Meet The Maxwells - Chapter 31

Chapter XXXI

My Precious Child
~ * * * ~

Rebecca was passing Jax and Gene suite when she heard sobbing coming from their room. She gently knocked on the door and asked, "Gene, are you all right?"

Gene's weak voice came back, "Oh, mother Jamison, please.....help me."

Rebecca wasted no time - she pushed the door open and entered the room. She found Gene hunched over by the edge of the bed clutching her stomach. She ran over to the young woman, helped her onto the bed and propped her knees up on a pillow. Gene was shaking and Rebecca tried to make her feel better. "Don't worry, dear," she said, "you're going to be just fine."

Gene looked up at her with tears in her eyes and pleaded, "Oh, please, I can't lose this baby....please...."

Rebecca went into the hall and called for one the servants to fetch Jax from the stables. Then she went back into the room and held Gene's hand. "Don't worry, Gene," she began, "Jamisons are made of sturdy stock - your little one is going to be just fine!" And she hoped it was true.

"I need Jax," Gene said with a trembling voice.

Rebecca replied, "I already sent for him...he will be here any minute - now you just try to relax."

Jax flew into the room. "I came as soon as I could," he said, gasping for breath. "Gene, baby, what's wrong?"

Gene started to cry openly when she saw him, "Oh, Jax, I'm so glad you're here! I'm so frightened. I can't lose this baby.... I just can't, but I'm having contractions!"

Jax lost no time, he scooped Gene up in his arms like a little doll. "I'm taking you to the hospital! Mother, please call them and let them know we're on our way. Gene, baby, it's going to be OK, you'll see.....you'll see. Please don't cry, baby."

Gene rested her head on Jax's shoulder. She felt so safe in his arms, as if nothing bad could happen to her now.

Jax looked at Gene and couldn't help but worry, her body was trembling, her face was flushed, she was perspiring, and she began to ramble. As he carried Gene down the stairs and out the door, Rebecca called after him to drive safely and that she would meet them at the hospital.

Gene didn't remember much after that. She remembered feeling safe in Jax's arms. Her head hurt, pain crossed her abdomen in waves, and the room began to spin. By the time Jax got her settled in the back seat of the car, she had passed out.

~ * * * ~

Meanwhile, having no idea of what was happening at home, it was a wonderful and exciting day for Leila and Mike. This was the day they were bringing their little girl home! Leila had been so excited all morning and couldn't wait to get April. They had found a wonderful home for the three of them, and they were going to pick April up at the hospital and take her to see where she would soon be living.

April had equally been excited. She couldn't wait to be part of a real family. She had been shuttled from one foster family to another for so long, she couldn't remember ever having anything that was hers alone. Now, she was actually going to have a mommy and a daddy.

When Mike and Leila took April to see her new home, April was speechless. It was the most beautiful house she had ever seen! And, so big! "Are we really going to live here?!" she asked. Leila had tears in her eyes and said, "Of course, sweetie, this is your home now, too. Would you like to go and see your room?"

"I have my own room?" April squeeled. "Yes," said Leila, "and I hope you like it!" Actually, Leila had taken great pains to decorate the room so April would love it. She remembered that April's favorite color was lavendar, and that she loved dolls and stuffed animals.

When they entered the room that would be April's, April was excited. She ran over to the bed, which was draped in lavendar and covered with stuffed animals. Then she looked at the vanity table full of dolls, stuffed animals, and pretty little girl hair ribbons, mirrors, feathers, and all kinds of pretty things.

Mike asked her, "Do you like your room, April?"

April turned to look at him with disbelief in her eyes. "This is all MINE? I can't believe it! Oh, it's so beautiful! I love it, I love it, I love it!" she squeeled.

She ran over to Leila who scooped her up in her arms and threw her arms around Leila's neck. "Oh, thank you so much,...er..."

Leila kissed the little girl's cheek and said, "If you'd like to, you could call me Mommy. Of course, you don't have to if you don't want to."

Mike patted her back and said, "And, you can call me Daddy, if you want to."

April hugged them both and said, "I love you Mommy and Daddy!"

The new little family decided that they would go out and celebrate. Since the weather was so beautiful that day, they decided to go to a cute little sidewalk cafe for lunch.

As they were finishing, April climbed up in Leila's lap. Leila stroked her beautiful daughter's hair. It felt so right...the three of them here like this. What more could she ask for.

Mike looked at his instant family and thought how lucky he was. This is what I've always wanted he said. A family of my own. He couldn't help but think about Leila's face when he managed to find the baby she gave away at birth -- and find her he would. He had gotten close twice now, but it hadn't worked out. But, he had the best investigators working on it and he knew that it was only a matter of time.

Mike looked at his new family and said, "Are we ready to go home now?" April's eyes opened wide and she said, "Our new home?"

Both Mike and Leila let out a little laugh and Mike said, "Well, not yet, sweetie, in about a week or so. It's not quite ready for us to move into yet. But soon, I promise. For now, we're going to live on a ranch with Leila's family." April's face lit up "A real ranch - with horses!" "Yes, honey, with horses," Leila said as they got up to leave.

The new little family was so happy that they never noticed the blonde sitting a few tables away. But Lauren had noticed them and had heard all that was said. She watched them leave as a tear slid slowly down her cheek.

~ * * * ~

Max had come home a little late that evening. He had been at the gym for his workout, prescribed by the doctor after his heart attack. He entered the living room and found Madra working on her needlepoint, her beloved poodle, Bo, by her side.

"Hi, darling," he said, "sorry I'm a little late, but I was at the gym. Are the girls in bed? I had hoped I'd be home before they were asleep."

Madra looked up at him and smiled. "Yes, darling, they had quite an exhausting day today - shopping and then lunch with you. Emma was unusually cranky, so I gave them an early supper and bath and put them to bed. Have youi eaten your dinner, yet?"

"I grabbed a quick dinner before I went to the gym," he said as he took off his vest and sat on the couch next to her.

He put his arm around her and said, "Darling, what's wrong - you were so quiet at lunch today. Is something wrong?"

Madra put down her needlepoint and turned to look at him. He could sense that she was a little uneasy so he coaxed her again, "What is it darling? Please tell me."

Madra let out a sigh and said, "I ran into your old girlfriend today while I was shopping with the girls."

"My old girlfriend?" he asked. "Yes, Vanessa," she replied in a haughty air to mimic Vanessa.

Max looked perplexed, "I told you, she's was not my girlfriend."

Madra took a deep breath and said, "Well, that's not what she led me to believe. She told me that you were her first lover! Max, I think she's still in love with you! Why haven't you told me about her?!"

Max looked at his beloved wife, tears so close in her eyes and said, "Madra, you know I have a life before you, and I know you had a life before me. What happened before is not of any consequence. I do not, and have not ever, loved Vanessa. You, my darling, are the one and only woman to hold my heart. I love you my darling -- deeply and completely."

"Oh Max," Madra sighed, "I love you so much."

He pulled her on top of him then and she could feel him fumble with the zipper of her dress. In one fell swoop, he unzipped her dress. "Max," she cried, "you devil!"

"What," he said, "I just want to see who made this beautiful dress so I can thank them!"

They were both laughing then and Max kissed Madra again.
Max took Madra in his arms and kissed her. He unbuttoned the blouse and started to remove it. "You know, darling," he began, "I really love this dress you are wearing today! I have thought about nothing else all day...you in this dress. Let me see it more closely."

She let out a giggle and said, "Oh, Max, I can't stay angry with you for long! Stop that!"

"What?! Stop?! No, it can't be....." he said as he nuzzled her neck. He could smell the sweet smell of her lavendar perfume and his head was spinning with desire.

Madra felt so comfortable in Max' arms. This is where I belong she thought.

Max looked at his beautiful wife and knew he was a lucky man. "I love you so much, darling. I want you," he whispered as he kissed her neck. He could smell the sweet scent of her lavendar perfume and he was filled with desire.

All of a sudden the cries of one of the girls broke their tender moment. Madra jumped up, zipped up her dress, and said, "I'll see to her, Max."

Max held her hand and said, "Hurry back, darling...." as he kissed her hand.

Madra slowly pulled her hand from his grip, threw him a kiss and headed upstairs to tend to her daughter.

When Madra left the room, Bo quickly jumped up on the couch next to Max. Max petted the little poodle while he admonished him, "How many times have I told you that you don't belong on the furniture, Bo?" The dog merely licked his hand. Max laughed and said, "Bo, you're hopeless."

Max had not heard Madra enter the room, but sensed her presence. He looked up to see her carrying Emma. The little girl's body was completely limp and he could see that Madra was crying.

Fear pierced his heart as he heard his wife say, "Max, Emma is so sick! Her fever is so high, and she's delirious! She didn't even know me! Oh, Max......Max......I'm so frightened!"

To be continued.......

	Meanwhile, having no idea of what was happening at home, it was a wonderful and exciting day for Leila and Mike. This was the day they were bringing their little girl home! Leila had been so excited all morning and couldn't wait to get April. They had found a wonderful home for the three of them, and they were going to pick April up at the hospital and take her to see where she would soon be living. April had equally been excited. She couldn't wait to be part of a real family. She had been shuttled from one foster family to another for so long, she couldn't remember ever having anything that was hers alone. Now, she was actually going to have a mommy and a daddy. When Mike and Leila took April to see her new home, April was speechless. It was the most beautiful house she had ever seen! And, so big! "Are we really going to live here?!" she asked. Leila had tears in her eyes and said, "Of course, sweetie, this is your home now, too. Would you like to go and see your room?" "I have my own room?" April squeeled. "Yes," said Leila, "and I hope you like it!" Actually, Leila had taken great pains to decorate the room so April would love it. She remembered that April's favorite color was lavendar, and that she loved dolls and stuffed animals.
When they entered the room that would be April's, April was excited. She ran over to the bed, which was draped in lavendar and covered with stuffed animals. Then she looked at the vanity table full of dolls, stuffed animals, and pretty little girl hair ribbons, mirrors, feathers, and all kinds of pretty things. Mike asked her, "Do you like your room, April?" April turned to look at him with disbelief in her eyes. "This is all MINE? I can't believe it! Oh, it's so beautiful! I love it, I love it, I love it!" she squeeled. She ran over to Leila who scooped her up in her arms and threw her arms around Leila's neck. "Oh, thank you so much,...er..." Leila kissed the little girl's cheek and said, "If you'd like to, you could call me Mommy. Of course, you don't have to if you don't want to." Mike patted her back and said, "And, you can call me Daddy, if you want to." April hugged them both and said, "I love you Mommy and Daddy!"
	The new little family decided that they would go out and celebrate. Since the weather was so beautiful that day, they decided to go to a cute little sidewalk cafe for lunch. As they were finishing, April climbed up in Leila's lap. Leila stroked her beautiful daughter's hair. It felt so right...the three of them here like this. What more could she ask for. Mike looked at his instant family and thought how lucky he was. This is what I've always wanted he said. A family of my own. He couldn't help but think about Leila's face when he managed to find the baby she gave away at birth -- and find her he would. He had gotten close twice now, but it hadn't worked out. But, he had the best investigators working on it and he knew that it was only a matter of time.
Mike looked at his new family and said, "Are we ready to go home now?" April's eyes opened wide and she said, "Our new home?" Both Mike and Leila let out a little laugh and Mike said, "Well, not yet, sweetie, in about a week or so. It's not quite ready for us to move into yet. But soon, I promise. For now, we're going to live on a ranch with Leila's family." April's face lit up "A real ranch - with horses!" "Yes, honey, with horses," Leila said as they got up to leave. The new little family was so happy that they never noticed the blonde sitting a few tables away. But Lauren had noticed them and had heard all that was said. She watched them leave as a tear slid slowly down her cheek.