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| Part 48A *~*~*~*~*~*~* Liz watched Max fiddle with the microcassette after having found the recorder that she had taken from Alex on the dresser. She had all but forgotten about the recorder in the heat of the moment, apologizing to Max profusely after he discovered it. �What are you thinking, Max?� He frowned, his hand rubbing the slight stubble on his chin. He studied the tape, wondering how he would get back at Maria for pulling such a stunt. �I�m thinking that maybe Maria is way too nosy for her own good.� Liz shrugged her shoulders. She knew that she should be a little more peeved at the idea that Maria would go to such lengths to find out about the baby, but she had to give the girl credit. Despite being just blessed with two gorgeous babies, Maria was still concerned enough about her, no doubt trying to pull off another surprise baby shower. �She wouldn�t be Maria if she wasn�t, now would she?� Chewing on his bottom lip, Max looked thoughtful as he tapped the tape against the edge of his chin. �I just wish there was some way we could get her back.� He was quiet for a second before a devilish smile crossed his handsome face. Feeling uncomfortable at the roguish glint in his eyes, Liz closed the flaps of her robe tighter against her chest. �Max Evans, what are you up to?� He just smiled. �I think I�ve got just the thing to get hurricane Deluca-Guerin to keep her nose out of our personal affairs.� Scrunching up her nose, Liz eyed him warily. �Why am I not liking the sound of that?� But before Liz could coax the details of Max�s plan from him, Leah appeared at their door, looking mighty confused. She held up her hands, her head cocked to the side. �Where�s bweakfast?� Max rolled his eyes in jest, stuffing the tape into his pocket before stooping down low to pick up his daughter. He tickled her sides, delighting in her giggles and squirming. �I thought you were still sleepy?� She lay her head on his shoulder, her voice so tiny. �I couldn�t sleep no moe.� She looked over at her mother on the big bed before urging her daddy to let her onto the bed so that she could greet her mother. When she finished peppering her mother with kisses, her lips turned into a pout. �When�s da bebe gonna git hur?� Brushing her daughter�s thick dark locks away from her pretty face, Liz smiled. �Not for a while yet, honey.� Max joined them on the bed, agreeing with Liz. He sprawled out on the bed, his head resting on his open palm as he leaned on his elbow. �The baby is gonna be inside momma�s tummy for nine months.� Leah�s eyes grew wide with surprise. �Nine momphs?� She asked with such wonderment as if she understood how long nine months really was. But that wasn�t what was boggling her mind. The idea that her little brother or sister was inside her mother was making her wonder how the heck the baby got in there in the first place. �How come da bebe in der?� Patting his wife�s still flat belly, Max�s smile turned proud and adoring. �The baby stays in momma�s tummy until they�re ready to be born.� Horrified, Leah held her tiny hands to her mouth. �Momma, why you eat da bebe?� Liz chuckled before scooping up her daughter. She loved just how innocent her baby was, taking things so literally. She kissed the tip of her nose, trying to reassure her that she didn�t eat her baby brother or sister. �I didn�t eat the baby, honey. This is where the baby grows until he or she is ready to come out.� Tentatively touching her mother�s stomach, Leah still looked skeptical. She didn�t want to believe that her momma had eaten the baby, but she still needed an explanation. �Den how come da bebe in der?� Joining the conversation, Max tried to best explain without giving more information than Leah was really asking for. He had learned his lesson when they had given Noah this talk when Liz was pregnant with Leah. �Puddin�, the reason why the baby�s in your momma�s tummy is because that�s the safest place to be. Your momma is protecting the baby until the baby�s big enough to be out here with us.� Smiling her gratitude for handling the situation like a pro, Liz reached out and squeezed Max�s hand. His words were definitely a lot better than his speech to Noah three years ago. Max still hadn�t lived down the �too much love, we didn�t know where to put it� phrase. Leah�s lips curved into a small O as she moved closer to her mother. �Canned I talk to da bebe?� Looking more than pleased that his little puddin� was warming up to the idea of having another baby in the family, Max nodded. He could still remember Noah resting his face against Liz�s swollen belly, very pregnant with Leah, his voice full of excitement as he shared his day with his baby sister. �Of course, you can. The baby would love it.� Grinning, Leah stood up on the bed, promptly opening her mother�s mouth so she could speak inside. �Hi, bebe. Am Leah. Your big sistah.� When Leah let go of Liz�s mouth, Max scratched the side of his head in confusion. �Puddin�, what are you doing?� Leah shrugged her shoulders as if her daddy was asking the dumbest question in the entire universe. She put her hands on her hips. �I need to talk da bebe an da bebe is in momma�s tummy.� When her parent�s still looked at her dumbfounded, she released an exasperated sigh before jumping off the bed. �If I don talk in momma�s mouth, da bebe won hur me.� She exited the room, her voice rising as she called out to her older brother. �Noah!� Letting out the laughter she had been holding in, Liz turned to Max who was equally amused. �She has a great imagination, doesn�t she?� Max let out a howl of a laughter, his head shaking from side to side. �That�s the first time I�ve ever heard of anything like that.� Blowing out a whistle, he shook his head again. �Talking through your mouth so the baby can hear...� Liz nodded with a laugh before standing to get breakfast ready. �I guess that�s the reason you�ve always got your tongue in my mouth,� she whispered mischievously, running quickly to get out of her husband�s grasp. But Max had much longer legs, and stronger muscles. He heard her squealing as he hefted her up onto his shoulder, promptly carrying her down the stairs to find the children preparing four bowls of cereal. Noah hovered over his little sister, watching as she tried to pour milk in all of the bowls. He knew how important it was for Leah to do it on her own, so he stood back, watching her just in case she needed his assistance. When Leah was done, she smiled at her parents. �We made bweakfast!� Feeling the blood rushing to her head, Liz swatted Max�s back, urging him to let her down so that she could thank the children. Eyeing her parents curiously, Leah asked. �Can I have a turn?� More To Come.... |