Il n’y a qu’un bonheur dans la vie, c’est d’aimer et d’être aimé
There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved.

- George Sand

Outfit of the Chapter
Picking up Alex

Alex was finally getting back from Asia and it was only one month left before she was due. This time he was going to stay home for a while and Max was really excited to see him again.

She got out from the shower and took a deep breath. The belly was getting big and it was really heavy, and she kept having backaches. But that was what she had to sacrifice to bring life into this world.
"Are you ready?" Ed called from downstairs.
"In a few minutes, I just got out from the shower" she called back.
"Hurry up or we’ll be late" he said. Max dried her body and put on clean underwear. Then she reached for the dungarees and her purple jumper. She walked downstairs, after trying not to trip over, and Ed helped her the last few steps. He even helped her get her shoes on.
"I feel so freaking helpless" she muttered and put on her pizza beanie.
"I like that beanie" Ed said and chuckled.
"Me too" she said and smiled.

Ed drove to the airport and while they waited for the plane to land Ed walked over to the shops to get Max something to eat. Since she was a bit pale and had complained about her stomach aching a little. Nothing serious.
"It’s just like minor period cramps, but my midwife said it was normal. It’s my body preparing me with small contractions before the due date or something" she said and laughed it off. But Ed was worried so he walked away to go get something for her to drink.

Suddenly someone appeared before Max and she jumped a little when she saw that it was Hector of all people.
"Hector" she muttered.
"Well look at you… All pregnant and big" he said and looked at her belly.
"Yes, i’m pregnant. Leave me alone" she said.
"What’s with the foul mood? Not happy to see me?" he asked with a grin.
"No actually not" Max said and glared at him.
"Ah, can’t handle that I’m here? Well too bad for you but I’m not going anywhere" he said.
"Hector please, just go" Max sighed and rolled her eyes.
"I want you back actually" he said.
"Hector, there’s a reason why I broke up with you" Max said and glared again. Hector chuckled.
"You just couldn’t handle me, but you know deep inside that you will never stop loving me" he said and crossed his arms. Ed came back and handed Max a coke, and he looked at Hector.
"And you’re back" he said.
"So are you" Hector continued.
"Can you please leave us alone? We want to wait by ourselves" he said.
"Max" someone called and Max turned around to see Cassadee.
"Cass" Max said and smiled. They quickly hug and Cassadee looked at Hector.
"I don’t think I’ve met you" she said.
"I’m Hector, her ex" Hector said and smiled his charming smile. Cassadee looked at Max and Max frowned a little.
"Yes, as in ex. I don’t want you back" Max said and glared at him again.
"What is it with you? Are you afraid that you’ll start to love me again if I stay?" Hector said and grinned.
"i will never love you again" Max spat out.
"Or is it that you are afraid that it will be wrong of you to not be with Alex? Being with me, as you’ve been with Ed?" he asked, and Max stared at him. What was he talking about?
"Long days with the tattooed, muscular man that’s single? Isn’t it tempting sometimes to do things?" Hector asked. Even Cassadee and Ed looked confused.
"And just think about the loneliness at nights without your dear Alex? Who’s the one there for you then? Ed?" he asked. It was true. They didn’t sleep in the same room or anything but sometimes Ed would stay the night. Sleep on the couch just because.
"Wasn’t it just right after Ed came along that you got pregnant? What will Alex think when he starts putting the pieces together?" Hector said.
"Stop it" Max snapped.
"Such anger from you when I said that… It’s true isn’t it? Why else would you be mad?" Hector asked.
"What is going on here?" Alex asked and appeared out of nowhere. He looked at Hector and then at Max.
"Oh hi, i’m Hector… Her ex, and I was just leaving" he said and smiled. Alex looked at Hector as he walked away and then he looked at Max. Max was speechless and she had spaced out.
"Max?" Cassadee asked and she shook her head and came back to earth.
"Hi" Alex said and looked at her.
"Hi" she said and smiled. She wrapped her arms around him and he softly hugged her back.
"You got bigger" he whispered.
"Yeah, I’m a fat walrus right now" she said with a laugh.
"Shall we go home?" Alex asked and looked at her.
"You feeling better?" Ed asked and looked at her almost empty drink. She looked at him and smiled, and Alex looked at them. He had heard every word Hector had said. Every word.

Ed left and Alex packed up a few of his things. He was still in his thoughts and didn’t notice that Max came in. He looked at her and he didn’t knew what to say.
"What is it?" Max asked when she saw his face.
"Nothing" he said.
"Alex… What is it?" she asked and crossed her arms.
"I just… been thinking" he said and sighed. She frowned a little and rubbed her belly. Like she was in pain.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Just a mini contraction, it’s normal" she said and waved it off.
"What Hector said… your ex…" he said.
"What he said was complete bollocks" Max said.
"Really? Because it seems pretty damn true if you think about it" Alex said and looked at her.
"What? Do you think I’ve been with Ed? Seriously?" Max asked
"Have you?" he asked, and looked into her eyes.
"No I haven’t" she said.
"Did he ever stay the night?" Alex asked. She stared at him and Alex shook his head.
"Yes, a few times. But he slept on the couch downstairs" Max said.
"And how should I know if that’s true or not?" he asked.
"Ask Ed" Max said and frowned.
"Like he would be a good person to ask, of course he would say he slept on the couch" Alex snapped.
"Shit Alex, I haven’t been with Ed" Max said and raised her voice. She rubbed her belly again and felt her heart racing.
"And how should I know that?" Alex said.
"You have to trust me, I haven’t been with Ed. I haven’t been with anyone else except you" she said. Alex looked at her and saw that she frowned again.
"It’s just the stress right now, it’s nothing" she muttered and rubbed her belly again.
"Have you slept with Ed, yes or no?" Alex demanded.
"NO" Max yelled and Alex looked at her. Then she stared at him with wide eyes.
"See, you’re lying" Alex said and kicked the bed. He was so hurt and betrayed. He felt awful for trusting her.
"Alex" she begged.
"For fuck sake… It’s not my kid" he said and threw away his suitcase.
"ALEX IT IS" Max screamed.
"THEN WHY WOULD YOU LOOK LIKE THAT? ALL SCARED? YOU’RE A FUCKING CHEATER AND I SHOULD NEVER HAVE TRUSTED YOU" Alex growled and glared at her. His heart was beating so hard in his chest and he had his fists clenched. The tears was almost falling over.
"Because my water just broke" she said and he could see her tremble.
"What?" he said and everything went blank in his head. His heart almost stopped beating when she said those words.
"My water broke" she said and her voice cracked a little. He saw that she was in a tremendous amount of pain, and she had to give her everything not to fall down on all four.
"Shit… fuck… What do I do?" Alex shouted out.