posted on 16-Jul-2002 1:31:23 AM by Leto1281
**Ring Around The Moon**

Author: Leto1281
Email: Leto1281⊕yahoo.com
Installment: 1/5
Rating: PG13
Disclaimer: If I owned these characters they'd be a lot happier, though I do love the angst! Really though, I do not own any of the characters on Roswell, nor do I own the lyrics to Sarah McLachlan's song "I Will Remember You".
Summary: Michael makes some life altering decisions, while Maria sleeps.
Category: Michael/Maria
Spoilers: Just basic knowledge of seasons one and two.
Author's Note: This isn't a songfic but I was inspired by Sarah McLachlan's "I Will Remember You", so if you have the song lying around you might want to listen to it while you read.
Feedback: Yes, Please? I'm hoping this will be the first part of a series of five, depending on the feedback that I receive. If any of you do decide to grace me with some feedback remember this is my first Roswell related fanfic.

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My little spitfire always looks like an angel when she sleeps. Her bare skin takes on a soft blue hue from the light that creeps in between the slanted blinds. She shifts a little on the bed, her feet kicking away the wrinkled sheet that is tangled around her legs. Her head flops to the left, leaving a wet drool spot on the pillow. I smile a little to myself. I know I've fallen totally in love with her, because I even find her drooling sweet. Her new position allows me to see the smile of contentment that has crept across her elfin face. She looks so serene at this moment, although if she knew what I am about to do she'd rise up from her peaceful slumber and kick my sorry ass across the room. She wouldn't realize that this is for the best, maybe not for me, but it is definitely the best thing for her. I care about her too much to allow myself to ruin her life. No matter how good things are at this moment I know they won't last. Nothing good ever lasts for me. Disappointment and heartache follow me wherever I go. Even she would have to agree with me on this one. She's shared in that disappointment and heartache far too many times.

I've never been a superstitious man. However, that has never stopped her from believing in omens and supernatural forces. Against my own will I now know that crossed knives set at the dinner table means there's bound to be an argument and that a fallen over broom forecasts that company is on its way. Of course, we have never needed the excuse of misplaced silverware to fight and our friends and family are always hanging around our place. As if in defiance of my own protests, that her believing in such things is ridiculous, I have picked up a few of her bad habits. These past few months I've tried to ignore the signs, the ones that foretell of hardship not far off, but tonight I cannot push away these feelings of foreboding any longer. I have lain awake for the better part of the night, despite my demanding exhaustion, trying to pinpoint the warnings I feel in my gut only to come to the conclusion that I don't know what they mean. She knows more about earthy, metaphysical stuff than I do, but I obviously can't talk to her about it. Instead I will do what I do best.

I walk around to her side of the bed and bend down. I stare at her face trying to take in every detail so I can store it away for later, so I might draw upon her image in the long nights that lie ahead of me. Nights where I will have to sleep alone, her warm body absent from my side. I slowly brush my worn thumb across her soft, fleshy cheek recalling all the times this remarkable woman has stood beside me and lent me her strength. Now I have to be strong for her. I reluctantly pull my hand away from her warm skin and rise up and away from her. I can't let my resolve weaken. I'm doing this for her. I'm doing this to protect the woman who has restored my mind, body, and soul. This is the least I can do for her, although it will never be enough.

I head towards the door, bending down slightly to grab my duffel bag from the floor. The bag contains some clothes and money, nothing of any real importance. The only thing that has any real importance to me is lying in the bed across the room. I force myself to grab on to the handle of the door. If I don't leave right this moment I will lose the small amount of willpower I have left. All I really want to do is toss this bag onto the floor and crawl back in bed with her. I don't though, I can't, and I won't. Instead I turn the door handle and open the door slowly, hoping the squeaking of the hinges, which I promised her I'd oil last week, don't wake her. I ease my body through the small gap in the doorway, not wanting to risk opening it any farther. I don't look back. I know if I allow myself to take in her sleeping form one last time I won't have the strength to leave her. I squeeze my eyes shut, knowing this is the hardest thing I have ever done and quite possibly the hardest thing I will ever have to do. I inch the door closed behind me, and just before I close the door I whisper softly into the night, "Good bye, Maria".

Sarah McLachlan

"I Will Remember You"

I will remember you

Will you remember me?

Don't let your life pass you by

Weep not for the memories

Remember the good times that we had?

I let them slip away from us when things got bad

How clearly I first saw you smilin' in the sun

Wanna feel your warmth upon me, I wanna be the one

Chorus:

I will remember you

Will you remember me?

Don't let your life pass you by

Weep not for the memories

I'm so tired but I can't sleep

Standin' on the edge of something much too deep

It's funny how we feel so much but we cannot say a word

We are screaming inside, but we can't be heard

Chorus

I'm so afraid to love you, but more afraid to lose

Clinging to a past that doesn't let me choose

Once there was a darkness, deep and endless night

You gave me everything you had, oh you gave me light

Chorus

Chorus



[ edited 4 time(s), last at 30-Jul-2002 3:27:48 PM ]
posted on 17-Jul-2002 6:21:12 PM by Leto1281
**Rain Is Coming Soon**

Author: Leto1281
Email: Leto1281⊕yahoo.com
Installment: 2/5
Rating: PG13
Disclaimer: If I owned these characters they'd be a lot happier, though I do love the angst! Really though, I do not own any of the characters on Roswell.
Summary: Maria reacts to Michael's leaving and deals with the repercussions he left in his wake.
Category: Michael/Maria
Spoilers: Just basic knowledge of seasons one and two.
Author's Note: Don't worry there will be another installment after this story. Some how a short vignette has turned into a full-blown series, but isn't that always the case.
Feedback: Yes, Please? Come on people! I work a lot faster when I get feedback. Even a sentence would appease me!
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The loud, mind piercing beep being emitted from the alarm clock floods through my brain and awakens me with a jolt. I instinctively slap my hand down on the alarm's shut off button, practically knocking the whole nightstand over. As if in defiance of the morning gods I curl up in the covers and nuzzle into my pillow, until I feel the large wet spot of drool that has soaked into the pillowcase. I silently curse Michael and his slobber. At my brain's mere mention of Michael, my right hand begins to weave through the sheets searching for his warm body. Yet, even as my hand continues its search I know deep down it won't find him. I open my eyes slightly to glance over at the empty patch of bed next to me, but quickly clasp them shut as my pupils are assaulted by the rays of sunlight streaming in through the open slats of the mini blinds. Michael likes to leave them open at night so he can stare out at the stars before he drifts off to sleep, but he usually closes them when he gets up for work. I feel a sense of dread pass over me. I already know that I will not find him in the kitchen making breakfast, and I also know that ten to one Michael has already skipped town by now. I should have been prepared for this. I've saw the signs, but I ignored them.

I feel like curling up into a ball and never leaving this bed. It wouldn't be the first time. About five months ago I did just that after Michael decided he should move out because he had accidentally blown up the TV after the Lobos lost again. He has this horrible fear that he'll end up physically hurting me. What he doesn't understand is that the emotional pain he puts me through, every time he pushes me away, is far worse that any bodily harm he could inflict upon me. The last time he left I acted like a weak pitiful woman. I stopped eating and wouldn't leave the bedroom. Three days after he left Liz and Max convinced Michael that I wouldn't snap out of it until he came back home. I will not do that again, and oddly enough I have no desire to. I feel stronger and more vibrant. It's hard to explain but something is keeping me from giving up this time. I thrash my feet around until I detangle them from the sheets.

I swing my legs over the edge of the bed and plant my feet firmly onto the rough berber carpeting, my back still flat on the mattress. I still haven't reopened my eyes yet. I just want to pretend for a few moments that he's still here lying beside me in bed, his arm curled protectively around my waist and his warm breath upon my neck. Okay, I've got to stop this right now. Michael's gone and I'm going to have to face it sooner or later. Of course that would be the rational thing to do, come to terms with the situation and move on. However, I've never been a very rational person, I'm a much bigger fan of denial. Although, resorting to denial is a weak person's tactic to cope with pain. I think a better course of action would be to ignore the fact that Michael is gone. If I just pretend he never existed then I'll be okay. You can't mourn over something that never existed. Right? Right. Okay, now that that's settled all I have to do is get through today. I just hope everyone doesn't ask me too many questions, because I just don't have the answers anymore.

I must have been delusional this morning when I thought I might get away unscathed once everyone learned that Michael was gone. I'm not sure if it was the fact that I had decided to skip my morning ritual of stopping at the Crashdown to grab my morning cup of coffee, or if the alien trio sensed Michael's departure and tipped everyone off. Either way the whole brigade ended up in my store minutes after I opened the doors for business. So here I sit in my little shop filled with Indian pottery, alien trinkets, and pieces of artwork from local artists; Michael included, which is now filled with our worried family members. Wait, I mean my worried family members. Liz is the first to say something, as she leans up against the counter nonchalantly.

"So, um, Maria is Michael here?" she asks in her sweet tone of voice, the one she uses when trying to pry information out of people. If she thinks that will work on me she's sorely mistaken. I open my mouth to tell her that I don't know where Michael is, but Tess beats me to it.

"He's not here, is he Maria?" she questions.

I look over at her but she's not looking at me. I follow her gaze, with is focused on the naked fourth finger of my left hand. I almost forgot that I removed my wedding ring this morning, one less reminder of Michael. I let out an exhausted sigh.

"Fine, let's get this over with. Michael had been acting strangely for the past few months. He told me he felt like something big was going to happen, that I should be cautious. I blew him off. I mean when isn't Michael paranoid. I didn't even think twice about it until this morning when I woke up and found him gone." I ramble on, adrenaline rushing through my body, finally stopping to take a deep breath to calm myself. I begin to fidget with the gold chain around my neck, which I looped through my wedding ring this morning. As I play with the chain I can feel the ring as it brushes against my skin beneath my shirt.

I suddenly hear Max's soft, yet powerful voice, "Sounds like a plan. What do you think Maria?"

Apparently I missed something. I wrinkle my brow and utter, "Ugh?"

"Ria, are you feeling okay?" Isabel asks concerned.

I straighten my posture and release the fine chain of gold from between my fingers. "I'm fine, just fine. What were you talking about?"

"Well," Alex begins, "I was going to try to trace Michael through his credit cards maybe even do a little hacking into a few hotel computer systems," his voice becoming muffled as he says the last part.

Kyle gives him one of his trademark slaps on the back. "Alex, relax I wouldn't arrest my own brother-in-law, plus it wouldn't be the first time any of us broke the law." Kyle emits a boisterous chuckle.

Alex loosens up, a little, and accompanies Kyle's chuckling with his own nervous laugh.

"I always knew marrying a cop was a good idea," Tess smiles slyly.

"Oh, so is that the only reason you married me?" Kyle asks in mock hurt.

"Oh, no I've been found out," Tess giggles.

Kyle pulls her to him, hooking one arm around her waist, "Now if I could only remember why I married you".

Tess jabs him in the side with her clenched fist while emitting a haughty huff of disapproval.

"Okay guys," Liz cuts in, "Let's remember why we're here."

"Settle down Liz, I already have my boys searching the area for my wayward brother-in-law," he says in a reassuring tone, "We'll find him."

His eyes settle on me, and as I look around I see he isn't the only one looking right at me. Now it dawns on me why they're really here. Yes, they're concerned about Michael, but they're really here to see if I'm going to break down like I did last time. We'll I'm going to clear up a few things right now. I jump up from my chair so abruptly that Alex takes a step back as if I'm going to pounce on him. I press the palms of my hands down flat onto the counter top and take a deep breath trying to calm myself down before I speak.

"Look guys I know you all mean well, but I want you to just stop. Alex, don't bother with your computer searches. Michael won't be using his real name and he knows better than to use his credit cards. Kyle, call off your search team. Michael left the city limits about two hours ago."

"Maria, how can you be so sure Michael isn't still in Roswell?" Isabel inquires. Everyone else is giving me a questioning look, as if they too were thinking the same thing.

"Iz, what are you talking about?" I ask bewildered, "You know exactly how I know. I'm surprised you guys didn't know he skipped town, especially you three". I glance at Isabel, Max, and Tess, "Isn't that why you all came over here today, because you felt his absence?"

The eight of us have been able to sense each other for quite some time now, especially when emotions are running high. Yet, the czecks have always had a stronger bond to each other. I would have thought for sure that they had felt Michael's departure.

Max steps towards the counter in front of me. "Maria, Michael has put up a block. That's why we came over here."

"A block?" I shutter, "That can't be. I can still feel him."

"That's odd," Liz ponders thoughtfully, "Michael and you must have formed a new bond. When he comes home we'll have to look into it. I'm sure there's a rational explanation for this new connection you have to Michael."

A weird tingling sensation travels down my spine that propels me to my feet. I arch my back slightly and knead my knuckles into my now throbbing back. As I press my thumb into my flesh I look up to see everyone staring at me. Damit! I totally forgot they were still here. I straighten my back and grab some paper work off the counter.

"Okay, guys," I'm trying desperately to hide my irritation, "I know you all have to get off to work and I have things to do. Despite my great performance they persist to stand there. "People," my calm composure gone, "Michael has left for good this time. I'm fine with it and that is that. Now I don't want to hear about it anymore."

Isabel speaks softly, "Ria, you seriously can't mean that."

I ball up my hands into fists and dig my fingernails into my palms. "Oh, I mean it. I never want to hear the name Michael Guerin again," I pause for a moment drawing upon my earlier determination, "As far as I'm concerned he never existed." My voice sounds harsh even to my own ears, but I hold my ground even as I feel my wedding ring brush against my chest.

Silence fills the room but finally Tess nods her head, "You heard Maria everybody out." She speaks with her usual calmness, but there's something in her tone that just commands respect.

Max opens his mouth to speak, but Liz anticipates this. She quickly grabs his wrist and shakes her head solemnly at him. She doesn't release her grip as she pulls him towards the door. She throws me a warm smile before she exits, a bewildered Max in toe.

Alex and Isabel walk up to me. "Maria if you want to talk or if you just want somebody to sit in silence with I'm your man." Alex flashes me his characteristic jester grin.

Isabel is less enthused, she actually looks like she might cry. "We're here for you and if you change your mindŠ"

I quickly cut her off, "Iz, my mind is made up."

"Alright, alright." She raises up her palms in mock defense. "If that's how you want it I'll obey your wishes. Just remember we're all here for you no matter what."

"Thanks, both of you, I'll keep that in mind, but really I'm fine."

As Kyle and Tess walk up to me I begin to feel like a widow receiving the condolences of mourners at a funeral.

Tess grabs my hand and places it between her two small palms. "I just want you to know that we're family and you can count on us no mater what happens."

I squeeze her forearm with my free hand. "Thanks Tess."

Kyle curls his arm around Tess' shoulder and leads her towards the door, but just as he grabs the handle he turns around slightly. "Oh, Ria don't forget about dinner at Mom and Dad's on Saturday."

I silently curse to myself, but before I can even respond I hear the ringing of the door chime, signaling that once again I'm alone.



[ edited 1 time(s), last at 30-Jul-2002 3:28:24 PM ]
posted on 17-Jul-2002 6:22:50 PM by Leto1281
**When It Rains, It Pours**

Author: Leto1281
Email: Leto1281⊕yahoo.com
Installment: 3/5
Rating: PG13
Disclaimer: If I owned these characters they'd be a lot happier, though I do love the angst! Really though, I do not own any of the characters on Roswell.
Summary: Maria's friends open her eyes to a new development she's been blind to.
Category: Michael/Maria
Spoilers: Just basic knowledge of seasons one and two.
Author's Note: There are a few more installments after this one. I've decided to create a whole generational series. After this segment I'll be working on some post-Rain stories from the POV's of some of the other characters.
Feedback: Yes, Please? Come on people! I work a lot faster when I get feedback. Even a sentence would appease me!
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I've been living on my own for close to three months now. I packed up all his things and put them down in the basement. I couldn't handle the constant reminder, but I didn't have the heart to throw anything away. Work has helped a lot in keeping me focused, although I did burst into tears last week when a woman asked if Michael Guerin had any new art pieces. Really though I'm doing fine. I've been hanging out with the whole gang a lot lately. At first I was wary that they would try to change my mind, but thankfully they have kept their promise and not mentioned his name in my presence. I'm actually meeting the girls at the Crashdown for lunch. I think I'll head over there now I'm starving.

As I walk into the Crashdown the girls wave me over to a corner booth in the back of the restaurant. I slide into the bench, tossing my purse onto the seat, and flash everyone an energetic smile. They all smile in return, but something's wrong, their smiles are more forced than mine are. No one goes to speak and the silence begins to make me uncomfortable. I grab one of the menus off the table, even though I know it by heart.

"So, what are you gals getting to eat? I'm famished." I flip through my menu then look around the table to see if I'll get a response.

Liz takes the bait, "I think I'm just going to get a salad. I'm not very hungry today."

"I think I'll get that too," Isabel adds as she tosses her menu onto the table.

"Oh, come on guys get some real food," I say as I pout behind my menu.

Tess places her menu neatly on top of Isabel's, "So what are you having Maria, because I think I'm just going to have a bowl of soup."

I'm just about to start complaining when our waitress appears at my side, notepad in hand, ready to take our order. The girls order their skimpy meals and I order a Santa Fe style cheeseburger with extra jalapeños. The moment the waitress leaves to place our order the table falls silent again.

Finally Isabel speaks, "Okay I've had enough. What are we waiting for?"

I stare at the three of them. "Waiting for what? We just ordered."

No one answers me. Liz looks nervous, "I thought we were going to wait until after we ate to bring that up. We're not even sure that we're right."

"Liz did you see what she ordered. There is no need for doubt. Not with what I know," Tess voices mysteriously.

"Who ordered what?"

I swivel around in my seat, looking around the restaurant, a little too eager to catch up on some gossip. You'd think that after all the gossip floating around Roswell concerning my marriage I'd be more sympathetic, but I figure if someone else's hardships take the heat off me I'm all for it. I know that sounds evil, but I'm sick of people talking behind my back.

I turn back to the girls, "Ok, fill me in. Who are we talking about?"

They look to each other then down at their hands. I'm getting a bad feeling about this.

"Well," I ask directing my question towards Liz.

If anyone will clue me in on what's going on it will be Liz. It's a well know fact that Liz has never been able to keep a secret from me.

Liz turns to look at Tess and Isabel, "Are you two sure about this? We could be wrong. Maybe we're just jumping to conclusions."

Now I'm worried. It must be something pretty bad to have Liz acting panicky like this.

Tess speaks up, her voice solemn and clear, "Liz this is more than just an assumption. I know we're right. She doesn't even know yet. The longer we wait to address the issue the less options we'll have open to us. It has to be now".

"Yeah, stop talking as if I weren't here. I want to know what is going on right now!" I raise my voice enough so that the group of teenage girls at the counter turn to look at us.

"All right I'll tell you what's going on, just lower your voice Ria". Liz leans in close to me then looks around the restaurant suspiciously. She grabs my hand tightly and looks me straight in the eye, "I'm going to tell you something, but when I do I want you to not freak out. No running to your car screaming. Okay?"

My mind is racing trying to figure out what could be so bad as to warrant me running off screaming. Well, it can't be as devastating as finding out that aliens really do exist and that they go to your high school. Right?"

"Okay I won't freak out Liz. I promise."

She searches my face then seems satisfied enough to loosen the death grip she has on my hand. "Alright then, I'm just going to say it and get it over with. Maria are you aware that you're pregnant?"

I stare at her for a few seconds then I look to Isabel and Tess. "You guys can't be serious. I don't know what kind of game you're playing but it's not funny."

I begin to slide out of the booth but Tess grabs my arm. "Maria you're not leaving here until we've made you understand."

I rip my arm from her grasp, but knowing she could kick my ass without having to even move a muscle, I ease back into my seat. "Okay, enlighten me. What makes you think I'm pregnant?"

"Come on Maria, open your eyes. You're constantly tired, you've been eating more than usual, and some of the things you eat are odd even against my standards, plus you've had this glow about you, even though you're husband left you less than three months ago." Isabel finishes her speech by folding her arms across her chest as she leans back into her seat.

"Isabel you've got to be kidding me. That's your proof? So I've been a little tired lately, I've been working a lot these past few months. Plus, you're one to talk about weird food. I've seen some of the things Tess and you eat. Are you telling me you two are also pregnant."

"No, Tess and I are not pregnant, but we are czechoslovakian and I'll bet that little one you're carrying has our same taste in food."

"Stop it! There is no little one to speak of because I'm not pregnant. Liz you're a doctor. Explain to them that I can't possibly be pregnant. Max and you have done studies, you ran those test, remember? Max said that there was no chance any of us would ever be able to conceive. Plus, I haven't had any of the normal symptoms associated with pregnancy. No dizzy spells or morning sickness. Actually I feel great."

"Maria those tests were never conclusive. We know far too little about the czecks to be able to rule out reproduction one way or the other. You know Max; he's a pessimist. He didn't want to get anyone's hopes up. That's why he said what he did. In the way of symptoms, no one pregnancy is the same. Plus, we have no idea what a czechoslovakian pregnancy is like. Yet, I do know of one thing that would have to be the same no matter what kind of pregnancy it is. Let me ask you this Maria, when's the last time you had your period?"

"What? Well over a year but I was on the pill for a while. I always skipped the green ones so I wouldn't have my period."

"When did you stop taking the pills?"

"After Max and you ran those tests."

"You've got to be kidding me! Maria, that was months ago. Are you telling me that you've been off the pill for seven or eight months and in all that time you haven't gotten your period once."

"I just told you I haven't had it in over a year. Don't make me repeat myself, Liz!," my voice raises an octave. I don't know what's come over me, but my heartbeat starts to speed up. If I only had remembered to pocket one of my little vials before I left the store. It's been so long since I've needed to calm my nerves, with Michael gone, that I forgot.

Liz pipes in again,"You didn't think there was anything odd about that?"

"Liz, you know very well I've had irregular periods in the past."

"Yes, but an eight month drought? Maria wise up."

"But I can't be, it's impossible. I would know. I would be at least three months along. It's ridiculous that we're even discussing it."

"Maria you are pregnant, and you're much further along than just three months." Tess' stare is penetrating as she speaks, and it causes me to shutter despite myself.

"Tess you obviously know something that I don't. Stop being so cryptic. Tell me, why are you so sure that I'm pregnant?"

"I'll do more than just tell you, I'll show you how I know."

Tess places her right hand on my lower abdomen and her left against the side of my face. I sit there patiently while she closes her eyes and concentrates. Then, just as I'm about to comment on how long it's taking, an image floods through my brain. At first I'm confused as to what I'm seeing. Everything's deep red and there are walls surrounding me. The entire place is vibrating rhythmically around me. As I listen to the resonant thumping I notice that I'm underwater. God, this place looks so familiar. It reminds me of an underground cavern. I see something moving up ahead. This is it. I'm going to die. A large gruesome sea creature is going to eat me and then I'll die. I look around me, desperately searching for some place to hide, when it dawns on me that I have nothing to fear. I'm not really here. I'm dream walking. My body is actually back at the Crashdown. With newfound courage I forge ahead through the deep red cavern. The creature is right in front of me now, but it's no sea animal. I know all too well what it really is. I took health. I've seen Look Who's Talking. Oh my God! I'm in my own womb. I'm staring at my baby. And I do mean baby; he's definitely no embryo or fetus. He's a fully formed baby. Not only can I tell that he's a boy, but I can also see that he gets most of his physical features from his father. Just as I near closer to him I'm pulled out of the dream. I awaken back at the Crashdown to find all three of my sister-in-laws staring at me.

"Now do you believe us?" Tess asks.

I look down at my stomach in wonderment then look back at Tess, "How could I not know. How did you all know, and I didn't?"

"Maria, I think that in some small way you knew, but you didn't want to face it. You've been pretending for months that Michael never existed. Acknowledging the baby would have meant acknowledging Michael, too," Liz speaks with the wisdom of someone who knows all about trying to forget the one you love.

Tess shifts a little beside me, "Liz, I really think an ultrasound should be done as soon as possible."

"Why don't you two take Ria to the research clinic and I'll go and tell the guys that the search is back on."

"Isabel, don't even think about it. This doesn't change a thing. If anything it makes me want to forget him even more."

"Maria how can you say that? You're carrying his child. Doesn't that mean anything to you? Michael has a right to know that he's going to be a father!" Isabel raises her voice as much as she can without drawing attention.

"Yes, of course it means something to me. It means everything to me. You remember how upset we all were when we learned we would never be able to have children. Yet, now I have my doubts about Michael's true feelings about being unable to conceive. I think he knew I was pregnant. I'll bet that's why he left. He couldn't face the responsibility of being a father so he skipped town."

"Maria, that's ridiculous. Michael loves you, and if he had known that you were pregnant he would have been ecstatic. He left because he's an idiot. He thought that he was a danger to you. Staying away from you was the only way he knew how to protect you."

"Well, you know what I'm sick of being protected. I've taken care of myself all my life without anyone's help. This baby and I are going to be just fine. We don't need Michael in our lives."

Tess jumps into the conversation again, "Well, Maria I really don't think you have a choice in the matter. Michael is going to know about this baby if you like it or not."

"Tess you have no right to tell him. This is my baby and my decision."

"Ria, I have no intention of going against your wishes, but Michael will still find out. I'm actually surprised he hasn't shown up in town yet. I would have thought he could feel the baby's presence by now."

"What? That's impossible."

"Why? You can still feel him, even with him trying to block us all out, so what makes you think he can't feel you. You aren't blocking him out, so he should be able to read you loud and clear. Your bond is strong, but just imagine what kind of bond you two share with your child. I'd expect to see Michael breeze into town any day now."

"Well, I don't care if he does come back. I'm still not going to forgive him, and if he thinks he's getting anywhere near my child he's got another thing coming. Now, are we going to go do an ultrasound or what?"

"Alright, we'll go do the ultrasound, but first Maria you have to calm down. If you're stressed then the baby's stressed," Liz says trying to settle me down.

"Fine, I'll calm down if everyone would just stop upsetting me."

"You should go to the clinic Ria, but this isn't over. Once Michael realizes that your pregnant he'll be coming back for the baby and you," Isabel huffs before rising from the booth and exiting the restaurant.

"Well who does she think she is?" I voice out, my temper flaring despite myself.

"Ria don't worry about Iz. You know how protective she is of her brothers. Yet, she is right. You should be prepared for Michael's return. You're going to have to face him." Tess gets up from the booth and offers me her hand.

I take her hand and allow her to pull me up from my seat. I know it's crazy but I suddenly feel massive as Tess pulls me to my feet. I look down at my torso, but my stomach doesn't really look any larger. I know I've actually seen my own child, but I won't truly believe it until I have an ultrasound picture in my hand. I need some concrete scientific proof that this baby exists.

Liz slides out of the booth and grabs her keys off the table, "Ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," I say taking a deep gulp of air before I follow Liz out off the café as Tess follows closely behind me.



[ edited 2 time(s), last at 30-Jul-2002 3:30:40 PM ]
posted on 17-Jul-2002 6:28:20 PM by Leto1281
I've started the next part called, Cats & Dogs, but I'm having a hard time writing the scene were Michael and Maria see each other again. Any suggestions?

Leto

[ edited 1 time(s), last at 30-Jul-2002 3:29:19 PM ]
posted on 29-Jul-2002 3:30:50 AM by Leto1281
I'm half way through the next part. Hopefully I'll finish it by the end of this week, but feedback would definitely getting me moving along...hint, hint, wink, wink :-)

[ edited 1 time(s), last at 30-Jul-2002 3:28:58 PM ]
posted on 30-Jul-2002 3:38:58 PM by Leto1281
Hey, it's me again. I just wanted to let you know that I haven't forgotten about this story. I have a few ideas for the ending of the next part but I have my hard copies at my home computer and I'm house sitting so I won't be able to get to them until the end of this week or the beginning of next week. Just hold in there and I'll update as soon as I can. Thanks for the suggestions and encouragement. If you have any other ideas I'd love to hear them!

Thanks
Leto

[ edited 1 time(s), last at 30-Jul-2002 3:39:43 PM ]
posted on 6-Jan-2003 8:47:20 AM by Leto1281
I posted this message on my site, www.woventogether.com , so I thought I'd post it here too: For those of you who have read my fanfic series I'd like to get some feedback on the stories. I've been planning out the next installment but I just haven't gotten enough feedback to make me think that anyone really likes them. Maybe I should just stick to editing and posting other people's work. If you have any desire to read the next installment of my M&M centered saga then drop me a line at: woventogether⊕lycos.com.
-Leto

[ edited 1 time(s), last at 6-Jan-2003 8:48:58 AM ]