Max and Helen have been distant for over a year and some odd months. Neither have had any luck moving forward in their busy lives. Both are struggling in their own ways and nothing seems to be rekindling their damaged vibe.
When Helen receives impor...
"I would've been more concerned about Maxie...it's not just me any more. What would've happened to him?" Shaking my head I don't know. Her mother maybe? Cassian?
"I don't know."
"Max..." She speaks so softly that I can barely hear her. "I...um...would you..."
"Take a breath." She calms herself and then looks at me as though rethinking what she wants to say.
"Never mind..." Looking her over, I wish she felt comfortable saying what she needs too. Usually she doesn't have a problem- but I guess as of the last three days- she doesn't want to chance it.
"Okay. I Uh...I got you something for Christmas." Her face drops and I reach in my jacket pocket and pull out a velvet jewelry box. "I didn't have time to wrap it, but I don't think it matters much."
She hesitantly takes it from me and looks at me one more time before opening it up. Inside is a sterling silver heart necklace with Maxie's thumb print on it and his name and date of birth- as well as a tiny topaz gem for December. Tears come to her eyes and she covers her mouth in her left arm as she tries to stop herself from getting upset.
I have a buddy in town who does engraving and jewelry making. After Maxie was born and Helen fell asleep just before I went back to my room, I had him come in for the fingerprint. It took all of two seconds and he got the necklace done yesterday. I wanted to give it to her, but everything happened so quickly that I couldn't.
"I wanted your first mother's gift to be something special." I quietly say and she reaches for me with one hand. Holding the back of my neck, she repeatedly kisses me as she cries and her fingers play in the bottom of my hair.
"I love you...I love this- Thank you." Holding her as close as possible, I leave as kiss on her head gently. "But...but I didn't get you anything! I wanted too. I wanted to get you something better than a stupid tee-shirt."
"But Helen, you did get me something. Something I've always wanted and am absolutely in love with."
"N...no I didn't..."
"Yes, Helen- you did." She looks at me oddly and I lean closer and kiss her jaw as I whisper in her ear. "You and Maxie."
"Haha aw...you cheeky bastard..." She cries a bit more and I just leave little kisses on her neck.
"I love you too."
We exist in silence for what seems like forever. Her tired eyes just staring back at me.
***
2 Weeks Later Back in NYC
It was nice staying with my parents for two weeks after Christmas.
We needed to make sure Maxie was good to go before we could even think about leaving the hospital with him.
Not to mention I had to buy another car seat for my car- because Helen didn't actually receive one I'm her baby shower.
We expected the drive home to be miserable- usually car rides for newborns are terrifying and too long- they wail and cry and sometimes get sick, but Maxie- we should've known- was perfectly content in his little car seat.
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