�

�And this wasn�t your first, was it?� Logan suspiciously asked as he watched Max recover from the pain.

�No, but they haven�t been as intense as that one.�

�Max, why didn�t you tell me?� Logan slightly whined.

�I just wanted some moments of peace before the chaos began.� Max answered, but in truth she was also a bit scared about what was about to happen to her.

�Okay, here is what we are going to do. You need to get back into bed, I need to call Sam and Bling. Should I call Cindy and Kendra? I should probably boil some water, right?� Logan started panicking as all new fathers do. He then started to pick Max up.

�Logan, I can walk. Don�t pick me up, truly, its not worth it.�

�Okay.� He looked so befuddled.

�Your cute.� She laughed.

�Max, we gotta get going.� Logan whined.

�Calm down, this baby ain�t coming anytime soon. So you call Sam, Bling, CIndy and Kendra. Don�t go boil water. I will get back into bed and you will make me something to eat.� Max tried to reason calmly with him.

�Okay, but I am going to help you get into bed.� And that he did. She heard him making frantic phone calls to everyone as he was putting together some food.

�So are they coming?� Max yelled at Logan who was still in the kitchen.

�Yeah.� Logan yelled back. �They should all be here in less than thirty minutes. Sam says to get you comfortable and feed if you are up to it, nothing too much, crackers and juice. Also he said not to push until he gets there.� Logan�s voice was getting closer as he walked towards the bedroom. �So I brought you some saltine crackers and cranberry juice.� As he came into the room.

�Sounds like a delightful combination.� Max teased.

�So.� He said simply as he sat the glass and crackers on the night stand. Max was sitting up in bed with a pillow behind her. She was incredibly calm, he thought, considering what is about to happen.

�So.� She smiled back as she drank some of the juice.

�Are you ready?� Such a simple question.

�I don�t know. Guess I don�t have much of a choice.�

�Shut, wait here I should unlock the door.� Logan went running out of the room. He came back seconds later, with a book in his hand. �Okay so let me read about this.�

�You are going to read?� Max laughed as his analysis.

�Yes. Okay so how long have you been feeling contractions?�

�For about four hours.�

Logan stared at her in disbelief. �Okay, how far are they apart?�

�Now about ten to fifteen minutes.�

�Okay, has your water broken?�

�I think so.�

�What do you mean, you think so?�

�I don�t know what does your water breaking feel like?� She asked him, but he just gave her a dumbfounded look. �In the book, what does it say about it?�

Logan�s senses came back to him and he looked through the pages and read, �It just says that it is a membrane of fluid that breaks during labor and during contractions.�

�Okay, well let�s just say it has.�

�How do you know?�

�Logan, just trust me on this one. I think my water broke about forty minutes ago.�

He stared at her disbelief again. �How long are your contractions lasting?�

�Why do I feel like I am being graded?� She teased and smiled, but then winced as the answer to his question became physically obvious. She grabbed his hand and squeezed as they both screamed from the pain. �I�d say they last about forty seconds.� Max answered partially panting from loss of breath.

�Okay. Can I just tell you that you hurt?� Max gave him an evil eye for that idiotic question.

�Okay, book boy read on.�

�I think that you are personally in the first stage.�

�God, I am so glad that Sam is coming.� She mocked and rolled her eyes at him.

�Hey, I�ve never done this and its not like you gave me a lot of time to prepare.� He whined again.

�Can we not go there again?� Max pleaded.

�Deal� Logan answered as he kissed her hand. �Now what can I do?�

�Rub my back.�

�I think I can manage that.� Max rolled to her side and then onto her front in a half squatting/ half laying position. She put a pillow under her stomach to support it and stretched her arms out in front. Logan got behind her and started needing out the kinks. �How does that feel?�

�Good.� Logan continued to massage until another contraction passed over her, this one lasted longer and seemed to be more painful. �When are they going to get here?� Max cried.

�They should be here soon.� Moments later the sound of the door opening was heard. �Hey.� Logan shouted.

�Hey, how is our girl doing?� Bling asked as he came into the bedroom and smiled at the site.

�She�s doing good.� Logan smiled back, he knew exactly what was causing Bling to smile at him.

�This sucks.� Max answered as she turned her head towards Bling, he simply smiled at her. �Don�t smile.� She angrily spit out. The pain was starting to get to her and these two men were standing around smiling at her. Probably thinking that she was cute or something like that, while she was in pain. �You would think with all that my body can handle and do, it would be able to handle this better.�

�You�d think.� Logan teased her. Just then another contraction came. Max held onto the bed and Logan held her hips. He could feel the wave vibrate through her body. Max let out a small scream, which covered the sound of the front door opening again. Kendra and Cindy both ran into the noise. They stared at disbelief at the site, it was a little surreal. Max was screaming and clinching onto the bed; Logan was behind her trying to soothe her, a worried look was on his face.

�I can�t push right?� Max cried.

�Not until Sam gets here.� Logan looked up to see Cindy and Kendra standing next to Bling. �Hey you two.�

�Hey.� They both replied. Max looked up at them and smiled.

�Logan help me move.� And Logan complied, helping Max move back on her back into a sitting position. He placed pillows behind her to help her back. �This sucks.� She repeated to her new visitors.

�Can imagine.� Kendra said as she walked towards the bed and kissed Max on the forehead.

�Will you two stay with her a little while. I need to talk to Bling for a moment.� Logan asked as he got up off the bed. The two nodded their heads and made their way towards their friend.

As Logan and Bling began to leave, Max whimpered. �You�re coming back, right?�

Logan smiled back at her, �Yep, I�ll be right back.�

Logan and Bling left the room.

�So what�s up?� Bling asked.

�I need you to go pick up some stuff.� Logan replied as he headed towards the couch. He picked up the picture that Max had chosen. �Here go to the baby store on Winchester and get this, plus the other stuff that I had ordered yesterday. Tell them that I need the chair and the crib delivered today. Just charge everything to my account and pick up anything else that you think we should have.�

Bling smiled. �So I�m assuming you two made up?�

�We talked and I think we�re all good for now.�

�Good. How are you holding up?�

�Scared out of my mind. You know that she has been having these contractions for hours and only told me right before I called you. Then they are so strong and her body seems to not be able to handle it.�

�She�ll be fine.� Bling tried to calm his friend as he went to the door to get the stuff. Sam was just about to knock, when Bling opened the door. �Hey, take good care of our girl.� Bling said as he walked out.

�I will.� Sam answered and then walked in to find Logan standing at the kitchen counter. �Logan how is she?�

�Fine.�

�And the contractions.� Just then the sound of Max screaming could be heard and then Kendra voice was heard.

�Their coming.� He smiled. The two men walked into the bedroom to find Max screaming and clutching onto Kendra�s hand as Cindy rubbed her back.

�And how are we doing?� Sam smiled at Max who had finished screaming.

�This sucks.� She again repeated.

�Well, let just see how much this sucks, shall we?� Max moved her legs so the doctor could take a look. �You are about eight centimeters dilated. Which is good? How long have the contractions been coming?�

�Since five.�

�Okay and how far apart are the contractions?�

�About ten minutes now.�

�Okay and they last about a minute. Good. And when did your water break?�

�Around seven.�

�Okay and how are you doing?�

�You mean not withstanding the immense pain that keeps shooting through my body. I�m fine.�

�Okay. Can I just check?� He checked her blood pressure and heart rate. �Actually, your heart rate has gone up, so has your pressure. Now let�s see how the little one is doing?� He then proceeded to listen to the baby. �She has a strong heart beat and everything seems fine. Now do you know what we have to do now?�
Max shook her head. Sam smiled and answered �Wait.�

�How long should we wait?� Logan asked as he sat at the edge of the bed stroking Max�s shin.

�We need to wait until you are 10 centimeters dilated before she can start to push. I�m assuming should take an hour.�

�I can�t push.� Max whined.

�Not yet.� Sam smiled. He understood how painful this was and how much all she wanted to do was get it all over with. �I�m going to go into the kitchen and sanitize some of my equipment again. We are going to need some blankets and some boiling water. Would you ladies care to help me.�

�There are blankets in the bathroom closet.� Logan added and looked back at Max who looked like she was going to cry. The other three left the room. �Hey, it�s going good.� He smiled trying to comfort her.

�I know, I just want everything to be okay.�

�It will. Promise.�

�You sound pretty sure of yourself.�

�I�m just pretty sure of you.� He smiled. Max smiled back as another contraction came. She was starting to get awfully tired of this pain. This was so different from anything she had ever felt, it was so intense and overwhelming. She was glad that she was here with Logan and that they had talked. She was glad that everything was back to normal. Her emotions though were on a roller coaster ride and in a few seconds she had feeling she wasn�t going to be as calm. But sitting here with him watching her she felt as if everything was going to be okay. Why did she ever leave this man, she thought.

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The contractions kept coming for another hour and a half, each one was quicker and longer than the last and they were all equally as intense. Logan stayed with her and held her hand as the contractions came. He was actually getting used to her squeezing his hand, though admit tingly it was because he lost all feeling in it about thirty minutes before. Sam came in twice to check on her. Each time saying that they needed to wait a little longer. But with this contraction that was coming Max knew that she was in the final stages of her labor and wanted to push. So she decided that apparently the only way to get anyone�s attention was to yell and that is what she did. �I am going to push now.� She screamed and Sam came running in, Kendra and Cindy soon followed.

Sam had a grin on his face at her command. �Okay, well then let�s get started. On the next contraction I want you to push. Cindy I want you to hold her leg and Kendra grab her other hand. You ready?� He looked up at Max who had a look of pain spread all across her face. She was pushing. �Good. Now wait until the next contraction and push with it.�

Bling knocked on the door and whispered, �Logan.�

Logan looked up and kissed Max�s forehead, �I�ll be right back.�

Max watched him get up and started to cry, �Where is he going?�

�He�ll be right back Maxie.� Kendra answered her calmly whipping her forehead which was now drenched with sweat.

Logan followed Bling into the living room where Bling had placed all of the stuff. �Do you think you ordered enough?� He smiled at his friend.

�I didn�t know what a baby needed. I thought that it was better to have more than less.� Logan smiled. �When is the crib coming?�

�It should be here in an hour and they are going to set everything up for you...� Max�s scream interrupted the conversation.

�God dammit Logan Cale, I hate you.� Max screamed. Logan came running back into the room and was at her side instantly. �If you ever fucking do this to me again, I swear I will kick your ass.� Than the emotions changed quicker than Logan�s response. Max was now crying, �I�m sorry. I didn�t mean it. I didn�t mean it.� Than another contraction came and Max again screamed. �I swear you can not come anywhere near me for at least a year.� Than when she calmed again she went back to crying. �I�m sorry. It just hurts. I want to have more babies with you, I promise. I want them all to have your eyes.�

�Max.� Logan smile grew as he realized just what she was saying.
�This baby is mine?�

�Hey Max, you are doing good. On the next push I want you to press a little harder, okay?� Max nodded at Sam�s commands and then stared back at Logan.

The next contraction hit at the same time that Max realized what Logan had just said. She grabbed him by the shirt collar and pulled him towards her face. �Of course this baby is fucking yours. Who the fuck did you think it was, the tooth fairy? Wait this whole time you thought that this baby was someone else's? You thought that I slept around?�

�No, I didn�t know... I mean I wanted it to be but I just wasn�t sure and I didn�t....� Logan stammered on his words as Max continued pushing.

�Fuck you, Logan Cale.� She screamed in his face. �First you knock me up and then you think that I was some slut!�

�I didn�t...�

�I know.� Max broke in crying again. �I�m sorry. I didn�t think that you thought that... God, I am so tired. I can�t believe that you actually thought that I would sleep around like that on you.�

�I thought that maybe before...�

�Logan,� She looked at him and through the tears she could see his apology, �there was no before you.�

�What?� Logan looked at her in amazement.

�There was no before you. I thought you knew that...� Logan stopped her by kissing her on the lips. She broke away, as another contraction came and the fatigue hit her. �I don�t want to push...� She whined.

�You need to Max.� Sam ordered.

�But I can�t.�

�Yes, you can. Logan I need you to get behind her and support her. Cindy and Kendra I need you to hold her legs.� Everyone did as they were ordered. When the next contraction hit, Max pushed with all of her energy. �I can see the head.�

�Shit, girl.� Cindy replied looking from the head to Max who was still crying.

�Does it look normal?� Max asked.

�So far so good. You are doing good Max. Everything is going perfectly. On the next contraction I need you to push one more time and that should be it. Okay? And then you can rest.�

Max nodded. She squeezed Logan�s hands and leaned back against him. She could feel him kiss the top of her head. The next contraction came and she pushed with every bit of strength she had left.

�Keep pushing.� Sam commanded. �Good job.� He replied as he helped the baby out. �Congratulations you have a baby girl!� The baby hadn�t begun crying yet. Sam was clearing the baby�s mouth out and then the a scream was heard as the baby let everyone know that she was not too excited about being in this new environment. �Here you go.� Sam wrapped the baby up and handed it to her parents. He then proceeded to cut the cord and help with the afterbirth.

�She is so beautiful.� Max whispered as she looked at her daughter. �She has ten toes, ten fingers, two legs, arms and eyes. She is perfect.�

�Just like her mother.� Logan whispered behind her, also starring at his daughter. �Thank you.� He whispered to her.

�Your welcome.� Max answered still starring at amazement at the baby.

�Max, we are all done here.� Sam said. �You did exceptionally well. For a ten hour labor you are quite a tough cookie.� He laughed. �Now I think that you two need some time alone and rest.� Cindy and Kendra both followed Sam out. A few minutes later Logan followed.

�Thank you, doctor.� Logan answered.

�No need. So how does it feel to be a father?� Sam asked although he really didn�t need to, he could tell from the look on the young man�s face how he was feeling.

�Amazing.� Logan simply answered.

�Congratulations.� Cindy added as she gave him a hug followed by Kendra and Bling. �Now you go be with Max and your daughter.� Cindy commanded with a grin on her face. She hadn�t known that Logan was questioning whether the baby was his or not. But now that he did, she was quite certain that everything was now turned upside down and that he was the happiest man in the world.

Cindy, Kendra and Bling stayed all day and helped get everything set up for the baby. Logan laid with Max and their baby just watching in amazement. Sometime during the night Max woke up and caught him starring at her.

�You two are amazing.� He whispered.

�So are you?� She replied. �Logan, you should have asked you know?�

�I know. I tried once last night but you feel asleep. I guess I was too scared that I might not like the answer.�

�And now that you know the answer how do you feel?�

�Like the luckiest man in the world.�

Max smiled. �Good.�

�I want to give you something.� Logan said as he reached into the drawer next to him and pulled out the locket that Max had stolen back for him. �This should have been yours the entire time.� He whispered.

�Logan� Max whispered.

�Let�s start a tradition shall we. My mother would have wanted you to have it.�

Max was crying now. She couldn�t believe how happy she was at this moment. She actually never believed that she would ever be this happy or feel this safe. This was the most precious moment of her life.

�Do you want to hold her?� Max asked. Logan looked up at her with a gleam in his eye.

�Can I?�

�Here.� She gave the baby to her father and just watched as he looked at amazement at this little thing. �It�s hard to believe that we created this, isn�t it.�

�She is so tiny.�

�So what do you think of your daddy little one, pretty cool huh?� She smiled and played with her daughters feet. �Just wait until you can taste his cooking, than you will really know how special he is.�

�So Mom, what do you think we should name her, now that the official introduction has been made?� Logan turned and looked at Max who looked up him and smiled.

�I know exactly Lindsay Rebecca Cale.�

�So that was why you wanted my mother�s name?�

�I just thought that it might be appropriate, besides she looks like a Lindsay don�t you think?�

�How about Lindsay Alexis Cale? She looks like a Lexie to me.�

�You think?�

�Definitely, you can see the fire in her eyes.�

�Okay then Lindsay Alexis Cale, do you like that?� The baby looked up at Max when she asked a blew a gas bubble.

�I think we have a winner.� Logan laughed. He smiled at Max as she leaned on his shoulder and closed her eyes. She was so tired. He loved the feeling of having the two most important women in his lives in his arms. That night Logan Cale went to sleep a very happy man.

Chapter 9