The Touched And Untouched {Lumax} COMPLETED

Mom, what's wrong?

Max was now 4 months pregnant, and desperately trying to grasp time. It wasn't even funny how fast the last two months went. Once everyone knew–almost everyone–, it was easier to cope. But now Max was feeling too close to labor. 4 months was almost halfway. She's had several doctor's appointments now. It just felt so real at this point. Even though she wasn't showing much of a pregnancy. She looked bloated but that's all.

Max was laying on Lukas' bed– she spent a lot of time at his house nowadays. She lifted her shirt and sighed. "When do you think it'll show? I'm starting to feel crazy. I feel pregnant, but I don't look pregnant. It's weird."

Lukas was at his desk working on homework, but still giving her attention. "You'll show eventually. Then you'll probably be wishing you didn't."

"True...I feel kind of fat already, even with the bump barely noticable."

Lukas turned, giving her a little glare. A lighthearted one. "Nah. Stop that now."

"What you gonna do about it?" Max sat up and stuck her tongue out.

"Ironically what I'm going to do about it also involves my tongue." Lukas turned back to his work. With all the extra time he's spent with Max, he's picked up the art of dirty humor.

"Is that a threat or a promise?" Max giggled while laying back down. Sitting up made her back hurt. "What's your mom making for dinner?"

"I'm not sure."

"I should go help her." Max sat back up, back screaming. Max had been trying to pick up some life skills she never got taught by her mom or stepdad. Like cooking, how to fold a stubborn sheet, and how to operate an iron. Of course, the Sinclair's weren't just training her to be a house wife. Mrs. Sinclair would occasionally give her safety tips while they seasoned chicken together. Lukas would give them weird looks. Since they were doing something so innocent, yet talking about how you can use almost any object as a weapon if you know how.

"I'll be here, doing homework." Lukas said with a yawn.

Max walked downstairs to see Sue working on a lasagna. Erica was sitting at the table talking to her, but not helping. "Am I interrupting?"

Sue looked up at me and smiled. "No, do you need something?"

"No, did you want help with dinner?"

"Oh no, I'm doing the last layer now."

"I'll do the last layer."

"No, it's okay."

"No, I will." Max insisted and walked over to the table.

"Alright then, knock yourself out, baby." Sue went to the sink to wash her hands. Once she was done, Max washed her hands.

Max started laying the strips of pasta. She could feel Erica's eyes jabbing into her. Erica–like most people, knew about the pregnancy. But she's handled it in a middle of the road kinda way. She wasn't quite as angry as Billy. She wasn't quite as accepting as the other Sinclairs. She was kind of trapped in the middle of angry and accepting. Max imagined it didn't help that Sue was treating her like a second daughter.

"Did Lukas finish his homework?" Sue dried her hands in a white dishtowel with red hearts all over it. It was a gift from Charles. Not years ago during their first anniversary. Just last week, because he saw it and thought of his wife. Max spooned over their marriage, it was so sweet.

"He's still at it." Max sighed and rolled her eyes. "He'll be dead before he finishes that assignment. I offered to help, but he said I shouldn't worry about his problems."

"Yeah, he's a bit stubborn at times." Sue walked to the table and nudged Erica's arm. "You go finish your homework too."

"I finished it..." Erica sounded as grumpy as she looked.

"Then go clean your room a bit." Sue pulled out Erica's chair and watched the girl drag her grudging self to her bedroom.

Max wanted to ask if Erica was okay, but she figured she'd better not get too personal. After all, she could be the reason for Erica's mood.

"How are you feeling now?" Sue asked.

"My back hurts, but I'm not nauseous or crying. I'll take it as a win." Max finished the lasagna and washed her hands. "It's ready to go in."

"Thank you, sweetheart." Sue put the lasagna in the oven and timed it. "I've been thinking, do you want s baby shower?"

Max wasn't expecting that sort of question. "Baby shower? What?"

"You know what a baby shower is, Max." Sue laughed.

"Yeah but I figured baby showers are for...ya know, purposeful moms. Moms that tried for the baby, and have a husband." Max paused but before she could continue, Sue was speaking.

"Nonsense, just because you're young and it was an accident doesn't mean a thing. You shouldn't have to miss out on a nice memory like a baby shower just because you're young. Life is too short to be punishing yourself." Sue seemed to be set on the idea, no doubt she also had plans. "We can have a small one here. You can invite anyone you want."

"I don't know, I haven't been in much of a socializing mood...with the pregnancy symptoms, and the crap with Neil."

Sue nodded, letting her ideas float away. "Well, it's up to you...I imagine you do have a lot going on. It just sucks that crime is so backed up here...I mean, it's ridiculous. Your baby could very well be born before you get a court date."

"I know... that'll be great. Needing a babysitter so I can go testify against the man that raped me since I was practically a baby myself."

"You're still practically a baby, if you think about it..." Sue shook her head. "I Believe God forgives most, but I hope God doesn't even listen to his prayers."

"Don't worry, he doesn't pray. I guess, he might...if I win the case. People tend to pray when they think their life is over. Atheist or not."

Lukas came down the stairs holding Max's phone. "Max, your mom is calling you. Three times in a row."

"Oh crap, let me see." Max took her phone from Lukas and called her mom back. "That's strange for her to call like that..." She said while she waited for Susan to pick up. The last thing she expected was for Susan to be in labor. Max still hadn't accepted the fact that she was even pregnant. As awful as it sounded, Max also expected the baby to die before it was born. Susan didn't care for herself or that baby.

"Finally, Max I need you!" Susan had never said that before. But she said it now, before even saying hello.

"Mom, what's wrong?" Max felt Lukas put a hand on her aching back.

"I think I'm in labor and I can't get my damned car to start. Billy isn't home, the fucking asshole. I can't afford an ambulance."

Max knew what her mom wanted, but also knew she wouldn't say it herself. "We'll come get you."

"Fine...I don't need a flock of people."

"It'll be me and Sue..." Max realized she didn't want to be without her emotional support person. "And Lukas."

"God dammit–" Susan hissed and cursed. Sounded like she was in pain. Of course she was in pain. "Just get me to the hospital, I don't care how."

"Okay mom..." Max softened her tone. She hated hearing or seeing her mom in pain. "We're on our way. Just stay calm." She hung up and before she could speak, Lukas and Sue were questioning her. "I think mom's in labor...she needs a ride. She's crazy enough to drive herself, but her car won't start."

"Oh dear, I'll get the car!" Sue started looking for her keys, no further questions asked. Sue didn't care if she got along with Susan or not. She wasn't going to let a mother or baby die because they couldn't get to the hospital. "Lukas, Tell your dad me and Max are taking Susan to the hospital."

"Do you need me?" Lukas asked.

"Yes." Max said in a whiny tone. She didn't mean to be whiny, but she was scared. "I need you to come too."