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Part 11: Dada

A boy?!

Max is having a boy?!

There's so much wrong with that thought!

Walking towards his office, I want to know what the hell Iggy meant.

But as I get closer...I realize maybe I shouldn't pry.

If he wants to tell me- he will.

Besides, rumors are just that.

Rumors.

You can't believe everything you hear and I'm fairly certain Max would tell me.

Turning around to leave the area, I get no farther than the corner of the Hall, when I hear my name being called.

"Dr. Helen Sharpe!" Speaking of the devil himself- I turn around and find Max hustling up to me. An odd expression on his face- leaves me unsure if he's upset or elated.

"Hi, is everything alright?" I ask and before I receive and answer, he grabs my hand and starts dragging me back to his office. "Max...what are you doing?"

"Just come here." We get to outside his door and as he goes to open the door, he stops himself and takes a deep breath before he looks at me. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have yanked you like that. I just have something important I need to talk to you about."

"It's alright, Max." Leaning down, he kisses my forehead and opens the door- bringing me inside. On Max's desk sits a baby carrier with a blanket over top of it.

Lord. He is getting a boy.

A young boy.

"What's that?" I ask inconspicuously.

"That's what I want to talk to you about. Come sit." He pulls back his chair and stands between me and the desk.

"Max...what's going on?"

"Helen, there has been a big opportunity that just cropped up this morning and I jumped on it as soon as it came about...and though I still am excited about it- I realized I should have let you in on everything." He states as he leans against the desk and takes my hands. "I'm probably crazy and insane...but..."

He lets go of my hands and turns around. He removes the blanket from over the carrier and when he turns around, he has into little biracial boy in his arms.

"Oh...Max....what did you do?" I ask in awe of the babe who is slowly waking up in his arms.

"The mother gave up rights this morning...he was the product of assault and she couldn't stand the thought of keeping him...so I asked Sabine if...if I could foster him." My eyes widen and I search Max's for any hint of a joke. "I know this is unexpected and we just started this journey...but Helen- I...I'm..."

"You don't have to convince me, Max." I say as I reach for the baby. Handing him to me, I look down at him- his sweet precious light brown skin and dark brown eyes make me swoon. "Hi, Baby Boy."

Kneeling down in front of me, Max rubs his hand up and down my thigh and watches me just take him in.

"He was born two days ago. 17" long. 6 1/2 pounds. He's perfect." Max quietly states.

"What's his name?" I stroke a finger against his cheek and he tiredly smiles before yawning. It melts my heart.

"That's what I wanted you to come help me with." Glancing down at him, I feel my heart twist with excitement and nerves. "What should we call him?"

"What about Bashir?" I look at him expecting him to hate it.

"What does it mean?"

"The one who brings good news." I state and rub my hand over the baby's tummy.